As our time in Hong Kong grew shorter we wanted to re-do many of our favorite things. Over the Chinese New Year holiday we went with our friends Janet, Vesper and Doris to Rainbow Seafood on Lamma Island. We all met at the public pier to catch the Rainbow ferry.
On the ferry ride we passed the huge cemetery set into the hills above Kennedy Town.
Once arriving on the Island we began checking out the seafood selections available for our luncheon.
After making our choices we settled in to a meal of great food and great conversation with our amazing friends.
After lunch we took a short stroll along the waterfront. The sun was shining brightly, the breeze was warm and gentle and it was a perfect time for us to reminisce.
Before catching the ferry back to Hong Long Island, we checked out our choices for some ice cream treats. What's your favorite?
The annual dinner was not my only birthday celebration. Two of my favorite people, Tamara and Sasha, came for morning tea and one of my favorite treats from Maxim's Bakery.
Happy Birthday to Me!
The Hong Kong Annual Dinner happened to fall on my birthday this year. When word got out to the committee, there was no question about my
attendance. They would have been very disappointed had I not gone. The dress for the evening was Chinese and we were at a lovely hotel in Causeway Bay.
Our venue overlooked Victoria Park where a Lunar New Year Fair was in full swing.
Our hosts were Barbara and Jenkin.
Just a few of the HK team.
Janet was sporting her Chinese jacket. We went shopping together in Li Yeung Street Market the weekend before and found a treasure trove of beautiful items. I think we did quite well.
With the dress theme being Chinese, we were each given a pair of stickers to vote for the best dressed man and woman. Can you guess who won?
After another wonderful banquet, the games were set to begin. Team captains were chosen.
And strategy sessions began.
The games were patterned off of Minute to Win It. There was the cup stacking challenge.
The hangar balancing game.
And my favorite was moving a cotton ball from one end of the table to the other using only your nose and some shaving cream.
The final game was using play dough to sculpt an item. The first person sees the word and builds it. The second, third and fourth each build off of the one before without seeing the earlier ones or the word. The last person guesses.
The funniest part of this task was the fact that when the category small appliances was announced, Janet's team started to strategize. Someone said the hardest thing would be a rice cooker. Well as luck would have it that is the item they got. But in a funny off hand remark Janet said, "Anything with a handle on top will be a rice cooker." Almost doesn't seem fair.
Lucky Draws were done and awards for service handed out. There was one last surprise item on the agenda.
What a wonderful surprise and how great to celebrate with the people who have made my life so fulfilling these past two years. For many it would be my last chance to say my thank you's and goodbyes. I am grateful for the opportunity.
So often we take things for granted only because we do not have to deal with them. Clean windows in a high rise is one of those things. We live on the 35th floor and our building is half way up the mountain with our flat on the side away from the street. That means that our windows are actually about 40 or more stories above the ground. Over the course of two weeks time, our windows were washed by a very brave crew. They stand in a basket and work their way up and down the building. To provide better views the building has about 16 "sides." This can only make the job much more difficult when it comes to moving the equipment.
Gentlemen, I salute you.
For the second time we were fortunate to celebrate Chinese New Year in China. Preparations begin right after the calendar new year. It is such a festive time in Hong Kong. We love all of the decorations and the traditions and the symbolism each item holds for the coming year.
Lan Kwai Fong is always one of the first to get things started.
And the result is always festive.
As with all holidays, each and every mall works hard to be the best decorated. So one of our weekend activities is to go see who we like best. Times Square in Causeway Bay is always near the top of the list. They put up displays both inside and out. This year's theme was cherry blossoms.
Our closest mall is IFC. They chose to honor the panda this year.
The buildings along the harbor send their greetings as well.
Even our apartment building was filled with harbingers of good fortune for the coming year.
And I thing I saw the biggest traditional lanterns ever.
Chinese New Year would not be complete without fireworks over the harbor.
Kung Hei Fat Choi everyone!
