FROM familiar tunes echoing in eateries to throngs of visitors making the most of the long public holiday stretch, the festive atmosphere is spilling into the streets of Johor Baru.
For Singaporean Wendy Lim, 50, the festive build-up was reason enough to cross the Causeway.
Together with a friend, they took the Shuttle Tebrau train into Johor Baru to avoid traffic congestion, spending three days and two nights soaking in the atmosphere.
“The festive mood here feels quite lively.
“You can hear Chinese New Year songs playing in many shops and restaurants,” said Lim, a hotel manager.
She frequents Johor Baru about once a month for food and shopping.
“This time round, we took a relaxing trip where we had Japanese food and kopitiam fare,” she said, adding that they also stocked up on Chinese New Year biscuits and snacks.
“We had a fun time tasting the wide selection of items before making our decision,” she said.
With the Chinese New Year public holidays falling in mid-February, many Johoreans are also using the extended break to explore local attractions.
Civil servant Ahmad Mokhtar, 39, is planning to take his wife and two children around the city instead of travelling out of state.
“I will be taking my family to the Johor Zoo, as my children love animals,” he said.
After the facility’s recent facelift, he finds that the zoo is now more comfortable for families.
“There are more shaded areas now, so it is not as hot.
“That makes it suitable for young children,” he said.
He added that the nearby Kota Jail – a former prison repurposed into a museum and youth hub, is another spot worth visiting.
A Johor Zoo staff member, who declined to be named, said the zoo was expecting between 3,000 and 5,000 visitors during the festive period.
“Weekends and public holidays are usually peak periods.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s recent visit to the zoo has also generated additional interest ahead of the holidays,” he said.
The zoo houses more than 80 animals.
Meanwhile, some eateries in the city centre are preparing to stay open throughout the festive holiday to cater to both locals and tourists.
Su, a manager at a kopitiam along Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, said the shop would remain open throughout the Chinese New Year holidays.
“We have been operating as usual in past Chinese New Years to give tourists a chance to sample local food,” he said.
Su said the coffeeshop’s customer profile tended to change year by year.
“Last year, we had many customers from China.
“The year before, there were many South Koreans.
“Dishes like curry laksa and kaya butter toast are among their favourites,” he said.
While the kopitiam also sells festive biscuits, Su said sales dipped by about 20% compared to last year.
“We hope things will pick up in the final days before the Year of the Horse arrives,” he added.
For Chris Liew, the busyness of running a restaurant during the festive season does not hinder her from making her children’s favourite food for the festivities.
Liew said she expected an extra special celebration this time as her three children, including two living overseas, would be back to welcome the new year together.
“My children are all living far away. One is in Penang, another in China and my eldest is in Ireland. It is not easy for us to meet,” Liew said when met while looking for flowers.
“In the past few years, at least one of them could not be home for Chinese New Year.
“This time, they will be back for Chinese New Year.
“I am happy and looking forward to seeing them all again,” she said.
Liew wants to dress up her home to make it as bright and colourful as possible to welcome her children.
“My children have been telling me how much they miss my cooking.
“This year, I will cook everything myself.
“I will also bake all the biscuits to show them my love and how much I appreciate their presence,” she said.
Regarding her business, Liew said her restaurant was almost fully booked for Chinese New Year, with mostly only afternoon slots still available.
“Chinese New Year has always been a busy time for restaurants, but I will ensure I make time for my family,” she said.
Balancing the demands of a newly opened bakery, 28-year-old Yilin Teh is excited about welcoming the Year of the Horse.
Teh, who is one of the dozens of traders running stalls at the Johor Jaya Chinese New Year market, said she started making preparations to welcome the festival since last month.
“I decided to join the market here because I want to continue my family tradition.
“My parents used to run a small home-based biscuit business, and they set up a stall at this market.
“They stopped doing so a few years ago.
“Now that I run my own business, I decided to continue the tradition,” she said.
Teh had pitched in to help her parents at the festive market from the age of 10.
“I grew up at this market and have many fond memories associated with this place.
“It is somewhat of a playground for me,” said Teh.
“That is why I started operating a stall here last year.
“It is a good way to earn some money as this place gets large crowds, especially during Chinese New Year.
“But most importantly, it feels like home,” she said, adding that she would keep her stall open until Chinese New Year eve.
Despite being busy, Teh said she would still make her way home for the reunion dinner.
“The reunion dinner is a must. I plan to close shop early so I can help my mother with the cooking,” she said.
