Hong Kong Travel Blog

Car Racing in Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sat, 20 Aug 2016 09:57:00 +0000

I love the excitement of car racing, but I’m also afraid of the dangerous nature. There is a place in Hong Kong where offers a virtual racing experience, which is completely safe, and everyone qualifies to be a racer. Here you don’t even have to care about DUI (driving under the influence) as you can even drive with one hand while the other hand holding a bottle of beer. A colleague of mine even talks on the mobile phone while driving and drinking! Wonderful multi-tasking skills!

My company had a team building event yesterday, and took us to the Sideways Driving Club where we all had great fun. They have several English speaking young guys providing all-round assistance including catering, coaching and game administering.

We were offered to race on a BMW Mini simulating driving at a track in Germany. Some of the young guys gave hands-on assistance to those in need. Although it was virtual, it was indeed quite exciting, and each of us had a driving turn of around 45 minutes. After all, we all found very tired, just like having had a real race.

The place is relatively compact. There are only 15 driving simulators. The bar area is in the middle of the shop. We can only collect the food and eat while standing. Atop of Lan Kwai Fong, it is easy for us to look for other entertainments after the race.

The place operates daily between 12:00pm to 11:00pm. You can choose from one of the following packages or even join a membership.

Driving Only
Driving & Drinks
Driving & Catering
Driving, Drinks & Catering

The minimum cost will be HK$300 for one-hour driving only. I personally would suggest driving only or driving & drinks. Because there is no kitchen, the food was ordered from 3^rd party and were no more fresh and hot when arriving.

The Driving Club also has a racing gear shop. You can buy all kinds of racing related gadgets here.

Sideways Driving Club

Chancery Lane, Central, Hong Kong

Mobile Phone Multi-Tasking in Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 07:29:00 +0000

We always talk about multi-tasking in the work place. But it does not stop there. You can find people multi-tasking everywhere in Hong Kong, and most of these scenarios are having mobile phones involved. Indeed, mobile phone has become an important part of the lives of many or even most people in Hong Kong. Look at the photo below, is he busy enough? Nope, not at all. Let me tell you two of the real scenes that I saw recently.

Mobile Phone Multi-Tasking Scenario 1

At the office building where I work, I saw a lady in front of me, bending her body which made her posture a bit odd and that caught my attention. When we went into the same lift, I realized she was actually multi-tasking. She has a moderately big bag hanging on her shoulder, holding an A4 size leather folder between her arm and body. She was talking on the mobile phone (without headset), and at the same time holding 2 cups of coffee (without any carrying bag). She did all these simultaneously while pressing the button in the lift to go where she wanted to go. Is she busy enough? I can hardly imagine where she came from, whether she bought the two cups of coffee before or after answering the mobile phone, either way, it was indeed challenging.

Mobile Phone Multi-Tasking Scenario 2

This second scenario is even more demanding. On a rainy day, I was waiting for a tram at a tram stop and saw a man trying to get onboard a tram. He had to close his umbrella, of course, while he went onto the tram. At this same moment, he was holding a suitcase and talking on the mobile phone (without headset). I don't know how someone with two hands can manage that many tasks at the same time, but it did happen. Of course the most unfortunate people were those who tried to get onboard the same tram. I was afraid to get even wetter, so I chose to wait for the next tram.

After all, the other mobile phone multi-tasking seems to be nothing, such as I saw a man swimming and smoking while talking on the mobile phone. My boss once told me he saw a man at the airport smoking, running with a trolley and at the same time speaking on the mobile phone.

Well, what else will you do with mobile phones?

All About Dragon Boat Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 08:26:00 +0000

Today is Dragon Boat Festival - May 5 in Chinese Calendar (June 20, 2015)

Today is Dragon Boat Festival, Chinese society generally have a day off. In Hong Kong, it's a public holiday; while in China, the holiday spans through June 19 to 22.

Let's talk about some interesting facts about the festival.

Dragon Boat Racing

Dragon Boat Racing is an important event in Hong Kong, domestically and internationally. Every year, there are races being held, gathering local and internal rowers to create great gesture and fun. South China Morning Post has shortlisted seven best places to view Dragon Boat Races in Hong Kong. Click on the link below for more information.

Seven places in Hong Kong best for watching Dragon Boat Racing

Origin

In memory of Patriot Qu Yuan of Chu during the Warring States periods in China. The little video presents the original of the festival along with some of it's associated activities and foods.

Dragon Boat Racing for Champion - Chinese Orchestra

As Dragon Boat Racing is such an important event among Chinese society, their is a famous music written for the activity. Here it is played by Chinese Orchestra. Click on it, enjoy the lovely music while having a sense of the races.

Dragon Boat Festival Foods

Of course dumplings are the most important.

Dumplings seem to be the only festival food being ate through out the year especially in Hong Kong.

There are many types, shapes and tastes. But they are all wrapped by bamboo leaves and being steamed for a few hours.

Originally was meant to be thrown into the river so that fishes eat the dumplings rather than the body of Qu Yuan.

Egg yolk is an important ingredient for savory ones.

For luxury ones, people may add pork, mushroom and many other ingredients that they like.

As for the sweet ones, there is always lotus paste inside.

Dragon Boat Festival in Hong Kong

Leap September and Occupy Central in Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 01 Oct 2014 11:39:00 +0000

Leap September and Occupy Central in Hong Kong

If you’ve observed the Chinese Lunar Calendar, you may realize that there are 7 “leap months” every 19 years. In 2014, we have a rare leap month of September. How rare? The last was 182 years ago, i.e. 1832, and the next being 2109, i.e. 95 years from now. If you have a baby to be born in the leap month of Lunar September (October 24 – November 22), he or she would have to live to the age of 95 in order to celebrate a real birthday.

How Does a Leap Month Occur?

In China’s Lunar Calendar, Otsuki months has 30 days, Satsuki 29 days, 12 months a year of 354 days or 355 days, running short of about 11 days comparing to a normal calendar year. 3 years down, there will be a short of about one month. In the long term, there will be days of confused timing and strange phenomenon. To solve this problem, the “intercalary” approach is being used. i.e. to add one month to that year, and that added month is called intercalary month or leap month. Hence the leap year will have 13 months. 2014 is one of such leap years and has two Lunar Septembers.

How is the leap month being determined?

The Lunar Calendar has 24 solar terms, the odd number as "jie-qi", even as "zhong-qi." The odd and even appear alternately every 15 days.

According to regulations, each ordinary Lunar month must have a combination of jie-qi and zhong-qi. Only those months lacking one will be defined as the Leap Month. For example, in 2014, Lunar September has only one solar term, and the next one falls on the 1^st of Lunar October, hence September becomes a leap month, and there will be two Septembers in the Lunar Calendar.

In fact, there is scientific explanation for the rare occurrence of leap September. It is understood that due to the Earth's perihelion at different speeds and movement, the possibility of leap month occurs toward winter is very small.

