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Tue, Mar 3
Mon, Feb 16
Sat, Feb 14
Sat, Jan 31
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YSW
Harbour Reclamation Update
New Spotlights of the Week
Drowning
Death @ Pak Kok Ferry Pier
Ferry Disaster Verdicts: 8 Years; 9 months
Restaurant & Bar News: Tak, Lee Ocarina,...
'My life is analog. Random chaos.' (ntb)
Email me
your news, photos, stories!
Like, Follow, Message
Lamma Gung on Facebook;
or Text, Line, WhatsApp or call me
at 6151 5408. |
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Sat, Mar 7
Wed, Mar 11
Sun, Mar 15
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 Palms & Charms @ Lamma Grill
Ten Days in HK book launch
St. Clare anniversary mass @ Catholic
Kindergarten
Email me your event, get a free
listing here and
in the
Events Calendar.
MORE EVENTS... |
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Mar 3 - Our Island in
the Sun, YSW Beach Wedding, Great Things About You,
What's This?, Orchid and Screen.
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Mar 2 - From a
fascinating web page about the industrial history of
Lamma, with input/links from quite a few senior
Lammaites,...
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Feb 28 - Free Big Bowl
feast (Poon Choy) for Lamma's 65+ residents in the YSW
Plaza on YSW Plaza Road.
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Feb 27 - The Bike Park
at the YSW ferry pier is finally getting close to
completion, after almost 1 year of construction works.
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Feb 26 - Click above
for a brand-new brochure with Baroque on Lamma's revised
ideas for South Lamma.
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Feb 25 - How to avoid
the big crowds and big expense of a regular
Valentine's Day dinner?
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Feb 24 - "...share
some good news with you that 3 residents of Lamma Island
have obtained the Good Citizen Award."
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Feb 23 - Lamma
Spotlights of the Week, Feb 23, '15: YSW Ferry Pier,
Computer Animation...
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Feb 22 - "BIG THANK YOUs to everyone who attended our "wedding" yesterday."
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Feb 19-21 - Taking time
off the Lamma-zine while attending daily rooftop and
beach parties.
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Feb 18 -
Feb 17, Pak Kok Village sunset (Google "Camera" app).
Fisheye smartphone
clip-on lens.
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Feb 17 - If you can
understand the headline above and can converse in this
language, you're welcome to join the occasional...
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Feb 16 - Climbing onto
the roof of our Pak Kok rooftop cabin was totally worth
it.
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Feb 15 - HKKF
skipper convicted of manslaughter, HK Electric ferry captain
cleared of same charges.
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Feb 14 - So how did
Lamma-Gung and Lamma-Por celebrate Valentine's Day? We
were tempted by the many special...
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Feb 13 - More
Valentine's Day menus:
The Waterfront, Jing Jing, Concerto Inn, The Bay...
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Feb 12 - These
creative, hand-drawn notes are stuck up streetside in Po
Wah Yuen, on the main path down to YSW.
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Feb 11 - YMCA Lamma
Camp website; Programme Brochure 2015; "Lamma's Got
Talent", "Lamma Amazing Race",...
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Feb 10 - "A Cordial
Welcome
Anticipated Shrove Tuesday
Pancake Supper"
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Feb 9 - "Donate
your mobile for a good cause."
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Feb 8 - Photos
submitted by Ayelet the Veggie Chef, the market's host &
organiser & a Middle Eastern cooking teacher.
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Feb 7 - Will
restaurants, boats and shops be open over Chinese New
Year?
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Feb 4 - Long-time
Lammaite Brett has a lot of good advice for Chin. New
Year. Click below for more advice and news:
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Feb 3 - Lamma
Spotlights of the Week, Feb 3, 2015:
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Feb 2 - "Happy Green
Ambassadors" from ... schools pledge to promote green
living on campus and in the community."
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Feb 1 - "Your
data access speed will be reduced and restricted to not
less than 128 kbps."
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Lamma Spotlights of the Week,
Mar 3, '15:
Our Island in the Sun, YSW Beach Wedding, Great Things About You, What's
This?, Orchid and Screen by:
KMici Reinold, Sheli Bowman, Kevin C Moore, Rambler, Debra Morris.
From a
fascinating web page about the industrial history of
Lamma, with input/links from quite a few senior Lammaites, here
are a few highlights:
 "Electricity
was first brought to the island by submarine cable from
Hong Kong island in 1962.
Lamma Power Station opened in 1982.
Hong Kong and Yaumatei ferries resumed a
service to Cheung Chau with an intermediate stop at Yung
Shue Wan on Lamma.
A
plan to have HK's international airport on the north coast of
Lamma island was discussed in 1938.
Lo So Shing [mid 1950s?] One of the… "the
principal village occupations [is] grass-cutting, the
grass being sold to Aberdeen for breaming [cleaning of the
bottom of a ship of accumulated matter by burning and
scraping]".
In 1972 Shell Oil Company applied to build an
oil refinery on Lamma but was opposed by environmental
groups and residents.
in 1965 reports that new factories have been
set up in north Lamma including [one or more] rattan
factories.
in 1983, people on Lamma island were
assembling dolls – there was a pile of arms and legs etc in
the middle of a [restaurant] table, and women sitting around the
table putting them together.
In 1954 the villagers set upon the new
contractor, beat him up badly, and left him for several hours
locked up in a temple. ...four of the villagers were sent to
prison for several months.
Anyone visiting Lamma, especially Yung Shue
Wan, up to the early 1990s, will remember the pungent smell
of shrimp paste which was made and/or stored in large,
bright blue plastic barrels."
Read more...
 
