Food and Restaurant: Sapporo @ Sai Wan Ho

Lazy? Nope. I have been so busy, but I have prepared something great to recommend, hope you will like it.

Our topic today is RAMEN!!! Japanese noodles!!!

Chuka Soba Inoue serves shoyu ramen (with soy-enhanced chicken broth) near the Tsukiji fish market.

Image from New York Times

I'm a big ramen fan, went to Hokkaido 2 years ago and became a bigger fan, went to Toyko in August this year and became an even bigger one! Having tasted various ramen in 2 places of Japan made me gastronomically picky, and the more picky and choosy I get, the easier I get disappointed by the ramen  in Hong Kong.

Image from factsanddetails.com

I have a few ramen restaurants on my never-go-again list:

1. Ajisen Ramen @ everywhere -- aijisen soup with lots of Ajinomoto 味の素 (MSG) , "I-can-cook-better" instant-noodles-like ramen, lack texture and everything.
2. Domon @ Causeway Bay and @ Langham Place -- hot soup but chokingly salty, original Hokkaido ramen? I didn't see any abalone ramen in Hokkaido. Chua Lam's recommendation? No thanks.
3. Noodle House Ippei-An @ Miramar Shopping Centre - nothing special.
4. Yachiyo Ramen @ Central -- my girlfriend doesn't like and she is twice as picky as I am.
5. Fukuoka Noodle @ Sai Wan Ho -- the egg was alright, but the rest are just too plain.
6. Daruma Ramen House @ Tai Han-- new shop, not opened too long ago, lots of people waiting, takes an hour to get in, first sip of the soup tastes rich and porky fatty, but lose taste right from the second sip. Corn-starchy soup is too thick for me, noodles resemble that from Ajisen Ramen. Long queue might look good, but quality told otherwise. Shop owner claimed that he learnt from famous Tokyo ramen? Not even 10% close to what I had in Tokyo!!!

As far as branches are concerned, Ramen Sanpachi offers the most consistent ramen, but if I have a choice, I would choose 2 other ones on Hong Kong island, one of which is Sapporo @ Sai Wan Ho.

Image from Openrice.com

Image dated 2009-10-10

Apart from being close to where I live, one of this restaurant's owner has the passion to strive of improvement and perfection, and I like that. Look at the dates of the following 2 pictures of the same tonkotsu (pork bone broth) ramen I took, you can see the improvement.

Image dated 2009-10-10

Image dated 2009-10-25

The improvement in the soup colour and arrangements are obvious. Here's one more picture of miso ramen.

Image dated 2009-10-25

I went to Sapporo again yesterday and at the same time, pay the owner (who recently became my student) a visit. She told me that the soup is boiled for 10 hours every day with bones, chicken and fish, and added no MSG, the noodles are imported from Hokkaido and thus possess the quality to stay chewy and elastic even soaked in hot soup for a long time (it was proven to be true as we were mainly chatting and I had my noodles really slowly).

Too bad I didn't take my camera with me yesterday!

She recommended me various meal sets but I had too small a stomach and too strong a craving for ramen,  so I only ordered tonkotsu ramen ($60) with additional fried dumplings. The bottom of the dumplings were crispy and golden-brown, the pork filling was just the right amount for me.

She also invited me to try a home-dish of Okinawa 沖縄 -- scrambled eggs with bitter melon and tofu. I was most impressed by the "crunchiness" of the bitter melon and the smoothness and richness of the tofu.

Was there any bias in what I said? No, because she only became my student in mid-September, but I have been visiting the restaurant since the opening week.

Will I be back? You bet I will!

Vocabulary:
gastronomically -- (adj) relating to the preparation and consumption (= eating) of good food
picky --(adj) informal disapproving describes someone who is very careful about choosing only what they like
choosy -- (adj) informal difficult to please because you are very exact about what you like
craving -- (n) [C] a strong or uncontrollable want
crunchy -- (adj) describes food that is firm and makes a loud noise when it is eaten
bias -- (n) [C usually singular U] often supporting or opposing a particular person or thing in an unfair way by allowing personal opinions to influence your judgment


Resources:
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2010/01/travelling-and-living-onsen-jozankei.html
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2010/08/travelling-and-living-lockys-trip-to.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajisen_Ramen#Hong_Kong


Aijisen Ramen
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajisen_Ramen#Hong_Kong

Domon @ Causeway Bay and @ Langham Place
http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=37703
http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=37484

