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mastcomm · 4 years

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Germany Shootings Leave at Least 11 People Dead, Including Gunman

BERLIN — The German police stormed an apartment in the central city of Hanau early Thursday, where they found the body of a person who is believed to have killed at least nine people and injured several others in one of the country’s bloodiest shootings in recent memory.

The police said another person was also found dead in the apartment after they acted on a tip, but they declined to provide further details or suggest a motive for the shootings on Wednesday in Hanau, a city of about 95,000 people that is 10 miles east of Frankfurt.

Images from the city showed several streets still blocked off with red-and-white police tape, as officers combed the crime scenes for evidence. A school and several day care centers in the area remained closed on Thursday, the city’s mayor said on Facebook.

The shootings took place at two bars popular with young people from the city’s Kurdish community, raising speculation that the attacks were carried out by someone with far-right views.

The authorities declined to confirm reports from German news organization that the gunman had left a video and a letter about the attack pointing to a possible far-right motive.

But federal prosecutors said Thursday they were taking over the investigation, the prosecutor in Hanau said, an indication they believed the shooting was linked to terrorism or a wider threat to the country.

Tarek Al Wazir, the economy minister for the state of Hesse, drew comparisons to Anders Brevik, who went on a rampage in Norway in 2011 that killed 77 people, and the attacker in Halle, saying that he believed the gunman appeared to have been self-radicalized.

“We know this from Islamic terrorism, that people radicalize over the Internet videos and in chat groups radicalize,” he told Germany’s n-tv news outlet.

The first attack took place at a hookah bar — sometimes referred to as a shisha bar, named for the water pipes that are smoked on the premises — on Wednesday night. A short time later, at around 10 p.m., residents of Hanau started posted warnings on social media with the license plate number of a car.

German media cited witnesses who reported seeing a vehicle fleeing from the scene, and police later said they were searching for “a dark car” in connection with the attack.

The police said they were called to a different neighborhood in the city, and local media reported that more shots had been fired at the Arena Bar & Cafe before fleeing the scene. At least nine people were killed at the two bars.

“Our thoughts this morning are with the people in Hanau,” Steffen Seibert, the spokesman for Chancellor Angela Merkel, wrote in a post on Twitter. “Our deepest sympathies are with the families who are mourning their dead and we hope with the injured that they will heal soon.”

“A terrible evening,” the mayor of Hanau, Claus Kaminsky, told the Bild newspaper. “It will certainly occupy us for a long, long time and it will remain in our sad memories.”

Tiffany May and Austin Ramzy contributed reporting from Hong Kong.

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angelwei095 · 5 years

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Runway Hong Kong, a 1950’s vintage flight concept bar located right on Wyndham Street Central Hongkong formed by a passion to bring a unique and original concept to Hong Kong - the theme of travel complemented with a modern touch.

#Shisha Lounge In Hongkong

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roundtheworldrambles · 5 years

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Hong Kong, China - Part 1

Day 65 – Shenzhen, China to Hong Kong

It was early in the morning as our overnight train from Guilin pulled into Shenzhen Station. Immediately North of Hong Kong, the border city was our last stop in Mainland China. Disembarking onto the platform with bleary eyes (a full night’s sleep was out of the question on the narrow bunks of the overnight train!), we hitched our packs onto our shoulders, joining the throngs of Chinese Nationals crossing into Hong Kong by foot.

As we entered this Special Administrative Region of China, the evidence of past British Colonization was immediately evident. Boarding a train into the city at Lo Wu, we were thrilled to find both Cantonese and English signage throughout the station – a welcome change after the language barrier of the previous two weeks. In contrast to Mainland China, the increased multiculturalism of Hong Kong was also noticeable. As one of the most significant financial centres and trade ports in the world, people from countless nationalities live and work in this dense urban area.

The Iconic Pastel Apartments of Hong Kong

Christie and I navigated through the sprawling transit system to arrive at Sai Ying Pun, one of the oldest neighbourhoods on the island of Hong Kong, and home to our Air Bnb “micro-apartment” for the next 6 days. Stepping out into the sunshine, we walked for only a few steps before noticing the incredible rainbow of colour surrounding us. Painted in vivid shades of pink, purple and turquoise, the iconic, pastel-hued apartments of Hong Kong towered above us. With the average apartment size hovering around 400 sq2, the scale of urban densification across the city was simply jaw dropping. I could easily understand why this city is considered to be one of the most vertical cities on the planet. This “Architecture of Density” is beautifully captured by Michael Wolf – a talented urban landscape photographer and long-time creative inspiration of mine.

