Chinese New Year

I have really enjoyed experiencing CNY in Hong Kong this year. I feel as though we've been celebrating for a month. Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese and has had influence on the lunar new year celebrations of its geographic neighbors, including Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Philippines, and also in Chinatowns elsewhere. 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 (thank you Regine). Windows and doors will be decorated with red colour paper-cuts and couplets with popular themes of "good fortune" or "happiness", "wealth", and "longevity." Sorry to say there were no decorations in the Smart house. Other activities include lighting firecrackers and giving money in red paper envelopes, also known as Lai See. 

Lai See

David and I started our CNY celebration in Thailand at one of the Mattel factories. We experienced crazy wild parties starting at 11:00 a.m. David had men giving him hugs and a rose, while I had a girl hanging on me. I had to pry her off.  I was a judge at their talent show with some of the Mattel employees. I had heard of "lady boys" before, but, I was very confused. 

We enjoyed staying at the Oriental Mandarin Hotel, boosting the most amazing decor and grounds. We ate at the Normandy restaurant. Fantastic French food.  While every one was praising the Foie Gras (goose liver), I couldn't get passed the texture. I'm sure I offended the chef. Sorry but fries are my favorite french food.

 Ernest Hemingway was known to come to the hotel to work on his books. David was only impressed that Mick Jaggar stayed there.
  

Transportation to the other areas of the hotel (spa, gym, restaurants, etc.)

 

 


An amazing flower fountain.

 

The hotel is popular for weddings. This wedding party and bride were beautiful!

 Swathi and Nat showed us around the factory and hosted amazing festivities while we were in Thailand. Nat's rendition of the Gangham style dance was worth the entire trip.

When we had a little time on our own, we explored around Bangkok. I have always wanted to have a "fish massage". I'm not sure I would brave it again. I embarrassed David because I couldn't stop yelling. Sorry to report, my feet are still rough. It may have worked if I stopped jumping and left my feet in the water a little longer.

Around the city

 

We were treated to an amazing night time cruise down the river to see the many temples. Breathtaking!

 

 

 I had the most wonderful time with these lovely ladies: Regina, Swathi and Vickey.

David and I also toured the China plants. The Mattel party was great fun as the employees danced Gangham style. It was great.

 




We also had a Masquerade party with David's employees. Magical night. More pictures coming.

Francis is a wonderful lady!

Since David had a week off to celebrate CNY, he, Jake and I decided to explore Hong Kong. First up Tai O. We took a ferry to Lantau Island in hopes of staying in the little fishing village of Tai O for a while; however, we did not leave ourselves enough time to explore and get back for the CNY fireworks in Kowloon. I believe we had a total of forty minutes in Tai O. We will return.

Poor Jake bought what he had hoped would be amazing seafood. We could not identify half of the sea urchins. Terrible, but funny.

The charming village of Tai O

 

 The traditional Dragon dance. Chasing out the evil spirits and welcoming the new year.

This lady put a smile on my face.

 

Hong Kong side, looking towards Kowloon at the firework display:

Next up: Hiking on Kowloon to see the monkeys. The monkeys were cool to see walking around freely.The monkey did not like that Jake was behind him as I tried taking a picture. At least we think that was one of the reasons he turned around and hissed at Jake. I just think he was a mean monkey displaying how tough he was. He won.

 

 

Good monkey teaching the others how to use recycling bags.

 

 

We then walked around Kowloon to enjoy the sites

More drumming to bring in the new year. The year of the Snake.

 

An Asian Cowboy that Jake thought was cool.

These two girls were messed up. Really, a dressed up baby doll in a carrier with dark eyeliner and piercings? My nightmare.

And last but not least. Jake thought we should hike the entire Hong Kong trail...in one day. An eleven hour trek starting at the Peak and ended with a great dinner in Shek O.

Starting out at The Peak. Jake will NEVER pass up petting a dog.

 The hike took place on Valentines Day. A day I will always remember.

 

 

Jake waiting patiently at the top of Mt. Butler for us. I slowed David and Jake down going uphill.

 

I do not want anyone telling me that I can't rough it. I am a squatter.

 

Hiking the entire Hong Kong trail: CHECK!

Trivia about the year of the Snake:

2013 is the Chinese year of the Water Snake. 
Ready for a big year? Here’s 3 things about snake years you may not have known that will add to your year...

1. Snake years are wisdom years. 
All cultures around the world have seen the snake as the one animal that brings heaven, hell and earth together as it lives in all three worlds (under ground, on the ground, up in the trees). It creates the symbol ‘S’, representing Sinful to Sensual to Spiritual. In Chinese mythology, the snake is the legless dragon, bringing the heavens down to earth. In 2013, get ready to stretch yourself with the best of times and the worst of times. As with the snake, our role is not as the protagonist or antagonist, but the wise witness.

2. Snakes years are renewal years. 
From the Garden of Eden to the Aztec’s Quetzalcoatl, from the myths of Medusa to Cleopatra, in every culture the snake has been there at the beginning and the end of life. The symbol of the Ouroboros (the snake forming a circle and eating itself) can be found in all ancient cultures as a symbol for the eternal cycle of life - in Ancient China, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece. In 2013, just as a snake sheds its skin, it is a year of rebirth and renewal. What will you let go of? “All things began in order so shall they end, so shall they begin again”

3. Snake years are money years. 
In the Chinese Zodiac, snakes are financially fortunate. ‘S’ easily becomes ‘$’ with the snake. But unlike 2012’s Dragon, which attracts through majestic spectacle, the Snake is far more down-to-earth. That means success will come through more intimate, personal relationships and 1-to-1s, not through shouting to the crowd. Snakes can move quickly, but choose to move slowly. In 2013, in what part of your business will you slow down, and heighten your senses and sensitivity?

For all its symbolism, snakes remain one of the animals that humans fear most. The last few years have seen an increasing culture of fear that we are living in. Ultimately, 2013 is an opportunity for us to face our fears. It’s a chance for us to embrace life and all that comes with it. Let go, Live fully, Love completely.