Land of no cheese

Re-finding my faith in fondue

2012-02-19T12:01:00.000+08:00

In my ongoing quest for cheese in Hong Kong, I occasionally, well okay, regularly, experience cravings for cheese-based cuisines. My former home, prior to Hong Kong, was Grenoble in the heart of the French Alps. Grenoble has its fair share of fondue restaurants, which I often found reason to visit. As my departure approached, I prepared myself for a long fondue fast.

In fact, it has not been so hard. The hot summer weather in Hong Kong is not propitious to fondue-eating, so for at least 9 months of the year, my fondue-related yearnings are put on the back burner. However, whenever I hear of a fondue restaurant in this city, I must say I can't get the idea out of my head. As a result I have sampled three different fondues in Hong Kong so far. I list them here in reverse order of tastiness.
一. The first fondue doesn't get a picture. It was hardly worthy of the name. I ordered it in the Spaghetti House two years ago. It was my second and last visit to that restaurant chain, and I was lured in by the gigantic posters in the MTR showing a pot of melting cheese. Said pot was surrounded by distinctly un-fondue-like accompaniments such as scallops, Chinese mushrooms and (probably) abalone. I'm not sure why alarm bells didn't ring at that point. Indeed, the 'cheese', if I could call it that, was a pallid concoction rather like the cheap instant cream sauce you get on cha chaan teng pasta bakes with possibly a handful of ready-grated emmental thrown in. The pot was heated with a tealight and was most likely intended to be an ornament; I still doubt it was food-worthy. I also remember there not being any bread (you were meant to dip the scallops in). After this depressing experience, I concluded that a fondue in Hong Kong was an oxymoron.
二. Over a year passed between that and my next fondue experience, which was at Classified, and is pictured here.

Thankfully, this was a far more reassuring one. Not an entirely convincing fondue, mind you, and certainly more about style than substance. I don't suppose any self-respecting resident of the Alps would deign to dip a chunk of granny smith into their fondue, for instance, but if my benchmark was not the 'real thing' from Grenoble then I would probably have been fairly satisfied. The cheese mixture could have been more pungent, but at least it was genuine (and I would expect no less from a shop claiming to specialise in cheese.) We did run out of bread but they eventually brought us some more when we asked (although it was their ordinary table bread and not the thicker dried chunks more suited to soaking up cheese). As far as fondues go, you could say that this one was inspired by Switzerland with Hong Kong in mind, i.e. it can be eaten outdoors on a warm night without breaking into a sweat.
三. The third and final fondue was last night, at the Swiss Chalet in TST, and it was by far the best.

Pictured here is the basic fondue on their menu. This place didn't faff around with seafood or apples for dipping, they just brought a big plate of slightly dry baguette and refilled it spontaneously when we ran out. The pot, as you can see, was cast iron and sensible. And the taste... good! True Gruyere and white wine and unashamedly smelly (we arrived early but a whiff of cheese was already hanging in the air, as in all real fondue restaurants). My friend spotted a flaw in the kitsch Swiss decor - a wooden Scottish shortbread mould with a thistle emblem mounted on the wall - but apart from that, the experience was the most authentic fondue I have had so far in HK.

My faith in fondue has therefore been restored and I intend to return to this particular establishment to sample their other fondue offerings. If you have any fondue/raclette restaurant recommendations, I would be happy to hear them!
Read about a less fruitful quest for cheese.
All content © Emilie Pavey

新光戲院 Goodbye Sunbeam

2012-02-17T22:40:00.001+08:00

The curtains are closing for the Sunbeam Theatre (新光戲院) in North Point on Sunday.

The iconic Chinese opera venue has been in operation for 40 years and is unique in Hong Kong. It had fantastic atmosphere, with its loyal, ageing clientele wandering in and out at random times during the show, standing up and clapping spontaneously at a particularly well-executed snippet, and generally gossiping and making a noise throughout.

The great thing about it for me was that you could go in with a camera and snap away without disturbing anyone or getting told off, which is not the case in the more sanitised government venues which will accommodate touring and local opera troupes from now on.

I tried to get tickets for a show with this weekend, but unsurprisingly...

The reason for the closure? Soaring rent prices. The future of the venue? I don't even want to say it. The answer's here.
The SCMP did report today that there is hope that the theatre might be rescued with the help a donation from an arts benefactor. I'm crossing my fingers and hoping with all my heart, but I was more optimistic about culture in Hong Kong last week.
Read about the closure in detail in Time Out HK.
UPDATE 19/2 : A last-minute tenancy agreement yesterday with a theatre troupe will keep the theatre open for another four years; that is, until 2016, when a new Chinese arts venue is due to open in West Kowloon... coincidence? In any case, happy news for now!
All content © Emilie Pavey

Roped in

2012-02-13T23:37:00.000+08:00

In the park, there are various cheap and simple ways to keep fit.For example, with a skipping rope:

Or with the hose from your vacuum cleaner:

Exercise for the mind in the park. All content © Emilie Pavey

Cultural revolution?

2012-02-11T14:24:00.000+08:00

In December's issue of National Geographic, Hong Kong was ranked fifth in a feature on the world's most influential cities (behind a very western-centric group of places: New York, London, Paris, and another city I can't remember).

This ranking was awarded based on five factors: information exchange, political engagement, human capital, business activity and cultural experience. Nat Geo unsurprisingly gave Hong Kong a high score in the 'business activity' category, whereas the city scored fairly low in the cultural stakes. I think this assessment is a little unfair - although Paris, New York and London have plenty of big-name arts venues, culture is alive and well in Hong Kong. If Nat Geo's researchers had only come down to street level, they might have though differently.
Here are a couple of local/spontaneous cultural happenings I stumbled upon recently:

Contemporary dance performance, Quarry Bay park

Street theatre, Central (at 'Occupy Central', December 2011)
Another HK art event.
All content © Emilie Pavey

A burning issue

2012-02-07T21:03:00.000+08:00

I've always felt that Pui O and Cheung Sha beaches on Lantau Island are secrets worth keeping. By being the most pristine and scenic of the HK government beaches, they are by far my favourite summer swimming spots. Plus, they never get very crowded and they are home to water buffalo, cattle egrets, and all sorts of other wonderful flora and fauna. Look how beautiful Pui O is:

Perhaps Lantau's coastline is just a little too secret, however, as the Hong Kong government feels it can get away with building a 'super incinerator' as a 'solution' to Hong Kong's serious waste problem on a small island just a few miles out from this spot, despite having designated the entire Lantau area as one for 'conservation and recreation uses'.

If you too feel that this is ecological insanity and that there must be another solution, please go to the Living Islands Movement site and sign the petition there. Or it might just be that in six year's time, this horizon will be broken by a huge chimney and these fluffy clouds will be made from the remains of your polystyrene takeaway box instead of water vapour.

