It was a great day for the Tin Hau Festival this
week, cyan sky, calm waters and a refreshing breeze, ideal for the
first dragonboat races of the 2003 season, lion dances
at the Tin Hau temple and Chinese opera performances!
It was also a very Happy Easter weekend indeed for
most of Lamma's restaurants and shops. Business was booming and a
new all-time visitor record has been set!
We
even spotted the Easter Bunny, the "Cutiest Bunny in
the World", looking for a new home on Lamma!
Spring has definitely arrived, fearless plants
sprouting through concrete walls & floors (see below, right of the
E-mails to the Editor).
This e-zine has a lot of photos, some in separate
photo galleries, and much less text than usual. Let me know if you
like it.
I've also added a new "Photo & Art Galleries"
drop-down menu at the top of all pages of Lamma.com.hk. You're
most welcome to showcase your best photos to all our local &
worldwide site visitors.
Following
up on our cover story in the last e-zine, the Varuna has
returned from China via Macau to Lamma recently, repainted in
royal blue. For a night photo gallery shot at the return
party at the public pier, Sat, April 12, click the photo on the left.
The
new Hollywood movie "Bulletproof Monk" from Lamma's most
famous son just opened in HK's cinemas. It's not great, but really
good & light-hearted fun, just what we need these days! Sample
reviews:
"If
you prefer ancient myths and Chow Yun-fat chop-socky, the Lamma
native's Bulletproof Monk is now out. It tells the story of a
martial arts master whose duty it is to protect a powerful ancient
scroll that holds the key to unlimited power. But now he has to
find the next guardian, which brings him to America and a street
scammer named Kar, played by Sean William Scott."
"Bulletproof Monk is a Hong Kong
action movie on paper. It is the story of a quest for enlightenment
along a road fraught with challenge and conflict, from vicious
street gangs to affairs of the heart."
John Woo was announced to be directing this movie,
based on a comic book, but he's only one of the co-producers. Have
a look at
www.bulletproofmonk.com for more details.
Chow Yun-fat, is truly our best-known Laudable Lamma Luminary!
You can meet him yourself when he's returning every few months to
his birthplace and where most of his closest relatives still
live today.
Do you want to see photos from your party
published, your event promoted or you just need a soapbox to
stand on,
contact me! As always, all kinds of Lamma-related stuff is
most welcome for uncensored publication in future e-zines!
Cheers from
Ah Gung, just one of all the happy & Sars-free Lammarites
gentle-gung,
just had a sneak preview of your april fool's issue e-zine.
although i think i have just read 3/5 of it, it was just
marvelous. no wonder u are so much less active on the board
lately, you are keeping so much good stuff up your sleeves!
can't wait to read the rest of it!
the e-zine is your baby. we are the lucky ones to get to read
your work free of charge.
making things that are not board-related would make it even
more interesting.
it would be so nice to have our own island magazine. i don't
think this could be a wrong direction. your baby is destined
to grow up to be a charming one!
That is exactly what we intend to do ..
get out there and WIN!
Thanks for all your work, and for putting us in both e-zine.
Hopefully this will attract a lot of attention to the dragon
boat team and also the fishermen for Tin Hau!
Luciene
(Island Bar manager, active member of Lamma Dragons):
I have had a look at the e-zine, looks
good.
Thank you so much for the Dragon boat section, it was very
good.
Our
Official Court Artist has been dabbling in special effects
night photography; mostly at wild parties (self-portrait on the
left). He's gotten pretty good at it, in fact, quite amazingly
good!
This
month's pictures, fresh from his digicam wizardry on his HOT website, a
really hot singer (right)! Plus a party girl and an "enlightened"
being...
For a
REALLY, REALLY, REALLY embarrassing photo, which I'd NEVER dare to
publish in this family-orientated e-zine, see his
exclusive picture of the Sars virus. Click, then panic!!!
I thought I'd
try some creative writing for a change.
Please let me know what you think.
This one's called I Love Yung Shue Wan.......
I really love Yung Shue Wan.
It's small and fluffy like a Char Siu bun.
