National Education Show 2015: Our Golden Jubilee

It's July, and right around the corner is Singapore's biggest birthday celebration ever, our 'Golden Jubilee'. What's in store for perhaps one of the most memorable National Day Parades ever? We had the opportunity to find out!

We arrived early to get good seats. The queue lines opened at about 3pm and were pleasantly surprised by the many unique designs of the user-friendly Fun-Packs! We had a laughing good time just looking through the designs. If only we could have them all. Really love this year's bags as they are light and easy to carry around and because they are not in flashy colours, it is a lot easier to use them on a daily basis.

There were so many different designs that it seemed every Fun Pack was different. Many were decorated with uniquely Singaporean slogans. I requested for the one that caught my eye - the 'Chope!' bag.

It was a cool, slightly cloudy afternoon. The morning showers had turned into a perfect weather for an open-air show.

Great weather means that the Red Lions will have a chance to jump! After the much anticipated (and extremely popular) item was called off due to unfavourable weather at NDP 2014, we were glad that we got to see them live today.

And the crowd goes "OOOOOHHHHHHHH YEAH!"

Thank you Red Lions for the preview! All the best for the coming shows and the NDP!

2015 has been a time for celebration and reflection. We remember our pioneers who brought us here and look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Absent in body, present in spirit - a tribute to the late Mr Lee. At the end of the video tribute, the camera zoomed in to Mr Lee's seat, where a white flower now stands. I was tearing throughout the video and the white flower just made my heart melt.

This year's integrated show concept is made up of six Chapters, each segment depicting a significant stage in the journey of Singapore. Chapter 1 begins with a Prologue.

The Military Tattoo is a combined performance by the SAF Band and the Military Police Precision Drill Squad. A combination of creativity and skill for a wonderful spectacle!

Chapter 2: Beginnings

The Pioneer Parade was an innovative addition to the SG50 celebration, and contingents sporting vintage uniforms recreated the earliest NDPs. Among the contingents were pioneer men and women of the uniformed services! As they marched past, everyone clapped loudly. One could see the pride and respect in each and everyone of the spectator. Thank you for giving the best of your youth to building our country! We salute you.

Icons of Singapore!

Chapter 3: Progress! To many people, the sharp execution and pride exuberated by the marching contingents is what the Parade is all about. A total of 37 contingents came together for months of practice and preparation to present a grand tribute to the nation.

Perhaps one of the highlights of this year's Jubilee celebration is the RSAF aerial display. It reminded me of a 'mobile column' in the sky. What a treat it was!

20 jets in a '50' formation followed by the 'Bomb-burst' stunt!

A crowning glory over a spectacular parade!

They're not fast and furious like the jets, but there's a grandeur about choppers flying in formation.

This year, the fixed-wing aircraft came in all sorts of shapes and sizes.



A chance to appreciate the fuel-stations of the sky!

Another spectacular manoeuvre by the Black Knights!

On hindsight, many of the spectators in the Seating Gallery, especially those in the West Sector had to settle for a less than complete appreciation of the aerial stunts. They would likely have to turn to the rear to watch as the aircraft came over the Padang from behind them. Many of the manoeuvres were best appreciated from where were at the Grandstand. However, the awesome booms of the jets as they flew overhead left everyone in the stands full of awe and pride. The kids definitely had a great time covering their ears and following the planes with their eyes. Even mummy had her mouth wide open in awe during the whole aerial display. Thumbs Up!

Marching off the Parade.

Chapter 3: Strength. There was no better way to bring out the theme of this segment than a massive (and I mean MASSIVE) mobile column.

The start of the column wastes no time and sends forth the largest tanks on the battlefield.

There was a nice variety of armoured vehicles, including support elements like these mine-clearing and bridge building tracked vehicles.

Armoured Personnel Carriers, some of them developed right here in Singapore by local companies!

And since the parade has been taken away from the waterfront at the Float, I guess the marine craft had to come inland to celebrate! Note how what is happening on the ground is complimented by an all-round visual digital 'curtain' that morphs along with the displays.

The Home Team was also out in full force!

