David Colquhoun RIP

Sadly bc magazine has learned that local music legend Davie Colquhoun unexpectedly passed away on New Years Day.

Davie was a long time stalwart of the local music scene performing both in bands, including Soul Commotion, Hattrick, and his famed solo acoustic sessions.

While many of you might remember Davie for his musical covers, he was also a talented songwriter releasing several solo albums including Strapped and  Short and Sweet.

Davie your smile and smokey vocals entertained so many of us over the years in good times and bad, thank you!

 

 

Live Music at the Wanch, Hong Kong

image: Hong Kong Rocks, bc magazine

South Lantau Marine Park Draft Map Available for Public Inspection

To better protect the ‘pink’ dolphin and other marine habitats, the Government is proposing to create a South Lantau Marine Park (SLMP) in the waters surrounding the Soko Islands and between the Soko Islands and Shek Kwu Chau.

The draft map of the proposed 2,067 hectares SLMP has been prepared by the Country and Marine Parks Authority in accordance with the Marine Parks Ordinance (Cap. 476) and released for public inspection and comment within 60 days (28 Feb, 2021) of its 31 December 2020 publication. Details are available on the AFCD’s website: www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_mar/cou_vis_mar_wha/mp_sl_draftmap.html.

The waters south of Lantau are important habitats for the Chinese white dolphin, the finless porpoise and other marine life. After the designation of the SLMP, the area of protected marine habitats will be significantly increased, which will be conducive to maintaining the marine biodiversity and its sustainability” said a spokesperson for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD).

A Core Area of about 145 hectares between the Soko Islands as shown pink hatched black on the proposed SLMP map will be demarcated for further conservation of marine and fisheries resources there. Fishing activities will not be permitted within the Core Area.  While artificial reefs will be deployed within the Core Area to provide shelter for marine life. 

Unfortunately, the released proposal contains no details or recommendations on how the SLMP will be protected and the fishing restrictions etc enforced.

“Any person who intends to oppose the draft map may, within the period of 60 days after the notice is published in the Gazette, submit a written statement of objection, stating the nature of and reasons for the objection, and proposed alterations to the draft map, if any, to the Authority at the headquarters of the AFCD,” the spokesman continued.

Non-Permanent Residents Outside of Hong Kong

The Immigration Department has announced it will accept applications for return to Hong Kong from Hong Kong non-permanent residents stuck outside of Hong Kong due to the pandemic.

The Hong Kong Immigration Department announced on 31 December, 2020 that in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hong Kong non-permanent residents who are currently outside Hong Kong with their limit of stay about to expire/expired may apply for a visa/entry permit to return to Hong Kong.

In general, persons admitted into Hong Kong under various immigration policies/schemes may apply for extension of stay within four weeks before their limit of stay expires. Applicants should be physically present in Hong Kong both at the time of applications and collection of the relevant labels.

Due to the pandemic, if persons (except foreign domestic helpers and imported workers) are outside Hong Kong, with their limit of stay expiring within four weeks/expired for less than 12 months, and are not able to return to Hong Kong timely to apply for extension of stay, they may submit a duly completed application form together with the required supporting documents for application for extension of stay under the relevant immigration policy/scheme.

They are also required to furnish a letter setting out the details on their inability to return to Hong Kong timely for the extension of stay formalities.

If the application is approved, the applicant will be issued with a visa/entry permit for their return to Hong Kong within the validity of that visa/entry permit.

For details on the arrangement, please visit the Homepage of ImmD: www.immd.gov.hk.

The press release is here: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202012/31/P2020123100764.htm

Joyless Christmas Eve in Hong Kong

Usually one of the most vibrant and happiest evenings of the year… Christmas Eve was dark and joyless in 2020 with Carrie Lam closing Hong Kong’s bars and restaurants. Even the infamous ‘Club 7/11’ was shuttered…

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Christmas-Eve-Wanchai/i-hbjb6dZ

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Christmas-Eve-Wanchai/i-ps6fhd5

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Christmas-Eve-Wanchai/i-PsPLFZM

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Christmas-Eve-Wanchai/i-kdWd3F7

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Christmas-Eve-Wanchai/i-CDw9GMW

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Christmas-Eve-Wanchai/i-jk2mfQm

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Christmas-Eve-Wanchai/i-f7KjLCr

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Christmas-Eve-Wanchai/i-W7XCPF2

Christmas Butterflies

It seems a hard place for businesses to survive but the new Lee Tung Avenue has consistently offered creative and instagramable decorations. The latest for Christmas is ‘Butterflies of Hope’ and bc’s Christie Liu and Munchie took a look…

Created by award-winning Hong Kong visual effects director Victor Wong. The display which stretches along the whole street features a 7-meter stained glass butterfly surrounded by 350 LED butterflies. The kaleidoscope of butterflies includes a range of lighting effects during the day and night. At around lunchtime, the butterflies will reflect and refract the sun’s natural light to paint the street. At night artificial intelligence synced to music will create another instagram moment.

And while you are there check out Pizza Express‘s turkey pizza.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Butterflies-of-Hope/i-JjxvxZN

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Butterflies-of-Hope/i-NzB5nBW

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2020/Butterflies-of-Hope/i-ZLpxSJQ/A

Mandatory Designated Hotel Quarantine

Today the government updated the gazetted directions and quarantine specifications for arrivals to Hong Kong, who as 0f 22 December 2020 will have to quarantine in a designated hotel. Currently, there are 36 hotels on the approved list.

The list of designated hotels can be found here www.coronavirus.gov.hk

The updated directions are effective from 00:01, 22 December until further notice.

Star Ferry Price Increases

Chief Executive Carrie Lam has approved The “Star” Ferry Company, Limited application for fare increases for its two franchised ferry services, “Central-Tsim Sha Tsui” and “Wan Chai-Tsim Sha Tsui”.

The Star Ferry applied for an increase of $0.3 and $0.5 in April 2019 and the new fares will take effect on 9 February, 2021. The increase is the first since 2017