Cotton tree flowers

Spring wind blows on cotton trees, flowers showered all floors red. - Just impression, this year the cotton trees were flowering somewhat last few days of March or at the beginning of April. Keep waiting until almost in  May, most of the flowers already fell down from the cotton trees on the streets. What's left are merely bald branches. 

Content development: Home Office Content 

Date of release: May 6, 2016 

Chinese version: Please visit homeofficecontent.blogspot.com

Although Bauhinia is said to be the city flower of Hong Kong, however, the one which is the most impressive, and easy to be seen anywhere in Hong Kong island, Kowloon and New Territories，should be cotton tree flower undoubtedly. 

It is awesome to see red flower buds spread around the streets whenever cotton trees blossom. Personally, this kind of feeling has started since in primary school - when walking between accommodation and the school. 

Just like Hong Kong, such a hustle and bustle of the city, fully packed with jungle of high towering buildings. Occasionally, there are a few cotton trees still stand firm aside of the roads leaving red flowers everywhere on the ground in spring which enhances the enjoyment of life for the people. 

If you feel interested in visiting Hong Kong and want to experience local specialty, then it's a good idea to go at the blooming season of cotton tree flowers .

Gone with the wind: From RTV to ATV

It is the end of the day on the first of April in 2016, and also the end of Asia Television (ATV) with license to broadcast free-to-air in Hong Kong. We are going to look back on its story briefly to commemorate Hueng Gong, the Cantonese Hong Kong.

Content development: Home Office Content
Chinese version: Please visit homeofficecontent.blogspot.com
Date of release: 1 April 2016
The latest update: 3 April 2016

ATV is formerly known as Rediffusion Television (RTV) which was run by Rediffusion Hong Kong Limited, the radio broadcasting company and pay TV service provider in Hong Kong as well as TV production company for Southeast Asian market such as Singapore and Malaysia.

It is the first Cantonese TV station in the world, the major source of Cantonese TV programmes other than Television Broadcast Limited (TVB) in world Chinese community last decades.

There is quite a number of people in Hong Kong already fed up with its constantly replay of decades-old dramas and documentaries. It has suffered from serious financial hardship since few years ago. Before that, the business had changed hands several times. Some people dislike ATV as some of the major share holders who are not Hong Kong residents but are mainland Chinese which affects the company's political standpoint. Just to be fair, the source of capital was originated from Australia even at the time of RTV.

I have to write a short account of it because of its popularity, wide circulation and 59 years business history in view of Hong Kong history.

In my knowledge, people who enjoy with RTV and ATV programmes include not only some Chinese people - those Hongkongers, Macanese and the rest of the Cantonese anywhere in the world, especially in Guangdong, Guangxi, other mainland Chinese who don't use Cantonese language, overseas Chinese mainly in Southeast Asia - but also some other Asian people as well.

The classic RTV dramas which are still circulated on the internet or available in form of VCD or DVD include "Fatherland", "Crocodile Tears", "Chameleon" and "Gone with the wind". Besides, "Hong Kong Gentlemen" is also a RTV's masterpiece aside from fewer people to mention. All of them released in late 70s to early 80s, the golden age of Hong Kong TV industry. They are the most valuable asset of ATV and were already sold out last year.

Of course, martial arts drama is something shouldn't be missed here. Dramas called "Reincarnated" in 1979 and "Tai Chi Master" in 1980 by RTV; "Drunken Fist" in 1984 and "The Blood Sword" in 1990 by ATV are considered the most important ones according to the word of mouth.

ATV did not make much dramas since the millennium, it changed to focus on making documentary, current affairs programme and talk show. Sometimes its history documentaries, travel and gourmet shows are quite informative, for example, "The Culture Roots of Hong Kong" and "Famous Chinese Cuisine". The former contains myths, legends and oral history of Hong Kong while the latter gives viewers a general introduction of Chinese regional cuisine.

Don't belittle ATV's documentaries. The most famous "Stories From Afar" is indeed a historical record of overseas Chinese studies. And "Adventure For The Herbal Medicine" is as comprehensive as an introductory course of Chinese medicine inside the university. In fact, the production of this TV programme was supported by both Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the School of Chinese Medicine of Hong Kong Baptist University.

Some of ATV's documentaries required filming and interviews in mainland China. In other words, people from different ethnic and social background, local produce in various regions, the city scenic, the country beauty can also be seen altogether. No doubt, ATV was competent to produce programmes featured on the latest developments in China, especially Guangdong. Although some audiencesmight suspect whether they're watching leisure TV programmes or not, but it's no big deal to watch advertorial TV shows for free. After all, Machongzhan is quite a nice small village, Xun Liao Wan is good to vacate once for few days, there are some good places to hung out along the Guangdong Greenway,...

Well, the past RTV and the present ATV have gone with the wind. Yet, their images will always on the viewers mind. 

Lantern Festival

Content development: Home Office Content

Chinese version: Please visit homeofficecontent.blogspot.com

Today is the fifteenth day of the first month in the year of the monkey 2016, according to the Chinese calendar, which is the day of Lantern Festival. In Chinese custom, there would be a lantern fair open to the general public. Meanwhile, Chinese people eat Tangyuan, a sweet soup of glutinous rice balls for the celebration. 

It was said that that day was one of few days that allows unmarried, young girls to hang out at night. The invention of The Purple Hairpin, a famous Chinese opera was based on this festival. The story was about the female lead dropped down her hairpin when visiting the lantern fair, and the male lead picked it up and asked her whether she lost a purple hairpin or not. The interaction between two youngsters inspired a romantic love affair. 

What a Chinese classic! The ancient Chinese affection was such implicit that makes us adore. 

Nowadays, there is still a Lantern Festival in Hong Kong, although no more fire lanterns, the Tangyuan we are eating are not the same as the old time, nonetheless, we better enjoy the festival if you have time tonight.

Happy Chinese New Year 2016

February 8, this year, is the first day of the Chinese lunar new year. Wish you happy Spring Festival! And an auspicious year of the monkey!

Content development: Home Office Content

Chinese version: Please visit homeofficecontent.blogspot.com

Red monkey, climbs ascend,
Wellbeing, soon descends,
A big big pocket money to your hands!

According to the traditional Chinese calendar, this year the Earthly Branch is Shen which denotes the monkey in the 12-Year Animal Cycle while the Heavenly Stem is Bing which denotes the Fire in the Five Elements. And the Fire is red in color, so a red monkey figure is certainly a vivid description for the year.

Please see www.hko.gov.hk/gts/time/stemsandbranches.htm for more details about the Chinese calendar.

Lanterns red, flowers scent

The Chinese, no matter live in China, or in overseas, keen on hanging round lanterns in red outside the house during the celebration of the Chinese new year. Aside from this, there would be a displaying of peonies inside the home which means wealth and high position.

Cars and folks, on one road,

Here is a scene of peace and prosperity.

The Flower Market at Prince Edward in Kowloon, Hong Kong was already packed with people, although the new year fair had not yet begun as there was more than a week from the Chinese new year 2016 when taking photos for making this series.

Show you the money,

Give me fresh made Yau Kwok!

After taking photos at Flower Market, I headed to Fa Yuen Street somewhere nearby and walked around. Waves of people were visiting there even when the daylight faded away. This Kee Tsui Cake Shop has been recommended by Michelin Guide recently. Just looking at above pictures, you can imagine how many people rushed to buy Yau Kwok.