Wearing Sister’s sunglasses

This Friday afternoon, Elly found her sister’s sunglasses at our home. She was free to wear it because Abby had gone to school.

This blue sunglasses fit Elly round face and had dressed her up like the role of the actress “陳寶珠” in the Cantonese film called “女殺手”.

The statue of the Little Mermaid

The statue of the Little Mermaid sits on a rock in the Copenhagen harbour in Langelinie, Demark. This small bronze statue has for long been a Copenhagen icon and a major tourist attraction.

In 1909, Carl Jacobsen, son of the founder of Carlsberg, having been fascinated by a ballet about the fairytale, requested Edward Eriksen, a sculptor, to create the statue, which was unveiled on 23 August 1913. The latter’s wife, Eline Eriksen, acted as the model for making such a statue. Unfortunately it has been severely vandalized several times.

Unbelievably, in May 2010, it was moved for the first time ever from Demark for transport to Expo 2010 for display in Shanghai where it stayed until October 20th 2010.

Elly drawing curves

A delightful scene came to my eyes two days ago. It was Elly who drew curves with her thick crayon pens on a few pages of a book.

With a close look at Elly’s drawings, I found that Elly was able to draw curves which looked like “6”, “9”, “0” and the letter “e”.

Recently, Elly shows a habit of drawing close curves. In addition, she attains the power of shading with colouring pens or crayons.

From now on, I believe her curves are no longer “closed” and “empty”, but filled with colour. What a quick advancement Elly has achieved!

Happy Halloween sweets

With the wise thought of sliding in a 4-walled wrapping card, a packet of 28 “Andes” mint chocolate pieces has been turned into a new present of Happy Halloween sweets.

The bats and a witch flying about, the pumpkin lanterns as well as the black ribbon totally dress up the packet of sweets into a welcoming gift to children and adults alike.

I think the idea of this kind wrapping comes from a traditional match box.
I agree with “Old ideas can be applied to new products” .

Some lovely potted tomatoes

I can’t believe that tomatoes can grow so well in a small pot. Here is one good example.

These tomatoes are relatively small, but they swell round like balloons. Lustre has added beauty to its smooth skin. The colours of red, orange and green are so inviting that anyone would like to bite them.

Mini-pepper

These lovely mini pepper pods grow well in a small pot in our public garden below. Their colours vary from deep purple to light purple ad pink, to orange and red. They shape like light bulbs, but they cannot shine. Under sunlight, they look as if they were waxed. Their lustre makes them even close to the look of gems.

Another look at Toyko Tower

Just as the Eiffel Tower is often used in popular culture to immediately locate a scene in Paris, France, Tokyo Tower is often used in the same way for Tokyo. It has been established as an important tourist attraction and symbol of Tokyo.

Tokyo Tower functions as a radio and television broadcasting antenna support structure and a tourist destination. The first area tourists must visit upon reaching the tower is FootTown, a 4-storey building stationed directly under the tower. Here, visitors can eat, shop and visit several museums and galleries. Elevators that depart from the first floor of FootTown can be used to reach the first of two observation decks, the 2-storey Main Observatory. For the price of another ticket, visitors can board another set of elevators that from the second floor of the Main Observatory to reach the final observation deck—the Special Observatory.

From dusk to midnight, the floodlights illuminate the entire tower. Sodium vapor lamps are used from October 2 to July 6 to cover the tower in an orange color. From July 7 to October 1, the lights are changed to metal halide lamps to illuminate the tower with a white color. The reason behind the change is a seasonal one. Orange is a warmer color and helps to offset the cold winter months. Conversely, white is thought a cool color that helps during the hot summer months.

Sky paintings

Very often I look for sky paintings at sunsets and sunrises from home.

(1) A clear sky is best for these paintings.

(2) No paint or brushes are necessary.

(3) The picture composition depends on the sizes and distribution of clouds, the rays of sunlight that are shining.


(4) Every second the look of the sky varies with direction of winds to the clouds, light intensity and the angle of sunlight that are shining towards the clouds.

(5) The view of the sky varies with the location of the photographer.

The Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain (羅馬許願池) is a fountain in the Trevi rione in Rome, Italy. It is the largest Baroque fountain standing 26 metres (85.3 feet) high and 20 metres (65.6 feet) wide in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.

By legend, if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. Among those who are unaware that the "three coins" of the film, Three Coins in the Fountain, were thrown by three different individuals, a reported current interpretation is that two coins will lead to a new romance and three will ensure either a marriage or divorce. From another legend, it is lucky to throw three coins with one's right hand over one's left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain.

It is estimated that 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day. The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy.

