Chinese Lion Dance

The drums were beating… actually they were calling us; calling us to witness the Chinese Lion Dance being danced at the Gold Coast Shopping Centre. So with our new digital camera in hand, I rushed to tidy myself (as it was a public holiday and I had been slothing around the apartment).

As we got closer to the shopping centre the drums were louder and we could also hear someone using the gong and another smashing the cymbals.

The Lion Dance is performed at the beginning of the Chinese New Year to bring luck and to ward off evil spirits. I fondly watched the 2 lions dance and wander through each of the shops at the centre.

Tradition is that the performing group is paid through the Choy Cheng, or ‘Eating of the Green (vegetable)’. Generally a lai see packet (with money inside) is attached to some green vegetable and is placed in an area for the lion to ‘eat’. The dance is where the lion carefully approaches the vegetable and makes sure it is safe to eat. After testing on the left and right sides, the lion will do a ‘3-star’ routine to ward off any others that may want to eat his vegetable.

The lion then picks up the green vegetable with his mouth and chews it. The person who is performing at the head of the lion usually removes the lai see packet and places it inside his shirt. He does this so he does not drop it because it would mean bad luck. Then he tears the lettuce apart, and spits it out, first to the left, then to the right and then to the middle to help spread prosperity in all directions.

I said to Nick once it was over that they should come to our place and spread the prosperity around to help my business grow. And as we walked across the bridge to head home we heard the drums calling… there they were walking down past our apartment block. By the time we saw them, they all looked exhausted, but one of the lion’s was still happy to be photographed while I happily clicked away.

Kung Hei Fat Choi

Chinese New Year is being celebrated right throughout Hong Kong and China... tonight at the stroke of midnight fire crackers started dancing and echo across the harbour. As you look out over our balcony a sea of red, round lanterns line the walkway and their reflection on the marina is gorgeous.

This year I wasn't as shy as the last... instead of saying "Happy New Year", I actually said "Kung Hei Fat Choi" and wrote it on emails when dealing with business associates. I did get a few giggles as I stumbled over my words and sometimes said them ass about.

This year is a big year for babies... here in Hong Kong as well as Oz. There will be 2 born in March, another 2 in May and 1 in July. I have a feeling there is another but I've not heard yet. So to all you lovely pregnant ones, your babe will be born in the Year of the Pig.

And as the Chinese wishes go... Kung Hei Fat Choi! May your Year be Prosperous!

Here are some photos that Adele took on the last day of school. Adele teaches English at a local school and the children were dressed to celebrate the Chinese New Year festivities.

Sites around Hong Kong

Here I thought I'd show you some photos of Hong Kong.


This photo is of the Fish Markets in Sai Kung, a country park and a popular area for expatriates to live. It's nice to visit but a little too far for us as public transport to get into town would be a 2 mini buses and 2 different trains.

Mini buses only seat about 20 people (if that) and some of the drivers drive like maniacs. There are 2 sorts... Green top, who generally take a standard route and the Red top, who must get from Point A and Point B but don't necessarily go the same way each time, you may have a detour or two.

Here are my parents enjoying their seafood lunch at Sai Kung. It was very messy as we had to break the lobster with our hands, peel our own prawns, use our hands for the crab as well... the food is fresh and is really delicious.


And here is the Big Buddha... he's amazing and one of the world's largest. There are many steps (as you can see) but definitely worth the climb to the top.

Mid-Autumn Festival

As I walk from the bus stop I notice that the humidity has dropped, red lanterns are hanging and moon cakes are displayed in shop windows – this means that the Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner.

The festival traditionally celebrates the full moon and showing gratitude for the harvest of food. It also represents the gathering of friends and family. During the festival, people eat special sweet cakes known as "Moon Cakes" made of ground lotus and sesame seed paste, egg-yolk and other ingredients.

Saturday, 7th October will be a busy day with firework displays, laterns floating and fire dragons walking through the streets. With a population of 6.8 million, I think I'll be staying at home away from all the hussle and bussle Hong Kong is well known for.

By the time you read this article Hong Kong and China would have held their ceremonies to greet the winter, worshipped the moon, paid their respects to Chang O, the Chinese Moon Goddess and sent moon cakes to their relatives as gifts.

Enjoy your week.