Things are still slow in these parts, thanks to the lunar new year holiday. But life progresses nonetheless. Some mahjong even happened today in Jiangmen, Guangdong.
Sunday, February 10, 2019
Friday, February 8, 2019
A Watching Bird in Mong Kok
Having another pair of eyes is often useful . . .
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| At the Fa Yuen Street Market in Mong Kok, Hong Kong |
Thursday, February 7, 2019
Another Lunar New Year, Another Night of Lights
A belated sharing of a photo taken in Jiangmen, Guangdong, during the night of the Lunar New Year's first day:
Not long after I took the above photo, relevant authorities stopped the riverside festivities. I soon left, but I'd bet some fun later returned.
Happy New Year and all, folks.
Not long after I took the above photo, relevant authorities stopped the riverside festivities. I soon left, but I'd bet some fun later returned.
Happy New Year and all, folks.
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Another Lunar New Year, Another Prosperity Burger
On Saturday in Hong Kong before the big holiday, I was hoping for some traditional fare. Fortunately, I came across a perfect option: the Lunar New Year Prosperity Beef Burger at McDonald's.
The burger seemed to have been overloaded with sauce. Normally with fast food I would not be happy about finding a burger in such a state. But this isn't normal. This is a Prosperity Burger. There is no such thing as too much of that black peppery sauce. They could have dunked the entire buns into the sauce, and I'd be fine. OK, I am actually happy they didn't do that. At the very least, I really don't need even more sodium in the burger.
I was quite happy to continue an edacious tradition that has included me enjoying the glorious burger last year in Taipei and the year before in Macau. The burger is typically available in a number of Asian markets around the Lunar New Year holiday, though oddly enough it isn't available in mainland China where McDonald's offers other holiday burgers that change from year to year. I had thought I would miss out on the Prosperity Burger this year, but for other reasons life ended up bringing me to Hong Kong just in time.
The curly fries were bonus.
The burger seemed to have been overloaded with sauce. Normally with fast food I would not be happy about finding a burger in such a state. But this isn't normal. This is a Prosperity Burger. There is no such thing as too much of that black peppery sauce. They could have dunked the entire buns into the sauce, and I'd be fine. OK, I am actually happy they didn't do that. At the very least, I really don't need even more sodium in the burger.
I was quite happy to continue an edacious tradition that has included me enjoying the glorious burger last year in Taipei and the year before in Macau. The burger is typically available in a number of Asian markets around the Lunar New Year holiday, though oddly enough it isn't available in mainland China where McDonald's offers other holiday burgers that change from year to year. I had thought I would miss out on the Prosperity Burger this year, but for other reasons life ended up bringing me to Hong Kong just in time.
The curly fries were bonus.
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
A Singing Tree in Zhongshan
A type of musical performance I especially appreciate at a park . . .
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| At the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Park in Zhongshan, China |
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Friday, January 25, 2019
BlackBusters Brings Their Music to Zhongshan
Today I noticed that tomorrow night in Zhongshan, Guangdong, will be different from other nights because BlackBusters will perform at Vivi Plus.
According to an article on Modern Ghana:
According to the apparent BlackBusters Instagram account, they have performed in a variety of cities across China such as Wuxi, Taiyuan, Kunming, and Guangzhou. In an online video they speak about the challenges of their frequent travel and also about how they got together:
And I now see that this Saturday won't be as unique as I had first guessed. BlackBusters has performed in Zhongshan before. I won't be able to report on their upcoming engagement, but hopefully everybody has a grand time.
According to an article on Modern Ghana:
African music has seen a rebirth in the last decade that has opened it up on the world stage like never before. Exploring that growth even further is the China-based duo, Blackbusters comprising MC Rhymes-Apple and DJ St3v3.The article appears in many online locations and much of the content can be found on the BlackBusters website as well, where you can also experience some of their performances.
Rhymes-Apple originally hails from Ghana while DJ St3v3, also known as Estifanos comes from Ethiopia. Blackbusters first gained popularity in the middle of 2015, after founding and hosting a night party at Playhouse Night Club, one of Asia’s most famous nightclubs. . . .
Rhymes-Apple Ofori-Atta better known by his stage name as MC Rhymes-Apple holds a Bachelors degree in Arts and double masters degrees in Entertainment Management and International Trade. He started recording his own music in 2003 during his high school days then released a mix tape in 2010 titled ”Fruity Juicy”. . . .
DJ St3v3 is a well-spoken and articulate professional Disc Jockey. He has the experience in working on Radio, clubs and music festivals. He started to have a passion for music a early as age 13. Steve has established himself as one of the fastest-growing young DJs and producers for electronic dance music.
