+ Tampines | NDP Fireworks

After visiting my Dad at SGH that afternoon, my wife, son and I took a taxi back to our home.

Upon reaching Tampines, there traffic crawled slowly as we were nearing the open field beside the Gufran Mosque. The human traffic on the sidewalk was even more incredible.

Never in my life have I seen so many people on the sidewalk in my neighbourhood, at one time.

The whole place was jam-packed with traffic both on the road and sidewalk. Like other 3 GRC estates and the Padang, Tampines was celebrating Singapore's 40th National Day in a very big way.

The sight changed our mood for the better from the solemn SGH to the happening festivities.

We reached there about 10 minutes to 8:00pm. Took a good spot near the cordoned area where the fireworks was to take place amidst the thousands of people as far as Pasir Ris, Loyang and Bedok.

Saw many families were prepared for the fireworks finale bringing snacks and drinks sitting on the open field on mats and soaking-up the lively atmosphere.

I think it was a great idea this year to bring the celebration and parade up-close, practically to the heartland's doorstep.

The centre-stage was way far across the cordorned area from where we were sitting, but the happy vibes were felt all the same.

At about 15 minutes passed 8:00pm, the fireworks started. We realised we were indeed too close to it that the ashes from the blasts rained down on our faces. I could not get enough room to fit the whole fireworks into the photos I took.

The photos turned out badly as hight shots need a tripod to hold the camera stable due to longer exposure.

So a little shake though with Mega Optical Image Stablizer inbuilt to my Lumix FZ10 Panasonic Digital Camera did not help me much for my first capture of fireworks with any camera, for that matter.

The fireworks were not as large but gave the big, powerful bangs the same.

It lasted maybe about 2 minutes or so. It was good while it lasted, but everyone wanted more. At least a little longer. Then the MC on the centrestage took over.

Some songs later while everyone thought that the fireworks display was over, many slowly retreated to call it a night. Then another round of fireworks was blasted into the night sky.

That time even bigger with the fancy fan-like display from the ground up. Nice indeed. My wife and son enjoyed the fireworks display thoroughly. So did I.

The atmosphere was light and happy all around. We stayed there a little longer just in case another round of fireworks were planned, but guessed not.

Going back, walking from the open field to our flat, the whole intersection was filled with vehicles and humans, thousands of them. It was a very and never before sight that everyone I think, behold.

Very cheery feeling with the many happy people around and the neighbourhood decorated with national flags and banners.

It was a welcomed change from the gloomy feeling I personnally felt for the past 2 weeks or so, about the health of my Dad and how saddened Mom felt when Dad fell ill.

I hope the same thing be planned again, still in Tampines. We had a good time that 15 mminutes or so.

Imagine if we were to be there at the start of the celebration, with the rousing MCs and patriotic songs, the merry atmposphere, the colours around and the parade and floats in the afternoon.

It would have been very nice and might have felt even pround and patriotic that Singapore was 40.

Happy Birthday Singapore! Welcome Home Dad!