To do with Ramadan perhaps? love this pic Aaaah, yes, it's the big party at the end of Ramadan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eid_ul-Fitr Made the mistake a few years ago of trying to bus into Kuala Lumpar on that weekend. A 6 hour journey from Singapore took about 15 hours and when we finally were allowed off (after passing empty train stations that would have been so much faster) there was no hope of catching a taxi so we had to walk across town to find a hotel. Amazing experience and would have been tons of fun if I hadn't had small, tired, kids with me.
The hand is holding a rice cooked in pandan leaves which is a type of sweet smelling leaves. The rice is hence quite fragrant and in Singapore is normally eaten dipped in peanut sauce and satay (skewered meat) bbq on hot charcoal.
Yum. We met some Americans when we were in Singapore last month who complained that it was so hard to find decent food. Felt like saying that during my trip to LA in May we struggled to find decent food. If I was travelling just for food SE Asia wins every time. Actually, it pretty much wins every time anyway.
I am not a Muslim, but Selamat Hari Raya Puasa to all Muslims. I admire how you people take your beliefs and traditions not only through words, but through hard work and manifestations.