The Hungry Ghost Festival is celebrated on the 15th night of the seventh lunar month according to the Chinese calendar (lunisolar calendar). The entire month in general is regarded as the Ghost month (鬼月), but the 13th day of this month is called Ghost Day. The followers believe this is a time which ghosts and spirits, including those of the deceased ancestors, come out from "hell" to visit the living. I still remember my grandmother warning me to behave especially during this month as there are many spirits wandering around! What a fearsome threat!

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This is a performer who is part of a troop of artists who put up a traditional Hokkien show to entertain the many spirits who roam the earth during this month.

They will pray/chant and offer food and other things to the hungry ghosts, so they will have what they need to survive and move on to their next life. Here in Singapore, we sometimes see offerings and joss sticks at road junctions as believers appease the ghosts there to watch over their children and their partners as they use that crossing daily on their journey to school or work.

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This is a time where we have to literally watch where we are walking as devotees offer their incense and food along the pavement as well.

Food offerings to the hungry ghosts.

Hungry ghosts also appear in Chinese ancestor worship 鬼法界, 鬼界 is "the realm of hungry ghosts". Some Chinese believe that the ghosts of their ancestors return to their houses at a certain time of the year, hungry and ready to eat.

A festival is held to honor the hungry ancestor ghosts and food and drink is put out to satisfy their needs.

More food offerings prepared in a temple.

When Buddhism entered China, it encountered stiff opposition from the Confucian adherents to ancestor worship. Under these pressures, ancestor worship was combined with the Hindu/Buddhist concept of the hungry ghost. Eventually, the Hungry Ghost Festival became an important part of Chinese Buddhist life.

Monks chanting prayers outside the temple.

I remember as a child I visited Haw Par Villa in Singapore, where they showed the Ten Courts of Hell. My goodness, I was a well behaved child for a very long time after that!!

Believers burning "hell money" outside a parking lot in Singapore.

In a Chinese funeral, they burn many Hell Bank Notes for the dead. With this Hell money, the dead person can bribe the ruler of Hell, and spend the rest of the money either in Hell or in Heaven. There is a belief that once the dead person runs out of Hell money, and if he does not receive more, he will be eternally poor.

A Chinese glazed earthenware sculpture of "Hell's torturer," 16th century, Ming Dynasty.

A hot Naraka, one of the Buddhist Hells.

Singapore is unique in that the rituals are brought to life throughout the entire seventh lunar month. At the same time, the immigrants in Singapore have brought their own native rituals to the small island nation where the hungry-ghost month still thrives.

These are giant sized joss sticks burnt as offerings for the hungry ghosts.

These are papier-mache forms of material items to be burnt so that the loved ones can enjoy these comforts in their world.

This is The only month that the "hell gates" are opened for all ghosts to receive food and drinks as well as all other forms of offerings burnt for them.

Lunch is a good place to start. Hit Tijuana Flats for fresh, zingy Tex-Mex. There are a variety of locations, but the one on SR 436 in Casselberry is nice and roomy. Enjoy the funky décor, watch some sports on the screens. Be sure to sample the Hot Sauce Bar! It ranges from mild and tasty to melt-your-face. Good prices on cervesa. The Ultimate Nachos will feed two as a meal, the burritos are awesome any way you like "em.

After lunch, head over to Harry P. Leu Gardens. This place is packed on nice weekends, so hitting it during the week is a must. It costs a couple of bucks but is worth it for a nice stroll. What sort of plants do you fancy? Roses? Got "em. Bamboo garden? Wetlands? Butterfly garden? They even have a vegetable garden and notes on Florida history. You may be able to catch an event on orchids or potted herbs. This place can take an hour or four, depending on your level of interest.

You are close to downtown, so you might as well head there next. Wander around the ViMi, that is, the Vietnamese District. Have a Bubble Tea. Check out the import stores. You will find the streets downtown a little confusing, once you turn down Orange Avenue. Fortunately, this is the only area in the city navigable by foot (aside from International Drive). So after ViMi, drive over a few blocks to Church Street Station.