Noodle House Ippei-An @ Miramar Shopping Centre
http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=13946

Yachiyo Ramen @ Central
http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=19327

Fukuoka Noodle @ Sai Wan Ho
http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=47735


Daruma Ramen House @ Tai Han
http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=47298

Sapporo @ Sai Wan Ho
http://www.openrice.com/english/restaurant/sr2.htm?shopid=37711

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/gastronomic#gastronomic__3
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/picky
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/choosy
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/craving
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/crunchy
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/bias_1

News: Triple-10 weddings perfect in every way, couples hope

Image from alohaislandweddings.com

Definitely great to hear people are getting married and I wish every married couple a life happy ever after! My friends Garbo and Janet are both getting married soon, and of course, I will be there, and of course, I will pay my money gift, so let's not worry about that. But if you want me to say anything on the stage, please let me know before hand, because I can only crack jokes without preparation, but not meaningful words. And, save your cash, no shark fins please!

If you want to learn more words about wedding, you can visit http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/09/vocabulary-wedding.html or visit http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/07/vocabulary-hairstyle-terminology.html just in case you want to check the name of your hairstyle when you attend a wedding.

Okay, back to our topic.

Triple-10 weddings perfect in every way, couples hope Marriage registries in Hong Kong were overflowing yesterday, as 137 couples tied the knot in the hope that the special day 10/10/10 will bring them "a perfect marriage." Diana Lee Monday, October 11, 2010 Marriage registries in Hong Kong were overflowing yesterday, as 137 couples tied the knot in the hope that the special day 10/10/10 will bring them "a perfect marriage." October 10, 2010 is auspiciously referred to as "shi quan shi mei," or "perfect in every way." Chan Chi-hung, 29, exchanged vows with Yip Mei-ki at Tsim Sha Tsui Marriage Registry at 10am, promising to give the best for his wife.   "Today is unique; 10/10/10 will happen only once in 100 years. I hope I can give her 100 percent of my care," the happy groom said.   The couple asked 10 friends to make the online booking 3 months ago, as there was keen competition on the special day.   October 10 has another meaning for a groom named Shek, 32. "Today is my birthday," he said, adding he waited for five years to pick his wedding day.   Another, named Wong, said: "It was full, but we managed to get a place on the waiting list." Some couples were unable to book wedding banquets, however, and had to invite guests back another day.   The government said the five wedding registries have a maximum capacity of 138 couples on Sundays. The total marriages yesterday did not include weddings in churches and private venues.   At Harbour City, 10 couples took the plunge at the Tsim Sha Tsui mall - a ceremony co- hosted by Super Star Seafood Restaurant.   On another special day, 09/09/09, a total of 127 couples got married, while 57 couples took their vows on Valentine's Day, which fell this year on the first day of the Lunar New Year.   In Beijing, 200 couples held a group wedding at the National Stadium, better known as the "Bird's Nest." Many others also used the stadium as a backdrop for their photographs.   Meanwhile, a survey of 300 unmarried Hong Kong women found that those aged over 26 do not consider themselves as what the media have called "leftover women."   Ninety percent were in a relationship before, and 39 percent said they just have not found the right man. Atty Ching Tsui-wan, director of sex and family therapy at the Touch Counseling Centre, said unmarried women should not be bound by traditional values and under pressure to marry early.   "They should get to know themselves first, in order to know what kind of men they want to spend the rest of their lives with," she said.

Vocabulary:
tie the knot -- (informal) to get married.
auspiciously -- (adv) suggesting a positive and successful future
vows -- (n)[C] a serious promise or decision
banquet -- (n) [C] a large formal meal for many people, often followed by speeches in honour of someone


Opinions:
Hong Kong people are full of creativity, so, if 10-Oct can be such an important day not only for the Taiwanese but also for couples, then I just can't imagine how many more "lucky" days can there be. Look, apart from the traditional lucky days on the Chinese lunar calendar,  last year there was this 9-September which symbolises "longevity", there are 8-August, 18-August, 28-August symbolising "good wealth". 7 July at 7 o'clock wins "jackpot". 6 June symbolises "unlimited", depends on what kind of things you want to be unlimited.

How about planning your wedding date on the same day as the World Cup final? That's cool, except that no guys will be willing to attend your wedding that night, unless you offer some Blue Girls and a huge Plasma TV.

Could there be more? That'll be your homework. The fact is, if you care enough, you will remember it anyway, no matter how difficult it is to do so, if you don't want to remember, you never can, so for some dates to be easier to remember isn't a good enough argument from my point of view.

