PlanetEye

Stand up comedy has become a "big thing" all over the U.S. and Europe.  It is now invading Asia, particularly Hong Kong.

There are two ways to get your comedy fix here in Hong Kong.  One is to catch the traveling acts that are imported for one or two nights.  Two of the most popular venues for these are Grappa's Cellar in Jardine House, Central and the Viceroy Indian Restaurant in Wan Chai.  Most of these shows are sponsored by the Punchline Comedy Club.  Many of the acts originate in the U.K. with some from the U.S., Canada and Ireland.

I will be attending just such a show tonight, Friday July 4.  Seeing U.S. comedians on the Fourth of July has got to be a winner.  I'll review the show in this article later.

The second way is to go to Hong Kong's newest comedy club in the Soho Area,the TakeOut Comedy Shop.  Shows are scheduled for every Friday and Saturday night.  There are also open mike nights, Monday in Chinese, Tuesday in English.  There are also surprise guest performers on an unscheduled basis and almost always a live band.  Much of the comedy is in English, some in Chinese and some of the comedians switch back and forth between Chinese and English.

Jami Gong, TakeOut's owner and founder has also organized the Second HK International Comedy Festival, October 9-18, 2008.  All performances will be at the TakeOut venue. 

Comedians, some stand-up, some improvisational, some rehearsed, also appear at the Fringe Club in Central District from time to time.  Click on the link for information.

While Hong Kong has a ways to go before it could be considered a comedy destination, it's actually quite easy to find comedy shows and I suspect it will get easier.

The sun is shining outside my flat.  This may not seem to be world-shaking news but after the wettest month in the weather-recorded history of Hong Kong, it is a welcome change.

The record was set in May 1889, so we can't blame the deluge on global warming.  There was only six days without rain in June and 56% of the average "yearly" rainfall fell in June.  The final precipitation total was 1245mm.  

The good news is that there were few landslides and closed roads and only two fatalities attributable to the storms.  Hong Kong Island which is basically a huge rock had no problems shedding the rain.  The wind from tropical storm Fengshen caused some problems though and a "Black" rainstorm earlier in the month hit Lantau Island pretty hard.

The phenomenon has been attributed to this year's monsoon which is much stronger than usual; drawing moist air from the Indian Ocean across the Indo-Chinese peninsula right up to Hong Kong.

"So what?" you may ask?  Well, if most of the rain, we can expect, has already fallen; then that means the rest of the year, including the typhoon season, will be relatively dry.  Unless, of course, this turns out to be a record wet year.  But I'm being optimistic.   So firm up your plans to visit or, if you live here, schedule your outdoor activities.  The rest of the year looks to be dry and sunny.

I don't usually write about things that I haven't experienced or at the least have a first party review of from someone I trust.  I am making an exception here.

One of the reasons I'm doing so is that nobody I know has ridden on this burgeoning white elephant.  The reason most people who have been here for any length of time avoid this tourist attraction is that it has a dismal safety, reliability and customer service reputation.

At first it sounded like a great idea.  Ride a cable car to the top of the mountain on which rests the largest sitting Buddha in the world.  Passengers can leave from Tsing Yi which is near the airport and is serviced by the MTR.  By doing so they avoid the long, twisty ride up to the spot to say nothing of the ferry ride to Mui Wo on the other side of Lantau Island.  What could be better?

Unfortunately the ride has been plagued by a series of near-disasters from having to delay its opening because of safety and other issues, to shutting down in mid-operation for two hours, stranding hundreds of people hanging over the hillside, to having a run-away cable car undergoing "safety testing", to poor communication when it has to shut down, to underestimating the force of the winds on the cable car route, etc., etc., etc.  Just two days ago, June 26, passengers were stranded for 30 minutes because of a faulty sensor.

The original operator has been ousted and replaced by the MTR corporation, which has about as much experience running a cable car operation and tourist attraction as I do.  The Tour Companies are dropping this attraction in droves mostly because they cannot count on being advised if it is not operating which results in a wasted two hour bus ride.

My advice is to Take the Ferry and Lantau Island Tour which takes you from Hong Kong Island to Mui Wo and then provides a van and driver to escort you to various attractions including the Sitting Buddha. the Tai O fishing village and some of the beaches.  I've now done this tour 3 times and at HK$150 (US$19.25), it's one of the best touring bargains in Hong Kong.

