Yesterday was Buddha's birthday...a holiday in Hong Kong, and a day off for Michael. In addition to the big man's bday, it was also the Cheung Chau Bun Festival.
Cheung Chau is a small island about 10 km southwest of Hong Kong. It is a small fishing village, with narrow streets and no motor vehicles. The Bun Festival is an annual event held in Cheung Chau that includes a parade, lion dances, and THOUSANDS of people on this tiny island. Of course we wanted to check it out.
Bad idea.
I know we've been here 9 months, but we still have much to learn (like NOT going to Cheung Chau on the day of the bun festival). We waited in line with the locals for an hour to board the ferry.
We arrived in the middle of the parade.
It was hot and crowded.
Children are held up on sticks to look like they're floating. Strange.
We wanted to check out the tower of buns.
Yes, this is a tower of buns. Buns that look like this:
At midnight, there is a bun scrambling competition where people climb the tower.
I'm not kidding.
We didn't stay to watch.
We'll have to go back when the festival is over. It really is a cute little town, but yesterday, it was just chaos.
To all those new expats out there: Never go to Cheung Chau on the day of the bun festival.
Love,
Me
1 comment:
Looks fun, but, ooohhh....too crowded for me!! And buns with red bean filling....not my cup of tea! Bravo to you and Michael for braving the sea of people! Love you!
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