Jozi Mouzi Birkz writes:
"My breakfast, home-grown plum tomatoes on my
toast and my home-grown strawberry smoothies with mountain
flowers I picked up while jogging this morning.
Oh Lamma, you are my Paradise! — drinking green tea.
... You don't need to have a huge farm to
enjoy your fav vegetables.
... Now I know why they call it Tomato....
Tooo-mach-on-my-Toast!
Anyone like it? It's free!"
Free Big Bowl feast (Poon Choy) for Lamma's 65+ residents in the YSW
Plaza on YSW Plaza Road, just behind the Football Pitch, the former location
of this yearly event. Probably the only Gwailo at this event was the Chin.
God of Good Fortune (Choy Sun) who was entertaining the guests, doing Tai
Chi on stage and handing out goodies, with his personal photographer/body
guard/cheerleader/wife.
The Bike Park at the YSW ferry pier is finally getting close to completion,
after almost 1 year of construction works. Seven cement trucks, using "Green
Island" brand cement as usual (photo by Angela Leary), today on a massive barge (video by
Liz Gower) to pour the deck of
the platform, causing another round of Bike Park comments:
Platform.
 In
the meantime, the cases of bike theft and vandalism seem to be mounting. A
new Facebook group is talking about it, trying to recover stolen bikes and
scooters. Even saddles and handle bar grips have gone missing:
Lamma Stolen Bikes and Scooters
I'm rarely parking my own bike at the pier anymore. When I left mine
overnight before, items that were easily removable (saddle bag, anything in
the basket) would be stolen overnight (photo by Lisa Stella). The new YSW Bike
Park off the pier might make it even more convenient for the thieves, less
witnesses...
Anyway,
construction is nearing the end. But the major and on-going challenge will
be to get us bikers to use it instead of the closer, more convenient ferry
pier. Experience from other ferry piers has not been encouraging.
Will we face regular,
 persistent enforcement, policing, fines,
even more
confiscations?
The last confiscated bikes and trolleys are rusting away, overgrown by tall
weeds, just off the
Cable Road, close to the windturbine, at least the ones that haven't been
"repossessed" by their owners or scavengers. There doesn't seem to
be one that even has a usable tire left. Useful parts seem to have been
"harvested", some of them repaired and used to fix other bikes. Recycling/Upcycling
Lamma-style...
P.S. One last, historic photo by David Chappell (click to
enlarge): "A reminder of the extent of the bike parking problem on
the
pier in 1993."
Click above for a brand-new brochure with BoL's revised ideas for South Lamma.
For the full story of our latest Valentine's Day dinner ever,
click here.
Camas TUNG Hei-man - OC Lamma Island & Peng Chau - writes:
Lamma Spotlights of the Week, Feb 23, '15:
YSW Ferry Pier, Computer Animation Showreel, Interactive HK Maps, White
Egrets, Fish, by:
Karlo Vera Cruz; Mike Robinson; Lands Dept, HK Govt.; Howard Sheard;
Olga Kossova.
Jo Wilson writes:
"BIG THANK YOUs to everyone who attended our
"wedding" yesterday. It was so lovely - what a celebration of 20
years together, we look forward to the next 20!
I'd especially like to that Jacky Chan - our
superstar MC, darling Bob Bunker for being my father of the
bride for the day, Roz, Rose and Violaine for the sweet tunes on
the ukuleles, Jane the master cake maker, all the folk that came
to help clean the beach in the morning - especially Dana and
Megan, who couldn't make the festivities but came to clean the
beach anyway, Roz and Ah Nam for the art on the beach, Chris and
Matt for playing with Jack in the band, Nicky and Kay the belles
of the Island Bar, Charlie and William who cleaned and helped us
get ready, Romel the transporter who stayed watch over the beach
while we ran home for a quick wash and change, Kelly for doing
the bride's make up and our 3 little bridesmaids Kate, Mae and
Zoe and Max the best, best man. And not forgetting Grannie Annie
- my wonderful mother, who took the kids for the night so we
could enjoy our 4th honeymoon!
And to all our friends old and new (and all
those miscellaneous people lining the path, whoever you were) -
it was so great to share the day with you. Thank you very, very
much for coming!
Just a
few snaps from my iPhone - I didn't take many (no
iPhones at any of our previous weddings!)"
  
