The Cathay Pacific International Night Parade is one of the most popular events of the Chinese New Year celebrations here in Hong Kong. This is the 16th year of the parade, and the theme this year was World City, World Party. Last night we went in to town early and plonked ourselves down on a small rug on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui somewhere between Prada and Luis Vuitton shops to wait for the parade to start. Craig was initially concerned about the crowds, but it wasn't as bad as he expected. Unlike many Australians, Hong Kong people do not get drunk and rowdy at events. I found it humorous, however, how protective I felt towards "our" designated surface area, though. This rug marks our space. We've been saving this space for hours, so no you can't come into our space. Please don't blow cigarette smoke into our space. Kids, don't let anyone push you out of our space. You get the idea.
It was worth waiting on our little blanket when the parade finally started because the colourful floats and performers passed by right in front of us. The costumed characters often came right up to greet our kids and give them high fives or samples in red packets. Besides the huge floats, we saw traditional dragon and lion dancers, marching bands, ballet dancers, majorettes from the Czech Republic, cheerleaders and a choir from the USA, an all female Mikoshi group from Japan, and a variety of international performers from Korea, Peru, Thailand, Taiwan and the UK.
We were so close to the action that my cheap little camera couldn't really capture an entire float or group of performers, but I've posted our photos below anyway. Maybe next year you'll join us for the real thing...?
Hi Renee! Thanks for popping over to our blog. We were planning on doing the parade, but after the madness at the CNY Fair decided against it. It looks fabulous and will certainly be on our list for the future.
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