So enjoy the ride and eliminate worrying if you are going to be able to use Ngong Ping 360 as planned or even worse suffer through one of the ride's frequent failures.

This article features Junk trips but also covers other ways of enjoying Victoria Harbour.  There are many links at the bottom of this posting.

If you spend any time at all in Hong Kong, at some point you may be invited on a Junk trip.  Do not decline the invitation.  Junk trips are fun.  Junk trips are a Hong Kong tourist institution like taking the Tram to the Peak.  The difference is that the Tram ride will be a disappointment whereas the Junk trip will not.

You can also charter sailboats and power cruises but you can do that closer to home.  Hong Kong's "Fragrant Harbour" is one of the few places in the world where you can explore in a motorized Junk. 

There are basically three ways to do the "Junk" thing.  First and best is to be invited on to an already chartered Junk.  Many businesses in Hong Kong own or have first refusal on chartering junks.  If you are invited on one of these, you will not be expected to pay anything and will have access to drinks and food while cruising.  Often these junks go to Lamma Island for a seafood dinner and this will usually be on the house also.  A great, cheap, fun way to explore the Harbour.

Second is to put together a group and rent a Junk yourselves, splitting the cost among all of you.  You can either arrange for catered food or stop at one of the outer Islands for great seafood, which by the way makes the most sense.  The best thing about this option is that you get to choose where you want to go.

The third is to go as an individual on an already scheduled Junk trip and pay the required fee.  These trips range from a totally banal tour of the Harbour with a "complimentary" soft drink to arranging to join a trip on one of the Junks owned by a Hong Kong restaurant or upscale tour group.  These can be as much fun as you make them.  They are especially attractive if you meet people somewhat easily.  Many of the passengers will be tourists like yourself with a smattering of local residents.

In addition to Junk trips there are many scheduled Harbour Tours, some on ferry boats sponsored by the ferry companies and some on boats belonging to the larger tour companies.  They usually follow a set itinerary and any food or drink is extra to say nothing of the sales pitches you will be subjected to so that you will buy a photo, DVD or some other souvenir.

Another and the least expensive way of getting on the water is to take a regularly scheduled ferry to one of the outer islands, enjoy a stroll or a meal and then take the ferry back to Hong Kong Island.  If you are pressed for time or get easily seasick, you can always ride the world famous Star Ferry between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon side.

Links:

First Ferry

Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry, Ltd. (HKKF)

Cheung Kee Ferry, Ltd.

Duk Ling 852-2573-5282 (Junk Charter)

Jaspas Junk 852-2792-6001 (Junk Charter)

Aqua Luna 852-2116-8821 (Junk Charter)  

Dragon Marine 852-9755-2146 (Junk Charter)  

Michelangelo 852-9887-0000 (Junk Charter)  

Panaoceans 852-2815-8235 (Junk Charter)  

Saffron Cruises 852-2857-1311 (Junk Charter)

Viking's Charter 852-2576-8992 (Junk Charter)

Mes Amies: 852-2527-6680 (Junk Charter)

I am working to make this a regular, monthly article highlighting some of the major events scheduled for the next 30 days or so.  Please be aware that this is just a sampling.  There is a lot more going on here.

If you want more detailed information or scheduled events for dates beyond this list, you can contact me on the Planet Eye blog or e-mail me directly at ejhahn@netvigator.com until we get our feedback utility going on this site. In most cases, you can also do a Google search on the event for more details.

Tuesday, July 1: Hong Kong Wind Philharmonia Chamber Music Concert, Hong Kong City Hall, Theatre, Central.

Tuesday, July 1: (also July 2-5) "Oleanna" by David Mamet, Blank Theatre Company, Hong Kong Arts Center, McAuley Studio, Wanchai.    

Wednesday, July 2: "Saxo Carnival" by La Sax Ensemble, Hong Kong City Hall, Theatre, Central.

Wednesday, July 2: (also July 3-12) "Desert Dreaming", Exhibition of Aboriginal art, Cat Street Gallery, 222 Hollywood Ave., Sheung Wan, 852-2291-0006.

Thursday, July 3: "Flamboyance", Musique Ensemble, Hong Kong City Hall, Theatre, Central.

Thursday, July 3: (also July 4 - 6) "Evolution: Asia Yoga Conference", Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai.

