Chinese New Year.....and a visit to the Flower, Bird and Jade Markets

Signs of the Zodiac. A beautiful display in the foyer of the IFC building in Central Hing Kong.

Lion dance costumes.

Preparing to decorate outside for New Year.

Decorations for sale.

Lots of red and gold....lucky colours.

Enjoying the displays of the shops and stalls of the Flower Market

These plum blossoms are very well taken care of in order to guarantee that they will bloom on New Year's Day

Again these narcissi should peak on Thursday 12th

Beautiful orchids from Taiwan

Lucky Bamboo arrangements

Golden gourds 

From the Flower Market the Bird Market is just a few minutes walk. Through this Moon Gate mostly gentlemen pursue a very traditional pastime in China of keeping caged songbirds.

The birds are very well cared for and live in beautiful handmade bamboo cages. There are handles under the base of the cages and the usually older men walk about holding the cages thus allowing the birds to sing along with the other birds in the area. 

This man was eating cooked crickets while checking the Horse Racing section of the newspaper.

Making and repairing bamboo bird cages.

Crickets for sale as bird food.

I was so pleased to make it to the Jade Market.  While we lived in Hong  Kong I visited the market frequently and always brought any visitors along.  While local Chinese people can be seen buying and selling jade my purchase were always restricted to pearls, beads and bracelets all made to order. It was lovley to receive such a warm welcome from Sandi, Eva and other familiar stall holders.

Chinese chequers.

Maureen was delighted with the personalised gifts she bought.

It was great to have Nan join us on our visit to the Jade Market.  Maureen, Nan and I have known each other a long time and we were delighted to meet up while Nan and her husband had a stopover in Hong Kong.