Way back to hometown for Chinese Lunar New Year

The roads leading out of Kuala Lumpur is no different and heavy traffic is expected with me starting my journey heading down south to Melaka as early as 6am where the heavy traffic is picking up pretty quickly. It's always a pleasure driving along the North-South Highway in the early morning hours.

Bus terminals, train stations and airport are a hive of activity as many Malaysians of the chinese race rush back to hometown in time to be with their family and relatives for the family reunion dinner on the eve of Chinese Lunar New Year.

The Chinese Lunar New Year celebration is just days away and the "migration" of dwellers from the city to their respective hometown has begun as early as 1 week ago with business activities coming to a standstill.

Back in Melaka, last minute shoppers including for house decorations are the type of activity we see and hotels packing in the rooms with tourists. Was looking around as well at those little shops along Kee Ann Road and noticed this little lion dance "puppet" but left shocked judging from the price quoted. A further 50 metres away, we manage to buy the same for MYR45 and left wondering if there are buyers caught with that exorbitant pricing.

Lanterns are strung across the major streets in Melaka creating a sea of red along the streets. Roads along the heritage belt of the infamous Jonker Walk and Dataran Pahlawan is reduced to a crawl while restaurants and hawker centres made roaring business over the festive period.

It's always a joy to see Malaccans as well as tourists flocking the state during holidays to provide an air of festivity besides presenting an opportunity to renew acquaintance with friends and relatives whom we have not met for years.

For the children it is the time of the year to make some extra money with their ang pows collection from the adults. It is always a joy to look at the happy faces receiving ang pows during this once a year important Chinese event.

Wishing everyone Gong Xi Fa Cai!