Chapter 4: Unity. This segment celebrates a society that although made of many different cultures and races has put aside their differences to stand united as one people!



A combination of colours and movement coming together to create a masterpiece, a metaphor of the many different groups that unite together and weave our social fabric.

A creative use of costume by the Singapore Soka Association. The performers seem to magically change the colour of their outfit! 

Chapter 5 - Identity. What are some of the things that make us 'Uniquely Singaporean'? Well......

Chili Crab!

Ice Kacang!

Food is a biggie, but when you're overseas and missing your laksa and char kway teow, you can easity identify a fellow Singaporean in his or her speech, specifically...

"I say Lah, you say Leh"

Remember the campaigns? Singa is back!

Icons of Singapore, good old memories! If you could choose the icons for this segment, what would they be?

Chapter 6: Onwards. Perhaps the best representation of our future are the youth of today, the leaders of tomorrow. It was fitting to have 600 Primary school students in a medley of dance, laser lights, pyrotechnics and their adorable and futuristic LED costumes.

Stars and crescents form a sea around JJ Lin!

Teaching the kids how to operate the 'Stickmen' LED costumes was a 'work in progress', and you could make out many adults among the kids giving them timely assistance.

Compared to the NDPs held at the Floating Platform, the fireworks marking the finale of the show seemed to have less 'umph'. Perhaps that day was the first of the NE show. Perhaps the distance from the firing positions at the Marina Bay contributed to this. It was also unfortunate that the bulk of the high-level fireworks could not be fully enjoyed by the students in the West Sector as they were facing away from the Marina Bay. I am confident the spectators celebrating at the Float on National Day itself will get a better experience for the fireworks display. The show was spectacular nonetheless, and it was time to snap away! Enjoy the photos!

Before we knew it, another exciting show had come to an end. The NE Show was the first of three shows attended by Primary 5 students. It was only the fourth Combined Rehearsal, and the NDP was only a month away. As  the rehearsal get closer to the date, performers and participants will be sharpening their moves and putting in hours of practice to prepare for the big day. We wish them all the best and an enjoyable NDP 2015!

 A young artist's impression of Singa! 

Thank you for making us proud. We'll be watching you on TV!

Midweek Zoo Getaway!

Spontaneous opportunities like these rarely happen, but I was on leave and suggested an impromptu visit to the zoo after securing corporate entry passes. K had been raving about the possibility of one day owning a pet, and we could see from her conversations and selection of reading materials a heightened interest in animals. A daddy-daughter date was planned and you should see the gleaming smile and spark In her eyes when we broke the good news to her.

We left home early as the three-bus journey to the zoo would take us almost two hours. The journey itself was a chance to bond as we savoured the street view from our perch on top of the double-decker bus. When we arrived, there was hardly any no crowd. As a bonus, there was a brand new Australian Outback exhibit and we made a stop there to visit our favourite Australian ambassadors on our way to the Rainforest Kidzworld.

It was daytime, which is nap time for these cuddly creatures.

We could only watch from a distance as it was not time for interaction with the Koalas.

Information boards on the threats facing the Koalas.

"Wanna try our salad?"

Spot the wallaby.

Free-ranging orangutans!

These apes are mighty intelligent.

We observed the 'alpha male' break off a twig from a coconut branch, fashion it into a skewer to draw out little goodies from the box. He's massive and commands such a presence!

Perhaps the highlight of the plan was to play at the Rainforest Kidzworld all morning. After all, that was where K's favourite animals were: the rabbits! Unfortunately for her, the rabbits were caged and had fixed hours for interaction with kids. I regretted not checking this out earlier.

As we turned our attention to the other animals at the Kidzworld, our disappointment turned to excitement when we saw the goats. There was a huge bunch of leaves hanging at the side with a sign to feed the goats with it. A handful of leaves soon turned into almost an entire hour of feeding frenzy fun!

The goats were simply clamouring to be fed the juicy leaves. The kid had a good time trying to make sure everyone got their share.

Big bully goat was head butting everyone aside. The little ones knew who was boss and kept their distance from the largest horns.

When the 'Big Bully' was distracted at the other end of the enclosure, we took the opportunity to feed the kiddos and the mummies.

