Hungarian Kurtoskalacs Jun 30 - "One of the few things that have been missing till now were Hungarian Chimney Cakes. Fortunately, this sad state..."

Pizza Milano Farewell Party Jun 29 - More photos (by Robert Hope-Jones and myself)...

Sunrise Early Risers Jun 28 - This morning, 5:30am, shot from our Pak Kok rooftop.

Last E-Newsletter of 2014 Jun 24 - Lamma Dragons Final Newsletter 2014. For a little recap of their highly successful 2014 season in our forum, click below:

'Six Spots We Love in YSW' Jun 23 - "Ira Otivar heads to Hong Kong's most colourful island to taste some organic treats and indulge in a spot of boho...."

Bear Camp! Jun 22 - (Photos courtesy of Peng Pan and Justin the Bear)

"I DON'T LIKE CENTIPEDES!!!!!" Jun 21 - "Anyone else experienced CENTIPEDES in your bed at night? I'm not happy..."

Streetometry @ Cath's Bar Jun 20 - Streetometry: from Tue, Jun 17: Banyan Bay Cafe: details. Photo exhibition by Alain Jaquier.

HK Magazine Goes People-Spotting Jun 19 - "Lamma Island tends to attract birds of a feather - laid- back types who enjoy nature..."

Bulbuls-in-a-Cup Jun 18 - "Found two chicks abandoned on the ground. I can only assume they toppled out of their nest, so what was I to do?"

Sunset @ Prime Lounge Jun 12 - No words necessary, the pics tell the story...

Jellyfish Invasion! Jun 11 - A few days ago, dozens of these football-sized creatures were floating serenely past and under the YSW Ferry Pier.

Young Show Wan #5 Jun 10 - Children educated by Island Arts are exhibiting @ Banyan Bay Cafe, Jun 6-14.

Half of Our Power from the Mainland? Jun 9 - Public consultation on the Future Fuel Mix for Electricity Generation.

Nighttime on the Rooftop Jun 8 - Pak Kok ferry en route to Aberdeen, South HK Island (The Peak, Cyberport,...).

YoDog - Froyo for Dogs Jun 7 - "30% off discount on YoDog, Smoothies Bars and Mr. Froyo Mini Cup."

Prime Comedy @ Prime Jun 6 - "Wednesday, 4th June, Prime Bar & Grill".

It's a "Starless and Bible-Black" Night Jun 5 - Open Space concert, Sat, May 31, 2014 - by Nick the Bookman.

Swimming in Raspberry Lemonade Jun 4 - Alan writes: "There was an amazing red tide at HSY yesterday. I went in anyway."

Aberdeen Dragon Boat Festival Day Jun 3 - Photo gallery of Dragon Boat Races along Aberdeen Promenade, Mon, Jun 2.

Wild West Dragons @ DBay Jun 2 - "Sun Jun 1, '14: Results: Women - 1st | Men - 3rd Lamma U18 - 2nd Mixed - In plate and cup finals."

Sunrise Watching Jun 1 - So many sunset watchers on Lamma rooftops last night, all our neighbouring rooftops were filled with tenants hosting their...

Republished, courtesy of aviott.org - "A topnotch WordPress.com site":

"Lamma Island's many restaurants, food stalls and stores offer a variety of cuisines, from Chinese to Fish & Chips to Continental. The stores that cater to this small population of 6,000 (twice that on weekends) stock mostly everything from Austrian jams (Darbo naturrein!) to Marmite. One of the few things that have been missing till now were Hungarian Chimney Cakes (Kürtőskalács in Hungarian).

Fortunately, this sad state of affairs has been remedied by Roland who bakes them fresh every morning at the Prime Bar & Grill, next to where Tony dispenses his excellent offerings of soul-saving South American coffee as people rush to catch the morning ferries to work. The crisp rolls are mildly sweet and come with a choice of toppings including cinnamon and chopped walnut. Both coffee and rolls are highly recommended.

Yung Shue Wan Main street, from 7 to 11 am."

More Lamma stories on Aviott John's blog:

"I'm an Indian-born Austrian. I lived in Vienna for 40 years before moving here last year. A full-time writer now.

Check out my Amazon page. The last title (Ironwood Poacher and Other Stories) was entirely written on Lamma!"

Bear Camp every Sunday noon!

"I'm not happy... Before coming to Hong Kong and Lamma (7/8 months ago) it was like: yeah, Asian Giant Centipedes, kind of nice - whatever...

Well, this message is coming to you from 5.50am. I've just had my second GIANT CENTIPEDE joining me/us in bed within 5 nights. We're talking BIG DAMNED CENTIPEDES - both of them fat and at least 4" in length (I'm trying not to exaggerate - and I'm not).