Friday July 4: (also July 5, 6), "Modern Peking Opera", Peking Opera Theatre of Shanghai, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Grand Theatre, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Saturday, July 5: (also July 4) The Leningrad Symphony, Hong Kong Cultural Center,Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui. 

Saturday, July 5: "HK Live" featuring Killersoap, MAsques and Tai Tai Alibi, Fringe Club, Central.

Sunday, July 6: Enchanted Strings Concert, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui. 

Monday, July 7: (through February 16, 2009), "Jewelry for Life" Exhibition, Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Sha Tin, New Territories

Tuesday, July 8: "A Theme of Paganini" Concert, Felix Tam, Icarus Lee, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Wednesday, July 9: "Presentation on Dance in Australia", Dr. Anita Donaldson, Keiko Aoki, Fringe Club, Gallery, Central 

Thursday, July 10: (also July 11, 12, 13), "Thomas Saves the Day", Thomas and Friends, AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau Island. 

Thursday, July 10: (also July 11, 12, 13), "Hanako's Pillow" by Theatre du Pif in English with Chinese sub-titles, Hong Kong Cultural Center,Studio Theatre, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Friday, July 11: (also July 12 and 13), "Aeros", The Romanian Gymnastics Federation, International Arts Carnival, Hong Kong Cultural Center,Grand Theatre, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Saturday, July 12: Cabaret Performance, Rick Lau, Fringe Club, Central.  

Saturday, July 12:  A Concert of Cantonese Music featuring Four Virtuosi from Guangdong and Hong Kong by Yin Ngai Opera & Musical Troupe of Hong Kong, Sheung Wan Civic Centre Theatre, Sheung Wan, New Territories.

Sunday, July 13: Hong Kong Children's Choir, Kwai Tsing Theatre, Auditorium, Kwai Chung, New Territories 

Sunday, July 13: Piano Recital - Schumann, Beethoven, Ravel, Mary Wu, Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall, Central.

Monday, July 14: (also July 15-17) "2008 Hong Kong International Youth and Children's Choir Festival", Hong Kong Cultural Center, Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Tuesday, July 15: "ARS NOVA", Hong Kong Ars Nova Orchestra with Hye Jin Chung and Cherry Tsang Chi-Lai, Hong Kong City Hall, Theatre, Central. 

Wednesday, July 16: (also July 17) "Hulun Buir Fantasy", Concert, 2008 HK International Youth & Children's Choir Festival, Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall, Central. 

Thursday, July 17: (also July 18,19,20) The Royal Ballet presents "Sylvia" and "Manon", Hong Kong Cultural Center, Grand Theatre, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Friday, July 18: (also July 19 & 20) "The Legend of Mulan", Chung Ying Theatre Co., Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra,  Hong Kong Cultural Center, Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Saturday, July 19: (also July 20, 26, 27) "Hawaiian Family Festival from Aloha to Lohas: Aloha Hoku Gala and Aloha Ohana Play-Fair", North District Town Hall Auditorium, Tai Po Civic Center Auditorium, Yuen Long Theatre Auditorium, Tuen Mun Town Hall Cultural Activities Hall, all in the New Territories. 

Saturday, July 19: Heavy Metal Performance with Intolerant, Shepherds, Weak, Maniac and Evocation, Warehouse Teenage Club, Aberdeen.

Sunday, July 20: (also July 18, 19) "Nada...Nada", Aracaladanza Dance Troupe, Hong Kong City Hall, Theatre, Central. 

Sunday, July 20: (through November 19) Francis Stafford Photo Exhibition, Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum, Mid-Levels.

Monday, July 21: Allegro Singers 44th Annual Concert, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui. 

Tuesday, July 22: (through August 7) "One Journey", Yvonne Chan Photo Exhibit, Fringe Club, Fotogalerie, Central.

Wednesday, July 23: (Also July 24 - 29) Hong Kong Book Fair 2008, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai. 

Thursday, July 24: Stereophonics "Pull The Pin" Tour,  HITEC Star Hall, Kowloon Bay

Friday, July 25: (also July 26, 27) "Space Within Shapes", Allen Lam and Company, Kwai Tsing Theatre, Black Box Theatre, 12 Hing Ning Road, Kwai Chung, New Territories.

