24
FAHTHAI
STOPOVER
highlights
T
he 31st of January marks the first
day of the first month of the Year of
the Horse, according to the Chinese
lunar calendar. The occasion will
be celebrated across the globe, but here in
South-East Asia one of the best (and loudest)
places in which to ring in the new year is
Hong Kong. Here, along with drumming,
dancing and merrymaking, fireworks displays
(though not firecrackers – which are outlawed
because they’re considered a safety hazard)
will light up the harbour, the focal point of
what promises to be one of the biggest parties
on the planet. So what’s the story behind the
horse? To the Chinese, the horse symbolises
self-improvement. Horses are bright, healthy,
highly intelligent and emotional creatures,
and the ancient Chinese Han tribe revered the
animal for its endurance over long distances.
People born under the horse sign are said to
be perceptive and cheerful, though somewhat
stubborn, hence the anxiety in mainland China
that 2014 may be a year when “well-meaning
advice” falls on deaf ears. The lucky numbers
this year are said to be 2, 3 and 7, while the
numbers to avoid are 1, 5 and 6. If you’re
going to buy someone flowers on 31 January,
make sure they’re marigolds. Horse people are
typically drawn to those born in tiger or dog
years, and tend not to gravitate towards those
born in ox or rabbit years.
Fah Thai
advises
those looking to enjoy the best views of the
harbour fireworks to find a place just outside
Central’s famed
HSBC building
(Hongkongers
fondly refer to it as “The Robot”) or ascend to
the heights of
Victoria Peak.
In the event that
you opt for the latter, take the tram early as the
place will be packed by nightfall.
1 _
STABLE
POSITION
The horse ranks seventh
among the animals in the
Chinese zodiac.
2 _
HEALTH
ISSUES?
Nope. Horse people are
considered very healthy
because they’re said to
have a positive attitude
towards life.
3 _
EMPLOYMENT
Horse people perform
best in jobs involving
communications. They’re
also natural leaders.
Here’s all you need to know for the coming year
All hail the Horse!
Check out our
destination guide
on page 95.
Bangkok Airways
flies twice daily
to Hong Kong via
Koh Samui
HORSE IN HK
One of the best
places in Asia to
celebrate CNY
is Hong Kong
Harbour
P A N O R A M A
The
lucky
horse
C E L E B R A T E
TEXT: YIXUAN FAN; PHOTO: INMAGINE
