Are you ready for the year of the goat?

Get ready for lunar new year in the Bay Area
Get into the mood and visit the San Francisco Flower Fair in Chinatown on the 14th and 15th of Feb. 

Watch The Reunion Dinner, a touching and nostalgic short film by Singapore filmmaker Anthony Chen. It captures old Singapore and the mood of the new year. 

The reunion dinner is the all-important event on new year's eve. (evening of Feb 18) Families get together and feast. In some households it's hotpot (steamboat) in others, it's roast duck and yet others it's dumplings. 

My family reunion dinner has always been hot pot (steamboat). Thinly sliced beef, fishballs, seafood, a mountain of vegetables and noodles cooked in chicken broth. At the end of the meal, as we add more and more ingredients to the stock, the soup gets richer and is filled with 'umami' flavor.  

What's your reunion dinner going to be like? 

Share pictures of your reunion dinner with us!

Rice cakes in the shape of red tortoises symbolizing long life 

Who doesn't love Chinese New Year? The perfect excuse to get a new wardrobe (new clothes for the new year), red packets (for the kids) and 15 days of feasting. Traditionally, the week before, Chinese families are busy cleaning the house and stocking up on cookies and food. I remember going to night markets in Singapore, selecting plants and flowers for the house. Spring blossoms, narcissus and orange trees are auspicious plants for the new year. Every household will be stocking up on tangerines and oranges too (symbolic for gold). Chinese New Year is a time for visiting family and friends. Remember to bring even numbered (2,4,6 or 8) oranges with you, wear happy colors and you'll be safe from the radar glare of any superstitious grandmas.

The Road to Hana

Fields of bamboo peeping through majestic rain trees, on the road to Hana

Many people say that if you want to get a feel of what Hawaii or Maui was like in the 1950s, go to Hana.  It's a 45 mile drive but the road to Hana is extremely windy and narrow at places so it will take you two hours or more.  

The road officially starts from the sleepy town of Paia. It's a good place to stock up on food and do some shopping along the way. 

The San Lorenzo bikini shop has a gorgeous collection of bikinis and beachwear. The Paia Bay Coffee (115 Hana Highway, Paia) at the back of the bikini shop, has a quiet tropical garden courtyard to sit and enjoy your morning bagel or choose to sample some Kona coffee at Anthony's coffee. 

Drive to Ho'okipa surfer's point and watch the surfers ride the waves. 

Then the road starts to wind. Remember to take your time and stop along the way. There are numerous roadside fruit stands where you can also get warm banana bread, a specialty of the area. We stopped at a grove of rainbow eucalyptus trees and hugged some trees with green and brown camo bark. 

The road hugs the coast and you're treated to views of the vast pacific ocean, road side waterfalls and tropical flora. Jungle lianas hung down and red ginger flowers peeped out from the lush vegetation.  Those traveling in the beginning of the year will be treated to the sight of red masses of flowering mango trees  - Hawaii's answer to the fall season.  

Nutcharee's Authentic Thai Food (5050 Uakea Road, Hana ) was a good spot for lunch. It was a nice change from the usual Fish Tacos stands found around the island. Try the local fish with green mango salad. Along the road,  look out for the signs along the way advertising for Huli Huli Chicken (Barbecued chicken seasoned with soya, ginger, garlic, brown sugar and more). We found ours at a casual drinking place by Koki beach and it hit the right spot. 

The highlight of Hana would be the Kipahulu State Park which includes the Oheo Gulch (seven sacred pools that cascade into the ocean) and the Pipiwai trail. Some literature I read stated that you should not pick up any stones from Oheo Gulch as the site is sacred. I was tickled to find out that "the seven pools" is actually manufactured by marketing people. The pools are not sacred and there are actually a dozen pools. Microclimates are pretty strange in Maui. I swear there must have been a perpetual cloud of rain over our house. However, when you drive a few mere miles away towards Kipahulu, it is nice and sunny. We even found out from the ranger that the national park had not had rain for the past few months and "it was the driest in sixteen years" according to a fellow traveler. Unfortunately, Oheo Gulch was devoid of water (so no swimming) We decided to walk up the Pipiwai trail instead and it did not disappoint. There's lots to see on this route. The first amazing site would be the enormous banyan tree. The bamboo forest has to be the highlight. I have never seen such density of bamboos. As you walk through natural tunnels of bamboo, you imagine you're in some sort of crouching tiger hidden dragon location. You can hear the bamboo stalks knocking each other "Tok Tok Tok" as if they were making music. 

