<strong>Hong Kong's history: </strong>David Bellis is the founder of Gwulo.com -- a popular online library filled with old Hong Kong photos and stories. His project has connected him with travelers who moved to Hong Kong in different eras.
Hong Kong's history: David Bellis is the founder of Gwulo.com -- a popular online library filled with old Hong Kong photos and stories. His project has connected him with travelers who moved to Hong Kong in different eras.
Noemi Cassanelli/CNN
<strong>Barbara Anslow: </strong>Though his website, Bellis connected him with the late Barbara Anslow, who lived in Hong Kong through World War II. Bellis asked her if he could share her diary entries on his website, and a friendship was born. This photograph of her was taken on December 25, 1941 a few hours Hong Kong surrendered to the Japanese.
Barbara Anslow: Though his website, Bellis connected him with the late Barbara Anslow, who lived in Hong Kong through World War II. Bellis asked her if he could share her diary entries on his website, and a friendship was born. This photograph of her was taken on December 25, 1941 a few hours Hong Kong surrendered to the Japanese.
Courtesy Barbara Anslow
<strong>Hong Kong in the 1920s: </strong>Anslow and her family first moved to Hong Kong in 1927. In this photo, they're enjoying one of the city's beaches.
Hong Kong in the 1920s: Anslow and her family first moved to Hong Kong in 1927. In this photo, they're enjoying one of the city's beaches.
Courtesy Barbara Anslow
<strong>Hong Kong in the 1990s: </strong>In 1992, Bellis made his own move to the city, having fallen in love with it during an earlier visit. He says he's always loved wandering off the tourist's path, meeting local people and learning about the city's history.
Hong Kong in the 1990s: In 1992, Bellis made his own move to the city, having fallen in love with it during an earlier visit. He says he's always loved wandering off the tourist's path, meeting local people and learning about the city's history.
Courtesy David Bellis
<strong>Turnips and tulips: </strong>Bellis married his wife Grace, a local Hong Konger, in 1999. At their wedding, Bellis retold the story of their first date, holding a turnip. "When we started dating, I asked her which flowers she likes and she told me 'turnip' (she meant 'tulip'). I bought her a turnip (loh baak) that she took home."
Turnips and tulips: Bellis married his wife Grace, a local Hong Konger, in 1999. At their wedding, Bellis retold the story of their first date, holding a turnip. "When we started dating, I asked her which flowers she likes and she told me 'turnip' (she meant 'tulip'). I bought her a turnip (loh baak) that she took home."
Courtesy David Bellis
<strong>Anslow's life in Hong Kong: </strong>"As a teenager, she enjoyed going to weekly whist drives (a social gathering centered around cards) with her older sister and mother, as well as bingo, tennis and launch picnics run by the Naval Dockyard," Anslow's daughter, Kerry Maddison, tells CNN Travel.
Anslow's life in Hong Kong: "As a teenager, she enjoyed going to weekly whist drives (a social gathering centered around cards) with her older sister and mother, as well as bingo, tennis and launch picnics run by the Naval Dockyard," Anslow's daughter, Kerry Maddison, tells CNN Travel.
Courtesy Barbara Anslow
<strong>Fond memories of Hong Kong: </strong>For decades to come, Anslow continued to share fond memories of her time in Hong Kong. She moved back to Britain in 1959.
Fond memories of Hong Kong: For decades to come, Anslow continued to share fond memories of her time in Hong Kong. She moved back to Britain in 1959.
Courtesy Barbara Anslow
<strong>Pre-war life: </strong>Anslow attends a wedding at St Joseph's Church Hong Kong in 1941.
Pre-war life: Anslow attends a wedding at St Joseph's Church Hong Kong in 1941.
Courtesy Barbara Anslow
<strong>Bellis' old Hong Kong photos: </strong>In addition to old Hong Kong photos shared by his Gwulo followers, Bellis also collects images and old postcards from around the world.
Bellis' old Hong Kong photos: In addition to old Hong Kong photos shared by his Gwulo followers, Bellis also collects images and old postcards from around the world.
Noemi Cassanelli/CNN
<strong>Bellis' old Hong Kong photos: </strong>Bellis opens mail filled with some of the latest old photos he's ordered from around the world.
Bellis' old Hong Kong photos: Bellis opens mail filled with some of the latest old photos he's ordered from around the world.
Noemi Cassanelli/CNN
<strong>Old Hong Kong tales: </strong>Many people have connected and reunited through the Gwulo website. "You may post a photo of your younger sister but someone else would be looking at the model of the tram in the background. Everyone may look at the same information but will get different stories out of it," says Bellis.
Old Hong Kong tales: Many people have connected and reunited through the Gwulo website. "You may post a photo of your younger sister but someone else would be looking at the model of the tram in the background. Everyone may look at the same information but will get different stories out of it," says Bellis.
Noemi Cassanelli/CNN; Courtesy David Bellis
<strong>Bellis and Anslow: </strong>Bellis (forth from the left) and Anslow (third from the right) remained pen pals for years. Bellis connected with Anslow whenever he visited the United Kingdom -- right up until Anslow passed away in 2019. Here's a photo of one of his visits.
Bellis and Anslow: Bellis (forth from the left) and Anslow (third from the right) remained pen pals for years. Bellis connected with Anslow whenever he visited the United Kingdom -- right up until Anslow passed away in 2019. Here's a photo of one of his visits.
Courtesy David Bellis