July 4:
Transition Coal to Gas
"3 July 2018 - HK Electric
announced today a capital
expenditure of HK$26.6 billion
in the next five years to build
the infrastructure required for
the transition from coal to gas
generation in order to increase
the proportion of gas-fired
generation, while continuing to
provide a highly reliable power
supply and excellent services.
HK
Electric is pleased that its
2019-2023 Development Plan has
been approved by the Executive
Council today, said Managing
Director Mr. Wan Chi-tin who
pledged full support for the
Government in combating climate
change and improving local air
quality.
Under the new Development Plan,
HK Electric will invest HK$16.2
billion (see table 1) in
projects related to power
generation, which accounts for
61% of total investment. A large
part of it will be used to build
the new gas-fired units and
associated facilities required
to replace the retiring
coal-fired units...
...However,
following two years of
substantial special rebates in
2017 and 2018 - "Special Rent &
Rates Rebate" and "Special Fuel
Rebate", there is no room for HK
Electric to provide the same in
2019. These two rebates will be
reduced from 20 cents per unit
of electricity in 2018 to 4.6
cents in 2019, with the
shortfall of 15.4 cents to be
reflected in the 2019 tariff.
Mr.
Wan explained that though the
reduction of permitted rate of
return will lower tariff, it
could not fully offset the
impact of the substantial
reduction in the two special
rebates. As a result, there will
be a rebound in 2019 net tariff
by 7.6 cents per unit of
electricity, from 112.5 cents in
2018 to 120.1 cents in 2019,
representing an increase
of 6.8%."
SCMP
stories about the new tariffs:
HK households can expect
electricity bills to rise by 1.9
per cent next year
HK officials plan to give
consumers HK$8.7 billion helping
hand to pay electricity bills
over next 5 years
July 3:
1,000 Members!
I've just approved Member #1,000
into the
Lamma Island Uncensored
group yesterday night, being one
of several moderators.
Congratulations to my
Facebook/real-world acquaintance
Betty Hopperstad!
This Uncensored
group is the fastest growing
Lamma-related Facebook group; it
just took a few days more than 1
year to reach 1,000 Members!
I've asked
Betty Hopperstad for a few
words for the Lamma-zine:
"If someone had ask me in years
past where I might land in
retirement, Hong Kong was not
even on my radar, let alone,
Lamma Island. Then, in the early
2000's my son,
David Kramer,
moved to HK with his work and,
thereafter, found his way to
Lamma.
Fast-forward… I now have two
grand-children.
So,So, when I retired from my
faculty position in 2014, from
Napa Valley College, in
California, I made Lamma my home
as well, for one-half of the
year, Sept. through March. The
other half I'm in the US.
I
have grown to love Lamma, with
her majestic, sometimes magical,
and often other-worldly nature…
all in spite of her many jungle
creatures!
I
miss Lamma when I'm away. This
year will be my 10th year
visiting and now living,
part-time, on the Island. See
you all again in September!"
July 2:
What's
Up in July?
A full events calendar
at
Lamma Art Collective for the
month of July:
Colin Clarke of
The Blue
Goose Tavern writes:
Something precious has been
taken
So young, my baby
bird,
Why is God so cruel
sometimes?
Coz this, she
didn't deserve.
2
and a half years we got to know
Each other, it's been really
great!
But for reasons we
will never know
He's taken
our little cell mate.
You
showed us much love, you gave us
much fun.
You watched over me,
you watched over mum.
There
were things you hated, and
things you liked
And you'd
soon let us know, by giving us a
bite!
You'd lay down in your cage with
your feet in the air.
People
come running after having a
scare.
She'd just had a bath,
sung a song and good filling.
But scares turned to a smile,
coz she was just chillin'.
We
laughed at the stupid things
she's done.
The trust that she
gave us, was second to none.
She'd watch me at work, serving
drinks to the thirsty,
Knowing
if she sat quietly until about
10:30,
she'd be rewarded her
freedom, to come sit on my
shoulder
For an hour or so,
before I take her to a colder
Room, where she'd sleep, and at
the end of the day
I'd come
up and we'd chat and giggle and
play.
But
now she's gone, and boy, did I
pray!
She got this fucking
cancer, and it took her away.
My prayers for her healing,
we're never answered
By the
bloke in the sky, the bloke that
I thought would
Give my baby
a chance, and sprinkle some life
dust
To bring more joy to her
friends who'd spend long nights
with us.
