Deepavali (also: Depawali, Dipavali, Dewali, Diwali, Divali, Dipotsavi, Dipapratipad ) marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year according to the Lunar Calendar. It literally translated means 'Row of Lights' (from Sanskrit: dipa = lamp / awali = row, line). It celebrates the victory of Goodness over Evil and Light over Darkness - it ushers in the new year. We did not venture down to Little India so I found a photo of the decorations for you :
We celebrated on Tuesday with a public holiday here in Singapore. While the States was finishing Veterans Day, we were starting another New Year. Let's see, we had the Jewish Yom Kippor, now Deepavali, January 1st for westerners, and early February we will have Chinese New Year. Hmm. I guess you can follow whatever lunar calendar you want and celebrate all the time!
We spent the day at MacRitchie Reservoir Park, hiking the perimeter trail and then took the Tree Top Walk. Here is a photo of John high above the trees and thinking about making the bridge bounce and make me seasick.
We walked for about 3 hours, up and down hill, sometimes on a paved path, sometimes in the mud. We were only 2K from the end of the trail when the sky opened up for our daily rain shower (make that deluge). Lots of families and couples like us on the trail, so we all just shrugged our shoulders and marched on!
The Reservoir is famous for its feisty monkeys, but the ones we saw were just minding their own business. He wouldn't hold still for a good head shot:
Looking down we saw this delightful creature:
We tried a new street for dinner - had some local fair and a beer at a regular outdoor cafe, but as we walked down the street, here are some of the offerings:
(sorry this is blurry... it is pork legs and goose necks on the right)
Next up: Thanksgiving in Bali!
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