kong ming lantern

Firecrackers and fireworks is something the Chinese community will always look for during the Lunar New Year although it's banned in Malaysia. Like it or not, those items are accessible by many in Malaysia (including pasar malam) judging from the loud booms everywhere during the 15 days celebration.

As a kid we had lots of fun playing those but due to some unfortunate incidents, the ban was imposed and at the same time taking away the festivities of the celebration which Malaysians are so used to.

So they say, it's like burning money away  playing fireworks and fifrecrackers which after sometime, we always look for new items to burn.

This year, had on purpose intend to do something different and much more challenging then just burning the fuse of the firecrackers and fireworks.

I had Kong Ming lanterns (also known as sky lanterns) to float in the nite skies. It requires patience and a little of "balancing" skill before one could allow the lanterns to sail up in the sky.

Having tried these lanterns few times before, I decided to buy the lanterns which costs only RM5.90 per lantern at a leading Shopping Centre.

Write all the wishes you want on the lantern before setting it up and may your wishes come true. Having written so many wishes from everyone, we set sail the lanterns amidst strong winds that has been plaguing Melaka the past few days.

It's such a thrill to see the lantern starts floating and drifts higher up into the skies.

Not too sure if the God of Prosperity had seen the lantern on his way down to grant our wishes on new year's eve!


Anyway, Gong Xi Fa Cai!

The hot air generated from the burning "fuel" has filled up the lantern much for launch.

the burning fuel to fill the lantern with hot air.

the lantern goes airborne.

airborne and drifting further away from where we are.

just a tiny dot after a coupe of minutes.

One message which we did not forget "wishing light rose slowly the sky, do not forget Wishing oh .....:" had us in stiches witht he direct Chinese translation on the cover of the lantern which we bought.