Ganzhou: Cradle of Hakka Culture

Ganzhou, a city in east China's Jiangxi Province, has a history of more than 2,200 years. Ganzhou is home to the largest population of Hakka people (migrants in southern China who originated from regions adjacent to the Yellow River) in the world. Dubbed "the cradle of Hakka culture," the city is the birthplace of Hakka culture.

Ganzhou is in southern Jiangxi Province, where Jiangxi borders southeast China's Fujian Province and south China's Guangdong Province. Due to its geographic position, it was a political, economic, cultural and military center in the southern region of the Yangtze River. In 1994, it was designated a national historical and cultural city by the State Council, the central government's cabinet. 

Unique Dwellings 

Hakka (literally meaning "guest families") people form a subgroup of the Han Chinese nationality, and the Hakka people live predominantly in the provinces of Jiangxi, Fujian and Guangdong. To escape wars and natural disasters, the ancestors of the Hakka people migrated from regions adjacent to the Yellow River, on a large scale, during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420). Many of those migrants settled in Ganzhou. During the Tang (618-907) and Song dynasties (960-1279), some of the settlers' descendants migrated southward, and they settled down in the provinces of Fujian and Guangdong. Meanwhile, more people migrated to southern China from central China. These settlers were formally named Hakka people during that period. During the following hundreds of years, some of the Hakka people migrated to other southern areas, such as Sichuan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Some even immigrated to other countries. Now, there are nearly 100 million Hakka people around the world, in more than 80 countries. 

During their migration, the Hakka people adapted to the local environment of southern China, and they developed their own, unique culture, including language, customs and dwellings. As it was the first stop of their migratory route, Ganzhou has come to be known as "the cradle of Hakka culture." 

Weiwu, or enclosed house, is the traditional residential building of the Hakka people in Ganzhou. The enclosed house, an icon of Hakka culture, dates back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). People of the same clan lived together in the enclosed house. A large-scale house could inhabit hundreds of people. More than 600 enclosed houses remain in the city. Most of the houses are rectangular, but some are circular. They are usually large, enclosed and fortified earthen buildings with thick, load-bearing walls, like mini fortresses. There are many small holes on the walls, through which guns can be fired. Dubbed "ancient Oriental castle," the houses have strong defense capabilities. 

Longnan, a county-level region, is situated in the southernmost area of Ganzhou. Longnan has more than 360 enclosed houses, most of which date back to the Ming and Qing (1616-1911) dynasties. Among them, Guanxi New Enclosed House is the most famous. Covering more than 7,400 square meters, it is the largest, best-preserved, rectangular-shaped enclosed house in the city. 

Xu Mingjun, a rich businessman in the region, began constructing the house in 1798, during the reign of Emperor Jiaqing (1760-1820), of the Qing Dynasty. The house was completed in 1827, during the reign of Emperor Daoguang (1782-1850), of the Qing Dynasty. The house has many functional zones — defense zone, ancestral hall, residential zone, family school and leisure zone (a theater stage and a large garden). The enclosed house has a unique architectural style, and that combined with the profound historical and cultural deposits, make it a famous tourist attraction, for people from home and abroad.

Historic Irrigation Engineering System

Shangbao Terraces is located in the mountainous area of Chongyi, a county in Ganzhou. Covering nearly 3,400 hectares, they are recognized as the "largest Hakka terraces in the world." Its highest altitude is 1,260 meters, and the lowest altitude is 280 meters. According to Shan Hai Jing (Classic of Mountains and Seas, ancient Chinese literature), the terraces trace back more than 2,200 years. The locals began building the terraces during the pre-Qin Period (pre-221 BC). The terraces were expanded and refined during the following 2,000 years. They were completed during the Qing Dynasty. 

