Mar 31:  Return of the Official Court Glutton

Our former Official Court Glutton is back! He writes:

"Right! Much like the Dr. Seuss character "the Cat in the Hat", I too am back.

After years of not writing, but yet maintaining a level of private gluttony, I have been badgered and cajoled into writing mode again.
Who badgered and cajoled me?
I would like to say that it was friends who sought my opinions on where to eat.
But that would not be true.
The true reason is that some providers on Lamma who over a period of time have zipped, zapped, overcharged, under-delivered, or simply bummed me out.

I have been living on Lamma since 1996.
During that time there have been many changes on the eating front in Yung Shue Wan.
Some places are still here, some places came and went. This is completely normal and to be expected.

When I moved to Lamma, I also set up my office in Sheung Wan. After finishing a long day, on the walk to the ferry, I would look at the menus and generally decide to wait to get to Lamma to eat.
Mostly because it was substantially cheaper to eat on Lamma and to support local eateries.

However, I have noticed in the last couple of year the price differential between HK side and Lamma is reducing.
Just before Christmas last year, I had to visit the Wan Chai tax department <shudder>, afterwards I decided to calm myself with comfort food, i.e.: fried half chicken, French fries and a pint.
Turns out that the meal was better (opinion) and cheaper than Lamma (Fact. Happy Hour price on ale).
Now I am not amused, Wan Chai cheaper than Lamma!

My plan for the food reviews is to try to find dishes on Lamma that represent what I feel good value.
Simply stated: good food, good quantity, in a nice environment and served at a decent price. There are a few eateries who have tried to hold the line and they should be commended for doing so.

I hope to be able to make good recommendations as these businesses deserve our support.

You can expect my first report soon. If you have complaints or suggestions, feel free to bombard Lamma-Gung, as he likes that kind of thing."

In the meantime, can you guess from which restaurants L-G's photos above came from? Or you could simply follow our Lamma Bar & Restaurant News...

Mar 30:  Day Ends to Great Applause!

Lisa Stella writes: "What do you get when you have a beach, music, meat, 4 dragon boats and lots of friends? One hell of a party!

On Sunday Lamma Dragons hosted their first ever invitational on Sun, Mar 16. Calling it an outlying island only event we invited the Lantau crews - and they came.

The races were designed to be fun, fun, fun and different. While boats were in the water, paddlers on the beach had a chance to make up points with hysterical beach races.

Thanks to Sarah Sullivan and James Hudson - our randomly selected captains - everyone who paddled, volunteered and Lantau for sharing our day. We believe this is the first such fun race in Hong Kong for Dragonboaters and will be the start of many, many more.

Think it looks like fun? Contact c.dingle@gmail.com and come get in a boat. Oh, and big shout out to the pink crew - the winners by a small margin on the day."

Final of the Backwards Race... including backwards prat falls  (Photos by L-G)

"Day ends to great applause and lots of drinking. Yay!"

Mar 29:  Outdoor Underground Festival

Chris B writes: "For years now, The Underground has been quietly stirring up a storm in Hong Kong's best live music venues. Now, to commemorate our 10 year anniversary, we're emerging from our home underground to bring to you our very first outdoor music extravaganza. In collaboration with Hong Kong Fan Zone, Friday Night Rocks (aka The Underground Festival), will feature many of our very favourite Hong Kong bands. Musical styles will range from indie folk to pop rock, so there'll be something to suit everybody.

For a Friday night that rocks with good music and good fun, be sure to mark your calendars for the 28th March at the New Central Harbourfront. It's going to be one of the best nights of original music Hong Kong has seen for years!

OMG!!! It's TONIGHT!!! I'm going to be NAKED on stage at the Underground Festival at HK Fan Zone. Or will I? WHO CARES!!

There's going to be 9 amazing bands on one stage - Helter Skelter Blues Band, Hey Joe Trio, Bamboo Star, noughts and exes, Shotgun Politics, ToNick, DR.EGGS and Supper Moment. OPEN AIR AT NEW CENTRAL HARBOURVIEW (right next to HK-side Star Ferry) Come COME COME!

http://undergroundhk.com/2014/03/28/the-underground-festival-fanzone"

See below, a few of my photos. Review by Nick the Bookman pending, it'll be posted in our Music forum soon.