Photos by Jo Wilson, Roz Keep, Kelly Lavelle,
Michelle D Chung.
Taking time off the Lamma-zine while attending daily rooftop and beach
parties.
Sorry, private parties, no public photos...
Fisheye smartphone clip-on lens
Feb 17, Pak Kok Village sunset (Google "Camera", free smartphone app)
If you can understand the headline above and can converse in this language,
you're welcome to join the occasional "Weisswurstfrühstück mit
selbstgebackenen Brezeln und Weissbier" on a Ko Long Village rooftop, first
time on Valentine's Day!
Nationality not important! Click on the photo to view this new
Facebook group, started by Ronald Sastrawan, who
provided the Frühstück and the two photos.
Climbing onto the roof of our Pak Kok rooftop cabin was totally worth it,
spending an hour snapping too many photos of the most amazing sunset of the
year so far, Feb 12. Facebook became alight with at least ten of my Friends
posting pictures, often within minutes. It took me a while longer (4 days!)
to post mine here...
Yes, all these photos below are from ONE single sunset, but with different
camera Scene settings and clip-on lenses. The lines are contrails left by
high-flying fighter planes creating their own clouds through condensation.
All photos were shot handheld with my smartphone, I admit, even though most
of my (semi-)professional photographer friends might ridicule me severely.
Plus some experiments with a new cheapo smartphone clip-on fisheye lens,
plus a wide angle panorama stitch app (using 9 photos, before automatic
processing into one seamless picture). My Photosphere and "Tiny Planet"
experiments are not worth showing here yet... still experimenting...
Sea Smooth skipper convicted of manslaughter
as Lamma ferry captain cleared
of same charges
SCMP, Sun, Feb 15:
"After almost four days of deliberation a High Court jury returned to
find Lai Sai-ming - captain of the Sea Smooth ferry - guilty of 39 counts of
manslaughter."
The HKKF ferry captain was found guilty of manslaughter; he and the HK
Electric captain were found guilty of endangering the safety of others at
sea.
Sentencing will happen on Monday. (SCMP
story)
There are many stories and pictures about this deadliest boat accident in
Hong Kong in 40 years on this website, but the SCMP's
"Lamma ferry disaster" section does a fine job of providing the
facts and comments.
So how did Lamma-Gung and Lamma-Por celebrate Valentine's Day?
We were tempted by the many special menu offerings in YSW today, but instead
we opted for... chicken wings and a sandwich for a few dollars in a new YSW
Back Street restaurant just opening today: Tak Restaurant.
Maybe it was all the congratulatory flowers and our curiosity that attracted
us to this new place, replacing the former Chinese bakery/cafe in the same
location with a similar low-cost, one-page menu.
 
