Hi everyone! So, today is National Day in Singapore and I thought it would be nice if I shared the photos with you guys. :) I didn't manage to get tickets for the actual day's NDP Celebration but I went for the preview.
The first time I went for an NDP I was Primary 5, 11years old? I believe this experience of going NDP with friends and teachers is one that will stay with kids for very long! (Partially cos' tickets are so difficult to come by.)
The last time I attended an NDP Celebration, it was the very last year of NDP Celebrations at the Old Kallang Stadium (which has recently reopened and is located on the circle line with the name 'Stadium'). I was only 14 years old then.
Now, I'm 22 and I'm still full of excitement going for NDP Celebrations! :) This year a relative of mine managed to get an extra ticket for me and I was able to go. People usually have to ballot for it and its not easy getting it. I felt very fortunate!
This year's celebrations might be the last at the floating platform because the original stadium which can house many more people and is the traditional place to hold NDPs has been reopened after a major makeover.
Tip: If you want to catch a spectacular view of Singapore's NDP book a room at the Ritz Carlton on a Mid-High Floor. You'll be located right in front of the stage and you'll be in for a lovely view of Singapore's City Skyline and fireworks towards the end of the celebration.
Now, let finally get to the photos!
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| NDP Goodie Backpack & 'Singapore' Scarf |
Every year, people are excited to see what's in the goodie bag. So here it is!
It's considerate of them to include so many types of drinks to keep people hydrated. Many other stuff here.. Okay I shall begin on the top left corner.
1. Nila the mascot for SEA Games
2. National Day Badges
3. National Day Souvenir Booklet - Participating groups, songs, messages etc.
4. National Day Discount Booklet - A thick booklet of discounts for dining, beauty treatments and more
5. National Day Tattoos
6. National Day Scarf
7. National Flag & Stand & some light sticks
8. "Lightsaber!"
9. Snacks: Tong Heng, Tai Sun, Hello Panda, Sunshine Choc bread, Ricola sweets (Another packet of chips not pictured)
10. Tissue, Plastic Bag, Wet Towel
11. Newater, Yeo's, H20, (Another bottle of water not pictured)
12. Sun Visor, Poncho, Foldable Fan
13. Betadine Antiseptic, Garnier Face Wash
So.. What do you think? I think it is a very generous goodie bag! Even though I don't need much of this stuff, it was fun just going through a huge bag of goodies!
The Red Lions are a group from the Singapore Armed Forces Parachute Team who put up display free fall jumps and perform high precision landing at the NDP Venue. In this case, its a small landing strip on the floating platform amidst 40-60 story tall buildings and overhead lines.
The Parade is always the part I enjoy the most in NDP celebrations! Everyone looks so smart on stage. There's great pride in watching the military and various government bodies on stage like that.
The RSAF Black Knights used to do the salute then go on to go a 5G (?) climb, which leaves trails that resembles that of a hand. They symbolize the total defences (5 Pillars) of Singapore: Military, Civil, Economic, Social, Psychological Defences.
There you can see people raising those scarves found in everyone's backpack. My first thought was. "OMG. Its so hot here and they're giving out scarves?!" Then I realised its part of their efforts to get people to warm up and just be fun and united celebrating the Nation's birthday.
Its not very pretty; I guess the fashion conscious wouldn't wear that out. But if I lived in a dorm room overseas, this would have been one of the things I'd be very proud of hanging on my wall. :)
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| Jean Danker, DJ, leading in Cheers |
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| RED LIONS!! |
That's them on the screen free falling. The camera is mounted on the very last person to make his descent so as to film everyone while they're airborne :) WAY COOL!
Its so crazy to even dare to take a jump and crazier trying to land with such limited space. They're really awesome! :) I watched them during a staycation last year and they were equally awesome! However due to weather conditions, it was too cloudy for them to perform on the actual day and it was such a pity. Especially so for the very first lady Red Lion whom almost had the chance to be part of this very special team on her first NDP as a Red Lion.
I hope weather's well today and everything will proceed smoothly :)
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| Shouts of joy and encouragement from the Audience as the last Red Lion lands. |
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| Oooh. This folded thing was a fan! :) Too happy! Was melting in the heat even though I was in the shade. |
People from MINDS playing the drums and the SAF band on parade together with the Military Police. This was just after the SAF band made a heart-shape (you can still vaguely see it) and the MP was kinda like the 'border' of that heart-shape and they had some red sparks form their guns, making the heart-shape light up :) Pretty!
MINDS actually stands for 'Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore' and were impressive. It must have taken them and their tutors some effort to get everything work out. Its nice to see that everyone's included in this National Day Celebration. :)
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| Parade |
The Parade is always the part I enjoy the most in NDP celebrations! Everyone looks so smart on stage. There's great pride in watching the military and various government bodies on stage like that.
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| RSAF Black Knights' Salute to the Nation |
They didn't do it this year, neither did they last year. It might be because it isn't safe to do it in the built up marina bay area.
Despite this being just a preview (3 weeks before the actual Day) they did not scrimp on the fireworks. Do expect more on the actual day though!! It's always thrilling to see these fleeting, colourful bright lights light the sky.
Making full use of the location of the floating platform to display the Navy, Coast Guards and the Gun Salute.
It gets dark and the show begins! This year there isn't an official National Day Song, and it was nice just listening and singing along to the old ones :)
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| A little girl marching with her 'lightsaber' - Too cute :) |
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| So spectacular! |
It was really a joy to attend NDP Preview this year. It was an amazing experience and I would love to go again in future years! For today, I'll be going to catch the fireworks from a distance. :) You should catch it too! Do wear red and white if you can! :)
