Prayer Phone

28 Aug 2010 - It is Ramadan, and Pakistan is flooded. But business in Hong Kong's Chunking Mansions is booming. One of the best-selling items is a prayer phone for Muslims. The phone - made in China - is equipped with Urdu software and comes with a 'mini sound box' to broadcast the call to prayer. Salesman Tony says the Chinese can copy everything ("even Ferraris") and explains that he sold 25,000 copies if the prayer phone last month alone (that is no typing error!). The phone is made to order for the Pakistani market. The "China phones" have unrecognizable brand names such as S-names or Asmara, but are in high demand in the developing world. Prof. Gordon Matthews from CUHK estimates that about 20% of all mobile phones in circulation in Africa has passed through the Chungkong Mansions complex. That is pretty impressive for the stuffy labyrinth.

The Temporary Stedelijk

27 Aug 2010 - The Amsterdam Stedelijk Museum has temporarily reopened with an exhibition appropriately titled "The Temporary Stedelijk". The Museum was closed for renovation since 2004, and the Amsterdam art-loving crowd became increasingly disgruntled about the time-consuming renovation works. It is said that the city council forced the Stedelijk to reopen its doors. In fact, the exhibition covers two smaller exhibitions: "Taking Place" with modern Dutch masters and the exhibition with 19th century artists called "Monumentalism". The renovation is not finished and it is not yet clear how long the process will last. But the population of Amsterdam and thousands of tourists will have the opportunity to have a first look at the "new" Stedelijk until 9th January 2011. 

Kangaroo Hunt

27 Aug 2010 - People sometimes mix up Holland with Poland, and Austria with Australia. It's not easy, I admit. But it used to be a great help to think that kangaroos live in Australia and Austria has ... well, other animals. However, not anymore. The search in on in the the middle-European country as kangaroo Sumsi escaped a private zoo in the southern village of Preding and has since been roaming around in the Alps. Sumsi disappeared about two months ago and has been spotted y several hikers and tourists. But whenever she pops up, she also disappears again. Tourists in Austria can buy T-shirts with the slogan "No kangaroos in Austria", but that does not seem so true anymore. It would be great if Sumsi can find a mate and start a family of Alpine kangaroos.

The Art of Giving

27 Aug. 2010 - The act of giving can be a tricky business, in particular in Chinese culture. Giving a watch signifies the end of relationship, bestowing a clock means you are suggesting the recipient is heading for an early grave. In Cantonese, "giving a clock" sounds the same as "seeing someone off at a funeral". One should also not give sharp objects such as knives or scissors, even as housewarming gifts, as doing so would suggest that the relationship will be severed. If you really must give such a gift, tie a red ribbon around the blade. When writing a card to accompany a gift, never use red ink, as red was the color traditionally used in declarations of war between states. However, using a red seal to stamp your Chinese name is not problematic. Confused? Well, I would still accept the watch.

The Shrinking Moon

26 Aug 2010 - It sounds like a joke, but it is not: the moon is shrinking. In making the announcement, scientists were quick to add that the moon has not shrunk by much, and that shrinkage may have occurred over a billion years. We also do not have to be afraid that the moon will shrink out of view in the future. It was explained that as the moon's core has cooled and contracted, the outer crust fractured into faults, forming ridges as one side of the fracture slid on top of the other. The same cooling and shrinking occurs with all planetary bodies. Nasa's messenger spacecraft recently observed similar - and much larger - fractures on Mercury. The scientists also added that the findings were evidence that the moon is much livelier than its reputation as a cold, unchanging world makes us believe.

Asian Games

25. Aug 2010 - In a few months the Chinese city of Guangzhou will host the Asian Games. It is a big event and Guangzhou will follow the Beijing Olympics and Shanghai's World Expo. In typical style the city has been polished up in recent months, roads and new stadiums have been built and metro lines were added to the existing network. I am sure the Games will be a success, but nervousness is already setting in with the organizers, as it was announced that people wanting to buy a kitchen or fruit knife soon need to register their identities first. Vendors will also require a special license to sell the kitchen ware. It was also announced that, starting 1st September, all vehicles entering the city will be checked. Of course safety comes first, but I hope that too many and too strict regulations will not take the "fun" out of the Games.

Anne Frank's Tree

25 Aug 2010 - Last Monday the tree behind the Amsterdam house where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during the second World War was toppled in a rare August storm. Anne wrote movingly about the tree in her diary, as it was one of the few opportunities for her to be in touch with nature and notice the changing seasons. The Anne Frank Foundation immediately called the toppling a "drama" and others also regretted the collapse of one of Holland most famous trees. In 2007 plans to cut the tree had to be shelved after widespread protests from the community, who wanted the tree to be protected. Three years later the tree has not lost its appeal, because immediately after the news of its tragic end Twitter was buzzing with comments. More strikingly, the commercial site "Marktplaats" immediately posted commercials offering pieces of the famous tree for sale. "The one's death is another man's bread", as we say in Dutch.