Thought he'd help me coz we
didn't think he'd choose
To end her young life, why'd he
take baby Booza?
So young, so
cute, such fun, great company.
This happy red bird, fitted
right in with this family.
To
end her life, for no apparent
reason,
Like chopping down
roses at the end of the season.
But roses have a chance to come
back and grow again.
But this
little red birds life was taken
in vain.
I'm
speaking my mind, I'm telling in
rhyme,
I hate this savage God,
but I guess that in time
I'll
get over this murder, and the
pain will pass by
And I know
that Booza has flown up to the
sky,
To meet the mass killer,
who took her away,
The God who
has shattered my heart totally
today,
Thing is, she went
there, that's the way it now is.
She flew up to meet him, it's in
her soul to forgive
And if
she can do it, to forgive this
giver of sorrow
I'll also try
hard, and maybe tomorrow
I'll
start praying again, and ask
many questions,
Why he done
this, what were his reasons
For taking my bird on the 1st of
July
so far away, to the
place in the sky.
I'm
sorry, God, my words bitter and
twisted,
But you never
listened to the things I had
listed,
But this time I needed
you, but you never heard.
I
just wanted you to help my
little red bird.
But
it's done now tho, it's time to
move on
The damage is final,
nothing now can be done.
I'll
forgive and forget but I'd
rather I didn't lose her.
We
love and miss you.
My Best
little Friend Booza."
June 30:
Support Village Elections!
Click above for detailed,
bilingual information, the new
Village Charter and registration
forms.
The many stages of the truly
amazing sunset yesterday,
(shot over half an hour from the
very top of our village house
rooftop cabin).
Just before the thunderstorm
started today... My photo with a
very creative addition by
Dave Cairns!
Independence Day movie? Thank you!
Anybody else want to improve my
photos? Most welcome!
A year ago, a Lamma Drama about
rampant censorship and banning
of senior members in the oldest
and biggest Lamma Facebook group
erupted. This caused quite an
uproar (or a storm in a teacup,
depending on your perspective)
and the founding of the
Lamma Island Uncensored
Facebook group.
The
(Closed) Group founder and admin
Marcus writes:
"With Tracy being our 956th
member, congratulations to Lamma
Island Uncensored on its 1st
year anniversary!!
We are predominantly a
female site (53.1%) of age 35-44
and living in HK on Lamma (742
members).
Craig's
post is currently most commented
on and Louise was the 1st
member.
Thanks to moderators Christian,
Tracy, Ruby, and
Lamma Gung
for their continued support. And
to Lisa and
The-Shop-Opposite-Jing-Jing for
being our cover shot."
Click here to apply to join.
Read Lamma-related stuff and
comments I wouldn't put into
this totally public,
positive-news Lamma-zine. But
expect some Lamma-related
questions before the admin or us
moderators let you join.
Next milestone: Reaching 1,000
active and current group members
on our island with only 6,000+
residents!
June 14:
Drop-Dead Gorgeous Mombie
Vote for
ex-Lammaite
Abigail's amazing
MOMBIE video in the
NYX Dropdead Gorgeous Face
Awards!
She writes: "'MOMBIE' is
inspired by Delta Blues music,
pop art zombie and my mornings
as a mum. Despite my terrible
voice I hope you enjoyed the
lyrics and the look."
Up to 3 votes/day for HK's #1
face/body painter, till June 14
only!
Video and voting instructions...
Want to see more of Abigail's
self-paintings?
June 13:
Antony Bourdain @ Andy's Seafood Rest.
Remembering Antony
Bourdain's visit to
Lamma in Jan 2012, during his
"The Layover" series. He wrote:
"Lamma Island, only recently
discovered by Bruce Lee and
famous for its yearly martial
arts tournament operated by the
one-armed, evil dictator who
rules over the island. I could
be wrong."
See my Lamma-zine story of his
visit:
One-Armed Evil Dictator Ruling
Lamma
TripAdvisor reviews of Andy's
Seafood with fine photos...
Here's my own more recent photo
of the kind of feast Antony
Bourdain & friends might have
enjoyed:
The most recent epside of his
Parts Unknown series,
featuring Hong Kong
again, has been aired on CNN
just a week ago, just days
before his suicide.
P.S. One of
several more Bourdain-on-Lamma
photo stories I've discovered during the
research for this story, from
"A Pessimist Is Never
Disappointed".
