No Words Necessary... Apr 30 - Wow, this has become my Facebook photo with the most reactions, shares and comments ever! Professors Visiting Apr 29 - A history professor from a US college wrote a book about Nick the Bookman's famous great-grandfather. Stand-up Paddleboard Graffiti Apr 26 - See what Brendan Sheridan did with a stand-up paddleboard and a GPS! Register as a Voter! Apr 25 - "September Legco Elections Voter Registration Stations" Brown Booby Visiting Apr 4 - Big commotion among bird lovers the other day! An extremely rare HK visitor, a Brown Booby. WE Love Lamma! Apr 3 - "When 'Professional and Dedicated Guardian Angel (Outsourced Cleaners)' meet 'Loving HKers'." 5,000 Free Face Masks Apr 2 - So these 5,000 free masks went in less than half an hour. Lamma to Host Post-COVID-19 Triathlon Apr 1 - "...three popular sporting pursuits: Swimming, Running, and Roller Sports."

Apr 30:  No Words Necessary...

The queue remained at almost max. density all the way into Main Street and beyond...

"Social distancing" is more kind of a recommendation in HK, never enforced or punished. Huge close-up crowds in all the never-closed shops and supermarkets, restaurants at half capacity and 6 feet distancing between tables of not more than 4 guests.

But with only 4 deaths in total so far and only 1K total infections, 0 new infections for several days now, it seems to be working astonishingly well, despite? Maybe the social-only, not-enforced pressure to wear masks almost since day 1, which almost everybody seems to be following?

Wow, this has become my Facebook photo with the most reactions, shares and comments ever, I think!
Just 1 day later, it's up to 300+ reactions, 200+ Shares. 50+ comments so far!

Best comments so far:

"What a difference a day makes!
The Govt. announces it might relax work from home, schools and leisure centres next week and POW! Let's all get out in the sunshine."

"10.30am from Central closed gate as full!!"

"Not proud of it, but it's the Hong Kong way of Social Distancing."

"As people aren't able to travel, I think all summer they'll be 'holidaying' on Lamma."

"OMG, this reminds me when we had SARS in 2003 and everybody invaded Lamma because we were free of SARS!"

"Not going anywhere - it's madness out there!"

A history professor from a US college wrote a book about Nick the Bookman's famous great-grandfather.

He and his fellow lecturers have been stopping by at Nick's outdoor shop today, having an involved talk about Nick's ancestors.

Nick's sister Melle came by later as well, sharing many a story and some ancient photos of Nick's past on her iPhone family album:

Who would have ever thought back then that their eldest child would grow up to become famous as The Original Hippie?!

More about the book and the professors' visit in the next few days.

See what Brendan Sheridan did with a stand-up paddleboard and a GPS tracking app outside the Powerstation! He's been practicing his unique style of sea graffiti for quite a while before creating this masterpiece of precision and patience.

A few friends joined in with other creations, mostly swear words, but Brendan remains the master!

P.S. Brendan couldn't resist creating a Chin. version of "Lamma Island". We wonder if he takes requests for his fledgling Paddleboard Graffiti business?

For more pictures like this, plus many other digital artworks, see my Facebook Page: Lamma Gung Art & Photography.

P.S. In case you're wondering about the "Despite" in the title of this story, this is why:

Click above for details of these free protection equipment distribution to our cleaners by Caan Chui and the WE LAMMA group:

"This organisation is a group of local islander volunteers who worked together during the 2019's Lamma and Po Toi District Council election. After which the enthusiastic group has decided to continue their contribution to Lamma by officially forming "WE Lamma" as a resident concern group."

Caan Chui writes:

"When 'Professional and Dedicated Guardian Angel (Outsourced Cleaners)' meet 'Loving Hongkongers'. Two words, super awesome!

Last episode (March 10):

Everyday early in the morning, a group of people have always been devoted to their duties dealing with our garbage, which also include exposing themselves to the very risky bacterial viruses we all so diligently try to avoid.
Our neighbourhood in Lamma has raised funds to come up with a little gift for the 41 outsourced frontline cleaners serving the areas of 'Lamma Island and Po Toi'. Each pack consists of a pair of 'reusable, chemical-resistant gloves and professional anti-bacterial goggles'…"

The formerly highly sought-after face masks are available in town pretty easily by now, for a price. But on an Outlying Islands under Govt. advice to "Stay Home, Stay Safe!" they're not available here at all. So these 5,000 free masks went in less than half an hour, handed by out in person by Legislative Council member Eddie Chu.

Lamma is changing over the years, no more free-wheeling Hippie Island, people becoming more orderly and so well-behaved! No mad dashes or crowds fighting over these FREE masks! Thank you, Eddie CHU!

Apr 1:  Lamma to Host Post-COVID-19 Triathlon

Bike Mike, ex-Lammaite Roving Reporter:

"As COVID-19 issues will wind down later this year, a still secret sponsor has announced sponsorship of Lamma Island's Post-COVID-19 Triathlon.

This major international Olympic event will feature athletes who train in three popular sporting pursuits: Swimming, Running, and Roller Sports.

The Yung Shue Wan Ferry Pier will host the Race Start where swimmers will enter the water following inaugural speeches and the playing of China's National Anthem by Leigh & Harry, Lamma's own Bearded Ukuladies.

Swimmers will try to avoid the 4PM arrival and departures of ferries as they swim towards Kam Lo Hom, passing The Typhoon Shelter and then pass by the HK Power Station waters by Po Lo Tsui. These waters are normally off-limits to swimmers, however HK Electric has waived this restriction in the spirit of celebrating the end of COVID-19's hold on the territory. Speaking on behalf of the Australian triathletes, Brad Tarr said that the Ozzie contingent should do well in the water, particularly if there is coal freighter traffic arriving.

"The freighters generate wonderful waves", said Tarr, "Australians are natural surfers; their wakes will allow us to body surf through the power plant waters, while avoiding a different sort of a wake for any opposition".

Exiting the Power Station area, swimmers will traverse the waters to the shore of Power Station Beach where they will quickly change into their running gear. Assistance on the beach will be provided by a volunteer corps of paddlers from the Lamma Dragons.

Runners will then sprint up hill to Lamma Winds for the next change. At Lamma Winds they will jump on their skateboards or don in-line skates for the race's home stretch, back to the Yung Shue Wan Ferry Pier. Johnny Canuk, Lamma's resident Canadian, expects this leg of the race to belong to the Canadian entries. "Here's where we will overtake the Australians, we Canadians rule the skating world", he said."

This part of the race is quite technical. Roller athletes will be required to leap over snakes on the downhill portion of the race and demerit points will go to any who collide with Lamma serpents.

However, bonus points will be awarded to any racer who jousts post-work pedestrians off the path as they dash for the Ferry Pier Finish Line.

"Living Lamma Legend', Nick the Bookman, has agreed to act as the race governor. The finish line will consist of Nick's beard stretched across the entrance to the ferry pier.

The Lamma COVID-19 Triathlon will take place April 1st, 2021, well ahead of the postponed Olympic Games."