According to statistics, the Lunar March, April, May, June, July has more occurrences. Leap November only occurred once in 1650, leap December and January had never happened.

Occupy Central - September 2014

The Implications of a Rare Leap September

Metaphysicians believe, "Chinese people are traditionally scared of rare phenomenon”, hence many seniors give red packets to their young family members as a means of safeguarding.

Mid Autumn Festival usually occurs in September of western calendar. However 2014 Mid Autumn falls on September 8th which is the earliest in the recent 38 years. Why? Due to a leap September. The leap September also induces two Chung Yeung (double-nine) Festival. According to tradition, people will only celebrate the first one and not the one on the leap month.

Some Chinese believe if you were born in a leap month, and if that leap month occurs again ever in your life, you should go buy gold and that will bring you great fortune.

Many believe leap September brings disasters and political instability. Believe it or not, ‘Occupy Central’ was kicked off on September 28 (September 5 in Lunar Calendar), although not in the Leap September. I was forced to work from home yesterday, due to the road blocks. Many shops in Central, Admiralty, Causeway Bay and Tsimshatsui were forced to close. It’s really a great threat to the general public of Hong Kong. Well, no one knows how long this is going to last!

Others believe political instability may not be due to a leap September, it could be the effect of the year of Horse and Goat. Looking back, China’s Cultural Revolution happened in 1966 (Horse) and Hong Kong’s Riot happened in 1967 (Goat). Will you consider it as coincidence or superstition?

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Leap September and Occupy Central

Mid Autumn Festival 2014

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 09:05:00 +0000

It was the Mid Autumn Festival (August 15th in Chinese Calendar) yesterday, one of the most important festivals in Chinese culture. In tradition, Chinese celebrate the festival in three phases - Welcoming the Moon (August 14th), Admiring the Moon (August 15th) and Chasing the Moon (August 16th).

In Hong Kong, the public holiday falls on the Moon Chasing day. It used to be on the Festival day, ie. 15th, but somehow the former colonial government said people admire the moon at night, they can still work in the day. However people sleep late after admiring the moon, the following day became a holiday. And this has been practicing after the handover through now.

The Mid Autumn Festival is all about the moon, moon cake, lanterns and many other celebrations. Let's talk about all these in Hong Kong.

The Moon - Although the moon looks the same anywhere in the world, but this was the one I took after dinner last night. And I had a second chance of admiring her while on bed - she was shining on my bed through the window. Exactly what Li Bai said - 床前明月光. It was a bit of luck, because admiring the moon all depends on weather.

Mid Autumn Moon in Hong Kong

September 8, 2014 - 8.16 pm

The Moon and Chang'e - the moon has always been a charming subject and hence there was a legend saying that Chang'e (a very beautiful woman) stole and ate some 'longevity pills' and flew to live in the moon. In fact she was lonely there with only a rabbit friend. Hence there was a poem saying 嫦娥應悔偷靈葯, 碧海青天夜夜深. (Chang'e would not stole the pills if she had a second chance.)

Chang'e Flew to the Moon - c.1500BC

The Rabbit Lanterns - this has been a forever symbol of Mid Autumn lanterns in Hong Kong. When we were kids, we lit the rabbit with candles and we needed to handle with care as we were playing with real fire. Nowadays there are electronic ones which are more safe. Knowing that rabbit is the only friend of Chang'e in the moon, it is easy to understand why rabbit lantern is such an important symbol of the festival.

Rabbit Lanterns

Star Fruit Lanterns - there are several fruits more popular around the Mid Autumn Festival. Star Fruit is one of them. No wonder star-fruit-shape lanterns has also been one of the most traditional lanterns in Hong Kong.

Star Fruit Lanterns

Traditional Lanterns - although electronic lanterns are widely popular in Hong Kong, but it can never replace the traditional way we play with lanterns. At home, we prefer to lighting lanterns with candles. After all, it's more fun although we had to take extra care to look after them.

Traditional Lanterns

Moon Cake and Taro - what is the relation between moon cake and taro? 'Rich people eat moon cake, poor people eat taro'. What? Is there such a rule? Of course not, but in any society, there are rich people and poor people. Somehow most Cantonese in Hong Kong have heard about this: 有錢人家吃月餅, 冇錢人家吃芋頭. Mid Autumn Festival is a time when family members get together, enjoy food and celebrate. If you want to eat something good but cannot afford moon cake, then eat taro instead. This could be the poor people ridiculing themselves.

Moon Cake and Taro

Pomelo Lanterns and Peels - pomelo is one of the fruits exceptionally popular at Mid Autumn Festival. As it is large in size, it is good for family members to share. Apart from this, the pomelo peels are very useful. You see, the peels are so thick, hence we make lanterns and food out of it.

Pomelo

Pomelo Lantern - it all depend on your skill. Some people can make very creative pomelo lanterns such as the one here.

Pomelo Lantern

Pomelo Peels Dim Sum - Some people even turn pomelo peels into food. Today (the Moon Chasing Day), I specially order this pomelo peels over my dim sum lunch as part of the festival celebration. In fact, cooking of pomelo peels take a bit of time and effort. My mother used to cook it at home. We need to get rid of the zest first and then soak the thick peels until soft, add some seasoning before steaming. When we were young, we had great fun helping our mother in preparing the pomelo peels and making of pomelo lanterns.

Steam Pomelo Peels with Shrimp Roes

If you want to learn more about the Mid Autumn Festival legends, stories and history, there is an article at the International Business Times. Take a look and have fun.

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Mid Autumn Festival 2014

PS: Mid Autumn Festival usually occurs in September of western calendar. However 2014 Mid Autumn falls on September 8th which is the earliest in the recent 38 years. Why? We'll talk about this in my next post.

Weird Queuing Culture of Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 10 Jul 2014 13:30:00 +0000

In Hong Kong, people queue to buy all kinds of everything – houses, stocks, LV or Prada. Some people queue to buy these expensive or luxury items to speculate. What about queuing to buy cookies? When someone told me that people queue in Tsimshatsui to buy cookies and speculate for money, I was really unable to believe. This is the weirdest thing I ever heard. How much money people can make out of speculating cookies?

When I first pass by this shop with a queue of about 100 people, it made me wanted to find out what they were queuing for. Cookies. In fact, these are not celebrity cookies or luxury brand cookies. I thought most of you may have never heard of this shop. It is just a high street bakery with only two branches (one in Tsimshatsui and one in Central) and a 5-page website having only couple of photos on each of those pages.

Today when I pass by this shop again, it was midday around 34 degrees Celsius and the queue was as usual – LONG. Each time only around 10 customers were allowed to enter the shop to buy cookies. What made these people to queue under the sun to buy cookies? Certainly I’m not the only one curious about this weird scene. Every time I pass by this shop there were many people taking photographs, although one of the shop posters says ‘photography not allowed’.

The legend did not stop there. The shop had little to no decoration, having only a stack of cookie boxes at the entrance along with several posters. One of the posters stated their rules of selling.

