Lamma Island community website

Andy's Seafood & Sunset
Jun 30

First impressions from the opening night of "Andy's Seafood SAU KEE" on Fri, June 29, 2012.

L-G the Photography Enthusiast - Jun 29

...a full page and story with all my own photos, in the HAC quarterly newsletter....

Lamma Zombies Invading DbAY - Jun 28

The Lamma Dragons had great fun in Discovery Bay last Sat, winning 3 trophies.

From a Person Who Likes Girls in Swim Suits - Jun 27

"Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend the Dragon Boat Festival held in D-Bay."

Plants vs. Zombies - Jun 26

"This past weekend was our favorite holiday:
Dragon Boat Festival Day."

Slow Life - Jun 25

Book published by HK Economic, Trade and Cultural Office, for free distribution in the Taiwan tourism market.

Encouraging Energy Saving?
Jun 22

I've just received our latest electricity bill by email, featuring this all-new bar chart.

Fancy Dinner Celebration
Jun 21

Noticing a table setting like this, you'll know it might be expensive.

Lamma Fun Day:
Sat, Nov 24, 2012 - Jun 20

"Thank you to all who showed up at Diesel's on Sunday for the Lamma Fun Day Forum."

Old Jetty @ Lowest Tide
Jun 19

Plus an unintentionally "wobbly" photo of the YSW skyline below. Click to enlarge:

'Thanks for your email, friend, stranger, or flack'
Jun 18

Sending out my occasional email to our 4,500+ subscribers,....

Amazing Voyage to Lamma!
Jun 17

"It was a GREAT pleasure to orchestrate your move to Lamma today!"

What's on This Weekend in YSW? - Jun 16

Click posters for details.

The Gift of Inspired Learning
Jun 15

"Banyan House is now entering its fifth year of providing inspired learning for pre-schoolers."

Lamma Market Summer Clear-Out - Jun 14

(Text by Debbie & photos by Lisa)

Birds & Butterflies @ Banyan Bay Bar - Jun 13

"Island Arts is a vibrant after school arts initiative, run by well- known local painter Roz Keep."

Wine Buffet @ Genuine Lamma Hilton - Jun 12

"Lamma-Gung & I happen to have a chance to try out an Exclusive Sampling Buffet."

Lamma Dragons in Zhuhai - Jun 11

Click above for more photos and an article from Lamma Dragon and guest blogger Brittany.

Junsets - Jun 6

Photos of June Sunsets,
by Lamma-Gung.

Snake Banquet for Lammaites - Jun 5

"The Official Court Gluttons set out for the annual Lamma Island Snake Banquet."

64 - Jun 4

"The June 4th rally in Victoria Park on HK Island was an event where I should have stayed in and enjoyed a good iced coffee."

Lamma Hoops Roars Again - Jun 3

"Sharks drub Vipers;
Dragons, Lions also roar"

Sell Your Garden For $11 Million? - Jun 2

This online ad from Habitat Property aroused my curiosity, check it out: Beachfront Site....

South Lamma - Butterfly Paradise - Jun 1

Sok Kwu Wan - Mo Tat Wan, with Ling Kok Shan, fish farms and the slope-cutting works in progress....

Jun 30: Andy's Seafood & Sunset

First impressions from the opening night of "Andy's Seafood SAU KEE" on Fri, June 29, 2012. It's been nicknamed the "New Lamcombe" by some as it's run by the same management team, Andy & Elizabeth, and many of their former staff from the "old Lamcombe". Mostly very positive reviews so far!

A fantastic sunset greeted us on the seaside terrace, perfect for opening night. This might become another favourite sunset watching spot soon:

P.S. You want to read about Andy's (sea)food, not the sunsets? Coming soon...

Jun 29: L-G the Photography Enthusiast

Taking photos almost daily, publishing many of them on this website - all the non- credited photos here are my own - some of them make it into printed publications occasionally. This is what I got today from the Hans Andersen Club Island Lamma Center, to my big and pleasant surprise: a full page and story with all my own photos, in their quarterly newsletter widely distributed in North Lamma:

Click on photos above to enlarge

Translation: "Photos by Lamma-Gung, the Lamma.com[.hk] webmaster, from Switzerland, but everyone calls him Lamma-Gung. He has long treated Lamma Island as his home. Not only does he care for the local residents & events, his camera never leaves his side wherever he goes, shooting the strange and interesting sides of Lamma Island.
For this issue of "Photography enthusiasts", we luckily had Lamma-Gung share his Ling Kok Shan Hike photos taken in 2011. Now we'll all take a good look at Lamma's great scenes."

All these photos have been published last year as a major photo gallery with captions in the Lamma-zine - click below:

Here's the Summer Courses newsletter by Hans Andersen Club's Lamma Island Center in digital format, with many almost-free courses for children and adults:

Hans Andersen Club - 2012 Summer Program Enrollment

The newsletter will be distributed around YSW today, but you can also pick up a copy outside the District Council and Rural Committee offices on YSW Main Street, plus a few shops and restaurants as well.

Jun 28: Lamma Zombies Invading DbAY

The Lamma Dragons had great fun in Discovery Bay last Sat, winning 3 trophies.

