Hong Kong, China
Page 2
Chinese flags courtesy Free Gifs & Animations
The following pictures copied from the
1949 USS Helena CA-75 Cruise Book
provided by RD2 Dave Brouchoud
Click on the book image to learn more. |
1949
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TIGER BALM GARDEN
Sight-seeing, too, was plentiful in Hong Kong. With the kind cooperation of the Royal Navy, busses were placed at our disposal each afternoon. The most interesting spot of all was the Tiger Balm Gardens, the home of the manufacturing of the famous Chinese "Cure-all" patent medicine, "Tiger Balm." Like the old time horse liniment, it was evidently supposed to be good for man or beast, cure anything from fallen arches to falling hair, make a man irresistable and a woman "out of this world." Nestled in the hillside, overlooking Hong Kong and the harbor, it presented a spectacle that was almost fantastiv. Bright painted statues and grottos depicted almost every legend in Chinese mythology. A full play of oriental fantasy, which must be seen to be appreciated, was on display.
Our brief stay ended too soon. We weigh anchor and pointed the bow towards the Philippines, arriving there the morning of Thanksgiving day.
Chinese junks and a British hospital ship
Scenes at Tiger Balm Gardens
The brilliant colors and grotesque figures in the gardens presented an awe-inspiring spectacle as one might inagine while reading the fabulous "Alice in Wonderland," while on the other side of the glistening walls lay the world of stark reality with all of its poverty and human misery.