Pui O's lovely cattle!
Destroying seabed ecosystems.
All content © Emilie Pavey

Bl**dy brilliant!

2012-02-05T20:14:00.000+08:00

Before you move in to your new flat in this building:

You can use this service:

And once you're settled, you can get these guys to do the catering for your housewarming party:

You deserve nothing less!

More boastful property names.

All content © Emilie Pavey

Airing your dirty laundry in public

2012-02-04T20:43:00.001+08:00

Or: lonely pants.

Pants and sausages on the same washing line.
EXTRA, EXTRA:A new issue of Time Out HK is out. In this fortnight's 'Hidden Hong Kong', see my pictures of retro tiles, two white pigeons and some mystery mock-Gothic architecture. Here's a peek:

All content © Emilie Pavey

Ode to the grindstone

2012-02-01T23:01:00.000+08:00

Hong Kong's abandoned villages allow visitors a more poignant glimpse into life in the past than any heritage museum. Here are two obsolete grindstones (near Kam Tin and Tai O) that must have been the starting point for many bygone cakes and buns.

They are now all out of flour power (apologies).
Another feature of abandoned villages.
All content © Emilie Pavey

Little emperors

2012-01-28T21:36:00.001+08:00

The Chinese New Year holidays are nearly over. Time to put away the party clothes ... until next year!

More fancy dress.
All content © Emilie Pavey

通渠佬

2012-01-26T23:22:00.001+08:00

通渠佬: tong keui lou = plumber (specifically, the bloke who comes to unblock your drains)

In the autumn, prior to the onslaught of Christmas and Chinese New Year music in the supermarket, Wellcome was regularly running one particular ad over its sound system. The product in question is a liquid drain-unblocker, and the brand name is 'tong keui lou' (i.e. same idea as the name 'Mr Muscle' for cleaning products). It went like this:

A woman, finding her drain blocked, calls a plumber (tong keui lou). When said tong keui lou rings the doorbell and gets out his bag o' tools, the woman exclaims, 'tong keui lou dou yung tong keui lou!' (= the plumber also uses 'tong keui lou!').

My Cantonese still leaves much to be desired, so the fact that I came to understand what this ad was about says something about how often it was played! It seems that at least one real tong keui lou is using an equally aggressive marketing strategy. He calls himself 渠王 (keui wong; plumber king) and his characteristic lettering can be seen in back alleys across HK.

So, if you want to find out whether tong keui lou really uses tong keui lou... you know who to call!

Or, you could just read about the man himself in this article by Christopher DeWolf.

All content © Emilie Pavey

Off my food

2012-01-25T16:44:00.000+08:00

Much as I enjoy Chinese cuisine, I sometimes crave European food (especially cheese!). Whenever a full-on craving sets in, most Chinese restaurants fail to look appetizing to me:

Don't ask me why; I can't help it!
All content © Emilie Pavey

Cardboard city

2012-01-22T23:25:00.000+08:00

Chinese New Year is the only time in the whole year that some shops in Hong Kong close. It's strange to see the back streets so quiet. In this Mong Kok street, traders have put up make-shift cardboard letterboxes. The rest of the year, they don't need one!

More shut-up shops.
If you read this blog, you'll know I am fond of Hong Kong's letterboxes.
All content © Emilie Pavey

Holy smoke

2012-01-20T20:49:00.001+08:00

'Tis the season to make wishes. Temples are getting crowded! To make it through the incense-brandishing throng, two strategies can be used:

一. Hold your breath:

二. Wear a facemask:

Gung Hei Fat Choi! May the year of the dragon waft fragrantly in!
More Chinese-New-Yearyness.
Another festival for pyromaniacs.

All content © Emilie Pavey

休憩處

2012-01-19T23:04:00.000+08:00

休憩處 = yau hei tsu: sitting out area (literally, resting place)

Hong Kong is not short of public resting spots. They come in two varieties: large, municipal parks, with sports facilities, public toilets etc, and small 'sitting out areas', which tend to occur in spaces which are too small or inconvenient to profit from in any other way. As a result, some urban sitting-out areas are entirely devoid of charm. Here are the winners and runners up in my most-depressing-park-facilities-contest.

Honorable mention (due to miniature size): No-name sitting-out area, Sands Street, Kennedy Town

While this one is not technically an LCSD-designated 'sitting out area', it has all the hallmarks. More than just a bench, less than a park, fills a space that's otherwise useless, without really adding much. Features include: three seats.

Third place: Lok Sin Road / Choi Hung Road sitting-out area, San Po Kong

Features include: ornamental shrubs, mahogany-painted bench-cum-pagoda, sewage pumping station.

Second place: Finnie Street sitting-out area, Quarry Bay

Features include: moulded plastic pebble path, some mother-in-law's tongues, MTR bridge, busy road, ventilation outlets of nearby restaurants.

Winner: Yan Oi Court 'Garden', Kwun Tong

Features include: some benches, two shrubs, green mesh cage, and full sunlight.Three cheers for Kwun Tong!

EXTRA, EXTRA:Hidden Hong Kong in Time Out HK this fortnight: wartime ruins, Jesus, Buddha, and a fortune-teller (Click to enlarge).

All content © Emilie Pavey

質地

2012-01-16T21:32:00.000+08:00

質地 = zat deih: texture

More details of village houses.
All content © Emilie Pavey

In-formation

2012-01-14T14:52:00.000+08:00

Or how to deploy your students.

The line (ready to march):

The circle (unbreakable ring):

The wedge (impenetrable block):

More overhead candids here.
EXTRA, EXTRA:My photos on the current issue of Time Out Hong Kong's Hidden Hong Kong page. Walk-ups, snakes and ladders, and a waterfall (click to enlarge):

All content © Emilie Pavey

Alternative perforations

2012-01-11T23:18:00.000+08:00

The classic Chinese letterbox design is decorated with a perforated coin pattern, as you can see here.

However, hippies and Wiccans do it differently.
Flower power in Macau:

A fiery pamphlet from the Horned God (possibly) in Pok Fu Lam:

Another letterbox with a difference.
All content © Emilie Pavey

Press me

2012-01-06T20:08:00.000+08:00

All content © Emilie Pavey

梳化

2012-01-03T22:20:00.000+08:00

梳化 = so faa: sofa

All by myself...

Don't wanna be...

All by myself...

Anymore...

Let's hope people and sofas alike make new friends this year. Happy 2012!
More abandoned things here, here and here.
Photographs © Emilie Pavey

Offally good

2011-12-29T19:54:00.000+08:00

Snip snip man*, Sai Wan Ho:

Snip snip lady, Wong Tai Sin:

*The Sai Wan Ho snip snip man (legendary scissor-wielding streetside offal vendor) was in the local tabloids earlier this year when it was discovered that he kept his ingredients in a public toilet store cupboard! He has apparently repented and found a new location for his stuff, and as far as I can tell has not suffered a drop in custom (he's still there!). My question is, is the new storage solution refrigerated?
All content © Emilie Pavey

Going to the chapel

2011-12-26T11:18:00.000+08:00

Sai Kung district boasts two tiny Catholic chapels with stories to tell.

