I'm in a Mah Jong Club. We get together every so often and play Mah Jong over drinks, dinner and chitchat. When I saw The Star was hosting a Mah Jong Garden for the Lunar New Year festivities at the Quay, I knew it was perfect for us!
We met for a drink at the bar down the road and then headed to the garden. We played a few rounds, getting some help with the rules from the 'teacher' on hand. We are a little free and loose with the rules so it was good to get some instruction. They will teach beginners too.
Under the glow of light from the big Mah Jong Ox lantern, and the lucky red Harbour Bridge, a faint melody transported us to somewhere far more exotic than where we were. It's a delightful place to play.
My friend noticed people kept taking our photo. 'Are they all Chinese people?' I queried, as I thought I knew why. Indeed they were. "It's because we're white. They think a gwailou playing mah jong is funny." She didn't believe me but it kept happening and finally a Singaporean man came up and asked me if we really knew how to play? When I said yes, he
responded "That's great, that's really cool" in a tone you would use when speaking to a very young child. I was transported back to Hong Kong where a bus load of Chinese tourists took my photo and kept yelling gwailou at me because they thought it was hilarious that I was taking a photo of Jackie Chan's Star on the Avenue of Stars.So look for us plastered all over the internet in China. I must be a superstar there by now.
You have until Sunday 25th to get to the Mah Jong Garden. It's so lovely, please do make the effort. The photos don't do it justice, it is a serene and pleasant oasis.
Linking with #PointShoot #OurWordlTuesday #ThruMyLens #TravelTuesday #PictorialTuesday #WednesdayAroundtheWorld #SundayBest & #MySundayPhoto
I was there the other night - I wish I'd known about the free lessons, I'd love to know how to play. Totally worth it just to see all the lunar lanterns though - such a magical display!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great setting to play, overlooking the harbor! It's so funny that Chinese nationals were laughing at the concept of white people knowing how to play. Lol - Mah Jong Garden sounds lovely!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, your story. :)
ReplyDeleteI myself have no idea how to play it but in America at least, mah jong is always associated with a circle of older Jewish ladies sitting and playing. Now you remind me that it is actually a Chinese game.
People's perceptions are quite funny.
ReplyDeleteYour post made me smile heheh!, loved the photos too :-)
ReplyDeleteHave a tanfastic week ;-0
Sounds like a great place, would love to learn how to play. Reminded me of our trip to Japan where my then tiny blond haired son was a bit like a mini celeb everywhere we went! :D #sundayphoto
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a fun time!
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/02/preparing-for-next-exhibit.html
So very cool. I would like to learn how to play. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots.
ReplyDeleteThere is a mah jong garden? I never learned how to play.
ReplyDeleteWorth a Thousand Words
What a brilliant story! I am very impressed you know how to play, I've never had a go. And what an amazing experience and a beautiful place to play. Thank you for linking up to #pointshoot 📷
ReplyDeleteI like playing that game on my computer, but bet it was fun. Sounds like it was a fun event.
ReplyDeletePeabea@Peabea Scribbles
Whoa! That really looks like tons of fun. I love mahjong! What great pics! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteFabulous place to play!
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool. I wish I had time to join a club. Also, isn't it funny how some people are allowed to do certain things and white people aren't? Taking someone's picture because they're Asian would be a very racist thing to do. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteHow cool. I saw your link at Amanda's Books and More linky and had to come by! Your post is really cool. It's kind of
ReplyDeletecrazy because I just finished a book about a group of ladies that play! Here's the link to the tour you can read reviews of the book!
https://www.escapewithdollycas.com/great-escapes-virtual-book-tours/books-currently-on-tour/craks-marriage-mah-jongg-mysteries-barbara-barrett/
That's a peaceful place to play. Love the pics!
ReplyDeleteLovely! Thanks for sharing! I hope you have an awesome weekend!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I love mahjong, though I get to play it pretty much only once a year when I summer with the in-laws.
ReplyDeleteI have Ron's mother's Mah Jong tiles. I just don't know how to play ro with whom I would play. Perhaps I should investigate that! Thank you! Have a wonderful weekend1
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh, Lydia, with the reaction of the Chinese tourists taking photos of the Mah Jong players. Lovely post as usual!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking part in the "My Sunday Best Meme".