PHOTOfrenz Blog

By Wong Casandra

Unsurprisingly, the best time to visit Chinatown would be during the New Year. Why so? The place will be beautifully lit up with lights and stuffed with festive street bazaars, most selling festive goodies and decoration for home. Indeed, it is a great cultural experience for both locals and foreigners alike. So a few days ago, I made my way down to Chinatown with my mom – well, she works in the vicinity and she wanted to buy some CNY lightings to decorate the house with – and I was quite taken aback, albeit in a good way. (On a side note, I think the only time I came down to Chinatown during CNY was when I was in primary school, and memories of the place… were, let’s just say, hazy.)

The streets were brimming with the hustle and bustle of life – and that’s great for capturing quaint moments on photos. Which, of course, I am extremely thankful and grateful for. There’s never a dull moment even when you are standing in a corner of Chinatown observing everyone.

1. Photo-taking in Chinatown I first caught sight of the pretty decorations from afar, and then I realized that the couple in front me was captivated by them as well. It so happened that while I was snapping a photo of them, they were snapping a photo of the decorations as well!	2. Oxpicious Year! I spotted a couple of gigantic but cute ox figurines plastered on an overhead structure. And then it struck me; 2009 IS the year of the Ox!
3. Bak Gua Galore Everyone knows what the favourite CNY snack is – yes, it is Bak Gua! Here, a family samples some at the popular Mei Zhen Xian.	4. Prosperity A bored boy (background) guarding a horde of festive paper ornaments – and one can clearly see that they carry the common festive well wishes.
5. New Beginnings A very red and eye-catching plaque with the Chinese word for “Spring” on it. For the clueless: CNY is the celebration of all things new, and since it is all about abundance and growth during the Spring season, what other better word to represent the festival?	6. Fortune Imagine hanging this extravagant lighting at home - it will definitely usher in good luck and fortune to your family!

Just by standing still for a moment, you will be able to sample a taste of the vibrancy coursing through the heart of Chinatown. So if you haven’t already done so, please do drop by Chinatown now (the Chinatown Light up will be on till 15 Feb) for an amazing visual experience! Here’s wishing everyone A Happy Chinese New Year and all-year round good luck and prosperity. May the tides of 2008’s recession be washed away by the grand beginnings of 2009!

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by Wong Casandra

I haven’t been to Orchard in quite awhile (or rather, haven’t gotten down to exploring it recently; I have been making quick trips to Orchard for my weekly Japanese classes, but nothing else), so one day last week, I decided to make an appointment with a friend in Takashimaya. While walking towards my destination, I was pretty much shocked by the extravagant lighting and decoration – perhaps because I haven’t really quite recovered from seeing the plight of houses in Phnom Penh. So I decided the next time I dropped by Orchard for my evening classes, I will bring my camera along for some casual shooting… and to immortalise this year’s celebration in Orchard.

1. Merry Christmas! The traffic lights, car lights and the Christmas lights – they all brighten up the roads and make them look pretty!	2. Towering Lights & Buildings I like how the lights contrasted with this tall building behind CK Tangs. Which is grander: the tall, towering building or the shimmering lights?
3. Santa Helpers I first spotted a couple of people wearing really tiny little red caps on their heads, and then I was wondering where did they get them. Later, along the stretch of road towards Takashimaya, I spotted a lady selling them. I wanted to get one, but decided against it since I would most likely misplace or drop it somewhere.	4. Kids Posing with Kids From far, I spotted a group of kids (and adults) crowding around something; when I got nearer, I realized it was a Bob the Builder lookalike!
5. Christmas Buskers I like seeing buskers perform. When I spotted a group of people crowding around some, I decided to stick around and listen myself.	6. Jesters! Spotted jesters gamely posing for some photos in the middle of nowhere.
7. Berry X’mas in Takashimaya What a lovely way to decorate. I wonder how many bears were used in the making of this “tree”?

In all honesty, I don’t really like the over-gratuitous lighting decorations – it really made Orchard look like a huge getai stage –, however, I do appreciate the fact that they add a certain celebratory excitement for many tourists, families and couples alike; in fact, while getting irritated by strangers who blocked my view by constantly standing around inspecting some ornate decorations, I spotted several groups of people enthusiastically posing for photos!

I haven’t had the time to check out the decorations at the neighborhood malls… but will soon, so do look out for the next post. Do get out there and snap some photos with your favourite Christmas decorations!

About PHOTOfrenz:
PHOTOfrenz offers easy online photo sharing, photo printing and photo gift ordering with fast upload and free online storage