Typhoon Brewery, Mui Wo, Lantau Island

I have not had the chance to taste it yet. You can only find it in a few places. My Husband liked it, but our friend didn't. Once I get the chance to taste it for myself I will let you know all about it....but FYI I am not an avid beer drinker...I am a whiskey/Scotch Girl.

Info taken off their facebook page:

Typhoon Brewery was established to bring the taste of real ale to Hong Kong. Try our signature bitter, T8, at the Globe on Graham Street, in Soho, The Gallery in Tong Fuk, Lantau Island, and Bahçe Turkish restaurant Mui Wo, Lantau.
Mui Wo, Lantau Island, www.typhoonbrewery.com.hk Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Kung Hai Fat Choi! Apple Marketing

 2012 year of the Dragon. I found these at the super Park N Shop in Aberdeen.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Meditating at the Peak

We were at the Starbucks with our friends getting ready to have a morning hike. Our daughter finished her tea and asks if she could go outside and explore. It is perfectly safe and we could see her. We watch her run outside and seat on the cold ground. We watched her for five minute; some of the other kids ran out and asked her what she was doing. I finally couldn’t take it anymore I went out and asked her what she was doing. She was meditating before the hike!  

Photo taken by Rambling Gypsy 2012

Hong Kong Trail Pt 2

I am back with photo from our hike and  I found more interesting websites...

Photo taken from Rambling Gypsy

Photo taken from Rambling Gypsy

Awesome website! Hong Kong Adventurer: http://www.hkadventurer.com/index.html

Everyone's favorite CNNGO: Best hiking in Hong Kong: http://www.cnngo.com/hong-kong/play/hiking-hong-kong-141663

Leisure and Cultural Services Department - Hiking Scheme : http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/healthy/hiking/en/index.php   

Hong Kong trail Pt 1

We went on a hike with a group of friends and kids. It was a great day for a hike. It was not too cold and and not to hot. The humidity was not to high, but it was a cloudy day. I am always curious what you can see on a hike. So I going to post a few photos.

Travel tip for visitors: This is one trail you don't need to hire a guide for something you really need a guide for. Save your money and print the hiker's map off one of the websites below.

Here are a few photos to show you the day. Scroll further down (pass the photos) to reference to websites that can guide you through the hike.

Photos taken by Rambling Gypsy

Photos taken by Rambling Gypsy

Photos taken by Rambling Gypsy

Photos taken by Rambling Gypsy

Photo taken by Rambling Gypsy

photo taken by Rambling Gypsy

Hong Kong Outdoors is a great website: http://www.hkoutdoors.com/hiking-and-biking-in-hong-kong/hiking-in-hk.html

If you have a strong passion and want to get really involved you will enjoy this website: Hiking Hong Kong Group: http://www.hiking.hk/?gclid=CNWp7tOjp64CFQpshwodO070Ug

The peak is where we started the trail. Here is the website that has a map: http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/1_3.asp

I will post more tomorrow about the hike......

How do say " Happy Chinese New Year"?

OMG! I hear this said in different way, but the more I learned the more I missed something. Here is the break do of what I have learned.

Standard New Year Greeting - Kung Hei Fat Choy (Congratulations and Prosperity). Should be the first word out of your mouth when greeting friends and family or anyone for that matter. http://www.reddit.com/r/HongKong/comments/oe3bt/chinese_new_year_etiquette_for_the_uninitiated/

Definition: 恭喜發財! Chinese greeting for Chinese New Year.

Pronunciation: gōngxǐ fācái

Also Known As: 新年快樂 (Xīnnián kuàilè)

http://chineseculture.about.com/od/thechineselanguage/g/Chinese-For-Happy-New-Year-Chinese-New-Year.htm

The simplest of ways to show your well wishes for a prosperous new year is to say "gong xi fa cai" -- which means loosely "congratulations and prosperity." http://goasia.about.com/b/2012/01/20/say-happy-new-year-in-chinese.htm

 Chinese (Cantonese)Gung hay fat choy (a New Year greeting meaning, "May you become prosperous.")
Sun nien fai lok (meaning, "Happy new year")

Chinese (Mandarin)Xin nian yu kuai
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/calendar/newyear.shtml

What do I say? Gung hay fat choy

The year of the Dragon & I am Dragon

I am a Dragon... what does that mean  for me? My curiosity always gets the best of me, so I did a little more research.

 

All information came from Chinese fortune Calendar.com. My comments will be in Yellow.http://www.chinesefortunecalendar.com/2012ChineseHoroscope.htm

According to Chinese Five Element Astrology Calendar, 2012 is the Year of Water Dragon . The color of Water in Five Elements system is related to Black. Therefore we can say 2012 is a Black Dragon, Water Dragon or Black Water Dragon year.

