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8 ways to say happy birthday, Hong Kong style

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April 8 is my sister’s birthday, and I wanted to mark the occasion with eight memories of a month in Hong Kong during my year-long around-the-world journey.

Why not ‘four’ for April? Among Chinese, there is general consensus of an “unlucky” use for “four” (四), sounding very much like the word for “death” (死). That’s the case in Cantonese, and you may find a general absence of four in public places, including elevators.

On the other hand, “eight” (八) rhymes with “success” (發); the latter is used prominently in New Year’s greetings to express “congratulations and prosperity” (恭喜發財).

Here are a few unique examples of moments representing my time in Hong Kong.

Happy birthday, sis! 生日快樂,啊妹!

Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong

1. On board Star Ferry in Victoria Harbour, approaching Star Ferry Pier in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Mid-Levels, Central, Hong Kong

2. Elgin Street at Shelley Street, Mid-Levels, Central

Western Market, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

3. “Das Gute” bake-shop, Western Market, Sheung Wan

Man Mo Temple, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

4. Long smoky shadows at Man Mo Temple, Sheung Wan

King's Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong

5. King’s Road & Westlands Road, Quarry Bay

Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

6. Looking west along Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay

Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong

7. Signage over Sai Yeung Choi Street, just south of Argyle Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon

Lei Yue Mun, Shau Kei Wan, Hong Kong

8. Fishing off the waters of Lei Yue Mun, on the typhoon shelter at Shau Kei Wan

The eight locations are indicated in the map below.

Hong Kong

Because my sister asked, who am I to say no – I include this photo of us, suitably framed.

Except the final photo from my sister, I made the other photos above in Hong Kong between 6 and 21 June 2012. This post appears on Fotoeins Fotopress at fotoeins.com.

9 Responses to “8 ways to say happy birthday, Hong Kong style”

    • fotoeins

      Hi and thanks, Stephen! Hong Kong is an extremely photogenic city, one of architecture, signage, colours, people, and food. As you also know, all that high-density means Hong Kong is chockfull of photog-opps. 😉 One month wasn’t enough, and I have a few wae regrets of things and places I didn’t get to photograph, but I think that’s the usual “traveler’s/photographer’s regret.” Thanks again for reading and for your comment!

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  3. Cathy Sweeney

    I definitely like the idea of using the number eight for “success” better than the number four in this case! Love the pics of Hong Kong ( and of course, the photo of you and your sister). Happy Birthday to your sister — what a nice way to mark the day.

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    • fotoeins

      Hi and thanks, Cathy! Before the post appeared on the blog, I sent a draft-copy to my sister, who helpfully supplied a photo of the two of us she had made and “framed” with Hello Kitty. Initially, I balked, but I correctly accepted her request … of course. 🙂

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