Image from norsktur.napex.no

But, if you want to be really special, you can also try to hold your wedding on the leap day of a leap year, say 2012-Feb-29 or 2016-Feb-29, then you can either have your wedding anniversary celebrated once every 4 years, or celebrate 2 times every year on the 28-Feb and 1-Mar, or anticipate for that second to come between the two days.

Sometimes, something that is more rare is the thing that people treasures most. (Further reading on leap year or leap day, please see the links below)


Resources:

News Article
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=11&art_id=103683&sid=29885880&con_type=1&d_str=20101011&fc=1

http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/09/vocabulary-wedding.html
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/07/vocabulary-hairstyle-terminology.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_calendar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leap_year

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/tie-the-knot#tie-the-knot__1
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/auspicious
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/vow_2
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/banquet

News Article & Education: Johnny Depp joins primary school's pirate mutiny

Have you ever thought about asking your children write to a movie star? I doubt it. Because you know that they will never get reply from them, and then your children would feel upset about it. But why not? At the end of the day, there are certain advantages to this, one is to give your children a chance to learn through doing tasks that seem almost impossible, so that they will not be restricted by that "won't get good result, so don't do" mindset, and another one is to let them know "what they give, is often not what you get; yet they should still try" just because it is a valuable experience.

A primary school girl in Greenwich, London, did something just like that, and guess what she got in return?

Johnny Depp joins primary school's pirate mutiny When you're planning to lead a mutiny against your teachers, who better to enlist than Hollywood's most famous pirate? By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor Published: 7:30AM BST 08 Oct 2010 Image from http://i.telegraph.co.uk Johnny Depp is filming the latest Pirates of the Caribbean instalment at the nearby Old Royal Naval College Photo: DARRYL GREEN Nine-year-old Beatrice Delap did just that by writing to Captain Jack Sparrow, star of the Pirates of the Caribbean films. "We are a bunch of budding young pirates. Normally we're a right handful but we're having trouble mutinying against the teachers. We'd love it if you could come and help," she wrote. To the astonishment of staff at Meridian primary school in Greenwich, south-east London, Captain Jack arrived in the form of Johnny Depp, the actor who plays him. Depp is filming the latest Pirates of the Caribbean instalment at the nearby Old Royal Naval College. Beatrice said: "I had the idea to write the letter last week after me and a friend went to see the film set. Yesterday the school called us in for a special assembly at the end of the day. "Then Johnny Depp walked in dressed as Captain Jack. There were gasps and screams. He pulled the letter out of his pocket and said he was going to frame it. Then he called me down and gave me a hug. "He said the pirates were going to take over the school and only eat candy and our teeth would turn black and fall out. But he said we shouldn't mutiny against the teachers because there were some police outside and we might get into trouble. It was the most exciting school day ever." Acting head teacher Jo Graham said: "It was a very memorable day."

Having a actor as kind as Johnny Depp is definitely great! Isn't it? He is not only a great actor, but also an educator who cares about the development of the younger generations.

Having something to dream about is a great thing nowadays. In the past, children dreamed about their future naturally, some dreamed about becoming a policeman, some dreamed about becoming a nurse, and so they studied hard, worked hard; however, time has changed and Generation Y are so much different. They have no dreams at all, no focus in life, no reason to study, no need to obey. They care none about others, no need to give love to others because they get "money-equivalence" from parents, no need to give respects to anyone because they think they are bosses. They don't care about the future because they take everything for granted, not knowing the difficult life that they will be facing when they grow up. They have no failure because they don't have expectation. And so they continue to sink ...

Want to pull them out? Once they are teenagers, it will be too late and too hard. Dreamings should start early, and children should be guided by their parents in the process of dreaming-trying-failing-rethinking-retrying-refailing-understanding-redreaming.

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Keep your heart open to dreams. For as long as there's a dream, there is hope, and as long as there is hope, there is joy in living. -- Anonymous

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Vocabulary:
mutiny -- (vb)[I] (n)[C or U] when a group of people, especially soldiers or sailors, refuse to obey orders and/or attempt to take control from people in authority
astonishment -- (n)[U] very great surprise
gasp -- (vb)[I] to take a short quick breath through the mouth, especially because of surprise, pain or shock
frame -- (vb) [T] to fix a border around a picture etc. and often glass in front of it






Resources:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8049146/Johnny-Depp-joins-primary-schools-pirate-mutiny.html

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/mutiny_1
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/astonishment
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/gasp_1
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/frame_7

News: Rowan Atkinson takes his life in his hands as he shoots scenes for Johnny English Reborn in London

Johnny English IS BACK!!!!!



