Day 11
No mistaking it's Dragon Boat Racing Day today. We're woken by the PA system and beating of the drums from 0830. As luck would have it we don't have to get dressed or face the heat to see the boats as we have a great view of the Shing Mun River from our hotel room. There are 150 teams competing here alone! There are other events at Stanley, Tai O, Aberdeen and Cheung Chau. Crowds are forming on the other side with plenty of umbrellas, for UV protection rather than rain. I want to be down there so get ready fast!
Feels like a carnival atmosphere as I head under the subway. Parents, grandparents, toddlers jostle for a vantage point.
The 8 lanes are clearly marked out along the route so it's serious competitive racing. The drums beat at the dragon head end and the paddlers face the way they are going, much more sensible than rowing!
There's a bakery round the corner from our hotel so I head back with more custard tarts, a raisin plait and sweetcorn and ham bun for bunch. We walk into town. On the bridge, the police have momentarily stopped the traffic as some of the bamboo supports for the temporary signings are already being dismantled. They've moved a truckload in a matter of minutes.
The New Town Plaza is heaving (it's always busy at the weekends) so we get the #86K to Ma On Shan for free wifi in the Sunshine City Plaza, then meet dad for a stroll in the park. As it is Sunday, maids' day off, they are all in groups laying/ sprawled under the walkway and in the park. Mini camps are set up on bamboo mats, umbrellas for shelter, evidence of takeouts, watching movies on laptops, grooming each other and chatting/sleeping.
It's hot in the park but there is a breeze from the sea. The main cyclepath runs past and groups of teenagers stop off to get an icecream/ drink.
Diana has organised a buffet bbq tonight so we are preparing ourselves for a feast. Uncle Hing, Auntie and Sharon are there. Sharon looks up the Imax Amazing Spiderman showings for us, which start at 0830 on the 29th! We are not That keen. I help Sharon with a couple of photo apps. We all enjoy the amazing banquet Diana has prepared; shrimp salad, noodles, beef, sweet pork, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, greens, chicken's feet, pork fillet and many more and Ming's roast potatoes are very popular.
Kai is taken off by Wai to play, before we start to watch horror flick Final Destination 3 involving a roller coaster ride. We've still yet to visit Disney and Ocean Park to try out the new rides...