The night before (2)

It has always been the annual practice of the true-blue Sibuians to travel from near or far to get home to Sibu for Chinese New Year every year. In fact, right after this one, there would be people booking their air tickets for next year already just to make sure that they do not miss out on the joyous and auspicious occasion. In fact, air fare is often the most expensive from KL or anywhere else to Sibu…and I’ve heard of people flying to Kuching or Bintulu and taking a bus from there home as it would be cheaper that way.

Now what is the attraction here that they can never find anywhere else?

Weeks before the day, there would be sporadic outbursts of fireworks and firecrackers that would gradually get more intense as the day approaches. On the eve of Chinese New Year, families and friends would gather for the reunion dinner…and they would ignite a string of the explosives before the dinner and sometimes, after as well. This would go on all afternoon and evening and into the night, when one would get to see fireworks of all colours and designs…

…lighting up the skies here…

…there…

…and everywhere…

The climax would be when the clock strikes twelve…

There would be a barrage of sound and smoke as everyone lights their strings of firecrackers…

…and set off their fireworks of an array of designs and colours into the smoke-filled sky. By around half an hour or so, it would all be over and everybody would go to sleep to rest for the big day the morning after.

This would be the typical sight outside every Chinese home in town the next day…

…except mine!

Now, if anybody’s keen on coming to Sibu for Chinese New Year next year, it will fall on the 10th of February, 2013. Book your air tickets early to grab the bargain fares and to avoid disappointment!