CNY 2010 with Qualicum cousins

Day Two in Hong Kong began with a walk along the beautiful Ap Lei Chau promenade. Built as part of the 2006 Beijing olympics legacy program, it winds its way long the Aberdeen harbour. We visited the Hung Sei temple, which is an ancient temple in the midst of skyscrapers and busyness of a large city. Inside, it was hushed and shadowed and filled with incense. People were burning papers with pictures of ipods, furniture and cars, carried by smoke into the afterlife to await them there. The temple is maintained by a society, and a gentleman there, when hearing we were family, congratulated me on having a son! We watched in awe as one after another people lit their incense and bowed to the altars within.

Afterwards, we wandered through Ap Lei Chau gardens which were abloom with everything colourful! Mums, dahlias, impatiens, and many many shrubs, trees and flowers which I didn't recognize. Shea took a lovely picture of a brown and blue butterfly which flitted above us as if it wanted to come along.

We then hired a sampan ferry and tootled around the harbour, careening around junks, fishing vessels, other sampans and large ships. What a busy port! We saw a fisherman making his way along the harbourside which is dotted with boat docks, shanties and shacks. The sampan we were on was decorated for the new year and the woman who was piloting us smiled at all of our excitement!

On the other side we made our way to the mini bus, past shops and dimsum lunch stands, canaries, pharmacies and all sorts of interesting places. Many road side shrines along the way.

Chinese New Years 2010 - blog 2

What a beautiful city is Hong Kong! As we raced through the city, up streets, over passes, the evening light show began and all the skyscrapers came to life in a burst of neon! Lots of the go with Chinese New Year and we're so lucky to be here during this special time. There are orange trees and cherry blossoms and red signs with tigers everywhere. The air is full of spices and fish!

We had a good sleep, woke a few times and then spent the day yesterday exploring the heritage part of HK on a bus tour. Here's some pictures for you!

Chinese New Years 2010

We spent CNY holidays with Janet, Shea and Rowan - what a fabulous visit, and a chance for us to share our city with our loved ones - enjoy the pics, and the commentaries by my talented twin!


Day One in Hong Kong. We woke early (3:30 am) and managed to limp some cat naps to morning. We took a bus to Central where we saw the Star Ferry (James Bond movie) and took a "Rickshaw" bus tour around the city. Very beautiful day and this is such a great way to see the sights. Rowan loves banyan trees which are holy trees in China. We visited Dymocks (like Chapters) and stocked up on books for the week. We then went to go grocery shopping - wow lots of different-looking fish! Then went home for dinner.

Afterwards, we visited Victoria Peak. The tram is cable pulled up a very steep hill. The tram replaced the sedan chairs of the 1880s in which the wealthy people were carried up the hill - what a hike! A one point in the trip, looking outside the window, all the buildings look like they are sideways! Up top, a very bright tourist mecca with restaurants, souvenir shops and a view like none other! The skyscrapers were alight with neon, lights and lasers. Such a beautiful night!