It's so full of colourful folk,
You can only get there by boat.
Yung Shue Wan lifts my soul,
It's unlike Stepney, or Hull.
I hope the council don't spoil it,
Especially the sitting out area / toilet.
the end
I look forward to your constructive criticism..
Toadlicker: When seeing this new registered members
username, I had visions of a down-and-out junkie, desperate
for anything to get another high, even from a toad's hallucinogenic
secretions... But I met this new member recently, and she's
actually a young, fit, very pretty Eurasian lady...with a great
sense of humour, obviously!
(on
the right: the infamous HK tourism board, from UK magazines. I'm
almost ashamed to admit building & running their website for 4.5
years):
"Think we need to compile a useful
shopping list to outlast the big bug:
Item
Quantity
Alternative
Source
Stash
0
old rope
ferry
Beer
2 cans, 1 open
quick brew kit
Bacon
0
none
Keren's got
a big pig
Condoms
too late
gloves
Gloves
1
old socks
Masks
8
nappies
Rizla
5
SCMP
BLUE BIN LADEN
Conversation
Do we?
SMS
SUNDAY
Yoghurt
The older the
better???
don't ask
Bookworm
Chicken
Yes please
Duck
Wanchai
...
...
...
...
"I've already run out of some, we can probably barter.
Please add your own requirements, updates and
surpluses to this list."
By the way, if you're interested in the latest Sars rumours
(who isn't?), have a look at the revamped www.sosick.org.
No
more infected buildings list, as the govt. provides that now, but
they've started up a bulletin board, looking exactly like
Lamma.com.hk, using the same freely available bulletin board
software.
There
are thousands of Sars-related messages up there already, in English
& Chinese... It's a paradise for rumour-mongers and people
who're eager to terrify themselves even more...
•
Publicity
This
Chinese magazine (submitted by Alert Reader e, a regular
reader) has published a 4-page travel feature on YSW recently. It
highlighted several boutiques and arts & crafts shops, like
Gema's Gallery, Selling Point, but also Farmer Eo and Bookworm
Café.
For
our Chinese-readers and those who only want to look at the many
pictures, here's the full feature: Page
1,
2,
3,
4
Barry: Lamma newbie & freelance photographer Barry Swerdlow (email,
Tel. 6204 5554) has agreed to contribute some of his great photos
to this & future e-zines! You'll find them all over this issue, all
credited. Thanks, Barry!
For a bit of free publicity, send YOUR Lamma-related photos to
the Editor!
www.Artlab.com.hk: This
"Ceramic - Painting - Gallery - Workshop" in Sha Po Village does
weekend pottery/painting workshops. Their motto: "Where You Can
Create-Discover-Explore your own Art world". Highly
recommended!
Apr 18 (Good Fri), 10:30pm, Fringe Club, 2 Lower
Albert Rd. (next to FCC):
Thinking Out Loud - Live!
"Well for those of you who fancy a
Good Friday night out, pop down to the Fringe in your boiler
suits."
Apr 19 (Easter Sat),
evening: Island bar:
Dragonboating Bric-a-Brac
Apr
19: Disinfection of Households:
Did you get a free disinfection set from outside our "town
hall" (opposite HongkongBank) and the "junk mail" Disinfect!
leaflet? Feeling safer now?
Apr 19, late, Powerstation Beach:
Easter Bunnies Birthday
Party, organised by Parksy:
"Clean air, private beach, messy
posse. 10 DJ's.
Bring a Tent, Beer, Blanket, Sun Tan
Oil.
Water wings may be useful for first
timers."
Apr
20 (Easter Sun), 10am-5pm, outside Scorpio Business Centre, Sha Po
Village: Meet LAP Day
"Please drop by and take a look at our work,
our adoptees and all the items we have collected for your donation.
For enquires/donations: please call
2982-4018 or email
info@lap.org.hk"
"From last November, we have
been organizing some LAP events to promote our work and to raise
funds for our running expenses. Thanks to the input of our
volunteers Beatrice, Jennie and Kenny our last LAP event was
renamed Meet LAP Day and we have added a feature of showing our
adoptees. The Last Meet LAP Day was a success and we were
able to raise $9,000 and completed two adoptions."
