68: Rooftops Over Lamma

Tags

365, architecture, building, buildings, community, homes, hong kong, island life, lamma island, ria

68: Rooftops Over Lamma, originally uploaded by Snap Happy Ria.

So many people wonder why Jason and I choose to live in Lamma Island. I have often been chided by my friends to move to Hong Kong Island or Kowloon where it is much more convenient to move around. Yes, we Lamma folk hop on a ferry to get to so-called “civilization”, but the 25 minute trip is a small price to pay for fresh air, a beach in your backyard and a sense of community. As soon as these words come out of my mouth they give me a look as if to say that I have completely lost my mind. But I’m sure I give them the same look as soon as they give me a litany of advantages of living in the “mainland”… and all I can think about is this, unless you have lived in Lamma Island, you will never, ever get it.

67: Little TerraCotta Man

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365, china, culture, history, ria, statue, terracotta, xian

67: Little TerraCotta Man, originally uploaded by Snap Happy Ria.

Something my husband brought me from one of his trips to China. He went to Xi’an where a whole army of terracotta statues were discovered by farmers in 1974. I remember seeing the original specimens during a school field trip in Manila. I never realized that after 28 years, I’d have a little man of my own in my living room.

66: Shotputter

Tags

365, architecture, building, fountain, ria, statue, urban

66: Shotputter, originally uploaded by Snap Happy Ria.

Shotputter? I pass this statue practically everyday and I have yet to figure out what he (I assume he’s a he) is. What do you think?

65: Bookworm

Tags

365, books, hong kong, literature, read, ria

65: Bookworm, originally uploaded by Snap Happy Ria.

Apart from my husband and my friends, who are my source of unfathomable joy and happiness, books keep me company during those times when everyone is busy with their own lives. I love it that I often live vicariously through the heroes and heroines in these pages – and more often than not, I relate to them. Anne Boleyn – my favorite – a tragic queen, but so misunderstood. Jane Austen, who I believe is a feminist writer, showed us that women can negotiate their own destiny in the middle of matchmaking, dowries and incredibly boring courtships. I’m currently reading “A Thousand Splendid Suns” and so far it has been addicting.

Ah, books, they comfort me the same way as mac and cheese or a triple chocolate brownie.

64: Cat Got His Tongue

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365, canon, cat, feline, hong kong, lamma island, ria, sigma, tongue

64: Cat Got His Tongue, originally uploaded by Snap Happy Ria.

I found this cat lounging on the roof across from our flat. He stuck his tongue out at me. Bad.

63: Finding Love

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365, art, building, graffiti, hong kong, lamma island, love, pink, red, ria, street, urban

63: Finding Love, originally uploaded by Snap Happy Ria.

Walking through the Main St. of Lamma late last year, I chanced upon this wonderful piece of artwork. And like love, it can be found in the most unexpected places. In this case, the side of an old abandoned building (recently, a Turkish resto opened here and the graffiti was painted over. I’m so happy that I was able to take a photo of it before it disappeared).

62: Tin Hau in Lamma

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365, festival, goddess, hong kong, iphone, lamma island, parade, ria, Tin Hau, tradition

I was caught without a camera during the Tin Hau festivities in Lamma Island, so I, unfortunately, had to make do with my camera phone. This annual celebration, is in honor of the goddess of the sea, Tin Hau, who is believed to be the protector of sailors and fishermen. Fishermen who offer to her are said to have bountiful harvests during the year.

There are two temples in Lamma Island dedicated to Tin Hau (and around 60 in Hong Kong!) and both were built in 1826. Lamma Island, which is primarily a fishing community, celebrates the Tin Hau Festival by holding traditional Cantoses Opera performances. Chinese residents also burn floral and paper offerings.