Hong Kong Trip: Day 4

On the fourth day of Hong Kong my parents gave to me....

a trip to the Museum of History!

I can't post too many of the photos because they're so dark (I wasn't allowed to use a flash), but here are a few from our wonderful at the Hong Kong Museum of History. 

Visiting the museum helped me narrow down the time period and setting for my Cantonese Opera book. There was also a permanent exhibit here about a specific kind of Cantonese opera called Chinese Opera for the Gods, a ritual performed in villages around Hong Kong to commemorate a god's birthday and bless a village. It's a tradition still practiced today, though not as common as it used to be.

Funnily enough, the fishing village we visited on Lantau on day three, Tai O, hosts an annual opera performance of this type. We'd seen signs advertising it when we were on the island.

Gabe in a traditional fishing boat.

A hawker's stall of children's toys outside the opera house

The temporary opera structure for Chinese Opera for the Gods

A scene from 1913 Hong Kong water front (I think that's the right year - need to check my notes!)

A recreation of a building on Hong Kong island in the late 1800's/early 1900's

A popular way to travel around Hong Kong Island -- an old-fashioned tram

My parents sharing a laugh on the MTR train on the way home. How I love them!

If you ever visit Hong Kong and are curious about Hong Kong history, you'll have to visit this museum. The exhibits were amazing. The street scene from early Hong Kong was especially stunning. You can walk into tea shops and pawn shops, see the bulletins posted on the brick walls ... an incredible, hands-on experience.

That evening I was able to see one of my best friends from middle school and early high school at King George V School, Hersha. We hadn't seen each other in twenty years! She and her lovely husband treated us to a delicious meal.

Friends reunited

Gabe was a little worn out after his busy day! He has been a trooper through this trip, following Mom around on all her research trips. This is only the second time he's fallen asleep at a restaurant late at night.

Overall, another wonderful day in my amazing hometown. Gabe and I miss everyone back home, but we're not ready to leave yet! We want our American family to fly here instead of us flying back over there. I wish!