Chinese New Year MalaccaRed & merry - that's Chinese New Year in Malacca!
The merry mood centres first at the temples, with people making their prayers for good blessings. This is at the oldest temple in Malaysia, the Cheng Hoon Teng temple.
I sense joy & calmness in everyone (or nearly everyone) - seriously, the first day is usually the best time to see others in their most calmed mood :)
Add that with the skies that seem to welcome the auspicious day too, with its picture perfect blue!
Despite the huge crowd in the temple and even on the roads, however, I believe many won't mind as it adds to the festive cheer (again, I think this is the only time a traffic jam is 'not too bad'). Btw this is at Temple Street, the road where Cheng Hoon Teng Temple is located.
And not too far from Temple Street is Blacksmith Street which lies another beautiful temple.
The huge joss sticks caught my attention.
The front of the joss sticks are even more beautiful.
Love the dragon design!
I'm thankful to come in quite a good time where I managed to still see the dragon pictures.
The temple looks all prepared to welcome the New Year - beautiful!
This temple is less crowded, but nevertheless still having the Chinese New Year atmosphere.
Apart from the temples, the festive mood is also on the streets.
Everyone seem to participate and add on to the whole New Year spirit, including this vehicle with red decorations all over!
Residents take the effort to really decorate their houses, making walking along these streets such a joy... especially this one, which is a must visit for me each year.
Jalan Hang Kasturi maybe less popular to its sister Jonker Street/ Jonker Walk (Jalan Hang Jebat), but it is here that one get to enjoy Malacca at its best in full authenticity... and minus the crowd haha! (I say full authenticity because the residents still do their old trade here).
And beyond Jalan Hang Kasturi lies Kampung Pantai... which also adds to the atmosphere of the old town during New Year (the lanterns are small here).
This morning walk on the First Day was really something for me! It was quite a joy seeing others all dressed in their new clothes with a light happy spirit, and seeing the many simple yet beautiful red lanterns and other decorations amidst the old buildings.
And one more... to capture such a moment, where the cat is trying to drink water from the pipe!
This New Year period is Malacca at its best, truly! Makes me proud to be Malaccan... ahhhh! :)
*The Chinese New Year decorations in the old town are usually held a few days prior to New Year to a few days after. So if you are keen to see the merry red town, this is really the best time.
