Back in Hong Kong

Been back in Hong Kong now for about 8 weeks and dear readers, what can I say! It is awesome! I am seeing an entirely new face of Hong Kong that I had not seen during my previous stay of 3+ years.


Hong Kong consists of 3 large areas namely Hong Kong island, Kowloon island and New Territories. The last of these actually is the older part of Hong Kong, but was brought under British administration the last. Hence the name :-)


We live in the district of Sai Kung, which has verdant green hills on one side and the South China Sea on the other. As one comes up the hill, one gets a magnificent view of the sea dotted with boats of all kinds - old fishing junks, modern sail boats... and all this within a 15 minute bus-ride to "civilisation". The crowds, constant throb of traffic and the massive glass-fronted edifices are but a distant vision. Here one can almost believe that one is in a village and why not! Sai Kung is a group of old fishing villages. 


One of my favourite "things to do" is to get into Sai Kung town on the weekend and watch the fishing boats bring in fresh produce. One can stand on the pier and wait for the fishing boats to come in with fresh produce. The buyer than gets to see a sample up close - a fisherman clambers up to the pier with it - and then make their choices. I am not a meat eater - at the same time it is fascinating! There is an array of fresh and dried sea-food on sale. Various sea-food restaurants line the sea front with massive aquariums and tubs of water - all keeping the sea produce alive and kicking. The pier is alive with people taking strolls, walking their dogs, children on roller blades or bikes, ice cream vendors... absolutely gorgeous and so unlike the Hong Kong that is popular in the media - the Hong Kong of fashion, glitter and high finance. This is where the wheelers-dealers come to rest and recuperate. 


Sai Kung is also perfect for people who like hiking or going on long walks. The country park is amazing with a variety of flora. Snakes apparently abound, though I confess, I am yet to meet one.


So for all those who thought Hong Kong was all about the glitter, the glitz, the glamour and fast life, welcome to Saikung.


Click on these websites to see more of Sai Kung.


http://www.travelinsaikung.org.hk/english/intro/index.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sai_Kung_Town

Watch this page for more on Sai Kung later, once I get my camera...

Season's Greetings and a Happy Diwali

It is that time of the year - the time to light lamps and drive away darkness. Legend has it that Lord Ram, his wife Sita and his brother Laksman made a triumphant return to their kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and after defeating the evil king Ravan. The people of Ayodhya were happy to see their king after 14 years and celebrated his return by lighting lamps and setting off fire crackers.


Legend also has it that during another era, people rejoiced the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king Narakasur. (In reality, it was Krishna's wife Satyabhama who killed Narakasur), but whatever - the essence of Diwali ,  in summary , is the victory of good over evil. It signifies the victory of positive energy over negative forces. 


I love the symbolism of Diwali. To my mind, Diwali transcends all religions, as it is truly a festival of fun. Thing about it - by lighting oil lamps, one can drive away the cold and the dark of a November evening. It is the time to drive away the demons of ignorance and acquire knowledge. The time to drive away with hate and bring in love. The time to send sadness packing and bring in the light of joy and happiness. 


My memories of Diwali are pretty much similar to those of millions of my generation. Preparations used to start about a week early. My mother used to start making sweets and other savouries at home. We children used to have a ball sampling all the goodies that were being made. We had even more fun eating them behind mum's back, without her knowledge. Then there was the excitement of buying new clothes - all the planning and the dreaming and then the interminable wait to wear them. Dad would meet with fire cracker sellers and we would have a noisy debate about what to buy and in what quantities. And then, on D-day, we would wake up real early and have a nice oil massage before taking a piping hot water bath. We would wear our new clothes, and then hit the streets - bursting crackers, meeting friends and swapping notes on who had what in their fire cracker kitty. The 3 days of Diwali would be spent eating and playing. No home work, no house work, no studying... none of the worries of childhood. Just pure, unadulterated fun! 


As an adult, I know that all children do not have access to these simple joys and that makes me sad. It makes me sad that many children in this world will not experience what should be theirs by right. As we all celebrate Diwali this year, let us spare a moment to think of those children and send up a special prayer for them. That is the least we can do.


Dear readers, I wish you all a very Happy Diwali. I wish you have your loved ones with you to share it and I wish you fill up your store of happy memories to take with you throughout your lives. To those of you whose new year begins at this time, wish you a very happy new year. My wish to all is:


असतोमा सत गमय, तमसोमा ज्योतिर गमय, मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय  


(From untruth to truth ,  from darkness to light , from mortality to immortality ...)

These are few of my favourite songs...

Sound of Silence - this classic from Simon & Garfunkel makes my insides go mushy. I love the composition, the lyric and the voices of Simon & Garfunkel. This song was used beautifully in the movie 'The Graduate' starring Dustin Hoffman - sometime in the late 1960s. Listen to it here!

Dancing in the dark - beautiful number from Bruce Springsteen, The Boss! The video also marked the debut of Courtney Cox, who later became famous as Monica on Friends. When I first heard this song as a 16 year old, I had goosebumps thanks to Springsteen's gravelly voice and his groovy looks. Even today when I hear this song, I go back to that time and feel like a 16 year old all over again. Talk about anchoring! Click here to listen and watch and be transported.

Time of my life - "nobody puts baby in a corner", has become a famous line. Girls swooned when this scene came on and this song that followed was a huge chart buster. I love it, for the energy, the romance and the old world feel. It also signifies - to me - that for the first time, Baby is ready to put her trust fully in Johnny. Great dancing, wonderful singing and an overall great frame. Listen here!

One Last Breath - my friend Tom introduced this song to me and I love it. The energy, the feeling and depth of emotion always sways me. I can't say I have heard anything else from this group called Creed and I am more than happy for listeners / readers of this post to share more. One Last Breath...

Killing me softly - this song has become more popular with today's youth, thanks to a remix by The Fugees. I find the Frank Sinatra infinitely more appealing. There is so much emotion in his version and his voice - yummy! Killing me softly with her song!