mid-autumn

* gaudy as the displays at the lantern safari (on till 25 sept at chinese gardens) were, you still have to marvel at the effort needed to construct and light up several hundred cloth-and-wire dinosaurs. throw in fireworks and hanging displays, and you have yourself at least one-sixteenth of a spectacle.

* between durian ice-cream mooncakes and power rangers lanterns, i'm going to say that as far as zhong qiu jie goes, tradition is strictly optional. enjoy the lights, everyone!