St Joseph's Chapel, Yim Tin Tsai

A chapel was set up in this small community off the coast of Sai Kung by a Catholic missionary in 1879, the recently canonised Joseph Freinademetz. The good father proceeded to baptise all the Hakka inhabitants of the village. The current building was built in 1890. To visit the church now and see the simple red and white decor inside, you need to keep your ferry ticket.

(Do not confuse Yim Tin Tsai Island in Sai Kung with the other island near Tai Po of the same name! Both are worth a visit though.)

Rosary Chapel, Wong Mo Ying

This tiny church in the heart of Sai Kung country park is of more recent historical significance. It is the place where an anti-Japanese resistance force formed in 1942 to resist the occupation of Hong Kong. The daughter of a former village resident tells me her father remembers pissing on Japanese soldiers from one of the chapel's upper windows! It is now apparently a Catholic Scout centre. I couldn't go inside as the door was locked.
If you know of any other quirky churches tucked away in the New Territories, please tell me!
All content © Emilie Pavey

The Hong Kong twelve days of Christmas... again!

2011-12-18T17:36:00.000+08:00

傻豬= sòh jyū: term of endearment, e.g. sweetie, darling (literally, silly pig)

On the first day of Christmas, my sòh jyū gave to me:

A spoonful of sugar in my tea.

On the second day of Christmas, my sòh jyū gave to me:

Two little dogs

And a spoonful of sugar in my tea.

On the third day of Christmas, my sòh jyū gave to me:

Three fat crabs

Two little dogs

And a spoonful of sugar in my tea.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my sòh jyū gave to me:

Four skimpy shorts

Three fat crabs

Two little dogs

And a spoonful of sugar in my tea.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my sòh jyū gave to me:

Five chicken wings!

Four skimpy shorts

Three fat crabs

Two little dogs

And a spoonful of sugar in my tea.

On the sixth day of Christmas, my sòh jyū gave to me:

Six teens a-posing

Five chicken wings!

Four skimpy shorts

Three fat crabs

Two little dogs

And a spoonful of sugar in my tea.

On the seventh day of Christmas, my sòh jyū gave to me:

Seven monks exhorting

Six teens a-posing

Five chicken wings!

Four skimpy shorts

Three fat crabs

Two little dogs

And a spoonful of sugar in my tea.

On the eighth day of Christmas, my sòh jyū gave to me:

Eight dragons floating

Seven monks exhorting

Six teens a-posing

Five chicken wings!

Four skimpy shorts

Three fat crabs

Two little dogs

And a spoonful of sugar in my tea.

On the ninth day of Christmas, my sòh jyū gave to me:

Nine lamps a-glowing

Eight dragons floating

Seven monks exhorting

Six teens a-posing

Five chicken wings!

Four skimpy shorts

Three fat crabs

Two little dogs

And a spoonful of sugar in my tea.

On the tenth day of Christmas, my sòh jyū gave to me:

Ten cans a-stacking

Nine lamps a-glowing

Eight dragons floating

Seven monks exhorting

Six teens a-posing

Five chicken wings!

Four skimpy shorts

Three fat crabs

Two little dogs

And a spoonful of sugar in my tea.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my sòh jyū gave to me:

Eleven kids a-playing

Ten cans a-stacking

Nine lamps a-glowing

Eight dragons floating

Seven monks exhorting

Six teens a-posing

Five chicken wings!

Four skimpy shorts

Three fat crabs

Two little dogs

And a spoonful of sugar in my tea.

On the twelth day of Christmas, my sòh jyū gave to me:

Twelve bottles waiting

Eleven kids a-playing

Ten cans a-stacking

Nine lamps a-glowing

Eight dragons floating

Seven monks exhorting

Six teens a-posing

Five chicken wings!

Four skimpy shorts

Three fat crabs

Two little dogs...

And a spoonful of sugar in my tea.

EXTRA, EXTRA:The Hong Kong Twelve Days of Christmas (2011) appears in this month's special Christmas issue of Time Out Hong Kong, and it looks like this:

Some readers of this blog may remember this from last Christmas - one of the gifts remains the same (soh jyu clearly lacks imagination). Click here to see the 2010 version!

Finally, I would like to wish all my readers a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Thank you very much for following Land of no Cheese and for your comments and feedback. I'll be back soon for more cheeselessness!

All content © Emilie Pavey

The new plastic idea

2011-12-17T16:11:00.001+08:00

Mondrian and the Neoplasticists sought to achieve ultimate abstraction in art, and Mondrian described this art movement as 'a pure representation of the human mind'. The human mind has, however, found a variety of ways to corrupt this cerebral artistic concept and has put Mondrian's unmistakable geometrical patterns to a variety of ignoble decorative and commercial uses.
The most artistic of government waste-collection facilities in HK:

'New Plastic Art' taken a little bit too literally in this Barbie-themed Christmas installation at Times Square:

Meanwhile, the good Piet turns in his black, white and red striped coffin.

Last year's shopping mall Christmas decoration atrocities.
All content © Emilie Pavey

夕陽無限好 ...

2011-12-14T23:48:00.000+08:00

夕陽無限好,
只是近黃昏
Zik yeung mo hahn hou,zi si gan wong fan.
(The setting sunlight is sublime,
Yet all too soon it turns to dusk.)
- Li Shangyin, Tang Dynasty poet

Lamma

Sai Kung Country Park
This is just a well-known fragment of a four-line poem. Read the full poem with an English translation here.
Photographs © Emilie Pavey

Sundogs and moon rabbits

2011-12-10T22:48:00.001+08:00

The sky is full of wonderful phenomena.

An end-of-summer parhelion, or sundog, spotted from Cheung Chau:

... and the Chinese 'rabbit in the moon', which can be glimpsed in tonight's lunar eclipse (if you are in HK and quick to read this post, you might still catch a bit of it - look outside!)

Or is it just some very ripe double gloucester...?
More moons.
All content © Emilie Pavey

Island in the sun

2011-12-09T21:49:00.001+08:00

As the thermometer nosedives once again, why not pack your bags and clear out of Hong Kong?

And go somewhere with white sands, turquoise waters and palm trees?

All content © Emilie Pavey

A bigger boat

2011-12-05T22:42:00.001+08:00

All content © Emilie Pavey

High and low

2011-12-04T11:51:00.001+08:00

High Tea - Cafe Causette, Mandarin Oriental.
Approx. 250HKD per person.

Low Tea - 華富冰室 (Wah Fu tea shop), Wah Fu
Approx. 15HKD per person.