L-G and Chili_Bean_Sauce (Lamma-zine Intern & Junior Lammaite) tagged along, taking 1,000+ photos and even joining the party boat (chartered Tsui Wah ferry) back to Yung Shue Wan at night.

Here's our photo gallery of some of their triumphs and shenanigans:

Jun 27: From a Person Who Likes Girls in Swim Suits

Chili_Bean_Sauce - Lamma-zine Intern & Junior Lammaite (photos by L-G):

Comments on the DBay Dragon Boat Festival

A perspective from a person
who likes girls in swim suits

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend the Dragon Boat Festival held in Discovery Bay. Being an indoors type of person - who likes neither sweating nor moving too much since the age of 15 - watching a dragon boat race in person was one of the many items to complete on my bucket list of "Things to watch people do while I choose not to participate", which is right after "Old people playing Bingo".

Lamma-Gung and I arrived rather late that day, around 3pm. There was already a crowd in the area and most of the beach was reserved for the event. I've only been to D-Bay once, if my memory hasn't failed me, and that was really a long time ago. D-Bay is so much more of a "high-class, developed, gated community", especially when compared to Lamma Island's YSW; well-paved roads, lots more restaurant and bar choices, not to mention the AC at the Central D-Bay Ferry Pier. Lots of small shops have opened that day for a good one-day business, from clothing to PCCW selling high-speed internet and charity organisations hoping for the rich to pass down some of their wealth.

The Dragon Boat races were fast and energetic, with around 8(?) boats racing per race, I believe. The organisers had everything under good control, and the event went swiftly overall, without any problems or "surprises". There were so many teams, I wasn't able to keep track of all of them, not to mention all the different races by Women's, Men's and Mixed. There were also dancing or performance competitions happening in the DB Plaza stage most of the time.

When all the races were done, we moved on to the trophy-giving ceremony, but first were the memorabilia handed out to the dear and precious sponsors. I choose not to mention any names or organizations here since:-
1. I'm not paid to do so, and
2. I didn't even bother to remember their names to begin with (though I did use a voice recorder during the whole event).

The weather that day wasn't great, though the rain didn't last long and most people were well prepared (not to mention already wet from their own sweat and the very humid air).

Lamma Dragons winning stats can be found here: 3 more trophies to be displayed in The Island Bar:

The event finally ended with good performances and dances (with a heavy taste of royal/ political overtones) from "Team England"; and really great dances from "Team Jump Up and Down", with great aerobatic performances and actual girls with great dance moves.

How would next year be like? I wonder, but I won't find out since I've already completed this item on my bucket list of "Things to watch people do while I choose not to participate".

Jun 26: Plants vs. Zombies

Brittany Hite - Lamma Zombie Dragon (photos by Brittany, more photos):

This past weekend was our favorite holiday: Dragon Boat Festival Day (holiday explainer here).

Yes, this is the holiday every year where there are dragon boat races all over Hong Kong, China and Taiwan, and lots of people take part — not just the serious dragon boaters among us like the Lamma Dragons.

Like last year, we went to Discovery Bay to take part in some races. Because we had so many people, we entered four teams: one men's, one women's and two mixed. To mix things up a bit, we even changed our names for the mixed races to differentiate the teams: The Lamma Plants and the Lamma Zombies.

[More photos here.] The day ended well, with one of our mixed teams (Zombies, I think) and the women's team both garnering third-place overall finishers on the day. Something to sing about: DaveHongKong's video.

P.S. Dressing up as zombies this year, so what have the Lamma Dragons been up to last year in DbAY? Well, dressing up as hippies, of course, trying their darn hardest to keep the old Lamma cliché alive for ever and ever! See photo gallery:

Jun 25: Slow Life

Book published by HK Economic, Trade and Cultural Office,
for free distribution in the Taiwan tourism market.

Cover shot by "Lamma-Gung of Lamma.com.hk":
Sok Kwu Wan from the hilltop above the Lamma Quarry.

Chili_Bean_Sauce - Lamma-zine Summer Intern & Junior Lammaite:

(Book translation/summary, click on scans to enlarge):

Slow Life - Lamma Island's Lifestyle

1st paragraph: Lamma Island is the total opposite of the typical HKer lifestyle; for a real place to escape your keyboard, the fast cars and never- ending schedules, have a taste of Lamma Island.

Everything in Lamma Island is aimed towards nature, mixed culture and enjoying life as it is.

2nd paragraph: Quiet island, international environment.

On Lamma island there are no cars (only small VVs). Transport relies on one's feet and bicycles. If Hong Kong is the "Pearl of the East", then Lamma Island is the "Lost Pearl in the Blue Sea". With less than 10,000 residents, Lamma Island is a place for quiet and calm; not only full of foreigners, but also a great place for a simple "staycation".

In the north, there's Yung Shue Wan, filled with people of different nationalities, it's being called a "Mini UN". From bars, restaurants, coffee shops and gift shops, it compares to Central Hong Kong.

In the South, there's Sok Ku Wan, where the traditional fishermen's life still remains. Filled with seafood restaurants, it makes the trip of coming to Hong Kong (enjoying seafood) become more fulfilling.

