Happy New Year! We have been enjoying our second Lunar New Year here in Hong Kong. The weather this year is sunny and gorgeous. It was a little chilly in the morning of the first day (Sunday), but aside from that we've been very lucky.
Evangeline had a lot of fun at her school leading up to the New Year break. On the day before the school holidays, they had a celebration and encouraged the children to wear traditional Chinese clothes. There is a family down the street whose daughter goes to the same school, and although she's two years older, she and Evangeline have become "bus friends." Her mom gave us one of her old outfits for Evangeline to wear, which was so special.
On Saturday, the day before the first day, we went to the big New Year market in Victoria Park on Hong Kong Island. Last year we went very early, before all of the stalls were open, so this year we took our time and had brunch first, so we didn't get there until around 11am. Wow, was it packed! It was too crowded for Joseph, so we didn't stay long, but it was fun to be in the middle of the big spectacle for a while.
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| Cherry blossoms and orchids |
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| Checking out some blooms |
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| My personal favorite, kumquat bushes! |
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| Big steamer of dumplings |
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| Evangeline eating a gai daan jai, which is a puffy egg waffle |
We decided to take advantage of the lovely weather on the second day and go for a hike in Plover Cove Country Park, which is in northeast Hong Kong, close to the border with China. There is a bus that runs right up to a local landmark called Bride's Pool, but only on holidays. Perfect! Once you are there, there are several easy trails that are just right for a small child. It was so nice to leave the bustle of the city behind for a few hours. Evangeline asked soon after we got there, "Why is it so quiet?"
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| On the trail |
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| By a scenic waterfall |
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| Holes carved out by water |
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| Happy hiker |
And just like last year, I think Evangeline's favorite event was the Lion Dance here at our housing estate. It feels very special to be up so close to the action, although maybe not so good for our ears. :)
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| With the lions before they got going |
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| Evangeline and one of her friends, Alice |
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| Percussionists at work |
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| One of the lions jumping on the posts |
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| The lions address the crowd |
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| Family shot after the performance |
So far, so good in the Year of the Snake!
