JCCAC

A great visiting in Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre!!




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Read More:
http://www.jccacmate.com.hk

Hong Kong Museum of History

Visiting Hong Kong Museum of History

I visited the Hong Kong Museum of History over 7 times. It is a museum I like most in Hong Kong. The mission of the museum is to preserve and repair Hong Kong history heritage for the public. Let me tell you something interesting about the museum. (I suppose you can stay awake in this history class for over 10 minutes…)

The special feature of the museum is that it tell us the Hong Kong history from a timeline. Only one route threads all the exhibition halls together. I think that is the best design of all historical museums. History is consisted of reasons and results so the museum wants to link up all the historic events together. The advantage of the design helps us to understand the whole picture of Hong Kong history…

…Okay, at least we would not get lost in a one-way museum.  

 The Hong Kong Story is the permanent exhibition of the museum. We can discover Hong Kong from Stone Age to modern period in The Hong Kong Story. Frankly speaking, you would feel disappointed if you were coming for authentic heritage because there are not such rich ones at all. However, 1:1 scaled models are everywhere in the museum, such as mangroves, ancestral halls and Hong Kong old streets. The museum tried to recreate the real environment to visitors. 1:1 scale human models were laid out in the model buildings. I do not appreciate those human models actually because they are too genuine and too horrible. I hope they would not look at me all of a sudden when I stare at them. (One of the human models in the museum is headless. Will you try to find him out? :|)

Know more about the museum:

http://hk.history.museum/index.php

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Lion Rock Hill: A Hiking Diary

Date: 29 January 2011

Time: 14:00-17:00

Dear Diary,

Today we decided to partake in some physical exercise and ventured on a short hike up the Lion Rock Hill of Hong Kong in order to receive an “outdoor experience”. Besides the justification of convenience (which plays a very important factor), the other reason why we chose Lion Rock was due to its numerous cultural references (so deep right!). Mentions of the rock that takes the shape of a crouching lion appear in the song “Under the Lion Rock” by once-popular HK singer Roman Tan made the rock a symbol of the unwavering spirit of the Hong Kong people. The mountain has also been ingrained into HK people’s identity. With half a Hong Konger and the other a local who has never seen the Lion Rock with his own eyes, Lion Rock Hill makes a good subject for our hiking expedition as we can explore our "Hong Kong roots" while getting in some much-needed exercise. Anyway, below are a few photos which describe our outdoor-turned-learning experience.

Photo #1.

Location: around ½ km West  of Amah Rock 

Date: 29 January 2011

Time: 12:53:54 PM

Despite it being a fabulously sunny day, the leafy shrubbery reflecting the sun’s rays along with the small trickle of the creek gave off a very cool atmosphere – perfect for inexperienced hikers. One of us already panting from the first flight of stairs - what a noob! (Hint: the male of the two. To his defense he was carrying a backpack packed with 2 water bottles, 2 jackets, 2 oranges and 2 bananas...)

Photo #2.

Location: Amah Rock (望夫石pronounced “Mong Fu Shek”)

Date: 29 January 2011

Time: 1:06:09 PM

After roughly 30 minutes on an unbelievably steep trail, we finally made it to the "attraction", Amah Rock! Apparently, there is a legend behind its Chinese name which literally means “the stone that is gazing out for her husband” which marks the place where a fisherman's wife faithfully climbed the hill (with her baby on her back) to watch out for the return of her husband who, unbeknownst to her, had already drowned while fishing at sea. At last, the Sea Goddess took pity on her and transformed her into a rock so that she could be reunited with her love. Anyhow, ridiculousness of the Sea Goddess's reasons aside, the site is an example of history and culture’s intertwinement with nature, as the rock has inspired many classical Chinese poems and has transformed into a religious site for Chinese women (note the mess of red incense underneath).



















On a side note, we also had fun tossing banana peels off the cliff of Amah Rock! (more on that coming up...)

Photo #3.