See more of my photo contrasts in Time Out Hong Kong on the 'Hidden Hong Kong' page every fortnight.
More 冰室 here.
All content © Emilie Pavey

蔗汁: a love story

2011-12-03T21:03:00.001+08:00

蔗汁= je jap: sugar cane juice
In a city where chemically sweetened, artificial-tasting, additive-stuffed beverages are overabundant, freshly pressed green sugar cane juice bought from a streetside stall never tasted better. Down with 7-Eleven!

Another delicious, natural drink ...
All content © Emilie Pavey

Stairway to Heaven?

2011-12-02T18:53:00.001+08:00

This one is a little bizarre and requires an explanation. During a recent trip to an ancient site in Turkmenistan, we passed several graves with ladders propped up against them. Our guide explained that the ladders were a superstition, supposedly to help the souls climb to Heaven. Bear with me, there is a Hong Kong connection - keep reading.

Last weekend, while walking at Devil's Peak near Lei Yue Mun I came across a small garden near the one of the disused defence installations there. In it was what looked a lot like a makeshift grave ... with a ladder.

The question is, who is Thomas?
All content © Emilie Pavey

龍友 Lung Yau

2011-11-27T22:07:00.001+08:00

龍友= lung yau: (literally) dragon friend

The term lung yau is often used to refer to very specific type of HK photographer. He (invariably) is the kind of guy who likes to take pictures of girls. You sometimes see them at beaches and other scenic spots, but not necessarily.
Before you say, hey, these are just guys getting a bit shutter-happy with their girlfriends, read the Four Commandments of the lung yaus, and look again.
1. Thou shalt have a big camera, a huge flash (optional) and a whopping lens. Size does matter.2. Thou shalt only photograph models that are younger than thee. By a (considerable) number of years.3. Thou shalt only photograph models that are more attractive than than thee. By several degrees.4. Thou shalt not hesitate to get up close and personal with thy models. Go forth now and capture.
Lung yaus take the commandments very seriously indeed, especially no.4, as you can see here:
Close:

Very close:

Focusing-distance-defyingly close:

Click here to see another category of camera-toting HK person.
All content © Emilie Pavey

Make a Detour

2011-11-27T13:06:00.001+08:00

Detour 2011 opened this weekend. This HK art and design festival is interesting not only for its art installations and local designers' fair, but for the fact that it is held in an iconic building which you wouldn't normally get to visit. Last year, it was held in the central police station compound and Victoria prison on Hollywood Road, Central. This year, it's a few minutes walk from there in the direction of Sheung Wan, in the former police married quarters.

In terms of both art and heritage, the show is photo-opp galore, so predictably, full of people with cameras. Readers of this blog will know that umbrellas are a favourite theme of mine, so here are two umbrella-related offerings from this and last year's Detour events.
2010:

2011:

This year, it runs until 11 Dec. I recommend you make a detour and visit!
All content © Emilie Pavey

比藍更藍

2011-11-23T21:47:00.001+08:00

比藍更藍 = bei lam gang lam: bluer than blue

Thanks be to Hoya - not photoshop!
EXTRA, EXTRA:Time Out Hong Kong is out today, with a set of glitteringly abstract neon pictures from me on the 'Hidden Hong Kong' page, as well as some other bits and pieces:

Land of no cheese has also been featured on the Chinashmina site this week among their 'best Chinese blogs'. Hooray! Lots more stuff on there to check out, go and take a look.
All content © Emilie Pavey

Gentlemen's games

2011-11-22T20:48:00.001+08:00

Chinese chess (象棋, jeung kei) is ubiquitous in most parks and sitting-out areas. It looks like draughts because it is played with flat, round counters, but it's chess all right, if not more: it has knights, rooks and pawns, but also cannons, elephants and a river.

Less common, but also played outdoors, are card games. These gents are playing the card version of Chinese dominoes (牌九, pai gau) I think. There are also other games, such as four-colour-cards (四色牌, sei sik pai), which is a bit like rummy in that you have to collect sets. I suspect that, where Chinese chess is universally popular, playing cards is more of a working man's pastime. That's because I have only ever spotted it being played in public housing estates (and in one instance, under a bridge!)

And what are the ladies doing, while the men are out preserving brain cells but losing money? Why, indoors, playing mah jong, of course!

All content © Emilie Pavey

Seen a sign?

2011-11-19T20:01:00.001+08:00

I have unscientifically categorised Hong Kong's street name signs into three types in my head: the modern type (white arrow shape on black rectangle with functional, helvetica-ish font), the older type (similar, but without the arrow) and the oldest type, with more old-fashioned lettering and characters, as pictured here:

I have been looking out for these to take photos of them but they are really very few and far between.

The two above signs are in wealthy old Central which has a lot of vocal advocates for heritage preservation, which might partly explain why these signs are still there. They add to that charm and nostalgia that is so good for business and tourism in the district. However the sign below is not in such a privileged district, so get an eyeful before the bulldozers arrive.

I'd really like to know of any other places where one of these old signs is still clinging on, especially if it's in an area where it hasn't been left there for decorative purposes! Thanks!
All content © Emilie Pavey

Sticking out like a...

2011-11-16T22:16:00.001+08:00

Stick insects outside of their natural environment, well, stick out a bit. Especially if you are bright yellow, on a manhole cover...

or bright green, on a 'clean up after your dog' poster.

Probably better to 'stick' to twigs and leaves...
By the way, they can fly. Yes. We gently nudged the yellow one out of pure concern for its safety (it was in the middle of the road) and its wings popped out. I wasn't hugely enthusiastic about this. It was a bit like cockroaches when you think they won't fly... and then they do.
I got the idea for this post from a blog I like called Oriental Sweetlips, specifically, this post.Thanks, Phil!
Some more beautiful bugs.

All content © Emilie Pavey

Red square

2011-11-13T21:48:00.001+08:00

In an underpass: rooms for rent

From a window: lai see, dropped from a floor above

Round things. All content © Emilie Pavey

Letterbox chefs

2011-11-11T22:26:00.001+08:00

First-class food.

All content © Emilie Pavey

Peeping Toms

2011-11-09T19:11:00.000+08:00

Now you see me ...

... now you don't?

Where are Mum and Dad?

EXTRA, EXTRA!
Update on 10/11: Designer Joanne Pereira features Land of no cheese on her site, Eclectic Cool, today. Read about Joanne's eclectic finds in Hong Kong and around the world, and see a picture of me drinking ice lemon tea!
Also, grab this week's Time Out HK to see some of my pictures - street art, innocence, experience, and a mystery location. Here's a peek at this week and last week: (click for a larger view)

All content © Emilie Pavey

多雲

2011-11-08T17:17:00.000+08:00

多雲 = do wan: lots of clouds

Dawn:

Dusk:

All content © Emilie Pavey

蜜蜂

2011-11-07T20:17:00.000+08:00

蜜蜂 = mat fung: honey bee

In Hong Kong bees can be active during the winter months due to the mild weather. As a result, HK is able to produce a speciality honey, winter honey. In fact, there are quite a lot of honey producers across the territory, and at least least two bee farms which can be visited. One of them is Po Sang Yuen Bee Farm, more information here.

