February 4 - 10, 2013 Chiinese Lunar New Year

Monday we went with Elder & Sister Chan to the Metropolis for lunch.  On the 4th floor is a food court.  We have been thru the food court several times but didn't know what to order.  The Chans took us around and we had a wonderful lunch.  We picked up spring rolls, dumplings and they had rice and chicken and a pan of baked rice with sausages.

That evening they invited us up to their apartment for dinner and then a session on the stretching board.  I'll have to get a picture from Elder Chan.  Elder Chan is working to keep us healthy.  Some Chinese history on New Years

This is the week of the Chinese Lunar New Year.  It is a four day statutory holiday.  Within China, regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration of the Chinese new year vary widely.  Often, the evening preceding Chinese New Year’s Day is an occasion for Chinese families to gather for the annual reunion dinner.  It is also traditional for every family to thoroughly cleanse the house, in order to sweep away any ill-fortune and to make way for good incoming luck.  Windows and doors will be decorated with red colour paper cuts and couplets with popular themes of good fortune or happiness, wealth and longevity.  Other activities include lighting firecrackers and giving money in red paper envelopes.

Firework and Chinese good luck tokens

On Wednesday after the temple a few of us, Sister Hathaway, Elder & Sister Rhyasen, and I went to the flower market in Mong Kok East.  

A view of  market street

Decorations in the mall

These cherry blossom trees are like our Christmas trees

vegetable & fruit stand

Elder Rhyasen

Sister Rhyasen & Sister Hathaway

Strawberries are in season

This stand is cooking chestnuts, sweet potatoes, eggs and a bunch of other stuff

On our way home exhausted

Sister Rhyasen and us at the Victoria Park flower market 

Brother & Sister Lau from the temple

Sister Lau works with us on Tuesday mornings at the temple.  She speaks very good English.  She joined the Church in her youth and served a mission in Hong Kong.  She was so gracious to say she would take us to the Victoria Flower market.  What was fun was they told us about the flowers and what they represented for the new year.  It was very crowded but lots of fun.

Every color imaginable

Watching the balloons float away

Mar Jean & Renee Rhyaseen

Brother & Sister Lau with the 5 generation trees

Dragon shop

These little orange trees are everywhere and so beautiful

The New Year celebration started Saturday.  The temple was closed so Paul and I went to Ocean Park.  We left early so as to beat the rush and it worked.  We took the 171 bus which got us there in about 20 minutes compared to our hour ride last time.  We were first in line and started at the aquarium   Then walked thru the panda exhibit.  From there we watched the drum show and stayed for the snake dance.  Took the cable car across the island to the other side where we watched the seal and dolphin show.  We left around 3 for home.  We stopped in Wan Chai for some shopping and took the ferry home.  

Entry to our apartment lobby

These flowers are in our lobby to celebrate New Year's

Cherry blossom tree with red envelopes hanging on it surrounded by the small orange trees.  Good luck, prosperity and good health

Paul at the entrance of Ocean Park

Red Pandas being fed

Giant Panda having breakfast

Cute hats and gloves, anyone want one?

Drum dancers

Cable car ride.  The view is amazing 

Sunday Paul had to be to church by 11:30 so he went early and I found my way there about 12:00.  I am now a Primary teacher and at the moment have one 9 year old girl, Shannon.  It is fun teaching her.  We spend about 30 minutes together.  Sister Victor does such fun things with the children.  Sunday they have finger paints which they put on the table and then had to draw a picture of a Prophet and everyone had to guess who it was.  They really enjoyed this activity.  

It was Home Teaching after the Block and we had a nice turnout.  I think 8 sisters were there.  Paul and Brother Paul Sequeire are companions.  We had dinner afterwards.  Mama Baby and Letty were in charge this week and we had a noodle soup, which was very good. 

About 12 missionary couples went to the New Year's Parade sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airlines.  The Rhyasens and Victors went last Saturday at 5 am to get tickets for us.  They were very good seats at the beginning of the parade.  We each got a package on our seats with some treats in them.  Water, snack, flashlight, poncho, star head gear.  It was a great parade.

Peninsula 3 Primary, Sister Victor, Nida, Yessie, Paul & chidlren

Shannon

Entrance to the parade route

Sister Clyde and her grandson Taylor

Park of the missionary group

Elder & Sister Kelly

There were 35 entries in the parade from all over the world. Estonia, Poland, China, UK, Moscow, Australia, Bolivia, Korea, Macau, Ireland, Spain, Tokyo, Seattle and of course Hong Kong.

Sorry for all the pictures but there is so very much to see and this way we won't forget.  Hope you all have a great week and we wish you a Happy Valentine's Day and a very prosperous New Year.