Chinese Astrology is a Balance Theory of Five Elements. Each animal can be converted into Five Elements. Dragon contains Earth, Water and Wood. It's a source of Water and It is also called the Water Dam in Chinese astrology. Since Water of 2012 comes with Dragon. it implied Water from the sky makes a dam overflow. Therefore 2012 is a strong Water year.

Dragon is a legendary animal and it is symbol of emperor in China. Since the Dragon is coated with mysterious color, Chinese consider that the dragon is unpredictable, untouchable and people cannot see its head and tail at the same time. Therefore, we can might see something unexpected happening in 2012. Also a person with too many dragons in the Chinese astrology birth chart will become smarter, sly and unpredictable in the coming year.

2010 was the Year of White Tiger and is the beginning year of the Wood cycle. 2011 was the Year of White Rabbit and is the middle year of the Wood cycle. The Dragon of 2012 is the last year of the Wood cycle. Dragon is the transition year to the Fire Cycle. The energy of Wood is in the East side. The energy of Fire is in the South side. We never know what will happen when turning from East to South. That's another sign of unpredictable Dragon year. You can have either good luck or bad luck in 2012, and will have a chance to turn it into better or worse luck.

Lucky Element is from your astrology birth chart. The Lucky Element is the major factor to determine people's fortune. 2012 is the Year of Black Water Dragon, which contains Earth, Water and Wood. If your Lucky Element is Earth, Water or Wood, then 2012 will bring you some degree of luck. Since 2012 is Water Dragon, people whose lucky element is Water will benefit more in 2012. Fire is the opposite element of Water. People whose lucky element is Fire will have more impact in 2012.  My Lucky Element is Wood or Fire.

If you go by my birth date I am a THE WOOD DRAGON

Wood has a modifying influence and brings creativity to this sign. Questioning and liberal, Wood Dragons enjoy talking about original ideas and are open to other points of view. They are innovative, imaginative practical and appreciate art in each of its forms. Generally less pretentious than other Dragons, Wood Dragons have an ability to get along with other people. They have the essentials to build a prosperous and happy life for themselves. Still, Wood Dragons are outspoken and at times a bit pushy to quell everyone, even in the most friendly quarrel.

If you go by my birth year I am a THE FIRE DRAGON 1916 AND 1976

The Fire Dragon is a powerful force to be reckoned with. This is a Dragon doubled! The Fire Dragon can move from calm and collected to combustible in a matter of seconds. In some ways the Fire Dragon is his or her own worst enemy. These Dragons cannot help feeling they are valuable and all-knowing. When they are right their vehemence and vigor is an asset to the cause, and though they value objectivity, they do not always employ the best decision-making measures, and sometimes jump to the wrong conclusion. They also suffer from recklessness and quick tempers. Yet, when they do keep their temper, emotions, and rivaling spirit under control, they emanate a commanding influence on other people.

You can check out my post “Chinese New Year 2012- The year of the Dragon” post Feb. 3^rd2011 from China guide.

Chinese New year is around the corner!!

Last year I went down the list of what each zodiac was for the next few years, but if you are just getting started...this year is the year of the Dragon.

Check out this website to find out what is going on in Hong Kong: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/chinesenewyear/en/index.html

What will I being doing this Chinese new year? Staying away from it all! I have done it and been there. Sorry, but the crowds are finally getting to me. I will hopefully be spending time with good friends away from the crowds.

If you haven’t attended any of the Chinese New year events, than I hope you will be attending! It is a must do in Hong Kong!

Kung Hei Fat Choy

What you need to know about Chinese New Year... Of course you can search all the websites... there is sufficiently enough information out there to confuse anyone.

1. Keep in mind prices go up around Chinese New Year. So if you are on a budget...do your reseach before you arrive here. I live here... believe I know how the prices go up on the Hotels and plane fare.
2. The Hong Kong fireworks take place on 24 January at 8pm. To beat the crowds, consider a harbor cruise (you will thank me later). If you're in town the night before, 23 January, be sure to catch the Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade running through Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, starting at 8pm. FYI For the Night parade,  people start finding their viewing place hours before ( Like around 3pm).
3. The Lunar New Year Race Day takes place on the third day of Chinese New Year – 25 January in 2012. Gates open at 10.30am, first race 12.30pm. Check out Hong Kong Jockey Club (hkjc.com)  for Tickets.

Here is the thing I am not one to reinvent the wheel when someone has already done a great job, so instead of me rewriting about Hong Kong & the Chinese New Year etiquette. I found this AWSOME website that has already done it and more. Please visit it!!

Chinese New Year Etiquette for the uninitiated: http://www.reddit.com/r/HongKong/comments/oe3bt/chinese_new_year_etiquette_for_the_uninitiated/