Today in Hong Kong I went to Stanley to watch my friend paddle a dragon boat in the races. Stanley is on the other side of the island. LOTS of people had the idea to go to Stanley to watch the races, even though there are races all over the city. I think Stanley is a more fun, less serious, more foreigner-involved race.
So, it takes me about 2 hours to get there due to traffic jams on the small road entering Stanley.
But fortunately I am able to see my friend paddle in her second heat.
The beach is swarming with people, not a square foot of sand can be seen. Each boat has about 12 members and a coxswain drumming on a drum. Here in Stanley several teams are dressed in costumes- my favorite was the Superman team. The American consulate wore red white and blue and stars and stripes bandanas.
The races themselves are a bit anticlimactic. The boat rows out to a starting point about 200 yards out. They turn around and when the signal is given, they shoot out, paddling furiously, for about 150 yards. They have to stop here because otherwise they would run into the beach. It is a short race and it is over very quickly.
But I guess all the hype and excitement and fun of it all makes it exciting. Afterward, since the team lost this heat, we head to the downtown for lunch and beers.
So, it takes me about 2 hours to get there due to traffic jams on the small road entering Stanley.
But fortunately I am able to see my friend paddle in her second heat.
The beach is swarming with people, not a square foot of sand can be seen. Each boat has about 12 members and a coxswain drumming on a drum. Here in Stanley several teams are dressed in costumes- my favorite was the Superman team. The American consulate wore red white and blue and stars and stripes bandanas.
The races themselves are a bit anticlimactic. The boat rows out to a starting point about 200 yards out. They turn around and when the signal is given, they shoot out, paddling furiously, for about 150 yards. They have to stop here because otherwise they would run into the beach. It is a short race and it is over very quickly.
But I guess all the hype and excitement and fun of it all makes it exciting. Afterward, since the team lost this heat, we head to the downtown for lunch and beers.