Name card - Fully bilingual menu, far from common on Lamma
 
Lai cha tea sock, milk tea done the traditional way -
House temple on a drawer, nature mosaics, multi-pattern tiles
 
My favourite dish in Tak Rest. so far: A mini Danish at $8 -
Selling amazing Valentine's flowers (Jipola) at the former Policebox
location
Afterwards, we couldn't resist a Tiramisu and a chat with the Lee family in
Lee Ocarina Cafe (besides the former Esso (now Sinopec) gas shop just
off Main Street, just behind the Turkish Pizza Palace:
Cappuccino and Tiramisu
  
Glossy, colourful and well-designed menu -
You can still have a set lunch below $100 in YSW -
Ocarina flute teacher Mr. Lee and his wife/cook/cheerful host (photo by
Tavis).
  
More Valentine's Day menus...
P.S. Just in:
The Bay Restaurant, Mo Tat Wan, South
Lamma
Walking over two hills from Pak Kok Village to Yung Shue Wan frequently (no
ferries for up to 2h 40m in the morning and afternoon), I come across many
pretty or intriguing sights, most of them natural, but also some curious
man-made ones.
These notes are stuck up streetside in Po Wah
Yuen, on the main path down to YSW. Not having had the pleasure
yet of meeting Mr. "Kaytoe" in person, I was intrigued (click to
enlarge):
While we're awaiting the Govt. building an entire new city for 5,000 people
inside the
ex-Lamma
Quarry opposite Sok Kwu Wan, the YMCA has exclusive use of the
entire huge area for now. They make really great use of it with so many
camps and activities for parents & children.
Let's hope they can continue for a few more years, but also let us hikers
and bikers use this beautiful, natural area when there's no camp happening
and this huge area is devoid of people. No details on the promised admission
scheme yet...
YMCA Lamma Camp
website
Programme Brochure 2015
"Lamma's Got Talent", "Lamma Amazing Race", and more camps...
"This year's Shrove Tuesday coincides with
Chinese New Year Eve. So, in keeping with the Catholic tradition
of Anticipated Mass, this year's supper will be 10th February,
the Tuesday before the actual day.
For the hale and hearty: The Western footpath
walk from Yung Shue Wan to Pak Kok
takes about 20 minutes.
Please, Please, Please do
not bring any food! If you feel you
must bring something please confine it to wine or juice.
Your R.S.V.P before Saturday, 7th February would be
greatly appreciated. Bud"
Li Suk Woon took the
photos below. She writes:
"It's was such a cosy and lovely Shrove Tuesday Pancake
gathering that held at your home this evening. I enjoyed the
pancakes, drinks and meeting new friends immensely tonight."
 
Bud the Pancake Chef who cooked faster than we all could eat
(w/his son).
Paintings by Lamma Artist/neighbour
Brian
Tilbrook (w/wife Moyreen)
Plus more photos submitted by
Ayelet the Veggie Chef, the market's host & organiser & a Middle
Eastern cook & cooking teacher extraordinaire:
 
Plus even more photos by famous Lamma Artist/Art Teacher Katie Flowers.
A new neighbour of the Pak Kok Market is Flowers Towers; you couldn't miss
the extensive Christmas lightings.
  
