Dragonboat festival 2013

This year's dragonboat race took place during a Very Hot weather warning. So don't expect too many photos from me.

 I was too busy taking cover under the shade.

And munching on burgers from Silvermine Beach Hotel. I always look forward to events on the beach now because the hotel sets up a kiosk outside with very basic but very yummy burgers (HK$30 each).

It's dragonboat time again

Mui Wo's dragonboat races are set for June 10. Last year we had loads of fun at the races so am looking forward to them again...

 ... especially when they create lots of excitement in the weeks before. I was dozing off on a lazy Sunday afternoon when I heard some commotion in the sea off the dock. Turns out they were unloading a dragonboat in preparation for the race.

 I wasn't in time to catch the boat being unloaded. But I'll probably be seeing it again come June 10.

Dragonboat festival

We were woken up early today to the rhythmic sound of gongs. It's Tuen Ng festival again – let the battle of the dragonboats and who-has-the-longest-lens begin!

The weather was absolutely perfect for a day of watching the races... blue sunny skies and a nice stiff wind to keep temperatures down.

There was a carnival feel in the air. Even the sad old dragon at the entrance to the beach got its ceremonial garb out.

Apparently there's some secret illegal betting going on and the rivalry between the local fishing teams and the sponsored (mostly expat) teams is bitter.

You can tell which ones have the most money by their coordinating outfits. The poorer ones just make do with a motley bunch of T-shirts.

But for spectators like us, who don't have a particular team to root for, it was just a fun, colourful event.

It even prompted Buffalo Wilbur, always the last to be picked out for playground football teams, to want to join a dragonboat team too.

He wants to join only the most unfit, it's-not-the-winning-it's-the-taking-part team because he's worried his team-mates might just kick sand in his face.




For some people, though, it was just business as usual.

Enter the dragon

The Dragon Boat Festival starts on June 6 this year but already we can hear the rhythmic drums of the dragon boaters practising, some well into the night.

I've always wondered who makes these boats: Are they made in Hong Kong or bought ready-made from across the border as we do most of our stuff?

Today, on our walk, I got my answer. They make them in Shap Long... or at least, they are lacquered there.

This guy was puzzled as to why I was so excited about seeing him paint a boat but he gamely agreed to the photos.

Battle of the Islands

There's always been some sibling rivalry between the people of Lamma and those in Lantau, with both maintaining their island is the better one to live in.

Actually, it's hard to choose between the two.

Lamma has the benefit of being close to Central, and has good seafood, a distinct culture and lovely greenery. There is greenery on Lantau, too, and it also has a land link, big beaches, amazing walking paths (you can trek for days on end). We had a hard time deciding which to settle in but, in the end, it was the land link that did it for us.

Lately, however, Lamma-ites have been up in arms over a feng shui article in The Standard:

"Lamma, of all the outlying islands, is poorly formed in terms of auspicious natural feng shui features, with a sha that is uneven and a waterfront that lacks focus.

"Lantau, on the other hand, is the best of the outlying islands since it is able to harness the right energy flowing from the mainland's famous Wudong mountain. The island is conducive for monks, nuns, monasteries and religious events generally. Such an area is also known as a 'big elephant protecting a small elephant,' which is auspicious.

"Lamma is an island that has no meridian dragon point, making it unfavorable for humans. But Lantau has one."

I emailed Kerby to see what he thought of Mui Wo in particular and this is what he replied: "Stable, with little ups and downs. If you like a tranquil life, good clear quality of air and solitude, this is the place. Otherwise, think of other alternatives!"

Looks like we chose the right island then, feng shui-wise.