Walter's Blog |
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Reflections on recent events, plus the occasional fact free rant unfiltered by rational argument.
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"If you want to read a blog to get a sense of what is going on in Hong Kong these days or a blog that would tell you what life was like living in colonial Hong Kong, this blog, WALTER'S BLOG, fits the bill." Hong Kong Blog Review
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17/8/2024 0 Comments Hungry Ghosts Are With Us "The Hungry Ghost Festival has strong roots in both Taoist and Buddhist beliefs." Tonight, across a rain-swept Hong Kong, offerings are made to the hungry ghosts among us. Incense is burnt, and food laid out, as citizens ward off bad luck by appeasing the phantoms wandering in the living realm.
The Hungry Ghost Festival is a prominent East Asian celebration that takes place annually, typically in the 7th lunar month. While the specifics of the festival vary across different cultures, the core theme revolves around honouring and appeasing the spirits of one's ancestors and other wandering ghosts. The origins of this intriguing tradition can be traced back thousands of years. Taoist and Buddhist Influences The Hungry Ghost Festival has strong roots in both Taoist and Buddhist beliefs. In Taoism, the 7th lunar month is seen as a time when the boundaries between the mortal and spirit worlds become blurred. During this "Ghost Month", restless souls are believed to be released from the afterlife to roam the earth. Offerings and rituals are performed to pacify these wandering ghosts and ensure they do not bring misfortune. Similarly, in Buddhist teachings, the 7th lunar month is associated with the Yulanpen or "Ullambana" festival. This commemorates the story of Maudgalyayana, a Buddha disciple who used his supernatural powers to locate and rescue his mother's spirit from the realm of hungry ghosts. Buddhist practitioners make offerings and perform rituals to aid the suffering souls of their ancestors and other restless spirits during this time. Historical Origins The origins of the Hungry Ghost Festival can be traced back to ancient Chinese traditions dating as far back as the Han Dynasty (206 BC—220 AD). During this period, the “Fang Zhongjie” ritual emerged, in which people made offerings to their ancestors and deities on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. Over the centuries, as Buddhism and Taoism gained prominence in China, these ancestral rites became intertwined with the beliefs and practices of these religious traditions. The festival gradually became a more elaborate celebration involving elaborate offerings, street performances, and communal feasting. A Time of Remembrance and Respect Today, the Hungry Ghost Festival is widely celebrated across East Asia, particularly in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and Malaysia. While the specific customs may vary, the core purpose remains the same—to honour the memory of one's ancestors and ensure the peace and well-being of wandering spirits. Through this festival, people can connect with their cultural heritage, express gratitude for their ancestors, and maintain a sense of community and continuity across generations. It is a time of remembrance, respect, and recognition of the profound bonds that tie us to those who have come before.
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3/8/2024 0 Comments Boris the baboon "Amongst our new neighbours is a loitering male baboon with attitude and overdeveloped testicles." I moved flat recently. A retired wife's demand for a larger kitchen and no longer needing Central's proximity opened many options. Thus, we began the dreary tour around 15 properties before we settled on a hillside development above Tolo Harbour and the Science Park in the New Territories.
Despite our move to a new location, we are still well-connected to the city. Even without a car, we can reach Admiralty Station by the East Rail in under 25 minutes. Buses run every 15 minutes, and our estate bus takes us to Tai Po within 10 minutes. The airport is now a 25-minute drive away, and Shatin has an abundance of shopping malls that offer everything Central has. Plus, we have an excellent old-style wet market nearby, adding to the convenience of our new home. Still, there are a few things to consider. Amongst our new neighbours is a loitering male baboon with attitude and overdeveloped testicles. He proudly hangs his gear out on the railing near the clubhouse. Keep your distance, and he's unperturbed. Get too close, he bears his teeth, leaning forward to lock eyes. Maids guiding kids into the clubhouse take the opposite pavement. Occasionally, a guard chases Boris the Baboon away. But he's back with his family jewels proudly displayed in no time. Boris lacks an evident troop to follow or lead, like a simian derivative of his namesake—a delinquent at a loose end. It's essential to be cautious around wild monkeys. Last year, the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department reminded the public to avoid direct eye contact, which can trigger aggression. This warning is necessary, as Hong Kong experienced its first monkey-to-human transmission of herpesvirus simiae or the B virus. A 37-year-old man was attacked by wild monkeys and contracted the virus. For a while, his condition was critical. The United States, China, and Japan have all reported cases in the past, with only around 50 instances recorded worldwide since 1932. These days, wild monkeys are predominantly found in the Kam Shan Country Park, which has earned the name "Monkey Mountain." They are common in Lion Rock, Shing Mun Country Park, and Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve. I've also seen them as far east as Sai Kung and in the urban areas of Shatin and Kowloon. There are records of monkeys living in the Tai Tam Valley on Hong Kong Island and on the Peak as far back as 1819. This is no longer the case. As the district commander in Tsuen Wan, I received reports of monkeys entering domestic premises searching for food. These intrusions prompted long discussions at the district council. It was necessary to make clear to the council that the law did not allow the arrest and charging of monkeys for burglary. I did enjoy those sessions. It may surprise you that the presence of monkeys in Kam Shan Country Park is unnatural. Indeed, the park is man-made and designed to protect the reservoir that serves the city. These days, about 80% of the trees are native species, although this is a relatively recent phenomenon. In earlier times, many trees were imported for slope stabilisation. Indeed, the current dominant monkey species is not indigenous to Hong Kong. These monkeys are descendants of imported pets released in the 1910s. In 1910, after the completion of the Kowloon Reservoir, the colonial government discovered that a poisonous plant known as strychnos grew on the hillsides next to the reservoir. The plant's fruit contains alkaloids that are lethal when ingested by humans. Yet, monkeys can eat the fruit. The authorities feared the reservoir's drinking water would be contaminated. Hence, they released monkeys into the area, hoping that they would eat the fruit and remove the threat. The macaques, released to control a poisonous plant near the Kowloon Reservoir in 1910, thrived on the fruit diet, leading to a population explosion. Over the years, other species of macaques arrived, including those brought in by sailors as pets. This history has shaped the current population, a mix of rhesus macaques, long-tailed macaques, and hybrids. Hence, the current cohort is a mix of rhesus macaques, long-tailed macaques, and hybrids. As the monkey population grew and their activities proved a nuisance, the AFCD introduced a contraception programme in 2007. This initiative reduced the population to around 1,800 monkeys, organised into 30 troops. Accustomed to receiving food from humans, the monkeys have become reliant on handouts and lost their ability to find food independently. This unnatural dependency has led to aggression. Boris is a product of that history. I wonder if he knows. 28/7/2024 0 Comments Rain, Rain... "The mild grumbling from my column of officers fell silent as a fireman carried a bundle through our line, wrapped in a soaked blanket, with a small foot visible." Even short-term memory can be misleading. It seems we’ve had 40 days of rain — a biblical event. In truth, it was only a matter of days. Just a few weeks ago, the relentless heat that enveloped Hong Kong prompted mutterings about a global warming.