Saturday, July 26: Ryu Goto, Violinist, Hong Kong City Hall, Concert Hall, Central.

Saturday, July 26: Akon "White Party" Live Concert, AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau Island.

Sunday, July 27: (also July 25, 26 And August 1, 2, 3) "Hua-yen Sutra Mind as a Skillful Painter", Zuni Icosahedron, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Grand Theatre, Tsim Sha Tsui. 

Monday, July 28: (also July 27) "Out of the Box", City Contemporary Dance Company Limited, Kwai Tsing Theatre, Auditorium, Kwai Chung, New Territories. 

Tuesday, July 29: Alicia Keys "As I Am", AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau Island.

Wednesday, July 30: "Songs in Memory of Luciano Pavarotti", Lydia Chan Music Forum, Hong Kong Cultural Center, Concert Hall, Tsim Sha Tsui. 

Thursday, July 31: Travis Live, AsiaWorld-Expo, Lantau Island

That's all for now.  "Whass Up? August" will be posted in late July.  "Whass Up" is always a work in progress and will be updated regularly as new and interesting events are scheduled and/or until a full month of events are listed.

In addition to beaches and pools, there are many other water based activities you can avail yourself of here in Hong Kong.  There are five Water Sports Centers in Hong Kong.  Details can be found at the Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Water Sports Centres Site.

Windsurfing is very popular in Hong Kong.  Our sole Olympic Gold Medal winner, San San, was a windsurfer.  There are many venues and centers where you can either take instruction or rent equipment. You can find basic information at the Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Windsurfing site or at the Hong Kong Windsurfing Association website.

There are 9 accredited Scuba Diving schools that I know of and another 14 outlets to charter a boat or rent equipment from.  The most complete information on Scuba in Hong Kong can be found at the "3 Routes Hong Kong Scuba Diving Directory" on the internet.  If you are here already, you can also check the Consumer Yellow Pages for listings.

A newer and more expensive water sport is Wakeboarding which seems to have replaced Water Skiing in popularity. Of course, if you prefer water skiing, there are places to rent boats and equipment. There are a number of wakeboarding centers listed in the Yellow Pages and the Hong Kong Water Skiing Association website has much information.

Kayaking is also very popular and kayaks can be rented at many locations including the Water Sports Centres mentioned above.  There is even an outrigger venue - The Hong Kong Island Paddle Club, which also sponsors Dragon Boat Racing.  

If fishing is your passion, then Hong Kong is your paradise.  You can find excellent information along with some personal experiences of the article's author at Tackletour.com.  Deep Sea fishing is available, also.  Check the Consumer Yellow Pages for Charter outfits.

As you can imagine, sailing is very popular in Hong Kong, though mostly with expats. You can rent a small sailboat or charter a large one. While many of the sailing clubs are private and/or invitation only, both the Aberdeen Boat Club and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club offer instruction and rentals. The Watersports Centres also offer equipment rentals and instruction but only in small craft.

For those of a more passive nature, there are many water borne activities which I will detail in a later posting.  

Hong Kong's reputation as a shopping and dining center creates the impression, sometimes, that there is little else to do here.  Contraire!  

Hong Kong was, at one time, almost completely made up of small fishing communities. The sea is very much a part of Hong Kong's history and its present.

Every type of water sport from swimming to yachting is available here.  I'll talk about swimming in this article and cover other water sports and water related activities  in subsequent postings.

There are literally dozens of beautiful, pristine, swimming beaches, 32 to be exact.  There are also 37 public pools for swimming enthusiasts.  Yes, they can be crowded, especially on weekends but swimming in a crowded pool is part of the Hong Kong experience. 

20 years ago the beaches were in poor shape, with 86% rated poor or very poor.  Now only 17% are rated poor, the rest being rated good or fair.  Most of the beaches and all of the pools have lifeguards and, where necessary, shark nets. (not in the pools, of course).  

A complete list of all the beaches and pools with lifeguard and opening hours are available on the Leisure and Cultural Services Department web-site.  

So, if you are a visitor, you now have another activity you can enjoy in Hong Kong. If you live here, you don't have to travel to enjoy a short-term beach break. You can go to the nearest beach or visit one of the outer island beaches.  Now that it's rated fair, you can even body-surf at Big Wave Bay Beach in Shek O on Hong Kong Island.

Come on in.  The water's fine.