· Accept cash only

· Do no accept telephone or online order

· Each customer can only make one purchase per day (not sure how they monitor this)

· Each customer can buy a maximum of five boxes only

Top notice:

Accept cash only

Middle notice:

Working hours - 10am - 7pm Tue through Saturday, close on Sunday (What about Monday??!!)

Bottom notice:

Price list in Chinese, Japanese and Korean

There were only two core products – 4 or 8 Mix Butter Cookies in large or small boxes. Small box $65 (320 grams), large box $120 (640 grams).

I have an interesting calculation here. Assume they can entertain 100 customer per hour and they work 9 hours a day, and each customer buy 5 boxes averaging $450 sales per customer, their turnover will look like this:

Daily: $450 x 100 x 9 = $405,000

Weekly: $405,000 x 6 = $2,430,000 (assume they work on Monday as well)

Monthly: $2,430,000 x 4 = $9,720,000

A cookie shop has a monthly turnover of close to HK$10 million is really amazing. Would you consider quitting your job and learn to make cookies?

Hong Kong Travel Blog

Weird Queuing Culture of Hong Kong

City of Demonstration – Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 14:46:00 +0000

Hong Kong dominates the headlines of most media worldwide today. July 1, the date of the establishment of the HKSAR, has been an important date for demonstrators in Hong Kong since 1997.

If you want to visit Hong Kong to see something which is REALLY UNIQUE here, July 1 is a good date. However you have to be SERIOUSLY responsible for your own safety. Look for some safe places or book a hotel along Hennessy Road and request a room overseeing the Hennessy Road. I would say this is the safest way. But mind you, you won’t be able to leave the hotel between 2 and 9pm, as there are road blocks for the demonstrators.

Hong Kong - July 1, 2014

Along Hennessy Road

Depart from the Victoria Park

Gathering at Central

Photo source: Bloomberg

How Many Protestors Are There?

Was about 500,000 yesterday (July 1, 2014)

Was about 1,000,000 some ten years ago (July 1, 2003)

With these numbers, do you think you want to come to Hong Kong and see it yourself? The good thing is, it happens VERY PUNCTUALLY once every year on the same date July 1, regardless of weather or anything.

News Headlines for Hong Kong, July 1, 2014

Now let’s review some of the headlines from some major media.

The Guardian

Hong Kong pro-democracy march attracts tens of thousands.Organisers expect 500,000-strong 1 July rally, and student activists plan 24-hour occupation of business district.

New York Times

Huge Crowds Turn Out for Pro-Democracy March in Hong Kong, Defying Beijing.

Wall Street Journal

Massive Hong Kong Democracy Protest, Unwanted Party-Crashers.

CNN

After almost 800,000 Occupy Central 'votes,' Hong Kong readies for massive protest.

Bloomberg

H.K. Police Clear Protesters After Decade’s Biggest Rally.

July 1: a short history of Hong Kong's march for democracy

South China Morning Post has this video article. Sit back and take one step further to get to know the history of Hong Kong demonstration. Highly recommended.

Hong Kong Travel Blog - City of Demonstration

Hong Kong Police 170 years Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 11:11:00 +0000

Exhibition Marks Force's 170th Anniversary

The Hong Kong Police Force 170th Anniversary Exhibition will be held at the former Wan Chai Police Station on three consecutive weekends - May 31, June 1, 7, 8, 14 and 15 from 10am to 6pm.

It features police uniforms and equipment from different eras, and awards handed out to commend force members for serving the community. The former Wan Chai Police Station report room and the officers' mess have been restored to their original condition.

Vintage and serving police motorcycles are displayed at the compound for photo-taking and the Police Band will perform at the venue.

Big Head in Green 大頭綠衣

Big Head in Green is a nick name of Hong Kong Policemen at the early stages. The name resembles their outfit. We had a brief chat with this 'Big Head', he was a retired policeman, used to serve in a special armed force at the Airport. He even showed us some brilliant photos of his golden days.

Police motorbikes at various stages. The one below is the current model.

I don't seem to see these traffic pagoda for many years. Now we can remember this from our childhood and pretend to be a traffic police.

There were many volunteer tour guides. The one standing behind the traffic pagoda.

There were also performance from the Police Band.

Free post cards and souvenirs on sale.

Hong Kong Police 170th Year

Hong Kong Chinese New Year Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 14:34:00 +0000

If you want to find how the Hong Kong Chinese New Year weather is, you probably want to visit Hong Kong to experience the New Year atmosphere here. If that’s the case, I have something interesting to tell.

Statistics indicates every three Chinese New Year (CNY), two of them fall on February. In the past ten years (2004-2013), there were 6 CNYs fall on February.

Going through the internet, it’s easy to find some general information about Hong Kong weather in February, such as cool, dry, sunny, etc., easily accessed information that I don’t want to repeat here. But weather is sometimes predictable while sometimes not. The cool February here did have a record of 28C degrees in 2009. Dry February is also not true all the time.

Chinese has a saying of ‘dry winter wet year’. If this is your first time hearing about this, let me explain a bit.

December 21 is the Winter Solstice. Chinese tradition weights Winter Solstice heavier than New Year, Hong Kong is no exception. Some companies even arrange for staff to finish work early in order to go home to prepare family dinner. Chinese believe if Winter Solstice has no rain, the upcoming Chinese New Year will rain. No one knows how this relationship is being established. One of the reasons could be due to its recurrence.

While Winter Solstice is always December 21 (occasionally 22), Chinese New Year may be as early as January 22 (2004) or as late as February 20 (1984), the days between Winter Solstice and CNY ranges between 31 and 61 days. What has caused a relationship between a dry day in December and a wet day in the following year 31 to 61 days apart is something interesting to discuss.

Let’s first of all define dry and wet.

Let say dry means rainfall of less than 0.1mm; wet means rainfall of 0.1mm or more. Interestingly, over the past decade (2004-2013) were all "dry winters" in Hong Kong, and seven were sunny. However there were only four years of "wet year" and therefore "the dry winter and wet year" accuracy rate is only 40%; if we count in new year eve and the 2nd and 3rd day of CNY, the accuracy goes up to 60%.

On climate science, Hong Kong in December by the cold and dry continental air, the higher the chance fine; began in January, warm and humid maritime airstream start to affect the south China coastal areas, the weather became cloudy with occasional fog, falls cold air southward, the two streams meet they form clouds and rain, so the "dry winters" and "wet years" is actually not directly related.

Even so, ‘dry winter wet year’ did happen 5 years in a row (1992-1996).

Flower Market at Hong Kong Chinese New Year Eve 2010 - February 13

So how is the Hong Kong Chinese New Year weather like? Apart from cool, dry and sunny, it may rain due to the ‘dry winter wet year’ effect.

2013 winter was dry; 2014 CNY falls on Jan 31, which means Feb 1 is the second day of Chinese New Year. Considering the 60% accuracy of ‘dry winter wet year’, you’re on the safe side to visit Hong Kong with an umbrella, if you tend to come here to experience the Chinese New Year atmosphere.

