What's with all the loud bangs tonight (July 5) downtown?

ferrisld · Post by **ferrisld** » Sat, 05 Jul 2008 8:13 pm

I've only been in Singapore for a few days, so maybe the answer to this is obvious, but I'm sitting in my apartment in Bencoolen St and hear a whole series of bangs. At first I thought it was thunder but it's definitely not.

Now, combined with the jets that were doing a bunch of fly-overs earlier today as well, I might think Singapore's being invaded.

But I'm sure there's a rational explanation, I just don't know what! Perhaps fireworks but I thought they were outlawed? Alternately, is the military conducting live fire drills out on the west coast, and you can hear it all the way downtown?

Anyone want to enlighten me as to what's going on?

kaseyma · Post by **kaseyma** » Sat, 05 Jul 2008 8:34 pm

Rehearsals for the National Day Parade (NDP), which will be held 9 Aug.
There will be a fireworks display.

There may be more rehearsals on the remaining Saturdays until then.
Best to avoid Raffles Blvd.

Welcome to Singapore.

ferrisld · Post by **ferrisld** » Sat, 05 Jul 2008 8:38 pm

Ah - that was another possibility I was considering but I figured it'd be too early to be practicing. I guess they take their fireworks seriously.

Thanks!

bruinbear · Post by **bruinbear** » Sat, 05 Jul 2008 9:25 pm

Welcome to Singapore!

This year's National Day Parade website:

http://www.ndp.org.sg/

(Actually the website address is the same every year i think)

yoongf · Post by **yoongf** » Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:04 pm

Today is actually the National Education Show, which is like the 1st major full dress rehersal for NDP. National Education show is for Pri 5 kids to inculculate in them the sense of nation building.

NDP Preview is in 2 Aug, which is the full scale rehersal.

National Day is on 9 Aug.

Check out the number of rehersals.
http://www.ndp.org.sg/images/map3.jpg

bruinbear · Post by **bruinbear** » Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:36 pm

Yeah I wonder how much it costs the Singapore Govt to put up so many shows every year.

sindhurella · Post by **sindhurella** » Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:42 pm

I was hearing the bangs and wondering what they were too! And I live on the East Coast, and I can see the ECP right out my window... and I saw all these cop cars and helicopters going around the area, so I was wondering what was going on. Well, now I know too.

bruinbear · Post by **bruinbear** » Sat, 05 Jul 2008 10:53 pm

Yeah I saw the F-16s flying overhead in formation.

Saint · Post by **Saint** » Sun, 06 Jul 2008 4:57 pm

If they were bloody loud bangs it was probably the army's canon being fired by the river next to the flyer

sierra2469alpha · Post by **sierra2469alpha** » Sun, 06 Jul 2008 7:42 pm

Has anybody got some recommendations as to the best places to see/watch the air display and fireworks. If it's in the same restaurant, even better. We have one of our mother's up so we'd like to show her (and us) the first ND in a bit of style!

Also, which day is the public holiday - if any - the Friday or the Monday?

Thanks in advance! P & C

[edited: additional question because I am old and don't think]

Wind In My Hair · Post by **Wind In My Hair** » Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:12 pm

bruinbear wrote:Yeah I wonder how much it costs the Singapore Govt to put up so many shows every year.

You mean how much it costs me, the taxpayer. Every year at this time I sigh just thinking of my hard-earned money literally going up in smoke.

Wind In My Hair · Post by **Wind In My Hair** » Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:16 pm

sierra2469alpha wrote:Has anybody got some recommendations as to the best places to see/watch the air display and fireworks. If it's in the same restaurant, even better. We have one of our mother's up so we'd like to show her (and us) the first ND in a bit of style!

Also, which day is the public holiday - if any - the Friday or the Monday?

I think the Saturday itself is the public holiday since some companies still work Saturdays. If your company doesn't work Saturdays they will probably give you the Monday after off. I'm not certain though because my schedule is flexible and public holidays mean little to me.

How about getting a room at the Ritz, Marina Mandarin or Oriental? Ask for a bay-facing room and order room service to watch the display in style. Be prepared to pay a premium though.

sierra2469alpha · Post by **sierra2469alpha** » Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:23 pm

Wind thanks - yeh we just cannot find which day is the official day off - we're starting a biz here and MoM's calendar aren't specifying!

P & C

Post by **jpatokal** » Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:09 am

Yes, it does specify, it's Saturday:

http://www.mom.gov.sg/publish/momportal ... idays.html

AFAIK most Singaporean companies do not give a day off in lieu if a public holiday falls on Saturday; there's certainly no requirement to do so.

Post by **Strong Eagle** » Mon, 07 Jul 2008 5:32 am

What you heard was the fireworks from the American Association of Singapore July 4 celebration, that is, if you heard the noise around 8 PM.

SINGAPORE EXPATS FORUM
Singapore Expat Forum and Message Board for Expats in Singapore & Expatriates Relocating to Singapore

What's with all the loud bangs tonight (July 5) downtown?

What's with all the loud bangs tonight (July 5) downtown?

Who is online