Lamma-zine #33 - Jan 2005 - 2 Years of Lamma-zines: Victory or Luncay?

Issue #33, Jan 2006

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All photos & writing (except where credited otherwise),

design, editing, ads, publishing, distribution by Lamma-Gung.

Thanks to all advertisers & sponsors, writers & photographers,

contributors & collaborators, proofreaders & cheerleaders.

Contents

Editorial	Events Calendar	Emails to the Editor
Follow-up	Best of the Month	About Lamma-zine
Contest	Media Watch	Next Issue

GENERAL

3rd Anniversary of Lamma-zine
Best of Lamma-zine Blog
Signs You've Lived Off Lamma For Too Long!
PEOPLE
Lammaites Launch Books
From Separation to Individuation...
FESTIVALS & FOOD
DIXSTOCK '04
Funny Funday on Sunny Sunday
Festivals & Fundraisers!

Restaurants & Bars Update

The Lamma Diet - Eat Well on $20 a Day!
ENVIRONMENT & TOURISM

Hong Kong's Delightful Little Secret

Bugs Behaving Badly

Click for master index of contents of all 33 issues so far.

Business Ads: (Advertise your business!)

Editorial: Happy But Exhausted!

Would you believe that the Lamma-zine is already three years young? What started out as my little "labour of love" - a monthly, small, text-only email newsletter - has developed into a serious (OK, not too serious!) publication for over 2,500 readers. It's even spun off 1.5 years ago into a daily "Lamma-zine Blog" (weB LOG).

The Lamma-zine Blog has become a kind of daily Lamma-zine with one, sometimes several new timely article almost every single day, 7 days/week! Subtitled "News, photos & stories from the Lamma Island community and its fascinating inhabitants", it started officially on Sep 1^st 2004 and has been doing extremely well, growing tremendously, far surpassing this Lamma-zine in number of readers already. While waiting for the monthly Lamma-zine, you can now get current news, tips, stories & photos every day of the year at Lamma.com.hk!

Overall, I'm really happy with the progress the e-zine has made in these three years. Comparing the first issues with this one shows real progress in many areas, I hope, from design and layout to writing and marketing. Check out the early issues!

But without all the many contributors who submitted comments, suggestions, ideas, photos, even entire stories, the Lamma-zine wouldn't be possible and my sincerest thanks go out to all of them. Many thanks are in order as well for the good number of advertisers & sponsors who make this free magazine possible. There's a brand-new ad rate card online now - from private sponsorships at $115/month up to ads at the top of the home page for $1,200/month. Have a look at the ratecard!

Publishing 33 Lamma-zines so far... can this be considered a victory or total lunacy? YOU decide and let me know, please! Positive AND negative comments are always welcome!

Friendly greetings from Lamma-Gung

Managing Editor of Lamma-zine & Lamma-zine Blog
Site Administrator & Moderator of My Lamma Forums
Managing Consultant of Compunicate Web Publishing, e-Marketing & Photography

Important Note: Most pictures & all ads are clickable links! ANY TEXT in this dark-blue or this purple colour is a clickable link as well.

Contest:

Events Calendar: Jan 2006

This calendar is being frequently updated at Lamma.com.hk.

Submit all Lamma-related events for free listing to Lamma-Gung.

For past events, check out the Events Calendar Archives: 2003, 2004, 2005.

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sep

2nd anniversary Lamma-zine party,

Sunday Roast @ Diesel's,

Drumming Session

Standard Chartered Night @ Island Bar

Garoupa @ Amnesia

Cococabana Stormy Saturday Fiesta

Best of the Month

• Pictures: S!

Media Watch: Lammaites in the news...

• Clipping #1: L:

This Media Watch section depends on YOUR input!

Whenever you see Lamma or a Lammaite mentioned in any media (print, online, TV, etc),

any language, please let me know!

Emails to the Editor: "Dream Island"?

Irene L:

I called Lamma "Dream Island" cos' it seems to be a place where most of my wishes quietly come true whenever I'm on the island... the troubles I've at work will become nothing and solved after a day relaxing in this "Dream Island"... it's got beaches, hills, views, bbq, seafood, handsome guys & gals... where else in HK can have so much in such little area! Most of all -- its relaxing atmosphere just give me the feelings of back to NZL.

I've quite a few photos of Lamma -- but hey, Lamma is too beautiful to be captured in photos, you have to be there to feel and see the true beauty of it... agree?

Dale Hard, Cairns, Australia:

...We only spent 1 day there but we knew immediately we liked it. Especially the fact that is has no roads and the lifestyle seems to be much more 'real' and relaxed than Hong Kong despite being so close (which we see as a great advantage).

We live in Cairns in the tropical region of North Queensland in Australia which is very similar to Lamma Island, so it felt like home.

I found your website on Google - then read a few of your articles and decided I'd like to know more - we intend to come back and stay for a little while. Once again, thank you for your response and I will look forward to the next edition of the Lamma-zine.

Andy Maluche - The Official Court Artist:

Things go crazy around here.

Just finished FART which was a great success.

Literally hundreds of people and one and a half pages in the biggest newspaper in the country.

I actually sold a few works.

Otherwise I feel I am getting waaaay too much of the work and not enough of the art in artwork.

Hey, your feature is great, extensive and funny.

I guess Dick and I do know each other a long time.

He was just here for a couple of weeks and we had more fun than would be legal in most places.

Gotta go back to that work.

Iain Shane, China:

Lamma.com.hk is fine, forums and such all link properly, just cannot resolve compunicate.com even using 203.194.144.110 in a browser window.

Guess they reckon Lamma is full of subversive types i.e. hippies : )

Katherine & Roanne:

Could we get a subscription please.

We're new to Lamma, and are staying here for a number of years. We would like to get involved in the community. Hopefully, access to the e-zine will help us do that.

Kumi:

wow. thanks for including the news!

you are doing such a great work to keep our community close and warm! thank you!

Dennis Caeton:

you are so damn kind to respond so quickly.

Thank you. By the way that is some Zine you have there. I have never seen a zine so packed with information and pictures. How do you have any time.

I'm coming to HK in Oct this year for about a month. It would be an honor to buy you lunch or dinner. Again, thank you for your amazing kindness.

Trailer Trash:

I've been looking at the Lamma-zine and the forums for a few days - I must say that Lamma.com is the most interesting Hong Kong site I've seen for a long time, perhaps ever. It looks like a lot of stuff goes on inside fight club, so yes, access to that would be appreciated. What is the reason for fight club? It seems like there are fights a-plenty in the discussions forum as it is.

Keep up the good work!

Brasileira:

Don't change anything, everything's just perfect, what I like the most is that how the Lamma e-zine is so colourful ! Well-done !!!

Bud from Hawaii:

Aloha,

Thank you for the subscription!

I have been several times on Lamma. Two weeks ago my friend and I stayed for three days. Had a wonderful time. We rented bikes but had a hard time staying on the narrow pads... indeed we laughed!

My friend is from Hong Kong, and we were even talking about moving to Lamma...

Forwarded Lamma-Zine to several friends. Most people outside Hong Kong have no idea that places like Lamma exist so close to Central Hong Kong.

Much Success!

Wayne:

Anyway, I did make it to Lamma the week after the seminar, but I’ll probably go back some time. We had a nice time walking across from Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan via the “Lamma Island Family Walk” and finished off with a wonderful meal at The Bookworm Café. Finally, a really great (Western) vegetarian restaurant in HK!

So I browsed the forum on lamma.com.hk a bunch and it’s a great little community you have there. Like I said, I’m sure I’ll be back some time, probably to explore the island a bit more, and hang out in Yung Shue Wan a bit longer, probably. So maybe next time you could show me around a bit! Maybe I’ll take you up on that offer. ;)

Cheers, Wayne

Magmof:

Hi there... what a fantastic mag!?! I'm a true "Lammarian", made-up word apparently... I was born and raised there, but at the moment pursuing studies in Australia... JUST really MISS HOME SWEET HOME

Thanks for updates, really appreciate it !

Charlie - Village Bakery:

Thank you for your coverage of the soft opening. Your article and photos were, as always, very tastefully done. We shall have a ‘proper job’ some time in December, with drinks and finger food, to which you shall receive a timely invitation.

Sarah:

Thanks ! BTW, I *love* your Lamma site, brings back good memories !

John Cairns - Author:

For a certain kind of Blog, yours may be "one of the best ever".

Chrisj:

In response to the "worst blog", I am personally extremely pleased that you create and maintain the Lamma.com website.

It is informative, enjoyable, and helps pull the island community together.

Keep up the good work.

Bobsy - Life Restaurant:

well done, that's a great article indeed! i like your style!

one small correction, we started the bookworm cafe in january 1998 making it seven years young and not six.

keep up the community spirit, lamma needs you.

Dofi - Graffiti Artist of the Month - April 2005:

Finally I had a bit of time the other day and took a good long look at the Lamma-Zine site, so I should tell you I Like it, Love it, and Laugh at it!

Very nice, much respect !

Pit:

I've been enjoying the sometimes artistic and often hilarious (or v.v.) produce of the site and it was bout time I dusted off my trusty old Nikon and threw something back into the pot. You're the one doing all the stirring though.

PS. Have you considered asking the newly-renamed Pacific Internet (was Pacific Supernet) to sponsor the site (w/ storage, bandwidth, lavish gifts...?) in exchange for a promotional banner? What we lammaites lack in numbers we more than make up in the extent and reach of our influence and sheer creative madness. Far and wide and far out.

Would you rather be swamped by feedback? I'm sure you know that people only tend to provide "feedback" when they want to, pardon my french, "bitch" about something. AFAICT people are quite happy and even proud of the Lamma Chronicles you've created.

Maureen - Pinky's 2nd-Biggest Fan:

Please add me to your subscription list.

My friend, Pinky Chan, has introduced me to your magazine. I LOVE IT !!

Pinky is a gem, to say the least and I treasure her while she is here in Canada.

It will be sad when she returns to Lamma Island.

Thank you for making me feel so welcome. Lammazine is both outrageous and delectable !! Features, articles and interviews are captivating, informative and humorous. For those of us on the other side of this planet who may have never had the privilege of experiencing Lamma Island and it's people, your magazine is nothing less than alluring.

Mr Tough:

There is no place with more up to date and in depth Lamma news ;-)

Keith and the ladies

Bud Linschoten - Honolulu, Hawaii:

Aloha,

Thank you for keeping me informed, and sometimes entertained, about Lamma, through your Lamma.com.hk website.

The "Save Lamma" organization (found on your website) made me realize, that there are some pretty good people out on Lamma.

End of this month I will be "flat hunting" on Lamma.

Thanks again! Your website is impressive!

Mahalo,

Jay Scott Kanes:

Actually, among Lamma Islanders, you're as official and bona fide as any media in the world. You'd be surprised how many people looking at the book have asked me to "inform the local media", meaning the Lamma Web site.

Taipengshan:

Lamma.Blog daily update very slick and valuable.

Congratulations.

Reluctant Writer:

Just before I go for my beauty sleep...I wanted to write a few words.

As the readership expands, your blog does become respectable, and thus there is greater pressure for you to be impartial and without bias in your reporting.

Very difficult to do, as we are human.

I guess that lots of people read and very few give feedback.

Guess that looking at the number of hits you can judge if you are going in the correct direction.

Time for beauty sleep.

About Lamma-zine & Blog:

(Difference between Lamma-zine and Lamma.com.hk & Blog: 3-column table)

Santy! Computer worm!

New moderators: Granola Eater & Guy Miller & Samson

1 million hits! (Blog: Nov 2) 1.3 million

848,888 hits on Compunicate in May 2005

All-time record on Sep 19, 2004

Most users ever online was 15 on Fri, Oct 08, 04 13:09

Wanted: Ad Sales Manager:

Urgently looking for a freelance Ad Sales Manager to sell advertising and sponsorship for the Lamma-zine and the blog. Very high commission and totally flexible working hours. Basic Internet knowledge and some sales experience necessary, preferably a bilingual Lammaite. Make a very nice extra income in just a few hours per week. Have a look at the current rate card and email us for an informal interview.

If you've got any news, tips, ideas, photos or stories: Call 6498 6960 or email info@compunicate.com

Click here for a spam-free subscription!

readers since July 1, 2003;

Last update: July 03, 2010 11:05 AM

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