September 19, 2005, Hong Kong-Mid Autumn Festival

On the 15th Day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, when the moon is fullest and bright, Chinese across China celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival by putting up lanterns, lighting candles outdoors, and eating moon cakes.


This month we experienced our second Mid-Autumn Festival in Hong Kong. We’ve been here over a year now.

Last year we were in Central Hong Kong walking among thousands of families “burning wax”, as the candle lighting ritual is called in China, on the grass at Victoria Park, surrounded by the glass and steel towers and neon lights of the city, and looking at the elaborate lantern displays. That was a surreal scene, one which we will not soon forget.

2004 Festival









This year we stayed away from the city, planning on a quiet night on Wings after a busy holiday. We had cooked a pot of our favorite Chinese Fish and Noodle Soup, (which is better than it sounds, see the recipe), and drank a couple of bottles of Chinese Beer, and even ate a moon cake. Even in Discovery Bay people get excited about this national holiday, and we heard that they would be celebrating on the beach. We couldn’t stay away.


Fish & Noodle Soup Click here for recipe.
Click here to read about moon cake.


We’d been out partying the previous two nights, including a big wedding anniversary shindig for Richard and Isabel at the Hong Kong Club. Nevertheless, we headed out for another night.

Winter's 30th, see below for more party photos

Walking through the darkness along the soft sand of Discovery Bay’s main beach, through the families seated around in small groups, we enjoyed the quiet scene. Oblivious to the crowds around them, clusters of children circled around fathers who were lighting candles stuck in the sand while Mom set up the lanterns. Elsewhere children danced with glow rings on their wrists and in their hair, or shared a moon cake snack brought from home. A parade of people walked along the promenade chatting with friends.

Lanterns

Everyone waited for the moon to make an appearance through the clouds and for the fireworks display at Disney Land, across the bay.





The moon peeked out for a few minutes, and the rain even held off so that everyone could experience a perfect evening.


Fireworks

As we walked home we realized again how much we will miss Hong Kong when we finally leave.

Fred & Judy, SV Wings, Hong Kong

More Photos, click the links below

Party Crowd
Judy & Friends
Richard
Isabel & Abegail
Soko, in The Philippines


Click Here for all the Hong Kong photos