The terraces show the scientific farming culture of the Hakka ancestors, who lived in harmony with nature. The locals followed the law of nature, and they built an irrigation engineering system that accorded with local natural conditions. They produced luxuriant trees, on top of the terraces, to help conserve water resources and prevent soil erosion. They built terrace steps along the slopes, to help preserve soil and water. The streams, flowing down the hills, from step to step, have provided a natural irrigation system. They built dams, reservoirs and other facilities to control water and prevent floods and droughts. The system not only helped irrigate the farmland, but also helped protect the ecological environment. The ancient irrigation system has been well preserved, and it has continued to support the local rice-planting industry. 

In 2018, Shangbao Terraces was added to the list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. As a model of a sound irrigation and ecological system, it was added to the list of the World Heritage Irrigation Structures, by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, in October 2022.

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 https://www.womenofchina.cn/womenofchina/In-depth/exclusives/2401/7835-1.htm

Photos from VCG and Tuchong

(Women of China English Monthly December 2023 issue)

Four Must Have Retirement Assets

 Four Must Have Retirement Assets

This video discusses four essential assets for a fulfilling retirement, moving beyond just financial considerations.

The four key assets are:

• Financial security: This means having enough assets to live comfortably and not feel sacrificial in retirement. The speaker advises against extreme sacrifices in youth for early retirement, referencing the "FIRE movement", and notes that retiring too young can lead to a desire to re-engage with work or activities after a couple of years.
• Strong relationships: Multiple studies highlight the importance of relationships as we age. The speaker contrasts the independent U.S. culture with other cultures that often feature multi-generational living, suggesting that while independence has benefits, it can also lead to isolation.
• Health: As people get older, health becomes an increasingly valuable asset. The speaker shares his personal routine of regular workouts and emphasizes making healthy food choices, even when dining out. He stresses the importance of consciously protecting one's health as it's a limited resource.
• Time: Recognizing that time is a limited resource is crucial. The speaker encourages viewers to make the most of the time they have, particularly during their "senior years".

2nd Video for review (60 seconds clip).

The Four Phases of Retirement

3 videos have been selected for discussion at 15 Clarke Street on Thursday 19th March 2026. 

The topic is "Life after 50".

Join us: Registration Link

Home Sleep Study

Some of the earliest equipment used when my clinic started offering home sleep studies.  Got a technician who went to patients' homes at 9 pm to "wire" them up.  Set up was quite simple - done in 30 minutes or shorter.

There were so many choices for masks.  Each design was unique.  The correct size of the mask was taken with the templates shown above. 

Bitter Gourd Plants.

 

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), also called bitter melon or peria, is a warm-season annual vine in most home gardens. Its fruiting life depends on climate, care, and variety:

• 🌱 Lifespan:
  Bitter gourd is generally an annual plant. It grows vigorously for one season, flowers, fruits, and then declines.

• 🍈 Fruiting period:

  • The plant usually starts fruiting 60–70 days after sowing.

  • It will continue to bear fruits for 2–3 months, with peak production in the middle of this period.

  • In good tropical conditions (like Malaysia), with regular harvesting and care, it can sometimes keep fruiting for up to 4–5 months.

• 🥀 End of life:
  After repeated fruiting, the vine becomes exhausted. Leaves yellow, disease or pests set in, and it eventually dies back.

• 🌦️ Perennial possibility:
  In warm, frost-free areas, bitter gourd can act like a short-lived perennial if protected from pests and given good soil nutrition, but productivity drops sharply after the first main season. Farmers usually replant each season for reliable yield.

Some practical ways to prolong the fruiting period of bitter gourd and keep it productive for as long as possible:

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🌱 1. Fertilization

• Before flowering: Apply a balanced fertilizer (e.g., NPK 10:10:10) to encourage strong vine and leaf growth.

• At flowering & fruiting: Switch to fertilizer richer in phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) (e.g., NPK 5:10:15 or organic options like compost + wood ash + bone meal). This supports more flowers and better fruit set.

• After each harvest cycle: Give a light top-dressing of compost or liquid fertilizer (fish emulsion, seaweed extract) to refresh the plant.

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✂️ 2. Pruning & Training

• Train the vine on a trellis to improve airflow and reduce disease.