US Red Pears

Those fat red Anjou pears have long won my affection. They do not appear in our supermarkets for some time. Recently these long-necked U.S.A. red pears replace them. Without hesitation, I buy some to find out their texture, taste and sweetness. With a knife in hand, I peel off the skin of one after it is washed. The flesh, nice for a salad, is tender, moist, a little sweet and sour to taste.

From one web-page, I found these lines about pears. They run like this:
“A ripe pear is a sweet pear.

If a pear is left at room temperature, it slowly reaches its peak maturity. A sweet and succulent flavour appears as it ripens from the inside out.

The best way to judge ripeness is by applying gentle pressure to the neck of the pear with a thumb. If it yields to pressure, it is ripe.

To ripen pears, leave firm, unripe pears at room temperature so that they can ripen. Once the pear is ripe, it can be refrigerated to slow the ripening process and saved for use up to five days later.

Like many fruits, the flesh of cut or peeled pears will eventually become brown owing to natural oxidation. To keep your pears looking appetizing and to prevent browning, dip them in a mild solution of 50% water and 50% lemon juice.

Ripened pears can be used at once or put under refrigeration (35º to 45º F) until you want to use them. Refrigeration will delay further ripening.

For speedy ripening, place under-ripe pears in a fruit bowl at room temperature near other ripening fruit like bananas, which naturally give off ethylene and will help speed up the ripening process.

Thoroughly wash pears immediately prior to eating or preparation. Under cold, drinkable water, scrub the entire exterior of the pear, taking extra care to cleanse the indentations near the stem (at the top) and calyx (at the bottom) of the pear. Washing the entire exterior of the pear will help to eliminate dirt and/or commonly occurring bacteria that may be found on the fruit’s surface. Wash fruit even if you plan on peeling it."

Elevador de Santa Justa

The Santa Justa Lift (Elevador de Santa Justa) also called Carmo Lift (Elevador do Carmo) is a elevator/lift in civil parish of Santa Justa, in the historical city of Lisbon, situated at the end of Rua de Santa Justa. It connects the lower streets of the Baixa with the higher Largo do Carmo (Carmo Square). Since its construction, the Lift has become a tourist attraction for Lisbon as, among the urban lifts in the city, Santa Justa is the only remaining vertical one.

The panormaic views at the top of the tower allow glimpses of the Castle of São Jorge, the Tagus River, the lower part of the Pombaline Baixa, the National Theatre D. Maria II, while the upper entrance permits a view of the ruins of the Monastery of Nossa Senhora do Vencimento do Monte do Carmo.

The Elevator is a vertical structure consisting of a metallic tower, observation platform, walkway and base. Its base includes four vertical columns, each composed of two pillars.The largest part of the structure runs parallel to the Rua de Santa Justa. With a height of 45 metres, covering seven storeys, the tower includes two elevator cabins, decorated in wood, mirrors and windows, and an initial capacity for 24 passengers in each, but now to 29. The structure includes a dozen transverse beams, forming a double lattice, supported at the top by foundations at the Escadinhas de Santa Justa. On the sides of the elevator, the walkway is articulated by means of bearings, as well as on the pillars, which is articulated at the base.

On the top floor is a kiosk and lookout, with panoramic views of the city, while connections to the floors below are made by two spiral staircases, with different patterns on each storey. The main machinery was installed at the base of the Elevator, while at the exit to the Largo do Carmo there is a veranda to allow circulation. The corridor that passes above the structure, was transformed into a terrace, and exits to Largo do Carmo through an iron gate. The space destined the electrical equipment was located under the Escadinhas, in a space set aside for this purpose, under a vaulted ceiling.

The Lift is decorated in a Neo-Gothic style in iron. Since this was a new material at the time of its construction, it is symbolic of the technical and memorial construction from this period, representing the culture of the 1900s, when the structure and elevators were considered a magical innovation and portent of a modern age.

Ships in Trios

It is rare to see ships in trios that sail along Tolo Harbour, but today I saw them.

A marine-police patrol ship took the lead. From the white foam at its rear, I noticed that it travelled fast. The slow-going yellow tug boat went next. It was pulling a long heavy barge of sand or mud, 20 feet away from it.

This photo is rich in colour because of a clear blue sky and adequate sunlight. I love it.

A Two-year-old Headstand

Two-year-old Elly performed her “headstand” at the sofa at home yesterday.

Elly put herself upside down with her hands and head supporting her body weight. She closed her eyes perhaps she felt the blood pressure at her head. On the right photo, she even smiled a little showing her great success. I think her theory of gymnastics is “Enjoyment comes first and Skill next”.

Star of the Month

Australian oranges become our first priority of fruit this month. Their virtues are very juicy, fleshy and fibrous. It is difficult to keep the flesh “uninjured” when the skin is peeled since the latter sticks close to the former. The South African Sunkist oranges are much inferior because they are navel-less as well as too tough to bite and swallow.