If spending an afternoon surrounded by bees is not your cup of tea, then you can still sample this farm's produce by visiting - against all odds - your local supermarket. Just ignore all the Australian, NZ and British honeypots and go straight to the bottom shelf. Winter honey and acacia honey (pictured) were in stock when I visited earlier complete with black-and white picture of bee-bearded bloke. This honey is mouthwateringly sweet and slightly woody.

Buying local from a small producer is one thing (well done me), but tasting local from a tiny family-run island cafe is quite another. At one of my favourite outlying-island watering holes, you can sip fresher-than fresh, hot or iced, lemon or chrysanthemum honey and literally watch the bees which made your drink in the vegetable patch behind the house as you do so.

Ok, ok, the island is Tung Lung Chau... but that's all I'm saying!

However, the knowledge that honey bees are in global decline makes even delicious local honey taste bittersweet.
All content © Emilie Pavey

Pawn me

2011-11-04T18:18:00.002+08:00

In chronological order (possibly)
一. Antique

二. Palimpsest

三. Naive

四. Decayed

五. Neon

六. Lightbox

七. Mis en abyme

Although a lot of shop signs are going that way, I have yet to spot an LED version of one of these. Anyone?
All content © Emilie Pavey

打球

2011-11-01T19:21:00.000+08:00

打球 = da kauh: play ball (literally, hit ball)

Unconventional fillings:
Sorry to have kept you waiting! The answers to the puzzle in the previous post are c. snickers bar and d. ice cream. Not too keen on the deep fried diabetes, but the utterly brilliant latter was eaten a coffee chain called Old Town coffee in Kuala Lumpur, which I have seen advertised in HK - does this mean I can get an ice cream sandwich here?

All content © Emilie Pavey

No cheese, unfortunately

2011-10-17T21:56:00.000+08:00

Land of no cheese will take a short break until November. In the meantime, I'll leave you with a brain-teaser:

*** Guess the unconventional filling! ***(fill the blank with the correct option)

Question 1. ___________ tempura:
a. chorizo chunkb. Turkish delightc. snickers bard. chocolate brownie

Question 2. ___________ sandwich:
a. tofu dessertb. meringuec. Greek yogurtd. ice-cream
Leave a comment if you want to have a guess! Bonus point if you can tell me in what country the sandwich picture is taken - it's not HK. Answers are now in the post above. Thanks to everyone for following and reading!
P.S. More weird food here and here.

All content © Emilie Pavey

Dashboard processional

2011-10-14T20:45:00.000+08:00

A troupe of Dragon Ball figurines:

A flotilla of rubber ducks:

Alternative collective noun suggestions welcome.
More plastic animals.
All content © Emilie Pavey

On bricks

2011-10-11T20:37:00.000+08:00

EXTRA. EXTRA:
Update 12/10: Latest issue of Time Out HK is out! On the Hidden Hong Kong page you can see my photos of sinister subways, cash for karma, and where in Hong Kong is this... Click on the picture for a closer look.

All content © Emilie Pavey

Spot the difference

2011-10-08T12:18:00.001+08:00

POST UPDATE ON 10 OCT: I added a new photo! Check out 1.3!
Hong Kong-style fast food chains are quite a source of 'inspiration' for other cafes.
1.1 Daaih ga lok, restaurants across HK:

1.2 Daaih ga sik, Mong Kok:

UPDATE: 1.3 Ga ga lok, Cheung Chau:

2.1 Daaih fai wut, restaurants across HK:

2.2 Daaih ga oi, Kuala Lumpur... hang on a sec, what was 1.1 called again?

For more mysteriously similar things, click: notebooks or lemonade.
All content © Emilie Pavey

Ink different

2011-10-07T19:37:00.000+08:00

There are two types of tattoos in HK. Triad and non-Triad.Here are some examples of the latter spotted along King's Road.

Can you tell what this one is?

I followed this guy for a while trying to look like I was not photographing his leg. Thankfully he had headphones on!

I haven't attempted to chase after the other type of tattoo wearer with my camera. Probably a good thing.

All content © Emilie Pavey

Stop, look, and...

2011-10-04T21:57:00.000+08:00

Aside from the funny angle, can you tell what is strange about this picture?

Have a think before you scroll down.

Think you've got it?

The next picture should give you the answer.

I've hidden it at the bottom of this post...

Don't cheat! Have another look at this picture and think.

Ready now?

scroll

Okay.

Have a look:

Were you right?
All content © Emilie Pavey

forty winks

2011-10-03T19:28:00.001+08:00

Come prepared with a cardboard mattress...

a plastic-bag pillow...

Or just grab an opportunistic snooze on a nearby chair.

All content © Emilie Pavey

Special treatment

2011-10-02T12:14:00.000+08:00

Spied through a see-through door:
一. Foot-in-bucket treatment

二. Electric eye-bandage treatment

三. Tail-trimming treatment

At least someone is keeping an eye on the door!
All content © Emilie Pavey

五星紅旗

2011-10-01T14:56:00.000+08:00

五星紅旗 = ng sing hong kei: five star red flag (flag of China)
National Day special.

All content © Emilie Pavey

冰室

2011-09-29T11:35:00.000+08:00

冰室 = bing sat: tea shop/cafe (literally, ice room)
Some places don't change...

EXTRA, EXTRA:Pick up the latest Time Out HK magazine to see my photos on the Hidden HK page. Small junks, two moons and a mysterious campsite. Here's a peek:

And for everyone in HK: happy 'phoon-day!
All content © Emilie Pavey

A dog's life

2011-09-27T23:43:00.001+08:00

In Hong Kong, it's a tough life being a pet pooch. Your owners dress you, style you, and wipe your bum with Tempo tissues. When it comes to walkies though, HK hounds would probably be envious of the freedom enjoyed by their western counterparts.
Some sit in their sanitised strollers and gaze at the pungent pavements with longing...

Whereas others face their un-doggy-like humiliation with stoicism... (though I suspect this fellow enjoys having a slave with a fan on hand.)

I had always assumed these dog owners were using kid's pushchairs for their pooches, until I noticed this red model in the window of a pet shop, and realised they were purposely pour chien.

(please also note the beige accessory in the foreground - for bona fide 'handbag dogs')
Pah, who needs exercise anyway?Oh yes, your pet dog.
Dogs taking a dip.
___________________________________________
Now, for the answer to my last post's taste test:Disappointing Drink B was in fact the lemonade from internationally-marketed brand Glaceau, and more tasty Drink A its imitation, Victory Vitamin water.