Between these two villages, there's a good scenic walking path; within 2 hours, you could enjoy most of Lamma Island; from the smooth sand of Lamma's beaches to the rare and precious sea turtles and Lamma's mountains, it's a lot you can enjoy in such a short time.

3rd paragraph: With the breeze of plants, the island's passion spreads.

Gary's organic garden beside Hung Shing Yeh beach, Herboland, is a place where he expresses his love of flowers, plants, animals and people. Enjoying a cup of tea, he sits quietly in his 30,000 sq. ft. organic garden, recycling everything he has, from toilet seats to a broken-down fridge (which he uses as a bookshelf).

"Everyone here is passionate and open. Sometimes neighbours will come by with a few dishes to share with everyone and in no time, we have a party going. We could be partying every night, if we wanted to. Being here, without spending much, the happiness you receive is priceless."

4th paragraph: Compendium of multi-culture books with a touch of environment-friendliness.

Kennex opened the "Lamma Bookworm Cafe" in 1997; a simple coffee shop it's filled with books given by his neighbours and friends. It emphasises on organic and environment-friendly food. Kennex switched from his original career of being an Electronic Signal Engineer to a chef and restaurant owner.

"In over 10 years, I've failed in making a lot of dishes, but it doesn't matter, since I constantly learn and keep on trying." Ever since the restaurant opened, Kennex found his true passion and talent. Lots of things happen in life; slow down and slowly savor the moment, stop and listen to your heart.

5th paragraph: Plant flowers, open a shop - Start life's 2nd spring.

After retiring, Ida moved to Lamma Island and loved its soil. Over 10 years, she learned gardening and planting; she turned mud swamps no one would get near into a flowering garden of Eden: "Fafa House".

"The garden belongs to everyone," she says. "I hope everyone would come by and enjoy nature as it is." In her shop everything she sells is made by herself. From sweets to jams and sauces, she sticks with using natural cane sugar instead of traditional white sugar, and all the ingredients have to be fresh and at their peak. The products she sells also change season by season, making her 4-seasoned sweets - "Osmanthus Cake", "Black Sesame Cake", "Haw Red Bean Jelly" and "Coconut Milk with Red Bean Cake" - the main attractions of her shop.

After moving here 3 years ago, she says, "I love this place more and more!"

6th (last) paragraph: Looking trough glass reflects a calm state of heart.

On the streets of Lamma Island, you're sure to bump in a few dogs. Alice, who's lived on Lamma for 17 years, when asked why she moved here from the city, answers, "So that I can keep my dogs."

Attendance at her glass-making classes at Selling Point, ever since they started in 1998, has never diminished. "There's a bunch of people coming to Lamma Island to learn. I personally never thought Lamma Island had any special products, and it so happens that I had experience in making glass ornaments. So I opened the workshop, teaching and selling glass-related products, hoping whenever people think of Lamma Island, they think of glass."

Glass is fragile and easily broken; one needs to have a calm mind and heart to create colorful, interesting and life-reflecting glass glass ornaments.

Jun 22: Encouraging Energy Saving?

I've just received our latest electricity bill by email, featuring this all-new bar chart and info boxes added at the bottom:

Checking out the very informative HKElectric.com website, I found this recent, interesting press release:

More information on HK Electric bills to encourage energy saving

Quotes: "From 12 June 2012 HK Electric's domestic customers will be able to track their electricity consumption for up to two years and learn about their own habits and patterns in energy use through a new format electricity bill.

A bar chart showing the monthly electricity consumption for the past 24 months will be printed on the bills, giving customers a handy reference for better understanding of their own carbon footprint and encouraging smart energy use.

Apart from this, figures of "carbon dioxide (CO2) emission per unit of electricity consumed" and "per capita consumption for HK Electric domestic customers" will also be carried on the bills.

Customers can access their electricity consumption record for the past 24-months, either from our website or through the 'HK Electric Low Carbon App'. But, starting from today, our domestic customers can also check the information direct from their bills which, we trust, will enhance their awareness about energy use and form an important first step towards energy saving," Mr. Wan said.

He said the other two additional figures will remind customers of their carbon footprint in their daily lives."

So this is what it's all about? But looking at our household chart, especially the massive electricity peaks in Jul-Sep (aircon in our South-facing rooftop flat), it makes me feel guilty about how we're using way too much electricity, pumping too much CO2 into the atmosphere, considering the size of our carbon footprint and that we're using much more power than the average of "HK Electric domestic consumers"! It makes me feel guilty while using the stable and reliable power HK Electric provides, for which they're charging us quite a lot, adding up to more than all the bills for our other utilities (water, gas, broadband) and both our mobile phones combined. Are they really advising us to use less of their product and pay them less?

Well, should I switch off my computer, printer, gadgets, light, radio and aircon right now inside my small home office, trying to reduce next month's bar in the chart above? Perhaps, but then how could I continue complaining & blogging?

But this 2-year chart above definitely gives us something to think about. Maybe it's time to switch off the aircon and run the fan instead, or switch off everything and go for another long walk, hike or bike ride....

