05-Feb-2023
Today is the 15th day of the Lunar New Year; it's the last day of the celebrations; and Bau, a predominantly Hakka town, is THE place to be.
Setting off at 6 o'clock in the morning, we went with three friends to see the festivities.
Of course, we started with coffee...
Then we watched some of the preparations
Bau was looking stunningly atmospheric this morning, with the cloud wreathing its guardian mountain
After brekkie (nice wantons), we headed for the major temple, watching the gathering of the parade teams en route
The temple area was thronged with people making offerings and taking photos
By now the pounding of the drums and cymbals has seeped into the marrow of your bones. You can't help but move to it. There's an extraordinary energy in the air; participants and onlookers alike are buzzing by now. But there's an easy-going feel to it all. You feel lightened.
We left the temple, and headed for the area where the procession was forming up. There's a sea of colour. Everywhere you look, there are dragons and lions.
And now they're off:
The smoke from the firecrackers adds plenty of atmosphere
The deities are borne along in chariots
There are trance-inspired mediums
There are flags and lanterns
All the while, the music never stops
There are dragons and costumed figures
And there are more lions than I have EVER seen congregated
Having watched everyone go by -- and marvelled at the sheer effort that goes into doing this, as it's no mean feat to carry these burdens and wear these costumes on a morning that's rapidly becoming warm -- we headed for the side streets where the offering tables form little art works of their own:
After that, a stroll through the market:
Don't know the name, but they're very tasty, in a mangosteen-reminiscent kind of way
And we finally obtained our almanac for the year, which has been eluding us in Kuching
And, to round off, a little rest at Tasik Biru (which has acquired a hospitality complex and a suspension bridge since we were last there).
This was a truly awesome day out, and absolutely the best procession we've ever seen. It will live long in our memory.