Lao Lan Tours China

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Publishing Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Cai Lan, a renowned writer, filmmaker, foodie, traveler, and host, is known as one of the "Four Wits of Hong Kong" alongside Jin Yong, Ni Guang, and Wong Tai. Born in 1941 in Singapore, Cai Lan settled in Hong Kong at the age of 22 and worked at Shaw Brothers Studio. In 1992, he co-hosted the talk show "No Defense Tonight" with Ni Guang and Wong Tai, gaining fame for his open and candid remarks. Later, he created the beverage "Bao Bao Cha," which became a sensation in Japan and Hong Kong. In 1997, he hosted the TV shows "Life is Fun" and "Cai Lan's World" for Hong Kong TVB. His rich life experiences and life lessons provided ample material for his writing. From daily to travel joys, from laughter to anger, everything became his subject matter. Cai Lan has tasted all kinds of delicacies in the world. In his writing, whether it's Thai fruits, French champagne, Chinese hairy crabs, or abalone soup, everything is flavorful and full of emotion. Under the pen of this foodie, the world is a paradise for food lovers. Exquisite delicacies, street snacks, and endless flavors. His unique taste, rich palate, and delicate descriptions are unparalleled, offering readers a culinary experience like never before. "Cook the abalone until it is tender, then place it in a pot. Add water to about eight-tenths full, along with a bit of goji berries and Chinese yam, and a slice of lean meat for stewing. Simmer for two hours, and it’s ready. If you don’t have a Chaozhou stewing pot, a regular soup pot will do, though the soup will be slightly thicker. The stewed soup is incredibly fragrant and sweet. First, drink the soup, then eat the abalone meat. Carefully, you can lift the meat out, slice it with a knife, and dip it in soy sauce paste to eat." ("Fist and Feet·Abalone Soup"). Reading this passage, doesn’t your mouth start to feel something? Many of the delicacies Cai Lan writes about not only focus on ingredients and seasonings but also on the choice of utensils, the heat required, and the best way to enjoy them. Even the most ordinary dishes take on a new flavor in his hands. One of the themes in this series is food. When Cai Lan encounters a dish he loves, he acts impulsively, eating whatever he desires without restraint. He humorously says, "There are two types of cholesterol—good and bad. When others eat it, it’s bad, but when I eat it, it’s good." ("Old Cai’s China Tour·Old"). Truly a man of character! Cai Lan has lived in New York, Paris, Tokyo, Seoul, Barcelona, and Bangkok, and in recent years, he has traveled all over the world. The world in Cai Lan’s writing is diverse and full of charm. The elegance of Europe, the vastness of Australia, the richness of Asia, and the magic of Africa. Food is a given, but the lifestyle, customs, and interesting anecdotes he shares are equally captivating, all imbued with a strong sense of life. The people around him are naturally his topics of choice. The chivalry of Jin Yong, the boldness of Ni Guang, and the charisma of Bruce Lee are all vividly portrayed. "The Godfather of Cantonese Pop" Wong Tai passed away, leaving Hong Kong with only "three wits." The always optimistic Cai Lan advises others, "Don’t mourn Wong Tai," truly a friend with true character. The humor of Zong Hua Jian, the playfulness of Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and the beauty of Kelly Chen are just a few examples of the celebrities who often appear in Cai Lan’s new works, revealing their charm effortlessly. Delicious food, beautiful scenery, and beautiful people complement and enhance each other, creating an endless display of beauty. Cai Lan has traveled his whole life, with friends all over the world, and he cherishes friendship deeply. Bruce Lee wrote in the preface to the series, "For ordinary people with scars from the rough world, friendship is like an elixir that heals wounds and renews strength. Having a friend like Mr. Cai is a special blessing from God. Mr. Cai is too busy to be everyone’s friend, but having one of his books by your side is like having a friend like him right there." After tasting all the delicacies and witnessing all the beauty in the world, he naturally reflects on life. When faced with life’s challenges, Cai Lan also ponders deeply. "Life is a path we must eventually take. When it comes, it’s better to prepare and enjoy its tranquility." ("Lightly Sip, Softly Sing·Learning from Old Lan"). His optimistic attitude toward life is vividly portrayed on the page. Is such a life of romance and revelry misleading to the youth, or is it seen as promoting a hedonistic lifestyle? Some have worried about this, and in an article, Cai Lan provided the following answer: "To achieve a life of indulgence, one must endure hardships in their youth." ("Old Cai’s China Tour·Opening the"). This is another life realm of a flamboyant wit. His life mirrors his writing, and his writing reflects his life. Reading his works is also reading a different kind of life. In this new series of Cai Lan’s books, we see a free-spirited, composed, sincere, witty, and open-minded Cai Lan. This is well noted by Jin Yong in the preface: "Cai Lan is a truly free-spirited person. He is sincere and free-spirited, approaching life with a light and lively attitude, especially when it comes to setbacks or unpleasant experiences, he remains calm and composed, not only outwardly but also inwardly, truly not dwelling on them and taking them lightly with a smile. It’s not easy to 'put them aside,' but to add 'smile,' that’s even harder. He doesn’t complain about food being unpalatable, the car being too bumpy, or the female tour guide being too unattractive. He teaches me how to drink inferior, spicy Italian wine and suck on ox marrow at a hawker center in Singapore. I frown, but he always laughs heartily, so he must be much freer-spirited than I am. This book is by one of the 'Four Wits of Hong Kong,' the famous filmmaker, writer, and foodie—Cai Lan. His footsteps have covered all the continents. The world in Cai Lan’s writing is diverse and full of charm. The delicacies of different countries, the charm of life, the joys of travel, and the flavors of life are all effortlessly transformed into stories. His language is concise,, witty, and unrestrained, fully showcasing the charm of a literary wit.