St Paddy's Day, Malaysia

I was exposed to the St Patrick's day celebration many years back when i was studying in Melbourne. I never really got attracted enough to find out more about it and thought the Australians were just looking for every opportunity to celebrate and drink excessively.

I just knew that it was Irish - obviously from the green & clover leaves - and made assumptions that it's related to St Patrick, a misionary who was sent to Ireland with a dual mission-to minister to Christians already living in Ireland and to begin to convert the Irish. (Interestingly, this mission contradicts the widely held notion that Patrick introduced Christianity to Ireland.)

So i thought that Australians were just celebrating to the fact that St Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland -used bonfires to celebrate Easter and superimposed a sun onto the Christian cross. Well, if you live in Australia for long enough its not surprising to have such thoughts hahaa.... the OZs are mad drinkers.

Anyway, after getting myself more involved in "St Patricks Day", in Malaysia, i got to find out a lil more about the celebration. It's more than just drinking - its about a day of fun, being Irish and such. But, like what i thought about the Australians, its alot about a reason to drink! specifically Irish stout, whiskey and cream. In the modern day, its one word - Guinness

The Chicago river is dyed green each year to celebrate St Pat's day.

In Kuala Lumpur, the KL tower lights were turned green to officially launch the St Patrick's celebration in Malaysia. Malaysians wanna find a reason to drink too!

The media were invited to Hakka Republic to get a first taste of the celebration, many high profile bloggers turned up too, like the very popular FHM columnist, Kimberly

The kinky green fairy

And no other than Kenny, who drank too much Guinness he got mixed up between American and Irish culture - he was break-dancing on an Irish celebration.

This celebration in Malaysia also saw Guinness sauces being served in alot of outlets, St Pat's apps on Facebook & Mobile and alot of cool looking ads & coverage in the media. Very well planned.

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The St Pats celebration culminated in a massive party in One Utama this year, with lots of Guinness Draught & Guinness infused food. There were also performances, games, ppl walking on stilts and cute horny looking girls in green uniforms & Guinness hats

Timothy & Audrey were also there to celebrate St Patrick's day. Timothy, like Kenny, also got mixed up between American & Irish culture - see picture, he had Coke in a Guinness Draught pint.

They had nice projections on One Utama too, although i didnt quite fancy the spinning Guinness logo. I thought it would have been nicer BOLD, Stout & Still. The clover leaf at the side could have taken up the duty of animation.

And until today, i still wish for cold weather in Malaysia - so its condusive to drink out in the open, where its fun.