• Remove old, yellowing leaves and weak side shoots so the plant focuses on new growth and fruiting branches.

• Pinch off the tip of the main vine when it reaches about 6–7 nodes to encourage side branching, which produces more female flowers.

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🍈 3. Harvesting Technique

• Harvest fruits when they are young and green (10–15 cm long, depending on variety).

• Do not let fruits over-ripen on the vine (yellow or splitting) — this signals the plant to slow down fruit production.

• Frequent harvesting (every 2–3 days) stimulates the plant to set new fruits.

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💧 4. Watering & Mulching

• Bitter gourd likes consistent soil moisture, but avoid waterlogging.

• Mulch around the base with straw or dried leaves to keep soil cool and moist, reduce weeds, and add organic matter.

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🐛 5. Pest & Disease Control

• Common issues: fruit flies, aphids, powdery mildew.

• Use neem spray, insecticidal soap, or sticky traps for insects.

• Remove diseased leaves promptly.

• Rotating planting beds each season helps reduce soil-borne problems.

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🌦️ 6. Seasonal Renewal

• Even with good care, yield naturally declines after a few months.

• To maintain continuous harvest, stagger planting: sow a new batch of seeds every 4–6 weeks so fresh vines start fruiting when older ones decline.

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👉 With these steps, you can often stretch the fruiting period to 4–5 months instead of the usual 2–3 months.

Monstera leaves in water filled vase. Day 10 and still looking good.

Cut monstera leaves are quite hardy compared to many other foliage types.
Average vase life: They generally last 2–4 weeks in water, sometimes longer if conditions are good.
Water hygiene: Change the water every 2–3 days to prevent bacterial growth.
Stem trimming: Re-cut stems at an angle every few days to keep water uptake efficient.
Environment: Keep away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and air conditioners. Moderate indoor temperatures (20–25 °C) help them last longer.
Leaf condition: Younger, firm leaves last longer than older, more mature ones.
Signs of decline: Yellowing, curling, or browning edges usually mean the leaf is nearing the end of its vase life.

If you want them for decorative purposes, monstera leaves often outlast typical cut flowers and can sometimes look good for up to 6 weeks, especially if only used as greenery.

A Day at Tanjung Rambutan Waterfall

There are some days in life that stay forever etched in memory — not because of anything grand, but because of the laughter, the company, and the carefree spirit of youth. This photo captures one of those golden days, when we, as ACS students, cycled our way to Tanjung Rambutan waterfall for a picnic.

The journey itself was an adventure — bicycles rattling along the road, voices filled with jokes, and the promise of cool water waiting ahead. When we finally reached the falls, the sight of rushing water over the rocks was irresistible. Within minutes, we were splashing about, soaking ourselves in joy.

The water was refreshing, the rocks warm under the sun, and the forest echoed with our laughter. Arms raised, hands clasped, we celebrated the simple joy of friendship. There was no need for gadgets or plans — just good food in our picnic baskets, open skies above, and the strong bond of friends beside us.

Looking back now, it wasn’t just a picnic — it was a reminder of what friendship truly means. It was about cycling together, eating together, diving into rivers together, and knowing that those shared moments would outlast time.

Great friendship, great memories, and a great day at Tanjung Rambutan waterfall.

We cycled from Ipoh to Tanjung Rambutan!

The Young Medics

Great to have so many young medics from Taiwan in the clinic.  Lots of sharing.  Very enthusiastic bunch.  They are on a study tour and will be visiting the Orang Asli camps.  

Happy learning and Happy holiday!

Pewter Pitcher

Pewter is primarily an alloy of tin, with small amounts of other metals for durability.  Modern pewter is lead-free and safe to use. It consists of 95% tin, along with copper and antimony.  Pewter is easy to shape.

The first pewter pitchers were produced in Europe, where they served wine and provided water during travel, especially on boats and ships.  Pewter pitchers remained popular throughout early American history, serving water, milk, and other beverages in homes.  During the Victorian era, they were used for social gatherings and parties.

