Hong Kong - National Day

Nothing like an early morning bit of exercise - local parks have "playground" areas for the elderly to keep them limber and Romany was no match for this spry old fella, particularly as she couldn't quite reach the handles when the pulleys went up. Unreasonable competition really.

Passed back through the flower markets where they dye the blooms for effect as well as through the meat market including toads and turtles. Unfortunately not snake season (which is winter) so deprived of those sights. Turtle chopping was enough for the kids though to want to move on. And then through the bird market including areas to hang your bird cages which you have brought out for a walk so they get some fresh air while you have a chat. All very sociable for man and bird.

In the afternoon we took the scenic route into Hong Kong Island as it was National Holiday, the annual day to celebrate China on the 1st October. The lanterns were still out from the mid-Autumn festival and there were people everywhere (10 million come over from mainland China during the week) as a prelude to a spectacular 20 minute fireworks display on the harbour including fireworks writing 08 in mid-air for the Olympics, Harry Potter's lightning scar (to the movie theme music) and making smiling faces. Very impressive (especially seen from the 30th floor office window of one of Mhairi and Jean's friends)