Apr
20, Lamma Bistro, from 3pm:
Easter Sunday Roast
The Bistro has been a sponsor of the Photo Contest,
so they get to promote their specials! Also, they seem to be doing
this EVERY Sunday now! Yummy!
Apr 20, 10pm, Powerstation Beach:
Easter Beach Party,
organised by Dung Dung.
Apr 23-27, evening, football pitch (close to
Lamma Clinic): Chinese Opera performances
(see Photo Gallery)
April
24, all over Lamma: Tin Hau Festival
(see Photo Gallery)
April 24, from 10am, public pier:
1st Dragonboat races of the 2003
season(see Photo Gallery)
Apr 26, evening, Powerstation Beach:
Beach Party
organised by Parksy & his Merry Pranksters.
April
30, Emily's: April
Special
Last day of 1st Anniversary Special.
April 30, Lamma Fitness Centre:
Fit for Summer
(see right)
May 1, Stanley: Dragonboat
races
May 3, Island Bar:
Lamma Dragons Fund Raiser
"This is a party we do every
year again at the Island bar with raffles, etc to raise money for
the team."
May
6-31, Muse Gallery, Muse Gallery, G/F, 40 Ship Street, Wan Chai:
For One Brief Shining
Moment
"First solo exhibition by
Lamma-based artist Christine Dodd Myers of her paintings and
ceramics, a collection of 25 new pieces related to the seven
charkas, or energies, which flow through the human body."
Gallery opening hours: Tue-Sat, 2pm-7pm.
Closed Mon & public holidays.
See one of her paintings on the left. You'll see
more of this Lamma artist in a future e-zine pretty soon...
May
8, Cheung Chau: Bun Festival
May 9, 10:30pm, The Wanch, 54 Jaffe Rd, Wanchai:
Thinking Out Loud - Live!
May 9/10:ABLE Charity tree
planting: More details in Lamma Forest feature below.
May 11, Deepwater Bay:
Dragonboat races (right: photo by
Barry)
June 4, all over HK:
Dragonboat Festival!
Stanley: our Lamma Dragons will be racing in
a BIG BOAT!
Most hits ever: 18,683 (Apr 06, 2003), most bytes
downloaded: 188 MB (Apr 05, 2003)
Last, but not least, the last e-zine - the biggest ever, #21 with
21 pages - had over 350 unique actual readers, not bad
considering that my e-mail subscription list contains 500+ e-mail
addresses!
It was a Happy Easter for most
Lamma
restaurants and shops indeed! A new
all-time record in visitor arrivals was set on Easter Saturday:
over 15,000 visitors by ferry!
TVB Pearl & several newspapers were recommending the SARS-free
Outlying Islands for a weekend getaway and a hike. The absolutely
beautiful weather helped to lure people out of their homes, where
they've been cocooning for weeks now.
Here
are a few photos I shot on the weekend fighting through the
crowds of rarely face-masked city dwellers.
Many restaurants and shops were stuffed with
people, doing absolute record business, often up to 2-3 times of
a regular sunny Sunday!
A new restaurant has been opening just in
time for the holidays: Bali Café, part of the Bali resort house, close to the
public toilet. No sign, menu or name card yet, but it's looking
interesting. Cozy rattan couches & chairs, cakes at $22,
sandwiches, snacks, ... More details in the next e-zine!
On the downside, a usually very reliable source (e)
warned that "On Easter Monday, several
shops along the road towards the beach have been visited by
shop-lifters. Two woman were caught in the act and two
escaped with the rest of the loot."
Denise of the new Articles shop also
complained about shop-lifters. Lamma-Por told of one of
her favourite boutiques having loot returned to them by
the police, who told the shopkeeper that many shops had been hit
on Main Street & on the tourist route to Hung Shing Yeh beach.
Some locals hated the crowds, afraid of them
importing Sars to our so far lucky island. You can never
please everybody...
But with such a sunny weekend and so many face masks, there must
be quite a few oddly shaped suntans, even sunburns! For
the first real photo, I'll buy you a drink!
