| |   During the first three days of the Lunar New Year, I cooped myself up at home without stepping a foot out of the door. By the fourth day, I was gearing up to go anywhere but before that, a visit to my brother's house with my parents first!
 Behold! Magnificent Durian Cookies!  I think it's ingenious of my brother to cut the bak kwa into strips! He has to host his cellgroup members at the later part of the day so it's actually much more cost saving this way! Mum taught us not to buy Bak Kwa during the festive period firstly because of the skyrocketing prices and secondly, Bak Kwa do not taste good when rushed out in large quantities to meet demands. Don't you find the Bak Kwa bought during the festive season a little dry, hard and feels like eating cupboard paper? I do. The solution? Buy it in advance before they jack up the price and freeze it in the freezer. Not only do you save money, you also save time from the insane queuing! Ah, such wisdom! No wonder the older people often say, 家有一老，如有一宝！ After a simple lunch and some DVDs later, it was time to leave. I decided to bring my parents to the few attractions at the Marina Bay area because they have not been there yet. Our first stop, the Singapore Flyer!  I first came here during last Christmas and it's a different experience coming during the day!  Say hi to my folks It felt good to bring my parents here to relax and enjoy the breeze. I have always wanted to bring them out but they would always decline saying that they are tired from work. Since growing up, we have hardly gone on such family outings anymore so, I really appreciate it.
Next destination, MBS!
  I don't have chubby arms  They have heard so much about MBS from the news and now they have finally been to the place themselves! At least now they can boast to their friends that they have been to the Casino, although we just walked pass from the outside only. Hehe!
 I had wanted to bring them to Clifford Pier somewhere on the opposite bank because that's where they started dating but I guess it's a little far for them to walk over.
Where next? Since 1986, the River Hongbao has been an annual Chinese New Year event that celebrates Chinese culture and traditions, with this year’s festivities being celebrated at The Float @ Marina Bay. Visitors to River Hongbao can enjoy nightly performances by local and overseas artistes from Chinese cities as well as from the region. One can also sample delectable food treats or purchase specialty handicrafts and festive merchandise designed specially for River Hongbao. There are activities for everyone, from Chinese riddle-guessing, calligraphy competitions or fun rides for children. Each night, the venue sparkles with beautifully crafted lanterns featuring mythical Chinese deities such as the popular God of Fortune and the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals. ( source)  
Just as we stepped foot on the floating platform, a small commotion in front of the Fortune God caught our attention.
When we got nearer, a shower of gold flakes were raining upon us and everyone were clamouring to collect these gold flakes with open arms and even upturned umbrellas!
Among these gold flakes were random numerical numbers and everyone were trying to get at least four of such numbers for their *4D inspirations. (*absolutely nothing to do with 3D)
It was a funny sight seeing how after the showering session has ended, there are people still gawking at the Fortune God with their mouths opened, waiting for more.
I believe there are several timings each day when the towering Fortune God would shower gold flakes to visitors.
It's guess it's everyone's wish to borrow some luck from the Fortune God!
 The twelve Zodiacs  Actually, I find River Hongbao 2011 quite boring.
Other than the twelve Zodiac coins, a Dragon and Phoenix sculpture, a lantern riddle stage and the Singpost booth, there is basically nothing much left to see and do other than taking pictures with the MBS as the backdrop.
Of course, these are just what's on the floating platform.
On land, there is a stage with various stage performances playing throughout the duration of the event. There are also a few foodstalls which I find quite insufficient to cope with the continuous influx of visitors. I guess they could set up more foodstalls to cater the crowd with more varieties and choices.
Why not collaborate with the Singapore Food Festival? Singaporeans love food mah! Sure bring in the crowd one lah!
 SGD2 for three sticks of Otah and SGD5 for a bowl of Laksa (can you hear my heartbeat jumping faster?) We ended the day watching some Huayi Festival (华艺节) performance at the Outdoor Theater outside the Esplanade which is like icing on the cake because most of the songs were from the parents' generation and I'm certain it brought back some fond memories for them. |
| | Posted 2/8/2011 2:00 PM - 2478 Views - 0 eProps - 6 comments
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"DC" is the acronym for Dead Cockroach - my online moniker.
