Hong Kong, on the 10th year anniversary of the hand over to China
Woke up early this morning to see the flag raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia, HK Convention Center grounds in Wan Chai.
The prediction for today's weather was thunderstorms and lots of rain. Well, the sky was clear and the Sun even shined. Thank God for that. (Also, the cumulative thoughts of the people in Hong Kong for better weather could have also manifested it.)
Took the Metro to Wan Chai and walked on the sky way along with hundreds of locals and tourists on their way to see the ceremony. At one of the junctions in the sky way, we were all stopped from going down the stairs (the building also closed its doors for the time being) due to some spectacle that occured in the sidewalk near the stairs. Hundreds of police officers were there encircling something they covered so we couldn't see what was going on. A few minutes later we were all allowed to go down and walk swiftly towards the Convention Center.
We neared the block leading to the Convention Center only the police and security guards barred the entire road. Not knowing what was happening, we simply staked a good place to watch whatever it is they were blocking the road for. We were there for more than 20 minutes when some people began to cross the street to where the barricade was, only to have the police tell us to go back.
We didn't see the ceremony at all. It was more of a private affair for the dignitaries and special guests. The early birds were able to get in before the police put up the barricade. Peter and I went to Pacific Coffee Company, and had our breakfast, read the newspaper and magazines, checked the computer there, until around 11:30 a.m. (we were there about 3 hours)
Since we were already in the area we returned to the Convention Center to see the raised flags and the Bauhinia. Took some pictures then rain started to pour. We ducked into the Convention Center and walked straight through via the connecting passageways to the Renaissance Harbor View hotel through to the next building via the sky way. We nearing the Wan Chai metro station when we crossed the sky way and saw that people were waiting there for the parade. We weren't quite sure what the parade was or their route so we were pretty happy that we were there at that time. Saw some cool old mini coopers, classic cars and cool scooters in the parade.
Next stop was the nearby post office (yes, they are open on Sundays here in HK, China, and Japan) to mail my post card with the newly released commemorative stamp of the HKSAR 10th anniversary. On the way to the post office we walked through the Wan Chai street market full of vendors selling clothes, food stuff, bags, shoes, etc. We walked around that area after the post office errand.
Next stop was Causeway Bay station to Times Square mall. We had our lunch there at the City Super food court. Both Peter and I chose a lunch set from Chilies and Spice (Thai cuisine): 1) curry chicken with veggies, stick of chicken satay, dessert and drink; 2) pork with the same extra stuff. Each plate was HKD$44 (about $6.25), and the plate was huge, the serving enormous. The food was great and the dessert, half maja-blanca half tapioca with macapuno, coconut and taro - really delicious!
After lunch we went around the mall and discovered more places we haven't seen since our last visit here. It really interesting how much we have not seen in the place.
We realized that most of the streets near the Time Square mall was empty of cars, public buses and trucks. Only the trams were allowed and some taxi. People were walking along the streets and we followed some of them to Victoria Park where an annual demonstration for the HK people who are pro-democracy was being staged. Also in the Park were all the Filipina and Indonesian maids on their usual Sunday day off where they picnic, talk story, and just spend the entire day together. We weren't able to walk around the park on our first visit because it was very humid and we didn't feel like checking it out. This time, the weather was cooler and the clouds provided shade, so we were able to see part of the park and where these Filipinas and Indonesian women hang out.
After the park, around 4 p.m., we took the metro back to Tsim Sha Tsui and returned to our hostel. Got some rest before heading back out to watch the fireworks display.
By 6:30 p.m. we were near the Harbor. We had a quick dessert at Peter's favorite place, Hui Lao Shan - mango is the main staple. Ordered 1) the pomelo sago coconut milk, mango and mango ice cream, and 2) red bean, coconut milk, sticky rice balls, and crystal jelly. Both were good. The turn over at this place is really fast. We're wondering if something like this will work in the Philippines. Hmmmm....
Anyway, right outside, by the harbor the main promenade was closed (because it might collapse due to the sheer number of people wanting to get a better view of the fireworks). People started to stand up right next to the elevated promenade and just waited there for more than an hour. Peter and I found a place in the back where we could still see but not be to crowded - right at the edge of the sidewalk away from the harbor. Unfortunately, 2 guys from behind us kept coughing without bothering to cover their mouths, so we moved to the middle of the street were some people began to sit.
We sat there for about 45 minutes before the fireworks. Ate the snacks we bought from the Das Gute bakery. When the "Symphony of Lights" show (permanent light show shown everyday at 8 p.m.) began, people began to stand up. So we stood up and watched the show (which also was enhanced with pyrotechnics) for 12 minutes then the main fireworks display started for 24 minutes. We could hear everyone "ooh" and "aah", especially the kids. But 15 minutes into it the kids grew tired of it. The display was spectacular. Lots of shapes and colors. Awesome.
We were glad to be here at this time. Happy 10th Anniversary, HKSAR!