As you're interested in SARS rumours, have
a look at the revamped
www.sosick.org. No more Sars buildings list (provided by
the govt. now), but they've started up a bulletin board! They're
using exactly the same software as Lamma.com.hk (phpBB), having
thousands of SARS-related messages already. It's a paradise
for rumour-mongers and people eager to terrify themselves
even more...
Our
second Laudable Lamma Luminary is a well-known local freelance
artist, illustrator and designer. Inspired by the vivid colours of Asia,
Eastern teachings and influenced by her training as a
jeweler/silversmith, she produces a unique range of art and
designs on canvas and computer.
You might have seen her postcards, available in the Bookworm Café
or in selected places around HK and Lamma or as cards from
www.chakrasynergies.com?
She has an excellent, comprehensive and colourful website www.debramorris.net,
showcasing her illustration and design work for greeting cards,
brochures, business presentations, logos, CD covers, wedding
invitations, textiles, meditation images, and jewelry.
Malcolm,
her husband and occasional Lamma.com.hk contributor, says that
"She's notoriously camera shy, but I do
manage to capture a picture of her every now and then. Attached
is one of my favourites." (see above left). Malcolm &
their daughter Kira (Polaroid photo by Emily), were also
selected as one of 10 Lamma Celebs featured in the recent
contest. (Click above to enlarge winners gallery)
Debra writes: "The explorations into
chakras, or seven parts of the self, is a project which developed
after studying yoga and working with Debra Mulkern on the
Wheel of Life Synergies mandalas. In November 2002 this
developed into an art and aroma exhibition"The Wheel
of Life - a sensory journey through the self" with artist
Karen McKeon Wilson and magical aromas by Debra Mulkern of The
Wheel of Life Synergies Ltd."
Finally, let's enjoy her amazing artworks! As
usual, click on pictures to enlarge:
Lunar Cycle
digital photo collage for The Wheel of Life Synergies Ltd.
Woodland Spirit
digital photo collage for The Wheel of Life Synergies Ltd.
Our
very own Laudable Lamma Luminary "Dan James - Lamma Island
Entrepreneur and Musician" has become an aspiring writer and
budding author. Adding to his many other (in)famous talents, he's
started work on his future masterpiece, the definitive, ultimate
Lamma novel!
He's had lots of practice, penning songs for the
Bastards for so many years. Here are a few excerpts, with his
friendly permission, from his new website, a "work in progress":
www.DanKwaiFong.com.
It's currently being designed & programmed by the multi-talented
Dan himself, learning all the skills "on the job"! Soon, we'll
have to get him to work on our Lamma.com.hk upgrade...
In the beginning was Aroy Thai, with
Geng in the kitchen and on the serving ladle. That was back
in December 1995. Two years later came Lamma Gourmet, and Dan
decided to give up the day job. The name was originally going
to be Lamma Deli, but Eamonn objected. Another couple of
years, and then the coffee shop came along - Espresso Bonzo.
More about that name later. Some time around then, some
bright spark hit on the idea of calling the whole damn thing
Dan Kwai Fong. Who the hell was that person? Bastard
Boulevard was an alternate and snappier title, but so far it
hasn't quite gained the same degree of street cred. (gerrit?).
So, for the moment at least, Dan Kwai Fong it is. Maybe...
...Underequipped or not, Aroy Thai seemed to work. It was
1996, and Lamma was full of young Brits taking advantage of
the last days of Empire (ie no visa required), working on the
Convention Centre and the airport and various other big
projects, getting home to Lamma knackered and hungry,
grabbing a quick fix of cheap and cheerful nosh at Aroy Thai
or wherever, then off home for a video, or a shower and down
the pub. Remember? That's when there was blood on the floor
in The Fountainhead on a fairly regular basis, and the boys
in blue (or green) took to locking themselves in the police
box at the first hint of trouble brewing. Aah, happy days.
Geng misheard or misunderstood the name of the pub in
question, but her version seemed to sum up the spirit of the
place far better than the official name - she called it The
Fighting Head.