The second one (that just meet his end with a large metal nail hammer) just brushed past my hand at the top of the bed before my now heightened sense of awareness alerted me to its presence - just marginally before me and bed clothes shot 6ft across the room (Sorry to my partner).

I wasn't so lucky with the first centipede encounter. That one wanted get get more intimate with me - struck me on my quadriceps at 4am Sunday morning while asleep and disappeared. Not a pleasant effect, really. Big red swollen patch on leg, weeping fluid with consistent bee/wasp sting level of pain for 18 hours or so....

Read more about Lamma's domestic wildlife from the "NAKED CRAZED GUY" who shouts "I DON'T LIKE CENTIPEDES!!!!!", and myself.

More info and photos... and how to treat a bite, see Environment Places.

If you'd like to SEE what he's talking about, here's a video of this species:
Centipede Eats Its Way Out Of Snake.
A friend of mine recently saw a centipede snacking on a green Pitviper. Beware!

There are numerous Lamma centipede encounters on this website, for example:

May 13: 'The Wicked, Ugly Disciple of the Devil'

Jun 20:  Streetometry @ Cath's Bar

Streetometry: from Tue, Jun 14: Banyan Bay Cafe: details.  Photo exhibition opening by Alain Jaquier. Pictures above from his website. He writes:

"Photo exhibition "STREETOMETRY" will be shown on Lamma Island starting from next week.

I am happy and proud to share my work with the local community and visitors and I hope to see you guys at the Opening event on coming Tuesday 17th!

Limited editions high quality prints are available for sales in different formats - A part of the benefits will be donated for a good cause.

Contact me for more details."

Jun 19:  HK Magazine Goes People-Spotting

Cover story of HK Magazine this week. It's out in print today, or online as a mobile download, e-book or pdf file.

Quoting the first paragraph, page 12:

"Lamma Island tends to attract birds of a feather -- laid-back types who enjoy nature and a good beer in equal measure. In this field guide, Kate Springer tracks down a handful of chirpy Lammaites who will make you feel at home on your next visit. Photos by Chris Luk. Translation by Zoe Lai.".

Here's an interview with the Lamma Expert - Frater Omniscis Totalis. (Latin for All-knowing Brother or, more likely, Brother Know-It-All. Guess who?)

"Description:
The founder and editor of Lamma web publication Lamma-zine (http://www.Lamma.com.hk), Lamma-Gung (aka "Uncle Lamma") is the resident expert on the isle. He's all over the place, interviewing new residents, reporting on events and investigating government plans."

Read more about his Plumage, Migration, Where to Spot? (starts page 12)

Read more interviews with the "Loquacious Bookworm, Seafood Specialists, Animal Activist, Lamma Dragons, Tofu Granny, Friendly Restaurateur":

Read more, like/unlike this story, in our forum or on Lamma-Gung's Timeline.

Jun 18:  Bulbuls-in-a-Cup

Nick Shearman writes:

"Found two chicks abandoned on the ground. I can only assume they toppled out of their nest, so what was I to do? I could leave them there and let nature deal with them or I could become surrogate.

I regret taking the latter route cos, after a bit of research on the Internet, they say orphan chicks need to be fed every 20 minutes over a 12 hour period. Dog food and eggs is appropriate fare for them if insects aren't freely available. I would never have guessed."

Seeing the chicks and these pink, speckled eggs in another nest (great photo from Vicky Eichman's balcony), these look like Red-whiskered Bulbuls. This species is quite frequently found nesting these weeks on Lamma's balconies and rooftops and seem to be the local birds who are least shy of humans? We've got a long-running discussion and a lot more photos, including grown-up bulbuls:

Balcony eggs? Which bird?

Jun 12:  Sunset @ Prime Lounge, YSW

No words necessary, the pics tell the story... But if you like words, plus some new and free appetizers:  Prime Lounge is OPEN!

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P.S. Some more Prime sunset photos from July 16:

Jun 11:  Jellyfish Invasion!

A few days ago, dozens of these football-sized creatures were floating serenely past and under the YSW Ferry Pier. But see what happens if you get too close, quite severe burns! Vinegar, ammonia, hot water and urine, yes, urine might help for the burning pain and itching, people claim.
But it'll take days to heal properly, so stay alert while swimming!