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Dry Winter Wet Year

Dog Parking at Stanley

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 14:15:00 +0000

Stanley is a good place for dog lovers to walk their dogs. On weekends or holidays, you can treat this place as a mini dog show.

Today is the New Year Day of 2014. To avoid the marching crowd in the city, I come over to Stanley and spend an afternoon here for a leisure walk and take some dog photos.

As there are many dog lovers in this area, there are many related services here - dog hotel, dog grooming, dog doctor, dog training...dog everything, including dog parking. Dog owners just park their dogs outside the supermarket, and pick them up after shopping.

Dog owners can easily make friends, especially when their dogs start greeting each other.

Dog parking is also available at restaurants. In fact, dog owners just sit next to their dogs, so they are still paying attention to each other.

Dogs of all sizes and colors can be found. See, they even have their 'personal' carpet!

A leisure walk at Stanley waterfront would allow viewing two landmarks which were being relocated from Central. Yes, relocated from Central.

Murray House was originally in Central and the whole building was being moved here in 2001. You can now find all kinds of restaurants here.

So as the Blake Pier which was also situated in Central previously.

Blake Pier and Murray House

Star Ferry on Sunday

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 14:25:00 +0000

Star Ferry is not only a ferry!
When you are told of Star Ferry, you may think of a ferry ride from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon and vise versa. Of course this is true, but if you come on Sunday, Star Ferry has a lot more to offer.

Last Sunday a friend of mine was invited to do a show there. So I went there to support her and took a video around what's happening at the Star Ferry at Central. Click on the video below, and I'll tell you more.

When I got off the tram in Central at Worldwide House, I walked over the footbridge to Star Ferry. On the footbridge level there was weekly organic vegetable market which were held every Sunday where local organic produce are sold. This level is where you actually take the ferry, visit the visitor's centre, take a break at the Subway coffee shop or fine dining at the WaterMark. There are spacious observation decks around. You can relax and admire the beautiful Victoria Harbour.

On the ground level, my friend and her team were invited to do some cultural performances. The video above captured some Cantonese music, while my friend was invited to sing. Some dragon dances and other local cultural shows were held. There were also many other mini stores where you can learn to fold a grasshopper, do some mini handicraft, or learn some organic cooking.

On the ground level is also the terminus of the Big Bus. You can start a hop-on hop-off bus tour around Hong Kong. I have copied the video from the Big Bus website to give you an idea of what a Big Bus Tour has to offer.

Right next to the Big Bus terminus is the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. Hong Kong is a harbour. Hong Kong people's lives are closely related to the sea. You'll find interesting facts and history here together with a very nice souvenior shop.

Come share the fun at Star Ferry!

Daily 06:30 - 23:30
Upper Deck adult - HK$2.5 on weekday and HK$3.4 on weekends

On the footbridge it is connected to the IFC Shopping Mall.

Cantonese Operat Day 2013 - Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 13:34:00 +0000

The annual Cantonese Opera Day in Hong Kong was held yesterday - the last Sunday of every November. I used to be a volunteer worker for the event. But as an opera lover, I decided to switch my role to be an audience since last year. That way I had more time to enjoy the event.

At the Cultural Centre along Tsimshatsui waterfront, there were various events and performance to promote Cantonese Opera. This year there is a slogan of 'The Young and The Vigorous'. The performers were very young and even with school boys and girls. They all do very well.

Here is a snapshot of The Legend of the White Snake. And the flag show below resembled water flooding when the White and Green Snake trying to rescue the husband of the White Snake. It was really wonderful and gained plenty of applauses from the audiences.

Well, apart from free shows, I'm glad to see that many young people love and participate in the traditional Canontese opera art and performance. With the beautiful world famous Victoria Harbour as the backdrop, it was a very enjoyable Sunday.

Hong Kong Travel Blog

Shanghainese Mooncake and Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 15:37:00 +0000

Today is Mid Autumn Festival - September 19, 2013 (August 15 - Chinese Calendar)

Time for a family gathering. But Hong Kong is a Cantonese society, all Cantonese restaurants are full. To enjoy a festival dinner, I had two options - go western or something non Cantonese. So we managed to make a booking at the New Shanghai Restaurant at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Although a little bit pricy, but good food, good service and good place, what else can we expect?

Here are some of our favourite Shanghainese dishes.

Drunk Chicken HK$98 (US$12.6) 醉鷄

Very frangrant Huadiao wine and almost boneless. Yummy and well worth the price.

Deep Fried Mini Yellow Fish HK$98 (US$12.6) 香煎小黃魚

This is the signature dish and also best of the best. I would like to recommend this to anyone visiting this restaurant. I can't tell how delicious it is. You need to taste it yourself.

Sliced Tofu with Vegetable and Salty Pork HK$78 (US$10) 咸肉百頁小棠菜

As a matter of balance of diet, I really like this dish. Declicious and not oily and with some soup base. Very well done.

Juicy Bun HK$58 (US$7.4) 小籠包

Has to take extra care, it's really very juicy. With a bit of vinegar, it's also one of the best of the best at this restaurant.

Shanghainese Pancake HK$78 (US$10) 棗泥窩餅

As a festival dinner, we'd like to have something sweet to wrap up. This is very cruncy with red bean paste stuffing. But we don't understand how it is completely non greasy. We dip our fingers through the dish and didn't pick up any oil. Again, very well done.

The good thing about this restaurant is every thing comes very timely, hot, delicious and well presented. But the most important thing I like is the environment. There are sufficient space in between tables so that everyone have a reasonably comfortable (although not private) dining area. For me, a peaceful eating envrionment is very important. Only for this, I would like to recommend this restaurant to anyone.

Shanghainese Mooncake Bonus 上海素月餅

After dinner, I was thinking if the restaurant will offer us mooncake as a free dessert. Beyond my expectation, we were given a pack of 6 Shanghainese mooncakes free of charge. When we looked at the menu, the cost of the mooncakes valued almost half of our bill. Excellent rebate!

Vegetarian Shanghainese Mooncake 上海玖瑰細沙月

There were 6 vegetarian mooncakes - 4 of penta-nuts and 2 of rosy red bean. I'm Cantonese and it's my first time eating Shanghainese mooncake. It's good and it's free.

Mid Autumn Moon

8.13pm - September 19, 2013

On our way back, many people crowded around on a foot bridge to admire the moon. Here's the bright big moon at Mid Autumn in Hong Kong. We used to have today as a public holiday. But at some stage, the former British government changed the holiday to the following day. Well, it made sense, as people admire the moon at night and sleep late, having a holiday the next day is not a bad idea.

