Thanks to Professor Danny Lam, Director, Policy for Sustainability Lab at HKU, a very exclusive tour including a special water taxi ride, private kitchen dining and coffee bean plantation experience were arranged. Members and spouses also splurged on Hong Kong farm products by LoCo farms in Sha Tau Kok.
Regular Club meeting was held on October 13. We welcomed back President Eliza, whoreturned after taking some time off recovering from a medical condition. We also welcomed Past President Mark’s son, Wally, who was enjoying his term break and managed to join our meeting and say hi to all the Harbour aunties and uncles. Members took turns to give activity reports from the past weeks, including one adventurous trip to Lai Chi Wo (荔枝窩). Members thanked Past President Webster for the arrangements. President Elect Jason reported that President Eliza and himself attended District Incorporation Committee’s Consultation Session regarding reorganization of District’s legal entities. President Elect Jason further encouraged members to sign up for End Polio Walk, to be held on October 22. Past President Mark, our Club’s Preserve Planet Earth Chair, also encouraged members to sign up for District’s Carbon Reduction and Ecology Summit (October 30) as well as Mangrove Sapling Plantation and EcologicalConservation Tour (November 5). Ms. Sandia Lau, Director of Centaline Property Agency, was our speaker. She talked about Hong Kong real estate market’s transformation during the pandemic. In the pandemic, Sandia argued that “work from home” has changed how buyers perceive a home, now often preferring larger…
Thanks to Professor Danny Lam, Director, Policy for Sustainability Lab, HKU arranged this amazing VIP tour to our club members visiting the Lai Chi Wo, a 300-odd-year-old village situated in the north-eastern corner of the territory. It was one of the largest remaining traditional Hakka villages in Hong Kong. While the registrations from club members wereoverwhelmingly high that we arranged two separate tours. This was the first tour with 14 members and families of Rotary Club of HK Harbour took the comfortable coach from Admiralty / Shatin to Sha Tau Kok then the luxury water taxi from Sha Tau Kok to Lai Chi Wo. The full day guided tour included a visit and walk around the village, followed by traditional Hakka lunch at one of the villager’s house. The group then visited the outdoor eco-farm and had a chance to taste the locally produced Arabica coffee. The next lucky tour would pay the visit on 6 Nov 2022 (Sunday).
The Duty Rotarians arrived early on June 9 and ready to receive our speaker Professor Danny Lam. During the club activities report, Past President Eddie remarked how two days of volunteering on June 1 & 2 at LINKS Café and Holy Café, respectively, has improved his fitness. Packing, transporting and distributing 360 gift bags was indeed a hefty job. Then, led by Past President WT, we sang Happy Birthday to Past President Kay whose birthday was on June 14. Charter President Patrick gave the introduction of the speaker. Professor Danny Lam is currently Professor, Department of Politics and Public Administration, The University of Hong Kong (“HKU”). As Director of the Policy for Sustainability Lab at HKU, Professor Danny, in partnership with HSBC, headed the rural rejuvenation project of Lai Chi Wo which turned it into a working farm and co-operative. Professor Lam first explained the background which he had to work with. About 40 per cent of Hong Kong’s total land area is protected from development by the Country Parks Ordinance. The down side is that basic infrastructure development in villages, or enclaves, surrounded by country parks is also bound by these rules. The result is that many villages are…