Wai Che Printing @ Hong Kong

I love Hong Kong for a very good reason, I love its food. Always, before a visit, I ended up planning the trip in advance so that I have time to visit these famous eateries. 🙂

I remember telling myself that Hong Kong is not all about food in my previous post and I thought to myself. How about a walk for a change ? Wing Lee street is a short street of not more than 50 meters with neglected houses that was supposed to be demolished for redevelopment….. until a certain movie filmed at its location won a top prize at the 2010 Berlin Film Festival.

Checked the map on the Iphone and its says to use Ladder Street. A big mistake, it’s the longest flight of stairs that I have ever taken,…ok, not more than 100-150meters but its still stairs ! And when you do not know the way, its seems like its neverending……I should have known when they called it “Ladder Street”.

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Some entrepreneurs are smart enough to ride on the popularity of the place…..bought some units over from the residents, refurbished and rent them out.

I managed to get on Wing Lee street after going up and then down and then circling around and surprised surprised….I have stumbled onto Wai Che Printing.

A 62 years old establishment, a printing factory from the past. Mrs Lee was sitting alone when I came along but she’s chatty. Yeh, I get the “no photo” part. They are probably sick of everyone walking past and talking a snap every now and then without asking.

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But spend some time, Mr and Mrs Lee are extremely nice people. Mr Lee, 80s++, is passionate about his art. I spent an hour listening to him. The old machines are not running anymore but he is extremely keen to preserve this history of his.

“its Heart” he says, pointing to his chest. I get what he means……

Perhaps he is encouraged by many signatures in the thick book of petitions he has gathered, all to appeal to the government of Hong Kong for help to assist him to keep a piece of Hong Kong history alive. I wish they had the same heart he has.

Times are hard though, they are moving in 1 – 2 months to a new location, couldn’t afford the increase in rental. Sigh, it wouldn’t be the same anymore, so visit while you can.

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Not sure what are the names for all these…..shall call them alphabet letters 🙂

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Mrs Lee has printed some postcards for sale and she has also secretly bunched up some of these alphabet letters for sale too.

“Mr Lee wouldn’t like it. They are all pieces of him” she chuckled.

Respect 🙂