Since the last time I recommended this movie, I have been longing for the sequel. And after the sequel has been announced and filming started in August, we have more news from Rowan! The new movie name will be "Johnny English Reborn" and "English is brought out of reclusive retirement in Asia ), as the government beg him to try and stop the assassination of the Chinese premier." [1] The movie shoots for 13 weeks in the U.K. and Hong Kong [2]! I wonder if I would get to see him in person?? If I had the chance, I would definitely like to sit down and chat with him. Are you too longing for more English actions?

Here's a trailer for your recap.

Rowan Atkinson takes his life in his hands as he shoots scenes for Johnny English Reborn in London By Daily Mail Reporter Last updated at 12:19 AM on 26th September 2010 Rowan Atkinson took his life in his hands as he shot scenes for Johnny English Reborn in London. The 55-year-old actor was being pulled along in a motorised wheelchair by a huge film truck as they filmed the footage on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace. And while a stunt double was used for the scenes which saw the wheelchair whizzing underneath a lorry, Atkinson didn't escape the dangerous side of the shooting as he was pulled along in the chair at speeds of around 40mph. That's what you call dangerous driving: Rowan Atkinson is pulled along by a truck as he sits in a motorised wheelchair while filming scenes for Johnny English Reborn in London Careful, Rowan! Atkinson is reprising his role as hapless spy Johnny English for the film sequel The movie, the sequel to 2003 film Johnny English, sees Atkinson reprise his role as hapless British spy English, and also stars X Files actress Gillian Anderson as well as Rosamund Pike. And Pike said recently she is enjoying the filming despite not being given any weapons to fire. She said: 'Although it's Bond spoof, it's nothing like being a Bond girl, because I've got a very interesting role to play actually. 'Not that the character in the Bond film wasn't interesting but, I don't get to play with guns of fight. There is a scene in a car, so there is an element of Bond about it. But she's quite a funny character.' Stunt time: Atkinson's stunt double has a go in the wheelchair as they start shooting scenes for the film Slipping underneath: The stunt double bends back as he gets pulled underneath a moving lorry Missing by an inch: The stunt double lays completely backwards as he travels underneath the lorry Pike added: 'Rowan Atkinson came after he saw An Education and wanted me to do this part in the Johnny English film for him. It's a very, very funny script.' Johnny English Reborn marks a return to the movie industry for Atkinson, who has largely been out of the spotlight since appearing in 2005 family comedy Keeping Mum. But Richard Curtis said recently that he is 'hopeful' Atkinson will one day reprise his most famous role of Mr Bean. He said: 'I think Mr Bean in 2010 would be obsessed by his Sky box and having access to everyone and endlessly going on YouTube. All in black: Atkinson wore an entirely black outfit as he shot scenes outside The Mall by Buckingham Palace 'I am tempted by the idea or Mr Bean in an old people's home, so Rowan doesn't have to go on dyeing his hair. 'Mr Bean does behave with all the selfishness of a child and I think a lot of childish traits remain in people as they grow up – though of course they try to hide them.' Johnny English Reborn is due for release in 2011.

Opinions:
And so Mr. Bean might be coming back as well, but being in an old people's home sounds pretty sad to me. Do I want to see him in this kind of situation? Not really, but I'm sure Rowan's good friend Richard Curtis will make it extremely funny. Anyway, for Richard to be proposing now means that nothing is being written at present, and with Johnny English Reborn only out next year, I don't think we will get to see Mr. Bean again anytime before 2012. That is a lot of patience needed.

Vocabulary:
sequel -- (n) [C] a book, film or play which continues the story of a previous book, etc.
reclusive -- (n) [C]a person who lives alone and avoids going outside or talking to other people
assassination -- (n) [C or U] the murder of someone famous or important
stunt double / stunt man / stunt woman -- (n)[C] a man or woman who performs stunts, especially instead of an actor in a film or television programme
whizzg -- (vb) [I + adverb or preposition]  informal to move or do something very fast
reprise -- (n) [C] specialized a repeat of something or part of something, especially a piece of music
hapless -- (adj) [before noun] formal unlucky and usually unhappy
spoof -- (n) [C] a funny and silly piece of writing, music, theatre, etc. that copies the style of an original work
traits -- (n) [C] a particular characteristic that can produce a particular type of behaviour


