Day 1 - First day of CNY is usually packed with the most visiting. We woke up early in the morning despite staying up really late the other night.After dressing up, we are ready to set off! I love our family's Day 1 dress code. All RED like red packets. It was also the first time Gladys wearing a Cheongsam.

Every year without fail, our first stop is going to my inlaws' place to 拜年, and have our breakfast. We will then drop by PUAT JIT BUDDHIST TEMPLE (般若念佛堂) to pray for good health and year.

Apart from prayers, Chinese New Year is all about visiting relatives, friends and indulging in CNY goodies. Since we have welcomed the Year of the Snake, its interesting, appropriate and fun to play a game of Snake & Ladder.

Back in the car, Denver & Gladys were happily singing their favourite CNY songs and we also took photos while travelling. The kiddos were enjoying their long weekend!

Day 2 - Our mornings are usually occupied with visiting the temples on 大年初二. To ensure a smooth sailing year, we always pray to the dedicated deities and 太岁.

韭菜芭城隍庙 (Lorong Koo Chye Sheng Hong temple) is a popular taoist temple with a long history and also our children's 'playground' for many years. 

We can easily spent the entire hour here praying, while the kids skipped along to 'play' after they finished their prayers. Taking photos with our Zodiac sign is a not to be missed even though Hubby says it looked the same every year. :p

Crossing through the coin and sitting on the horse are Denver and Gladys' yearly activity too. 

Our next destination is the famous 洛阳大伯公宫 Loyang Tua Pek Kong Temple situated along Loyang Way. It used to be situated further off facing the sea, but was moved to the current site a few years ago. Every CNY, we will see many devotees coming here for prayers.

If you are a first timer visiting the temple and does not know what to do, fear not as there are numbers and arrows tagged near the location of the deities, directing you where you should go to complete your prayers around the temple. 

香火鼎盛

Do you find this Fortune God familiar? If you are a regular visitor of River Hongbao, you may have identify it as the Fortune God for the Year of the Rabbit 2 years ago. :) It is common to see these statues being moved to a different site after the event has ended. 

See how it has transformed - (http://bpdgtravels.blogspot.sg/2011/02/river-hongbao-2011.html)

Day 3 - Bad weather experienced throughout the Chinese New Year period has hindered a lot of our initial plans. Unlike the previous years where we were busy travelling around the island and doing our CNY visiting, this year we get to enjoy little moments staying home resting.  

Having said that and with the golden opportunity, it was also the first time we made 年糕 (also known as rice cake). Eating Nian Gao symbolizes raising oneself taller ( 年年高升) and hence it is very popular during CNY. Denver & Gladys adored its sweetness and kept asking for more!

Having more than one Lo Hei during CNY is perfectly normal. It is a Must Have dish and a Must do tradition this festive season. 

Hubby always says: " Once we passed CNY eve, CNY celebration will end in a jiff". I hate to agree with him but it does seems happy moments and time seems to flash past quickly. Holidays are never enough and we could only wish for more. :)

Chinese New Year is an important festival for Chinese and holds a very significant meaning to our family. It is a time where families and friends get together, a time where we share laughter, happy moments, a time to feast and celebrate, and a time where we pray and hope for a better year.

To me, the celebration begins as soon as we prepare to spring clean, decorate our home and buying new clothing for the children. No doubt it encompass a lot of work but the process is enjoyable and satisfying.

We started our celebration officially on CNY Eve. By then, our storeroom will be stocked up with drinks and goodies and we have our red packets ready.

Reunion dinner (团年饭) is the special moment where family members come back, gather around the table and enjoy a meal together. Our "appetizer for the day" is 鱼生. Adult and children will hold on to their chopsticks and standby for a round of Prosperity Toss (aka Lo Hei - Cantonese means 捞起). This is to signify abundance, prosperity and good health.

After a good toss, here comes the main course! Traditionally, we have been having Steamboat with a sumptuous spread of food for our reunion dinner. This also marks the start of feasting for the next few days. :)

The night is always young on CNY eve. Some families prefer to stay at home watching TV programmes while others like to go to River Hongbao or Chinatown to immerse in the festive mood. Massive crowd can be seen at Chinatown and markets. Shopkeepers are clearing their new year stock and people are doing their final shopping, grabbing stuff at discounted price.

Every year, we will stay up till past midnight to 守岁. It is an act of filial piety and belief that this will bring longevity to parents. This year, Denver & Gladys also follow suit and stayed up with us. How did they made it? TV programmes and movies helped a lot! ^_^ 

We have less than 6 hours of sleep before we begin with our rounds of CNY visitings. :)