Woke up early this morning to see the flag raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia, HK Convention Center grounds in Wan Chai.
The prediction for today's weather was thunderstorms and lots of rain. Well, the sky was clear and the Sun even shined. Thank God for that. (Also, the cumulative thoughts of the people in Hong Kong for better weather could have also manifested it.)
Took the Metro to Wan Chai and walked on the sky way along with hundreds of locals and tourists on their way to see the ceremony. At one of the junctions in the sky way, we were all stopped from going down the stairs (the building also closed its doors for the time being) due to some spectacle that occured in the sidewalk near the stairs. Hundreds of police officers were there encircling something they covered so we couldn't see what was going on. A few minutes later we were all allowed to go down and walk swiftly towards the Convention Center.
We neared the block leading to the Convention Center only the police and security guards barred the entire road. Not knowing what was happening, we simply staked a good place to watch whatever it is they were blocking the road for. We were there for more than 20 minutes when some people began to cross the street to where the barricade was, only to have the police tell us to go back.
We didn't see the ceremony at all. It was more of a private affair for the dignitaries and special guests. The early birds were able to get in before the police put up the barricade. Peter and I went to Pacific Coffee Company, and had our breakfast, read the newspaper and magazines, checked the computer there, until around 11:30 a.m. (we were there about 3 hours)
Since we were already in the area we returned to the Convention Center to see the raised flags and the Bauhinia. Took some pictures then rain started to pour. We ducked into the Convention Center and walked straight through via the connecting passageways to the Renaissance Harbor View hotel through to the next building via the sky way. We nearing the Wan Chai metro station when we crossed the sky way and saw that people were waiting there for the parade. We weren't quite sure what the parade was or their route so we were pretty happy that we were there at that time. Saw some cool old mini coopers, classic cars and cool scooters in the parade.
Next stop was the nearby post office (yes, they are open on Sundays here in HK, China, and Japan) to mail my post card with the newly released commemorative stamp of the HKSAR 10th anniversary. On the way to the post office we walked through the Wan Chai street market full of vendors selling clothes, food stuff, bags, shoes, etc. We walked around that area after the post office errand.
Next stop was Causeway Bay station to Times Square mall. We had our lunch there at the City Super food court. Both Peter and I chose a lunch set from Chilies and Spice (Thai cuisine): 1) curry chicken with veggies, stick of chicken satay, dessert and drink; 2) pork with the same extra stuff. Each plate was HKD$44 (about $6.25), and the plate was huge, the serving enormous. The food was great and the dessert, half maja-blanca half tapioca with macapuno, coconut and taro - really delicious!
After lunch we went around the mall and discovered more places we haven't seen since our last visit here. It really interesting how much we have not seen in the place.
We realized that most of the streets near the Time Square mall was empty of cars, public buses and trucks. Only the trams were allowed and some taxi. People were walking along the streets and we followed some of them to Victoria Park where an annual demonstration for the HK people who are pro-democracy was being staged. Also in the Park were all the Filipina and Indonesian maids on their usual Sunday day off where they picnic, talk story, and just spend the entire day together. We weren't able to walk around the park on our first visit because it was very humid and we didn't feel like checking it out. This time, the weather was cooler and the clouds provided shade, so we were able to see part of the park and where these Filipinas and Indonesian women hang out.
After the park, around 4 p.m., we took the metro back to Tsim Sha Tsui and returned to our hostel. Got some rest before heading back out to watch the fireworks display.
By 6:30 p.m. we were near the Harbor. We had a quick dessert at Peter's favorite place, Hui Lao Shan - mango is the main staple. Ordered 1) the pomelo sago coconut milk, mango and mango ice cream, and 2) red bean, coconut milk, sticky rice balls, and crystal jelly. Both were good. The turn over at this place is really fast. We're wondering if something like this will work in the Philippines. Hmmmm....
Anyway, right outside, by the harbor the main promenade was closed (because it might collapse due to the sheer number of people wanting to get a better view of the fireworks). People started to stand up right next to the elevated promenade and just waited there for more than an hour. Peter and I found a place in the back where we could still see but not be to crowded - right at the edge of the sidewalk away from the harbor. Unfortunately, 2 guys from behind us kept coughing without bothering to cover their mouths, so we moved to the middle of the street were some people began to sit.
We sat there for about 45 minutes before the fireworks. Ate the snacks we bought from the Das Gute bakery. When the "Symphony of Lights" show (permanent light show shown everyday at 8 p.m.) began, people began to stand up. So we stood up and watched the show (which also was enhanced with pyrotechnics) for 12 minutes then the main fireworks display started for 24 minutes. We could hear everyone "ooh" and "aah", especially the kids. But 15 minutes into it the kids grew tired of it. The display was spectacular. Lots of shapes and colors. Awesome.
We were glad to be here at this time. Happy 10th Anniversary, HKSAR!
posted by Mimi | 2:43 AM
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