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Moonfestival @ Hong Kong and off to China

Today is my day off at the film set, so that makes some time free to post a blog about my trip to China so far. It is the first time I celebrate the Chinese Moonfestival in Hong Kong. It was a very busy holiday in Hong Kong and the streets are very crowded. Everybody gathers with their family and friends to have dinner. After the dinner with my grandparents, I left Hong Kong to mainland China for the Kung Fu film production where I got the opportunity to experience film making over there.

It is the first time for me to film in China, and the filming culture is really different to the Western. Lots of other things are playing a part and as a person you have to be very flexible. To me the communication was really chaotic at the beginning. There’s more pressure and stress on the set to my early film experience. But I’m getting more use to it now. But one thing I really hate is that 9 out of 10 people smokes cigarettes on the set, and I’m the one who’s not smoking. I don’t like people when they smoke, because it stinks, is bad for your health and it irritates my eyes!
You know, the crazy thing here is when you receive your call sheet that you only know what time your day starts and not what time you’ll be finish filming. Ok, most of the film productions are alike, but here it could be over overtime. You know my eyes popped out when I saw 28 hours on the call sheet, I was like; what does this mean haha! And so I started about 8 in the morning and went back to the hotel like 5 in the morning.. Luckily the studio is just 10 minutes away from the hotel by car. People were sleeping on the chair and on the floor, anywhere to get a nap while waiting.

I’m 2 hours away from Hong Kong and the city is totally different. The pace in Hong Kong is real fast and here in Dongguan it is not like that. It is also not that crowded luckily and the weather is fine. But every time when I’m in China, i’m like looking for food which are not spicy at all. When you ask for non spicy food, it is still a bit spicy. At least to me it is. So I’ve to get use to the food here too and the irregular times.

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Conspiracy of the Manila Philippine Incident

Tonight on National Geographic – The Netherlands

When I was in Hong Kong, I was following this news live, and it just makes you so upset and furious about the ridiculous rescue of the Philippine SWAT team.  How could you let this happen, this entire incident was an inconceivable tragic. Hong Kong government insisted to move to bodies back to Hong Kong for further investigation as they lost all trust in the Philippines.

When the hostages were captured in the tour bus, negotiation failed. Mendoza, a 55 year old gunman requested the Philippines government to re-investigate his case of dismissal as he was a former police officer fired last year.

Really digusting to see what happened!

Anniversary of the HKSAR

Today, it is the 14th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region establishment, a public holiday and it’s raining. Luckily, a cooling down for Hong Kong’s warm weather.

In other words, it is 14 years ago since the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China, referred to as ‘the Return’, took place on 1 July, 1997. The event marked the end of British rule, and the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong to China.

The financial hub, famous for its sky-high rents and super-rich tycoons, has seen home prices surge on the back of record low interest rates and a flood of wealthy buyers from mainland China.

To tackle Hong Kong’s soaring property market, the government has imposed new taxes and staged a series of land auctions in the past year-and-a-half to boost supply and bring down prices.

But despite the earlier measures, some properties are still fetching eye-popping prices – the home of France’s top diplomat sold last month for HK$580 million ($74.5 million).

A study by US consultancy Demographia in January found Hong Kong’s home prices were the least affordable in the world.

Living in Hong Kong

I will first introduce you to Hong Kong with some general information which I think is worth noticing.

Hong Kong became a colony of the British Empire after the First Opium War (1839–1842). Later the Japanese took over the authority in the world war during their invasion. Since 1997 China resumed sovereignty over Hong Kong. As it was governed by rules both under British and Chinese administration. It influenced a lot of today’s Hong Kong. For example, the educational system is similar to England. Scholars and students wear uniforms. The right hand sided driving direction and the traffic signs, really noticeable for the traveler like me. When I just arrived in Hk, I often forgot which side the traffic is coming so have to double check 2 sides, a matter of getting use to it. The street names which are by the way in Chinese characters And English. The language, you can communicate in English in this beautiful city. So, the time period greatly influenced the current culture of Hong Kong, often described as “East meets West”

Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. and the world’s most vertical city. It also have a highly developed transportation network, which public transport coverage is the highest in the world.

Japan & Radiation

As for the horrible catastrophe in Japan,  radiation have been a hot topic over the world. It is not only effecting the Japanese cities, but it seems to have a huge impact as a wave of danger towards nearby countries. Well, here in Hong Kong, I have not yet seen any thing very remarkable or unusual as the news is still speaking about the situation in Japan and the affects of this dramatic catastrophe. But I have to say there are people standing in the row for salt. Most of them are senior citizens who are afraid of the salt stock running empty, and some believes that salt will strengthen you against radiation. It actually does, but it would not help in this small amount of radiation/salt. Plus, over eating salt is also not good for your health.