Resources:
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2009/11/movie-vocab-johnny-english-spoke-in.html

[1] http://movies.sky.com/johnny-english-2-takes-shape
[2] http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i29f492889037dafdadcaa5d08c3af5b4

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1315287/Rowan-Atkinson-takes-life-hands-shoots-scenes-Johnny-English-2-London.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAPM6b-Z5hM

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/sequel

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/recluse

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/assassination

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/stunt-man-woman

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/whizz_1#whizz_1__3

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/reprise

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/hapless

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/spoof_1

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/trait#trait__3

Sports: Uncommon Ball Games -- Part 2 (Updated)

Hope you like Part 1 of the uncommon ball games, here's part 2.

Let's start off with Water Ball!!!!

Is this a new ball game? No! Quoting from Wikipedia,

A water ball, also known as a walk-on-water ball, an AquaSphere or a Wowball is a large inflatable ball that allows a human occupant to 'walk on water.' The water ball dates back to at least 1985, when it was used in the Beach Boys music video "Getcha Back."

And here's the video for the MTV:

Nice, isn't it? I wish I get to play this game one day, this is so cool! Floating on water, must be a lovely feeling! I just suppose it would be a little hot inside.

Let's move on.

House and Wilson Playing Foosball

If you watch House M.D., then you might sometimes see Doctor House and the team playing a game of ball in the doctors' lounge, and the name to that game is called Table Football, fussball or foosball. It is a game very commonly seen in the bars and pubs in the U.K.. Possibly due to the fact that people of U.K. like football so much. I couldn't find the video of House playing foosball, but I did find they are in season 2 episode 14 and season 4 episode 8, or maybe more. But I have got an even better video here.

After the fun, we can get serious...... let's watch this foosball World Cup 2010

So, which video's more interesting?

Last of the ball games for this entry, is one that is more popular in schools' Physical Education, a game in which players try to hit other players in the opponent team with balls and avoid being hit at the same time.

Meet the Dodgeball!!!! Presented to you by Ben Stiller!!!!

Would you like to try these?

Resources:
http://lockyep.blogspot.com/2010/09/sports-uncommon-ball-games-part-1.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_ball
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmVOGKVT43E&feature=related


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_football
http://foosball.software.informer.com/wiki/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fV9aadCmHo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=921pXD3hQOE&NR=1

Getcha Back -- The Beach Boys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAZBbZ27xlM

Dodgeball -- Ben Stiller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOBSXAISxtA

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodgeball

News Article: The kaleidoscopic world inside a Hong Kong tram

Something local, something cool.

There are many more beautiful pictures in the website of the article below, but I can't copy them, so you can go there and read up.

But if you want vocabulary, you can stay here first. And if you like old things about Hong Kong, you are highly adviced to visit Gwulo : Old Hong Kong