Jun 10:  Young Show Wan #5

Children educated by Island Arts are exhibiting @ Banyan Bay Cafe, Jun 6-14

Roz Keep - Founder, Island Arts - writes:

"I can't quite believe it has been 5 years since I started a little after school art class on Lamma, but it's true and Since 2010 we have mounted an exhibition to show off the Lamma children's lovely art work at Cath's art-friendly bar, The Banyan Cafe. This is our fifth show!"

"Exhibiting is an important part of making art. HK is becoming more art-friendly and not purely for investment purposes. There are more and more reasons for studying art these days, designers and commentators being more necessary than ever in our complex and sophisticated city.
There is the risk, of course, that young people will become obsessed with their screens and leave the old-fashioned craft of drawing with a real pencil, pen, charcoal stick, oil pastel or piece of dusty chalk behind, but I doubt it."

"Congratulations to all our Lamma children for their enthusiasm, their creativity and willing hands and for coming every week, some for 5 years, to develop and indulge your imaginations and creative skills. Your futures depend on these skills and the world is a brighter place with you in it."

Read more and/or join up...

Jun 9:  Half of Our Power from the Mainland?

The HK Gov't. has launched a public consultation on the Future Fuel Mix for Electricity Generation. HK Electric's is supporting Option 2, which suggests using more natural gas for local electricity generation, instead of importing 30% more of HK's power from the Mainland grid, bringing it to 50%!

You can express your opinion on this important issue by returning this response form. Here's some extra information and the consultation paper. Please fill in the form and send it back to the Environmental Bureau by June 18.

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Our friendly neighbours, HK Electric, suggest Option 2, of course, see all the smileys on their concise one-page summary:

Comments from HK Electric on the Fuel Mix Consultation:

	"HK Electric reiterates that, electricity generated using natural gas already makes up 33% of power generated by the company. By choosing Option Two, that is, to increase this percentage to 60%, HK Electric only needs to build one more gas turbine, involving capital expenditure of over three billion HKD. We have never nor find it appropriate to comment on behalf of CLP's plan.
	HK Electric has two natural gas contracts for the moment with different prices. The price of the more expensive contract was once over 20 USD per unit, which is believed to be historic high. With increasing shale gas supply, and excavation in South China Sea, it is expected that gas prices would remain stable or decline. Otherwise HK Electric would not pledge last year to freeze the tariff under normal circumstances until 2018.
	Based on the current fuel mix ratio and figures shown in Sustainability Reports of the two power companies, in 2012, Hong Kong had carbon emission of around 577 g per unit of electricity generated. According to Sustainability Report of CEM, the carbon emission Macau (with 90% of power imported from Mainland China) was 918 g per unit of electricity during the same period of time. HK Electric is comparing Hong Kong's carbon emission figure with Macau, not China Southern Grid (CSG).
	According to information publicised by CSG, in 2012, duration of power interruption was 1.1 hours in Shenzhen, 1.8 hours in Guangzhou, and 3.2 hours for the whole CSG, while HK Electric had less than one minute of unexpected power interruption. A much better performance when comparing with CSG's.
	We also notice that local media interviewed a CSG representative, who says, "To compare Shenzhen with Hong Kong, Shenzhen had power interruption of 33 minutes on average last year. The power interruption in commercial area was less than 9 minutes, still lagged behind the two power companies in Hong Kong, with power interruption of 2.3 minutes and less than one minute per year… We still need to learn from our peers in Hong Kong."
	HK Electric sent letters to shareholders earlier regarding the Fuel Mix Consultation, because this is a very important issue. The company expressed its standpoint, and encouraged stakeholders to express their views as well.
	HK Electric is currently drafting a reply and would submit to the government before the end of the consultation."

Jun 8:  Nighttime on the Rooftop

Pak Kok ferry en route to Aberdeen, South HK Island (The Peak, Cyberport,...)

Lantau - Kowloon - HK Harbour - Pokfulam

See my new Facebook photo album:
"Sunrise, Sunset, Day, Night Views from a Pak Kok rooftop. First: Night!"

Cyberport fireworks would be visible well from up here, but they are rare.
Anybody wants to see rooftop shots of the daily Disneyland fireworks? No? Well, I'm getting my long lens & tripod anyway. Watch this space...

Jun 7:  YoDog - Froyo for Dogs

Jun 6:  Prime Comedy @ Prime

The last ferry from YSW to my Pak Kok leaves at 9:10 (8:35 on holidays), so it takes a very special and worthwhile event to convince me to stay behind and walk home for half an hour over 3 sweaty hills during our dark, damp nights full of flying and scurrying Creepy Crawlies (see Nick's vivid account below).

