Chinese Mid Autumn Celebration

It's the time of the year when the Chinese get to munch on mooncakes and play lanterns! I shall not launch into how this celebration came about, so, go Google it lar. ;)

When I was young, 'Zhong Chiu Jie' (as it is known in Mandarin) was always fun to celebrate at night. We would all meet up at my Grandma's house for dinner. Then dessert will be served in the kinds of mooncakes, pomelos and some other sweet stuffs. Few of them are this white, sugary, round 'cake' and a kind of nut with thick, black skin in the shape of a Batman. The younger generation would play with lanterns and light candles all over the car porch and the main gate. Dad would fish out his binoculars and let us take turns to look at the bright, round moon through them, to see if there was really a lady in the moon. :Þ

Over the years, mooncakes have been sold earlier and earlier (this year, they were sold at least 2 months ahead) and they have evolved. From the traditional red bean and lotus pastes, now they have durian, chocolate and green tea mooncakes! Even the packaing is getting nicer!

Anyway, we had our yearly lantern session with Chef, Player and their gfs. This time, it was near Help's library, where the orangey poles are. We lighted candles on top of each poles, hung lanterns wherever possible and even played fireworks. I saved them up since CNY! *lol* It was fun while it lasted. I felt like a kid all over again (since when do I NOT act like a kid??). I don't care if people think that it's childish to still play with lanterns when we're all working adults now. I don't see anything wrong in that. We can still have fun, can't we?

Oh well, I managed to snap some pics of the mooncakes and boxes we got at home. Inspector bought this Corporate Box from Tai Thong for Mum over the weekend. It's beautiful!

Back row (L-R) : Tai Thong Corporate Box (I love the golden butterflies), and Purple Cane mini lantern box.

Middle row (L-R) : Mooncakes - Tai Thong Golden Custard with Pure Red Bean, Tai Thong Snow Skin Yam Paste Single Yolk (snow skin is also known as 'ping pei'), Lian Bee Chocolate Single Yolk, and Purple Cane Assorted Nuts Green Tea.

Front row (L-R) : 'Zhu zhai beng' (pig biscuits?) - Crab, Fish, and Koala Bear shapes.

(L-R) : Mooncake packagings by Oversea Restaurant and Lian Bee

Too bad, Mum didn't manage to get those Batman nuts and we've almost finished up the white, sugary 'cake'. Perhaps I'll try to get some next year, and snap some pics on them and lanterns. Oh well.. Double yolk mooncake, anyone?