8 Lions and a Dragon

Decided to pop over to the Whampoa Hawker Centre for dinner. Encountered a most interesting sight. As we were finishing our dinner a truck pulled up and the familiar sounds of drums and cymbals could be heard, it was a Lion Dance troupe, we were having our dessert at that time so after finishing it we went to the front of the Hawker Centre intending to catch a Lion Dance performance, They were unloading the Lions and Drums. We thought they would be going around the various Hawker Stalls to do a quick performance and get the Red Packets (Hong Bao) from the stall owners but no it seems one of the stalls had requested for this special Lion Dance performance and what a performance it was, mind you this is a Hawker Centre.

They had 8 Lions, yep that's right. I've never seen 8 Lions doing a Lion Dance performance before for a stall or any function for that matter. What they did was 2 Lions each went to the 4 corners of the Hawker Centre and when the drums and cymbals started they moved in towards the intended stall. I think it's like coming together from the North, South, East and West. All 8 Lion Dancers arrived at the stall and did a gathering performance. A crowd had gathered now to watch this. After that initial performance there was the 2 Lion Performance where they did the lettuce, orange pomello stun to make chinese characters of good fortune and also bring good fortune to the stall. The Lion Dancers even stood on each other to reach the Red Packets which were placed high up on the stalls signboard. The performers had to even climb up on tables and chairs as it was really cramp. Some diners had to be moved for this. 

If you thought that was all, you're wrong. Next came the Dragon Dance. Now this I have never seem before a Dragon Dance held in a Hawker Centre. It was a marvel to see the long Dragon snaking it's way through the chairs and tables to get to the stall. The only thing was that me and the missus did not have our handphones at that moment to take photo's of this unique event.