EVE OF...!!!

This year, Thaipusam and Chap Goh Meh falls on the same day, meaning tomoro, Thursday, 5th January 2004. So today is the eve of both celebrations.

Thaipusan had already kicked off at bout 6am this morning and boy was I caught off guard. They blocked off sooo many roads in Georgetown. Dammit...was late for work coz had to take a BIG round around Komtar (Penang) building.

Bad news is, Jalan Utama, from Macalister Road/Waterfall Road junction, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Brown Road junction, Gottlieb Road/Burmah Road junction, and Lorong Air Terjun will be CLOSED to traffic from 6AM today until 9PM on FRIDAY...!!! Motorist, be warned and if you have nothing to do with Thaipusan, please! please! puuhlease! dun come to town...!!!

Apart from these roads, Penang Street, Chulia Street, Chulia Street Ghaut, Victoria Street, Prangin Road Ghaut, part of Jalan C.Y. Choy, Magazine Road, Jalan Datuk Keramat and Jalan Utama will be closed in stages from 6am today. This is to make way for the chariot bearing the image of Lord Muruga which makes its annual journey to the Nattukotai Chettiar Temple in Waterfall Road from the Kovil Veedu (Temple House) in Penang Steet.

Oh by the way, a frien of mine had commented about the problems caused by the infamous illegal jaga kereta boys. Well, during this festivel, they are known to charge higher...say bout RM5 per vehicle, and they can be nasty bout it if u dun pay up. So in case u encounter any of such problems, u can contact 04 228 2222 or any local police station.

So imagine all the above but times two to it coz, its oso Cap Goh Meh. A double celebration or nightmare...??? But fear not, for Cap Goh Meh, only Gurney Drive area will be badly affected.

Hmm...but come to think of it...if it's already Cap Goh Meh, then itz the end of the Chinese New Year...boo hoo hoo... :-(

So enjoy the festive season to the very last minute...and have a blast.

Happy Cap Goh Meh to all the Chinese and Happy Thaipusam to all the Hindus...!!!


Regards,
JM