At about 10 am, the Falabellas were brought into the grooming stable for their weekly 'bath'. This opportunity for interaction with the one of the smallest species of miniature horses in the world was simply wonderful. In addition, there was absolutely no queue as the Kidzworld was still relatively empty.

Our friendly keeper was so patient with us, and taught us how to use the hand brush effectively. We learnt that these miniature horses were a hybrid species bred mainly for aesthetic purposes in South America. At Kidzworld, they are groomed about once a week. This was the equivalent of their bath, which was to remove the dirt and sand from their pretty coats. The Fallabellas were so gentle and perfect for interaction with children due to their size. The larger horses on the other hand were rather intimidating.

We decided to take a break from the goat-feeding and had a look around. It was rather unfortunate that the Animal Friends Show was cancelled for renovation works.

We had an early brunch when the KFC opened at 10.30 am and shared a two-piece chicken meal. To settle the food in our tummies, we decided to check out the rides, and opted for the '3-in-1' package. It felt like Australia's Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm all over again.

First up was the pony circuit, and the staff was so assuring to her, constantly engaging her with information about the pony named Rosie. She was all smiles and happily chatting away throughout the ride.

We had mixed feelings about the carousel as it seemed a little out of place in the zoo. The package offer was too good to pass off, so we had a go at it anyway. We were the only ones in the queue as it was still early, and it felt like the staff turned it on just for us. We circled the ride to choose an animal, and were told that they all moved up and down except for two of the animals. Of course, K chose her favourite animal (or the flavour of the month), the rabbit.

This rabbit was a little large and not as cute as the lop-ear dwarfs we ogle at in the pet shop near our house, but it was a rabbit nevertheless!

The horse-drawn carriage was quite a novel sight. It seemed like a page out of a children's fairy-tale. The carriage travelled a short 5 minute circuit around the Kidzworld at an easy pace. K asked if she could go alone, an odd request at first. I happily obliged, and felt like it was a reminder of how quickly she had grown.

 

The Animal Friends Show was cancelled, but on our way out, we chanced upon the Rainforest Fights Back show and passed the Shaw Amphitheatre just in time to grab some snacks before finding a front row seat.

 



Snacking... it's a holiday after all! We were told to put all our goodies away right before the show started as the food might pose a distraction to the free-ranging stars of the show.

There were many monkeys and apes starring, and we learnt that one as a long tail and the other does not. Guess which is which! Here, the trainer parades her well-trained macaque proudly.

A visitor to the zoo (and to Singapore) got a lttle more than she bargained for when the host requested for some help on stage. How about a huge Burmese Python?

The show had a sobering message: whilst humans can be blamed for the destruction of rainforest habitats, we also hold the key to their protection and rehabilitation.

After the show, we continued our leisurely stroll out toward the exit, and caught up with the exhibits along the way......

A short stroll from the Shaw Amphitheatre, we encountered this unusual setup - a couple of large cabbages tethered to a branch. Guess what? There were large fish tearing chunks of cabbage off to eat. Fish eat cabbage? We learn something new everyday.

These must be the largest cuties in the zoo - the Pygmy Hippos!

And these must be the baddest baddies in the zoo - the White Tiger - but they're mighty good-looking!



The big cat was prancing around back and forth.

"Daddy, before we go, can I have something cold? It had been a fulfilling morning and the sun was finally out and warming things up. We shared a Durian Chendol at the Inuka Café at the entrance.

All too soon, it was time to head home and tell Mummy and sister all about the wonderful day at the zoo. Although we did not get to handle the rabbits, all the wonderful sights and experiences more than made up for it. I silently hoped that the Daddy-Daughter date would inspire our little one to love her natural surroundings and develop a respect for God's creation.

On the cab ride back, we recalled the day and talked about how we wanted to come back again soon. Personally, it was quality time with the girl and plenty of good memories deposited into the little piggy bank of her young heart.

As her eyelids got heavy and she fell asleep for the journey, I started to ask myself......

"Anyone know a good family friendly place where we can hand-feed and play with rabbits all day?"