River Hong Bao 2018

Happy Chinese New Year!

I visited the River Hong Bao at The Float @ Marina Bay on the second day of the Chinese New Year.

While walking over from MBS via Helix Bridge, the 18m tall God of Fortune caught my attention. Unlike previous years, this year's God of Fortune is more jovial.

The afternoon sun is such a killer. I cannot even open my eyes due to the glare!

I recommend coming in the evenings since it would be cooler and more comfortable. Besides, there will not be any golden showers from the God of Fortune till 7pm, 8pm, 9.10pm and 10pm so this is another consideration if that is what you are coming for.

Furthermore, the lanterns will look better in the dark when they are all lit up.

River Hong Bao 2017 春到河畔 2017

CHOY SUN DOU!

It is the Lunar New Year and do you know what that means?

River Hongbao - the annual event which everyone has been looking forward to - is back for it's 31st year! Just like the previous years, it is once again being held at the Floating Platform at Marina Bay.

As the folks are hosting guests at home in the afternoon, I would not want to be caught dead in the "line of fire" (interrogation), therefore, I made an excuse to slip out of the house to visit River Hongbao before the 姨妈姑姐s (blood-related or otherwise) arrive.

River Hong Bao 2016

Marina Bay Sands and Artscience Museum

On the third day of the lunar new year, the folks wanted to visit River Hong Bao so I brought them there via the new Downtown Line which is much more convenient and faster compared to the East West Line. The public transport infrastructure is so well connected now there is no need to own a car in Singapore. 

We alighted at Bayfront Station and exited through Marina Bay Sands.

River Hong Bao 2013

GONG HEI FATT CHOY, my dear friends!

2013 is truly the year of the water snake as it has been pouring intermittently since the eve of the Lunar New Year.

Yesterday was the third day of the festive season and there was a bout of rain in the morning though it began clearing up in the afternoon.

Having cooped myself up at home for the first two days, I decided it was time to step out of the house for a breath of fresh air at River Hong Bao.

River Hong Bao first started in 1987 and has a history of  26 years in Singapore but it wasn't until three years ago that I visited it for the very first time.

It is an annual event where local organisers would bring in China craftsman to make giant lanterns based on folklore or zodiac animals. Each year, organisers would feature a different province from China and invite performing art troupes to put up a show here.

For this year, the featured province is Guangdong so do expect booths peddling Guangzhou delicacies and handicrafts.

Video: Long One Or Short One?

Which one do you want?

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Namewee: Last New Year

Namewee's new year song "Last New Year" reminded me of my own maternal grandparents.

My Ah Gong was already gone way before my birth while Ah Ma followed suit not long after I was born.

The only impression I had of them is through a yellowed photograph which Mum has kept in the photo album.

As I have never experienced being doted on by them, I would be so envious whenever I see my classmates having a Ah Gong or Ah Ma to come pick them up from school.

Isn't it a bliss to have a grandparent to throw little tantrums to?

If your grandparents are still around, do learn to appreciate them before they are gone.

I know I will.