Why do I
still love living on Lamma Island so much, even after 3 years?
For an answer, let me
describe Saturday morning shopping with Lamma-Por just before the Chinese
Lunar New Year 2005, illustrated with lots of photos, of course. But
first, for the Year of the Rooster, a glass rooster, hand-imported from
Bangkok, around the time of the last Year of the Rooster, 12 years ago:
Having
breakfast in a Dai Pai Dong, decorated with NY banners, where they know
us regulars well and treat us in a very friendly manner.
Selecting a
free hand-drawn Fai Chuen banner (Mine - on the right - says
"May money and treasure be plentiful") in front of City Hall, while
chatting with Lammadonna,
the "most powerful woman on Lamma". Her locally dominant
right-wing party DAB is sponsoring the event and the calligraphy artist.
Getting the daily papers, a friend stops
by and whispers in a secretive manner in Cantonese "Wanna buy
fireworks?". Yes, of course! In Hong Kong, all fireworks
are illegal and the threatened punishments include jail time. But
on Lamma and other Outlying Islands people love "to play fireworks" at
NY. So some enterprising locals smuggle them in from Mainland
China, where they're legal. But Lamma's pets often get disturbed
by the noise (see poster below).
Strolling out
to the reclamation boat pier where NY plants are being sold direct, only
today.
Choosing a lucky tangerine tree & 2 big flower pots from Ah-Ying,
getting them home-delivered right away. The delivery guy is hiding
behind the cart while I'm taking a photo (see below)!
Our
neighbour's spontaneously helping to carry a pot upstairs to our flat in
a typical, new "Village House", a low-rent, 3-floor
"Spanish-style
villa".
Taking photos
during all of this and putting them into a photo gallery which will grow
considerably over the next several days!
NY banner from DAB party at ferry pier
Fai Chuen insert in Apple Daily newspaper
NY banner from Liberal Party at ferry pier
The 4 most popular NY puddings
Puddings after frying, ready to serve
Warning poster by LAWC to keep your pets indoors during the fireworks
Community event by DAB in front of "City Hall"
Translations of some major Fai Chuen greetings
The calligrapher is taking orders
The two custom-made Fai Chuens presented by Lammadonna
Lamma-Gung's Fai Chuen: May money and treasure be plentiful
Lamma-Por's Fai Chuen: Money comes in from many sources
RECLAMATION FERRY PIER: Kumquat trees (bitter tangerines)
Customer checking out the merchandise
Kumquat trees are "bonsai-ed" into various shapes these days
Our haul, but the big home delivery guy is a bit camera-shy...
All set up on our balcony
Plant pot banner w/a Chinese character meaning many good things & tidings
Picture Pile of NY photos, made with two clicks in Picasa image library
Fai Chuen featuring the latest Pixar animation ("5 generations under one roof")
Giordano ads featuring 3 "modernised" Chinese gods
Lai See (red packet) with cash inside
Happy New Year card from Lammadonna
Sampan restaurant banner
ABERDEEN MARKET: sweets for the NY carousel
Chinese sweets
NY decorations for sale in a stationery shop
Crowds, crowds on Lunar New Year's Eve
Well-protected market
Cut blooming flowers are a must!
Peach trees in every shopping mall
Roasted meats for the holidays
More must-buys for NY
Ferry back to Lamma
Kumquat trees in the front of ships
Lucky & glittery 3D Fai Chuen
Paper peacock, and it plays Kung Hei Fat Choy music as well!
Cut, blooming flowers at home
My NY carousel, stuffed with sunflower seeds & sweets
McDonald's Lai See for all customers: free food & discount vouchers
"Vegetable Tea" from our neighbours
NY sweets, seeds & nuts in our neighour's flat
To
send comments, get more info, get high-res files for printing, or to publish
your own Lamma-related photos & galleries on
Lamma.com.hk or in the
Lamma-zine:
email
Lamma-Gung.
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only,
but only with explicit permission from the author, photographer or artist.
Commercial enquiries are most welcome! Last update:
September 29, 2019 11:12 AM
