Lamma

I woke up to the birds chirping, the sun shining and one goal--I was going to the beach. I boarded the ferry to Lamma Island--the closest of the outlying islands to Hong Kong and a half hour ride away from paradise. The island is known for it's "hippie" and "bohemian" population, and I have to say I loved it! I wandered around and ate lunch at a great vegetarian restaurant that was recommended to me called the Bookworm, where I devoured the best salad I have ever had and filled up on some refreshing fresh mint tea. Then it was time for the beach. After a 20 minute walk, I found myself on a quaint little beach. On such a sunny day, I was surprised to see only a few people out on the beach suntanning, and upon closer inspection I saw that all of the people on the beach were "gweilos" (or expats). All of the Asians people were tucked underneath the trees avoiding the sun. Not only were they tucked away but they covered themselves with gloves, blankets and sun visors. In Hong Kong, and I expect the rest of Asia, it is considered unattractive to be tanned or dark. The whiter you are the better in their eyes. Being tanned is a symbol of having to do outdoor work or "rice field work". Affluence and the appearance of affluence is very important in Hong Kong and tanned skin is frowned upon. In fact it is so frowned upon that there is a multi billion dollar skin whitening industry here--creams, bleaching treatments...all to achieve the whitest skin possible.

I dug myself a little sand seat and plopped myself down to soak up the rays. After a very grey couple of months, it was so nice to feel the sunshine. It's quite remarkable that only half an hour away from the shadows of the sky scrapers and millions of people bumping into each other, there is an oasis like Lamma Island. Though today was my first time in Lamma, I have no doubt that it won't be my last time. I can't wait to go back. When I got home and looked in the mirror I was pleased to see my nose was sun kissed and my summer tan has started. Thank goodness I'm not so white anymore.