Hong Kong Soho District - Chinese New Years

We went with several families via ferry to Hong Kong for the yearly Chinese New Year parade. After arriving we had to take the Star ferry from Central to Kowloon.

The parade started at 8pm but we staked out our spot at 5pm so we could have a good view. Unfortunately we chose the wrong side of the road. We had a great time with our large group trying to get the chinese people to do the "wave"!

Within our goup of about 25 people this was the men's favorite parade entry. The Washington Redskin cheerleaders. For some reason the chinese people weren't that impressed.

The parade was sponsored by Cathay Pacific Airlines. This was one of the better floats.



Chinese New Years is a major holiday for the chinese. It rivals a western Christmas
This is a Chinese New Year tree to symbolize good fortune for the new year. This year it is the Year of the OX! These little orange bushes/trees with empty red envelopes are everywhere. (just like Christmas trees everywhere in the USA)
The oranges on these bushes are sour and not good for eating. They are just decorations.

Early in the morning on Jan. 26th(Chinese New Years) the kids found "red envelopes" on their bed! It is a tradition to give children & single adults "red envelopes" for Chinese New Years. You put money in the envelopes as a gift. Many employers give their employees "red envelopes" at this time of year. (year end bonus)

Soho District!



McCall by a statue of Yoa Ming in the Mall at Giga sports.

The next morning we went to do the tourist stuff. We all rode one of the world's longest escalator in the Soho district. It took us up the mountain of Hong Kong while allowing you to get off on many intersections to explore the Soho District. We actually found a great mexican restaurant. We have been craving mexican food even Taco Bell would be good. There aren't any in China.

Sunday afternoon in the Park!

At Si Hai park we saw how the chinese enjoy their Sunday afternoons. The park was huge with lots to see. Many people were fishing. I don't think I would eat anything out of this pond.

The lady is selling sugar cane. People buy a stick for 1 or 2 yuan. Then they cut it into pieces and peel off the bark. After that they just chew on it.

The older folks sit around in groups and play cards.

In these bins is a wheat like rice. The man is selling it. It is sticky and sweet. He uses his stick to beat on the bins to let people know he is there. Kind of like hearing the popsicle truck back in the USA.

This bull symbolizes the development of Shenzhen. Shenzhen is part of the new territories(special economic zone) Twenty five yrs ago it was a fishing village with dirt roads. Now it is very commericalized and has western businesses everywhere. The bull stands for hard work, spirit, and never giving up. Shenzhen is one of the wealthier areas due to all the manufacturing. Lots of expats live and work here.

The gentleman is playing an "er hu". It sounds like a cello. We hear them every night and it is very relaxing music.

New Year's Eve at Happy Valley in Shenzhen

Only the strong can survive this ride. McCall and Nikki had to pull themselves up with the pulley rope. It was a good workout.

McCall, Rachel, and Nikki on a thrill ride at Happy Valley. Happy Valley is like a Silverwood or Lagoon but not as many rides. It does have a water park that is open when it's warmer.

Nikki, McCall, and Vecka dressed up like little chinese girls at Happy Valley. It was free to dress up but then they charged 10rmb to take pictures with your own camera. Of course many chinese people walking by stopped and took the girls picture.(for no charge)

King of Thailand

The Thai people love their 81 yr old King. Everywhere you look there are posters and shrines to the King. Evidently on Mondays they wear yellow to show respect to their leader.

No one is allowed to tour the Grand Palace grounds and view the Emerald Budda without proper attire. This means no shorts, tank tops etc. Your knees and shoulders must be covered. Hence the skirts and pants that they loaned use at entrance.

The guard didn't move a muscle or even look at us when we took his picture. The gate in the background is ajar and the building is the King's home. No one is allowed in that area.

Bangkok sights from a long boat

Private long boat tour on the canals.

Old historic Fort

We rode on a long boat to tour the canals and waterways around Bangkok. We had the boat to ourselves.
We saw lots of sights - these are just a few.

Reclining Budda in Bangkok

This Budda was in temple next to the famous "Reclining Budda". We got to go in and see how the make offerings to the Budda. Michelle was given a flower to place in a vase, a candle to light and put below the statue, and a small gold paper to stick to the small Budda. You must take off your shoes and never point your feet towards the Budda.

This is the head of the Reclining Budda. We are standing right in front of it, so it is hard to get the whole Budda in the picture. This Budda is huge!

This photo is taken from up above the Budda.

The bottom of the Reclining Budda's feet are beautiful. The are covered with pictures made with mother of pearl.
After viewing the Reclining Budda, the kids were given a small handful of coins to put in these pots. The pots are offerings to the Budda and you are to make wishes. They are suppose to wish for happiness, good health, and good fortune etc

WELCOME to Koh Chang!

What a postcard view! This is our arrival from Trat via a ferry. Every house, hotel, and business has a temple out front to honor Budda. We saw flowers, oranges, and many other gifts laid before the temples as offerings.

Our lodging was clean bungalows about 50 yards from the beach. The beds were comfortable and we had hot water. The bungalows are small so we had to rent three for our family.(2 per bungalow) Luckily it was only $33 a night per bungalow and it included an all you can eat breakfast buffet.
Buy your gas by the bottle. No gas stations on the island. We rented mopeds for about $8 a day. McCall had loved riding on them. NO we didn't let her drive. Of course there doesn't seem to be any rules against who can drive. We saw a lady driving a modped with an infant between her legs.

This is our favorite local vendor. Every night we walk up to the street for fresh homemade crepes. The cost of the crepes was about 75 cents. The kids usually ate chocolate crepes and Michelle usually had banana. Rick opted for chips and pepsi from 7-11.

Activities in Koh Chang!

McCall and Nikki were building sandcastles daily!

Derek enjoyed snorkling all day on a boat tour that we all took. We swam with schools of striped yellow and black fish, pink fish, and many more. Thank God - no sharks.

McCall and Rick did a little kayaking. The boys all kayaked over to an island and found a cave with bats. It took them a good hour to paddle over and back. When asked if it was fun? Jacob replied, " sorta but kind of tiring".

Khlong Plu Waterfall

We all hiked up to Khlong Phlu waterfall in the Koh Chang National Park. The hike was about 10 minutes. (very easy) Once we arrived at the waterfall, Michelle was the first to brave the icy cold pool of water below the waterfall. It was a good distance away from the actual waterfall.Getting out of the waterwas a bit difficult because of the slippery, slimy rocks. Luckily there was a rope that you could use climb your way out.

Everyone took turns jumping off the rocks into the water. Here's Derek checking out the water below. You had to jump out a little bit to clear the rocks.

Brad jumped on one side while our friend, Jack Rundell proceed to climb up the other side to find a new jumping spot. (which he found)

Swimming with pink dolphins!

Yes - that is really a pink dolphin!!!

Rick, Brad, and Jacob splash the water to call for the dolphin.(irawaddy) Derek taking his turn riding the dolphin in the water. We all had a turn. You ride it by clasping your hands together and placing them around the back fin. When they turned it was hard to hold on.

TREE TOP ADVENTURE in Thailand

Brad,Rick and Jacob zipping through the jungle at 36 feet in the air.

The Treetop Adventure was the boy's favorite activity in Thailand. They googled it on the computer and found out there is a Treetop adventure in Bali. I guess will go there on our next adventure.