What really affected Hong Kong citizen’s everyday life is that the prices of vegetables and meat increased for about 10% – 20% caused by the reduced import quote. That is for so far I have noticed of the effects from this catastrophe in Hong Kong. Hope that the economy will recover soon. I wish the best for them.

Hong Kong apartment

The first things to do, packing out my luggage and cleaning up the room. The furniture was full of dust. I like everything to be clean. At least, I’m striving for a cleaned up room =P  So, got some work to do. I really like home furnishing and interior design. You know, when I was a scholar, interior architect was one of the possible professions I’d like to go for. I’d like to be creative.

As you can see I bought 2 Gatsby gels which are available in multi colors with different specs. I have not yet tried the orange and black one. But the pink one is just a bit too dry, but very strong.

These are perfumes to make your room smells really good. And it easily last for a month, or at least over 3 weeks. I think the smell in a room is also important because it gives you a special feel when entering a room. If the look is good, smells good then the taste would probably be no less than good.

My first Sushi lunch, here it comes, tadaa

This is the Durian fruit, it is also known as the King of Fruits. If you are in Asia, you should try this! For this fruit, there is a believe that you like it very much or you really dislike it! Cuz it has a very strong smell but tastes really good!

I’m thinking about taking a smartphone, but I still kinda like the flip phone I’m using now. You know, those tablets are getting more popular and people are communicating on road with these tablets like the Samsung Galaxy tablet which is smaller than the Ipad, but people do videocall eachother in shopping malls and on the street to interact with it. Sometimes it is really funny to talk with such a big device, because it made me think of the 大哥大’s in the old days, which are the first big cellphones with antenna’s.

This is a very traditional snack in Hong Kong. It is named ‘鸡蛋子‘ by the local people which means literally ‘little eggs‘. I only know that it is made out of eggs and butter, don’t know if there are any other ingredients as it is a ‘secret’ recipe. But what I know for sure is that it taste DELICIOUS!

Furthermore, I have been to the Hong Kong International Lighting & Electronics Fair with my internship company.

Lots of people, cool stuff, innovative designs and a lot of walking xD

I would definitely have more fun with you guys here to joke around, cuz the people here are so serious and mean. But it is really great to check this out!

I saw this beautiful watch and I just love it!

The pink one in the middle yeah, with the butterfly in the center, what a lovely design right? =)

Unfortunately I don’t have a girlfriend to buy her this and my sis have had her birthday present already, so I’ll leave it right there and took this picture. =)

I think this is really a beautiful picture, a construction worker sitting on bamboo constructed working area doing his everyday job. This picture has the Hong Kong traditional flavour. To me, it is more than a normal picture.

I thought I would have plenty of time. In the answer of this question I could both say yes and no. I’m using my time differently. I think it is another way of living, a good thing is that I have more a fixed routine now, I mean a better time scheduled and I can concentrate more in study/training/living than back in Holland with you guys to distract me!  ;P

36 mail to go, having more than 20 mails done last week.. Should go on.. talk to ya next time!

Ps. The next time I’ll be blogging or hopefully vlogging over my experiences with the local Hong Kong people and society. So stay tuned and we’ll keep in touch, bye!

‘The Journey to the East’ – Internship in China

Hi guys, sorry for not blogging for a while. I have to say that I have arrived safely in Hong Kong, China. I had a very busy time plus my internet went down.. Just had the maintenance guy came by and replaced the modem. Jetlag and trying to stay away from the shopping habit and really trying not to overeat with the delicious food here.

The days are going so fast, remembering the afternoon at my university where I had a free lunch of the nice lady working at the canteen, but actually I do not believe free lunch in this world.
So, everything was fine and as a matter of happiness I felt I have to treat my car a nice polish wash and so I fed my lobsters a piece of crabstick too, hmm yummi! (which I think they are really telling me)

There are still so many things which I want to share with you, I think I’ll post it next week. By the way! I have to update my www.facebook.com/alexcheung.nl ! and still got loads of mails to reply . .

I have been vlogging in Hong Kong but not yet time to edit and put them online. If you’d like to check out my ‘A Journey to the East’ AC Vlog series at www.youtube.com/alexcheungvlog (I’ve registered a new Youtube account specially for my journey to the East) [Subscribe to this account if you don’t want to miss a video]

How lovely ^^ taken with her birthday present ‘Polaroid Fuji Mini 25’

let’s not mention about the first take xD

My face sweeter than the Chokotoff chocolate

and ouch, when i see that finger

Please, be careful ya!