Jun 21: Fancy Dinner Celebration

Noticing a table setting like this, you'll know it might be expensive. Obviously not shot on Lamma, as most of our restaurants are more in the reasonably cheap-and-cheerful category. It was a private celebration for Lamma-Por at Central's Sportful Garden Restaurant. See their amazing garlic lobster with glass noodles, promotional price of $38 for two!

But we didn't feel like like being "sportful" in their garden after this high-classy, high- tasty dinner, wadling off to catch the ferry home at the nearby IFC.

They've also got some of the very best dim sum in town (IMHO), levels above anything available on Lamma, at very reasonable cost, ordered from a tick-off menu with 65 choices. We might return for the next celebratory occasion.

I got one more picture to show you, from the Farewell Dinner at Sau Kee Seafood Rest. in YSW, taken on their closing day of May 31, after 40+ years in business. It's currently closed for a total renovation and will be managed by the former team of Lamcombe Seafood Rest. - Andy & Elizabeth & co. They've been looking for a new rest. to run, after losing the old Lamcombe lease several years ago. Now they've finally found a new location, just next door. We're most eagerly looking forward to the reopening this summer.

Jun 20: Lamma Fun Day: Sat, Nov 24, 2012

Zein - Children Welfare Scheme

Dear Lamma Fun Day friends,

Thank you to all who showed up at Diesel's on Sunday for the Lamma Fun Day Forum and thank you to those who couldn't make it but sent apologies and commitment of involvement. It means a lot to us to know you are all behind this event. So…… drum role….. Lamma Fun Day 2012 in on!

Date is Saturday, 24th November 2012 – start spreading the word. The majority voted for Saturday vs the regularly Sunday format and we think it's worth trying out. Parents will have more time to shop and enjoy the day because they will get some extra help minding the kids from our wonderful helpers. Kids will play longer and adults will be able to party more knowing the following day is not a work day. So lets see how Saturday works for this year and give it a go!

This will be the 12th Lamma Fun Day supporting the great work of Child Welfare Scheme (CWS), a HK registered charity providing education, health care and social opportunities to children and youth in Nepal (www.cwshk.org).

Thanks to Andrew Doig (Doggy), a Lamma resident at the time, for starting this fantastic idea upon his return from Nepal all those years ago. And thank you to the amazing Lamma community for keeping it going! Every year, all funds raised at Lamma Fun Day goes to supporting a group of youth to undergo vocational training and psycho social counseling at the JYOTI Vocational Training Centre in Nepal.

Why Nepal, why this project & why CWS?

Every year 10,000 Nepalese girls, mostly between the ages of 9 and 16 are sold to brothels and 1 in 3 children work as child labourers. Children in Nepal are struggling due to the political and economic situation and we can help them. You have helped them!

CWS supports over 700 of these youth every year. One project which provides opportunities for these rescued youth is called the JYOTI (Blaze of brightness) Vocational Training Centre. This project reintegrates these disadvantaged young people into mainstream society by providing vocational training and counseling.

After 2 years of training these youth graduate as qualified plumbers, electricians, care givers or secretaries. Since the programme began in 2002, the average employment rate of these graduates is 88% versus a national average of less than 60%. Among graduates from 2011 group, 80% are currently employed. Trainees from the 9th batch, who will finish this year, are currently doing ‘on-the-job training' in paid positions.

CWS achievements and awards:

CWS has been one of the leading organisations in Nepal since 1997 and it reaches out to over 30,000 children every single year.
Our health service (Asha Health Care) is the second largest health care provider of paediatric services in the entire Western Region of Nepal.
CWS Founder Douglas Maclagan was awarded the 2007 Unsung Heroes Award in the UK in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the welfare and health of children in Nepal.
CWS Founder Douglas Maclagan was awarded the 2009 ‘World of Children' Health Award, an accolade recognized by UNICEF and hailed as the ‘Nobel Prize for Children.'
Lamma made CWS possible – when Douglas first started raising funds for CWS in the late 1990's the Lamma community gave him friendship, contacts and all the support he needed to get the charity off the ground.

Thank you everyone and we look forward to being in touch with each of you soon regarding your sections/volunteer interests.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact myself (zein@cwshk.org) or Sonya.

Jun 19: Old Jetty @ Lowest Tide

Plus an unintentionally "wobbly" photo of the YSW skyline below. Click to enlarge:

Jun 18: 'Thanks for your email, friend, stranger, or flack'

Thanks for your email, friend, stranger, or flack,
I'm on annual leave now, but I'll soon be back,
I'll return from my travels on the 25th of June,
And respond to you then—not a moment too soon!

I will have no access to internet, pager or phone,
So if you're feeling sad and Forever Alone,
Just think of me disconnected from my fellow man,
(As it's just a few weeks I won't give much of a damn).

For queries about anything in HK Magazine,
Just contact another member of our team.
For dining and lifestyle, please call Adele Wong,
From restaurants to fashion, she won't put a foot wrong.

For arts and culture, you need Leanne Mirandilla,
From art shows to plays, anything highbrow will thrill her.
Social media and online, speak to Katie Kenny,
And if it's film or nightlife, then please email Penny.

