Hong Kong - 2004

Beautiful scenery of Hong Kong with the nice building in the back ground. It is a pity that Hong Kong has become so hazy so unlike from the very first time when I visited in 1983. The city is shrouded in smog and people can barely see across the famous Victoria Harbour.
Hong Kong is so crowded now.

But then I still like to go to Hongkong for their shopping. Food wise I think I still love my Singapore food...hahaha.

This is the Avenue of Stars in Hongkong which is to pay tribute to outstanding professionals of Hong Kong's film industry, to promote tourism industry, and to consolidate Hong Kong's position as Asia's World City, the Avenue of Stars is located at the Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.

This is a baby shark emerging out of the egg. It looked so cute.

But not cute when the grow into adult size.

Saw these sharks in the underwater aquarium in Ocean park, Hongkong.

Wishing Tree, Hongkong

The Wishing Tree, located near the Tin Hou Temple in Lam Tsuen, is one of Hong Kong's most famous tourist attractions.

Some chinese people are superstitious. They trusted that there are gods who could bless them. Gods would also help them to achieve their wishes. As one of the means to worship the gods, they write their wishes and throw them onto the Wishing Tree.

People made their wishes by buying a package of yellow paper tied to an orange. Then they write down their wishes and tried their luck by throwing the package high up the tree so that the package would hang onto the tree branches. The higher the package hung on the tree the better the chances your wish would come true.

It is better not to throw not more than three times as they said those who cannot hang the package on the tree, are said to have made their wishes too greedy.
As for me, no I did not buy the package and I do not want the orange drop on my head and if you did not do a proper job hanging them and the orange would smacked onto the floor spilling all the juices out (lol).

China Vases from Beijing

These vases were purchased during my first trip to China. I used those foreign exchange certificates that I mentioned in my earlier post and bought these vases from the friendship stores at Summer Palace, Beijing.

They were rather cheap during that time costing me less than S$20 in total for the three vases. I went back in 2002 and tried to get another set but I could not find anymore. sigh.

I think in eighty years later, these vases would be antique....hahaha. I wondered if anyone would offered me 1 million pound for them....hahaha..........maybe my great grandchildren would inherit these vases or maybe I should start burying these vases in soil or underground so that they become very very antique...hehehe






I was told that if these vases have a stamp below them they would be valuable. Two of my vases had these stamps but not the one with a dragon image. So I guess my dragon vase is worthless.

Foreign Exchange Certificate (China)

Many people might not know about these foreign exchange certificates or what are they used for. When China first open their doors to foreigners, they issued these certificates to them when they visited China. It was issued from 1979 to 1994. Issued by the Bank of China, they sold at a premium of about 20% more than the actual value of the Yuan. So you can see my copies of the certificates are dated 1979 (in chinese).

I first visited China in 1986 and I needed to use these certificates to purchased any luxury goods in Friendship Stores and Hotels in China. Back then things are so cheap in China. Their locals are not allowed to use these certificates so they could only purchase their own local products.

These certificates are no longer issued or used in China. China has already catch up with the rest of the world.

Most of the sources are taken from here.