New Shanghai Restaurant 新滬坊

L1 Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2582 7332

Hong Kong Food Blog - Shanghinese Mooncake and Dinner

Hong Kong Museum Tour 2013 Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 14:07:00 +0000

Hong Kong Museum Tour - August 28, 2013

Today I have a day off. In fact I pick Wednesday because all Hong Kong museums are free, except special exhibitions. I walk through three museums in Tsimshatsui. Here's a summary of my tours.

Hong Kong Science Museum
There are big crowds of people, as students are still on summer holiday. And we are like-minded people - go to musuems on Wednesday for free. In fact at this museum, I walk through one show only and it really make my day. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this exhibition - WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR. It is a special exhibition, but I don't know why they let me in FOC. It is rare chance that we can see so many valuable and beautiful wildlife photos. It really worth your time.

In fact I also watched a movie about cutlefishes, as I arrive just at the right time. It's free but it's really valuable. You'll appreciate the wonderful content and the underwater filming. How they film the cutlefishes hunting, mating and their life span. Howevere watching movies (free or not free) in Hong Kong, you would have to put up with a few things: crying and talking kids, people talking on mobile phone, people turning on their ipad and other lightening devices, eating and drinking. Athough all these were said to be forbidden, well, it's Hong Kong!

Hong Kong Museum of History

Just opposite to the Science Museum. There is another special exhibition which is FOC - The Hong Kong Observatory. I arrived at a good time, no queueing, so I had a chance to take this scientific photo with Typhoon Vicente which visited us in July 2012.

As a Hong Konger, this show recap a lot of the miserable memories about the natural disasters.

The three most distructive typhoons after war: Wanda (1962), Rose (1971) and Ellen (1983). Although I was very young in the 60s and 70s, Ellen hit me with unforgettable memories. I was stucked in Macau, away from home and had to struggle with typhoon alone. Drought in 1963, although I was a little girl, I still had clear memory how we survive through 4 hours of water supply every four days. Heavy rain in 1966 and 1972, costing enormous human life and disasters...

The regular show Hong Kong Story is always free. Very resourceful, telling the history of Hong Kong from prehistoric to 1997 when China regain the power in Hong Kong. Short movies are available. At the old Hong Kong street, I took a few photos.

Typewritter

Gen Y may not have a chance to see how a typewritter look like.

Telephone

There are several of them, but these two looks good. I seem to have seen them when I was a little girl.

Fan

A typical air conditioning equipment for the general public in the 60s.

Radio

Yes, it's a radio, though at the size of a microwave. During the 60s it was quite a luxury at home. So people usually decorate/protect it with kind of beautiful curtain.

The Art Museum

After the two museums, I took bus to the nearby Art Museum. But I shouldn't come, because I forgot I came here two months ago. Didn't find anything new, just walked briefly through some of the galleries.

Breakfast At Island Shangri-La

Before my museum tour, I started my day with a 5-star breakfast. Unfortunately it's 5-star in terms of money, 2-star in terms of food. I couldn't even find someone to fry eggs. Fortunately after a thorough search, I found someone who can cook an omelette for me. There were very little food choices along with many empty trays.

There were actually nothing worth taking a photo. However these two were ok. As they were cooked to order, they were very hot. But look, at the congee counter, I couldn't even find green onions. Everyone in Hong Kong eat congee with green onion, I'm not sure whether it was used up without refill or there were actually none. I ended up add some dry garlic which is never a congee mate.

The bill is really big - HK$308+10% service fee, total HK$338.8

I must say if it is part of your room package, go for it. If you need to pay HK$338.8 for such a below par buffet, forget it. With such money, you can eat a high quality fresh seafood dinner in Hong Kong.

Ocean Park 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 26 Jun 2013 10:01:00 +0000

Ocean Park Birthday Tour 2013

Yesterday was my birthday, I've taken the advantage of going to Ocean Park for free. In fact, I did the same last year. There were something quite different for this year.

Giant Panda - there are two pairs of giant pandas in the Park. I remember I made this comment last year - giant pandas are always sleeping and red pandas are active. But this year is exactly in reverse.
I had never imagined to see a a panda in motion, and especially eating bamboo leaves. Wonderful! Everyone were so excited. On the other side, the red pandas were sleeping. Oh well, I learn a lession from pandas - the world is forever changing!

The Penguin Encounter is new. Last year it was not open yet. Be prepared, as it is only 8-10 degrees inside. There are many species of penguins here. The large ones are 2-3 feet tall while the small ones are just about a foot.

I would say I saw more penguins here than in Philip Island Australia. I like seeing them swimming, diving or jumping up to the shore. Lovely creatures.

Grand Acuqarium

Sea Jelly Spectacular

At the Main Entrance

As the Ocean Park is one of the world most popular theme parks, there are lots of tourists, both from local and around the world. The Park is full of people everyday. But on my birthday, I had a little privilege. I didn't have to queue to buy a ticket, there is a special counter for birthday guests and it is free. Although the Park is always full of people, you can still take a good photo if you have patience. See my photo at the main entrance.

Couple of Things To Note

No personal food is allowed. You have to buy from the expensive F&B outlets inside the Park.
Every point of interest has photo service. They are expensive, minimum charge HK$288, inclusive photo, frame and key chain. You are free to take the photos, but you don't have to buy if you don't like the photo.

Transportation

From Wanchai - take bus 90 or 97 (east bound), get off immediately after the tunnel. HK$4.7. A few minutes walk to the Park.
From Admiralty - take bus 629 to the main entrance. HK$10.9
From elsewhere - take MTR to Admiralty and change to bus 629

Standard Admission Fee

Adult - HK$280
Children (3-11) - HK$140

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Ocean Park

Hong Kong: Big vistas and even bigger ambitions

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sun, 26 May 2013 13:48:00 +0000

The region has long been a thriving hub, but it's still looking to the future, says Tom Peck

When Batman flew by helicopter over Hong Kong harbour five years ago, he made minor movie history. Film aficionados will know that the scene from The Dark Knight was the first in a major feature film to be shot with an IMAX camera. The director, Christopher Nolan, chose it for one reason – the pictures it captures are simply enormous.

It was a wise decision. A single glance doesn't really do Hong Kong's iconic panorama justice, but by taking to the skies, the Caped Crusader was being a bit of a wimp. In 1881, a Scottish railwayman called Alexander Findlay Smith became convinced of the possibility of building a funicular railway up the impossibly steep Victoria Peak, the island's highest mountain. Now, his engineering is Hong Kong's most popular attraction.

The Peak Tram, as it has become known, has its Lower Terminus on Garden Road (00 852 2522 0922; thepeak.com.hk/en; return HK$40/£3.50). It takes around five minutes to travel the 1,400 metres to the top, gaining more than 400 metres in height as it does so. Suddenly, the entire city spreads out before you like a tablecloth thrown over the earth.

