Mid-Autumn Festival

Mid-autumn festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar and it's celebrated by chinese people worldwide annually. This festival is also known as the moon festival and on this night, the moon is at its fullest and especially round. There are a couple of stories surrounding this festival (which I will not elaborate here, do Google for more details if you are interested to know more about this festival) but stories aside, we usually celebrate this festival by carrying lanterns and savouring moon cakes under the full moon.

Mid-autumn festival falls on last Saturday this year and usually on this day, it will not rain because the moon will be at its fullest (if it rains, the clouds will cover the moon). Unfortunately, it rained this year. However my family and I brace the rain and made our way to Gurney Drive for the Mid-autumn festival celebration.

When we reached Gurney Drive, there was a parade going on. Although it was raining but the show still goes on. Bravo to those who participated.One of the many floats.
Dragon dance. They could not perform difficult and dangerous moves because it was raining quite heavily.

After the parade ended, we decided to walk further down the street to check out what they have in store for us....
....and I got lost in a sea of umbrellas....
....Just joking. And I saw clowns. Gasp! I don't know why but I don't feel really comfortable when I am around clowns and they are so near me, three of them some more....
....Lucky thing all they did was to pose for a picture.

As we walked further down the street, we saw many people making a beeline for the stretch of hawker stalls along the pathway. Well, it's of no suprise since Gurney Drive is popular for its hawker food. What came next was shocking. There is such a big crowd although it's raining cats and dogs because those hawkers are giving out free food. Yes, you read it correctly. Free, totally free courtesy of the government. So my family and I jumped into the queue and savour the yummy hakwer delights. Lets check them out :
Mixed vegetables in fried, crunchy cups for starters.
Hokkien Mee.
Penang famous Char Koay Teow. A must try when you visit Penang.
Laksa. Another must try if you ever visit Penang.
Wan Tan Mee
Popiah.
Chee Cheong Fun.
Muar Chee for dessert.
Cooling chrysanthemum tea.
Tables and chairs for people to enjoy the hakwer delights.
My favourite stall because laksa is my all-time favourite.
Char Koay Teow stall, the hakwer which attracts the biggest crowd.

After indulging in the hearty meal, we walked towards the end of the street where a stage was set up. There was a chinese opera show going on.
A make shift temple was set up opposite the stage.
And there was a lion dance performance to worship the deities.

On our way back, Lions Club gave out free moon cakes.


When we reached home, we enjoyed our moon cakes under the moon light and finally washing them all down with chinese tea. A perfect way to end the evening.