V for... Vitamin! All content © Emilie Pavey

Contains no juice

2011-09-23T22:44:00.000+08:00

Here is a member of that ubiquitous rainbow-coloured drinks range: peacock-labelled 'lemonade' from Glaceau Vitamin Water. Convenience stores, vending machines and cafe chains in HK are Glaceau-galore.

Contains: 100mg of vitamin C, vitamins E, B3, B5, B6, and B2 in more modest amounts, and 22.5g of sugar. Contains no juice!
Across the border, in Shenzhen, you may pick up a similar-looking bottle complete with peacock colour scheme and pharmaceutically-inspired label design: meet 'lemon-style' Victory Vitamin Water, from Nongfu Spring. Hmm.

Contains: 100mg of vitamin C, vitamins E, B3, B5, B6, and B2 in more modest amounts, and 22.5g of sugar. No reference to juice on the bottle. Double hmm.
Equipped with both, a comparative (blind) taste test was called for. In no particular order...
...we sipped drink A.Smell: lemony, tingly, lightTaste: flat, pleasant Sweetness: moderately sweetAftertaste: slightly sour, not unpleasantOverall impression: drinkable, refreshing, faintly candy-flavoured lemon drink. We give it three out of five stars.
...we sipped drink B.Smell: faint, slightly stuffy lemonTaste: lemon overpowered by clammy yeastinessSweetness: not very sweetAftertaste: pallidOverall impression: slightly offputting, reminiscent of my mum's kefir lemonade* but rather more artificial! We give it 1.5 out of five stars.
Can you guess which drink is which? I'll post the results next time!In the meantime, you can look at another suspiciously similar pair.

*for the record, my mum's kefir lemonade is actually tasty. Drink B is like kefir lemonade's ugly cousin.

All content © Emilie Pavey

大煙

2011-09-20T22:32:00.000+08:00

大煙 = daaih yin: big smoke
Ever wondered why on some days, it's too smoggy to see across the harbour?Perhaps this has something to do with it.

The exhaust fumes from ferries are so foul that the outside walls of the ferry piers are black with soot in places. And ferries are just a fraction of the boat traffic that uses the harbour as a highway.

Lungful of carbon monoxide with your sea breeze, anyone?
All content © Emilie Pavey

Big plastic brother

2011-09-18T12:23:00.000+08:00

Domestic cat, Tuen Mun

Cattle egret, Kuala Lumpur

All content © Emilie Pavey

The view from the ferry

2011-09-16T18:56:00.000+08:00

Guess the pier.

All content © Emilie Pavey

Mummy, Daddy and me

2011-09-07T20:35:00.002+08:00

Perfect parents?

More mums and dads...And here too...And also here... (bit of a pattern emerging)
All content © Emilie Pavey

Old school

2011-09-06T18:36:00.000+08:00

Village schools...Where have all the children gone?

Another notable abandoned school is in old Mo Tat Village, Lamma, which is starting to be consumed by a tree. Pick up the current issue of Time Out HK to see my photo of it.
More dereliction.
All content © Emilie Pavey

關閘

2011-09-05T21:19:00.000+08:00

關閘 = gwaan zaap: closed gate

曬衣架

2011-09-03T16:44:00.001+08:00

曬衣架 = saai yi ga: outdoor clothes drying rack
Due to densely-packed living quarters, it's perhaps not surprising that estate residents sometimes use street furniture as a washing-line (I do always hope they've wiped the railings down first).

This is actually not allowed, with signs in parks and other public spaces reminding the public: no clothes drying. An enterprising individual has therefore found the perfect spot to advertise this home clothes drying system.

Local authorities threatening to remove your illegally-hung laundry? Just call the number.

What your apartment's washing line may look like.
All content © Emilie Pavey

秋天 2

2011-09-02T20:12:00.002+08:00

This morning, the kids in the school nearby woke me up with some improbably enthusiastic back-to-school cheering at 7.30 a.m. To me, 'back to school' evokes memories of frost on the lawn and conkers, so it's no surprise that with 30 degrees and 85% humidity outside, I'm not quite feeling appropriately autumnal yet. However, by the Chinese calendar it's probably been autumn for a while already, since the week after next is mid-autumn festival, so like last year, now seems a good time to post these two butterflies I managed to capture recently (just photographically, not lepidopteristically!) before all things summer wither and die.

Common Mormon (slightly moth-eaten, ho ho) - Mt Parker

Can anyone identify this one for me? Some kind of birdwing? - Lamma
EXTRA, EXTRA: Time Out HK's new issue is out this week. On the 'Hidden Hong Kong' page you can see my pictures of trees eating buildings, war & peace (in nature) and a mystery photo of a remote Qing-era fort... but where in HK is it?
All content © Emilie Pavey

Snap

2011-08-30T22:44:00.001+08:00

Caught in the act:

Pop up 2

2011-08-29T23:35:00.002+08:00

In an earlier post, I examined the streetside pop-up shop. Here's another variant: the pop-up knick-knack stall. On sale (urban variety): glowing plastic toys, hair scrunchies, purses, and, if it's raining, umbrellas.

Often found near MTR exits, the stalls are equipped with handy mobility features, such as wheels (above), or fold-flat cardboard box stands and open-suitcase displays (below).

En bateau

2011-08-27T19:53:00.000+08:00

衞星

2011-08-26T20:14:00.001+08:00

衞星= wai sing: satellite

星期四

2011-08-25T23:27:00.001+08:00

The launderette-cum-dry-cleaners downstairs is demonstrating a small, fairly inoffensive grammatical inaccuracy.

Or is it? Perhaps the launderette owner (launderer?) is actually using the imperative, ordering neighbouring shops to follow his exemplary opening hours. Indeed, the other launderette, across the street, seems to obeyed and has even taken up the same rallying call.

Pillar of the (beach) community

2011-08-23T22:14:00.000+08:00

It's beach season. If you want to feel safe whilst swimming, you cannot avoid the stiletto heel of HK government architecture: the elevated lifeguard hut. Aesthetic (as far as a man-made public safety structure can be, that is), yet precarious.

Upper Cheung Sha
Still, it's nice to know that there's a dedicated watchtower for sharks and other disruptions to paddling paradise.

Silverstrand beach
Even if this does mean that swimmers are lorded over by a bored, tanned attendant with a megaphone who lets off the occasional Cantonese rant if a swimmer strays outside of the designated swimming area. If you get eaten by a shark on the other side of that yellow floating line, tough luck buddy, we did warn you.
More quirky government structures.
All content © 2011 Emilie Pavey

laced with style

2011-08-22T19:19:00.000+08:00

One of the first things that struck me about Hong Kong minibuses is the lacy trim of the seats. It is somewhat like being in Granny's living room while speeding along at 79 kph (the driver usually attempting to stay on the 'safe' side of the beeper, but not always)
Looking back on this weekend's photos, I thought I'd dedicate a post to Hong Kong's chintz-on-wheels in all its kitschy glory.