Rows of gleaming metal towers shoot from beside the calm waters of the harbour up to the rolling forested hills – indeed it's the kind of vista that does demand an IMAX lens to take it in.
After experiencing this overview, take the tram back down and from the terminus in Central – Hong Kong's glistening business district – head up Garden Road until you reach the Bank of China Tower whose triangular glass panels make it stand out from the crowd. This is Downtown – the belly of the beast, but its historical centre too. Turn left on to Queens Road Central, left again on to D'Aguilar Street, and then take your first right on to Stanley Street. The sound of greedy slurping indicates your arrival in one of the last vestiges of Hong Kong's once thriving street food scene. Not so long ago, you'd find hundreds of dai pai dong in Hong Kong, but today only 28 official open-air food stalls remain.

The words translate as "big licence"; after the Second World War, special street food licences – with larger badges than usual – were given out in haste to the struggling families of deceased soldiers or civil servants so that they could earn a living. But almost all have since fallen victim to air-conditioned progress. However, several stalls serve authentic dim sum, which roughly means "a little bit from the heart". Sing Kee, at Nos 9 & 10 is the busiest, and with good reason. The service is a little brisk, but the food is authentic. Cuttlefish is popular, as are fish-skin dumplings. There's also eggs with shrimp for the less adventurous.

Carry on west to where Stanley Street crosses Cochrane Street and take the Mid-Levels Escalator up to Hollywood Road, right at the top. These 800-metre-long, covered escalators, opened in 1993, are now an important commuter route which tackles Hong Kong's hilly terrain and bustling traffic. From 6am to 10am, they run downhill, after which point they are switched in the other direction.

Head west along Hollywood Road as it, and the surrounding streets, transform into a long stretch of stalls and antique shops, some cheap and cheerful, many eye-wateringly expensive. A few hundred metres further on, you'll find the largest of Hong Kong's Man Mo Taoist Temples that honour two of the many hundreds of gods: War and Literature. Here the two figures sit side by side, one brandishing a pen, the other a sword. Behind the red and gold doors, the air is alive with incense smoke. As recently as 100 years ago, it is maintained that when disputes could not be solved by British law, they would be settled here using a curious game of chance involving chicken's blood and pieces of yellow paper.

A little further along Hollywood Road, turn right and take the stairs down to Queens Road Central. Turn left on to the escalators down to Connaught Road and then turn right to Hong Kong Central Station. This might seem an unusual location for a bite to eat, but it contains the third and newest branch of a Hong Kong institution, Tim Ho Wan (Hong Kong Station Podium Level 1, IFC Mall; 00 852 2332 3078; timhowan.com). The original (in nearby Kowloon) is the world's cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant. A di m sum meal, including the signature barbecue pork buns, can be bought for around £5.

Come out of the other end of Hong Kong Central Station and walk along the harbour front at Lung Wo Road to Hong Kong's Exhibition Centre, a little low-rise blob framed by the skyscrapers that surround it. From 23-26 May it will be hosting, for the first time, Art Basel. More than 250 galleries from 35 countries will be exhibiting at the contemporary art show, and leading artists will be involved in panel discussions.
Where the world's riches go, high-end art follows, and China is now the world's second-largest market. Hong Kong might just be embarking on the most exciting chapter in its history.

Fresh cuts
Art Basel is at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, 1 Expo Drive (00 852 2824 2381; artbasel.com) from 23-26 May. Other galleries throughout the city are also taking part. Tickets HK$250 (£21).
Rula Bula (58-62 D'Aguilar Street; 00 852 2179 5225; rulabula.com.hk) deals in "molecular cocktails" and DJs of world renown. An abbreviation from the Irish expression "Ri Ra agus Rúla Búla", meaning "uproar and commotion", it is the latest in a long line of offerings to the Hong Kong social scene from expatriate Irishman Cathal Kiely.
Enomod (1-5 Elgin Street; 00 852 2555 6065; facebook.com/enomod) is a new Mediterranean "social dining experience". Cheeses, cold cuts, delicate tapas-style fish dishes and wine by the carafe set among seven different areas – including charcuterie counter, lounge area, communal dining tables and draught wine corner.

Travel essentials

Getting there
Virgin Atlantic (0844 209 2770; virgin-atlantic.com) flies daily from Heathrow to Hong Kong. Returns start at £659. Cathay Pacific (020-8834 8888; cathaypacific.com) and British Airways (0844 493 0787) also fly Heathrow-Hong Kong. Many connecting flights are available.

Staying there
The Marco Polo Hotel, 13 Canton Road, Harbour City, Kowloon (00 852 2113 0088; marcopolohotels.com). Double rooms, with spectacular views over Hong Kong harbour, start at HK$1,700 (£144), without breakfast.

More information
Hong Kong Tourist Board: discoverhongkong.com

Article source: Independent

Hong Kong Tops Asia’s Shopping Destinations

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Hong Kong’s Tourism Board has long called the city a shopper’s paradise. Now, it can point to a study that hails the former British colony as Asia’s top shopping destination.

Global Blue, a Switzerland-based company that helps foreign shoppers to obtain tax refunds, teamed up with the Economist Intelligence Unit to rank 25 cities in Asia-Pacific on their shopping offerings for visitors. The researchers made their rankings based on five categories: Shops, affordability, convenience, hotel and transport, and culture and climate.

In the resulting study, titled the “Globe Shopper Index Asia-Pacific,” Hong Kong came out on top, scoring 68.5 out of 100 thanks to its convenience and wide selection of shops. The city was also praised for factors such as its long sales periods (the city’s stores marked down items for 22 weeks last year) and its shops’ multilingual staff.

Hong Kong’s one weakness was in the affordability category. Owing to its popularity as a tourist destination, especially among mainland Chinese, the city’s hotels are often full, which in turn pushes up room prices. Taxis are also relatively expensive compared to other Asian cities. On the other hand, the cities that performed well on the affordability ranking – Ho Chi Minh City and Dhaka were the top two – often ranked low in other categories, such as convenience and variety of shops and brands.

Last year, 41.9 million tourists flocked to Hong Kong, up 16% from 2010, and spent 253 billion Hong Kong dollars ($32.6 billion), according to the city’s tourism board. Sixty-seven percent, or 28.1 million, of the city’s visitors came from mainland China.

The study put Kuala Lumpur in second place with a score of 65.1, while Shanghai and Beijing scored 63.1 and 60.7, respectively. Singapore came in fifth, followed by Sydney, Bangkok and Tokyo.

While Kuala Lumpur doesn’t have Hong Kong’s international reputation as a shopping haven, the researchers pointed out that the city’s goods are cheap, the hotels are plentiful, and the metropolis has several gigantic malls, including three of the world’s top 10 shopping centers by size. Air-conditioned malls also help to make up for the Malaysian capital’s biggest weakness: The city ranked third to bottom in the study’s climate category.

Global Blue, which tracks world-wide movements of tourist shopping dollars, projects that the rapid rise of travelling shoppers from mainland China will continue despite the economic uncertainty in the country.

“We don’t see a slowdown at all,” said Per Setterberg, the company’s president. He added that while Hong Kong is a top shopping destination in Asia, many Asian shoppers still see the European capitals as their favorite places to shop in the world. “Those cities are the home to the large brands, and they want to go for the experience of shopping there.”

