$Tiger Brokers(TIGR)$ Guess what, TT’s? I’ve just discovered that we don’t have to travel far to join the Dragon Boat Festival madness – we’ve got our very own celebration right here in New Zealand! And where did I find it? On Valley Road in Auckland, where the Asian food scene is so good, it could make a dumpling cry.

So, here’s the down low as I’ve since discovered: celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, this festival is a sensory explosion. I got a sneak peek of the festivities with the most divine Chicken and Cabbage dumplings, homemade and so good they could bring tears to a dragon's eye.

Now, let's talk Zongzi. These sticky rice dumplings are stuffed with savoury or sweet fillings like red dates, pork, and salted eggs. The taste and aroma of Zongzi are pure magic, whisking you back to childhood faster than you can say "dumpling delight." Seriously, these dumplings are so good, they could probably broker world peace.

Meanwhile, families in China are busy hanging calamus and mugwort in their doorways to scare off evil spirits and bad luck. They’re also rocking colourful silk threads and sipping Realgar Wine – an ancient concoction believed to guarantee good health and peace. And let's not forget the Dragon boat races, where teams paddle like their lives depend on it, all to the beat of a drum that could make a rock concert seem quiet.

The Dragon Boat Festival, or Duanwu Festival, is one of China’s oldest traditions, clocking in at over 2,000 years old. It’s all about honouring Qu Yuan, an ancient Chinese poet who took a plunge into the Miluo River after his homeland was conquered. The locals, trying to save him, launched boats and tossed rice wrapped in leaves into the river to keep the fish away. While Qu Yuan's body was never found, his spirit lives on in these epic dumplings and boat races.

This festival isn’t just a holiday – it’s a full-blown cultural bash with traditions that fend off bad vibes and keep everyone in tip-top shape. And now, we get to experience it here in NZ! So, next year, instead of just dreaming, I’ll be right there, soaking up the excitement, cheering on the dragon boat racers, and devouring Zongzi like there’s no tomorrow.

Dragon Boat Festival 2025, brace yourself! I’m coming for the Zongzi and all the fun – let’s make some unforgettable memories! And if you see someone with a mountain of dumplings, just say hi – it’s probably me.