'Chasing Lions' during Chinese New Year

CARMEN: We'd just celebrated Chinese New Year here in the Land Below the Wind. Being half-Chinese, we also joined in the celebration.

TESSY: Yeah, only half-celebration, not..., not..., full-celebration. Ha..., ha..., ha...

CARMEN: Tessy..., that's not really funny, ok?

TESSY: Just kiddinggggg, Carmen.

CARMEN: Never mind. I think Tessy is still excited as we "chased" the lions during Chinese New Year.

TESSY: Huh...?

CARMEN: Just metaphorically speaking...

TESSY: Boy, you are deep, Carmen. I'm sure..., I'm sure..., you learnt that word from TV. What's that?

CARMEN: Well, during Chinese New Year here, besides the public holidays, there are fireworks, and pows (or red envelopes), city celebrations and decorations, and also lions and unicorns (dragon dance is very rare here) visiting houses and shopping complexes - not the real ones ok? just dances by the troupe in costumes.

TESSY: And..., and..., yummy food too.

CARMEN: Patience, Tessy. Anyway, one of the best places to see lion dance is actually at the 5-star resorts or hotels. This year, we went to Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort on the first day of Chinese New Year (18 Feb) to witness the lion dance (more info on Lion Dance).

TESSY: There were..., there were..., eight lions...

CARMEN: Yeah..., loud gongs and drums, and a lot of fireworks. Actually, loud firecrackers are banned in Malaysia, except in hotels and malls I guess. The 8 lions started their "ritual" ceremony at the entrance of the resort. From there, they go to the front desks, then, to the restaurants, and pubs, and so on. As the lions go very quickly from one place to the other, we have to "chase" them. That's what I meant by "chasing lions".

TESSY: The resort also serve..., also serve..., "Yee Sang", a raw fish salad dish (normally only served during Chinese New Year), for free but..., but..., we did not eat since..., since..., we don't know how to.

CARMEN: But "chasing lions" was more than great, right Tess?

TESSY: Yupp. you can say that again, Carmen.

CARMEN: Actually, we supposed to see the lion dance at Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort on the 2nd day of Chinese New Year, but got the time table wrong and missed it.

TESSY: That's fine I think. Ended up having..., having..., hi-tea at the..., at the..., Marina Club instead.

CARMEN: I know you don't really like the loud gongs and drums and firecrackers, Tess. Only the food.

TESSY: Of course...

CARMEN: That's it then, for our Chinese New Year outing. If you ever plan to visit Sabah, come during the Chinese New Year, and I bet you will have as much fun as we did, especially if you are our age or younger.

TESSY: We guarantee...