The eclectic sights, smells and sounds of Sai Ying Pun followed us as we wound along the curved streets. We watched as smartly dressed businessmen lined up for steaming bowl of noodles sold by roadside vendors. Miniature Buddhist shrines were scattered throughout the streets, often covered with offerings of fruit and burning sticks of incense. Catching glimpses into narrow alleys, we frequently noticed smoky vapours spiralling into the air. Along the main road, many heritage buildings had been converted into modern cafes, filled with fashionably dressed urban professionals. Bordering these cafes, antiques stores and traditional Chinese shops also lined the streets. Most often devoted to Traditional Chinese Medicine, these small businesses had an extensive assortment of unusual medicinal ingredients for sale, including dried fish, herbs and spices, various minerals and animal organs – many of which we found to be quite perplexing!

One of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Shops in Sai Ying Pun - Right Below our Air BnB

Entering a dimly lit stairwell located between two of these Chinese medicine shops, Christie and I climbed the stairs to our Air Bnb, passing many small household shrines on the steps. Staying in this tiny space for several nights provided us with a fascinating glimpse into the crowded living conditions in the skyscraper city. The micro-apartment consisted of little more than a kitchenette and double bed, and a tiny bathroom where the sink, toilet and shower were stacked on top of each other (we literally showered while standing over the toilet!). Looking out the window of the unit, we had a 360-degree view of hundreds of other apartments, closely packed together. Countless lines of drying laundry were strung from the balconies, clothing fluttering in the breeze. As evening fell, the visual effect was of looking into countless tiny fishbowls, as the bright, indoor lights revealed the lives of people within.

Our Micro-apartment Air Bnb

With a fresh surge of energy following a power nap, Christie and I headed out into the city for dinner. Meandering down to the waterfront, we were instantly captivated by the impressive skyline of Kowloon, with countless glittering skyscrapers reflected across Victoria Harbour. In front of us, dozens of ferries, cargo ships and smaller boats criss-crossed the busy waterway in every direction. In the distance, we could see the historic Star Ferries, shuttling passengers between Central Pier and Kowloon. Iconic to the city, these ferries have been in operation since 1888, and were once the only way to access the island of Hong Kong. As we took in the view, a steady stream of hydrofoil catamarans roared past us. These high-speed ferries are used to travel to the outlying islands of Hong Kong, as well as to the Special Administrative Region of Macau – the former Portuguese colony famous for being the “gambling capitol of the world”.

Turning away from the water, Christie and I ascended the sloping streets to the Mid-Levels, a hilly neighbourhood located at the base of Victoria Peak. Outdoor escalators are built along the steep pedestrian stairways lined with bars, open-air restaurants and patios. Savouring the most “Westernized” meal we had had in weeks, Christie and I people-watched with a few pints of craft beer before wandering over to the nearby neighbourhood of Lan Kwai Fong for a nightcap. The unquestionable party epicenter of Hong Kong, this district was packed with everything from shot bars, fashionable nightclubs, and shisha cafes. As optimistic as I was about checking out this area – it quickly became apparent that we were both far too exhausted to partake in any of the revelry around us. We quickly headed back to our Air Bnb - immediately crashing for the night!

Day 66 – Hong Kong

Having caught up on what felt like a weeks’ worth of overdue sleep, Christie and I ventured out to explore the city by daylight. After grabbing a delicious brunch at the Cupping Room near Central, we wandered along the famous Hollywood Road, an early commerce centre and city thoroughfare. This street has been around for over a hundred years, and was formerly used as a trade hub between British and European traders and the Chinese. A fascinating range of merchandise continues to be sold in this area, including contemporary art, high quality antiques, curios and ink paintings. In complete juxtaposition, the nearby Cat Street is packed full of bargain hunters, searching for everything from kitschy souvenirs and Chinese movie posters, to jade sculptures and silk embroidery. As we wove in and out of countless side streets in the area, it became quickly clear that this neighbourhood was also a hotbed for urban art – complete with elaborately graffitied walls and multi-storey, beautifully detailed murals.

Christie and I were unreasonably stoked about this breakfast after 2 weeks of noodles!

Christie and I continued along Hollywood Road towards the Peak Tram, a funicular railway that ascends from the Central District of Hong Kong to Victoria Peak, the highest mountain on the island. Around since the 1880s and known for its incredible city and harbour views, taking a ride to the Peak was high on our list. However, confronted with a several hour line-up upon arrival, we came up with a plan to beat the crowds the following day. Our strategy being - in true Campbell style - to hike all the way to the top!

The Peak Tram

Switching gears, we walked back towards Central MTR to catch a train over to Kowloon. With a reputation for being a melting pot of traditional culture and modern development, I was excited to spend the rest of the day wandering around the peninsula. Hopping off the train at Mong Kok, Christie and I immediately set off to find local Dim Sum. It quickly became apparent that about half of Hong Kong (or so it felt!) was on a similar mission, as it took a good 45 minutes before we found a tucked away spot with a free table. Hong Kong lesson 101 - the size of crowds and line-ups are never to be underestimated, even in the middle of the day!

