Photos: 年宵市場 (New Year Fair)

For the past week there's been quite a throng of crowds as people have been preparing for Chinese New Year. In Hong Kong in particular, there are special fairs called 年宵市場 (New Year Fair) that sell a variety of things for the holiday. Here are some pictures of the fair in 維多利亞公園 (Victoria Park).



You'll first hit the crowds as you approach the park. Luckily there are plenty of police to direct the pedestrians and the crowds make an orderly entrance.


When you get to the entrance you'll notice that at night there are generally three groups: (1) couples, (2) groups of friends, or (3) parents with young children.


It's so crowded that lanes are specifically designated for one-way walking and there are plenty of signs to direct you towards an exit if the crowds get too much for you.


Once you're inside, what you see is simply a sea of heads.


People running the stalls make a lot of noise to attract your attention.





Some of the things on sale range from the playful such as stuffed bananas, balloon giraffes, street signs, paintings, or pinwheels....






... to plants and flowers for luck and decoration.




Of course, what fair would be complete without street food?



Once you're done, you can take your bags of goodies and head for the exit.


新年快樂! 恭喜發財!
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Photos: Ho Chi Minh City

Earlier this month, I went to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was quite an experience considering I didn't quite know what to expect. The tour books all gave rather ominous warnings about the area (there were almost a dozen pages in Rough Guide about the dangers of red tape, the need for travel insurance, health problems, tap water, and STDs). What I found was, as expected, not as bad as what the tour books said. Judge for yourself; here are some pictures!



Ben Thanh Market


Power lines - most of the city still had these large bundles strewn along the streets


Hotel de Ville and statute of Ho Chi Minh


Replica of the Cu Chi tunnels at the Ho Chi Minh City Museum


Traffic in Ho Chi Minh City at night




Along the Saigon River


Crows in front of the US Consulate - rebuilt from the infamous building in 1975


General Post Office




Outside the Reunification Palace


Puppies for sale


War Remnants Museum




Fruit sellers


Jade Emperor Pagoda


Notre Dame Cathedral


Water Puppet Show


Saigon at night


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Food: 清真牛肉館 (Islam Food)

清真牛肉館
Main location:
九龍城龍崗道1號地下 (G/F, No. 1 Lung Kong Rd, Kowloon City)
電話 (phone): (852) 2382 2822 / 2382 8928
Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Second location:
九龍城打鼓嶺道33-35號地下 (G/F, No. 33-35 Tak Ku Ling Rd, Kowloon City)
電話 (phone): (852) 2382 1882
Open 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

More info:
- Official website





This local treat is located near the old Hong Kong airport. There is no MTR stop nearby so your best bet to get there is by bus (1A, 9, 101, and 111 stop nearby - see map) or by taxi.

This is one of the dishes they're famous for - 牛肉餡餅:




Other dishes to consider are:
咖喱羊腩


三絲粉皮








蔥油餅


If you get a chance try it. If you're interested, you can take a look at some other recommendations:

- 建興亞婆豆腐花 (Kin Hing Tofu Dessert) [南丫島 (Lamma Island)]
- 小杨生煎馆 (Yang's Fry Dumpling) [上海 (Shanghai)]
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