Possible location: Des Voeux Road Central

Image from gwulo.com

The kaleidoscopic world inside a Hong Kong tram CNNGo reader Edison Hung takes a ride on a tram and enjoys the diversity of people within, still using Hong Kong's oldest transportation system By Edison Hung 29 September, 2010 If I am asked to pick a word to describe the tram -- the oldest public transportation in Hong Kong, running since 1904, I would choose bizarre. It is bizarre in the sense that its existence is actually contrary to the living qualities modern people pursue in everyday life.  It is not efficient in terms of speed. It is not comfortable as there is no air-conditioning or nice fabric seating. Unlike the bus or minibus, where the passengers can enjoy TV or the radio, there is no entertainment provided. Nevertheless, the tram has run on the Hong Kong Island for more than a century, and I am pretty sure that we will hear the ‘ding-ding’ sound ringing from the tram for a long period of time. So how can it be? What makes the tram so unique that it can still exist without being knocked out by other transportations? Low price is a reason, but it alone can’t explain the whole picture. If you pay enough attention to both outside and inside a tram car, it is not difficult to discover the rich diversity of passengers which cannot be found in any other transportation. Observing their activities and the street scenes is not only interesting, but also a way to unveil a missed part of life in Hong Kong. It is not surprising to find elderly on the vehicle, but seldom do people notice that more old people like to go upstairs. Probably it is because the tram moves slowly, making it safer when they are moving up and down. To start their day, the elderly take the tram to different parks along the railway like Victoria Park for morning exercise, tai chi practice or a game of chess. After a morning of activities, it's time to take care of their grandchildren, as their parents have gone for working. Riding the tram is also a good way of spending a nice, sunny afternoon. It is not difficult to find kids sitting on their grandparents' laps, looking out the window and asking this and that, or the greybeard holding babies in their arms and waving a fan for them. In this sense, the tram is not only about transportation, it can also be a space full of warm moments where we recall the long lost childhood memories we have with our own grandparents. Taking photos on the tram is always a favorite among photographers, both professional and amateur. Indeed there are many places that are peculiar along the railway that are worthy to be captured. For instance, the ‘dry seafood street’ (Des Voeux Road West) in Sheung Wan, where you can find an entire row of shops selling the same type of product such as dried shark's fin and dried shrimp. Or taking photos of some attractive buildings in Central like Legislative Council Building and HSBC headquarters. Without a doubt it would be more difficult to take a good shot while the tram is moving, yet it is a challenge that most photographers would not hesitate to take. Domestic helpers are another type of passenger adding color to the tram, making the ride more interesting. If it is a weekday, you can find them with several red or white plastic bags on the tram as they have just finished buying food for lunch and dinner. The tram is so convenient for them since it can take them to different street markets: Wan Chai Market, Shau Kei Wan Market and North Point Market in particular, which the tram runs through directly. Having the tram pass through the market appears dangerous yet it remains very safe to shop in Hong Kong. The scene is different on Sundays. It is every domestic worker's day off. Victoria Park and Statue Square are popular hangout places for them to spend with their peers. Since the tram can reach both locations directly, it is the favored means of transportation. Surrounded by the restless buzz of Filipino and Indonesian workers, you can find them everywhere inside a tram car. Being slow finds its advantage at night, when lovers can enjoy more romantic moments being together on the tram. Ladies usually sit next to the window and lean lightly against their partners’ shoulders. After a hard day of work, couples can now embrace in the gentle breeze blowing in and relax with their beloved one. The tram can be a reflection of a society in microscopic scale, which enables a deeper understanding of people's lifestyles. Apart from those mentioned above, there are indeed many more types of passengers: half-drunken ladies in provocative wear singing loudly after having a good time in Lan Kwai Fong, foreigners looking up and down from a map to check where they should get off, to name but a few. So why don’t you take a tram ride and explore yourself? Service Information of Tram: Fee: HK$2 for adults, HK$1 for senior citizens and children Operation hour: from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m. Website of Hong Kong Tramways Limited : http://www.hktramways.com/ 'Ding Ding' Hong Kong Tram Guide by Hong Kong Tourism Board: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/

Vocabulary:

kaleidoscope -- (n) [C] a tube-like toy that you look through to see different patterns of light made by pieces of coloured glass and mirrors

image from my.execpc.com/~gbonsack/

kaleidoscopic -- (adj) quickly changing from one thing to another

bizarre --(adj) very strange and unusual

pursue -- (vb) [T] If you pursue a plan, activity or situation, you try to do it or achieve it, usually over a long period of time

lap -- (n) [C usually singular] the top surface of the upper part of the legs of a person who is sitting down

greybeard -- (n) men with grey beard on the face.

amateur -- (n) a person who takes part in an activity for pleasure, not as a job

peculiar -- (adj) unusual and strange, sometimes in an unpleasant way
restless -- (adj) unwilling or unable to stay still or to be quiet and calm, because you are worried or bored
buzz -- (n)[S] informal a feeling of excitement, energy and pleasure
microscopic -- (adj) specialized very small and only able to be seen with a microscope
provocative -- (adj) If behaviour or clothing is provocative, it is intended to cause sexual desire

Resources:
CNN Go News: http://www.cnngo.com/hong-kong/life/kaleidoscope-tram-547237

Gwulo : Old Hong Kong: http://gwulo.com/

Hong Kong Tramway: http://www.hktramways.com/en/home.html

Youtube Videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npn-FxKMl_g&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcAmRWoH3fQ&videos=kOhXCxx0gzg&feature=BF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Xq12AAn2Lw&videos=kOhXCxx0gzg&feature=BF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGFUGjpaFzc&videos=kOhXCxx0gzg&feature=BF
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn9jMOgvKUo&NR=1

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/kaleidoscope
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/kaleidoscopic
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/bizarre

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/pursue_3

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/lap_1

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/amateur_2

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/peculiar_1

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/restless

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/buzz_5

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/microscopic_2

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/provocative_3