Red foliage of the mango trees top the waterfall 

Pools of water on the Pipiwai trail

Despite the rain, we were glad we ventured to Hana. We saw a lot of local life and soaked in the wild landscape. Lots of people will say that Hana can be certainly done in a day as a day trip, but why rush? Slow down and feel the spirit of Hana.

Sunrise at Haleakala crater - breathtaking moonscape

Note: 

• We were traveling with our three year old and five year old. It's a two mile track (back and forth) on the Pipiwai Trail so be prepared to carry young kids part of the way as they WILL get tired. However, it is totally doable with young kids. The $10 entrance fees for the park includes the summit of Haleakala volcano and Kipahulu State park (2 day validity) so plan to do both activities within the 2 days.  

Aloha Maui

There must be a whole vocabulary in Hawaiian for the myriad types of rainbows on the island. Traveling to Maui in the beginning of the year has its perks - it's the off-peak season and flights and accommodations are relatively cheaper. However, you have to contend with the wet season. On the other hand, you will be rewarded with stunning rainbows. We saw double rainbows, rainbows with really intense hues and halo rainbows, all in one day. And don't be discouraged by the wet weather forecast, there is still plenty of sunshine in between the rain. 

WHERE TO STAY

It doesn't rain all day but it's vital to choose the right spot to stay to make the most of the sunshine. The driest part to stay on Maui is on the Western side (from Lahaina to Kihei). Lahaina's where all the big condo properties and hotels are situated. It's a good place to base yourself if you are a first timer in Maui. Properties like Honua Kai have great facilities - swimming pools, hot tubs and slides for the kids. It's also right next to Kaanapali beach. The in-house restaurant, Dukes serves good quality food. Try their eggs benedicts and calamari. 

BEACHES

Be sure to try the black sand beaches as well as the white sand beaches. If you want to get away from the condo action, Big Beach in South Makena Road, Kihei, is idyllic and has plenty of white sand. For those with young kids, we heard that Baby Beach has calm waters. The black sand beach in Waianapanapa State Park, Hana, has beautiful shiny black pebbles. It is probably not the best place to swim but it is great for photos and exploration. 

MAUI FRESH

Not surprisingly, you can always tell about the culture of a place through its food. Fish factors big in Hawaii and the fish and seafood you order in Maui will always be extremely fresh. Fish Tacos is popular here. A good casual place to sample fish Tacos and other seafood is The Fish Market Maui. 

We ordered the calamari steak (picture above) which was extremely juicy and not at all overcooked. Servings of food usually come with sticky rice and macaroni salad. Another good dish to try would be the Ahi Poke or Tako Poke. Fresh sashimi salad, seasoned with soya sauce and seaweed. 

You are bound to notice fruit stands when you drive around the island. Pineapples, avocados, coconuts, guava and mangos make good snacks on your drive. 

A lot of the stands work on an honor system. The fruits stands are unmanned, but be sure to put payment in the buckets. Look out for farmer's markets where you can pick up fresh fruits, vegetables and local jams. The Honokowai Farmer's Market in Lahaina is open on Mon Wed and Fri (7-11am). I was on the lookout for local fresh markets (like the wet markets in Asia) but I was disappointed to hear from a local that they do their grocery shopping at Safeways. We insisted on trying local produce in Hawaii and we found out that you can buy local grass-fed steaks at Long's Drugs Pharmacy. (how bizarre!) 

On a hot day, cool down with some Hawaiian Shaved Ice. They come in many fruity flavors and you can even add ice cream.  If you want to try it like a local, drizzle some condensed milk on top.