(Toyi-toyi is a Southern African dance originally from Zimbabwe that has long been used in political protests in South Africa. Toyi-toyi could begin as the stomping of feet and spontaneous chanting during protests that could include political slogans or songs, either improvised or previously created… Wikipedia)
Because of the unique nature of it’s government, protests have become commonplace in the street surrounding the government building in Central district.
I grew up to experience Apartheid and as a student at the University of the Western Cape, I participated and witnessed some violent (at the hands of the South African security police) anti-Apartheid protests. I still sport a bump on my head sustained during a violent protest as a high-school student in 19(cough-cough!)
Be that as it may, Hong Kongers have a unique and interesting way of protesting that often include short plays and skits, complete with masks and costumes. But more on that on another day.
While I am typing this, right outside my window there is another unique protest happening.
I live next to Victoria Harbour and currently the entire waterway is packed with hundreds of fishing vessels going up and down the strait between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon (my side).
Word is that the fishing industry is protesting against the Hong Kong government’s ‘request’ to restrict fishing in the territory’s waters in order to replenish the fishing stocks.
More on this issue when I get the information.
In the meantime I don’t think any cruise-liners will be docking in Tsim Sha Tsui today.
Victoria Harbour protests are nothing new. the Pic below was taken at an anti-reclamation protest in 2005:
In a ‘previous life‘ I used to run some recreation centres in Cape Town.
One of our services extended to the aged, which means we had to collect old folks from around our service areas, transport them to a recreation centre and keep them busy for the day. Some of the activities included skills such as embroidering, painting, etc.
After the day’s events, they’d be duly carted back to their homes.
Here’s in Hong Kong, however, I find that the aged are so much more active.
These are some of the activities I encounter on my way to work every day here in Hung Hom (the footage is from nearby Whampoa Garden):
Howzit-HongKong.com often gets invited to attend functions all over Hong Kong.
Sometimes the events take place at venues that afford one such spectacular vistas of this vibrant and beautiful city, that it would be amiss not to snap away and post the pics on our Flickr album here.
I attended one such event on the 26th floor of the Park Lane Hotel in Causeway Bay. South African Tourism hosted a successful workshop to introduce some of the product offerings available to local visitors to our beautiful country.
In his opening address to the workshop today, South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Marthinus Van Schalkwyk mentioned of his slight concern at arriving in Hong Kong in the midst of Tropical Cyclone Chanthu. However, upon arriving in the territory, he was greeted with beautiful blue skies and hot weather.
Well Mr Van Schalkwyk, while we were fortunate to have missed the chaos of the storm, as you can see from the pictures below, the beautiful blue skies are (as they say back home) part and parcel of typhoon season, both before and after the storm.
More about the tourism workshop later.
The Park Lane Hotel is located in the busy shopping district of Causeway Bay, adjacent to the lush Victoria Park.
The view from the 26th floor affords one some glorious vistas across Victoria Park towards Tin Hau MTR station in the direction of North Point. Kellet Island, home of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club can be seen in the foreground with Kowloon Bay and the Eastern Harbour Entrance in the distance.
Hong Kong’s Victoria Park (Pic: Mike Jansen)
Turning the camera slightly to the left, more of Victoria Harbour and the yacht basin come into view. On the other side of the Harbour you can see (from left to right) Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hung Hom and Whampoa Garden. The “Howzit” indicates my apartment where Howzit-HongKong.com is produced.
Victoria Harbour & the yacht basin (Pic: Mike Jansen)
One of the lifestyle sacrifices expatriates often have to make coming to Hong Kong is moving into one of the most densely-populated cities in the world. As a result, we give up ample living space at home in return for an apartment often not exceeding 800 to 1000 square feet (74.3 to 92.9 square meters).
I once asked a fellow South Africa who has been living in the SAR for more than a decade, what he missed most from home.
“My braai,” the answer came almost immediately.
For those who didn’t know, South Africans live a very outdoor lifestyle and braaiing/barbecue-ing and the household space required (a backyard or even a balcony) is a big part of that lifestyle.
Hong Kong resident Gary Chang obviously doesn’t braai, but he nevertheless managed to transform his 344-square-feet family home into a 24-in-1 mansion of sorts.
Growing up in a Hong Kong sized apartment with his family (parents and 3 younger sisters) and a tenant thrown in, architect GaryChang knows about using space to it’s maximum.
“I was studying architecture long before I enrolled (as a student)” says Chang. “It’s a necessity for me, because I have to learn how to cope with the tight space.”
Not wanting to give up his 7th floor family home, Gary decided to transform the 344-square-foot apartment into something resembling space-station-type digs.
(Thanks Chris!)
Don’t you just envy the man’s CD/DVD collection?!
(Picture from Marcel Lam/New York Times. Read more in NY Times)
