Mascots from RWS at Chingay

Watching Chingay Parade to me has been an almost yearly affair. I will camp along Orchard Road, behind the barrier, to watch the pretty floats and beautiful costumes. Never had chance to witness the performances as they’re only performed at the main stages along the stretch of road. Now that I think of it, I think their first attempt at the Pit building was not quite a good one cos the stretch of road is shorter, as compared to Orchard Road. That may be why I felt very messed up. Seated in between the red and yellow zone, most of the time I hear two commentaries and music going at the same time. -_-”

Still, I must thank STB for the complimentary tickets to this year’s parade. It was quite an experience for me. The next time if I’m attending, I’ll remember the seats to grab for best view. Sharing the lookable photos taken with the Canon Powershot SX120.

Lots of lions! I like the sight!

R2D2 was marching too! So cute!!

Another highlight for Chingay? The elaborate costumes!

Must be sweating inside these. *salute* to performers!

One of the tallest float – a dreamcatcher

Kids please don’t play with fire. These are pros!

Lion birthday cake for PA’s 50th birthday! Congrats PA!

These long red things are REAL fire crackers!

Many many of the fire crackers cracking through their performance

I was screaming so damn loud and still I couldn’t hear myself! Should have just screamed all the frustration out during those few minutes! My first up-close experience with fire crackers! No wonder these are banned in Singapore. Its sooo smokey and sooooo loud! And it messes up the entire space! So not fitting into the clean and green movement we have here. *coughs* Seriously, its just pure danger lah. Worst than playing with fire.

Butterfly Lovers float

Always highlight of Chingay – The Giant Flags

Finale before fireworks – on my left

Finale before fireworks – on my right

Spotted before the parade – Vic with his new D90!

Acting silly with the pom pom provided

And I wasn’t alone! Spotted few rows down from where I was…

Wahahahahahahaha!

Weijie, Diana and me

Abang was there too! Loves!

So that’s all for my experience at Chingay 2010. Next parade to look forward to – NDP2010!!!

Photos viewable here. (I miss taking pretty photos! *HINT*)

Present at the switch-on ceremony is his excellency President S R Nathan. There were the usual speeches, performances and cheque presentation to the Community Chest from the donors (Hitachi and Starhub).

Performace by JazzKids

Guitar Ensemble and Sparkz, AWWA Teach Me

They sing beautifully!

Mr Hwang, Vice-Chariman of the Community Chest gave his welcome speech. And I couldn’t help but imagine him in red hat and suit when he was speaking. He looks like Santa isn’t he? Doing good deed sure makes one own a benevolence smile…

The switch on event was hosted right at the start of Orchard Road, at the atrium of ION Orchard. Before the official switch-on, Orchard Road was dark and lifeless. And just like magic, when the lights come on, everything just fell nicely in place. The joy of Christmas can be felt immediately (at least for me lah!).

See how beautiful the lights are! Shots all taken while on a moving topless bus (Hippo Bus), so pardon the quality.

The Blue Zone

The Orange Zone

Orange moving onto the Red Zone

The Red Zone

Actually its not that bad right? Moving bus + no tripod + shaky hands for night shots! Ok lah! LOL! All photos taken with the trusty Canon Powershot SX120 IS.

Other than all these beautiful lights along Orchard Road, this year, the light-up will also be stretched all the way to Marina Bay! I will sure be heading there after the APAC is over. And one more thing which I missed very much about walking down Orchard during Christmas is the well dressed up buildings! I remember many many years ago, all the shopping malls along Orchard will be dressed up for a contest. But it was discontinued in 2002. I am so so so delighted to know that this year, it is going to happen!!

To find out the many more exciting line-up and promotions for this year’s “All Decked Out” Christmas, head over to Celebrate 2009 website!

Ending this post with a group shot of fellow friends and bloggers who were at the switch-on ceremony…

I is can’t wait for Christmas to come!!! Christmas Party anyone?

OH! I forgot! And that night, I got to not just meet President S R Nathan, I shook his hand for like few minutes while he asked which media I was from! Hurhur! Ok, end of story.

Well, you’re so right, I am crazy! Because I am strong and so my emotion is well controlled and I pick up from falls faster. And I am ready to party! Are you?

Thanks to the good people I’ve met, we are fortunate to be able to bring you…

Free Tickets to F1 Rocks!

Two pairs of Friday night’s concert to be given away at Blogpress.sg. Here’s how you can take part…

1. Post an entry on your blog to tell us why you deserve to win the tickets. Show us that you really really really want the tickets! Judges will pick the winners based on the originality of your blog post.
2. In your post, insert a link to http://www.visitsingapore.com/sgpseason so that your readers can find out more information about the F1 season from the website.
3. Have a return link to this post on blogpress. (http://pea.to/f1R)
4. Submit your blog post and information in the form found in http://pea.to/f1R and wait for the call. Winners will be contacted via mobile phone.
5. Contest runs from 16th Sep to 21st Sep 2359H.
6. Contest is open to all Singapore Citizens, PRs and Residents.
7. Join Uniquely Singapore fan page on Facebook for more news!

What are you waiting for? Start blogging and submit your entries now! Got high chance ok! Don’t say I didn’t hint hint! Go! Go!