Sha Tin was formerly named Lek Yuen (literally "Source of Trickling" or "Source of Clear Water"). Sha Tin is the location for Hong Kong's second equestrian racecourse (the first and most famous being in Hong Kong Island's Happy Valley - see Hong Kong Jockey Club), which has a capacity of up to 85,000. This course hosted the equestrian events during the 2008 Summer Olympics.
We went by bus #170 and enjoyed a morning touring the museum. Some of the couples extended the visit by going to one of the villages and to a brass factory. We opted to return home in mid afternoon. The group picture below was taken in the foyer of the Museum.
Back Row, l to r. Elder Whitman, Paul. 2nd row. Sister Paul, Smith, Elder Smith, Sister Whitman, Halversen, Lee, Elder Lee, Sister Eriksen, Elder Arnold, Sister Linford, Elder Linford. Front row. Elder and Sister Kewish, Sister Dodson, Elder Eriksen, Halversen
A beautiful reflection in the river on a cloudy day. Sha Tin was a sleepy village forty years ago. Now it is an urban metropolis as Hong Kong expanded to the North into what was called the New Territories. The New Territories were leased from Qing China to the United Kingdom in 1898 for 99 years in the Second Convention of Peking (The Convention for the Extension of Hong Kong Territory). Upon the expiration of the lease, sovereignty was transferred to People's Republic of China in 1997, together with the Qing ceded territories of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon Peninsula. In 2006, New Territories had a population of 3,573,635 and its population density was 3,748 per km.
Preparing to go into the Museum. We arrived just before it opened. Here some of the group are admiring the surrounding scene.
The front of the Museum. The museum includes exhibits on Cantonese Opera, History of the New Territories, Chinese Art, Famous Chinese Persons, etc. It is described as a museum of history, art and culture in Sha Tin, Hong Kong, by the Shing Mun River. The museum was built by the Regional Council and opened on 16 December 2000
This huge dragon went up the stairs from the ground floor to the 2nd floor. This is where we had our group picture taken. Sister Kewish and Smith are enjoying the sights. Notice the body of the dragon as it snakes back and forth up the stairs.
The dragon mouth with the big eyes.
Part of the Cantonese Opera exhibit. This opera has a style all of its own, with elaborate costumes and high pitched singing that, to the untrained ear sounds, almost like screeching. It began in the early 1900s and is still popular in Hong Kong.
Example of costumes and scenes from one of the operas.
A fan made of US dollar bills. Even the musuem got into the money act.
A view of the Sha Tin area with its harbor in early 1900s.
A reproduction of a Sha Tin fishing village street. Notice the meat hanging out on the balcony.
A very interesting portion of the Museum dealt with the high respect the Chinese have for their ancestors. They keep records of ancestors in special ancestral halls with pictures and mementos. They have two holidays to celebrate their ancestors. One is in the Spring and is referred to as a "Tomb sweeping day". The other is in the Fall when families are visited and stories of ancestors are shared.
On Good Friday, which is a holiday in Hong Kong, we decided to take a venturing trip to the West of Hong Kong Island. We got on the ding ding tram and rode to the end of the line for a cost of Hong Kong one dollar (US 12 cents). One of our visits was to the Western Market which has several floors of businesses and restaurants. It is a landmark building.
This is one of the two decker trams that we road on. Note the two tracks. The tram goes to its end and goes around a block to start back the other way. You can always tell where you are if you can find the tracks of the tram. It traverses from East to West along the Northern part of Hong Kong Island. Often it is standing room only as you get on the back of the tram and gradually move forward to exit. You pay using a smart card as you get off. We usually have younger riders who give us their seat so we don't have to stand.
On the way back we stopped at the Hong Kong Park and visited the Aviary. We had visited to Botanical and Zoological part of the park with couples earlier this year but we missed the aviary. The Edward Youde Aviary is built over a natural valley at the southern corner of Hong Kong Park which is located on the northern slope of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong. The Edward Youde Aviary was opened to the public in September 1992 and managed by the Urban Council. The aviary is named after the late Sir Edward Youde, The Governor of Hong Kong from 1982 to 1986.The valley has an area of about 3,000 square metres, and is bounded by an east-facing slope fully covered with natural vegetation and a west-facing slope previously occupied by a barracks. It has a highest point of 46.5 metres and a lowest point of 30 metres above sea level.
This walk-though aviary feature a collection of 800 birds comprising 100 species indigenous to Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and New Guinea. Ground dwelling birds including pheasants, partridges, pigeons and thrushes. Some like the Crowned pigeons from New Guinea are spectacularly beautiful. Great Argus Pheasants proclaim their presence by ringing territorial calls and give one of the most elaborate courtship displays in the bird world.
The entrance to the Hong Kong Aviary consists of a small rectangular building. This building holds on display different types of eggs. The aviary also houses a large cat-sized rodent species.
This walk-though aviary feature a collection of 800 birds comprising 100 species indigenous to Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and New Guinea. Ground dwelling birds including pheasants, partridges, pigeons and thrushes. Some like the Crowned pigeons from New Guinea are spectacularly beautiful. Great Argus Pheasants proclaim their presence by ringing territorial calls and give one of the most elaborate courtship displays in the bird world.
The entrance to the Hong Kong Aviary consists of a small rectangular building. This building holds on display different types of eggs. The aviary also houses a large cat-sized rodent species.
They have created a forest of trees and plants with a raised wooden walkway that goes down through the forest so you can see some of the birds closeup. The day was drizzly and overcast, but we enjoyed seeing the birds. The Aviary is part of Hong Kong Park, which has many walkways through manicured gardens with flowers, fountains, benches etc.
This walkway to the right has water running down the inclined steps on the left. Notice how beautiful the trees and bushes are.
A beautiful fountain in the park. On a warmer day, the pool could have children playing in it.
Even a few waterfalls to add to the beauty of the park.
Even a porpoise statue to cheer up the viewers.
I'm not sure the names of the following birds, but it was fun to see them in their natural habitat.
Great lofting places for the birds. Notice the wire fencing that surrounds the entire enclosure,
This must be the crowned pigeon.
Enjoying a fruit dinner.
We enjoyed the change of pace in this leisurely holiday.
This walkway to the right has water running down the inclined steps on the left. Notice how beautiful the trees and bushes are.
A beautiful fountain in the park. On a warmer day, the pool could have children playing in it.
Even a few waterfalls to add to the beauty of the park.
Even a porpoise statue to cheer up the viewers.
I'm not sure the names of the following birds, but it was fun to see them in their natural habitat.
Great lofting places for the birds. Notice the wire fencing that surrounds the entire enclosure,
This must be the crowned pigeon.
Enjoying a fruit dinner.
We enjoyed the change of pace in this leisurely holiday.
