Celebrating the year of the Ox at Travbuddy's Preciouschinadoll's place

Someone told me that the year of the ox is going to be a difficult one unless you work hard. Personally, I dont really believe in this superstitious mumbo jumbo and all its jazz but I am so into the festivity spirit. So last Monday, I drove around 2 hours away from Bandar Seri Begawan to Kuala Belait which is another district where TB member Preciouschinadoll lives in.

The drive was easy though I was a little bit worried with how the weather was going to be like later that day. Brunei is experiencing the monsoon season at the moment, with clouds carrying heavy rainfalls almost everyday now causing flashfloods and landslides everywhere. Anyway, that did not dampen my celebrative spirit! The views along the motorroad from Bandar Seri Begawan to Kuala Belait too was also in high spirit with red coloured lanterns hanged outside the houses along the way.

..I even saw a house with lion dancers resting at the balcony possible after performing the lion dance. Such was the scenery in Brunei everytime the Chinese New Year season is in the air.

I arrived at Bonnie's place around noon, the open house invitation started at 12 so I was on time. Bonnie opened the gate and I parked my car outside her house. Bonnie looked really auspicious and pretty in her red specially made kebaya (a malay traditional costume for ladies)...made me a bit shameful as I was wearing a rather westernised looking blouse (mental note .. next time wear cheongsam hehe). She greeted me at the door and I wished her Gong Xi Fa Cai which means Happy Chinese New Year.

Inside her house was nicely decorated with red hong bao (red packets with money inside).

On her table she had prepared a nice spread of luncheon for the guests. I was the first one to arrive so I had taken some pre-party photos of the food. I had some fish fillet in mango sauce and veggies. The cakes were also delicious but my favourite was the prawn crackers with pickled vegetables...I LOVED IT! An hour later I had tucked in more food than I had eaten for last two days...I was so fully my head was starting to get dizzy lol.

A few minutes later, more guests started come and the open house slowly turned into a reunion party with me meeting some old friends that I havent seen for ages! It was a great turn out and I had a good time. Whoever said that the year of the Ox is a bad year is deifinitely mistaken. It sure was a good one that day! Thank you Bonnie for throwing that nice party! :)