According to the apparent BlackBusters Instagram account, they have performed in a variety of cities across China such as Wuxi, Taiyuan, Kunming, and Guangzhou. In an online video they speak about the challenges of their frequent travel and also about how they got together:
And I now see that this Saturday won't be as unique as I had first guessed. BlackBusters has performed in Zhongshan before. I won't be able to report on their upcoming engagement, but hopefully everybody has a grand time.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
A Place for Fish Skin Dumplings Five Years Ago
This evening I had the grand idea of "I'll post a photo I took five years ago". In terms of a specific city, I couldn't remember where I had been.
After some searching, I discovered that on January 23, 2014, I was in Hong Kong. While I have been to Hong Kong many times, I still found it remarkable since tomorrow I may be heading back there yet again.
Regardless of what I do tomorrow, today's post is about today and, more so, the today I experienced five years ago. I can see I had a particularly interesting day in Hong Kong, even though most of what I captured is from just the late afternoon and early evening. I can remember visiting the Kowloon Walled City Park and Little Thailand that day. A post about either of them would require more effort than I can manage right now, so I'll post a photo I took of the place where I had lunch.
When I first saw the photo I not only suspected that the restaurant was in Mong Kok, but it looked like the sort of place I would be tempted to order (hopefully) wonderful fish skin dumpling noodle soup. Fortunately, I discovered I had documented the moment and both details were correct. I had shared the photo with friends in part because the restaurant had a rather typical Hong Kong ambience.
I can't say for sure whether I will visit this same place, but if I'm back in Hong Kong soon then more fish skin dumplings will be happening.
After some searching, I discovered that on January 23, 2014, I was in Hong Kong. While I have been to Hong Kong many times, I still found it remarkable since tomorrow I may be heading back there yet again.
Regardless of what I do tomorrow, today's post is about today and, more so, the today I experienced five years ago. I can see I had a particularly interesting day in Hong Kong, even though most of what I captured is from just the late afternoon and early evening. I can remember visiting the Kowloon Walled City Park and Little Thailand that day. A post about either of them would require more effort than I can manage right now, so I'll post a photo I took of the place where I had lunch.
When I first saw the photo I not only suspected that the restaurant was in Mong Kok, but it looked like the sort of place I would be tempted to order (hopefully) wonderful fish skin dumpling noodle soup. Fortunately, I discovered I had documented the moment and both details were correct. I had shared the photo with friends in part because the restaurant had a rather typical Hong Kong ambience.
I can't say for sure whether I will visit this same place, but if I'm back in Hong Kong soon then more fish skin dumplings will be happening.
Monday, January 21, 2019
A Brief Visit to Changjiang Village in Zhongshan, China
After soaking in the view at the Changjiang Reservoir or frolicking at the Changjiang Water World in Zhongshan, China, perhaps life will bring you to Changjiang Village. There you could visit the village's small cultural park.
Perhaps afterward you would choose to grab a bit to eat at the Anju Restaurant.
Once full, a short walk would bring you to a place for relaxing and drinking — The Hang.
All of these sites could conveniently be found alongside a single road cutting through the village.
It doesn't take long to travel the entire length of Aochang Road.
You may experience some confusion, though, because one of the bus stops in the village suggests the area's name is Zhongxin Village.
You could spend much time trying to sort out the discrepancy. And you might conclude that most evidence, especially from various online maps and addresses, indicates that Changjiang Village is the correct name. You could also find evidence suggesting Zhongxin was possibly an earlier name for the village and now applies to a nearby area. Perhaps the villagers could have clarified things for you. But you didn't ask while you were there, because you didn't yet have this question.
One thing is simple though. Only the 006 bus stops in this quiet, and probably often overlooked, village not far from a large reservoir and water park.
Perhaps afterward you would choose to grab a bit to eat at the Anju Restaurant.
Once full, a short walk would bring you to a place for relaxing and drinking — The Hang.
All of these sites could conveniently be found alongside a single road cutting through the village.
It doesn't take long to travel the entire length of Aochang Road.
You may experience some confusion, though, because one of the bus stops in the village suggests the area's name is Zhongxin Village.
You could spend much time trying to sort out the discrepancy. And you might conclude that most evidence, especially from various online maps and addresses, indicates that Changjiang Village is the correct name. You could also find evidence suggesting Zhongxin was possibly an earlier name for the village and now applies to a nearby area. Perhaps the villagers could have clarified things for you. But you didn't ask while you were there, because you didn't yet have this question.
One thing is simple though. Only the 006 bus stops in this quiet, and probably often overlooked, village not far from a large reservoir and water park.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Dolphins, a Log Flume, and Hu Jintao in Zhongshan: The History and Legacy of China's First Large-Scale Modern Amusement Park
Near one end of the Changjiang Reservoir in Zhongshan, Guangdong, exists a place of merriment, magic, and water. But when I recently passed the Changjiang Water World (长江水世界) park on a foggy afternoon, it was closed — as it is every day this time of year due to the colder weather.
