A time to celebrate and treasure family, we’ve put together a list that marks the much-fêted advent of Chinese New Year (this Friday, 16th February), which as it happens, is the Year of the Dog. With the four-legged friends regarded as auspicious harbingers of fortune, we’re ready to get on board with the incoming festivities.
1. Attend a red wine tasting at the Wine Cave
Red wine is a Chinese obsession which is why there is no better time to educate yourself. Wine Cave Director Joe Wang is using the opportunity to host a wine tasting that will take you through the eight best red wines of the Hawke’s Bay region on the evening of 21st February. Tickets are $45 per person and you can purchase them by calling 09 930 8115.
2. Indulge in some seafood at Azabu
With seafood being pivotal to a typical Chinese family feast, it is our pleasure to learn of Azabu‘s special set menu offering on 15th and 16th February. For $120 per person, you’ll be presented with delectable Te Matuku oysters, assorted sashimi, Hokkaido scallops, steamed spanner crab and pork dumplings, smoked wagyu nigiri, grilled lobster, crispy skin duck and much more.
3. Treat yourself to a session of traditional Chinese reflexology
Needed another reason to pamper yourself? Well, here it is. SKYCITY wellness experts East Day Spa offer ‘an hour of bliss’ with which to treat tired feet and we can guarantee that you will walk away as though you’re treading air. Lie back and relax to a 15-minute therapeutic magnesium salt foot bath with neck, shoulder and arm massage before 45 minutes of traditional Chinese reflexology.
4. Treat yourself to some pooch-inspired kit
Gucci is on board with the new year theme presenting a range of dog-centric accessories and clothing. Our favourite? We’re finding it difficult to choose between the doggy sweatshirt here and the cute, ever-winsome sneakers below. (Call 09 368 1138)
5. The Lantern Festival
With each year that has passed, the beloved Auckland Lantern Festival has grown bigger and better. So as it gets set to take over Albert Park once again from 1st-4th March, we’re taking a moment to appreciate what has largely become an important collective activity for the city. With great food, a sea of handmade lanterns, live music and martial arts displays, it’s going to be full steam ahead at this annual event.
6. SKYCITY night markets
The Federal Street precinct has been buzzing this month with night markets taking place each Friday from 5-10pm. Designed for bringing your family and friends in tow, an abundance of Asian inspired street food stalls will be touting some seriously international food from the base of the tower, each week until 2nd March.
7. Gift some traditional red packets
The Red packet is a red envelope with money in it, which ranges from one to a few thousand Chinese Yuan. Usually, the red packets are given by adults, especially married couples, and elderly to young children during the days that lead up to and follow the New Year. It was believed that the money in the red packet will suppress the evil from the children, keep them healthy, and give them a long life.
