Happy Chinese New Years! We spent our holiday in the city, being tourists in our own town, and had a great time! First up, the Victoria Park New Years Market - in the heart of the city, this park is like Stanley Park - full of flowers and trees, and of course, the statue of Queen Victoria. Even at 2pm - we were among thousands touring the stalls and flower area.
Statue of Queen Victoria in the middle of the park
Sarah hiding among the wishing trees - these cherry trees are cut at the stem, and placed into chinese pots to be put in lobbies, and foyers at the beginning of the holidays. They are covered in red lai see (lie see) envelopes - like christmas trees - lai see is a huge part of the CNY - they are given to children and adults that are not married - some of the students at our school will receive more than $80,000 HKD this year.
The weather was perfect for touring around the city.
Some kind of fruit tree - no idea!
Daffodils, tulips, dahlias, primulas, and gorgeous orchids in the flower side. Traditionally just a flower market, this event has opened up to be more of a 'fair' - university students are now allowed to set up stalls and make money towards tuition.
Lost in translation....
Orange trees, and Bate flowers...
We were swept along with the crowds - couldn't have pulled aside to stop at any of the stalls even if we wanted to!
The next day, we went to Ocean Park - a huge, huge amusement park and interpretive centre only 5 minutes from our flat. Signature pose here in HK! The park is bigger and better than Disney - featuring rollercoasters, rides, food stalls, dolphin and whale performances, shark aquarium, Panda habitat (3 pandas), hot air balloons, and a 15 minute tram ride from one end of the park to the other. Amazing!
Tram from lower level (Panda Habitat at the back)up to higher level for the rides and more!
Too funny!
Entrance to Ocean Park - we spent 6 hours here! Ended up getting the girls annual passes - apparently this is where the teens hang out, when not shopping...!
Bob, or should we say, Giant Bob!
Shark aquarium was amazing - tanks beside and over top! We saw every kind imaginable - a really cool part of the park!
Shark aquarium
Just a little un-nerving..
The girls went on this ride - the wheel lifts straight up and around - won't see Jen on it...
Tram ride to upper level - our flat and Ap Lei Chau Harbour is to the right of these hills - we see the roller coaster and rides from our flat.
Another highlight of our holiday - cousin Val and her teenagers, Charlotte and Bronson, came for the weekend - we spent four great days touring, shopping in the markets, and eating great food in some of our favorite restaurants.
Val, Charlotte and Bronson Rogers visiting from Vancouver. Sarah and Meg are the same age, and they got along like a house on fire! It was great to see them, and catch up on family news from home! We will be seeing these guys again this summer in France.
Chinese acrobat troupe at Ocean Park, and hot air balloon above - end of a great day!
Chinese acrobats
Entrance to Shark Aquarium at Ocean Park (hearing the Jaws theme...)
Walking from our flat, to the water along Ap Lei Chau promenade.
Bob looking over the fishing boats - across the water behind the highrises is our school, Canadian International, and in front The Jumbo Floating Restaurant
Walking through Ap Lei Chau Gardens
Ap Lei Chau Gardens- beautifully kept, and bball courts!
A sculpture and sitting area - the only place where smoking is allowed in the gardens
Waterway of Ap Lei Chau - traditional fishing and shipyard - water is toxic, but fishing still goes on daily
Jumbo Floating Restaurant - good food - catch a sampan across the water to the restaurant for $40HKD
Looking across from Ap Lei Chau to Aberdeen
Aberdeen highrises
Along the promenade, a gorgeous day to wander about!
Ap Lei Chau Gardens - so many beautiful plants that I don't recognize
Ap Lei Chau village - this little island is the most populated in the world
The entrance to our ferry dock - 80 cents across the water to Aberdeen
Ferry coming in to dock - every 5 minutes or so
Travelling across the waterway to Aberdeeen
The promenade and flowering bushes - hibiscus of every colour imaginable!
Going to the ferry dock
Getting onto the ferry - can use cash or the ubiquitous Octopus card, which works for ferry, buses, MTR subway and train service across Hong Kong. The Octopus card can now be used at our school to purchase lunch at the cafeteria!
Fishing boats pull up by the ferry dock to sell their wares - still alive, of course- she's cutting heads off with scissors, and wrapping them up to go!
Another fisherman waiting his turn to pull into the side by the ferry dock
A thriving business - we don't buy here, but the locals come in droves
Gangplank down to the ferry
Ferry can seat up to 30 people, we are often the only gweilos (chinese for 'ghost'), which is what we are referred to here (I guess honkies is not used here?)
Bob on deck
Jen on deck - it's a wonderful trip!
Captain on the right behind the life preserver - 
Come on along!
Many of these small boats run up and down the waterway - you can hire them for your group - only about $40HKD for a half hour tour of the harbour
Coming to the dock - climb off the boat and up the stairs that run along the wall
View of our Sham Wan Towers (on the left!) from the ferry, as we cross to Aberdeen - ours is the middle tower
Lots of manoeuvering around all sizes of boats
Coming into the dock
Aberdeen village - typical street scene and lots of shrines at city corners, burning incense
On Aberdeen side, we cross the streets and go to find the bank, post office, lots of shopping, flower shops, shoe shops, etc.
Bus terminus at Aberdeen - all double deckers!
From the ferry dock, we cross under the main road (they call them subways here), and into Aberdeen. 
Getting off the ferry
Main square in Aberdeen village - all decked out for Christmas holidays
Aberdeen Village Square - tons of the old timers come to gather, and gossip
We're often the only gweilos in the village, but I think they recognize us now
Walking through the streets of Aberdeen - the small cream coloured buses are called mini buses - you can flag them down anywhere, and stop anytime - costs about $3HKD
Aberdeen streets
At our grocery store, the Park N'Shop with questionable meats - see the pigs?
Bob picking up some prawns for supper!
Huge fish stalls, all still alive - he pulls out which one you point at, smacks it, and bags it right there - Still don't recognize many of the swimming things!
Fish on ice - 
Fresh produce section - very busy market - we're here once a week to pick up groceries for the week