For everything else, please contact Zach Hines,
If only to complain about my terrible rhymes.
Until then, I shall be taking my well-earned long rest,
And I will get in touch when I'm sat back at my desk.

Sending out my occasional email to the 4,500+ Lamma- zine subscribers and registered forum members, I usually get back all kinds of automatic replies about full mailboxes, inactive addresses or Out of Office AutoReplies. Cleaning up the secret, never-to-be-shared subscriber list manually to keep it clean, active and up-to-date is time-consuming.

But occasionally you come across a great reply, a few kind words of encouragement, a good tip or even a most welcome, rare and precious offer to help out in some way on this website, be it with good ideas, photos, technical, design, marketing, or even a story. Contact me!

But occasionally it's just something simple like an away message that might give me a good chuckle, lightening up a rainy T1 signal day, like today. Case in point, here's best automatic reply message received after I sent out today's mass email, from Sarah Fung - Deputy Editor - HK Magazine. We've heard from her before in the Lamma-zine, when HK Magazine handed us the Coolest Outlying Island. So let me return the favour and hand a Lamma-zine award of Coolest Auto Reply Message to Sarah. But she'll have to pick it up in person on Lamma and promise to refrain from any more outdated and cheap hippie taunts appearing in HK Magazine. Deal?

If you've missed the Lamma-zine email (free subscription), here's the intro:

Dear Lamma-zine reader,

Let's start off this week leading up to the Dragonboat Festival holiday on Saturday with a few light and hopefully entertaining stories (and the usual boat load of pictures) about:

- the birds and the bees ... in a bar
- the chase of skittish butterflies all over South Lamma
- the big trouble brewing in idyllic Lychee Valley
- the grand sale of an overgrown garden for $11 million
- the cloudy 'Ring of Fire' solar eclipse breakfast
- the heart & soul of indigenous Lamma
- the storyteller and the children in the banyan house
- the tonnes of success in glass recycling
- the top teams tilting & turning, throwing & thriving
- the young and the young-at-heart Lammaites commemorating June 4
- the "Out of This World" Lamma Dragons invading Zhuhai
- the Lamma-zine intern & L-G raiding an all-you-can-drink wine buffet

Lamma-zine Stories: www.Lamma.com.hk
Lamma Events Calendar: www.Lamma.com.hk/index_events.htm
Lamma Bar & Restaurant News:
www.Lamma.com.hk/forum-OK/viewtopic.php?t=11225

P.S. Reply from Sarah Fung:

"Hey Lamma-Gung! Fame at last—finally, I'm 'big on Lamma!'

Thanks for the award, one of my Lamma friends sent me the link yesterday and I had a good giggle. Next time I come to Lamma I'll let you know, so I can pick up my prize.

Keep up the good work with the Lamma-zine!

P.S. Hippie taunts? Us? Never! ;)"

Jun 17: Amazing Voyage to Lamma!

"Captain" Steve Dressler - Trade Winds - "Where Moving's a Breeze"

(Photos by Steve, click to enlarge)

Dear Antony & Ulrica!

It was a GREAT pleasure to orchestrate your move to Lamma today! Despite the inherent challenges of a 9-floor walk-up/down, large roof top plants & furniture, a remote, hilltop location, up again 3 floors, we managed to make great FUN out of it!

Your partner Ulrica is a master packer, and you are a tireless team leader! We are all impressed and thankful that you both helped as much as you did, which not only cut 3 hours (or so) off the job, but also cut a few thousand dollars off your moving tab. :D

In the end, you provided a great touch by buying beers on the rooftop for the boys, and then followed by a NICE DINNER in the village! We hope that your mother heard that "Trade Winds" cheer all the way back in England, and that she will appreciate the attached pic of you on the Sampan calling her with the exciting "blow by blow" happenings of the day!

She should be proud of her son! WE ARE!

Off-loading all that pirate treasure!

See here a few more pics of your great moving adventure today!

I like the one of you and me "on deck" of the Good Ship Trade Winds with the cold beers!

It was a pleasure to meet you, to work with you, and to WELCOME you to your lovely new home on a Lamma hilltop!

THANKS for your trust in Trade Winds Transport!

"Captain" Steve Dressler

Managing Director - Trade Winds (HK) Ltd
www.tradewindstransport.com
O: (852) 2803-2561 -- C: (852) 9489-9979
E: info@tradewindstransport.com

"Moving & Storage Solutions For The HK Expat"
(Since 1991)

Antony & Steve celebrate the success of the voyage with a cold beer

On the sampan - amazing how the captain got us across the channel on experience & enthusiasm alone!

Yes, that's Steve on his unicycle during another Lamma move, years ago!

(Sponsored Feature)

Jun 16: What's on This Weekend in YSW?

Click posters for details

Jun 15: The Gift of Inspired Learning

Banyan House Kindergarten - Catherine Macer + Karina Bergen, Directors:

(Open Day photos, Sun Jun 10, by Lamma-Gung, click to enlarge photos)

Banyan House is now entering its fifth year of providing inspired learning for many of the pre-schoolers on Lamma, and offering families the chance to enjoy an English medium pre-school right in the heart of their community. Our roots have deepened, and our reputation has grown, but the essence of what do remains unchanged.