823

24 Aug 2010 - Today's rains over Hong Kong were highly symbolic, as the heavens are crying over the useless death of eight Hong Kong citizens in the hijacking of a tourist bus in Manilla. Frankly put, it is a terrible day. An overwhelming sentiment that things could have been handled very differently and that precious lives could have been saved remains. Some people have commented that events like the bus siege happen every day all over the world and that we should learn to live with it. They may be right, but I find their approach unsatisfactory and somewhat offensive. It is understandable that anger, disbelief and frustration fly high in Hong Kong, but I am just as shocked that some Hong Kong citizens have sacked their Philippino domestic workers in anger of the hostage situation. The Chinese and Hong Kong Government should put pressure on the Philippines Government to investigate how the crisis was handled. Hong Kong people should come to terms with the reality that the world is a dangerous place, and that shit happens. However, we should not just "get on with it", but pay respect to the victims of this terrible crisis.

Snowflake Ice

24 Aug 2010 - Taiwan is often overlooked as a tourist destination or culinary hotspot. However, Hong Kong people have discovered the treats and opportunities of the island for many years and there is a steady stream of Hong Kong tourists going to Taiwan. But now one of Taiwan's treat has come to Hong Kong, because Snowflake ice cream parlours are popping up everywhere. Snowflake ice is made by special machines, that freeze flavored milk or fruit juice and shave off downy layers that resemble sculptural displays. The process creates a finer, more airy dessert that melts in the mouth. Its delicate texture, complimented by a variety of toppings, has made it a favorite with many young people. One of the favorites is Ice Club in Yuen Long, which specializes in tofu snowflake, made from frozen soy milk.

Brown for Rent

23 Aug 2010 - What happened to British former Prime Minister Brown? It is only 100 days since David Cameron took over, but it seems that Gordon Brown has already faded into obscurity. However, the Spectator Magazine reports that Mr. Brown can now be rented for the not-so-small amount of USD 100,000 to give a speech. The British socialist is also working on a book about the worldwide economic melt-down of 2009. And if all of that is not enough, one can rent his wife Sarah to accompany Brown. Sarah is a lot cheaper, one only needs to pay an additional USD 20,000 - a real bargain. Mrs. Brown suggests people to rent her to award prizes or to open shopping malls. The couple expects that many people will respond positively to their generous availability. The Spectator adds that travel costs and accommodation are not included in the rental price.

Roller-coaster Record

22 Aug 2010 - People do strange things to get their name printed in the newspaper. I read that the number of roller-coaster rides a 78-years old man has taken in his life reached 4,000+ times. Vic Kleman, who lives in Knoxville, hit the milestone after riding a roller-coaster in the Pittsburgh area 90 times in one day. Kleman spent five hours on the Jack Rabbit roller-coaster at Kennywood Park. The wooden roller-coaster is celebrating its 90th anniversary - the number that prompted Kleman marathon riding session. One wonders though when Kleman started counting - so the record is not recognized by Guinness Book of Records. Big question: will Kleman make the 5,000?

Great Picture (14)

22 Aug 2010 - OK, OK , I know I already paid attention to Sail Amsterdam a few days ago, but the event happens only once every five years and the images are simply too uniqe not to be published. So here we go once more ....

Cape D'Aguilar

22 Aug 2010 - Cape D'Aguilar (or Hok Tsui) is not in South Africa or Chile, but in Hong Kong. It is the name of a tip at the southeast of Hong Kong island.  There is not much going on except for sea, rocks and some sea-birds, but it is the location of the first lighthouse of the territory. It watches over the entrance of Victoria Harbor and the waters facing the South China Sea. The existing structure is a white, round stone tower of about 10 meters high. The tower base, the arched doorway and the circular staircase are of fine masonry, and it is a declared monument of Hong Kong. The lighthouse became superfluous with the operation of Waglan island lighthouse in 1896 (!), However, the Cape D\Aguilar lighthouse was re-lit in 1975, and is now under the management of the Marine Department.

Discovery Rules

22 Aug 2010 - Do you remember the movie The Truman Show with Jim Carey, when an insurance salesman discovers that his life is actually staged in a TV show? Well, a similar environment exists in Hong Kong's Discovery Bay. The area bills itself for its luxury and relaxed way of living, but big brother is always watching. The Discovery Bay Management has recently sent a CD containing a PDF file with 56 pages of rules, by-laws and restrictions to its residents. The rules cover everything from the flats' interiors, decoration and contracting work to the keeping of animals, the bay's Tai Pak Beach and outdoor activities, which seem to be generally not encouraged. Camping, fishing, flying kites, barbecuing and lighting of fires - it is all banned in public areas and on the beach. Skating and skateboarding are strictly prohibited, while cycling is discouraged. Such killjoy policies would make the warden of any prison camp proud. 

Arts Hub

22 Aug 2010 - New designs for the Hong Kong's West Kowloon arts hub were introduced last Friday, and this time its all open spaces, green trees and influences of Chinese culture. Another common threat is that the sea views are preserved and that we will not be confronted with a wall of concrete on the waterfront. Three world-famous architects (Norman Foster, Rem Koolhaas and HK native Rocco Yim) launched their views for this part of future Hong Kong. In the coming three months the public will be invited to comment on the designs. The Government said the three designs are not in competition and that it is very well possible that the final design will combine elements of all three architects. I am a bit worried about that statement (and I wonder what the architects think of it) as coherence may get lost and we may end up with a patchwork of styles and ideas.