🌊 Free Tide: Nicole Kidding About Quarantine
Good morning,
Welcome to the Hungry Ghost Festival Weekend. I happened to have been on a staycation with my girlfriend Luna (who you might have seen credited as our photographer for some articles - because she’s actually a photographer) and the cats on Peng Chau and found that they have their own little Zhong Yuan celebrations. How lucky that we were here just as the doors to hell open to their widest.
The cats seemed to like it on holiday so that may or may not prove that cats are able to sense another world.
Hey paid Tide readers get to see the cat photo (it’s one hell of a cute one).
~ Cyril
Heritage coming and going
A couple of things happening this week that might interest those of you more up the cultural alley like myself.
After several years of renovation, central market is finally ready to reopen as a ‘Playground for All’ - whatever that means - with local boutique stores, eateries and a big open green open space.
Will it be any good in its new form? I don’t know. Certainly have my reservations, but let’s see on Monday…..
Times Square Out of Time
The iconic metal clocktower at Times Square has been replaced by a blue pokestop thing (as described by people with much better humour than me).
COVID news
Coronavirus in Hong Kong
New cases: 5 (imported)
Total cases: 12,048
Nicole Kidman no quarantine? No kidding
The Aussie film star has been strutting in the past week shooting her new Amazon series ‘The Expats’. This is exciting, everyone’s excited - except some are also calling it a double standard because it’s been reported that Kidman and her entourage have not had to quarantine despite Australia being in the midst of a Delta wave.
The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau replied that Kidman’s exemption was in line with regulations stating that the filming is “for the purpose of performing designated professional work, taking into account that it is conducive to maintaining the necessary operation and development of Hong Kong's economy.”
Singapore Bubble Burst
Hong Kong and Singapore have decided to just give up on the whole travel bubble thing.
Events / Exhibitions
Previously based in Kwun Tong, vintage fashion and local crafts store Ho Sze Kwong has since forgone its solid locale, become vintage itself, and runs markets across the city. This weekend, they will be teaming up with SEEAHOLE music agency for a weekend of local art, crafts, music and vintage gems.
Where: The Pulse, Repulse Bay
When: 21-22 Aug, 12 to 7pm
Cost: Free to enter
Vanishing Hong Kong Photo Exhibition
Another heritage post. Our friends over at Asia Society are hosting a photography exhibition by the venerable P.H. Yang who has a passion for taking pictures of things that are going to be demolished. The opening ceremony on Tuesday was free but oversubscribed because everyone wanted to see it. Even I couldn’t get in … not that I tried because I found out late :(
By the way
We want to see whether or not people actually like the events we’re putting up. So, if you go to an event that you see on High Tide, take a picture and tag us on Instagram and Twitter @harbourtimes or #harbourtimes.
If you’re not already a paying reader, we’ll throw in a month of paid tide for you or a friend.
This is what the cool kids call ‘market research’. I call it begging for help.
Politics Roundup
Four University students charged with breaking NSL after expressing sympathy for the ‘lone terrorist’ attack on 1 Jul remain in custody.
Two jailed over petrol bombs in 2019 for 40 months and 36 months.
Complaints about RTHK were right. The public broadcaster has been told to be a little more carefully about following its own rules.
Shameless plug:
Did you know that we’re selling mooncakes now?
Well, we’re not selling them exactly - our friends at SENSES are, but we’ve managed to strike a deal where you can buy them for cheap from us using this form.
It’s almost mid-autumn, make your loved ones love you more, or if you hate the festival, make your hated ones hate you more.
Aside from that plug, the usual remains. Make sure to donate on our Patreon or leaving a tip on PayPal. You can also help us out by sharing Tide with a friend!
What’s up with Paid Tide?
Readers today got more information on basically….everything
Details about Nicole Kidman’s possible breach of regulations; my secret relationship to The Expats (it’s not that exciting, not worth paying for - sorry); details about Singapore and Hong Kong’s burst bubble; lots and lots of stuff about Central Market….
And pictures of my cats.
Well ok you can have that one anyway
But still
It’ll really help us out ~