Cage and Coffin Homes in Twenty Twenty-four

A recently published video by YouTuber Drew Binsky reminds the world of Hong Kong’s cage and coffin homes.

The video also captures the unique spirit and generosity of HongKongers and it’s that, that makes Hong Kong such a wonderful place.

Regrettably, the government’s planned new legislation only covers sub-divided flats – not cage or coffin homes.

 

Grand Opening @ King Ludwig am Meer, Soho West – 10 November, 2024

The King Parrot Group celebrated the opening of their latest restaurant King Ludwig am Meer in Soho West with a party on 10 November, 2024.

Okay, I know many of you will go ‘Soho West!’ Well, think of Sai Wan Ho’s Soho East in the West. It’s a short walk from Nam Cheong MTR, and while it is all high-rise concrete and glass…  The waterfront promenade is pet friendly, faces west to catch the sunset, and even boasts a view of Hong Kong Island. You can also, sort of, walk along the water’s edge all the way to West Kowloon and thence to TST and the Star Ferry.

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All in all, in a very manufactured way, it is rather a nice place to grab some fresh air – especially now you can enjoy a cold beer at King Ludwig and sit outside!

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All images copyright bc magazine/ Simon Durrant – all rights reserved

Taking the Piss!! $5,288.50

Tickets for the Hong Kong Sevens at the new Kai Tak Stadium go on sale today and the HK Rugby Union have decided in their infinite wisdom, and outright greed, to add a ‘South Stand Upgrade’ price to the basic entry ticket.

The daily, yes daily, upgrade prices are $750 (Fri), $1,250 (Sat) and $1,250 (Sun) on top of the $1,950 ticket. Spending the weekend in the South Stand – without drinks or food- will cost $5,200!!!

Talking about ducking destroying part of what made the HK Sevens unique – hopefully, everyone will boycott the new ‘South Stand’ and there’ll be a big embarrassing empty stand exposing HK  rugby’s greed to the world.

HK Sevens seating plan 2025

south stand upgrade

Hong Kong Sevens
Date: 28-30 March 2025
Venue: Kai Tak Stadium
Tickets: $1,950
South stand surcharge $750 (Fri), $1,250 (Sat), $1,250 (Sun)
More info: www.HKsevens.com

USMEF Oktoberfest in Central Market – 29 October, 2024

Oktoberfest is one of those fun festivals that has been adopted globally. And just as Songkran encourages us to soak others in water, Oktoberfest is an ‘excuse’ for people around the world to have fun and dance on the table…

The US Meat Export Federation hosted a night at Oktoberfest in Central Market on 29 October. The open centre of the market has been converted into a Hong Kong style German Beer Hall including a stage where traditional German music from the Notenhobler’s sets the mood.

There’s a range of traditional German dishes: pork knuckle, pretzels, sauerkraut, apple strudel and some delicious US pork ribs.

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After dinner, while enjoying your beer, you can blow the big horn and start the party with some fun games.

 

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Click here for the full gallery of images

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All images copyright bc magazine/ Simon Durrant – all rights reserved

The Hong Kong Photo Contest 2024

The Hong Kong Photo Contest 2024, organised by National Geographic, is open for entries for photos taken in Hong Kong before 3 December 2024.

This year’s six categories: City; Wildlife; Landscape; People; Mobile and Sports.

Winners will be chosen in March 2025, with the winner’s photograph in each category being published in National Geographic magazine (Traditional Chinese edition).

Submission guidelines can be found here

‘I was so naive’: 10 years after Umbrella protests…

Anniversary of pro-democracy demonstration takes place in city where protest has been largely criminalised and activists silenced

Today Hong Kong’s streets are quiet. Protest has been largely criminalised, and many of the leaders of the Umbrella movement have been exiled, jailed or otherwise silenced.

Looking back, Wendy* remembers the feeling of that first day of Occupy. She was 25 and believed in Hong Kong’s Basic Law, and its promise to deliver universal suffrage to the people now that the territory had been returned from British to Chinese control. But instead, China’s government announced that in elections people would only be able to choose from a few candidates handpicked by a mostly pro-Beijing committee.

“It seemed that the government wanted to break their promise,” Wendy tells the Guardian from Hong Kong. “So I went out.”…

Read the full article on The Guardian website

30th Anniversary, bc magazine

Happy Birthday to us!

Thirty, yes 30, years ago today, bc magazine debuted on the streets of Hong Kong.

Much has changed over the last 30 years, especially in the last couple Lan Kwai Fong and Wanchai are now unrecognisable from the vibrant social melting pots of the past.

And while you can’t fight change. It does feel a bit sad that many people today seem to care more about a ‘like’ from an invisible unknown digital stranger than engaging with the real people around them.

The melting pot of people around us is after all what makes/made Hong Kong ‘Asia’s World City.’ A place of magic where hard work and a bit of luck (or meeting the right person in a bar) anyone could achieve almost anything.

After all, I could never have imagined when asking two complete strangers in McDonalds if they wanted a job starting a magazine that it’d still be around 30 years later.

A lot of people – staff, friends, advertisers and readers have been involved over the years, thank you for your continued support and strength.

Carpe Diem!

Congratulations Hong Kong!

Hong Kong’s dream of qualifying for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 remains alive after a 22-0 victory over Kazakhstan in the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship saw the women qualify for the WXV 3 tournament later this year.

Image: HK Rugby