Kung Hei Fat Choy!

We kicked off the Chinese New Year celebration with a funky lion dance parade at our apartment complex.  2009 marks the year of the Ox, the second sign in the Chinese zodiac.

Dinner in Kowloon on the first night of the Chinese New Year celebration, overlooking Victoria Harbour and directly across from Hong Kong Island. Fantastic spot to view the fireworks!
Fireworks display over Victoria Harbour...


One of the barges caught fire at the end of the fireworks show...fortunately no one was hurt but it made for an exciting grand finale!

Hotel Bolhuis is open for business!

We have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of guests to share our experiences with, so we were so thrilled when Steve's parents and little bro, Ralfie, came for a visit at the end of January.    

Bar hopping in Lan Kwai Fong

View of Wanchai from a hiking trail near our apartment

View of Central from the Peak

Jardine's Lookout: view of Victoria Harbour

Shek O: southside of the island

Shek O

View of Repulse Bay from a hiking trail 

Repulse Bay

One of the reservoirs in Tai Tam Country Park (the park adjacent to our apartment complex)

If you've ever had a cocktail with my mother in-law you will appreciate this pic!  

Noonday Gun: Causeway Bay

Firing the Noonday Gun: lunchtime!

View of Central from the Peak

The Peak

View of Central from our patio

Junk tour in the Aberdeen Channel (the Jumbo Floating Restaurant is behind us)

Junk tour: Aberdeen Channel

Treating ourselves to an after dinner foot massage...Normie was asleep within seconds! 

View of Central from our patio

Stanley

A few weeks ago we decided to take a family stroll...starting at our apartment in the middle of the island, and ending our journey on the south side in the village of Stanley.  Stanley is by far one of my favorite destinations in Hong Kong.  There is a boardwalk with great pubs and restaurants, all overlooking the water, and a market in a maze of alleys selling everything from artwork, to clothing, souvenirs, jewelry, etc.  We had absolutely no idea how long it would take to arrive at our destination, but figured the trail was mostly downhill and totally within our capabilities.  The first half of the walk was through the Tai Tam Country Park that is adjacent to our apartment complex.  The path is paved and free of motor traffic, and is comprised of several bridges that span across the various reservoirs below.        

After hiking all the way to the end of the park, we arrived at an area overlooking Turtle Cove, which has a gorgeous, albeit small, beach.


After two hours, we finally arrived at our destination...Stanley boardwalk!  We treated ourselves to lunch al fresco and a big bowl of water for Bailey.  

View of Stanley Bay

the sweet tunes of a five monther...

Tyler is five months old!  He's over 17 pounds already and has started rolling around and sitting up by himself.  He loves to hear the sound of his own voice, and much to our neighbors dismay, squeals like a hyena throughout much of the day!     

Short video of our future choirboy...apparently he inherited his singing talents from his mother!