Hong Kong Page 02 Pictures

Hong Kong Mid Autumn Moon Festival

Flags strung from buildings around China mark the Mid Autumn Moon Festival, one of the happiest in the Chinese year. Also called the Moon Festival), it is roughly equivalent to Thanksgiving in other cultures.

Chinese living overseas or in other parts of China often return home to be with their families as they celebrate the harvest and give thanks, with lots of food, including special Moon Cakes.

Moon cakes are round flaky pastry cakes (about the size of a muffin) filled with lotus bean paste and chopped walnuts. At the end of a workday, lines form at bakeries throughout the country as workers buy their supplies.

Apparently, moon cakes are an acquired taste :: I quite like them, but then, I like fruitcake, too. Unlike Thanksgiving, the Mid Autumn Festival is a moveable feast, taking place each year at the first full moon following the autumn equinox.

Some years, when this busy travel time coincides with PRC National Day, October 1, it seems the entire country is on the move. Book early, and hunker down and enjoy!

Ceramic Art Hong Kong Heritage Museum New Territories

Located at Sha Tin (of horse track fame), and on the rail route that continues to Shenzhen and mainland China, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum offers various exhibits throughout the year. (See also Sai Kung New Territories).

At the time of this visit, the gallery was presenting ceramic settings. Each artist (there were about eight represented) went from concept to table decorations of each installation, including the table and chairs.

You can buy multi-site passes to museums at the local Hong Kong tourism offices.

Early morning Tai Chi in Hong Kong

From the window of my 11th floor hotel room window, I had a good view of the large square that centered the surrounding apartment blocks.

From just before sunrise until late morning, area residents would wander in to start their day with tai chi.

Some practiced in small groups, others in larger, more formal classes, and still others went about their routines by themselves.

When I noticed others -- seniors, and young women pushing babies in strollers -- wander in and take a seat on a bench or low wall, and chat with each other, I realized the courtyard served as a community center.

Qi Gong (Chee Gong) at Victoria Park

One Mid Autumn festival, I took the Healthy Living Tour that then included a session with a qi gong (chee gong) master who taught a series of simple exercises to be done each day.

This series has evolved into different offerings, under the Hong Kong Cultural Kaleidoscope banner.

You can choose from 13 free offerings this year, from jade, pearl and tea appreciation to kung fu, tai chi and feng shui.

I've done several of them and always learned a lot while having a good time. Especially on the Duk Ling, a restored authentic junk that sails around the harbour.

Model Boats Motoring at Hong Kong Victoria Park Pond

After window shoppping in the Fashion District, I decided to walk across Victoria Park to return to my hotel.

Just inside the west gates, I came across a number of men who were racing their model boats, and, as did others, I stopped to watch a while.

But like any big city park, they also provide natural living space to supplement the minimal living space in small apartments.

Victoria Park is in Causeway Bay, just part of the vast green spaces that make up Hong Kong.

Homes are in land-stingy high rises; the land is for parks.

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