We start off our next instalment at the Ngong Ping Village.
Me on top of a sheepHanging to put on the tree
Mathew and Adrian put a little hanging on the tree of wisdom with Mathew’s handwriting written on it saying Good Health and Safe Travels. The Walking with Buddha show tells a story about the life of Siddhartha Gautama and his path to enlightenment. The Tian Tan Buddha and Po Lin Monastery on Lantau Island are built to commemorate him.
Another spot here is Linong Tea house, inside one of the rooms there are instructions on how the tea is made and then a demonstration on pouring it. Here they pour the tea into clear teapots and also have different tea being brewed. Next they pour the tea onto a little horse statue. WOW! the horse statue is changing colour as the tea is poured on it, from dark green to white and back again after another pour.
Tea DemonstrationHorse changing colourLet’s Not Get Too Carried Away
The next day I need someone to help me. Because I’ve been captured by a phoenix at the start of the Wisdom Path. Lets not get carried away there Mr Phoenix. After being carefully put down we start walking up the Wisdom path, wandering through a lot of trees and Pillars.
Me up high on the rocksStone Pillars Path of Wisdom
Wow look at me I’m up high in the rocks. I feel so high I could be a Shapoo. After seeing some cable cars go by we come across stone ancient warriors, each one of them is wearing a helmet with one of the 12 animals in the Chinese Zodiac on it.
Adrian with Stone Warrior wearing helmet of Goat
There is also a Monastery here where we see ancient golden statues with many beautiful flowers. I get to see a stone Buddha before Mathew and Adrian head over for a vegetarian lunch at the Vegetarian Restaurant. Later on in the day I see some turtle statues and at the end of the day a lovely sunset near the Buddha statue.
Mathew Surrounded by flags with Buddha at topSunset on Ngong Ping
In Hong Kong for Chinese New Year night, ready to watch the parade in Tsim Sha Tsui. Spectators lined the pavement down Nathan Road.
The Parade starts off with a few people marching, dressed as animals like Kangaroos and Birds. This leads to the first float for the evening from Ocean Park Hong Kong. Mmmm, I see some clowns holding lots of sweet treats like ice cream cones and lollipops. Don’t those little ones look cute dressed as donuts and cup cakes, they look so yummy. Ooohhh! my mouth is starting to feel watery but maybe later.
Cheering down Nathan Road.
Denver Broncos Cheerleaders all the way from the NFL, march in the streets with their pom poms in their hands cheering all the way.
Masked Marchers in the parade.
Bacolod City Mass Kara from the Philippines are next in the parade. Wearing some giant masks and lots of giant feathered hats. Some of them look like they have a mask on their waste too and a few are also holding giant mop sticks.
Lion Dancing, Chinese New Year Parade
Next are some Traditional lion dancers followed up by China’s Constitution Bank float Which has bank buildings on and a giant drum as well.
Then we see more lion dancers all in bright blue and yellow, leading into another float called the Hong Kong Jockey Club with more of those lion dancer outfits on the float.
They Look more like Lion Dancers than Jockeys
Hong Kong Disneyland staff march in front of the float with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Duffy the Bear on board in Chinese New Year attires.
Tricky Jump Rope guysHe Has a really big head. Hope he stays happy. Wouldn’t want a big explosion to go off
Hang Seng Bank try and carry a balloon of a Chinese man with a big head. At the end of that float some men in green do some jump rope tricks that look so amazing and would take lots of hard work to get right, very tricky skippy’s you guys.
Girl with a big Fruity Dress
We move on to see three girls in giant dresses and nice patterns including black with white circles, blue with birds and stars and fruit.
Don’t Let Go of that sheep
Beautiful China float follows up it has lots of pictures of temples and attractions in China. I also see a giant sheep made out of balloons which would have taken a lot of hard work to put together. Good thing there wasn’t any windy weather otherwise it would have been one out of control sheep. One final float of the parade is a Sweet 20 World party float with champagne bottle and glasses and a few sheep wearing top hats.
Now we board a boat called the Jungle Jane to see some Chinese New Year Fireworks.
Me, sampling the champagne aboard the Jungle Jane
Hopped on board to have a little drink before heading off to see some nice night lights in Victoria Harbour. Along the way where get to see some sheep and bears and even Hello Kitty too. Then the main event of the evening, the Chinese New Year fireworks display over the harbour, what a great vantage point onboard the boat.