The stickers on the Australian oranges are interesting and funny. In one of the brands (Australian Citrus), the sticker shows a “cartoon” man in front of boxes of oranges. Another set of stickers (Australian grown) shows several red strokes, simply enough to be recognized as a kangaroo.

The colour of these oranges is in an inviting rich orange. I always consider this rule correct: “The more orange is to the oranges, the sweeter the oranges are.” The texture of the skin is as rough as that on the moon because there are small depressions all round.

In these photos, some of the oranges appear as pumpkin-like, some with a “volcano” top, but they all look common by their distinctive navels.

A Delightful scene of sea birds

This series of photos were taken on a BC ferry (see the big chimney) at time of crossing the Strait of Georgia that separates City of Vancouver from Vancouver Island.

The arrival of these unexpected visitors on top of our heads startled me with joy. I supposed they were sea gulls. Their flying skill was superb. They flied at the same speed as that of the ferry. For some time, say, twenty minutes or so, they followed close to us. Some of them were stable in the air. I wondered if they would finally land on our ferry.

It was the best moment to take a few pictures of these friendly birds of the twenty-first century. Since they did not succeed in getting any food from our ferry, somehow they disappeared behind us. No wonder their leader led them away to hunt for fish elsewhere in the sea.

Please click the above collage photo to enlarge it.

Graca Trams in Lisbon

Gracia trams (奎卡電車) are main means of transport shuttling up and down the narrow and hilly streets of Lisbon(里斯本), the city itself surrounded by hills on three sides.

The old trams are single-decked with wooden decorations. Our old Hong Kong trams looked almost the same, but double-decked, running on flat lands along the northern shore of Hong Kong Island. Those in San Francisco are quite different from Graca because they are open on both sides with seats arranged on two sides along the central line. Passengers can step on or off any time they want if they are quick enough.

The Graca trams are small and always crowded with people. In two of the photos here, you can see how narrow the streets and pavements are. Driving through these streets need skill and care! Graca trams usually run very slowly. One may take a lot of patience in sitting inside before he/she reaches his/her destination.

Photos at Breakfast time

These photos were taken when Abby and Elly were eating a breakfast of cereals in milk. Since the cereals had soaked in milk, they became soft and easier to be eaten. The two girls ate, drank and soon finished the breakfast.

When I took a few snapshots at Elly, she gave me back “automatic” smiles. She knows that she should smile when someone aims a camera at her. On the other hand, Abby used her arms, hands and fingers to show different postures.

White Followers

There were some twelve to fifteen white seagulls flying behind a marine police patrol boat yesterday when it sailed along the Tolo Harbour. I wondered why because there was nothing to eat on such a boat. Did the birds consider this boat as a big whale which might know where to find for fish?

We experienced such an interesting scene when we were at sea on a BC ferry heading for Victoria, Vancouver Island. A flock of sea-gulls chased after the ferry for a certain distance away from Tsawwassen Ferry Pier. They flied alongside the ferry at almost the same speed. For some time, they followed the ferry and soon they left. My only thought at that time was that the birds were saying good-bye to the ferry or perhaps, us because it was sailing away to Vancouver Island.

Full of Satisfaction

On the night of October 18, 2011, we dined with daughter’s family at our usual restaurant. The bun, soup and the dish of roasted chicken, fish and spaghetti suited my appetite.

Philip bought desserts of fabulous cakes (each sold at $13) after dinner. The cakes were in flavours of Green Tea, Mango and Strawberry. I love Mango best. Abby loves Green Tea and Elly loves Strawberry. We are in three Colour Parties – Green for Abby, Yellow for me and Red for Elly.

The 25 de Abril Bridge

How amazed I was this Monday afternoon when I saw a bridge in Portugal which looks like the Golden Gate Bridge in television!

The 25 de Abril Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril) "25th of April Bridge" is a suspension bridge connecting the city of Lisbon, capital of Portugal, to the municipality of Almada on the south bank of the Tejo river. It was inaugurated on August 6, 1966 and a train platform was added in 1999.

Because of its similar coloring, it is often compared to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, USA. In fact, it was built by the same company (American Bridge Company) that constructed the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and not the Golden Gate, also explaining its similarity in design.

With a total length of 2,277 m, it is the 21st largest suspension bridge in the world. The upper platform carries six car lanes, and the lower platform carries two train tracks. The bridge was named Salazar Bridge (Ponte Salazar), in honour of the Prime Minister until 1974.

Soon after the Carnation Revolution in 1974, the bridge was renamed the 25 de Abril Bridge, the day the revolution had occurred. A symbol of those times was captured on film, with citizens removing the big "Salazar" brass sign from one of the main pillars of the bridge and painting a provisional "25 de Abril" in its place.