Heavy loaded luggage,.,. with books . . . O_O”

CinemAsia Film Festival Opening Ceremony

CinemAsia Film Festival 2010

This is the 4th edition of CinemAsia Film Festival in Amsterdam. I was invited for the opening ceremony with the premiere of ‘Dream Home’. When I entered the theater, I heard my name so I was like what’s going on. But it was the announcement of the directors of the FilmLab Shorts. Then festival director, Doris Yeung, gave a speech and introduced the different themes. I didn’t knew what kind of  film Dream Home is. I thought a regular drama film or something. So I was quite shocked of the opening scene. It was just the opening, and it was getting more violent. The effects were so damn realistic. Mandy was so excited. Not my thing. Another girl next to me covered her eyes with her hands. But she didn’t screamed =P

After watching Josie Ho as a killing machine, we went downstairs and tried to open the miniature house with the key we had. The price is 2 tickets to Hong kong! Susan was right after me and . . .click! Wow! The door just popped open and she screamed and everybody was looking, the camera was rolling. Amazing! I’m so happy for her. We took some photos and I think she couldn’t sleep that night.

The Ketelhuis was decorated in the sphere of ‘Dream home style’. It made me feel like Halloween. Good promotion of the premiere film! We had a drink and some snack, oh ya the snacks were horrible, sliced fingers with ketchup haha! We had a lot of fun taking pictures and I had a chat with some peeps around there like Dutch-Chinese actor Aaron Wan, and also the producer/artist Conroy Chan. It was fun talking with them!

Check out my album for more photos!

Opening day Cinemasia Amsterdam 2010

Opening of Cinemasia at the ketelhuis 2010

Introductory meeting Binger FilmLAB

18.00 – Introductory meeting at the Binger FilmLAB Amsterdam

Before the meeting, I prepared some questions and read the film projects once again.

I took the car because of bad experiences with the public transport. The weather was bright and the sun was shining. I opened up my sunroof and did really enjoyed it. When I arrived in Amsterdam I almost took the wrong road into the dark subway. My car navigation says 5 minutes left to destination. Then again I was confused which road I should take because of the split way and the navigation didn’t helped, it was 17.45. So unluckily I got into the wrong side and took the long subway heading north side of Amsterdam. I drove like 10 minutes and then find my way back. When I arrived at destination I was a bit surprised that it was right in the centre of Amsterdam, I could have taken the train. So I parked my car in the underground parking lot. I was like 😮 5 euro’s per hour?

Then I walked in the street, it is a very long main street. With one hand the address note and other hand my cell phone looking here and there. Next to me were 3 girls chatting, enjoying from the sun, then they asked whether they could help me. They were so helpful. I think the sunny weather makes people happy or at least sends out positive energy. When I entered the Binger FilmLAB I took the stairway to the 2nd level instead of the elevator, more people should do this. You know, daily exercises is the best way to keep fit rather than a diet or trying all kinds of rare methods. I have heard of products like Herbal Life, a liquid diet which you take instead of breakfast or lunch, even electronic machines using beames, vibrating and heat to loose weight and fat. It says so, but ya why not trying to be more active in your daily living. Plus it is free of charge 😀

My first impression of the Filmlab, it is well secured. I noticed that the entries are locked. I called my contact person and she opened the door for me and after an introducing round we talked about the stories and the background. In the meeting room there were the other 2 participants, people from the production company, filmmakers/directors and the festival director. One of the filmmaker was Yan Ting Yeung, from Hong kong, she brought a box of  ‘Sweatheart cake’, a traditional Chinese pastry with flaky and thin skin made with winter melon, almond paste, sesame and pork lard, spiced with five spice powder. Although these were far from the Sweatheart cakes in Hong Kong – Yuen Long district, I definitely enjoyed!

Later we divided in groups and actually started the film project. The DEADLINE is 14th of May. Then everything have to be completed, filming and editing. The film will be shown in the Ketelhuis in Amseterdam and other cities depending on the tour. Now I need to make the planning and finish the storyline + script this week, wait a minute, I need to sign the contract! So, enough to keep me busy right 😉

It was around 20.00 when I left the building, I went to the parking lot and wondering how much I need to pay for the ride out. 12 euro’s, tadaa! Suppose to be normal in Amsterdam 😉  On the way back I stopped next to a Police motor, I think he was busy chatting with a girl so I drove further. Then he drove by and ask me whether if I had something to ask. Then I repeated; ‘Yeah, I need to go to Westerpark, but my navigation is not working’ :p  Trying to make good use of the government service which I paid for. (received a speeding ticket recently :P) So he escorted me to the right direction and I put on the music and drove behind the Police motorbike. I ordered some Chinese food rice with vegetables along with crispy chicken wings and then came home and had my diner with my hungry sister.