 

Quill Pen

 

Quill pens have a rich history dating back to the 6th century. These elegant writing tools were widely used during the Middle Ages and even played a role in significant historical moments. Crafted from bird feathers, particularly those of swans, geese, and turkeys, quill pens were prized for their durability and ability to hold ink. Writers would sharpen the feather's tip, hollow out a small section to hold ink, and then dip it into an ink bottle. The quill pen's reign eventually gave way to fountain pens, which allowed continuous writing without frequent ink refills. Still, the quill pen remains a symbol of education, literature, and artistic expression.

The addition of a metal nib to quill pens occurred during the 17th century. This innovation allowed for more precise writing and improved ink flow. The metal nib replaced the traditional feather tip, making quill pens even more versatile. 

Candelabra

The word “candelabra” originated from Latin, where “candēlābrum” (candela, candle, -b(a)rum, holder) means a “candlestick.”

The earliest recorded candelabra dates back to ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. These candelabras were typically made of bronze and served as candle holders with multiple arms. 

In modern times, electricity has relegated candleholders to decorative use. Interior designers still draw inspiration from candelabra and candlesticks when creating light fixtures and accessories.

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Teapot.

 

Large Chinese Blue and White porcelain teapot. 

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Dragon Teapot.

 

A Chinese porcelain teapot with a spout and handle, decorated in cobalt-blue to both sides with dragon design.

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain. Bird Rice Wine Flask.

Blue and white porcelain with bird spout design and motifs of phoenixes. The blue and white color combination signifies purity and sophistication. These flasks were not only functional vessels but also symbols of status and taste.

Blue and white porcelain gained prominence during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) and reached its zenith in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).

 

Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Vase.

The blue and white Chinese porcelain vases have a fascinating history.

1. Ancient Mesopotamian Influence: Underglaze blue and white pottery was initially introduced by the ancient Mesopotamians, who used cobalt oxide pigment to imitate lapis lazuli. Later, during the Islamic Abbasid Caliphate, blue and white pottery gained popularity across the Middle East.

2. Chinese Beginnings: The very first blue and white pottery in China emerged during the early Tang dynasty (618–907 AD) in Henan. However, these early pieces were earthenware rather than porcelain.

3. Yuan Dynasty Innovations: As cobalt arrived in China via the Silk Road, Yuan dynasty potters experimented with it. The porous surface of the vessels required precise brushwork. Initially greyish black, the heat of glazing transformed the cobalt into a brilliant blue.

4. Ming Dynasty Transformation: When the Ming dynasty began in 1368, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (Hongwu Emperor) shifted from the detailed Islamic style to a dominant Chinese style.

 In this vase, do you see the face of a person in the tree?

 

Chinese Jade Peach Bonsai Tree.

A Chinese jade peach bonsai tree is a delightful and symbolic creation. These miniature trees often feature coral-colored hardstone peaches and leaves made of nephrite jade. They're not only visually appealing but also carry cultural significance. In Chinese culture, the peach symbolizes longevity and immortality. 

Chinese Ceramics. Hexagonal Plant Pot with Saucer.

 

The hexagonal ceramic plant pot style has a rich history dating back centuries. It gained prominence during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) in China. Crafted by skilled artisans, these pots featured intricate designs, often incorporating blue and white patterns or floral motifs. They were not only functional but also served as decorative pieces. Over time, this style has continued to evolve, blending tradition with contemporary aesthetics.

TOBE @ 15 Clarke Street. Exhibit: Artifacts

Zao 1.0

ZAO 1.0 by Ipoh Women Ceramicists.  An exhibition at 22 Hale Street. 

Some of the affordable ceramics created by young artists. Very talented indeed. 

I like this one. 

Catching on with designs of old cave paintings. 

So cute.  Will live much longer than the real ones in a fish bowl. 

Sleeping beauties.

Very imaginative.

The plants on top the sculptured buildings are real.

Keep off.  Once broken, considered sold!

Great pieces to collect.

Very life like.

The artist's profile.

Transformation!!