Die Hard Mongkok People
As you know Langham Place is located in Mongkok. A number of us working in the hotel also live in Mongkok. Eva Pau, our Senior Sales Manager, is one of them. She moved here 10 years ago when she got married and fell in love with the area. Recently, Eva, her daughter and her mother-in-law were interviewed by the U Magazine for a MK feature story, in which the reporter called them ‘die-hard MK (Mongkok) people’.A Eva’s mother-in-law has lived in Mongkok since she was 8 years old. She owns a small snack shop in Mongkok selling marinated squid, sausages etc. Eva’s 5 year old daughter, Jade, who loves going to the wet market with Eva, also shared some insider information. Jade showed the reporter a few places she loves to go, such as the Lady’s Market and a supermarket named ‘Market Place’ in the Langham Place Shopping Mall, which she described as ‘the shop selling small bananas’. Eva thinks that Mongkok is an old and interesting community with unique characteristics. People living here are very friendly. The development of Langham Place has brought about some exciting changes in Mongkok. More and more foreign visitors come to Mongkok to experience the ‘Real Hong Kong’. The hotel regularly organizes charity events, such as visiting the elderly in the homes during Mid-Autumn festival, as part of our community social responsibility program.
You may have a different perception of Mongkok. Come and experience it for yourself and I am sure you will also become one of the die-hard Mongkok people too!
Eva’s daughter and her mother-in-law
Everyone has their own perception of Mongkok
Mongkok Youth Culture
“HOME” - a charity art fete for the relief of victims of Sichuan earthquake
Hi
We are a charity arts organization called ‘Art Fete Brings Hope’ found since 1991, and registered under the Societies Ordinance in Hong Kong. We were used to carry out an arts carnival in various shopping malls in Hong Kong every year to raise funds for a charity organisation and if possible provide some kind of arts therapy services to the beneficiaries, and to promote arts to the public. The beneficiaries included UNICEF, ORBIS, Sowers Action, Children’s Cancer Foundation, etc. and a total amount of over $3,000,000 of net proceeds had been raised.
Witnessing the series of tragedies happened in China this year, we would like to carry out a multi-arts display campaign providing an additional platform to sustain the public’s concern, donation or any other kind of support to our people in Sichuan.
The idea is to call upon people of various arts interest to lend out a piece of their artworks for display under the theme ‘HOME (家)’ in various shopping malls with the beneficiaries e.g. Oxfam, UNICEF, Red Cross, Sowers Action, etc arranging their volunteers to collect funds and support direct from the donors during the display. Owing to the time pressure, bureaucratic government procedures & logistic concern, we would NOT carry out any sales or auction of the artworks during the display. We will however produce a pamphlet/ documentary recording this event with photos and explanation of the artworks and provide to the Sichuan government for reference and to the beneficiaries as a counselling tool or blessing to our Sichuan people.
We would be most grateful if you could call upon your networked art people to join our arts exhibition. If you wish to lend out your artwork, please first send a digital photo of the artwork to ‘artfete@gmail.com’ with contact info, dimensions, materials/media, why that artwork is chosen, etc. We have to include them in our proposal to the shopping malls for approval. Then we would arrange with you on the issues like transportation, set-up, etc.
Our participants are producing the following artworks, and your participation would just make the campaign even more colourful:
Chinese calligraphy - the Chinese word ‘家’ in various dynasties.
Architectural arts – illustrations and models for anti-earthquake schools and citizens shelters.
Installation arts - a human-size transparent container filled with fake steel bars, broken concrete, destroyed personal belongings, destroyed fixtures, fittings etc. It is to display how the victims feel compression, breathless and helpless etc under the broken concrete.
Apparel arts - school uniforms made of scrapped clothes for the victim children.
Manga arts - various short stories about home.
Computer graphic design arts - showing the differences between Sichuan and Hong Kong in terms of geography, demographics, education facilities, residence, economy, major trades, standard of living etc. It is to stimulate the Hong Kong citizens to think how fortunate living in Hong Kong is.
Sculpture arts – a dragon form sculpture made of keys. Each key means a home, and the dragon symbolizes China.
Photography arts - the photos about feelings of home, or photos about children playing with their parents or friends etc.
Product design arts - self life survival emergency tools for earthquake, and the photos or illustrations of such self life survival emergency tools adopted in other countries.
Origami arts - origami of tables, chairs, beds, father, mother, brother, sister, grandparents, pet dog/cat etc. in rural home settings.
Handicraft arts - hand-made stationeries including student name tag, knitted pencil bag, school note books, wooden ruler, wooden pencil etc for rural village children.
Performing arts - songs with the meaning of ‘HOME’.
Action arts - record the voices and sounds at the earthquake spot, and teach the citizens to close their eyes and listen with earphone.
Video arts - stories about the meaning of home and lives.
Painting arts - meaning of home and lives.
We would be most grateful if you could help and support us in the arts exhibition.
Look forward to receiving your reply.
Thank you.