大躍進

2011-08-21T11:03:00.000+08:00

大躍進 = dai yeuk jeun: great leap forward

Strangers on a tram

2011-08-20T00:05:00.000+08:00

30 followers today! A small milestone for Land of no cheese. Thank you to everyone who takes the time to visit. I am always trying to make it better.
EXTRA, EXTRA:Pick up the latest issue of Time Out HK to see more photos on the Hidden Hong Kong page: ways of beating the heat, modernity vs. antiquity and where in Hong Kong is this?
All content © 2011 Emilie Pavey

Keeping an eye on your kids

2011-08-15T21:18:00.000+08:00

Modern parenting involves cameras.

酷熱天氣警告

2011-08-14T10:48:00.000+08:00

(excerpt)

The Very Hot Weather Warning is now in force. The Hong Kong Observatory is 
forecasting very hot weather in Hong Kong tomorrow. The risk of heatstroke is high.

People staying indoors without air-conditioning should keep windows open as far as possible to ensure that there is adequate ventilation.

Dispatched by Hong Kong Observatory at 06:45 HKT on 14.08.2011

小狗游泳記

2011-08-10T20:47:00.004+08:00

(Wet dog stories)
開心

唔開心

Offering

2011-08-09T18:36:00.000+08:00

'Tis the season.

I hope the residents of my building follow these good citizens' example and do it outdoors this time.

Hidden object

2011-08-06T21:20:00.000+08:00

中計 Be counted

2011-08-02T23:05:00.004+08:00

The 2011 Hong Kong population census is in full swing, with census officers across the territory scuttling up and down residential buildings doing what they have to do. To minimise the chances of opportunistic swindling, the government has plastered public transport with these two friendly faces, encouraging us to be proactive and check identities before interview!

I studied the diagram showing the parts of a census officer closely, and then went out on an officer-spotting excursion. It was remarkably successful.

Satchel. Check. Badge. Check. Natty government-designed polo shirt. Check.

I am pleased to report that the government-provided illustration is a fairly accurate representation of the true specimen, with one minor flaw: the real thing lacks a cheesy grin. Clearly some artistic licence was involved.
Update on 3/8:EXTRA, EXTRA!My photos appear in the latest issue of Time Out HK, on the Hidden Hong Kong page. Cats in shops, walls and bridges, and a big rock. If you are in Hong Kong, take a look.
All content © 2011 Emilie Pavey

Pointing

2011-08-01T20:59:00.000+08:00

天橋

2011-07-29T21:38:00.001+08:00

天橋 = tin kiu: overhead walkway (sky bridge)

Things I have seen people doing on this bridge:
1. Taking a photo2. Having a cigarette break 3. Practicing Tai Chi 4. Taking a nap 5. Eating rice from a lunch box 6. Carrying out a land survey 7. Flying a remote-controlled model helicopter
Like lists?
All content © 2011 Emilie Pavey

乒乓球

2011-07-25T19:56:00.000+08:00

Sport or art form?

Esculent swallows?

2011-07-23T14:22:00.000+08:00

Swallow's nests are a delicacy in China and Hong Kong. Used in soup, they are said to be everything from immunity-boosting to aphrodisiac and are thus highly-prized and expensive. If that's what your after, head to Wing Lok Street in Sheung Wan where you'll find shop after shop of the things.

The 'nest' is actually a small crusty-looking cup made of the bird's saliva. The red nests, purportedly containing blood, are the most valuable of all. The nests were traditionally harvested in caves in South East Asia, now purpose-built houses like gigantic dovecotes attract the birds to nest in Sumatra.

Meanwhile, along King's Road in Hong Kong, tucked away under a cantilevered shophouse building, the real thing was taking place this week. It must have taken some pretty strong saliva to stick this whopper to the wall...

Fat cat, skinny cat

2011-07-20T22:42:00.004+08:00

In Hong Kong, some cats are more equal than others.

These two live on the same street. Cat lover?
EXTRA, EXTRAIt you are in HK, turn to the 'Hidden Hong Kong' page of today's issue of Time Out magazine to see some more of my pictures: Newspaper vendors, dawn and dusk, and a puzzle one: 'where in Hong Kong is this?'

All content © 2011 Emilie Pavey

傢俬舖

2011-07-19T22:31:00.000+08:00

傢俬舖 = ga si pou (Cantonese): furniture shop

Up close

2011-07-16T17:34:00.001+08:00

Frantically elbowing other visitors out of the way in order to get a close-up shot of a miniature building is a popular way to spend a rainy Saturday, judging by the hordes pullulating around two recent exhibits in Cityplaza, Taikoo Shing. In fact, the shopping mall seems to be turning model worlds into something of a specialty.
Hong Kong miniatures (finishes tomorrow):

Lego (in April):

Perhaps peering into these small-scale universes fools us into thinking that our own tiny apartment homes are veritable palaces.
I'm guilty too - photographing models is irresistible.

All content © 2011 Emilie Pavey

Marking one's territory

2011-07-15T19:44:00.001+08:00

Central:

New Territories:

You'll be interested to know that they gave the Yuen Long spin-off a different Chinese name, at least; a finely-chosen one too, loaded with all the style and sophistication that the name 'Landmark' speaks: Happy Shopping Mall.
So happy shopping...
All content © 2011 Emilie Pavey

Art imitating nature

2011-07-12T19:54:00.000+08:00

Plastic birds straight out of a Disney film attempt to entice passers by into the hills:

An emphatic bald eagle endorses a government-generated aphorism:

In memoriam

2011-07-08T03:29:00.002+08:00

Last month was particularly hard on umbrellas.

Many were sacrificed.

They will not be forgotten. Until we find the nearest seven-eleven.

EXTRA, EXTRA!My photos appear in this fortnight's issue of Time Out Hong Kong, as a newly-created page, Hidden Hong Kong, dedicated to Hong Kong in pictures. Themes: 'Illegal structures', 'movement/stillness' and a mystery photo: 'where in HK is this?' If you're in HK, grab the magazine and have a look.

All content © 2011 Emilie Pavey

Future living

2011-07-03T15:31:00.000+08:00

The noughties were the decade when humankind stepped into the future. Local property developers quickly latched onto this sci-fi air du temps and dreamed up fitting new developments.
These exclusive houses near Fan Ling have bathrooms equipped with virtual reality headsets and built-in webcams as standard.

And here in Discovery Bay, one of the exclusive penthouse units of this block can actually be launched into orbit.

You can spot the inhabitants of these places by the blue-tinted glasses they wear. The outside world looks too retrograde otherwise. Must be those windows.
All content © 2011 Emilie Pavey

每晚，我做一樣的夢。

2011-06-28T19:43:00.001+08:00

Every night, I have the same dream...
My Chinese teacher's optimism knows no bounds. Earlier this year, she instructed me to write a story. It's amazing what one can do with only 500 Chinese characters.

