New Year Celebrations in Asia

     Fireworks at the Victoria Harbor to celebrate the New Year sounded great...but it would start at the stroke of 12 midnight and expect 400,000 people participating.  No, we decided to stay home and enjoy it peacefully.  We were able to watch several versions of the fireworks on youtube, including the fabulous one from Taipei 101. Wow, they sure put on a show to remember.  Afterall, it's the 100th anniversary of the Republic of China.  Yes, Dr. Sun Yat-sun ended the reign of the Qing Dynasty in 1911.  It's hard to believe it's been 100 years since the fall of the dynasty and all the events that transpired since then.
 
    NTD TV Network (based in New York), reports:

   
   Incredible fireworks displays seemed to be one of the best ways to ring in the New Year in many parts of Asia.

   Thousands of people gathered in Hong Kong to watch one of the best displays which lit up the skyline against Victoria Harbour.

   A numbered countdown on the city's tallest building signaled the start of the New Year.

   It was a similar story in Taipei, where crowds gathered at a concert for the New Year celebrations. The countdown was followed with a display of white colored fireworks from different locations around the city with the centerpiece display coming from the Taipei 101 skyscraper, the world's second tallest building. The celebrations also marked 100 years of Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China.

   In Tokyo, thousands of people gathered at the historic Bhuddist Zojoji temple to celebrate the end of 2010 and the start of 2011.  Revelers released balloons in celebration of the start of Year of the Rabbit, according to the Chinese calendar.  In keeping with tradition the 15-ton temple bell was rung repeatedly to bring in the new year.

   And in Beijing, China, residents gathered at the ancient Big Bell Temple to see in the New Year with the traditional ringing of one of the biggest bells in China.

   For the 4 Hong Kong Mission senior missionaries, we celebrated by going on a hike to Sheung Shui/Fanling Park and enjoyed the beautiful flowers, lake, trees, gold fish and also a community farm.  We came back to the Davis' for a delicious "Tennessee Bean Soup", made by Shirley, home-made bread by Susan, a vegetable plate by Martha, and some delicious desserts furnished by the Wilson's, a basket full of "almond Joy" from home.  We then watched "Narnia".  It was a fun day for us.