Shell out for a decent parking garage, I'm keeping you here for a while. First, check out what is going on at the comedy club, Orlando Improv-see when the show is. But don't plan on eating there! If you want to check out the Church Street Station itself, excellent. Otherwise, there are loads of shops and restaurants off the side streets of downtown and you don't have to pay to access them. You have your options for dinner, Manuel's, White Wolf Café-it all depends on your price range! But avoid the chains in this part of town. No reason to go with familiar when there is all this local fare to choose from!

After a late dinner (or a normal dinner and a comedy show), you'll notice the atmosphere changing. Around 9 and 10, the clubs start to open up. And there are a lot of them! All the way up and down Orange Ave and near Church Street. But it's a Thursday, you say? Yes! The locals love a Thursday downtown, especially the young and the hip! Stay away from Paris Hilton's monstrosity. The kids love Bar-B-Q Bar, Independent Bar, and hanging around wherever has the best drink specials. The little dance floor at Independent Bar (formerly Barbarella's) heats up after midnight with the latest hipster music-poppy, fun stuff. Watch them shake and jerk, admire the hairstyles, or enjoy cheap drinks and awesome bartenders! An alternative to any of the clubs I mention throughout is Parliament House, if you are gay or very, very gay friendly. Additionally, Southern Nights is slightly lower key-both near the downtown area.

Day Two: Friday

After last night, might you be wanting a hangover breakfast? First Watch on 17/92 a.k.a Mills Ave, has great options but can involve a wait any day of the week. Back in Casselberry is a hole in the wall place called Bagel King. Eggs, bagels, pastries, and home-style potatoes for cheap. You'll notice the chatty wait-staff really knows their regulars and they'll treat you just the same!

After getting fueled up, take your coffee over to Park Avenue. On one end is Rollins College, the home of education for the rich and spoiled here, and on the other end the street fades into elegant residential areas once past the Morse Museum which is home of the world's largest Tiffany Glass collection. Park Avenue is shopping heaven! Cute locals stores, art, fashion, a few chains and a collection of eclectic restaurants and wine bars all set in a gorgeous landscape of roses and oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. You've got your work cut out for you. Someone wants to shop and the other doesn't? Plop yourself down somewhere and sample wine. Don't miss out on the specialty chocolate shops, and try something new like chocolate dipped potato chips or lavender truffles. No doubt you'll have to fight it out about where to eat lunch!

*All right, now, I know I said you wouldn't go near a Theme Park. And you're not, really. It just happens to be on the same I-4 exit. You are going, after you finish shopping, to Downtown Disney. From Park Ave, the drive can take a while. This place is a good way to spend the entire rest of your day. Wander the shops, get sucked in to the Virgin Megastore, enjoy the screaming children in the Disney Stores and then eat dinner. After dinner, you are going to make it ON TIME to a show at the Cirque Du Soleil. This is the most expensive thing you'll do all weekend (on this itinerary) and you must get tickets in advance. But it is worth every penny.

Afterward, have a snack. Walk back across and go to Ghirardelli Chocolate. All the ice cream here is fantastic, of course, but don't bother. What you want is a chocolate milk shake. And you will drink more of it than you think you will. Oh, and some McDonald's fries go great with that. Then, be a kid! Play with the Legos for goodness sake! Because we are going to be very adult and dance the night away at Pleasure Island, where a fee gets you in all the clubs and you mingle with people from all over the world.

Alternatively, you may choose to hit Universal Studio's CityWalk and catch the Blue Man Group. There are dining options and a variety of clubs to choose from here, as well.

Day Three: Saturday

I get it. You are exhausted today. But nowhere near as tired as if you had been schlepping around the Attractions all week. May I suggest a leisurely brunch at the Winter Park farmer's market? A small affair for the produce, but inside is a gourmet delight.

Afterward, another leisurely pursuit-high end shopping at the Mall at Millenia. A large mall, artistically decorated, with everything from an Apple store, to Urban Outfitters, to Tiffany's, to Neiman Marcus. You'll have no difficulty finding either a quick lunch or something more upscale at Blue Martini.

Endure that for as long as you can, and then prepare to enjoy some arts. The Orlando Museum of Art and the Science Center (if you have kids or have a little childlike wonder yourself) are a great way to spend some time. The OMA has unique exhibits, and notable traveling shows make their way there all the time. The Science Center is hands on fun for everyone.

