Snow Amazing

Hello My Dear Great Ones,

Celia and I just spent four days skiing at Niseko.  Niseko is located in Hokkaido which is the north island of Japan. A fun fact about Hokkaido is that its government and Alberta's government have an agreement that make them "sister," provinces.  Hmm.  Hokkaido is world famous for its snow due to its close proximity to Siberia and the Sea of Japan.  When the freezing winds from Siberia hit the warm moist winds of the Sea of Japan the resulting collision produces powder snow. Tons of it. Hokkaido is then literally buried in champagne powder and if it wasn't for their state of the art snow removal equipment and unlimited snow removal budget there would be no getting in and off the island.   And I have the video and photo evidence.  

This video is in front of our small hotel.  The owner had to carve a tunnel to the door.

Standing in the middle of a road.  Remember I am 6'6.

Walking on the side of a road. Many road signs just get buried.

This poor car got forgotten and it will be a few months before it can be rescued.

Walking from our small hotel to our small car.

Wow eh?  Next week some awesome ski scenes.

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Flower Market at CNY

My Dear Great Ones,

Chinese New Year (CNY) is here once again and as usual people have been prepping for weeks, much like Canadians get ready for Christmas.  The flower market is a must see during this time. During CNY various flowers and plants symbolizing such things as luck, hope, and prosperity are bought on mass and the flower market obliges the demand.  In fact there is so much inventory that stores put all their extra wares onto the street causing traffic issues.  This is accepted as part of the deal during CNY.  Here are a few pics of the flower market that really don't do justice to the noise, and hustle bustle craziness that is the flower market during CNY.

I believe these are pomelos.  Symbolizes family unity. 

 Orchids---fertility and abundance.

 Flowers are for peace and prosperity.

 Oranges ---abundance and happiness.

 Yeah, a few people showed up at the flower market to get some things for CNY.

 And to make things more interesting it was also Valentines so roses were selling quickly and going up in price by the hour.

 Peonies richness and peace.

Flower market at CNY.  Wow.

Have a great week!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk

Hong Kong Animals

My Dear Great Ones,

Hong Kong is alive with not only millions of people, but there are many creatures wild and domesticated that give this wonderful territory even more life. Below is a sample of some of the beautiful, ugly, interesting,  and comical, animals that grace Hong Kong.

Butterflys abound.

Hong Kongers consider turtles good luck.

Descendants of cattle raised by former farmers free range in the country parks.  Here is one enjoying a snack.

Koi are a feature of every man made pond/lake in Hong Kong.

These "feral," cats are fed daily by this old lady. 

Birds abound in Hong Kong.  

Monkeys have taken over the country parks.  Not a great fan of them due to their love for garbage and the fact they will rip food out of your hands. 

Lots of dogs are left by their owners, when they have to move or get bored, at the edge of a country park to fend for themselves.  Some nice people feed them daily ensuring their survival.

Another lucky turtle taking a walk in my neighborhood.

A herd of cows up high on Tai Ma Shan.

This robust wild pig almost knocked me off my bike when he suddenly ran across the road.  Not sure who was more scared.  Yet from the squeals of the pig I say the pig.

Have a great week everyone!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk 

Sweet Lamma!

My Dear Great Ones,

Lamma Island is one my most favorite islands ever.  A few weekends ago Celia and I explored the eastern side of the Lamma and came away impressed.

A look across the water to Hong Kong island.

 On the way to Mo Tat New Village

 A few three story village homes make up Mo Tat New Village.

 On the way to Old Tat Village.

 The well named Old Tat Village.

 Walking under the banana leaves.

 Thick vegetation.

 These buildings date back 300 years.

 A beach made of fantastic rocks.

 Nice spot for a vacation home.

 Very interesting rock formations.

 My sweet Asian wife using an umbrella on a sunny day.  So Asian...

 Some rock formations.

 Climbing up a hill.

 A look back.

 How bamboo sounds in the wind.

End of the trail.  Sok ko Wan

Yep love Lamma.

Have a great week!

Love adios and ping on!

Dirk