It has been
written by ex-Lammaite
Glenn Francis Griffith
(one of the numerous Lamma-zine
content contributors over the
last 15 years):
June 12:
World Cup Football: Where to Watch
Where to watch the Football
World Cup matches in YSW, as it
won't be shown on domestic TV
channels?
Here's a great
summary from
Marcus H. Langston (who'll
be rooting for the UK team,
despite just
miniscule
hope):
"Four sleeps until the kick off
opening match in Moscow so I
guess we are all wondering
"Where to watch
the World Cup in Yung Shue
Wan...?"
Luckily, I had nothing to do
before GnT o’clock so, starting
from the Ferry here is the low
down:
The Island Bar -
Will not show the opening
ceremony (another private event
happening) and match on Thursday
14th. Will show the other
matches during the competition,
but no 02:30am games. No cover
charge.
Spicy Island - A
new "large" TV will be installed
outside the new Spicy tomorrow
that will be showing all matches
during weekends (including 2:30
k/o) but only earlier matches
during weekdays. No cover
charge.
Jing Jing Bar & Restaurant
- All matches can be shown,
probably according to demand on
certain days. Entry policy as
yet undecided. Will be showing
the opening ceremony and match.
Waterfront Restaurant & Bar
- Closes by 10 so only 8:30
matches.
Bombay Bar & Restaurant
- New TV and channel being
installed, working on match
schedule and pricing policy (if
any). Snacks may be provided for
late matches.
The Blue Goose Tavern
- "Most matches will be shown
upstairs". Cover charge (or not)
policy being worked on.
Tin Head
- Only 10:30 matches. Will be
showing opening ceremony."
June 11:
Farewell to Our 'Pro-Lammaite' Police Chief
I've requested a little farewell
message from Lamma's Police
Chief,
Rachel Leung, for our Police
Corner returning last week to
Marine Police after 2 years on
Lamma:
"For me, it is hard to say
goodbye. I really enjoy working
in Lamma. I am deeply impressed
by this small but orderly
community with a combination of
Chinese and Western cultures.
And as a short-term islander, it
was really an amazing
experience.
Surrounded by friendly
Lammaites and beautiful scenery
make my two-years service here
more fruitful. With all your
friendly smiles, lovely sun and
even that raging Typhoon Hato,
it left me with good memories
that I will treasure for years.
As I have to return to
Marine Region to resume my
sea-going duties, I have to
temporarily say goodbye to all
my dearest friends in Lamma, but
I will keep coming back as a
pro-Lammaite."
It's been quite a peaceful time
on Lamma since
her welcome 2 years ago.
We'll remember Rachel from her
first photo submitted
to the Lamma-zine:
Welcome to Mandy Leung,
starting last week, the 4th
female Lamma Police Chief in a
row: Camas, Solid,
Rachel, Mandy! Might be
unique in all of HK?
Let's hope
we'll hear from Mandy in the
Lamma Police Corner
soon.
Lammaites might have A LOT of
good (and bad) suggestions for
her about how to improve local
policing further?
June 7:
'Island that lures creatives and entrepreneurs to throw in the day job
and pursue their passions'
What's going on? So many
Lamma-related stories in HK's
major English newspaper, the
South China Morning Post
these last few weeks! In the
last few years there was hardly
a story about our home island,
just a few per year, often
drugs-related.
Is Lamma becoming more
newsworthy or is it simply
because more of their staff are
moving here nowadays and going
for the easy home stories?
Whatever it is, there have been
quite a few great and
interesting stories, with a lot
fewer tired cliches and ancient
stereotypes than in earlier
years. Have a read, lots of fine
photos, too.
How a Lamma apartment was
redesigned to make the most of
its stunning sea views
Escape the urban jungle and
retreat to the city's last
bastions of laid-back life
HK's conservationists want
government to expand
restrictions around Sham Wan in
hope endangered green turtles
will return home to nest
Lamma Island beach clean-up for
sea turtles draws 2,000
volunteers as sightings of the
creatures dwindle
Island in Hong Kong that lures
creatives and entrepreneurs to
throw in the day job and pursue
their passions.
Here's
my favourite Lamma cover story,
from the former HK
Magazine, which was
bought out, closed down and
added to the SCMP archive:
The Spotter's Guide to
Lamma
June 1:
Bombay Food!
One more delicious "dining
experience" by Lamma-Por &
Lamma-Gung in
Bombay Bar & Restaurant!
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