Spring is in the Air!

Spring normally celebrates the end of the winter months and the anticipation of warmer weather with trees and flowers springing back into life.

Spring is celebrated in many countries around the world and each celebration is very different.

In India and Nepal the start of Spring, is celebrated with a very colourful festival called Holi or the Festival of Colours.

In a celebration of the triumph of good over bad, the colourful Holi tradition takes place in late February or early March. The festival originated as a Hindu tradition, but is now a cultural experience that has radiated to other parts of the world. To usher in the spring season, people participate in bonfires and parties the night before Holi. The next day, the masses gather on the streets for a giant color fight, throwing dyed powder onto each other. The carefree revelry offers a chance to connect with other human beings and let go of any past hardships.

In Holland the start of Spring is celebrated with a flower parade

Known for an abundance of flowers, South Holland hosts a 12-hour-long parade that travels from Noordwijk to Haarlem. One of the region's most anticipated spring events, the Flower Parade of the Bollenstreek is the only parade constructed of bulb flowers like hyacinths, tulips and daffodils. Elaborate floats wander through the streets in a route that stretches more than 24 miles (40 km). Hundreds of thousands of people line up to watch the decorative and fragrant structures every April.

In Japan, Spring means Cherry Blossom!

Japan's famous cherry blossoms are an internationally known spring spectacle, that take place from late March to early May across the country. People keep an intense eye on the bloom forecasts, hoping to plan Hanami - cherry blossom viewing - at peak times. People welcome spring by hosting parties under the trees, a tradition that has taken place for centuries.

In Hong Kong Spring is celebrated with a lantern festival

In Hong Kong the Spring Lantern festival falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month – sometimes in February, sometimes in March. It is also informally known as ‘Chinese Valentine’s Day’. Hong Kong is a beautiful sight at this time of year with colourful lanterns hung in restaurants, parks and flower markets.

No matter where we live, Spring is a lovely time to spend outdoors. Here in Hong Kong we are very fortunate to have many ‘nature excursions’ on our doorstep to enjoy.

Here are links to some family nature outings that you might like to try: