Nobu’s Weblog

These days Dragon Boat Racing is a kind of traditional “activity” with a historical background. I am interested in such kind of sports and festivals!(｡◕∀◕｡)

The boat is called Dragon Boat, because its shape and its movements (sliding/flying over the sea) look like a dragon. Every boat has a tail, as well as a dragon head, the body has dragon pattern!

When the season is off, dragons  start the hibernation (ー_ー)…zzzZZZZZ and they will be buried into the ground. When the season is coming, they will be alive and wake up ＼(＞◇＜)／ ファァァ from the ground. They are ready for the competitions as well as the riders (=paddlers). Most of the paddlers start to train in early spring.

Starting from May to October there will be a lot of competitions, but I guess the biggest highlight and magnet for tourist is the Dragon Boat Festival (Tuen Ng Festival) on the Fifth moon of each year according to the Chinese Moon Calendar.

It seems there a lot of stories about the origin. I do not know which one is true, but I will tell you what I have heart. Over thousand years ago there was a very loyal servant “Qu Yuan” and an emperor, who trusted and relied totally on him. The other servants got jealous, so they spread out a rumor and told the emperor that this servant had imposed on him. Unfortunately this emperor believed in these rumors, the servant got very disappointed and committed suicide by jumping into the Mi Lo river. Towns’ people DID know that he was a very good and loyal servant and did not believe in the rumors. They beat drums to scare the fishes, threw dumplings into the water and drove the dragon-shaped-boats in order to keep away the fish from Qu Yuan’s dead body.

During the Tuen Ng Festival these dumplings Zongzi  粽子(sticky rice with meat and egg wrapped in bamboo leaves, soooooo yummy~) will be eaten! You should also try it!

The Dragon Boat Festival in 2009 will be on the 28th of May! Mark this in your calender! See you guys there! For details, please have a look at official page of DiscoverHongKong.

… I’m International-Nobu? Some people are thinking that I look like British, Chinese or Indian. Some people are thinking that I’m talking like a real British, and now since I got a terrible cold, also French! XD What do you think? Any suggestions?

… warm cola with lemon slices and ginger is good against cold? It sounds strange, but I drank it today- it helps (I can talk!! I got my voice back!!) and taste is acceptable.

… the bus I am taking every morning has not any shedule?
H. said „Do not worry about that, busses comes nearly 5 minutes!“

.. three different banks of HongKong are printing the money? There are several desings for example one 100 HKD note.
Some people warned me to take care of the money, if I get it back, but how can I do this, if there are so many desings for only one note?