Dim Sum in Mong Kok

After stuffing ourselves full of dumplings and pork buns, Christie and I began our exploration of Mong Kok. With bustling, chaotic markets reminiscent of those in Mainland China, it was fascinating to see this older, grittier side of Hong Kong. Packed with everything from buckets full of splashing fish next and hole-in-the-wall electronics stores, to alleys crammed with food hawkers and hot woks – Mong Kok packed a punch for all five senses.

Mong Kok

We walked along Tung Choi Street, better known as the “Goldfish Market”, where thousands of goldfish and tropical fish were for sale. Displayed in bags of water outside dozens of aquatic stores, the fish trade was evidently big business in the city. I later learned that in the practice of feng shui, an ancient Chinese art focused on spatial relationships and harmony with nature, that goldfish are considered to be lucky – and it is common to find these “auspicious fish” in throughout homes in Hong Kong. Continuing to meander through the hectic markets and streets of Mong Kok, Christie and I popped in and out of dozens of labyrinthine electronic stores, searching for replacement parts for my Nikon. Shopping in this older part of Kowloon was certainly an experience in and of itself, as we attempted to navigate an overwhelming maze of vendors!

Goldfish Market

Mong Kok Street Markets

As evening fell, we boarded a train back the island of Hong Kong, navigating through a jumble of MTR stations bursting with rush hour commuters. Coming up for air in the Central District, we walked by several of Hong Kong’s 1920s-style double-deckered trams. Along with iconic red and white Toyota Comfort taxis ubiquitous to the city (and a complete throwback to the 1990s!), I loved seeing the many older methods of transportation still in use throughout the city. At every turn, it felt as though I was looking through a window at Hong Kong’s past. As we progressively spent more time exploring, the juxtaposing elements of Hong Kong continued to surprise and fascinate us, with many historical traditions preserved within a thoroughly modernized city.

One of Hong Kong’s Iconic Double-Deckered Trams

Gradually making our way back to Sai Ying Pun, Christie and I ended our day with dinner at a relaxed brewpub along the High Street near Hong Kong University – a welcome low key evening after a day of hustle and bustle!

#china

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bigetakesontheworld · 7 years

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We had a late start, for which I take full responsibility, and made it to Ngong Ping 360 by lunch time. Our travels were relatively uneventful, apart from a lady taking sneaky photos of us on the train, which I had forewarned Tanika about but she still found quite surprising. Getting off the bus, there were ‘wild’ cows left, right, and centre. If you haven’t read already, the monks used to have cows in one of the monasteries near Ngong Ping 360, and when they closed they let all the cows go free. They’re quite tame, and act like any other cow really, but super wild and super sacred. The first thing we noticed was a woman being chased by a cow, after her leftovers she was carrying. The second was a cow eating grass in a fenced off area, which the cow had conveniently pushed over, and a security guard desperately trying to get it to move off the grass by subtly poking it with a stick. An hour later we walked back, the cow was still eating the grass, and the guard had given up and was sitting on the bench having a cigarette. After exploring the temple and a brief toilet stop where we were actually asked if we wanted our photo taken, we faced our second big stair challenge. Getting to the top of the big Buddha was a struggle. After yesterday our legs were still on the tender side, and it was definitely an effort to get to the top, but the views were absolutely worth it. Our Chinese tea ceremony was as good as I remembered, and I walked out with another new tea set, but as I said to mum later that night, “this one is different though!” We met mum at a bar in Central for a drink with some of her friends, then headed across the road for dinner at an amazing Lebanese restaurant called Beiruit. The food was fantastic as always, with a selection of meats, salads and dips, including my all time favourite Labneh, a condensed goats yoghurt dip that goes insanely well with tabbouleh wrapped in pita bread. Ruth, one of mums friends, got very excited at the prospect of smoking a shisha, then immediately disappointed as she realised none of her friends were keen. Tanika and I gladly offered our assistance and relocated ourselves onto the balcony after selecting a strawberry apple mix. The owner came over to introduce himself, and after a slightly embarrassing moment of me trying to talk with a mouthful smoke and choking, we had a decent chat about the hospitality scene in Melbourne, earning the three of us a round of free shots. After the shisha had been enjoyed to its full extent, we started the commute home. The trains were quite busy, not for Hong Kong but by any other standard, and so a young boy with Down syndrome and his (presumably father) got on and stood so close I could feel his breath on my arm. He looked at us for a few seconds, and smiled. We smiled back. He said to me “friend! You be my friend?” And I said “yes, I’ll be your friend” to which he exclaimed “yay!” And shook my hand. This was repeated to both mum and Tanika, with a final outburst of “you all be my friend!” This was followed by “you swim?” To which I responded “yes, do you swim?” With a very animated response including arm movements of “i love swim!” And again the conversation was repeated to each of us. With a final handshake and reassurance that we were indeed his friends, we continued on to our next train and then home with smiles on our faces.

#travel #HongKong #BigEAndBitTTakeOnTheWorld #WritingBits #BigBuddha

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