When I completed my education at the HBS in Deventer, Netherlands in 1948 I was faced with making a choice for my future career. I had preferred studying further in philosophy or medicin (psychiatry) but at that time it was far too costly. My parents could hardly make a living on their income. So I was urged to apply for a job that could generate an income. First I undertook a sailing trip to the North of Holland in Friesland. Whilst there my aunt sent me an ad offering a position as bank-officer in the Far East. I applied and was accepted for a training course at an institute of a Dutch commercial bank, the Nederlandsch-Indische Handelsbank. Not that it was my first choice but I was consoled by the fact that it gave me an opportunity to escape the narrow boundaries of my homeland. Moreover it had become a tradition in my family to seek ones refuge abroad. My grandfather was a Protestant minister in Indonesia and my father explored the riches of that country. His brother was psychiatrist in Cairo.
At institute 'de Ginckel, Naarden'. IJsbrand/Michael fourth from the left
Last view of my father in 1949
In 1949 I completed the course succesfully and was told that I was to be placed as an officer of their branch in Hong Kong. It was a heartbraking farewell for my parents as they were not to see me again in six years. My father was 74 years old and I realised that it was a goodbye forever, as he was in bad health and would not live long. However, I promised them to make a record on film of all that I would be seeing in the coming years. I kept my promise and sent them films regularly. Moreover exchanged letters every week.
Shipping label, 29th july 1949
De Mariekerk
On a slow boat to china. The Mariekerk was a Victory class freighter hailing from WW2
On board I realised that I wouldn't see my home country again. Right away I was tested in the Gulf of Biscaye whether I was a good sailor. By remaining on deck most of the time I could manage keeping my dinner inside! Approaching Italy the storm layed down. The first city abroad I was to see in my life was Genoa in Italy. It had not changed much after the war. I took out my cameras and started making pictures.
Calling on Genoa and the Philippines
Meeting his colleagues in Singapore
..and those in Manila.
After Genoa we passed the Suez canal. When we reached the Indian ocean the engine gave up and the ship bobbed motionless in the sea. Fortunately they had a manual aboard and the trouble was fixed. Singapore was the first port we reached in the Far East. A coleague from our office there took me around. I was dazed by all the impressions of oriental living I had to digest. I was also treated the the first glas of whiskey I had ever had in my life. I loathed the bitter taste of it and vowed never to drink it again. I abstained from alcoholic drinks all of my life and did not smoke either, however much my friends nagged me to relent. Anyhow after a few days we took off to IloIlo in the Philippines
Hong Kong, the gigantic city
Hong Kong harbour
Staying in the mess at MacDonnell Road
Des Voeux Road Central
The office at Des Voeux Rd. Central, now demolished
Queens Road Central
Ruins of WW2
Peaktram
First exploration
De Star ferry to and from Kowloon
He meets Buddhist John Blofeld in Shatin
Mr. Woo of the Pure Land Buddhist Society
Buddhist Pure Land ceremony
Starferry to Kowloon
Cruising down the river
Video clip: IJsbrand on Big Wave Bay
Climbing the mountains in the New Territories
Tolo harbour, New Territories
Xmas party
IJsbrand inspects results of his 9,5mm film
Entertaining the crew of a Dutch warship on its way to Korea.
A collection of my photo's of Hong Kong Kong in the fifties have been exhibited in 2010 in the Tao Evolution Gallery, Hong Kong
