Normally we try and get these blogs out in chronological order but we do have to slip in the occasional season greeting. It would be utterly remiss of us to miss out the latest, and possibly greatest, seasonal treat that is currently occurring here in Hong Kong – that of the Lunar New Year Celebrations, welcoming in the Year of the Snake.
Hong Kong is famous for its spectacular firework displays. While we didn’t bother dragging ourselves out of the house for the parade on the first day of Chinese New Year (CNY), there was no way we were going to miss the fireworks on day two. So off we trudged with our friends in tow, to make the journey across to the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui to see if we could get a patch with a decent view. Keeping in mind that literally hundreds of thousands of people cram onto the waterfront to see these displays, we weren’t convinced that being there even four hours early was going to guarantee us a good spot.
We found a patch that looked okay, on some terraced stairs where not too many other people were gathered. Picnic laid out, it was time to sit, eat, relax and watch the crowds grow larger and larger while the day became duskier and duskier.
And then, at 8pm as the fireworks erupted with a crash, we realised we were in fact RIGHT in front of the three barges where the 4.5 tonnes of fireworks were exploding from. Score!!!
23 minutes later of the most spectacular fireworks we have ever seen and it was all over. Four hours of waiting and fighting our way through the crowds to get home afterwards were totally worth it for the best view in the house! The atmosphere was electric, the fireworks beautiful and all in all we had a totally auspicious start to the Year of the Snake. We’re looking forward to seeing what else it may bring!
Happy New Year, everyone!
those fireworks look amazing!! I would totally wait for four hour to see that kind of display!
Awesome shots of the fireworks! I had the chance to celebrate last year (the year of the rabbit) and it was spectacular. Definitely a bucket list moment in life and i’m glad you got to experience that! Hope this leads to a fun and exciting year for you guys!
Gong xi gong xi! May the year of Snake bring you much joy, wealth and health!
To you also!
You got some great shots! Fireworks were great last night, weren’t they?
They were, for sure! So glad we made the effort to get there early and stake out a spot. Well worth it.
Happy New Year! I adore fireworks and am so pleased we got to share a little of your fantastic evening. What a view!
Happy New Year to you too, again! And yes, we were pretty pleased with our little spot 🙂
How were the other fireworks (i.e. the ones people but themselves and set off)? In Malaysia during Chinese New Year two years ago, it sounded like a war zone, with bomb blasts going off loudly and continuously 🙂
Ahh, this is Hong Kong – everything is regulated and policed very efficiently…..so no independent fireworks! Seriously. On the island and in the main city of the ‘mainland’ bit, there were no stray explosions. Just the government approved, budget-blowing, spectacular that was the display on the harbour 🙂 Having been in India during diwali, however, we can relate to the war zone feeling of fire crackers going off all around the place – does your head in after a while!
That’s a pretty spectacular view!!! I spent a new year’s there (maybe 3 yrs ago) on the HK island side (underneath) those fireworks! It was also pretty spectacular is it looked like the sky was exploding above us (una good way!) cny just isn’t the same without those dazzling displays of crackers!
Plus then there’s the fooooooood!
Chúc mừng năm mới, as they say in Viet Nam! Love Hong Kong and love those fireworks…wowza! May the Year of the Snake bring you many blessings:)
Woohoo! That looks like so much fun. I love Chinese New Year it’s so much fun!
Looked like lot of fun, thanks for sharing and happy new year to you too!
It was fun and totally worth the wait 🙂