Loving the Nine Dragons

By Sandra Scott

Hong Kong is one of the world’s most stunning cities and no hotel offers views as spectacular as the InterContinental. Located directly on Victoria Harbor, the hotel was designed in accordance with the ancient Chinese art of feng shui, the practice of positioning objects in a pattern that will allow the flow of positive energy, or chi.

According to Chinese legend, each day the nine dragons of Kowloon, the main district of Hong Kong which means nine dragons, come down out of the mountains to bathe and drink from harbor. To keep the pathway free for the dragons and encourage a positive flow of energy, the circular fountain at the hotel’s entrance is built to resemble a pearl, a symbol of wealth. The fountain lures the dragons to the hotel’s entrance where they can pass through the glass doors into the impressive lobby and out the massive three-story glass wall to the harbor. The auspicious flow of the “nine dragons” has ensured the hotel’s excellent chi.

Positive energy is found in every area of the hotel from the accommodations to the restaurants. Each morning John and I practiced Tai Chi on the hotel’s Pool Terrace with Master William Ng. Tai Chi is an exercise with slow, ballet-like movements designed to promote good physical and mental health, enhancing the chi. First we would bow and greet Master William and then do breathing exercises followed by Tai Chi movements. The movements have names that are associated with nature, like Flying Eagle, Parting the Clouds, and Rowing in the Middle of the Ocean. When the exercises were finished we meditated by closing our eyes and imaging a waterfalls slowly pouring down on our head washing away all our aches, pains, and troubled thoughts. We like Tai Chi better than exercises that leave us sweaty! When we were done with Tai Chi we felt cool, calm, refreshed and energized, ready to enjoy Hong Kong, one of the most modern and tourist friendly cities in the world.

Each evening John and I relaxed in the Lobby Lounge with one of the InterContinental’s Nine Dragon Cocktails. My favorite was the Golden Dragon with Tequila, Grand Marnier, spicy syrup, Malibu and mango. John opted for the Royal Dragon with Champagne and raspberry juice presented in a beautiful twisted stem martini glass. Other Dragon Cocktails include Nine Dragons, Dragontini, Pearl Dragon, Dragon Slayer, and Blushing Dragon along with two non-alcoholic versions called Green Dragon and Virgin Dragon.

The perfect time to enjoy Dragon Cocktails is at 8 p.m. when the Lobby Lounge offers excellent viewing of Victoria Harbor’s spectacular multimedia display, named the "World's Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show" by Guinness World Records. The show, which includes 40 buildings on both sides of the harbor, creates an all-around vision of colored lights, laser beams and searchlights performing a stunning, unforgettable spectacle synchronized to music and narration that celebrates the energy, spirit and diversity of Hong Kong. There are five main themes—Awakening, Energy, Heritage, Partnership, and the finale, Celebration. And, to complement the finale John suggested, “Let’s celebrate with another one of the Dragon Cocktails.” I quickly agreed as I am sure it created excellent chi.

Visit www.intercontinental.com.

Sandra Scott is a frequent contributor to travel publications and to Creators Syndicate
and has co-authored two books on local history. She lives in Mexico, NY.

Laser image courtesy of Hong Kong Tourist Board. Other images courtesy of John Scott.

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