Relief is now in with a relentless monsoon that has drenched the city for days. The hillside run-offs have burst into life as the reservoirs overflow. At sea outlets, brown stains spread across the water, warning that mud is washed away with possible terrible consequences if a hillside slips. In the 1982, I led my platoon uphill through the wreckage of a squatter area. We’d arrived well after the rains had brought several huts crashing down a Sau Mau Ping slope. The grim-faced, mud-spattered firemen were finished digging. As we slogged uphill, slipping on the debris, the mild grumbling from my column of officers fell silent as a fireman carried a bundle through our line, wrapped in a soaked blanket, with a small foot visible. Drenched and shaken, survivors, their resilience shining through, milled around clutching a few precious possessions. We offered what help we could, sheltering kids in our vehicles and guarding the scene. A mobile canteen arrived as a well-resourced response took shape. By the end of the day, we’d ferried folks to nearby sports halls and community centres as the process of documenting people began. But many left the scene, some in taxis, and where they went next is never established. They’d want to keep off the radar without identity documents or as overstayers. The 1970s had seen bigger disasters in the area. On 25 August 1976, the slope behind Block 9 of Sau Mau Ping Estate collapsed during heavy rain, killing 18 people. We should be grateful that the hillside shanty towns are gone. An ambitious building program and stabilising slopes made Hong Kong much safer. The fires that ripped through Shek Kip Mei in December 1953 were the initial impetus for removing these hazardous makeshift communities. In truth, I only saw the tail end of it. Still, it was remarkable to see wooden and tin huts perched on slopes, abstracting electricity from who knows where. The postmen delivering mail gave an air of normalcy as kids scrambled down hill heading to school. It always struck me that these precarious hillside communities testify to new arrivals' ability to build a life as they transition into Hong Kong proper or onto the broader world. 3/7/2024 0 Comments Open Door "Hong Kong will now enjoy another competitive advantage over other Asian cities" Great news for us, Hong Kong's permanent residents! We now have the privilege of a five-year China travel permit, allowing us to cross the boundary electronically. This multiple-entry permit offers 90 days of visa-free access to the Mainland, with the only condition being no engagement in work. It's a fair deal.
So, I can now zoom through with my wife without submitting lengthy visa applications or waiting in line to clear immigration manually. The foreign chambers of commerce are not just thrilled, they're ecstatic about this policy change. They see a bright future with a boost in business exchanges and predict that more companies might choose to establish their regional offices here, all thanks to the convenience of the new travel permit. Hong Kong will now enjoy another competitive advantage over other Asian cities as its role as a super-connector for the massive Greater Bay conurbation grows. However, the local retailers might not be as enthusiastic about this policy change. The relaxed boundary-crossing arrangements could lead to more expatriates joining the exodus that's become a norm during long holiday weekends. Recent sales data confirms that retailers are indeed feeling the pinch. In May, Hong Kong's retail sales fell by 11.5 percent. And more bad news is coming. A strong Hong Kong dollar and citizens opting to wine and dine in Shenzhen and even do their domestic shopping there are having an impact. Locals are opting for the cheaper Shenzhen, while the profile of Mainland tourists is changing. Hong Kong shops selling bling are no longer attractive to mainland visitors, especially the young, who appear more interested in creating TikTok moments than splashing the cash on fancy jewellery and watches. Market forces will push the retail sector to adjust along with the landlords who push up prices through extortionate rents. Looking ahead, it's clear that integration with the Mainland will continue to shape Hong Kong's future. However, we must also be aware that full and unrestricted movement across the boundary is still unlikely. After all, Hong Kong's infrastructure couldn't cope with a massive influx. It's a challenge we need to be prepared for. Meanwhile, while everyone is heading north, two pandas are coming south. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
May 2025
CategoriesAll Festivals Hong Kong Hong Kong History Policing Politics Public Order UK USA |
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