 
Photographer Andre Eichman - Lynne the Storyteller, Teacher @ Banyan House
"My family is travelling to HK for Chinese New Year.
Part of our itinerary is to do a day trip to Lamma Island
on February 20. I would like to inquire from your
perspective the following questions:
1.
Will restaurants, boats and shops be open on Feb. 20 in Lamma
Island?
I'm not sure if they will be closed because of
New Year.
2.
Is Lamma Island child-friendly? Are there activities they
can do?
We will be bringing 4 kids with us.
3.
What is the best seafood restaurant we can dine at in Lamma
Island?
4.
Is there any undiscovered cafe's or shops or areas in Lamma that
you would recommend for us to visit?
Answers...
Long-time Lammaite Brett (and my former great neighbour) has a lot of
good advice for Chin. New Year. Click below for more advice and news:
Lamma Spotlights of the Week, Feb 3, '15:
Live from my BBQ... Lamma Life! - Night ride from Yung Shue Wan to Tung O,
Lamma Island - HK Trilogy (feat. Lamma Artist Miso in the YSW Fisherman
Village) - Caterpillar - Call of the Wild Soul ~
by Adam Weirick, Robert Hope-Jones, Christopher
Doyle, Rambler, Katie Flowers.
"Happy Green Ambassadors" from primary and secondary schools pledge to
promote green living on campus and in the community.
HK
Electric writes:
Smart Power Campaign Realises Dreams the Green Way [2 February 2015]
"Just like how Martin Luther King's famous saying of "I
have a dream" has changed the course of American history, many
scientists and inventors actually started their quest for
greatness with a simple idea or a dream.
Local secondary school students are now encouraged to
think big and create green projects under a new initiative of HK
Electric's Smart Power Campaign this year - the "Green Energy
Dreams Come True", which provides funding and support to
help students bring their projects to life....
There is no limit to the kind of green energy projects
submitted. Possible deliverables may include installations,
models, art pieces, computer games, short movies, exhibitions or
other promotional activities. All secondary school students are
welcome to form teams and to submit their proposals by 13 April
2015.
Members of the advisory committee of HK Electric's
Education Fund will then select not more than 10 teams with the
best proposals, who will each receive seed money of up to
$50,000 for implementing the projects. Engineers from the
Hong Kong Institute of Engineers will also provide technical
advice to the shortlisted teams. On completion of the projects,
these teams are required to present and report on their work
done and the four best-performing teams will be further awarded
with scholarships...."
Read more...
"Dear Customer,
 According
to our record, the aggregate local data usage of your mobile no. +852 6151
5408 has reached / exceeded the Fair Usage Data Threshold of your
subscribed data services.
Your data access speed (upload and download) will be reduced and
restricted to not less than 128 kbps 4 hours later until next monthly
billing cycle. Please note that the actual data access speed may vary
depending on extraneous factors...
Yours Sincerely,
3 Hong Kong Customer Services"
 One entire week at less than 1% of my former
mobile Internet speed, sheer torture! No more streaming music or
radio, websites loading like stuck in mud...
The downgrading was full-time and all over HK, including
anywhere on Lamma.
Time to switch service providers? My 2-year
contract is almost up...
P.S. Feb 23:
Speed is back to normal... for now, at least (see right). Time
to switch as my contract ends in April?
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Lamma-zine
started in 2002, and will be updated (almost) daily with anything
vaguely related to Lamma Island or its residents, be it news,
stories, events, links, photos, artworks, videos, etc.
Contact Lamma-Gung with
anything relevant to Lamma or Lammaites that you'd like to see
published in the Lamma-zine, Events Calendar, Photo Galleries, Links
or in our Eng. and Chin. forums!
 All
text, photos & graphics by Lamma-Gung, if not otherwise
credited. Click on button on left for
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