And on the subject of names, what about Aroy Thai? The
literal translation is "tasty Thai". People had been
suggesting things like Baan Geng, Geng's place, or simply
Geng's, but Geng wasn't having any of that. It was Annie who
came up with Aroy Thai, and that's what we settled on. And
ever since, of course, everyone's referred to it as "the
Thai" or "Geng's"...
E-mail to BBChris, re: her recent big
feature story in the SCMP, "Sarstruck rockers":
"Leave
it to you to get great free publicity out of actually NOT playing
at a concert and getting into the SCMP because of Sars! You're
the absolute master of self-promotion, oh shameless one! I bow to
thee, oh Classy & Shameless Rock Goddess! I'll have to add a Best
Publicity section to my e-zine, just to be able to keep up with
your various & frequent successes in self-promotion. Could you
apply this great talent to promoting more good causes on Lamma,
and the e-zine? ;-) "
A TAIWAN HOTEL has ruined the plans
of one of Hong Kong's most pioneering alternative musicians.
Chris Bowers squats on the floor of the minuscule Mongkok
rehearsal room as her band stand around somewhat dejectedly.
"I've been trying to go every year!" shrieks the singer
theatrically, breaking into a howling laugh. "It's jinxed
for me."
The eye-catching Eurasian, with her mop of multicoloured
hair and tattoos circling her arms, was set to travel
this weekend with her new band Thinking Out Loud
to the Spring Scream music festival in Taiwan. They had a
headlining slot to fill, but the hotel at which they booked
rooms has just called to inform them Hong Kongers are no
longer welcome. There are fears of an outbreak of Sars.
With a town already full to the brim with festival-goers, the
band have decided to ditch their travel plans and give in to
caution. Couldn't they have camped? "Oh, we could have, but
I'm not camping," retorts Bowers, launching into another
ear-piercing laugh.
"I'm a rock star. Not a
f****** camper!"
Bowers is a recognised rock musician
around town. Playing on Hong Kong's stages since 1989, she
has dedicated most of her life to music, persuading
other musicians to travel to Hong Kong and fiercely
supporting local bands. She is best known as a co-founder
of the notoriously loud, all-female rock act Sisters Of
Sharon. When that band split last year, she remained
active, jamming with a teenage rock band called Smoking
Monkeys, running a music publishing company and becoming
famous in cyberspace.
Her alias BBChris caused a riot at the MP3.com Web site
earlier this year when she challenged guitarists around the
globe to make their instruments sing the Cantonese
translation of: "I kick your ass on guitar with the two
middle fingers of my left hand taped to my palm with duct
tape." (The hilarious results can be heard at www.mp3.com/ducttape.)
Now backed by a group of men, Bowers seems to be truly
hitting her musical prime. At Thinking Out Loud gigs, she
struts the stage with all the swagger of a Mick Jagger,
with the band behind her dressed in leather and delivering a
tight blend of funk, rock and pop. Perfect timing for Bowers'
first trip to one of Asia's most respected music
festivals...."
Apr
22 was Earth Day and a short feature (written by Laudable Lamma
Luminaries Bobsy & Tobias) has been published in the SCMP: "Seeds
of Inspiration".
It was all about the history, present and future of the "Lamma
Forest" project, a really deserving and exemplary community
initiative, positive news in these gloomy days!
Here's the much extended version of their newspaper feature. Plus
a selection of historic & brand-new photos. I've even
included a detailed MAP, so you won't miss the "Lamma Forest"
during your next walk!
Join the tree planting on May
9/10!
ACTING LOCALLY…..THINK GLOBALLY
Bobsy Jureidini (Chair) and
Tobias Forster (Secretary),
ABLE Charity, Lamma Island, Tel. 2982 6994,
able_charity@hkisl.net
The
vision is to create a forest on the scenic northern hills of
Lamma Island in what is possibly one of the island's most
beautiful spots. Ten minutes walk from Yung Shue Wan and a
forty minute journey from Central. The scenic yet barren
hills of Northern Lamma between Po Wah Yuen and Pak Kok were
chosen as the site of THE LAMMA FOREST PROJECT due to
their proximity to Yung Shue Wan and the rich flora and fauna
in the near-by valleys. The vision is to unite all the
valleys with forest land creating one large eco-system.
