Looks like the wind is a lot more fair in front of the "Fairwind" than it is behind it. 

It's crazy in Chinatown on Chinese New Year. This is an example of a stall where they are selling little rice-candies... It hardly captures the madness and the crowds. There were places where we were literally pressed on all sides by people. Thank goodness we left Dina at home. 

We made it thru the crowds and found an opening where we could sit and have Satay that we bought from this stall. What a relief to have some breathing room, a beer and some dinner after that crowd. 

It's traditional to buy Bak Qua (Pork Jerky) on Chinese New Year. There's one place in Chinatown that has a line all the way around the block. This place was the less crowded one... but still a major operation. 

Even if you live in a fancy house, you still get a craving for McDonalds Delivery every once in a while. 

Lanterns decorating Orchard Road for Chinese New Year 

We had a little Urban Adventure on saturday, where we walked from our apartment to Chinatown for lunch and then onwards to Tanjong Pagar just to see what was there. This sculpture garden is on Telok Ayer, between Chinatown and Tanjong Pagar. 

We took a break by a fountain in the financial district near Chinatown. 

I took a walk on the reflexology stones. It sure is painful, but it's nothing compared to actual Reflexology, which was more painful than I care to recall. 

I found out on the web that the Centerpoint Mall was doing Lion Dances so we went to see one. It's a much better venue than trying to see it at Takishimaya, where the performance is outside and requires hours of waiting in order to get a spot with a view. At Centerpoint you can show up 10 minutes early and be right in front. 

Everyone gives oranges for Chinese New Year. This florist family was up early putting together red baskets full of oranges. 

Lion Dance 

Sometimes we get a good view after it rains... 

We walk past this pillar several times a week and I always tell Zhanar I should take a picture of it... well I finally did!
 

While playing Mah Jong with William and Judy we were treated to fireworks signalling the light-up of Chinatown for Chinese New Years, which happens for two weeks or so. 

Don't be fooled by the red Lotus Blossoms... 

Green haired, big mouthed, bitch-slap recovering mannequins are all the rave in the Burlington Square area. I saw several of these beauties. 

We bought a Mah Jong set from the "All Mah Jong, All the Time" store in Burlington Square. And then played for hours and hours. We're still learning. William and Judy schooled us. 

Mama (Beseyn) thought that Colonel Sanders looked like Mikhail Kalenin, soviet party chief. I think he looks more like Zhanar's papa, plus the goatee. 

There are lots of funny signs in Singapore. I wonder if this place specializes in desserts that have a lot of loose powedered sugar on top... or perhaps some black pepper... 

It was a pretty spectacular fireworks show. We arrived just in time for it to start, but we totall forgot out champagne. Oh well. We drank it on Zhanar's birthday instead. Beseyn got sloshed. 

We walked down to the Esplanade on New Years to see the fireworks. It looks like I'm not the only one recording the event on digital media...