You can read the first installment (by Sasha, my teacher) here and the second installment (by me) here. If you can read Chinese, that is. Well, if you, like me, are at least a quarter of the way to basic literacy.
To be continued...

All content © 2011 Emilie Pavey

綠色雨傘

2011-06-24T21:59:00.003+08:00

More specifically: faded 綠色雨傘 ...

一.

二.

Li Ka Shing and the Mystery of the Typhoon Force Field

2011-06-22T22:08:00.007+08:00

Tropical storm Haima, despite producing a Typhoon 3 signal and a manic whistling sound from my kitchen extractor fan, has veered off to the left and is heading in the general direction of Hainan Island, according to the Hong Kong Observatory's tropical cyclone tracking tool.
Of course, a tropical storm or worse is not exactly desirable weather, but once the T3 signal is hoisted, most office workers keep a hopeful eye on the weather updates in case it turns to a T8 at which point everyone gets an afternoon (or morning) off, as I explained here.
This explains why my colleagues were moaning that 'there never seems to be a Typhoon 8 these days', and proceeded to enlighten me on a popular theory: the Li Ka Shing Force Field.
It is clearly not in Mr Li's (or any other business tycoon's) interests for his employees to get days off due to inclement meteorological circumstances, therefore, the Most Powerful Man in Asia would be using his phenomenal influence to divert the course of regional weather systems away from his own installations, and, concomitantly, away from every hopeful Office Lady in HK.
My colleague developed the theory further. Allegedly, Li's industries guzzle a disproportionate amount of energy, and the reason for this is the fact that some of them are, in fact, force-field emitting devices in disguise which need tremendous amounts of power to operate. Perhaps this ordinary-looking satellite station at Cape d'Aguilar is just that:

It might explain Haima's determination not to pay us a visit.
Update on 29/7/11: A complete and authoritative guide to the subject here.
All content © 2011 Emilie Pavey

Hairomatic

2011-06-21T21:44:00.001+08:00

Ladies and gentlemen's timewarps. Walk out looking 30-60 years ago.

King of the castle

2011-06-18T21:31:00.004+08:00

Are you a property developer seeking inspiration to market your next rip-off? Then why not consider adding a touch of majesty to the address? If building names are anything to go by, playing at kings and queens seems to appeal to HK buyers, from paupers to princes.

一. For sovereigns who are just stepping on to the regal property ladder, this property on the aptly named King's Road in North Point is a good starting option from which to overlook your humble kingdom.

二. Once you have established your majestic reputation, you could consider investing in this stately domain in Tai Po where you'll be sure to lead a fairytale life.

三. For the crafty monarch who manages to tax his/her subjects to within an inch of their lives, this future development by Chinachem at Kai Tak is clearly the way to say I'm royal and rich.

四. Then again, why beat about the bush, your Majesty? Your address says it all.

Whitish whites

2011-06-13T20:31:00.001+08:00

Ways to make your chef's whites less so:

一. Sit in the fireplace (but remember to take your boots off):

二. Sit in prime poodle scent-marking territory:

Whitish goods

2011-06-11T14:09:00.002+08:00

雪櫃 = syut gwai: snow cupboard

A 'fridgerator for every budget:

Value option: lots of takers.

900 honkies, energy efficiency a mystery.

Gathering clouds

2011-06-10T20:56:00.001+08:00

The first typhoon warning of the year today prompted me to post some appropriate 'ímpending storm' photos taken a while ago. In truth, today's weather was fine and very hot, with no sign of tropical storm Sarika approaching other than an incredible level of stickiness.

In case you were wondering, all the East Asian countries and, for some reason, the US, get to contribute to the list of names for typhoons and these are used on a rotating basis. The name Sarika was put forward by Cambodia and refers to a songbird, apparently.

Another interesting factoid is that if a storm causes extensive loss of life or material damage in the past year, its name can be withdrawn from the list (serves it right) and replaced with a new one. In May, three new names were picked.

Let's hope no new names need to be chosen next year.

Birdsize bites

2011-06-08T18:45:00.004+08:00

What Hong Kong (logically) lacks in British Birds Begining with B (blue-tits, blackbirds) it makes up for with an abundance of its own local B-variety, the bright-as-a-button bulbul.

Here are two members of the bulbul family having breakfast:

Red-whiskered Bulbul: berries

Chinese Bulbul: beakful of bugs

The bulbul's name, like many birds', is onomatopoeic. Song of the bulbul selon The Birds of Hong Kong and South China: 'bulbi-bulbit, bulbi-bulbit!'

Thank you Patrick for the Red-whiskered Bulbul picture.

Omnibus omniscience

2011-06-06T22:02:00.002+08:00

Public transport staff huts are no less worthy of their Chinese god than your local cha chaan teng. These bus-stop shrines are tended to with varying levels of devotion:

Spick and span in Shau Kei Wan

Decluttering operation needed in Ap Lei Chau

Also see: a most curious shrine painting and a celebrity among local deities.

Nun other

2011-06-05T11:54:00.002+08:00

I like Hong Kong's Catholic nuns! They're not like those strict, starched, wimple-wielding types you get in Europe.
These good Sisters seem much more down to earth. They wear prim white school-uniform type frocks, and even do everyday chores:

Shopping at the wet market...

Taking the kid to school...

I haven't seen one walking the dogs yet though.

Land of no cheese

Re-finding my faith in fondue

新光戲院 Goodbye Sunbeam

Roped in

Cultural revolution?

A burning issue

Bl**dy brilliant!

Airing your dirty laundry in public

Ode to the grindstone

Little emperors

通渠佬

通渠佬: tong keui lou = plumber (specifically, the bloke who comes to unblock your drains)

Off my food

Cardboard city

Holy smoke

休憩處

質地

In-formation

Alternative perforations

Press me

梳化

Offally good

Going to the chapel

The Hong Kong twelve days of Christmas... again!

The new plastic idea

夕陽無限好 ...

Sundogs and moon rabbits

Island in the sun

A bigger boat

High and low

蔗汁: a love story

Stairway to Heaven?

龍友 Lung Yau

Make a Detour

比藍更藍

Gentlemen's games

Seen a sign?

Sticking out like a...

Red square

Letterbox chefs

Peeping Toms

多雲

蜜蜂

Pawn me

打球

No cheese, unfortunately

Dashboard processional

On bricks

Spot the difference

Ink different

Stop, look, and...

forty winks

Special treatment

五星紅旗

冰室

A dog's life

Contains no juice

大煙

Big plastic brother

The view from the ferry

Mummy, Daddy and me

Old school

關閘

曬衣架

秋天 2

Snap

Pop up 2

En bateau

衞星

星期四

Pillar of the (beach) community

laced with style

大躍進

Strangers on a tram

Keeping an eye on your kids

酷 熱 天 氣 警 告

小狗游泳記

Offering

Hidden object

中計 Be counted

酷熱天氣警告