Happy Chinese New Year - Year of the Metal Tiger - River Hong Bao Pt I

The entrance of the River Hong Bao, at the Marina.

It is indeed the Year of the Tiger!

A fun time for family and friends.

And lots of traditional chinese goodies and crafts.

The massive God of Fortune, on the floating marina barge.

More crafts!

And of course, a lot of traditional chinese food!

Apparently, Chinese delicacies tend to have very high sugar and fat content - as a sign of richness. If you could afford to buy sugar, then you were considered rich.

Ducks - their hearts, their tongues, their claws and the intestines. I think i'll pass!

Lanterns - which light up at sundown!

Mr. God. God of Fortune. You cant miss him!

Another chinese tradition - Sugar Sculptures.

Lanterns

Fish lanterns.

Me - and the Tiger.

Happy Chinese New Year - Year of the Metal Tiger - River Hong Bao Pt II!

For the River Hong Bao, the fun really begins at nightfall, when the lantern sculptures light up and the fairground starts.

Year of the Tiger Lanterns

Beautiful Chinese Lanterns

The many Singaporean-Chinese residents reflected on the year to come... and hoping that it is one of good fortune and happiness.

So many colours, so many exhibits of lanterns.

The massive Tiger exhibit - sponsored by Tiger Airways of course!

The lit-up entrance to the River Hong Bao.

The Fairground Fun begins, and carries on well into the night for the youngsters.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Sugar Craft

Gorgeous Chinese Art

er... KoTB's Top 10

Okay this was the post that was suppposed to come later but never eventuated until now.

The truth is, I am spending a lot of time either at home in my apartment or at the gym. I am appreciating the stability of a "home" at the moment and looking back, I can see just how I managed to get myself in a terrible state, travelling endlessly and feeling no attachment to anything or anyone.

Here is a new Top 10 for your viewing pleasure.

1. I am beginning to enjoy having fresh food in my fridge.

2. I like waking up to the sound of the Muslim prayers at sunrise. Its haunting, but calming.

3. There is a man that sleeps on a couch across the road and is there every morning.

4. I am in a long distance relationship but am doing okay. My Boy does a wonderful job at making me feel special and cared for.

5. Chinese New Year songs sound like the tunes used for Christmas Carols.

6. I am back home for a visit in under 16 days.

7. My M is planning a beautiful weekend away and I cannot wait.

8. I am going to the gym daily and its hard work.

9. I am needing to eat 6 times a day. Apparently its good for metabolism.

10. I enjoyed talking to my sister on the phone tonight and realise I don't do it enough.

Lack of Posting....

Apologies for going a little quiet. I am doing well but am spending a lot of my "blog time" at the gym, trying to shed the post-injury weight.

I shall blog a little later today, I promise!

The Banks of the Thames.... Chertsey

Whilst in Chertsey with the Boy's family, he and I stayed at this gorgeous hotel on the banks of the Thames. It provided us some room to ourselves, a warm breakfast (yummy omlettes!) and a lovely outlook of the river.

I braved the cold and went for a walk...

The historic Chertsey Bridge.

One of the famous Thames houseboats, which actually became iced in . The entire part of the Thames actually froze over.

Early morning Chertsey

The other side.

The full view of the Bridge.

Brrr... cold!

Yet flowers still bloomed.

But wherever there was a surface, there was snow!