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From its humble beginning by the sea 從一個小漁港開始

When I was young in Hong Kong, many text books would carry this almost cliché saying that Hong Kong used to be a small fishing village. While it has since then changed umpteen times, there are enough bits and pieces left to allow one to trace back the beginnings of this place.
小時候的課本常言道,香港從前是個小漁港。雖然這地方改頭換面了不知多少次,但歲月總會留下一點痕跡給後人看的。

Hong Kong is still inseparable from the sea, and the sea is a part of many people’s lives.
香港這地方與海仍有不可分割的淵源,是不少人生活的一部分。

For my one week in Hong Kong, I stayed in a seaside district which is also a stronghold of Hong Kong fishery. The typhoon shelter is filled with fleets of fishing boats where the fishery households also do their business and call home.
這次回港一週,住的地方不止與海為鄰,而且是香港傳統漁業的據地之一,避風塘內泊滿了一艘又一艘的漁船,既是漁民的謀生工具,也是他們的商鋪和他們的家。











In contrast to the seafaring lifestyle, many have chosen to live in one of the many high-rises hugging the sea front. Fortunately the place doesn’t appear overly crowded with so many buildings. There is still plenty of open space to let the see breeze in and counteract the oppressive summer heat. This is indeed much more comfortable than the middle of the busiest part of the city.
沿著海傍的海濱長廊漫步,正好讓人感受這個小漁港的氣息。小小的地方,蓋了一幢幢的住宅高樓,但不見得特別擠,而且四周開揚面海,盛署中仍有陣陣海風吹來,為炎熱的天時降溫,比起鬧市舒服多了。











The seaside promenade provides an open area to the local residents who welcome some space for recreation. The place comes to a buzz in the evenings when the heat has abated, with many enjoying a walk, jog or just a chat. Although expressly forbidden, many are also fishing along the edge of the promenade. I doubt if there is really a good catch for many people, but many probably enjoy fishing as a good pastime or a chance to meet up with other friends. This is another aspect to the city that never sleeps: there’s more to karaoke, shopping and eating that keeps the city energetic well into the night.
海濱長廊更為居民提供休憩的地方,實在造褔人群。入夜後天氣沒那麼熱的時候,海濱長廊熱鬧起來,散步的、跑步的,聊天的到處都是,而雖然明文規定禁止釣魚,但站在長廊邊垂釣的人可不少,其實我覺得,真正可以釣到魚的人不多,漁獲亦不特別好,但垂釣也不失為消磨時間和跟好友聚面的好理由。一提到香港是不夜城,大家往往想到的是唱K、血拼和吃夜宵,但晚間的海濱長廊,正好反映香港入夜後仍活力盎然的另一面。











Hong Kong will always have a special place in my mind, not least because of the sea and the lively ambience.
這個海,和這股生氣,正是我對這個地方念念不忘的原因。

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