Japanese pop queen Ayumi Hamasaki upset locals in a Hong Kong fishing village when she made a surprise visit for a seafood meal with 22 aggressive bodyguards and flunkies, witnesses said.
Hamasaki, known as "Ayu" to her fans and the biggest-selling solo pop star in Japan, was cocooned by her entourage who prevented locals from getting near her table or fans from taking photographs.
She popped over to Sok Kwu Wan village on Lamma Island, about 3km from downtown Hong Kong after she had completed a series of sold-out concerts at the city's Coliseum arena.
PHOTO: AP
Contributors to local Website forums complained that the diminutive singer, whose unusually large round eyes and fair hair are believed to have sparked a fad for eye-lid cosmetic surgery among Japanese girls, had upset locals.
"The most famous J-pop star of all time was having a post-concert bite accompanied by no less than 12 bodyguards and another 10 strong entourage," wrote one anonymous subscriber to Lamma.com.hk, the blog for island residents.
"(I) didn't have a phone to photo with and the table next to me was prevented from taking pictures anyway," the writer added.
A spokesman for the Rainbow Restaurant, where Hamasaki ate, confirmed the singer had dined at the eatery but wouldn't comment on her entourage's behavior.
"She had lots of bodyguards with her," he said. "She came over on her own chartered boat."
According to her Website, Hamasaki has had 27 number one hits in Japan, more than any other solo artist.
Leafy Lamma Island's seafood restaurants regularly attract celebrities including Jackie Chan and Chow Yun-fat. (AFP)
日本流行天后濱崎步惹火了香港某魚村的居民,目擊的民眾表示,她突然帶著二十二個粗魯的保鑣和隨行人員來訪,說要一啖海鮮。
歌迷稱「Ayu」的濱崎步是日本最暢銷的流行歌手,當時她被隨護團團包圍,以防當地居民接近她的餐桌,或歌迷照相。
她結束在紅磡體育館一連串爆滿的演唱會後,突然造訪離香港市中心三公里遠的南丫島索罟灣村。
當地網站論壇的網友抱怨這名身型嬌小的歌手惹惱了當地人。據說濱崎步異常的大圓眼和金髮在日本年輕女孩中掀起了一陣割雙眼皮的狂熱。
南丫島居民的部落格Lamma.com.hk有匿名網友寫道︰「史上最受歡迎的日本流行之星在演唱會後小吃一頓,隨行十二多名保鑣,和十名高大的隨從。」
這名作者補充︰「(我)沒有可以拍照的手機,反正我旁邊的桌子也不能拍照。」
濱崎步用餐的彩虹餐廳發言人證實,濱崎步的確在店內用餐,但是不願意對隨行人員的行為做任何評論。
「她有很多保鏢跟著她,」他說︰「她自己包船過來的。」
根據濱崎步的個人網站,她在日本有二十七首冠軍單曲,比其他日本歌手還多。
綠意盎然的南ㄚ島上的海鮮餐廳,常吸引如成龍和周潤發等名流前往。
(法新社╱翻譯︰鄭湘儀)
Have you ever wondered why “Manila envelopes” carry that name? The answer lies in a plant native to the Philippines. Though a fruit-producing plant, abaca is most valued for its leaf stalks, which are __1__ to extract fibers known as “Manila hemp.” These fibers are known for their strength and resistance to saltwater. Because of its __2__ in sea environments, Manila hemp has long been used to make Manila rope, a staple in the sailing and maritime industries for centuries. It withstands harsh ocean conditions without its flexibility being __3__. Manila rope doesn’t break down easily when exposed to
China commemorated 80 years since the end of World War II last week with a massive military parade against a backdrop of a disputed history about who ultimately defeated Japan. The issues, including Japan’s reckoning with its wartime record in China, are bound to flare again in December, a flashpoint anniversary of the mass killing in Nanjing by invading Japanese troops. Below is an explainer about what the different — and disputed — points of view are. WHAT IS CHINA’S VIEW? For the Chinese government sitting in Beijing, this is a clear-cut issue: China sacrificed 35 million people in a heroic and brutal struggle
Rarely does Nature present such a striking contradiction as the one found in Lencois Maranhenses National Park. Located along Brazil’s northeastern coast, the park unveils breathtaking scenery, where rippling sands meet crystal-clear lagoons. Under the sun’s golden glow, the waters glitter in shades of turquoise and emerald. So surreal is this spectacle that visitors might wonder if they’re gazing at a digitally modified photo rather than a living landscape. Were it not for the unique geographical and climatic conditions, such a marvel would not exist. Unlike typical deserts, Lencois Maranhenses receives a substantial amount of rainfall, particularly during the rainy season
In a major step to combat carbon emissions, Norway’s pioneering “Northern Lights project” is set to expand its carbon capture and storage (CCS) capabilities. Backed by energy giants and the Norwegian government, this collaborative project is working to increase its annual carbon storage capacity from 1.5 million to over five million tons. Northern Lights focuses on capturing CO2 emissions from industrial sources across Europe and securely storing them underground. Captured CO2 will be liquefied and transported by ship to the storage facility located off the coast of Norway. It will be injected through pipes into geological formations about 2,600m below the