Our first tree planting day was on 25th April 1997. The task
was to plant 1,000 trees for Lamma, 500 on the 25th and 500
on the 26th. The Forest had started to grow.....
With the exception of one year we have systematically planted
trees every year. Sometimes it was easier than others, and
sometimes we had lots of people helping and at others just a
handful of dedicated volunteers...but we accomplished every
event successfully. We also had the fortune of the
Agriculture Fisheries & Conservation
Department (AFCD) of the HKSAR deciding to plant thousands of
trees just next to our site. One could see a forest coming
together in the not too distant future. All we had to do was
be consistent.
ABLE also planted a "Handover Forest" consisting of '1997
trees' in Quarry Bay Country Park to mark the handover of the
colony from British rule to Chinese rule. 1000 on 28th June
and 997 on 5 July 1997. As Tobias is fond of saying “We
planted half the trees in Britain and half in China." Trees
were planted in the Quarry Bay Country Park on a wet and
foggy two days.
At the same time we managed to plant one "friendship tree" in
Chinatown, San Francisco. One of the founders of our Charity
managed to plant it on our behalf to commemorate the peaceful
transition.
We also took a decision to focus on our "own backyard" and to
act locally. As we are such a small voluntary based
organization it dawned on us that to focus our efforts in our
community was going to make a bigger impact. The old adage of
'think globally, act locally' was turned around to become
"act locally and think globally". As a result our efforts
have been more apparent and it has given us a stronger sense
of mission.
Besides there were no other green organizations on Lamma
Island and the island was undergoing a rapid growth of small
housing and construction with very little concern for the
environment being practiced. Looking back it has been a very
wise move. Although the charity still continued to get
involved in many other projects all over Hong Kong (see
history of ABLE CHARITY) our heart was now deeply set on our
own little island in the south china seas.
After planting trees in the spring of 1999, disaster struck
on the day of the 'Cheung Yeung Festival'. One careless
family clearing an ancestral grave set the whole hillside on
fire. The fire spread northwards towards Pak Kok and burnt
hundreds of baby trees that had been planted the previous
year. Although we had been 'fire patrolling' that day we had
all run to cover a large fire that was burning out of control
on some other hills. That day alone Lamma Island experienced
40 fires!!
It
was heartbreaking to go up and see the blackened hills where
nothing but dead tree stumps stood. However, every cloud has
a silver lining, and today the trees have grown back are more
evenly spread out making it more conducive to natural forest
growth. Since then we have kept a fire watch vigil around the
Forest twice every year with the "Lamma Forest" as priority
zone. So far so good! Fingers crossed.
As neither Tobias nor I had any real experience in trees we
took the advice of some experts who were able to come out and
guide us. We also followed the example of the AFCD tree
planting methods and the rest we learnt as we went along.
Today we are still learning.
Besides tree planting we also have to maintain the Forest and
give attention to the trees as they grow. We have organized
many a "Tree Maintenance Day" and that consists of the never
ending rubbish clean ups, dealing with illegal dumping,
pruning, mulching, feeding and so on...all great fun. We
generally invite schools and companies out to help us with
the events. It is both educational and experiential for the
people to come out and work with the earth.
We
have particularly enjoyed working with the school kids and
the feeling of inspiring them to maybe one day do the same in
their own communities.
To date 15,000 trees have been planted in the one area. It is
amazing to look back at the photo-graphs that were taken in
1997 and to compare them with the photo-graphs taken today.
The extent of the Forest is apparent. People can now see with
their own eyes and the feedback is inspiring. The trees are
also attracting some wild life and many birds. The land feels
alive. Walking in the Forest today one can breathe the fresh
air and enjoy the tranquility. What would it be like in ten
years time I wonder?
We have planted over 12 different species of trees. Some
indigenous and some exotic, especially the Australian hardy
trees that do so well in Hong Kong. We are now wishing to
plant more local trees and will continue to experiment and
learn as we go along.