Banyan House continues to provide rich opportunities for each child's personal growth and enjoyment. Classes are small and intimate, and our teacher (now with over 29 years experience), has seen some 30 children pass through her classroom and on to other schools.

Banyan House continues to offer a Steiner-inspired curriculum. The daily routine of which gives young children a strong sense of security. Creative activities, such as painting, baking, gardening and modeling are offered on a weekly basis. The children's time is designed to provide a balance between activities which encourage expansive energy - imaginative play and going for a walk - and activities which encourage focus and concentration such as sewing, modeling, or listening to a story. At Banyan House, domestic day-to-day tasks, such as preparing the daily snack and laying the table, offer the children the experience of engaging in work of real value.

Throughout the week, the children share and enjoy a wide range of rhymes, music, songs, poetry, stories and books. Encouraging emerging literacy, the children are given the chance to experiment with writing for them- selves through making marks, personal writing symbols and conventional script. Mathematical understanding and emerging numeracy is developed through stories, songs, games and imaginative play, so that children enjoy recognizing, using and experimenting with numbers.

In Banyan House careful consideration is given to the impact of everything upon all the senses of a young child. There are no 'hard' corners and the furniture and toys are of natural materials and often handmade. Banyan House also has a protected and safe outdoor area where the children can experience and enjoy playing in nature.

For more info about Banyan House, please go to our website www.banyanhouse.com.hk.

(Sponsored Feature)

Jun 14: Lamma Market Summer Clear-Out

(Photos by Lisa)

Jun 13: Birds & Butterflies @ Banyan Bay Bar

Roz Keep - Lamma Painter & Art Educator:

(All photos by Lamma-Gung, click to enlarge)

About the Children's Art Classes & Exhibition

"Island Arts" is a vibrant after school arts initiative, run by well-known local painter and art educator Roz Keep. Roz specializes in teaching drawing and painting to primary school children on Lamma Island where these classes seek to celebrate the local community and environment. She has specifically enabled students to become familiar with local trees as well as other local flora and fauna.

There is an exhibition of this work at Banyan Bay Cafe (Cath's Bar) from now until June 20, which displays the children's work over a period of several months from Oct 2011 - May 2012. The age of the children ranges from 7- 12.

At the exhibition you will see drawings made outdoors around Yung Shue Wan which helped the children understand and appreciate their surroundings. Yung Shue Wan even means Banyan Tree Bay, so drawing these wonderful old trees helped the children understand a rather special ingredient of this village.

The children also went for a bird walk and studied some of the common birds of Lamma. They then created images of those using acrylic paints on canvas to make pictures of favorite Lamma birds.

Next, they studies butterflies while learning how to use watercolor techniques such as wet on wet and wet on dry. They learned how to cut out and rearrange compositions thoughtfully, while learning that Lamma has a huge variety of butterflies and moths.

As well as wildlife, Lamma food has been an important subject and the children visited shops, including Ivy's, with all its colorful fruit and veggies to sketch what they saw. Painted papers were then made by all the children, which they cut out in order to make a collage.

On June 6 the exhibition opened with a party at Cath's Banyan Bay Cafe with drinks and snacks for the children and their families and to get together and appreciate the art and nature of Young Shu Wan.

If you would like details of the class schedules and to enroll your child in a class next academic year starting Late August, please contact Roz Keep directly on mobile 9348 8726 or email her at rozkeep@hotmail.com.

Jun 12: Wine Buffet @ Genuine Lamma Hilton

Chili_Bean_Sauce - Lamma-zine Intern & Junior Lammaite:

(Photos by Lamma-Gung (who paid the bill) & Chili_Bean_Sauce)

Buffet News:

When coming to Hong Kong, having a good seafood dinner is usually a must, unless you have one of those religious/medical reasons.

Lamma-Gung & I happen to have a chance to try out a "Lamma Island, Sok Kwu Wan - Exclusive Sampling Buffet" in the 42-year-old Genuine Lamma Hilton Fishing Village Club.

Set aside the sea, with their own floating pontoon, it's guaranteed their food is as fresh as it gets. With 60 different samplers that day, along with practically unlimited red and white wine, the cool summer breeze and great dishes like calamari, garlic prawns, steamed fish define a "perfect Saturday". The buffet started at 1pm and ended at 6pm; but was a rather low profile event.

From what the owner said, they are currently in the process of changing their menu (to a Chinese & Thai Fusion), and will be available in August. With the new menu, they'll also be doing a "Monthly Special" every month, so there's always a good reason so stop by.

Their address is Lot 584 DD. 10, Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island; (just turn left and head towards North once you leave the Pier);

Tel: 9466 8559 / 2982 8220, website.

Jun 11: Lamma Dragons in Zhuhai

Click above for more photos and an article from Lamma Dragon and Lamma-zine guest blogger Brittany. (Photo by Nicky Jones)

Jun 6: Junsets (June Sunsets)

Jun 5: Snake Banquet for Lammaites

Mr. Official Court Glutton - Lamma-zine Food Reviewer:

(Photos by Lamma-Gung)

As I sit here under my A/C with the air nearly 33 degrees C outside, I am actually finding it no problem remembering that 6 degrees C day at the end of December, when the Official Court Gluttons set out for the YSW ferry to embark for the annual Lamma Island Snake Banquet. A banquet that I was a bit disappointed to find out was NOT made of snakes from Lamma Island, but come from snake farms on the Mainland. What makes it the Lamma Island Snake Banquet is that the tickets for this evening are sold only on Lamma. There are several other identical events at the same location with tickets sold on Lantau, Peng Chau, Cheng Chau, etc.

