Tulips

Almost four hundred years ago, a mania for tulips swept the Netherlands, when a single bulb of the legendary Semper augustus fetched the equivalent of more than 10 years' wages for their average workers.

No arguing with that. No understanding it either.

I still remember vividly visiting Keukenhof with my tulip lover wife during the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome. The Dutch people were friendly, until they realized we were from Hong Kong. Mention the term "Hongkongers" and everyone became apprehensive back in 2003.

Now that we aren't able to make a pilgrimage to the country with the famous beloved bulb, we find the local garden with tulips. We were so fascinated when we visited a tulip field during our hike to Sai Kung this afternoon.

Oh, thank goodness - "tulipmania" didn't vanish with the virus; it blooms perfectly.