I've been blogging so much about college life and party events. Even I'm getting bored of it.

Now let's break-away from those things, and I shall present to you a very different perspective to my Aussie life here. This time not about angmoh... now about hua ren or thong yan or teng lang.

Warren and Me

On the windy evening of May 5, Me and Singaporean college-mate, Warren was at South Bank to witness something spectacular, something that we as Asians have not even witnessed or participated back home.

Evening at South Bank

South Bank is famous for its artificial-miniature white-sand beach by the side of Brisbane River. Play areas, a romantic-style esplanade, al fresco cafes, cineplexes, an art gallery, a museum and a huge performing arts centre... you can find all these here!

This place is usually peaceful, but tonight it was 10 times more crowded than what I've seen before. There must be something spectacular.

That something spectacular I'm talking about is ... Brisbane's Annual Buddha Birthday Festival. Sounds interesting arh?

Malaysia has Wesak Day as a public holiday, but I've not seen such a massive celebration like this before. Well maybe because I'm not a Buddhist, so you may say that I'm ignorant.

But here in Brisbane, this is doubted to be the biggest annual multi-cultural event.

Concerts in English and Chinese and tanglung lanterns all along the esplanade. Really make Me feel like Chinese New Year is coming...

VIP of Queensland?

He said, "Buddhism is the fastest growing foreign religion in Australia." Why? My answer is because of the huge influx of Asians to here. Let's celebrate multi-culturism!

There were lotsa stalls selling food and souvenirs at the parkland area.

As I was busy eating my dinner, the cultural show started in Suncorp Piazza. I missed the earlier lion dance performance. Oh no! I've totally forgotten about it.

Show: Ball juggling and showmanship. Not too bad. He entered the hall with style, having one or two coloured balls in his hands... and started playing them like a clown.

Next thing you see is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 balls... all rolling upwards at one go!

Lotsa hot chics. I want to be there!!! There were 3 average looking guys doing the infamous "sweeping-the-floor" exercise LOL.

Kung Fu... then Wushu... with Jay Chou's Fearless (movie starred by Jet Li) music in the background. I can see some people sitting in the front row getting very excited...

After Chinese martial arts, we were entertained again with hip-hop and break-dancing. How is that? A very modern blend to a cultural event like this.

Orchestrating...

I didn't really pay much attention to the orchestra music, but I guess it was pretty much synchronized.

Remembering this song make Me feel sad for MJ

Show ended with a song: We're The World by "Ma-kel Jak-sun" (how Michael Jackson was pronounced by the Asian-accent host).

Chinese Cultural & Arts Bazaar

Trust Me the atmosphere at South Bank tonight doesn't tell that you're in Australia. You would probably feel that you're in China all of a sudden.

"Ni hao, wo hao, ta jiao hao... are you hao?" Voices like these are not surprising here in multi-cultural, ethnically diversed Australia.

Celaka sial... at this stage my camera ran out of battery. There's one last exciting thing to capture, and luckily with Warren's camera I could take some shots. Thanks bro!

Pah Pah... Pah Pah

Yes, the most exciting part of the night was a 20-minutes fireworks in the city. I never thought I could see such a display before New Year 2008. Remember it is Buddha Festival on this day, awesome!

Victoria Bridge connects South Bank and City

One last shot. Goodnight from South Bank.

To Mama... Happy Mother's Day!

Tags: Patchay-Blogspot, Brisbane, Buddha Festival and Australia.