At least a sculpture at its main entrance is still approachable.
A short walk away is the hard-to-miss entrance for the Changjiang Water World parking lot.
Unsurprisingly, there were no cars parked there at the time.
The other side of the parking lot is bordered by the Changjiang Reservoir's dam. Yes, this is your place for empty parking lot photos.
And the fun doesn't stop there. One of the historical photos displayed at Zhongshan's Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall captures a moment at the amusement park which previously existed at Changjiang Water World's current site.
According to the photo's caption, Hu Yaobang (胡耀邦), who then held the highest office in Communist Party of China as its general secretary, and Liang Lingguang (梁灵光), who was then Governor of Guangdong, are checking out a log flume ride at the Changjiang Playland* (长江乐园), which had opened the year before in 1983. Hu riding a potentially soaking ride while wearing a suit strikes me as bold. In fact, according to accounts of the time, the 69-year-old Hu insisted upon conquering the water ride despite concerns over safety and it not being part of the original plans.
Hu was presumably not visiting simply for fun, but instead because the Changjiang Playland was the first large-scale amusement park with modern rides in China and seen as a potential model for others. The park also helped Zhongshan — where the first bumper cars were made in China – grow into the largest base of amusement park ride production in the country. They even make log flume rides there.
Perhaps the park inspired too much for its own good though. Soon the fun faded away and in 1997 the park closed, in part due to competition from other parks which opened in the region. Aging equipment didn't help either, although it was good enough to be sent to Leshan in Sichuan province.
In 2005, the site experienced a rebirth when the Changjiang Romantic Water World (长江浪漫水城) opened. The romance didn't last for long, and in 2009 the site was closed for redevelopment once more. In 2010 the first phase of the Changjiang Water World opened.
That park remains in existence today, as does Zhongshan's amusement park ride industry. But unfortunately, a list of rides at Changjiang Water World indicates a log flume ride no longer exists. So there goes any chance for a contemporary version of Hu's daring act at the park.
*Some sites now use "Changjiang Paradise" — a reasonable translation — for the park's English name, but according to photos of various old entrance tickets (see here and here) the park itself used "Changjiang Playland" as its English name.
At least a sculpture at its main entrance is still approachable.
A short walk away is the hard-to-miss entrance for the Changjiang Water World parking lot.
Unsurprisingly, there were no cars parked there at the time.
The other side of the parking lot is bordered by the Changjiang Reservoir's dam. Yes, this is your place for empty parking lot photos.
And the fun doesn't stop there. One of the historical photos displayed at Zhongshan's Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall captures a moment at the amusement park which previously existed at Changjiang Water World's current site.
 |
| Chinese caption for the photo: "1984年5月24日，时任中共中央总书记胡耀邦在时任广东省省长梁灵光陪同下视察中山，图为他在中山长江乐园验“激流探险” |
According to the photo's caption, Hu Yaobang (胡耀邦), who then held the highest office in Communist Party of China as its general secretary, and Liang Lingguang (梁灵光), who was then Governor of Guangdong, are checking out a log flume ride at the Changjiang Playland* (长江乐园), which had opened the year before in 1983. Hu riding a potentially soaking ride while wearing a suit strikes me as bold. In fact, according to accounts of the time, the 69-year-old Hu insisted upon conquering the water ride despite concerns over safety and it not being part of the original plans.
Hu was presumably not visiting simply for fun, but instead because the Changjiang Playland was the first large-scale amusement park with modern rides in China and seen as a potential model for others. The park also helped Zhongshan — where the first bumper cars were made in China – grow into the largest base of amusement park ride production in the country. They even make log flume rides there.
Perhaps the park inspired too much for its own good though. Soon the fun faded away and in 1997 the park closed, in part due to competition from other parks which opened in the region. Aging equipment didn't help either, although it was good enough to be sent to Leshan in Sichuan province.
In 2005, the site experienced a rebirth when the Changjiang Romantic Water World (长江浪漫水城) opened. The romance didn't last for long, and in 2009 the site was closed for redevelopment once more. In 2010 the first phase of the Changjiang Water World opened.
That park remains in existence today, as does Zhongshan's amusement park ride industry. But unfortunately, a list of rides at Changjiang Water World indicates a log flume ride no longer exists. So there goes any chance for a contemporary version of Hu's daring act at the park.
*Some sites now use "Changjiang Paradise" — a reasonable translation — for the park's English name, but according to photos of various old entrance tickets (see here and here) the park itself used "Changjiang Playland" as its English name.
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