Location: Amah Rock

Date: 29 January 2011

Time: 1:07:06 PM

One thing that was constantly recurring throughout our hike was the presence of orange or tangerine peels! Now ofcourse, the tangerines in the photo above were placed in worship of the lady turned somewhat-goddess of Amah Rock but we noted quite a trail of Hansel and Gretchen-esque peels while we continued the path towards Lion Rock (don't recall making it though). In fact, we had a few oranges ourselves, my goodness, they were surprisingly sweet and refreshing! Tastiest we've ever eaten. Funny how the lack of easy access to food made our meager rations appear so delicious. Oh, did we forget to mention that we also happily contributed to the trail of orange peels? 

Photo #4.

Location: 1.3 km East of Beacon Hill 

Date: 29 January 2011

Time: 1:54:30 PM

About half-way through the hike, we came across a resting area complete with picnic tables, trail signs describing the direction and length to other points of interest, maps, and pavilions (oh the relief!). The choice of location was strategic in that it is an intersection of several trails (Lion Rock, Amah Rock, and Beacon Hill) - for travelers weary of the long hike ahead to take a circle around back and call it a hike - and a scenic view of the Kowloon area to enjoy. Nevertheless, we city-folk still found it slightly insufficient as no porta-potties or water were provided, you know, for hygiene and precaution purposes. 

Photo #5.

Location: around 1.3 km East of Beacon Hill (view of Kowloon Tong)

Date: 29 January 2011

Time: 2:03:23 PM

Although we were completely taken away by a panoramic view of Kowloon Tong, we suddenly became saddened by the same view of development’s encroachment onto the beautiful hillside we were looking upon. Took us a while to recognize what slice of Hong Kong we were looking upon but we figured it out soon enough since one of us spotted CityU!

Sadly, we never made our way to the Lion Rock (due to time NOT physical constraint) but we had tremendous fun tossing fruit-remians, gaining new thigh muscles and sweating off our layers of fats all the same! 

The IKEA Experience

When fast food cultures from around the world enter into the city of Hong Kong, strange things seem to happen. For instance, fast food franchise McDonald’s has opened up numerous McCafés - equipped with sofas, Espresso’s, and cheesecake -  in the area in an attempt to meet the needs of the extremely health-or diet-conscious society. Also, Pizza Hut, the take-away delivery catering chain from America known for absence of seating space has transformed into a three-star restaurant with tea sets, professional waiter training, and 10% service charges after stepping foot onto the former British colony.

(On a side note, did you know that Pizza Hut and KFC maintain friendly relations? Together with Taco Bell and Long John Silvers, they all belong to the world’s largest restaurant company, Yum! Brands, Inc. No wonder they all taste so unhealthily good!)

Anyway, back to the topic, last night when we were ravished after a day’s lectures we decided to head over to the IKEA in Sha Tin for the raved IKEA poached salmon. To our utter dismay, our eyes scored the posters only to realize that the delicious set is no longer on the menu. (In fact, there is a petition going on Facebook to “Bring the IKEA poached salmon back!” ) So, we opted for the sad sliced pork and the mundane mushroom pasta in cream. When we turned to find seats for ourselves to receive yet another shocker - the place was packed to the brim like a dim sum restaurant at peak hour and the noise of Cantonese chatter bounced off the walls like a million ping pong balls! Fortunately, we found a spot sharing tables with another couple (of which the male stank of sweaty socks!) and were left to contemplate on this abnormal occurrence while slurping on some faux-high class but economic IKEA mussels.

How on earth did the IKEA experience of relaxing, modern, and creative furniture transform into one like that of a noisy and bustling fast food chain along with swedish meatballs?

"Big Buddha"

Tian Tan Buddha aka “Big Buddha” (天壇大佛) is the largest Buddha in Hong Kong (located in Ngong Ping, Lantau Island) and towers 34m tall, weighing 250-mt weights. It was contructed using 202 copper pieces. The whole work spent over 60 million HKD (7 million USD) - a heavy sum for an inanimate statue! Luckily, it attracts  a thousand devout Buddhists and visitors every year, along with their offerings. Rather pious people would literally kneel up 268-step in the hopes that Buddha will grant their prayers. However, less-physically able or willing people will take the less-strenuous route of bowing before the Buddha and then venture to have a vegetable meal in the Hall of Benevolent Merit, donating a few notes to the Po Ling Monastery to “accumulate virtue”.

