It's another year and another edition of the Small World festival. Last year (2015), we arrived just in time to witness the celebration. (you can read here)
Again, the grounds at Federal Palace Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos was used for the event.
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| the ticket |
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| the entrance |
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stage for picture taking, along with
the DJ for the event |
Similar to last year, there were food booths by various nation. As for Malaysian here in Nigeria, we didn't organise one. Fyi, there are only just a handful of Malaysian here in Nigeria. Much less in Lagos... In all over Nigeria, there's about 7 families scattered all over the country.
Some came on monthly basis. One month in, one month out. Usually they're based in Port Harcourt (Oil and Gas industry) and Abuja (as with the case of Azfeezal, Praveen, Quik and Thilak working for IRIS Corp. Berhad, Malaysia).
But the absence of the Indonesia booth at the event this year, was a really big blow for the ASEAN region. Our food, between these two countries are quite similar and I think they served satay (seasoned, skewered and grilled meat on a stick with peanut sauce..ever slightly sweet and quite the opposite of suya, actually). So we had to make do with Thailand's glass noodle and papaya salad.
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| booths |
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| Russia's booth |
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| Fish roe on bread, salmon and smoked fish? |
Started off from the Russia's booth...in fact, most readers and IG followers from this place too. So, it's only fitting that I pay homage to my readers (hahahaha). I had seconds, thirds and fourths until I get stares from some of the other visitors.
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| pastries |
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| crowd building up |
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Three's Company
(Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkey) |
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| Egypt came prepared...Pharaoh included |
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Grape leaves stuffed with pine nuts and spiced rice (top)
meatballs? |
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| France booth...cheese galore..oh la la |
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| Thailand! Just north of Malaysia..literally |
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| Bihun and glass noodle |
Madam went berserk at the Thai booth while me, I'm a shawarma fan. We made sure we had extra for supper back at home. Please don't ban us, Lebanon. The meat shawarma was awesome! Last year, had one...and it was GREAT! Lebanon went the extra mile. They had trellis in front of the booth with plastic leaves and grapes.
Well. It had to end...all the eating and look for a nice spot to watch the concert. So of we went to the India booth for good chicken tikka to top it off.
The concert started around 8pm with the introduction of all the nations that participated this year. We sat among friends. The atmosphere was great and the emcee although I do feel get carried away at times, worked the crowd pretty well. The first performance was from Nigeria, the host country.
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| the 'emcee' |
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| Nigeria |
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| The Netherlands |
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spider in Italy's performance
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The hottest presentation (to most men..ahem..) goes to the Philippines !! Easy...when you see other cameraman decided to take an extra close pictures....I mean, maybe he was using a 50mm prime lens...and you have to get close to get better shot, maybe. I am still very new with this photography. Anyway, just going to post a few only....hahahaha
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| from the Philippines |
Next was from India. You will be amazed of how many they are here in Nigeria. I would say almost neck to neck with China. Two most populous nation in the world competing for slice of wealth in Nigeria. Potential is huge...that's what I told my friends. Since Madam is a bit tan, people over here thought she is from India and I'm from China...hahahaha. The ladies performed with much enthuse and sure be back next year, maybe with some men in the group.
France....Cancan Dance
South Africa's performance was quite unique. They started facing back, away from the audience... then came 'Nelson Mandela' and change happened. Multi color and cultural just like they're now. Not the separation between whites and blacks...
The rest were Ibero America, The USA with hip hop dance group...looked like the youngest group this time around. Quite famous with the youngsters who were present that night. Senegal performed a wedding dance and the Kenyan performed quite exceptionally that night. Jumping and the drum beating...the ones that makes you tap your feet and felt like joining in..that sort of thing. Dad would've loved it. He collects drums, the traditional ones only. The last of the night was from Lebanon. It was quite nice the way the organisers arranged the performance.
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| Lebanon |
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| Kenya |
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| Senegal |
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| USA |
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| Ibero America |
Till next year! There was talk among the Malaysian WA group to have a booth next year. Hopefully this time a reality. What can go wrong, with Pushpa and Madam cooking, and me just looking 'pretty' serving the guests...I think it will be a blast.
We left Federal Palace happy, at least once in a while....Lagos do have lots to offer in a night...Aheh!
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