Prime Bar & Grill's Comedy Nights are one such very special event, worth attending every single time! All the credit for Lamma's first-ever comedy nights goes to generous Les who's taking the financial risk organising these great community events with top-notch talents from the TakeOut Comedy Club on HK Island. The cover charge is ony $150 for the entire night of 4 experienced standup comedians, plus all the local volunteer talents who perform for drinks. Practice your lines and sign up for the next show!

My Official Court Comedy Reviewer stood me up, unfortunately, so just a few pictures this time. Another review after the next show, after the summer break!

Takeout Comedy's Showmaster Jami Gong
Guest performers Les & Jim, TV star Vivek Mahbubani, YSW Ferry pier backdrop

T-shirt of one of the Prime owners. Vegetarians are most welcome!

New Prime Lounge. Great sunset watching! Check their special offers!

Previous Comedy Night photos and review

Jun 5:  It's a "Starless and Bible-Black" Night

Open Space concert, Sat, May 31, 2014 - by Nick the Bookman:

"Well, I feel that it's going to be another brilliant Saturday night up at Open Space. Running the gamut from the sublime to the ridiculous. Let's start with the sublime. Tamara has arranged a Night of Indian Classical Music. A huge dollop of culture for Lamma's musically inclined masses.

It's a sweaty trek up the hill to Open Space. At least for me, laden down with two bags of CD's. Jim has kindly invited me to do a spot of DJing after the concert is over. And then he'll take over and deliver a stunning masterclass in how to do it right...   Read more...

...Welcome to the ridiculous part of the night. The walk home for me is terrifying. I've lost my torch and about 50 yards down the path I'm reduced to a speed of inches per hour. It's a "starless and bible-black" night and I can't see the path. I recently twisted my right ankle quite badly and it's affecting my weaker right knee. I'm carrying my glasses because the lenses are prone to pop out every now and then and I don't want to lose them on the path. I'm hunched over like the old hermit on the cover of Led Zeppelin IV.

Using my CD bags as a sort of cane to probe the edges of the path so I don't topple over. And on the bumpy bits I'm basically sitting on my arse hunchy-humping and scootching down the path at an even slower rate of progress. Get a very wet bottom. While pulling my bags behind me...

Then, one of the CD bags topples over and about 20 CD's spill out on the path. Into the darkness. I scrabble around and manage to find them all. All the time, fighting off swarms of bloodthirsty mozzies. Skritch, skritch, curse, blaspheme, wobble, mutter, grunt etc. Then the rain sort of starts."   Read more...

Jun 4:  Swimming in Raspberry Lemonade

Red Tide on our public Hung Shing Yeh Beach yesterday (photo by Roz Keep)

Alan writes: "There was an amazing red tide at HSY yesterday.
The whole bay was bright crimson. I went in anyway.

It was like swimming in raspberry lemonade.

There was no stinging or other ill effects (so far) and had no breathing difficulties after 40 minutes in last night, so I don't think it's that toxic, but I wore goggles and took care not to swallow any. Don't blame me if you start growing gills."

Roz Keep writes: "It was more of a bright pink strawberry milk shake tide, also seen over in HK Island, Turtle Beach, near Tai Tam Bay and Stanley on Monday."

Alan, our Human Guinea Pig, has again risked his life and health to set our minds at ease about the many natural dangers on Lamma!

How about exposing him to some other local dangers about which we know quite little due to lack of fearless human experimental subjects? How about exposing him to our aggressive centipedes, snake bites, killer hornets and the currently fast-growing spiders, wrangle a wild boar, antagonise some feral dogs, etc.?

I'd photograph his injuries and we can report about his ill effects suffered (if any) for the Lamma-zine. Suggest some natural dangers for our experiments!

Red Tide forum

Jun 3:  Aberdeen Dragon Boat Festival Day

Jun 2 - Dragonboat Holiday:  Wild West Dragons @ DBay

Claudia McGregor Tarr writes (Photos by Claudia, Nicky Jones):

In Disco Bay, Sun Jun 1, 2014 - Results:

Women - 1st
Lamma U18 - 2nd (ranking 20/36 of adult teams)
Men - 3rd
Mixed - In plate and cup finals

Jun 1:  Sunrise Watching

So many sunset watchers on Lamma rooftops last night, all our neighbouring rooftops were filled with tenants hosting their gawking guests!

It was really spectacular, but what about our really amazing sunrises these days? I'm usually the only one up there before 6am with my camera!
Photos from just the last few days:

Sunrise over Aberdeen - Pak Kok Ferry Pier

Lantau, Kowloon, Central, South HK Island

Aberdeen - Lamma - Pak Kok Ferry Pier

Lamma's iconic 3 chimneys, barely visible