Majula Singapura!

National Day is a big deal in Singapore. Like a really big deal. For months before the actual day, practice started. Then, the two Saturdays before the actual holiday, a complete dress rehearsal was done. Then, of course, National Day itself.
We looked forward to the weekly Saturday night helicopter fly-by's, which were part of the practice. We had a great view from our kitchen of the flag each week, and occasionally were able to the jets zooming by too.

 

By chance, we happened to catch one of the dress rehearsals up close and personal at the bay. We only stayed for the beginning part of helicopters and jets, but it was pretty impressive. Corabelle was not a fan of the loud noises, but otherwise it made us all excited for the actual day!

On National Day itself, Nick and Emmeline went to scope out a place at the bay around 3pm, about 3 hours before the start of the performance. It wasn't early enough to get a place on the side of the bay by the stage, but they managed to find a waterfront seat on the other side, which ended up being a great spot to watch the jets. The jets were the most impressive part of the entire performance, doing tricks I've never seen before. One even went straight up like a rocket before flipping back over and flying off.

 

 

 

 

The fireworks were good, but less impressive than Nick and I were expecting, probably because our expectations were so high after Bastille Day in Paris. Emmeline really enjoyed them, though, and our plan to leave 2 minutes before they ended meant we were able to catch the MRT back home before the hoards of people descended upon it. Next year, we may try and catch the dress rehearsal instead to avoid a few of the people.