The Eight Immortals Visit 99 Kelawai

       There's a very attractive low-rise condominium on the corner of Kelawei Road and Lorong Leandros in Pulau Tikus.  It's white and classical-looking with only a few units in it.  I've been told that in the past it was used as housing for its teachers when Uplands School was located nearby.  I've also heard that it was a residence for priests at St. Joseph's Novitiate, which is now a preserved structure that's been incorporated into the nearby glam retail shopping mall & residence called Gurney Paragon.  (Now and perpetually under construction, or so it seems.)  I'm not sure if either is true, but it could well have served as both.

99 Kelawai decked out for the Xmas holidays -- 2012

      What I do know is that nowadays it's a reasonably-priced condo where many  Japanese company workers and managers live with their families.  I hear they're rented by the companies themselves and kept as a kind of serviced apartments, meaning that the utilities are always laid on and the apartments are move-in ready.  There's not much parking there, but gentlemen at the upper management level would be transported by company car and driver.  And there doesn't seem to be a swimming pool, but how many wives of such men actually hang out at pools anyway?  

Cranes -- the first part of this year's CNY

   In the past couple of years, this place has been incredibly well-decorated by the owner, who doesn't even live there, I'm told.  Above is a picture of their Xmas decorations this past season.  It was spectacular when it was all lit up at night, too.  

 Xmas decs making way for Chinese New Year ones

            The decorations are installed by professionals using a cherry picker machine like this one above.    This year, the workers took down the Xmas decs and started putting up the Chinese New Year decorations at the same time. 

 So here are the Eight Immortal Gods, waiting their turn to go up.  

One of the 8 Immortals

Another immortal  -- all are lit up at night

      







According to a local newspaper, in Chinese mythology, the Eight Immortals are believed to know the secrets of nature. They represent male, female, the old, the young, the rich, the noble, the poor, and the humble man.   Each diety is said to have powers and can be a talisman to destroy evil or give life.  

      Folks who think they know all about this extravaganza say that the Chinese businesswoman who has it put up spends upwards of US $10,000 or more per holiday. She says she was inspired by the way Americans decorate for the holidays, though these are actually better in a way because they're equally good day or night.  She gets the local Visual Art and Decor Workshop  to put up the display and she said in a newspaper interview that that it took 10 people six months to complete the decorations.  

      I just hope this lady realizes how much her efforts are appreciated, not only by those who live nearby, but by the countless numbers of visitors and tourists that pass by on busy Kelawei Road and marvel at it.  It's truly equal to or better than those in hotels and shopping malls either here or in the States.  I'll have to tell her if she's ever there holding one of her many courtyard parties.  Thank you, Ms E. Tan!