Howzit-HongKong.com has been around in this Blog-guise for just under 2 years having previously debuted as a regular web-page.

As we prepare to celebrate our second birthday as a Blog, we would like to wish all of our readers a:

Very Happy New Year!

May the best of 2010 be the worst of 2011 and may you and yours have a fantastic 2011!

Tonight we usher in the new year with yet another grand fire-works display over Victoria Harbour (outside my window).

We have posted so many pictures from previous displays so here is a video-clip we found on You-Tube of last year’s celebrations:

From me to you, 新年快乐, Let’s make 2011: The Perfect Year…

Dear Tata Mandela,

Today is your special day.  Mine was a week ago.  Please have a lekker day and don’t let the fact that the whole world wants to be in on it, deter you from having a wonderful day with Graca and your family.

We wish you love, health, peace and lots of rest.

Mike, Priscilla, Micaela and Ethan Jansen

Hung Hom Bay

Hong Kong

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela cartoon by Zapiro

PS. We asked The Arch to say something special on your birthday:

Today, 10 July, the year of our Lord 2010, I celebrate my 21st (cough) (cough)-st birthday!

I also celebrate 4 years of living in Hong Kong, and 10 years in Asia overall.

生日快樂 !

At the stroke of midnight last night, the family surprised me with this, amongst other goodies:

And look who ended up enjoying most of it!

Yumm!

July 1 celebrates the hand-over of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom (UK) to the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

WikiPedia writes:

The handover ceremony of Hong Kong in 1997 officially marked the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People’s Republic of China. It was an internationally televised event with the ceremony commencing on the night of 30 June 1997, and finishing on 1 July 1997, at the new wing of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) in Wan Chai.

We can just add,

Thanks for the day off Hong Kong.  It’s probably the hottest day of the year to boot!

Out with the old, In with the new…

Though not as BIG as the fireworks display that welcomed the recent East Asian Games, Hong Kong ushered in 2010 in traditional style with a fireworks display over some of Hong Kong Island’s landmark buildings.  The centrepiece building was the iconic IFC (International Financial Centre) in Central that sported an LED display with the numbers 2010.

Thousands of Hong Kongers crowded vantage points on either side of Victoria Harbour, some lining up for up to three hours to have the best view of the 4-minute fireworks display.

Howzit-HongKong.com wishes all it’s readers and supporters a very prosperous 2010!

(thumbnail picture by Wilda Fong, Flickr)