Last weekend, I experienced launching, or floating a sky lantern for the first time. Apart from it being the first time I did that, there was nothing exhilarating or exciting in the process.
Firecrackers and fireworks are a big part of Chinese New Year celebrations, and festivals. I remember playing with them when we were young. In those days, there were no high rise buildings. People live in villages and shop-houses. There were plenty of open spaces to play with the firecrackers.
However, the launching of sky lanterns… I am not sure if we had that here in Singapore then. In China, Taiwan and other parts of Asia – yes.
Anyhow, when high rise flats came on the scene, the government banned all forms of fireworks. They were considered fire hazards. Penalties are stiff, for those who are caught selling, or playing with fireworks. For businesses, or organizations who want to use fireworks in their celebrations, they have to apply for permission from the relevant authorities.
Hence, nowadays, firecrackers and fireworks are seen only during big celebrations like the National Day or the Chinese New Year – events organized by the authorities.
So, since we were on holidays, and we had opportunity to have a go at these activities, my mates and I went ahead to have a little fun.
Launching of Sky Lanterns
The basic sky lanterns are made of very thin paper with an opening at the bottom surrounded by a stiff collar to hold the flame source. There are also more elaborate designs.
When lit, the flame heats the air inside the lantern, thus lowering its density and causing the lantern to rise into the air. The sky lantern is only airborne for as long as the flame stays alight, after which the lantern sinks back to the ground. - Wikipedia
Sky lanterns, once launched, cannot be controlled. So, it is indeed quite a fire hazard, if you think about it. Imagine it failing, and landing in a dry field, or someone’s house, the result could be disastrous. Of course, everyone hopes that it will fly high and far, until the flame burns out.
Before launching the sky lanterns, participants write auspicious words or phrases. Generally, well wishing phrases and wishes. It is believed that the higher and further the sky lantern flies away, the better the chances of the wishes come true. And if it fails to take off, or falls out half way, then it is bad luck. But, I don’t think people nowadays believe that. Maybe they get some satisfaction if it flew high and far, or a bit desolated if it didn't. However, I am sure everything will be forgotten by the next day.
Writing auspicious phrases on the lantern, hoping your wishes come true.
Setting fire to the fuel. Once the lantern is fully inflated, it's ready to be set off.
Firecrackers
This was quite straightforward. Someone lit the fuse, got out of the way while we watched the firecrackers ‘cracked’ and before we knew it, it was over. The firecrackers come in different lengths. The longer they are, the more they cost.
The same goes for fireworks. You lit the fuse and you get out of the way. There are smaller packets, and bigger ones. The more shots in them, the dearer they are.
Fireworks in the distance. They went off intermittently throughout the evening.
I guess we all had fun ‘playing with fire’ that evening. It was something different. We also realized how easy it was to ‘burn’ money. Literally, money went up in smoke, in a couple of seconds. However, it was all part of the holiday fun, but I don’t think any one of us would be in a hurry to repeat the performances.
A video on the launching of sky lantern, or as some would say, floating of sky lantern.
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I went on a trip to Kukup with some friends of mine last weekend. There were eight of us. It was a three days, two nights package. The package included transportation from Singapore and back, accommodations and five meals a day.
I enjoyed the trip. It was very relaxing - literally meal after meal and in between, you play mahjong, sing karaoke, explore the surroundings, or you go for a massage, or pedicure. It’s the good life.
Kukup is a small fishing village in the southernmost state of Johor, Malaysia. They are famous for their open-air seafood restaurants built on stilts over the water.
What is unique about this fishing village is that the houses were built on stilts. It is a simple housing structure for the fishermen and their families, whose livelihood depends on their catches from the sea. But that was back then, in the early days of the village.
Now, the houses are built on concrete columns, and the once simple lifestyle and accommodation have opened up a market for people who want to experience the lifestyle in a fishing village. Holiday makers look for homestays, hotels and chalets in the fishing village. The once sleepy fishing village is now a holiday resort with modern day facilities like proper sanitation, air conditioning and karaoke sets.
Holiday makers book weekend packages - usually, two nights and three days, or two days and one night. Included in the packages are three meals, afternoon tea and supper per day. During the day, you are free to wander around and look at the fishing village and its surroundings. At night, you can play mahjong, sing karaoke, or for a fee, you can launch sky lanterns, fire crackers, or fireworks - if they are your thing. Otherwise, you sit around with your mates and exchange tales, or bond over drinks. If all else fails, there is your smartphone, iPad and laptop to keep you entertained.
Activities like launching the sky lantern, firing crackers and fireworks are banned in Singapore. So, Singaporeans like to relive the nostalgia of these activities, and to let the young ones have an experience of these activities. So, they are very popular at the resort. You hear fireworks and firecrackers intermittently throughout the evening.
