Gong Hey Fat Choy
Gong Hey Fat Choy!!! - a famous greetings in Cantonese during new year which translates loosely to "Congratulations and be prosperous".
It was Chinese New Year - January 28, 2017, the best date to visit China to experience the colorful and very rich Chinese culture. Unlike the years when I used to celebrate it with Mama, and later on with some officemates, in the oldest Chinatown outside China - Binondo, Manila, I was in Macau together with Mama and some travel buddies this year to experience how it is like celebrating in "Chinese" territory.
In the same manner as we observed it in Binondo, one of the most prominent traditions in Chinese New Year is the parade of colorful lions and dragons. The Golden Dragon and Lion Parade which transversed on the Historic Centers of Macau starting St. Paul's Ruins to Lilau Square to A-Ma Temple marked the start of the celebration on January 28. The parade included lions, the God of Fortune, God of Happiness, Prosperity and Longevity, the 12 Chinese Zodiac mascots and 238-meter long golden dragon (the longest I ever saw).
One thing I learned from the Chinese, they tried to reach for the lions - for good luck. Kaya nakihaplos din kami hehehe.
Another thing I learned was that Chinese New Year is celebrated for several days in Macao - five days ata by holding more activities: those included in the parade transversed around Macao Peninsula in the second day to distributed lai see - more familiarly known as ang pau , lion dance competition, lion dance and wushu performance, and firecrackers and fireworks shows - things we missed out because we already went back home.
Di bale, next year ulit! :)
It was Chinese New Year - January 28, 2017, the best date to visit China to experience the colorful and very rich Chinese culture. Unlike the years when I used to celebrate it with Mama, and later on with some officemates, in the oldest Chinatown outside China - Binondo, Manila, I was in Macau together with Mama and some travel buddies this year to experience how it is like celebrating in "Chinese" territory.
In the same manner as we observed it in Binondo, one of the most prominent traditions in Chinese New Year is the parade of colorful lions and dragons. The Golden Dragon and Lion Parade which transversed on the Historic Centers of Macau starting St. Paul's Ruins to Lilau Square to A-Ma Temple marked the start of the celebration on January 28. The parade included lions, the God of Fortune, God of Happiness, Prosperity and Longevity, the 12 Chinese Zodiac mascots and 238-meter long golden dragon (the longest I ever saw).
One thing I learned from the Chinese, they tried to reach for the lions - for good luck. Kaya nakihaplos din kami hehehe.
Another thing I learned was that Chinese New Year is celebrated for several days in Macao - five days ata by holding more activities: those included in the parade transversed around Macao Peninsula in the second day to distributed lai see - more familiarly known as ang pau , lion dance competition, lion dance and wushu performance, and firecrackers and fireworks shows - things we missed out because we already went back home.
Di bale, next year ulit! :)
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