HK-Day 6-Thursday
Happy Chinese New Years Day!!!
- Chinese Breakfast – Dim Sum
- HK Midlevels
- Krispy Kream
- McDonald’s Dinner
- New Years Day parade over in Kowloon
On the train this morning, I decided to try an get a movie of the entire length of the train as it snakes thru town. I think it turned out nice.
We head out to Sheung Wan for a Lonely Planet recommended Chinese breakfast.
After breakfast, we head up the hill. Ok, I know this now, but didn’t know it then. There is a group of escalators and moving walkways to go up the hill. For some reason, Jim decided to hike up the stairs. By the time we got to the highest point that we were headed, many of the skyscraper roofs were at the same level we were. See #624.
Recall that it is new years day, so most of the Chinese are dressed up (as for church) and going to family gatherings. They exchange gifts – mostly little red cards containing pins or money. Basically, anyone you have a relationship with gets a card from your husband, wife, children, grocer, waitress, laundry, anyone you’ve known on a weekly basis.
Around #679, I realize what Jim did – and I’m pissed. The escalators don’t go down, just up at this time of day. We get to walk down the steps. The escalator direction is changed based on the normal flow of people during the day. I don’t know how many there are in total, perhaps 30?
We earned a break – Krispy Kream in SOHO!
- shows my thoughts at the time – 2pm.
On Sundays and holidays the Indonesian house keepers all gather together across about 5 blocks of walkways to share their day off with each other. I didn’t take many pictures since they were showing family albums and it is tough to get used to so many, many, really, really, short people. Jim and I definitely didn’t belong there. I felt almost 2’ taller than the girls.
Jim decides he’d like to walk home from the Causeway Bay stop … and we are able to get passport photos for the Shenzhen trip in a few days.
The central HK library is a block away from the hotel.
Today, we started noticing the Engrish.
After the siesta, we wanted to see the New Years Day parade over in Kowloon. This is a big deal, so we don’t want to miss it and don’t want bad viewing. McDonald’s is the dinner. Since I don’t eat that stuff in the USA, I can’t believe I did here. Jim is basically discussed.
The streets are closed, and we’re the first here in front of the "New World Center". We have time to kill. A few of the participants walk by before the parade officially starts. You have to love the Chinese Kilt-wearing band. Due to the low light conditions, my camera needed longer exposure times. Combined with the movement, almost none of the pictures were useful. Jim used his DV camera to capture almost the entire parade – with just the good parts.
- The sunflower costumes were from Spain.
- The Thailand group was tastefully done and amazing.
- Australian Group was unclear what they represent.
- I’m sorry about the fuzzy pictures – it was dark and my cheap camera couldn’t get enough exposure.
- Numerous local teams
- UCLA Band
- SF 49ers Cheerleaders
Jim videoed the entire parade, so look for the Divx version. It should just be the good parts since you won’t have to wait between teams or get there 2 hours early for a good location.
:TODO: Need to complete this….. #881
[[Hong Kong 2008]]