Having never actually met His Eminence, Lamma- Gung, nor his best half, Lamma-Por, either, our relationship consisted of only electrons flying downs wires and reassembled at the end into ASCII text, I knew it could be a shaky last-
minute meet-up. I had been told by friends he looked just like his avatar, the avatar apparently having been done prior to his massive weight loss. Though I must admit there is some resemblance. He is not the only tall gweilo with a ponytail on the island, but there are just a few. Needless to say, we missed him going by us, as we sat on the blasting cold pier moments before the ferry departure. I'm sure the couple of pints we had already imbibed contributed naught to that. After all, we are Official members of the Lamma-zine Court and should warrant some type of hoopla, drums, jesters or otherwise. Another Tsing Tao took the bite from the hawk as we jumped aboard the next boat to Central, after speaking with Lamma-Gung who was now aboard the departed ferry.

On arrival, my lovely Mrs Official Court Glutton did not depart the ferry with us. I had obviously been pushing all the wrong buttons on the way over, as I am often wont to do. It is amazing she puts up with me at all. L-G and I enlisted the aid of one of the crew to search both decks, under the seats, and in the heads. But she was nowhere to be found. After ensuring the crew would toss her a life jacket if they spotted her on the return (she is a very strong swimmer anyway), we dashed out to catch up with Lamma-Por, already saving us a table.

The snake wine was on the table on arrival, and the soup arrived almost immediately. Thick and corn-starchy, with snake, wood ear and, I think, even chicken in it. It was ... not bad. The snake did taste like chicken. It did begin to warm my bones, as the Cantonese believe. The snake wine may have helped, too. And as the Chinese Chew-siu's go, it was quite nice.

The next course was fried pigeon. With some fried multi-colored crisps, but I don't know what they were, but they were quite good. I love fried birds, and the pigeons where salty and crispy, very much to my taste.

Then came some snake chow mein, sauteed snake with carrots, green peppers, celery and a mild ginger sauce. Still nice, but nothing to write home about.

We got some sea snake [Editor: eel] with an assortment of greens, some peppers and cilantro. If it wasn't for the bones, the sea snake could have been mistaken for a very mild fish. Being very partial to seafood I found this dish to be deliciousmousas. For the rest of the seafood, we had some prawns too, no delectable snake here, the standard Hong Kong garlic prawns.

The event was held in what was described to me as a 'leftist' working man's bar, where the longshoremen come for lunch (one choice only and CHEAP) to eat and discuss politics. I think it would be interesting to show up here for lunch, hopefully with an interpreter. I WAS warmed at the completion of the meal. Glad I made it and next time I will make my report in a more timely manner.

I returned to Tai Wan Old Village very satiated, with most of a six pack to Tsing Tao, to find my wonderful cohort sound asleep in bed after her apparently long swim home.

Next up – end of winter meal at the Waterfront Bar & Rest., with an explosive dessert!

Poster on Lamma's walls

Snake soup

Eel

Fried pigeon

Sauteed snake chow mein

Rest. banner

Jun 4: 64

Chili_Bean_Sauce - Lamma-zine Intern, young Lammaite:

I'm not a huge fan of crowded places. In fact, if possible I try my best to avoid them. The June 4th rally in Victoria Park on HK Island was an event where I should have stayed in and enjoyed a good iced coffee, but after being persuaded by my father and peer-pressure from my sister also going, I went along.

Picture by John & Betty

Being a rather ignorant person (especially regarding politics), I don't have much knowledge about the June Fourth Incident other than "Chinese people being killed by their own government" and "China doesn't allow people to discuss the incident". If I were to describe the reason for the June 4th Rally, it's the idea of "telling China we still remember and we'll be talking about it regardless if you like it or not because we're in a SAR!" I understand these sentiments, since, hey, until we get acknowledgment we won't stay like the three wise monkeys (or what Bill Pullman said in 'Independence Day').

Back to the point, being there wasn't my first priority, but rather, what good looking girls I might be able to meet while I'm there, since you know, it's dark, there's candles, people being emotional, seems like a good idea, right?

Picture by JW @ light-blue blog

But then I was targeted by a news reporter, asking me about my thoughts regarding the whole event and such, that's when I started thinking "Why am I here and what am I doing?" People would have said for liberty, to take down communism, I honestly didn't think of any of those, but rather, I believe it's the action of "telling people to be responsible, even if it's your career and 'face' at stake".

The event ended being fruitless (since I didn't manage to get any girl's phone number), but it ended on a positive where I know I did something and stood up for what I believed. The news later that night said there were at least 180,000 people there, and I was one of those.

In Chinese there's this saying, "With enough ants you could take down an elephant". I think Chinese should take in advantage in their sheer numbers and take down that "red elephant".

