On Friday after work, my colleague invited me to some festival called Latin Festival, *loL* (That is how she spelt it through MSN at work)
Thinking sure why not! this would give me a chance to update my blog with some Latin entertainment.
In my head I was thinking Salsa dance performances, sausages, and food eaten by Latinos *_*
Then one of my colleague told me she has been to it last year… there was dumplings, meat skewers, spring rolls, then I realised it sounded more like a Chinese festival! or that Chinese food stalls will be there (because they will always be at any festival, earning some money $_$ *kaching*)
After work, I stormed back home to grab my DSLR, grab a bite, gave my parents a call back overseas and was on my way to the festival.
The city was flooded with people, it was also a New Zealand public holiday (Waitangi Day), despite a group of us just finishing our 8hr 30mins shift work we were very enthusiastic.
It was held in Albert Park, just next to Auckland University, there was no parking around city, so we went to Sky City which also took a while, but it would only cost $5 flat rate (you need to validate your parking ticket in the Casino, supposedly a trap?) I never fell for the trap though 
The $5 flat rate only applies for weekdays 6pm-6am, 7 days a week and on weekends.
Enough reading, here is a picture of a red lantern that really gave me the Chinese New Year spirit!
I was hoping there would be fireworks, but lucky there was lion dance which really gave the Chinese New Year effect.
The lion dance was abit small though, there was an extreme huge crowd, I could barely see the lion dance! They should have been on a stage to be honest, it seems like only less than 50 people (instead of like thousand+ people?) got to see it properly, the others are behind each other trying to overlook or climb all over the place. Nevertheless the lion dance sounded great, the sound of the drum’s loud thumping is so awesome.
As you can see there are many people, I think most of them don’t even know the Lion Dance is performing, it is very hectic, loud and noisy! Look at all the people overlooking in my direction, I must say I am quite surprised at how the event turned out, it was great! The Chinese culture in Auckland is really happening, there were also many lantern display all over the place, I only manage to snap some tea pots hanging on trees? I will be going back today (Sunday) to take pictures of them individually, it was very tiring that night, we were there till 11pm+ that is 5 whole hours!
Aren’t the tea pots cute? This is by far the best Chinese New Year festival in Auckland, there are a few happening throughout the month, most of them I have been to last year is just alright. This one looks like there was alot of effort put into it, there was so many food stalls too! Varying from Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, HongKong, Taiwanese and much more. I did not have much time snapping food pictures though, as there was just too many people, the queues were a mess, but I had some Taiwanese spring rolls, a coconut (drink) and Hong Kong curry fish balls. There were various prices on the coconuts! one stall selling at $8/each, then there was $5/each and $6/each. Yes I got cheated, I got the $6 one, my friend got it for $5 >_<
It is quite hard to take good pictures and eat at the same time, you need to give up one or the other! *loL* I gave up on food, I’ll be going back for the food tonight, though
Here are some pictures of where I got my spring roll, the name is so interesting “Happy’s Roon Bing” I had to get some! It tasted pretty good 
Happy’s Roon Bing ! Can somebody tell me what does Roon Bing mean? Bing = biscuit?
Spring roll’s topping
The guy had ” H A P P Y ” shaved onto the side of his head, what a dedicated worker! maybe he is the boss.
Earlier there was a Lion and Dragon dance as well, it was good, but I could barely see anything as people were too excited they blocked the whole place, even the Lion had trouble going through, as you can see this woman is very intrigued by the performance. Just one question, I have seen many Angmoh holding sticks that looks like a bunch of chopsticks, I wonder what is this about? ^_^ Or is it just their leftover satay skewers/sticks?
Stalls were packed! Chinese clothing, ornaments, scrolls, anything related to Chinese New Year you can find them here~
Dragon twins, the same material used for the tea pots hanging on the trees. It is a beautiful piece of art!
Notice the Sky City Tower in the background enlightening the sky. By the way I love lanterns!