We
also wish to plant some indigenous fruit trees to provide
food for the birds and the wild life.
The vision for the Forest goes beyond planting a beautiful
forest. There is the:
- idea of creating organic
sculptures dotted throughout the hills using local materials
that blend with the surroundings and encouraging local
artists to contribute is a novel one.
- putting up signs and other information at the four
sides of the Forest north, east, south and west.
- erecting some fencing at certain key locations. To
also build a centre piece sculpture that acts both as a
welcome sign and a landmark...
Unfortunately this
all requires dealing with a lot of red tape and a move that
possibly has not been done in Hong Kong, therefore making it
even more complicated to negotiate. The area is Government
Land and is currently designated as ‘GB’ (Green Belt). That
is only one zone above land available for development and not
strong grounds to rest such a long term project upon.
ABLE CHARITY is now in the process of dealing with what feels
to be "the right civil servants in the government" and we are
optimistic that we can cut through the red tape and
legitimize the area as a protected land for future
generations to treasure...
These are early days but the vision is there. Our charity has
had a very good record of working successfully with various
Government Departments over the years and we are encouraged
to closely liaise with the relevant departments and people
involved to achieve what we have imagined.
On
Saturday the 10th of May we will plant another 500 trees up
in the Forest. Rain or shine. We will need the local
peoples support to accomplish the task as due to Sars the
school and company scheduled to plant have pulled out.
We will make an effort to spread the word in our community to
allow the maximum amount of people to come up, get some fresh
air and exercise, but above all to feel part of a community
based environmental action and solution.
Recognise EcoToby, ca. 1997?
Photo by ABLE
View from footpath near rain shelter, Apr 25, 1997
Photo by ABLE
Tree planting - before, 1997
Photo by ABLE
Friendship Tree, Chinatown San Francisco, Sep 1997
Here's the latest "E-Newsletter V" from the Save
Lamma campaign, just in case you haven't subscribed yet to their
very informative quarterly newsletters (at www.SaveLamma.org).
Much has happened since January. This e-mail gives an
update on the campaign's progress.
It looks like the original Phase II reclamation plan
is history! Thanks again to everyone who made their
views known by writing in etc., you got the ball rolling!
In a meeting on January 27th the government presented a
new indicative plan for the Yung Shue Wan waterfront in
response to community concerns and Save Lamma's suggested
alternative planning approach. The plan is a big
improvement over the original one, however there are
still some significant issues that need to be resolved.
On March 12th, the Save Lamma campaign submitted a
response to the government which outlines our concerns,
and suggests alternative solutions. This submission is
available at
Latest News, as well as additional background
material.
We are optimistic that the current spirit of cooperation
between the government and community will result in a
plan that is truly enhances Yung Shue Wan.
POSITIVES
The positive features of
the new plan include:
i) No new government
buildings on the waterfront.
Main Street will remain the Main Street and any new
facilities will instead go on the unused space on Phase
I.
ii) Existing outdoor
seating and sea-views of restaurants retained.
iii) Upgrading of
existing entry to the village,
e.g. relocation of building material pile, relocation of
refuse transfer station, redesign of small park, etc.
NEGATIVES
However, some of the areas
that we feel still need to be improved are:
i) Size of new waterfront
walkway
The government's indicative plan calls for a reduced, but
still wide reclamation along the waterfront to provide
for pedestrian and vehicle access. We believe that such a
reclamation is unnecessarily large and disruptive to the
character of Lamma, and instead propose a narrower
waterfront walkway on piling (for detailed descriptions
of these points: Latest
News.)
ii) Wave reflectors
The proposed plan also includes wave reflectors along
whole waterfront, and experiences from Peng Chau and
elsewhere indicate that this would have a significant
negative impact on the character and visual appearance of
the village (See
ReclamationElsewhereII.)
We believe that given this impact, alternative solutions
such as restricting waterfront access during major
typhoons should be explored.
iii)
Integration and Interface
We believe that the best result for Yung Shue Wan will
come if the integration between the existing village and
the new development, as well as the interface between
land and water are carefully considered from the outset.