Read Chinese version...

John Cairns - Editor, Cairns Media Magazine, young-at-heart Lammaite:

VICTORIA PARK, Hong Kong Island – Twenty-three years have passed since the Beijing Massacre when China's People's Liberation Army assaulted its own people, killing thousands of innocent individuals on the streets of the capital city.

Vindicated and honored by public opinion, those who died in the carnage surrounding June 4, 1989, remain heroic figures. For the 23rd year in a row, huge numbers of Hong Kong people, joined increasingly by visitors from the Chinese mainland, marked the anniversary by attending a candlelight vigil in Victoria Park. Organizers, who ran out of candles, estimated this year's attendance at 180,000. Among all the communities under Chinese jurisdiction, only Hong Kong, with greater freedoms thanks to its past.

Jun 3: Lamma Hoops Roars Again

P.S. For more info about today's player injury, a few words and pictures from the Commissioner: "Incident at LIPBL Games in Lamma" (Facebook only).

Jun 2: Sell Your Garden For $11 Million?

This online ad from Habitat Property aroused my curiosity, check it out:

Beachfront Site - Unique Opportunity

It's basically trying to sell for $11 million just an empty plot of land, no house ... in idyllic but remote Mo Tat Wan! It had a photo with the detailed location, so I checked it out during my South Lamma hike yesterday, before enjoying my customary late lunch in The Bay Rest.

This wild, overgrown plot of Land is just adjacent to the rest., but not connected to them in any way commercially. The plot is just the right size for a village house. The ad also includes the Ding right (Planning permission for a 3-storey Village House)!? Building a basic village house will costs at least $2 million and there's extensive slope stabilisation above the site required, to be paid by the owner.

Discuss this topic in our forum. Is this a new direction for sleepy South Lamma, some prime locations multiplying in value? Unlikely, but some off-Lamma agents seem to be testing the waters on how much they can push up the sales prices, competing with the local boys. But this "Beachfront Site - Unique Opportunity" has been on the market for quite some time already and it's still available, to nobody's surprise. Let's have a closer eye on South Lamma property in the near future.

While I'm down here once again in Mo Tat Wan, let me promote my favourite non- Chinese restaurant in all of South Lamma. It might also be the only one, but it's still surprising to find this kind of quality on a sunset beach in a tiny little village of a few hundred residents, where it is actually also the only restaurant of any kind.

I stop by almost every time when I'm in the neighbourhood. I've liked this place for years, not just since restaurant owner Raymond has become a Lamma-zine advertiser a few months ago, helping to keep this Lamma community website alive. I've just received a poster, flyer, brochure and photos from this great place on a wooden terrace off a clean, sandy beach with rental watersports facilities and the ferry pier just outside, ideal for fun events like birthdays, weddings and private parties! Click below to find out more, or check the extensive The Bay Mediterranean Rest. website:

Jun 1: South Lamma - Butterfly Paradise

Sok Kwu Wan - Mo Tat Wan, with Ling Kok Shan, fish farms and the massive slope-cutting works in progress, creating space enough for the future South Lamma Sewage Treatment Plant.

Mo Tat Wan pier, the ferry from Sok Kwu Wan arriving, en route to Aberdeen. The ferry fares for this scenic Lamma ferry will be increased by 20% from June 3.

South Lamma's Tung O Wan, the bay where the Baroque of Lamma marina was proposed, viewed from the Mo Tat Wan helipad. Want to watch a video shot from a model helicopter taking off from this square helipad, one of the 5 official Lamma helipads?

All pictures taken while hiking in South Lamma: Mo Tat Wan - Tung O Wan - SKW.

No wonder butterflies seem to prosper in South Lamma, just look at the flowers!

But the predators are prospering too, here's a Praying Mantis having an afternoon snack on a bright-red-eyed Skipper:
Common Red Eye - Matapa Aria - more photos.

Paul the Butterfly Man and famous photographer will be leading special butterfly tours in Sok Kwu Wan and Lo So Shing soon, more about this very soon....

This was the very first time I took all 4 Lamma ferry routes in a single day, see GPS map above, via the free MapMyHike Android/iPhone app:

Yung Shue Wan - Central - Sok Kwu Wan - Mo Tat Wan - walk back to Sok Kwu Wan via Tung O Wan and the hilltop pavilion - ferry to Aberdeen via Mo Tat Wan - back to Yung Shue Wan via Pak Kok. Phew!

See my progress by altitude (green) and speed (blue) above, for the last part of my "Stumbling Randomly" hike, Mo Tat Wan - Tung O Wan, and my ferry rides Sok Kwu Wan - Aberdeen - YSW. The yellow part is my leisurely stroll, often waiting very patiently for the extremely skittish butterflies to stop fluttering and settle down for a few seconds for their close-up.

The 3 flat-top peaks show the ferry's speed: constant speed SKW - Aberdeen, dinner break, slowly out through and out of Aberdeen harbour, cruising speed to YSW, with a stopover in Pak Kok, then walking home....

How to keep track of all the departure of all these ferry routes, besides checking the links at the top left of this website? The free Hong Kong Ferry HD app.