Christmas

We celebrated Christmas Eve in Hong Kong before flying to Japan the following day.

Saito-sensei visited and gave everyone massages.

Then we opened presents that Granny had sent from New Zealand.  Thank you Granny!

Rika cooked lamb-chops for Christmas Dinner with Saito-sensei and her friend

And we bought a Christmas-cake 

And Hannah briefly made good use of the boxes a space-helmet

DB Christmas Market

On Sunday we helped Rika with another Christmas Market at Discovery Bay.  

It was cold and Hannah wanted to wear her cool 'Burberry' coat that Rika had bought for her in Shenzhen.

Rika had created attractive christmas gifts and decorations anticipating good sales.   But it was quieter than usual, perhaps because of the cold, so total sales barely covered the costs.

Daddy Day (3) - Cycling at Po Kong Park

After the Wong Tai Sin Temple we took a taxi to Daimiond Hill and the Po Kong Village Road Park which has a rather improbable cycling track.

The park is on a steep hill above the entrance to the Tates Cairn tunnel and is surrounded by housing estates, with Lion Rock in the background.

The parks department created a circular elevated 1km cycling track by putting a bridge across the slope (lcsd link).  The elevated track also creates a big covered area where people can picnic or do tai chi even if its raining.   Pretty cool huh.

Its quite a fun place to cycle, although there is a fairly steep section up the hill which is difficult for kids if they haven't learnt to use gears.

There are other facilities in the park like a skateboard area and these cool parabolic acoustic devices.  The girls enjoyed being able to whisper to each other

"My dads fatter than your dad"...

Daddy Day (2) - Wan Tai Sin Temple

On Saturday AJ and I met up for another Daddy Day with Hannah and M.   The plan was to visit Wong Tai Sin Temple in Kowloon and then go cycling at the nearby Po Kong park.

Wong Tai Sin Temple is a major temple and tourist attraction (wiki link)  but it was our first time to visit.    It is large and lavishly decorated with elaborate statues and buildings of Taoist, Confucian and Buddhist traditions.

Two lucky dragon statues at the entrance and then statues of the twelve chinese zodiac animals.   Hannah and M are both 'golden pigs'.

AJ is a monkey.

Next to the temple is Wong Tai Sin Fortune-telling and Oblation Arcadewhich is run by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (link).  It has 161 fortune-telling stalls, including several offering English.  For a very reasonable HKD 300 the girls had their palms read.

After careful scientific analysis of Hannah's palm, the fortune-teller announced that she would finish university with no problems, get married at 25 and have 3 children (2 boys and 1 girl), and live a long life.    Thats was a relief for her dad!

He also said she was very active and musical (true), although she should beware of water when she is 33 and 34.

Maya's fortune was very similar and also very positive.

"The Wong Tai Sin Temple’s claim to ‘make every wish come true upon request’ might have something to do with its popularity. Home to three religions (Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism) its natural setting and beautifully ornamented buildings make it as much a scenic attraction as an important religious centre" (source)　

We next visited the main temple area where there were many people praying and making offerings.

The stone pillars around the courtyard were beautifully carved with deities and musicians.  I was glad to see this shakuhachi player.

"Feng Shui enthusiasts may notice structures representing the five geomantic elements: the Bronze Pavilion (metal); the Archives Hall (wood); the Yuk Yik Fountain (water); the Yue Heung Shrine (fire), where the Buddha of the Lighting Lamp is worshipped; and the Earth Wall (earth). Other areas of the complex include the Three Saints Hall, the Confucian Hall and the extravagantly colourful Good Wish Garden that is lavishly decorated with chinoiserie."  (link)

After the temples we visited the lovely taoist garden.

Hannah enjoyed taking photos of the fish and turtles.

Christmas Season

The Christmas season began in November when the shopping malls started putting-up Christmas decorations.

The decorations at Elephants Mall at ICC were typically impressive.

A huge neoclassical edifice on a fashion and clocks theme.   No doubt intended to attract visitors and encourage them to buy an expensive frock or watch.

The display had 'clock-work' figures - party-goers and musicians - that moved into life on the half-hour with a musical accompaniment.

It was well done and attracted big crowds.

The ICC building also put-up decorations.  A huge christmas tree.

Surrounded by revolving figures on a 'fairies with big balls' theme.   Good to see them 'embracing diversity'!

Shing Kee Noodles

One of the well-known and popular restaurants in Shatin is Shing Kee Noodles,  famous for its hot-pot cuisine and its decor.



Id been interested in going for some time, but we only tried it for the first time recently.  It quickly become one of our favorite restaurants since the food is delicious, the staff are nice and the prices are very reasonable.



I found out about it by searching the very useful website 'Open Rice Hong Kong' for the most recommended restaurants in Shatin  (Open Rice Shing-kee-noodles).  

We would never have found it otherwise,  since it is hidden-away in the bowels of the Lek Yuen Estate.   The first time we went, I used Google Maps but still couldn't find it without asking for directions twice!



But is its easy once you know how.   From Shatin's main road you take the walkway under the Rural Committee Road to the Lek Yuen Estate.  Stay on ground level and head for the passageway on the left (next to the public toilet)....



Go down the secret passage and...



... there you are, outside Shing Kee Noodles!



The quirky decoration is made from recycled materials and creates a cosy atmosphere (link).



The only problem is that it it is extremely popular, especially in winter, and you often have to book more than a week in advance.

We went again recently with the As and had a lovely meal.   For the hot-pot we chose one mild broth made with bitter melon, plus a spicy broth with chillies and Sichuan-pepper, then lots of meat,  seafood and vegetables which we cooked in the broth.   Washed down with reasonably priced cold beer and white wine.



While Hannah and Yu-chan enjoyed playing with the I-pad together, and occasionally allowed themselves to be fed...



Looking forward to going back again soon!

Christmas Market

Rika has been working hard preparing stock to sell at Christmas Markets.  She has booked three:  two at Discovery Bay (Nov and Dec) and one at posh hotel on Hong Kong Island.




On Sunday we got up early and helped her take the stock to Discovery Bay and set-up her stall.    Then I looked after Hannah until the market closed at 6pm.



Hannah and I hung-out at the market and then moved to the DB North Plaza for lunch and several hours at the Discovery-land playroom (now called Epic-land).    Rika's stall had a lot of interest and she made a small profit after the costs of rent and transport.



A few days later Rika had another Christmas Market at the ballroom of the Conrad Hotel at Pacific Place.   The rent for the space was a rather high HKD 5,000.   Unfortunately Rika's sales we about the same as the DB market, so she made a small loss after rent and transport costs.