The goal is to achieve a contextually sensitive
enhancement of the waterfront, that will avoid the
tendency towards standardized and sterilized solutions
and instead focus on something locally appropriate with
attention to both the overall plan as well as design
details.
REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK
We would appreciate any
feedback about these considerations, or about the whole
plan in general. The full text of our response and the
supporting maps and diagrams are available at
www.savelamma.org.
We will try communicate all of the feedback we get to the
government.
Specifically,
we would like to get input on the following issues:
1) Is it important to you that the small beach next to
the Sampan Restaurant be preserved?
2) What is your opinion on reclaiming land for improved
waterfront access vs a raised walkway or boardwalk.
3) Do you think that any new walkway / reclamation along
the waterfront for pedestrian and emergency vehicle
access should be narrow (3-5 meters) or wide (10+
meters), and why?
4) Do you feel that the use of wave-reflectors along the
whole waterfront should be avoided? Wave-reflectors are
the standard treatment in such cases, but are they
appropriate for Yung Shue Wan?
5) Are there any additional comments or suggestions you
have?
We hope that all friends
of Lamma are healthy and well, and that the SARS crisis
will soon pass.
All the best,
The Save Lamma Campaign
P.S. The Save Lamma campaign is having some unexpected
ripple effects. For example, We recently received a
surprising request from the Education Department to use
Save Lamma material in high school curriculum material.
Also, we have been informed that a book being written
about the Hong Kong political process by a university
professor will include a section on the Yung Shue Wan
reclamation.
The
very best of last year's entire season of dragonboat racing!
These exciting, dynamic and sometimes hilarious photos were
submitted by active paddler & "Website Liaison" Luciene. I've
also added a few more shots from the "Official Lamma Dragons
Photographer", "Nick Cam".
We
even spotted the Easter Bunny, the "Cutiest Bunny in
the World", looking for a new home on Lamma!
This
Chinese magazine (submitted by Alert Reader e, a regular
reader) has published a 4-page travel feature on YSW recently. It
highlighted several boutiques and arts & crafts shops, like
Gema's Gallery, Selling Point, but also Farmer Eo and Bookworm
Café.
Apr
16, Island Bar: Quiz Night
Apr
19: Disinfection of Households:
Did you get a free disinfection set from outside our "town
hall" (opposite HongkongBank) and the "junk mail" Disinfect!
leaflet? Feeling safer now?
Apr
20, Lamma Bistro, from 3pm:
April
24, all over Lamma: Tin Hau Festival
(see 
April
30, Emily's: April
Special
May
6-31, Muse Gallery, Muse Gallery, G/F, 40 Ship Street, Wan Chai:
May
8, Cheung Chau: Bun Festival
A
very suitable cartoon (© & courtesy of SCMP) by Lamma's own
cartoonist extraordinaire Harry. He's also the artist
creating all the zany, often hilarious promo posters for the
Island Bar, and many classic concert posters for the Bastards!
Our
second Laudable Lamma Luminary is a well-known local freelance
artist, illustrator and designer.
Inspired by the vivid colours of Asia,
Eastern teachings and influenced by her training as a
jeweler/silversmith, she produces a unique range of art and
designs on canvas and computer.
Malcolm,
her husband and occasional Lamma.com.hk contributor, says that
"She's notoriously camera shy, but I do
manage to capture a picture of her every now and then. Attached
is one of my favourites." (see above left). Malcolm &
their daughter Kira (Polaroid photo by Emily), were also
selected as one of 10 Lamma Celebs featured in the recent
contest. (Click above to enlarge winners gallery)
Apr
22 was Earth Day and a short feature (written by Laudable Lamma
Luminaries Bobsy & Tobias) has been published in the SCMP: "Seeds
of Inspiration".
The
very best of last year's entire season of dragonboat racing!
These exciting, dynamic and sometimes hilarious photos were
submitted by active paddler & "Website Liaison" Luciene. I've
also added a few more shots from the "Official Lamma Dragons
Photographer", "Nick Cam".
