Around Singapore - Chinatown and River Hong Bao

With the Chinese New Year Celebrations, both Ethan and Jonah had fun field trips to Chinatown. 2009 is the Year of the Ox, so there are lots of Ox decorations and lots of fruit - oranges, pomeloes, jackfruit, durian. Oranges are considered to be very good luck. It is tradition to bring two oranges to anyone you visit during the celebration. Most businesses and even the taxis all have two oranges displayed very proudly. It is also a time when everyone gives and receives the hong bao envelopes with money in them. We are still learning about the many, many traditions but it is a very exciting time in Asia! It is a time to visit family and friends and hope for a happy and auspicious year to come.

Another great celebration for the Chinese New Year is the River Hong Bao. It was held downtown near the Esplanade on a floating platform on the river and was really fun. They had lots of performers and lots of firecrackers. They had a special area that was set up with fabric sculptures of all of the Chinese Zodiac animals, too. We made sure to find each of our "animals" to take photos - Matt and I are rats, Ethan is a dragon, Jonah is a goat, and Liam is a pig!

Great time!