The company’s first “Globe Shopper Index” study, released last year, focused on Europe. London ranked as Europe’s top shopping destination, followed by Barcelona, Madrid, Paris and Rome.

Source: WSJ

Soho Restaurants in Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 14:34:00 +0000

How many Soho restaurants are there in Hong Kong? And what is special about them. These mini to medium size restaurants in Central Hong Kong are mainly situated around Elgin Street, Staunton Street, Shelly Street, all easily accessible via the Central escalator. One thing special about these restaurants is that they are all very cosy, stylish and with wide range of international foods.

My office is nearby this area. Today I make use of my lunch hour to explore the Soho restaurants and here is a summary.

Pampas - Argentinian Steak House

G/F, 32B-C Staunton Street, SoHo, Central, Telephone: 2868 6959

They claim to offer fresh organic prime beef cuts flown in direct from Argentina

Enoteca

G/F, 47 Elgin Street, SoHo, Central, Telephone: 2525 9944

60-seat Mediterranean tapas and wine bar

Olive

G/F, 32 Elgin Street, SoHo, Central, Telephone: 2521 1608

Contemporary Greek and Middle Eastern cuisine with an Australian flavor

F.A.B French American Bistro
G/F, 30 Hollywood Road, SOHO, Central
Telephone: 2810 1600

Quite a cozy Italian restaurant. There are many Italian restaurants lining up at Soho.

El Taco Loco, 9 Lower Staunton Street,
(Off Central Escalator) Central, Hong Kong, Tel: 2522 1239
Mexican Cuisine - Signature dishes include Frijolesy, Carne Asada as well as Tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas and Nachos. Margaritas and Mexican beers are a specialty.

Marouche Lebanese Cuisine

G/F, 46-48 Cochrane Street, SoHo, Central

Telephone: 2541 8282

The meat is mainly sourced from the US and New Zealand, but the spices and ingredients used are imported directly from Lebanon, and even the chef is Lebanese.

Nepal

G/F, 14 Staunton Street, SoHo, Central, Telephone: 2869 6212
Evolving from the Royal Nepalese cuisine, into an assortment of contemporary dishes

I’m curious about Nepal food, so I took a photo of their menu. Main course is BBQ/curry, your choice of meat/vegetables. Starter is Bhenta Tareko (fried eggplant with Nepali herbs); Samosa (stuffed deep fried cone pastries with light spices) or soup of your choice (pumpkin, tomato, lamb, mixed beans), coffee and tea. HK$98+10% service fee.

If you want to spend reasonable money and enjoy unique food in unique stylish comfortable restaurants, you may want to spend a month to do your lunches in this area.

The set lunches for most restaurants are set around HK$98+10% service fee. This may be the way shop owners keep themselves competitive. Please prepare to pay a little more if you choose to go a la carte.

There are places lining up with Italian restaurants, Vietnamese, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, British…you name it and you’ll find it. If you want to explore more about Soho restaurants, click here.

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Soho Restaurants

Ocean Park Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 04:28:00 +0000

I went to the Ocean Park this Monday (25/6) on my birthday, free of charge (hey, local residents only). In the same period Ocean Park is celebrating it's 35th anniversary. Being one of the world's most visited theme parks, Ocean Park has a completely new look after its recent rennovation in 2011.

Many come to the Park to see the giant pandas. Let me tell you, they are always sleeping. Don't expect to see them in motion as in promotion videos. Of course, if you are lucky enough, you'll see a sleeping panda, or you'll simply see an empty cage. In order not to let you down, you must have to see the Red Panda. This active lovely creature is far more worth seeing.

Must See
The Grand Aquarium
Goldfish Treasures
Sea Jelly Spectacular

Must Do
Cable Car (long waiting line)
Ocean Express (minimum waiting, 5 min ride connecting low and highland of the Park)

Shows (approximately 20 minutes)
Whiskers Harbour (Seals)
Ocean Theatre (Dolphins)
Birds Theare

Getting There
Take bus 629 from Admiralty MTR

Admission
Adult: HK$280
Children: HK$140
Birthday (local resident only): FOC, half price for accompanying partner

Time Table
Open daily 10am. Opening hours and show time has seasonally changes. Make sure to pick up a guide map at the entrance.

City Hall and Sir Robert Black

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 06:58:00 +0000

March 2012 is the 50th anniversary of the Hong Kong City Hall. There are series of celebrations including exhibitions and free dancing shows.

Last Saturday I went to see the exhibition of the history of City Hall and found something interesting. As we all know, Hong Kong became a British colony since 1842. Since then English became the official language here. Today we seldom have chances to read some really formally written English or Chinese. I just found one at the exhibition and have decided to share with you here. Mind you, the name of the then governor of Hong Kong was three lines long. Here you go:

On the occasion of the formal opening of the City Hall on 2nd March 1962 His Excellency Sir Robert Black Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael & St. George, Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Governor & Commander in Chief of the Colony of Hong Kong, presented this scroll to the Urban Council upon whom the management of the City Hall had been vested by Ordinance on Wednesday, 29th March 1961. It was received on behalf of the Urban Council by the Chairman the Honourable Kenneth Strathmore Kinghorn, Justice of the Peace.

際茲大會堂揭幕之日

香港總督暨三軍司令御賜聖米迦勒及聖喬治最高勲位大十字武士勲章暨英帝國最高勲位職官柏立基爵士以此卷軸頒賜市政局盖大會堂之管理權根據一九六一年三月廿九日所訂之法例授予市政局者
卷軸由市政局主席太平紳士景韓司憲拜命領存此日會堂敞設人文爭星月之輝館院宏開學術薈中西之萃懿歟盛哉永誌斯舉

You may notice that there are no punctuation marks in the Chinese version. Yes the original was written that way. In fact, ancient formal Chinese was written without punctuations. The use of punctuation marks were only introduced in the recent 100 years or so.

The Higher Block of The Hong Kong City Hall and it's garden. The building next to it was the Mandarin Oriental which was also built in the 60's. Thought the building built at that period were similarly tall. City Hall used to be a giant building at the waterfront of Central when it was built. Nowadays it becomes a tiny little building surrounded by skyscrapers in Central.

There were several venues in the City Hall presenting various kinds of dances which recaps a short history of all the cultural performances being held here in the past half a century.

Hong Kong Travel Blog - City Hall 50th Anniversary

Hong Kong Chinese New Year Firework 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:42:00 +0000

It is a tradition in Hong Kong that on the 2nd day of Chinese New Year, firework will be shown atop Victoria Harbour. I live on Hong Kong Island, so my best place to view firework is Wanchai ferry. In fact I must say viewing firework from Tsimshatsui waterfront is the best. Below I've borrowed a photo from Ming Pao which is taken from Tsimshatsui and is really stunning.

