Perhaps you were wondering what the government’s been up to recently when it comes to spending your tax money on meaningful stuff? Here’s an update:
Well. Not really an update as this stuff has been in place for a while, more of a reassurance that our dear government is still pouring out the dollars, creating jobs for boys.
A couple of years ago, the government wanted to “improve” the Chi Ma Wan road by … cutting down all the trees lining it. I went to the meeting with the engineers and asked why they had to cut down the (40, 50 year old) trees that shaded the road so deliciously. They said: But we’ll plant new trees!
That’s right, new is better than old, also when it comes to trees. Above are 12 of the 17 trees they planted on this little stretch of road: All dead. Well done, civil engineering or whatever department; now you can plant another 17 trees and replant them when they die. 1. Jobs for boys. 2. Keep that budget huge.
Needless to say, railings feature prominently along the new and improved road. Here is a section, two meters long, to (I assume) keep all those crazy pedestrians from crossing the road in a completely wild manner just there? Because, as we know and must obey, crossing the road along which at least five cars per hour (15 on Sundays) drive, can only happen here:
You see? Where the yellow tiles are. There and only there can you cross this country road in sleepy backwater Pui O. And if you get any rebellious ideas about road-crossing, why, I think those four little slivers of railing on all sides of the crossing should discourage you plenty.
That was the “Wonder what your tax money is spent on?” of this week. A big thank you from Tiger Woods! Sorry, I meant to say: Yick Hing construction company!
What have you got against Tiger Woods?
Nothing at all. Just wanted to attract more people to my site by using a frequently googled name, which, let’s face it, “Yick Hing” isn’t. Probably isn’t.
Ah. Now where did you get that little gem of an idea from? Good thinking.
Something about “sleepy backwater Pui O” not being the words the vast majority of users enter into their search engine?
Next time I’ll do … the Beckhams. Or something.
Whilst not disagreeing with your basic point, you are aware of the purpose of those yellow tiles with bobbles on?
Er no? Thought they meant “walk only here or else, bastards.” Oh they’re for the BLIND!!! Right?
Yes. Not sure how many of them you have in Pui O though.
In my next entry I’ll tell you exactly how many. OK so if they’re so blind, why does it have to be … oh never mind.
Cecilie i dont know if you have noticed but dont you think our cousins north of Sheung Shui do urban greening /preservation a lot better than we do in HK?
Shenzen for instance has plenty of lovely tree-lined streets and very green suburbs (i am not just thinking new projects- old areas also have plenty of very mature banyans that look at least 20 years plus) and they seem to put a lot of effort into preserving the trees. Their new plantings generally seem better than the sticks -left- to- die -in -the- ground that we do here.