Lion Dance on New Year

After my morning rounds on the New Year Day, I went to Bukit Bintang to settle some bills when I noticed the roads heading towards Pavilion were blocked. I managed to get to the car park since it was well before noon and when I got to the main entrance, there were lion dance troupes all over Pavilion.

Apparently there was a competition from early in the morning. Many of the participants were school children and the place were filled.

The event where coming to the end when I settled in. I only managed to see the troupes clearing out after their performances. The entrance were still filled with people. There were events going on through out the day as if the Chinese New Year was just around the corner.

Quite a spectacle although I didn't bring the right hear for the occasion. The main foyer was still filled with Xmas decorations. I wonder what Pavilion would have in store this year. They always came up with the spectacular when the Chinese New Year came around.

New Year Lunch

The New Year started with a great win for United last night. Although it was only Middlesborough, the manner in which we came from behind to clinch the match in the final 5 minutes was reminiscent of the Ferguson era. And it was fitting as the great Sir was in the stands celebrating his 75th birthday.

The ward round came next after which I drove straight into town to sort my monthly credit card payment. I was surprised to see the new addition to Pavilion had already been opened. Now, you could walk straight from the new extension called "Connection" via an underground tunnel to Fahrenheit across the road. Great plan. If only another extension could be made straight to the new MRT line. That would really take the cake!

Waiting for my orderQuite and calmOn my way back to my car, I stopped for lunch at one of the Arab cafe there, watching people passing by in the great weather. Not a bad spot. Before I leave, I took the chance to explore the new extension, which I would blog about soon. Suffice to say, I did more exploration than I planned. Since I had already booked a trip for the haircut with the boys later, I couldn't hang around for too long.

I was lucky that I came to Pavilion early as the carpark was really packed at the time I was leaving with a long queue forming outside. I guessed everybody was up for some shopping ....

Saturday Walk

It wasn't much of a Saturday today. I spent yesterday night sorting out my slides and despite cancelling the clinic this morning, I was in hospital all morning sorting out the few patients I had to see in the morning.

I didn't make the faculty lunch in time and got to the conference venue just before my session started.

Once my session was done, it was time to unwind. But it was raining cats and dogs outside. And the traffic? Atrocious!

Settling down for dinnerTime to orderThe main lobby was transformedNow, that's one giant monkeyThe main Bukit Bintang entranceAfter the rain stopped, I decided to take Anita out for dinner. For some reason, I felt like having Arab food. Off to Pavilion. Bad move! Bukit Bintang was packed and I only managed to park at Fahrenheit, walking across to Pavilion for our dinner, having a peek at the CNY decorations which were already being erected.

I wasn't really in the mood for photography at the time. Food was foremost on my mind, plus bed later ....

More Photos from Pavilion

I thought I might as well add more from the current photos I have taken from Pavilion the other day.

I could have chilled out a bit longer but unfortunately it had been very busy lately workwise. I do have some personal leave coming up on the second week of December. Planning to go to Fraser's Hill again. I am sure there would be plenty of photos then .....

Pavilion Xmas Decor

One of the advantage of a multi-cultural society is the regular festivities that we had. And during this period, the shopping malls in town would be lavishly decorated, filled with night lights and gimmick. Despite the economic slow-down and the recent haze, everybody were still looking forward for a bit of flair and creativity.

As of every year, I looked forward to what Pavilion had to offer. This year, it was more glitters than snow, with Swarovski being the main sponsor at the lobby. They had a five-storey Xmas tree on show, filled with crystals and lights. The train and the grotto made a comeback and the area by the main entrance and the fountain were filled with lights as well.

Last night, I had the chance to explore the place at night, trying to absorb the light show. The main lobby was still closed for installation last week, so yesterday was the first time I explored it as well.

It was the ASEAN Summit weekend and with Obama in town, we were expecting some traffic flow problems. Despite that, there were still plenty of people out on the Saturday night. I wonder what Nu Sentral and 1Utama have in store ….