SINGAPORE TURNS 50 - NATIONAL DAY PREPARATIONS

For the past few Saturday's, we have been observing a flurry of flight activity in the skies above Singapore.  The preparations for the big National Day Parade, the Golden Jubilee - Singapore's 50th year of Independence, have been ramping up as National Day (9th August) draws closer. Fighter Jets, and Helicopters carrying huge Singapore flags have been flying past our apartment here on Sentosa, causing quite a stir (and a lot of noise).  

They have also been causing unsuspecting tourists around the Marina Bay area to nearly jump out of their skin, as the very noisy and low flying jets appear in a "50" formation overhead. That, together with the flag flying helicopters is causing quite the excitement and a great sense of Nationalism here in Singapore.

Every Saturday from now until the big day, there will be practicesin the sky and also on the ground.  Road closures around the Padang will be in effect causing quite a bit of disruption to traffic in the area, so be warned.  Singapore is going all out for this 50th celebration.  As members of the Singapore Cricket Club, we have seen a lot of work being done to prepare for the big parade and show of National Pride, which is built around the theme of "Majulah Singapura".  Today we observed the massive structure of a temporary stadium built on The Padang. This usually open grassy area which lies between the Singapore Cricket Club and The Singapore Recreation Club, sandwiched between St. Andrews Road and Connaught Drive, is unrecognizable. The grass has been concreted over and a huge stadium area has been constructed.  Across the street, The Old Supreme Court building has also been receiving a facelift,  (it is slated to become an arts and cultural center), it too has stadium seating in front of it and also we noticed some glass observation boxes in place.

Above - The Padang is now a Stadium!!

Below - St. Andrews Road and The Old Supreme Court Building.

The Singapore Cricket Club has certainly had their views impaired, and also had to deal with a lot of construction noise over the past few months.

The back of The Cricket Club as seen from St. Andrews Rd

THE FRONT OF THE CRICKET CLUB

THE VIEW FROM THE COURTYARD RESTAURANT AT THE CLUB

CONNAUGHT DRIVE IN FRONT OF CRICKET CLUB

With a lot of road construction also going on along Connaught Drive and Fullerton Road (in front of The Victoria Theatre) at the moment, I suspect some of this is in readiness for the Singapore Grand Prix in September.  The Singapore Cricket Club is a prime position to observe turns 10, 11 and 12, which I personally think are the most exciting turns of the race.  Practically speaking, I can imagine that Singapore will make the most of the new construction on The Padang, and keep it in place for use at the Grand Prix too.  We will have to wait and see.  Ultimately though, I hope so see the grass of The Padang along with the restful games of cricket restored at some point in the future.

In the meantime, The Parade and the Aerial Display, will be practiced until perfect, and quite a spectacle it will be.  Visit The National Day Parade website to find out more about events as well as rehearsals and road closures.

MAJULAH SINGAPURA!

ROAD CLOSURES (PHOTO COURTESY OF NDP.ORG.SG)

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