Tai O- a small and unique fishing village

-Tai O is a small fishing village at the western side of Lantau Island. It's the only stilt-house community in Hong Kong. It is also a home to the community of fisherfolk. They built their homes on stilts above the tidal flat for safety reason.

Nowadays most of the Tai O residents do not earn their income by fishing but still you can trace the fishing history there. The village is seperated by a creek and you can go to the opposite side by crossing the drawbridge. (In the past, they have to cross to other side by rope- drawn little boat)

Some people say that Tai O is the eastern version of Venice. It maybe an overstatement because except the creek, there is actually nothing alike. However, I would say Tai O is a place with strong character,  beautiful is probably not a right word but  enchanting. And it is my top-listed favourite place in hong kong. usually get a very simple and peaceful feeling just by strolling along the place ,  hardly find in other part of Hong Kong. 

 

Walking through Tai O, there aren't no huge buildings here, just some stilt house and some dilapidated hut.
The air is flesh . There are also mangroves growing up in the area at the back of the village.





The New SNOW WHITE STORY.

 
A store with Snow White and Seven Dwarfs at front. Snow white is hanging a sign "SPOUSE WANTED" ,白雪公主徵婚,  HAHA.. I wish she will get her love one soon!!
We were told by the store manager that there were no Snow white but only Seven Dwarfs in here before................

OTHER Things to do at Tai O

• Take a motor boat ride trip
   It is a about 20 minutes boat ride trip which can join in Tai O. The boat first cruise along creeks past stilt house , including a spot of dolphin watching at the sea. (If you are lucky, you may have chance to see the dolphin over there. I saw it once.)
  
• Visit the local museum
  There are two museums showing the old history of Tai O by the bus terminal, showing some local traditions  including the fisthermans' traditional paraphernaila and clothes. It is fun to visit.
  
•  Enjoy the sunset (it is a good location to look at the sunset. When i was a student, i like to go there to take picture.)
  
  
  

Annual Bun Festival

Bun Festival in Cheung Chau

Every year there is an annual Bun Festival holding in Cheung Chau, an outlying Island in Hong Kong. (in Chinese, called 太平清醮, literal meaning: "the Purest Sacrifice celebrated for Great Peace"). It is the busiest day of the Island in a year. Flock of people went to the Island to witness the festival celebration on that day, including a very unique parade on the afternoon, Chinese opera performance, and the most renowned bun scrambling competition at the midnight (‘Bun Festival’ is named after it)


The origin of Bun Festival

It is a festival to pay tribute to the “Pak Tai”, the Taoist God of the Sea and to placate the spirit of the deceased too.  Beside a thanksgiving to god, it is also said that the festival is to placate the spirit of the deceased, those who is hurt by the pirate few hundred years ago. In time, the thanksgiving to Pak Tei and the ghosts' placating ceremonies were merged to become the Bun Festival.

Experience it myself


Having heard the Bun Festival, especially the famous Piu Sik parade for a long time. I have never went there until this year. At the moment I got off from the ferry, hearing the sound of gongs and drum already got me excited. The parade started to begin and the emotions of visitors were so high. The parade was led by elaborate floats of temples for various deities, floating colors as well as lively lion dancing. There was also people dancing, music and kung fu performance during the parade. It was the same as I expected-very crowded and hot. I can only see the parade quite far away but I still think it was worth the trip.

To me, the most striking highlight was definitely the ‘Piu Sik’ (literally meaning in chinese, "floating colors") featuring adorable four to six years old kids dressing in colorful costumes playing characters in Chinese history, popular culture and political. They were hoisted up high and glide by slow moving floats. (I guess it is named “floating colors” because they look like floating in the air. ) The little kids were all so cute and some dressed so funny.

Two little firemen-another firemen is 'standing' at the top of the ladder.

A loverly little performer is taking a rest.

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A festive food can't miss is the bun with lucky meaning-- “Pin an” bun, a steamed white bun stamped with the Chinese word ’平安’ –meaning peace and well being.

A white steam bun with blessing

I was happy but exhausted at the end of the day, and my camera broken in the middle of the way but luckily my friends got some photos before which I can still show it on here. The Island was packed with hundreds and thousands of people on that day. It seemed that every itch of the Island was filled with people. There was quite a long time that I got stuck in the middle of the crowds, and people started to joke about if the island would sink with too many people on top of it

some  sourvenirs i got for myself and friends----
postcards,a very cute "pin an" stamp and phone strap.