The Year of the Tiger ....

Happy New Year!

For a long time the COVID situation here has been pretty much under control and life has been more or less normal - except for the fact we can't travel, unless we quarantine for three weeks on our return. However, in the last few weeks that has all changed. Previously we used to be hysterical if there were 20 COVID cases a day here. Today there were over 600. This is all due to the arrival of the Omicron variant. The government are pondering changing some of our rules. For example, if you get COVID here, you are hospitalised even if it's a mild case, but the hospitals are going to fill up soon, so isolation at home is being considered. Previously close contacts of those who were COVID positive were placed in quarantine centres, but again they will probably be able to self-isolate at home due to lack of space.

Last Tuesday was the start of Chinese New Year. The fireworks celebrations over the harbour were cancelled again due to the pandemic and so was the New Year's Day Parade. People are being asked not to have family gatherings and to stay in as much as possible. This has also coincided with pretty cold weather for here. I have been largely staying in, though I'm not sure how long I can continue doing this before a desperate need for exercise takes over.

Before all this happened, in fact before Chinese New Year, I went to Tsing Yi to shop. While there I strolled through the park and checked how autumnal the line of deciduous trees by the pond had become. I'm starting to really like this park and wander around it frequently.

The line of trees by the pond.

Autumn Colours by the Pond.

Autumnal Trees by the Water.

Autumnal Trees by the Water.

A bit of greenery for contrast.

Still Many Flowers.

Reflections.

Mighty Banyans.

Colourful Flowers.

I also took a look at some of Tsing Yi's Chinese New Year decorations while passing the residential buildings there.

Caishen, god of good fortune, very popular at Chinese New Year.

Tigers and Gold.

Next I wandered along the waterfront past gently bobbing boats and colourful plants.

Spiky Plants.

Colourful Plants.

Peaceful Waters.

Peaceful Waters.

Peaceful Waters.

Inside Maritime Square Shopping Mall there were more festive displays and a Chinese New Year market.

Spring Blossom Display.

Spring Blossoms.

Chinese New Year Market.

Lanterns and Orchids.

Orchids Stall.

Today I was excited to get as far as my local supermarket. It was thrilling after days of reading and playing Wordle!!!

Inspired by this taste of freedom I also took a short night-time stroll near my home to photograph Chinese New Year displays.

Bringing in the Year of the Tiger.

Chinese New Year displays lit up at night.

Spring Blossoms.

Flowers and Gold.

Windmills of good fortune. The Chinese believe that spinning the windmill brings good luck.