A look at this incredible work of art and labour - The whole of Tian Tan Buddha is meticulously designed, though admittedly, its face is not one of beauty. With a face like a full moon, broad forehead, “usnisa” pearl and conch hairs on the head, and elongated ear lobes, Buddha’s face is a true reflection of inner beauty while at the same time symbolizing the wisdom of Tathagata. It has been said that even its smell makes viewers happy. His new moon eyebrows and the eyes of lotus flowers gives the illusion of compassion. Two hands are in the Mudra position. The right hand is raised in order to “impart fearlessness” and the left hand to “fulfill wishes”. They symbolize the compassion of the Buddha to save all sentient beings from their worldly sufferings and the vow to grant blessing and happiness to all. The “卍” sign (interesting fact: the same sign in the opposite direction is the swastika or the Nazi symbol) on the chest symbolize solemness. As typical of such religious attractions, the souvenirs in Tian Tan Buddha are almost all related to “luck” or “blessing”.

If you ever happen to visit the Tian Tan Buddha, time yourself to see how fast you can go up those stairs!


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Poon Choi

Poon Choi (盆菜) aka “Big Bowl Feast” is not simply a Cantonese dish, but a mouth-watering cuisine caught in the mess of identity politics. It was originally served during banquets or other special occasions (think, Chinese prom, maybe? I kid, I kid) but has now, as all things cultural do, been caught up into the business of commercialism. The dish originally consists of 9 distinct layers of ingredients but now contains a variety of the following: chicken, duck, pork, abalone, prawn, mushroom, fish balls, shark fin, fish maw, squid, shrimp, pigskin (yum!), bean curd, and white turnip or Chinese radish (with the most expensive ones such as pork meat and abalone proudly displayed on top, and more bland-ish choices such as white turnip line the bottom). Rumoured to be associated with Chinese emperors from the Qing and Sung dynasty, poon choi is filled with a high sense of Chinese-ness and defines the identity of numerous Cantonese speaking groups in South China (including Hong Kong) while providing a precious time of family gathering in today’s hectic world. Recently, however, new concoctions such as the “poon choi cake”, packaged poon choi, and take-away poon choi are beginning to appear on the market, threatening to steal away the authenticity of poon choi.

If you ever happen to have a craving for poon choi, steer away from those boxed-offers and be sure to go for the real deal! 

Cha Chaan Teng Vocabulary

Cha Chaan Tengs (茶餐廳) are Chinese diners commonly found in Hong Kong providing a menu with various fusions of scrumptious Hong Kong and Hong Kong-style Western cuisine, and their incredible efficiency - Where else can you have your meal order be at the table within 15 minutes? Waiters there have developed and incorporated a system of symbols so dishes can reach hungry customers’ plates at a faster rate. 

Ever wondered what was behind all those symbols on your paper bill?

A list of the top rated Cha Chaan Teng or Tea Restaurants are available on Hong Kong’s most famous online dining guide, Open Rice: 

English version

Chinese version

*Note that their lists also include bing sut (冰室), literally defined as “ice chamber”, which provide a narrower selection of food. For Ex. the Australia Dairy Co. (澳洲牛奶公司) is best known for its scramble-egg sandwiches and spaghetti in soup. Also, we would personally recommend the pineapple buns with butter (菠蘿油) at the Kam Wah Tea Restaurant (金華冰廳) in Prince Edward as they are almost always fresh out-of-the-oven, with just the right tenacity and crispness.

GoogleMap:
Australia Dairy Co.

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Kam Wah Tea Restaurant

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Movement

Movement is everywhere we go. What kind of movement can you see around you that represents a part of a culture, a lifestyle, or a part of you?

Introduction

Culture is all around us.

It is difficult to give an actual definition to culture.
We are going to show you our interpretation of culture through our productions.
We love oddities.
We do not know recondite theory.
We believe in curiosity which leads us to discover our world.
We keep creating until the exhaustion of our ideas.

We are dummies, actually.