Lantern Walk with the Neighbours

On the weekend our condo complex hosted a Mid-Autumn Festival.

I didn't realize how many people must actually actually live here. There are close to 1000 people in our complex. The photo below probably only captured maybe 1/2 the people who came out for the event. Between the loud music and the crowded space, it was a bit much for Ms.I who went off with Dad for some quiet time together. That left us big girls to enjoy the party. It was pleasant to realize I know quite a few people; I had plenty of ladies to hang out with while the kids ran about with their friends.

It was $8 for pre-paid tickets to eat, but all the entertainment was free. We skipped the meal, as we weren't sure what would be on the menu, and also because I never made it down to the office before it closes at noon to buy the food tickets. We walked past the buffet and looked great. Next time I'll try harder to buy food tickets. We just ate salami sandwiches and a Thai-peanut noodle salad at home before we went down.

We had our water bottles with us, but after a while I ran down to our onsite 24 hour convenience store and grabbed some dried mango and potato chips to share with our friends. We watched the Aunties making some traditional sweets. The kids and their friends kept lining up for more "Ting Ting Candy," but nobody went back for more "Dragon Beard". I imagine Ting Ting Candy gets it's name from the sound of the metal tapping motion they use to cut the little pieces off the larger part. I loved the sounds.

Our big kids walked the crowded steps with their 2 friends to sit down at the very front to watch the Puppet Show. Even though kids were the target audience, I think the dry humor may have gone a little over my guys' heads. I was having a bit of a hard time myself following the accent. The kids then took a break from the crowd and played at one of the close, but tucked away playgrounds, before venturing back for the Magic Show - which was more their cup of tea.

The Moon Cake, which is a traditional part of this festival, was gone before we laid hands on any. One of our friends said they have some at their house we can try. The pressed cakes are filled with lotus seed or red bean paste and have designs pressed into the outsides. They're very pretty, and very sweet in flavour.

After the crowds thinned and the entertainment was over, it was time for the lantern walk. We were a little shocked when they handed out paper lanterns lit with birthday candles. Jonathan and Ms.C found the burnt up remains from one lantern, but our kids didn't light anything on fire.

We all had a little walk around the pools in the dark and held our lanterns until the candles burned down. The real date of the Festival is on the Full Moon, Friday Sept.13 for 2019. I think we will light the lanterns again and invite our friends to go for our own little Full Moon Walk down the Boardwalk with us.