Hello Kitty, what are you up to tonightCracking fireworks display over Victoria Harbour
After that headed back to see more night lights from a Ferris Wheel as well as a Dragon lit up. Oh it was such a nice night out on board Jungle Jane.
Here I am at Hong Kong Disney, located on Lantau Island. Wow look at all these wonderful Disney Characters in Chinese new year attire. I have now come to meet the two main stars Mickey and Minnie who both look lovely. Minnie is giving me a nice pat. She must love me alot.
Me and Adrian, with Mickey and Minnie in Chinese New Year attire
Goofy in Chinese New Year Attire
Look I see Goofy in his Chinese New Year Attire. It looks very stunning with the bright green pants and those patterns on the sleeves. Pluto is also out and about on the streets of Main Street wearing a Chinese hat, I also see Chip and Dale in their Chinese new year outfits.
Me trying to avoid becoming alien food.
I met up with one of those 3 eyed aliens from Toy Story. Please, please dont eat me, could Buzz Lightyear tell this alien to stop. I hate it when people suck milk out of me.
While here I feel Wanted as I am an outlaw known as the Kid, watch out everyone I’m a wild wild Goat ready to shoot everyone down in the old town.
Me Wanted as The Kid.
Flights of Fantasy is a daytime Parade here at Hong Kong Disney. Starting with a model of Dumbo it features many popular characters including Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale. The parades have so many wonderful floats.
Lovely Swan Float with Snow White, Belle, Aurora and Cinderella.
That silly old bear Winnie the Pooh is up next and joining him are his friends Tigger and Eeyore walking down the street. Up behind them a giant float where we see Piglet, Roo and Rabbit, as well as lots of Honey pots and those scary Heffalumps and Woozles.
King Louie on board his throne
Another favourite float of mine was the The Jungle Book, Baloo and Louie stand waving to the crowd whilst above them the evil Kaa and Shere Khan looking very mean indeed.
Finally in the parade we see a float with characters from Toy Story on. Here we see Woody and Jessie Rounding things up and Buzz going To Infinity and Beyond.
Floating to infinity and beyond.
Festival of The Lion King, Timon, Pumbaa and Simba
The Festival of the Lion King is a performance that tells the story of one of Disney’s big blockbuster movies. In this production 3 people play Scar, Nala and young Simba They each get head pieces put on them before the story starts. The Adult Simba, as well as Timon and Pumbaa also appear. All regular songs from the movie are featured and as always starts and finishes with the Circle of Life. I really enjoy the song Hakuna Matata especially as it’s meaning of No Worries, it can help you feel stress free after a big day.
Lord Henry and his cheeky monkey Albert
Ooh here we are at the Mystic Manor which in owned by Lord Henry Mystic and his Monkey Albert. Albert was told not to touch the box, but he did, and lots of things come to life like instruments, paintings, armor and a giant jade monkey at the end. I hope none of these things try and get me. Albert does deny his owner that he didn’t touch the box as magic all went back in it and the box closed. Albert you are a cheeky one. You are lucky Lord Henry didn’t spot you otherwise you may have had alot of cleaning up and explaining to do.
One of the best stage shows at Hong Kong Disney is The Golden Mickeys, an Award show hosted by a lady called Bebe. In this show they have 4 different Categories of music from Movies. First was a friendship scene from Toy Story with the song You’ve Got a Friend In Me. Then an Adventure scene with Hunchback of Notre Dame, Tarzan and Mulan. The good thing about this scene is it features characters that you don’t normally see in the park. Next is a Water adventure scene with Lilo and Stitch as well as the Little Mermaid and finally a romance scene with Beauty and the beast and also the song When You Wish Upon A Star.
Leading of the parade; Mack the Truck, Paint The Night.
The fun continues at night with the Paint the Night Parade, featuring lots of beautiful floats with gorgeous night lights on. Characters from Cars, Toy Story, Monsters Inc, as well as Tinkerbell and lots of other Characters appear. Buzz and Woody are on Slinky the dog and at the end Goofy, Minnie and Donald are all in their regular attires riding giant balls and Mickey is in his Fantasia attire as the Sorcerers Apprentice in this spectacular night time parade.
For the big finale, seeing the Fireworks light up the sky behind Sleeping Beauty Castle is always a highlight. Oh what a great day at Hong Kong Disney.
Night Time Fireworks display over Sleeping Beauty Castle.