Ivan Tam
Founder
Mobile No.: +852 9462 4987
E-mail address: artfete@gmail.com
Official web site under re-construction.
Temporary facebook URL: (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2235485123)
Silent Auction Bid Begins
Dave Parker’s colourful and creative artworks from our recent “Artist in Residence” are now on sale via Silent Auction. Drop into Portal – Work & Play and make your bid for your favourite piece or alternatively simply click on the link below. All money raised goes to a great cause – The Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children
Title: The Thin Red Line with a Feather TRL 1
Size: 51cm x 61cm
Send an e-mail to bid on this piece
Title: Thin Red Line on pink TRL 2
Size: 51cm x 61cm
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Title: Thin Red Line on yellow TRL 3
Size: 61cm x 91.3cm
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Title: Night Flight
Size: 51cm x 76cm
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Title: Cammo Carp 1
Size: 61cm x 91.3cm Send an e-mail to bid on this piece
Title: Langham lapulapu 1
Size: 61cm x 91.3cm
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Title: Out of White
Size: 51cm x 76cm
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Title: Pandamonium
Size: 51cm x 61cm
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No comments - Add Yours Here
My first week in Hong Kong -Scott Thomson
Hong Kong 2008 - what a reputation it has as a place to work and live; work hard and play hard! It has lost none of its allure since the departure of the English; in fact it has probably gained some as it is now a region in its own right, rather than a colony, developing its own identity. And it is closer than ever to China which itself is seen as an intriguing and edgy destination to the west. My first few weeks, whilst mainly having revolved around the workplace, have allowed a few opportunities to get out and about. Hiking on Lantau Island has been one. Starting the walk from Tung Chung we headed out of the city and shortly after embarked on an easy grade walkway. Having longer legs, we were frequently passing our fellow Chinese walkers also out to enjoy the day. I was becoming increasingly concerned the more and more we passed. Their hiking attire included solid walking boots, gloves (all be they light) and walking sticks. I was starting to think that maybe I was a little under prepared for what might lay ahead, even though we had not left the concrete path. Did I need oxygen tanks to handle altitude? As it turned out we never left the concrete path - it seems that the Chinese are just much more stylish than I when it comes to outdoor pursuits.
People people people WOW - from a country of 4million people to a city of 7million - and to the most densely populated part of Hong Kong, Mongkok. I read on another blog recently that ‘you can smell life in Mongkok’; I could not have put it better myself. It really is a wonderful way to observe and participate in the way another culture lives - up close! And isn’t that what we look for when we travel? Much better than staged events supposed to typify Chinese culture, which really don’t scratch the surface and better than homogenized parts of a city to a point where you would not be able to identify which part of the world you were in. Mongkok! - I love it!
Beautiful beaches Who knew that Hong Kong had such beautiful beaches? When the uninitiated (that was me) think of Hong Kong, you think of images in your mind like bright lights, big city and the harbour. To my surprise I have had two great meals by the sea, at two very different locations. SPICES in Repulse Bay overlooks the beautiful South China Sea; all very immaculate and casually sophisticated rolled into one. Its got a great selection of all foods Asian, a one stop shop for all the best of Asian cuisine. And then there is The Stoep on Lantau Island - a rustic South African BBQ cafe on the beach edge, shaded by beautiful green trees. The beer is cold; the food is simple and tasty. Kids play on the golden beach - it’s a great way to spend a weekend afternoon.
Things continue to go well - Artist in Residence
As things continue to go well a few more photo updates from last nightA with Artists in Residence.
Feel free to send in any shots you might have and I’ll post them on the site for you.
Detail of the Langham Carp
Dave & Qantas Pilot Colin
Gone Fishing
Artist at Work
And Play
Abstract under Construction
Portal guest discuss art with Dave
It’s the artists water sprayer - not for drinking!
No comments - Add Yours HereTake Me for Free at Langham Place
“Take Me” is an absolutely free walking tour offered to guests of Langham Place, Mongkok, led by our professional tour guide. Our hotel is located at the heart of the Kowloon Peninsula and is accessible via different forms of transportation. There are a number of markets for leisure & pleasure within a short walking distance. After checking in guests can join the hotel’s complimentary Mongkok tour and visit the area’s famous wet market, electronics’ street, ladies market and Sneaker Street. The street-side snacks let you experience the local flavors of Hong Kong. The sweetened bean curd at “Yan Wo 人和豆品廠” is homemade everyday and comes highly recommended.
Always looking for new ideas, we’re the first hotel in Hong Kong to run our own local market tour which brings what is often referred to as �real Hong Kong’ to you. Encompassing the hotel are side streets and alleys that are home to some of Hong Kong’s liveliest spectacles. Mongkok is said to be the most densely populated area in the world. All through the day and into the night you will wonder why all those people are there.
You’ll be amazed by the crowds jostling to and fro in this unique section of Hong Kong. You’ll love the ambience and great deals. You can bargain with the shopkeeper at the ladies market and purchase souvenirs, clothing, bags, jeans, watches, electronic goods and much more.
