Block2Blog

  T he Naval Base Way Navalites revealed in more ways than other communities the true meaning of   ‘ Loving thy Neighbour as thyself.’     We grew up living in harmony, practically in each other’s homes and like Chris Fok “ ran in and out of neighbours’ homes even to their kitchens . “ Next to being in Paradise is being in the Naval Base. No racism, all are like brothers and sisters , is how Yen King Ngo fe els. While Irene Francis, a proud grand- parent like many of us remembers, “ Though time has passed. Childhood experiences and growing up memories remain”. Perhaps there is something that other communities can learn from The Naval Base Way? Regrettably, our ‘Peyton Place’ no longer exists.   But thankfully the past has reunited us in that same spirit of togetherness through social media platforms and hopefully the future fulfils Chan Peew’s desire of “giving the younger generation a sense of what it was like, growing up in the Naval Base .” Perhaps as we mark th

 50th anniversary (of the British Forces pull-out) in 50 words (by C.P. Wan) The above photo shows an unnumbered block and by recognition, was indeed my birth place almost 75 years ago (as I pen my "50 words" today). This was Block 14 and the extreme end unit was Room 12 (our 2-room family quarters) allocated to my late dad who was employed in the H. M. Dockyard.  Two of my older brothers, my late mom and I were privileged to be employed in the Dockyard too. The road  was unmistakably, the Kowloon Road. Many of my friends grew up in this neighbourhood and our "adventures" went beyond all the surrounding blocks. The entire length of the slopes was part of our childhood playground for both boys and girls of all races. For our English language schooling, we had two primary schools - Canberra School and West Hill School; the Naval Base School was our secondary school and all these scho0ls were within walking distance for some of us. ( NB: Admiralty Asian School was an

50 th Anniversary in 50 words. The headline sounds like a promotional offer to entice ‘customers’ to patronize a cause actually came about during a conversation with my co-admin and ex-NB friend, Chan Peew, who for a while has been asking me to pen experiences of growing up in NB, especially this being the 50 th Anniversary of the British pull-out.   I hesitate, elaborating, “ Although I wrote a biography, I can’t write mine, cause, like doctors, I am, unable to cure my own sickness ”.   We haggle and that’s when the theme 50 th Anniversary in 50 words. bounces. He agrees to the suggestion and I realize that often friends are sounding boards and well-spring of ideas. Sweet Nothings   One day, I meet an old friend, who enquires how I spend my retirement.   I answer light-heartedly, “ I like to think, I'm not retired but-   unemployable-   because, only the well-off can afford to retire” . He isn’t amused, and sensing he enquired to prepare for his impending retirement,