Haven't been to the Singapore Chinese Garden for many years (like 20yrs?) and only very little trace of childhood memories remained...
Just remembered that my dad used to bring my bro & me over here with our mum for photo-taking when we were like 8 or 10yrs old... and now i'd brought my girlfriend there for some photo-taking... and it was her first time! Paid the entrance fee of S$15 per pax for the Lantern Festival which i find was a bit steep. Just to mention - on non-event days, its free entry to the Chinese Garden. Immediately upon entering the main gate and crossing over the bridge, we saw massive dark rain clouds looming in the distant from our left...
Sure enough, it started to drizzle... then rain :(
But luckily the rain seized up just when night falls and we were able to leave our shelters... and with the lantern lights all coming alive, we waste no time snapping up the lovely lanterns...!
You can actually call it "Hello Kitty & Friends Lantern Show" because almost 99% of the lanterns on display were of characters from Sanrio, creator of Hello Kitty, Badtz-Maru, Cinnamoroll, My Melody etc. There wasn't any "Mid-Autumness" about it.
I actually overheard a Caucasian asking his two Japanese female friends (i guess they brought him there) what's the relation of these characters to the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.
The two girls were a little dumb-struck and explained that the characters are actually Japanese cartoon characters and have nothing to do with the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival...
Guess they should have brought him over to the central instead where the lantern displays were more traditionally chinese, oriental and FREE to view!!
Nevertheless, the Hello Kitty & Friends' lantern displays were all very nicely done and beautiful, with many themes like Sailing, Cycling and biggest of all - Grandprix Racing... most probably in tune to the coming F1 Grandprix racing end of the month.
As for the two of us... we had fun snapping pics, playing with lantern... and of course, lighting up candles...!!
Click HERE to see the whole picture series.
Shooting Notes:
Camera Body: Canon 40D
Lens: EF 17-40mm f/4 L USM with Hood
Lens: EF 70-200mm f/4 L IS USM with Hood
Mode: Av @ 11
ISO: 100, 200, 400
Focusing: Manual & Auto
Tripod: Giottos MT9250
Ball-Head: Giottos MH1302
Base-Plate: Giottos MH655 Quick Release
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