i missed the fireworks display the other time when it was held at Marina Bay and this time, I wouldn't want to let history repeat itself once more. I didn't get tickets to the Padang for the parade but soaking in the atmosphere at Esplanade was more than what I could ask for. the jam was expected but the crowd was certainly not! when yan and I reached City Hall MRT station, it was packed, really packed, with bodies. alive ones of course.

while police officers patrolling the station was a common sight, police dogs aren't! there was this big and white canine sitting beside an officer with its eyes as sharp as its owner, "looking" around for suspicious characters. it looked so cute and adorable! in it's sitting position, it already reached the height of the officer's waist. i would really love to see it in 'attack' mode. Gaaahh!!!

fast foward to the parade.

it was such a wonderful and exhilarating experience! to be under the Chinooks and jet planes was simply undescribable. it was so darn cool! we've always seen Chinooks carrying the National flag whilst the National Anthem is being played every year. This year, on top of that major task, they also participated in the display item along with the fighter jets. and there was this huge transport airplane that escorted by these Chinooks too!

ahh.. how i just love them, despite their 'old' age. very much a veteran in our airforce by now. still, they never fail to let us down.

and the fighter planes! one went so high up to the skies above, it really made me wonder how it's like to see the surroundings from such a ggrreeaatt height! some left a 'smoky' trail behind in a straight line before splitting up to go different directions. others did their 'somersaults' while on air. i know it looks normal from the TV screen but you gotta see them with your own eyes to have your jaws wide open. of course mine wasn't lah. i just went 'Whooaa!' along with the enthusiastic crowd.

oh boy, they really ARE an enthusiastic bunch, is really admit. they get excited everytime there's this small burst of fireworks fired halfway thorugh the segments in the parade. (relax lah, why so kan chiong? there are bigger ones later on!) earlier on, these people made a big 'hoo-ha' when the marching bands walked past them, in front of the esplanade. off went the 'clicks' and flashes of their cameras as they rushed to catch a glimpse of the talented musicians. see the spirit of 'kiasuism' here? of course i was one of these 'people' too! hehe!

why not? i was particularly attracted to the percussion section of one of the marching bands. as they walk past us to go to their destination, they played a cool rhythm all the way and it was certainly 'ear'-catching lah. my heart suddenly melts! how i wish i can be part of a military band in the percussion section! aahh.. the sound of the drumsticks hitting the crisp skin of the drums in catchy rhythms, accompanied by the booming bass drum, crashing crash cymbals (hah!) and the ever 'melodic' tom-toms, rejuvenated me once more! relive my dreams of becoming a great drummer! haha!

i didn't really catch the military vehicles though. so many bodies poured foward to snap pictures of them! their proximity to you is something you really got to take advantage of, especially when you can't see them in operation on any other days. some cheeky face-painted and green-uniform donning men smiled and wave at the audience before they proceed to the Padang while others just maintained their serious looks.

maybe their commanding officers weren't looking at them, that's why. wait till they find out. you will all be running 10KM after every meal, every day! *evil grins* but it isn't everyday that we can get to see faces of which we can see their smiles only, right? haha!

then came the fireworks! after such a long wait, the icing on the cake was finally put into place! i was caught in two minds, to take photos or to soak into the atmosphere of the dazzling array of fireworks that lit up the dark and looming skies. it was fantastic! brilliant! what ever adjective you can use! they were coming from the Padang, the Esplanade bridge and behind the Esplanade. i simply love the one that falls down like rain!

the whole thing lasts for about 3 minutes or so but it certainly seems longer than that! what a blast it was! first in was the planes, and oh, i forgot to mention about the free-falling parachuters didi? the came the fireworks. what a way to end off my day. i'm tired and shagged, yes i was. but seriously it was worth it.

actually i wanted to go to the Istana. i've never been in there before! must visit there at least once, you know! i'm a Singaporean, flesh and blood. Haha! hope you had fun Yan! 'cause i certainly did, and it's difinitely not possible without you! =)

Happy 40th Birthday Singapore!