a Hong Kong sampan at sunrise Photo

Photographer’s Note

This photo was taken just before 7am at the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter, on Hong Kong Island.

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A sampan is a relatively flat bottomed Chinese wooden boat from 3.5 to 4.5 metres (approximately twelve to fifteen feet) long.

Some sampans include a small shelter on board, and may be used as a permanent habitation on inland waters.

Sampans are generally used for fishing or transportation, in coastal areas or rivers.

It is unusual for a sampan to sail far from land as they do not have the means to survive rough weather.

The term sampan literally means three planks in Cantonese language, it is derived from the words Sam (three) and pan (plank).

Sampans are still in use by rural residents of Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Sampans may be propelled by oars or may be fitted with outboard motors.

These motors may be powered by petrol. However, not all outboard motors are petrol powered (such as the electric motors used in a Malaysian firefly sanctuary, as petrol fumes are toxic to fireflies.)

Source: Wikipedia.

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To hear the sound of a sampan, you can see my short video on YouTube:-
a sampan in Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour

robertosalguero, jhm, ChrisJ has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

robertosalguero (2759) 2007-07-19 8:48

Nice early morning light in this picture. The texture of the water is very nice; almost like shaped glass. Interesting perspective and good contrast of the sampan against the modern and rich yatchs. I thinks sampans are still a very popular transport in HK. Thanks Andrew.

Roberto

RGatward (19737) 2007-07-23 15:44

Very good clear shot of this iconic form of HK transport. I don't think I'll ever tire of seeing these things.

jhm (81731) 2007-07-27 1:04

Hello Andrew,

You as very great specialist about the port of Hong Kong, always we see wonderful daily life picture with different boats and people.
You play excellent with sun and the light here, also the colours and composition are superb. Thanks for sharing.

Have a nice day,
John.

leonorkuhn (13501) 2007-07-27 8:34

Hi Andrew,

You make a good use of the morning light. Very nice colors and details of the boat and good reflections.

Best Regards
Leonor

ChrisJ (69588) 2007-08-02 5:17

Hi Andrew

Good fg reflections with nice repetition of the circular shapes of the tyres. Nice placement of the boat offcentre leaving plenty of space at right for the sampan to move into. Tfs!

jrj (34779) 2007-08-03 1:29

The morning light is just superb for this photo of the sampan making as always the big contrast to the more modern boats around. A fine apture Andrew with an interesting shiny sea making a good detail in the total result.

Kenny10pin (19301) 2007-08-16 3:07