A sky lantern (traditional Chinese: 天燈; simplified Chinese: 天灯; pinyin: tiāndēng), also known as Kǒngmíng lantern (traditional Chinese: 孔明燈; simplified Chinese: 孔明灯), or Chinese lantern, is a small hot air balloon made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is suspended. - Wikipedia
In Asia and elsewhere around the world, sky lanterns have been traditionally made for centuries, to be launched for play or as part of long-established festivities. The name sky lantern is a translation of the Chinese name but they have also been referred to as sky candles or fire balloons. - Wikipedia
So, vacations in Kukup are primarily to rest and relax, and to enjoy the fresh seafood. There is really not a lot to see or do. That is why some Singaporeans take day trips to Kukup, have a seafood meal and came back. It took about three hours by car, if there were no jams at the immigration checkpoint. So, one could easily go up there in the morning, have lunch and a look around, maybe buy some locally produced food products, and then come back to Singapore in time for dinner.
One little known fact about Kukup is that it is the largest mangrove island in Malaysia, and second in the world.
This is a brief introduction to Kukup. I will be posting more about my trip. Stay tuned if you are interested. Here are some photos from the weekend.
Arriving in Kukup. The yellow building right at the end is the ferry terminal. On both sides of the road are residents and the chalets and holiday resorts.
A Hotel. I think it is the only one in the village.
Road leading to the residences and chalets.
Accommodations – the hall.
One of five bedrooms. So, the whole place could pack in quite a few people.
Enough toilets, so you don’t have to fight for them.
The karaoke room
Fishing boats and the surrounding residences. Some are newer, and some have seen better years.
Low tide
Meals - five meals a day. Breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and supper.
One of their local product – salted dried fish, and some other dried seafood stuff
Launching of sky lantern, and fireworks.
There are many temples. It almost seemed that every time we turned a corner, we saw a temple.
Our neighbouring chalet. It looked rather classy in the evening with the lights on.
A kelong - it is an offshore wooden platform built by the fisherman for fishing or fish farming.
Beautiful sunset
I had a couple of thoughts in mind when I was in Kukup. I wondered how the younger generation of residents in Kukup felt about life in the fishing village. I assumed that they would be like most young people in villages in other parts of the world – longing for the city life. It would be interesting to hear what they have to say.
However, judging by the accounts from the video below – courtesy of my friend Sylvia, it looks like I am not too far off in my assumption. Apart from fishing and farming, both of which are tough work, there are not many other job opportunities in the village. The young ones therefore, pack their bags and go in search of better jobs and a brighter future in the city.
The video is in Mandarin, but there are subtitles. You have to click 'Watch on Youtube' to see the video.
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It was a very cloudy day, and there were patches of dark clouds indicating there could be rain anytime. But then, here in the tropics, or rather here in CityState, the sky could change completely in a couple of minutes. And since it has been like this for most of the day, I reckon it is not going to rain after all.
Hence, confidently, I set out for my afternoon walk.
As I walked, I marvelled at the clouds. They were moving fast up there. I got the feeling they were freely, happily expressing themselves. At times, I got the feeling that they are in a hurry to go somewhere. Of course it is only my vivid imagination. The clouds are there as a result of the laws of nature, much like we are here in life.
By the way, it didn’t rain that day, and I was able to stay dry at the end of my one and a half hours' walk.
Here are some pictures of the clouds that day.
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The beauty of proverbs, maxims, adages.... is that within the few short and simple words, there is a huge amount of wisdom, carried down through generations, some through centuries. Some might sound cliché, but they are also deep truth (as clichés tend to be).
Keep a few of these phrases in mind, and pepper your conversation with them when opportunities arise. Your friends will be impressed with you.
The mould of a man’s fortune is in his own hands. - Francis Bacon
All is ephemeral – fame and the famous as well. - Marcus Aurelius
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. - Eleanor Roosevelt
Faint heart ne'er won fair lady. - Miguel de Cervantes
Self-praise is no recommendation. - Romanian Proverb
The leopard does not change his spots. - William Shakespeare
Little leaks sink the ship. - Ben Franklin
A drowning man will clutch at a straw. - Sir Thomas More
Equality begins in the grave. - American Proverb
The greatest fool may ask more than the wisest man can answer. - Charles Caleb Colton
A stomach that is seldom empty despises common food. - Horace
The true method of knowledge is experiment. - William Blake
Second-hand gold is as good as new. - Ken Alstad
Fortune is ever seen accompanying industry. - Oliver Goldsmith
Leave no stone unturned. - Euripides
Even monkeys fall out of trees. - Japanese Proverb
Storms make trees take deeper roots. - Dolly Parton
Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today. - Abraham Lincoln
Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver. - Edmund Burke
Strike while the iron is hot. - Chaucer
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Firecrackers