Weather is really cold this year - only 8 degrees and it was quite freezing standing for 23 minutes outdoor at the harbour front. Even so, there are thousands of people crowding over both sides of the Victoria Harbour, not to mention people viewing the show from boat cruises, restaurants, offices and homes with harbour view.

Firework at Victoria Harbour 2012

Photo source: Ming Pao

Next year if you happen to visit Hong Kong during Chinese New Year, don't forget to view the firework show at 8pm on the 2nd day of Chinese New Year.

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Firework 2012

Chinese New Year Photos in Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:39:00 +0000

As Chinese New Year is approaching, the city of Hong Kong is getting more and more colourful. Shops, restaurants, homes, everywhere - people are beautifying places with flowers and all kinds of CNY decorations. Let me share with you some of the views of Hong Kong.

Large floral decorations at Pacific Place Shopping MallA Close Up of the Tao Hua. May be weather is getting warm, flowers are opening up quickly.
Red and gold are typical Chinese colours at Chinese New Year. A big new year decoration at the shopping arcade of Times Square.

Even on a street, you can find decorations like this - Russell Street, outside Times Square.

My office is here at Times Square. Here are the tangerines at the lift lobby.

Almost all commercial buildings are deocrating their lift lobbies. Here's another one resembling the year of Dragon.

Chinese like gold bars, gold cubes, gold everything are used to decorate display windows.
The floral arrangement within hotels are added some Chinese colour as well. The yellow ones are only available around Chinese New Year.
Some traditional new year decorations outside a hotel restaurant.
The reception areas of a Chinese restaurant. See beautiful floral arrangements.

Even MacDonald's is adding some Chinese taste to its cappuccino. I really don't know how they turn their house symbol 'M' into this Chinese character 'fortune'. Wonderful!

Chinese New Year Dim Sums are all given good names. The dumplings below have pork's tongue, dry oyster and hairy vegetable - all related to profit, good business and lucky money.
Pork's knuckle is also a must-eat during Chinese New Year, meaning lots of lucky money throughout the year.

City Views of Hong Kong - Chinese New Year 2012

Cantonese Opera Day

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:42:00 +0000

Today is the Cantonese Opera Day in Hong Kong. In fact, this event has been held on the last Sunday of every November since 2003.

November is the month with best weather in Hong Kong - clear sky, sunny but cool. We gather around at the Cultural Centre at Tsimshatsui for a fun afternoon. I have been a volunteer worker of the event for many years. I love watching Cantonese Opera and it's fun doing volunteer work at the same time.

There are many venues around, both outdoor and indoor, featuring various opera shows, seminars, exhibitions, games and autograph sessions.

This year there is something new - English Guided Tour. I was assigned to that area to help with the guided tours. If you happen to visit Hong Kong by end of November and want to see some life shows of Cantonese cultural heritage, this is a very good event. And it is FREE.

Below is the major stage with the beautiful Victoria Harbour as the backdrop.

Now let's see a show in motion. There are six Cantonese Opera Excepts in this area. Some of the shows were more focused on singing, some on fighting, and some on both. Below is my favourite show - Monkey King.

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Cantonese Opera Day

Sedan Chair Race and Bazaar 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 11:34:00 +0000

Today is Halloween and also the The annual Sedan Chair Race and Bazaar, hosted by the Matilda International Hospital. If you happen to visit Hong Kong by end of October, you would have the chance to share the fun.

The First Sedan Chair Race was inaugurated in 1975 with four entrants running for "The Matilda Hospital Shield". In 2011, this annual event has over 50 teams participated from a wide cross section of Hong Kong's schools, clubs, associations and corporations competing for numerous trophies and raising funds for charity.

Today 30 October, 2011, our company participated in the event for the first time, so we were very excited in going up to the peak early in the morning as cheer leaders.

I’m really impressed that most of the companies are very dedicated in decorating their sedan chairs. Similarly our company and our team put in a lot of effort in practicing, decorating and fund raising.

The chairs have many themes, here are some of them.

Hudson Shrek

Elvis Presley - from which organisation?!
DFS's Guitars

Morgan Stanley Piano

The Yellow Submarine of Noble Group
The Honorable Guest of the Event is a TV Star

Teams of eight, carrying sedan chairs with ‘life human’ passengers racing around the Peak on a route of 2.1km start and end at The Matilda International Hospital.

Here are the trophies.

The fund raised goes to support charitable organisations that generally do not receive assistance from the government or other major charity bodies.

Teams from a broad cross-section of Hong Kong – corporations, associations, clubs and schools – are all welcome to join the Race.

For more information, visit Sedan Chair Race and Bazaar 2011 official website

Hong Kong Travel Blog - Sedan Chair Race 2011

Bird Viewing in Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Anna) — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 13:46:00 +0000

If you are a fan of bird viewing, Hong Kong has some excellent sites to offer.

The Wetland Park is rich in mangrove birds and some of them are close to extinction such as Black-faced Spoonbills. If you enjoy watching birds in the wild, it is certainly an ideal site which has a lot of visitor facilities.

If you don’t want to travel a long way to the Wetland Park, there is a more convenient way to watching birds. Hong Kong Park has an aviary with plenty of bird species. Apart from the birds living inside the aviary, there are also many other types of bird habitants including the beautiful Cacatua Sulphurea 小葵花鳳頭鸚鵡. Bird watching groups gather here every Wednesday. Depending on opportunities, they may even set up binoculars for visitors to view the wild birds they’ve spotted. I had that chance to share the fun last week.

Last Wednesday October 5 was actually the Double Nine Festival (9th of September in Chinese calendar) and it’s a public holiday in Hong Kong. According to Chinese tradition, we need to go up to high altitude in order to avoid bad luck. Hence the Peak Tram line was long and other public transportations going up to the Peak were full. We’ve therefore decided to go mid level where the Hong Kong Park is. Conveniently situated in central Hong Kong, you can easily access the Park by MTR. Get off at Admiralty and you’ll be connected to the Park by escalators.

On a regular day, you can go watch the birds at the aviary and then continue to go up to the Peak, as the Peak Tram station is just next to the Park. Alternatively you can visit the Tea Museum within the Park. Also next to the Park is the Bank of China where mini exhibitions are usually held at the lobby. On the day of our visit, we decided to go there to see The Living Earth exhibition.

Back to bird viewing, below are a few of my photo collections. Hey, I’m not a professional photographer and birds are not photogenic models. The photos I’ve taken were results of luck.

Maroon-breated Crown Pigeon 紫胸鳳冠鳩

Bali Mynah 長冠八哥Red Lory and Wompoo Fruit Dove
紅頂吸蜜鸚鵡 / 巨果鳩

Australian Pelican 澳洲鵜鶘

Crested Pigeon 冠鳩

Java Sparrow 爪哇和雀
Following instruction, you can exit the Park and cross the road to the Peak Tram station.
Bird Watching Sites in Hong Kong
Bird Species in Hong KongHong Kong Travel Blog - Bird Viewing