Later you may like to check out what is playing at the Enzian, the art house theater of note, and enjoy some delightful dinner dining and wine. And since it is Saturday night, you could always head back downtown if you are up for more clubbing. Saturday is a good night for the nicer clubs. Young professionals, the pretty money, this is when they shine. Which clubs? Heck if I know, not my scene! But meander up and down Orange Avenue will again find you at the perfect spot for your style.

Day Four: Sunday

Today is a day of relaxation. You could head over to the Atlantic, about an hour away, and do a little body boarding. Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island, or for a quieter time, I prefer Canaveral National Seashore where there are fewer people.

Or, stay closer to town and head over to Wekiwa Springs in Apopka. Take your bathing suit, towels, and/or your hiking boots and bug spray! Stop at the Fresh Market or Whole Foods on your way and grab a few things for lunch. A small fee to park gives you access to a range of activities. Sun yourself by the hot springs. Swim in the crystal clear waters. You can rent a canoe (bring cash) for a run down the river-keep an eye out for gators and other wildlife! (Don't worry, the swimming area is protected.) There are also miles of trails. A shorter one is a boardwalk through wetlands and a much longer one leads through pine scrub and saw palmetto forests.

And finally, one last recommendation for dinner. If you like sushi, Fuji Sushi is the place to go for reasonable prices, excellent quality, and truly unique and interesting combinations of flavors. If sushi isn't your thing, Lemoncello is a wonderful Italian place. Or there is Blue Bistro. Reservations are necessary, and the food is to die for with just the right amount of adventurousness.

Further Recommendations for Successful Exploring

Hopefully I have given you a few ideas to get you away from the Theme Parks and into the community. This really is how the locals live! Orlando is filled with opportunities for exploration. Grab a copy of the free paper, the Orlando Weekly, to see what is going on. There are always great music shows, art openings, and new places to eat. Once you get away from Disney, Universal Studios, and International Drive, the real adventure begins! Never hesitate to ask the locals, from your first waitress at Tijuana Flats to the clerk at the boutique shoe store on Park Ave, we all have our favorite places and trust me-we are used to you asking! Enjoy!

Baby Mice Wine from China: This is a rice wine with baby mice and is said to be good for asthma but you must swallow a mouse with the drink to get the full effect.

Seagull Wine which is made by the Eskimoes: This is simply made by putting a dead seagull in water, sealing it in a bottle and leaving it in the sun to ferment. Tasty!

Cynar from Italy: This is a liquer made from artichokes. It has been described as being a vile smelling and worse tasting mix of burned artichokes and alcohol. It is brown like the water you get when you soak a burned vegetable pan in water and it smells even worse. Have you ever boiled a pan of potatoes dry? Well, this smells three times as bad. However, someone out there must like it.

Urine: That's right, plain and simple pee from cows. This is a popular drink among the native people in Kenya. Somehow I don't see this becoming commercially viable in Europe and US.

Vine Snake Whiskey from Thailand: This drink certainly looks lethal with that coiled up snake in the bottle. This whiskey is flavored with Asian Vine Snake which is said to be only mildly venomous, but it still looks quite threatening in that bottle.

Blood and Milk Cocktail: This is a Masai ceremonial drink made from cows milk and blood and served warm. It is enjoyed by the Masai People of Tanzania, Africa. The people in the photo look very happy with it, but most of us would be slightly queasy at the idea. Yuk!

Conclusion: Want to date a white guy? Go to Luxy.

The high quality of cognac is due to the lime soil of the district where the grapes are grown as well as to the careful distillation and aging processes the grapes undergo. St. Emilion grapes are the primary variety used, but Folle-Blanche and Colombard are also employed.

When fermentation is complete, the wine is distilled twice in traditional copper pot stills. These successive distillations produce a raw product with an alcoholic content of up to 135 proof.

The colorless liquid is then poured into barrels made of local or Limousin oak where a unique aging process takes place. No other variety of oak can produce the same characteristics. During aging, the brandy absorbs tannic acid from the barrels; this causes the color to darken and the flavor to change. Oxidation taking place in the porous wood develops the characteristic bouquet and flavor.

Because cognac is a blend, there are no vintage years. Each distiller develops his personal flavor style which he achieves, year after year, through careful blending procedures. After several months or years of maturation, the blended brandy is then bottled. Once bottled, cognac, like all distilled liquors, does not change either in color or in flavor.