Chinese New Year 2016

One of my favourite times of the year is Chinese New Year. Each year we visit friends, some of whom we only meet annually during this holiday. It provides a refreshing of friendships and the opportunity to catch up on what each other has been doing, as well as deepening solid long-time friendships. This year was no different. We enjoyed the company of great people, food and happiness.

With Fidelia's university friend, Ka Yi, at CNY

At Grace and Kenny's house during CNY

Paying a visit to some old English students during CNY

Excitedly driving from house to house at CNY

With Mr. Khoo and family for CNY

Happy faces during CNY!

Large CNY group photo at Dato' Johny's house

Leah enjoying playing with sparklers at a friend's house for CNY

All dressed in red, as is typical during CNY

CNY wouldn't be the same without spending time with some of our longest friends in Kuantan

Love visiting our friends during CNY

My favourite CNY breakfast, nian gao

Posing for another photo with good friends at CNY

The boys provide the music for lion dances throughout CNY

The lion dance in full flow at CNY

BBQ!

And more happy CNY times here

Chinese New Year 2015

It's the year of the goat, and as usual, we spent a few days visiting friends, watching lion dances, and eating their food. I love Chinese New Year, it's such a great time. We really enjoyed meeting old friends whom we sometimes only see at this time of year, and also more recent friends whom we still see more often. I ate lots of biscuits, sweets, cakes and meat until my stomach was aching! And it's not over yet. On Thursday night we'll be attending a big CNY do at another friend's house, and on Thursday 5th March, the 'Chap Goh Meh' celebrations marking the end of CNY will be under way.

This is called 'nian gao' and is made of yam and glutinous rice. It is delightfully sticky and delicious. They are specially made for Chinese New Year in Chinese culture and cuisine.

Happy Chinese New Year 2014!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Blog Flashbacks

It's the weekend and it's raining lightly this morning after a week of beautiful hot weather. We've all woken up with runny noses!

To start off the flashbacks today I'm referring you to a post in January 2011 and my talented friend's artwork in accordance with Chinese New Year (CNY):

CNY art

The Australian Open has now reached the finals and I was so sad to see my mate Roger Federer lose to Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals the other night. So in the second part of our flashbacks, we go back two years to January 2010 where Federer destroyed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semi-finals, en route to winning the tournament by beating Andy Murray in the final.

Federer wins Aussie Open semi 2010

Chap Goh Meh (Part 2) @ Pahang Buddhist Association

For part 2 of Chap Goh Meh, we join the action as the sun was setting over Kuantan. . . . .

The singing and dancing began with my nine-year-old English student, Yuki. She was the first performer on stage to open the event and put on a great performance!

Second up was a very handsome young boy who likewise kept the crowd well entertained!

Many late-comers filled up all the chairs

The Pahang Buddhist Association temple all lit up at night is a wonderful picture of lights

The stage

Beautiful view of the Pahang Buddhist Association gardens gorgeously illuminated at night

The moon shone down on the Chap Goh Meh celebrations to mark the end of Chinese New Year

Click here if you missed Chap Goh Meh (Part 1)