At the end of the tour our guide provides a location map and a brief summary of all the scenic spots. Afterwards you can spend your free time walking through exciting and memorable Mongkok. In the evening it’s the place to see the vividly colorful neon signs in Chinese as they identify the many different shop fronts.
DON’T WAIT. Reserve your “Take Me” Mongkok tour with us. For further enquiries, please feel free to contact the Concierge desk.
No comments - Add Yours HereLP Staff Party
Hi, I guess I have to introduce myself first. I am Teresa, Director of Sales and Marketing at Langham Place, Mongkok. I want to share with you some photos of our Annual Colleagues Party held on Mar 12.
The company’s vision is to change the face of Mongkok and for us working here at Langham Place, our vision is to have fun! With close to 600 colleagues we split the party into 2 nights in order to accommodate everyone. The theme of this year’s party was ‘Olympics’. To start the party our Executive Committee put on a fabulous performance. They all dressed up as cheer leaders (General Manager - Jeffrey, Hotel Manager - Scott, EAM Rooms - Luke, F&B Director - Bart and Financial Controller -Theodore a all in mini skirts!). I was probably the cutest looking!
Afterwards we staged departmental performances all related to the Olympic Games such as: Aqua Aerobics, Boxing, Gymnastics etc.
The highlight of the party was the lucky draw asA we had lots of great prizes including round trip tickets for 2 to Tokyo, plus a few thousand dollars pocket money and a 42-inch plasma screen television!
We all look forward to next year’s Annual Colleagues Party!!!
Executive Committee put on a fabulous performance (From Left to Right: Bart - Director of F&B, Scott - Hotel Manager, Teresa -Director of Sales & Marketing, Jeffrey - General Manager, Theodore - Financial Controller, Luke - Executive Assistant Manager in Rooms and Peter - Executive Assistant Manager in Operations.
Cheer Leaders, Jeffrey and his team
Aqua Aerobics
Gymnastics Rhythmic
Fencing
Artist in Residence
High-energy artist Dave Parker started the first session of Artists in Residence on the 10th of April, and was simply unstoppable. Working on two canvasses he began with yellow and reds on the first canvass and rich dark greens on the second. Working with rocket-like energy he bounced between the two, switching colours, brushing here, wiping off paints there whilst chatting to Portal guests - all with a big beaming smile that couldn’t hide his joy and enthusiasm. What a great first night. Check back tomorrow for an update on how his spontaneous art continues to take shape and evolve.
Dave opens a new box of colours at the start of the night
Colours used on his first canvass, yellows and reds
Tools of the trade
Canvass one begins to emerge in abstract movements
A customer at Portal takes an interest in the goings-on
Artist and art lovers
A detail of paint drying on canvass one
Dave starts work on his second canvass
A regular Portal customer chats to Dave as he works on his second canvass
Shapes and forms start to emerge on canvass two
Carpe Diem! Well, Dave seized the night
No comments - Add Yours HereChina Visa Application
Hi there!
I am Steven Choi, Chief Concierge of LP. This is my first posting on the LPH Chat and I apologize for the posting of this boring topic. However, this is a very important message that to share all of you. As a gateway city to China, a lot of our guests will go to China after a short stay in Hong Kong. One of our jobs is helping our guests to apply China Entry Visa through the official Travel Agents in Hong Kong. There are some changes in ‘China Visa Application Policy’ as below:
1. NO multiple entries of china visa will be issued
2. Only single or double entry china visa is available
3. It takes 4 working days for normal service and 2 working days in express service (NO application on Sat, Sun & Public holiday)
4. Document are required (Passport with at least 6 months validation and 1 full empty page, business card (A business card with China address printed would not be accepted). 1 passport photo and required to fill the application form (the form is available at concierge desk of the Hotel)
5. The landing visa at Shenzhen border is subject to China government approval. We have been advised that they have a tighten control, and therefore we recommend you to have Visa ready before hand.
6. *Landing visa is only restricted traveling at Shenzhen area only, USA passport holder is unable to apply for landing visa on spot and for otherA countries are subject to approval.
You can also refer to the below link
http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/zgqz/bgfwxx/default.htmfor more information regarding China Visa application in Hong Kong.
Please also note that the visa application policy subject to change without advance notice. I hope you find the above information useful. I promise you that my next posting will be a more interesting one! Maybe some shopping and dining tips in Hong Kong. Watch for it!!!!
Cheers
Steven
GRAZIE MILLE - MANY THANKS
Wow, check this out. I received this fabulous drawing from Matteo Alessi (age 9) whom stayed at LP last X’mas with his father. Matteo loved his stay so much. He actually draw his drawing of the LP complex. Obviously, he has amazing talent and on behalf of LP I would like to say “Grazie Mille”
Cheers, Jeffrey
You may ask why on earth would a hotel in Mongkok want to have a blog site. Well that is exactly the reason why. When we first started on this project everyone told us we were crazy. But we had a vision to "change the face of Mongkok forever" and well here we are after being open for 2 years the hotel is doing fantastic and Mongkok is certainly a different place...
