Singapore River Festival 2009

Singapore 124 Comments

The Singapore River Festival was awesomely fun!

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Singapore has always been my favourite big city in this part of the world, only because Singaporeans have always treated me very well and that there always seems to be endless things to do in such a small place.

Taking advantage of the fact that it’s the Great Singapore Sales, I went to Singapore with the returning Pinkpau (fresh from her summer holidays in the States and certified free from swine flu) to also attend the launch of the River Festival.

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We were put up at the Park Hotel Clarke Quay. The rooms here are approx S$200 per night, is completely brand new and located smack in the middle of the night entertainment district of Clarke Quay.

I like it that the general manager of the hotel handwritten me a note to welcome my stay.

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Nice touch.

Another nice touch was that all non-alcoholic drinks in my room’s minibar was complimentary.

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Perfect for inviting unsuspecting girls back from the bar with the pickup line, “Are you thirsty? I have drinks in my room’s minibar.” Unfortunately for me, Singaporean girls are too smart to fall for that. 🙁

I thought my room was very tastefully decorated. However, I ain’t seen nothing yet. When I popped over to Pinkpau’s room to have a look, I was gobsmacked.

Pinkpau’s room is… special.

So special that the only word I can use to describe it is SCANDALOUS.

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You see, Pinkpau’s room is one of only three in Park Hotel that features a see-through shower. What that means is that from the bed, you can have full view of your partner washing her armpits or scrubbing her ass crack.

Obviously this type of room is meant for loving couples.

Or zoo animals.

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One of the attractions I finally did in Singapore was the Singapore Flyer. 

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I’ve been wanting to get on the Flyer since the Jurassic Era. Somehow I’ve always put it off because The Largest Ferris Wheel In The World has always attracted The Longest Queue In Singapore.

When I finally managed to get on the Flyer, I realised why it’s so damn popular.

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The flight up to the top was nothing short of breathtaking. So breathtaking that our friend Boss Ming had to take a seat and stablize himself with a few deep breaths when we’re nearing the top.

The dude is scared of heights.

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Pinkpau and I, on the other hand, were having a ball.

It’s impressive to see Singapore’s skyline constantly changing. The construction on the left is the new Marina Bay Sands casino, also known as The Most Expensive Casino In The World.

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When completed by the end of this year, it’ll cost Singaporeans S$100 to get in. For foreigners, it’s FREE. It’s Singapore’s odd but effective way to limit the negative social impact of gambling.

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One of the main highlights of the Singapore River Festival is an appearance by master illusionists ‘Magic Babe’ Ning and JC Sum. The two will attempt to put Singapore in the record books by achieving the World Record for Most Number Of Illusions Performed In Five Minutes.

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We were given a preview of what they were capable of during one of their stage shows, where they showed us how they can float in the air, walk through metal, make money appear out of thin air and solve the global economic crisis.

Okay maybe not solve the economic crisis, but they really can make money appear out of thin air one. Don’t play play, but dunno why they still need to charge ppl for entrance!

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The opening ceremony of the Singapore River Festival was a VIP event that took place in front of the Asian Civilizations Museum.

Coincidentally on that day, the museum was holding a free exhibitio
n by photographer Steve McCurry, famous for taking this haunting image of The Afghan Girl.

 

 

This is Kenny Sia, The Afghan Boy.

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FAIL.

The grass lawn in front of the Asian Civilizations Museum were laid out with mats and pillows. IMG_0255

There’s something amazingly unique about lying on the ground, looking up towards this amazing backdrop of blue skies and towering skyscrapers.

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The Singapore River comes alive this entire week with an array of free events, activities, parades and parties. During the opening ceremony, we were treated to a variety of ‘modern interpretive’ dances.

Otherwise known as ‘siao lang’ dance. Interpretive dances are always like that. No one knew what those dancers were trying to portray except themselves.

So we made up our own meanings.

 

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Xiaxue: “Wah! Look like Ku Klux Klan.”

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Kenny: “Singapore army’s underwater unit, preparing to attack Johor.”

 

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Kenny: “Poor fella kena mobbed during Great Singapore Sale.”

Something substantially more entertaining than those modern interpretive dances though, was the Singapore River Festival’s bumboat parade.

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The bumboat parade starts 7:30pm every night from now till this Saturday. I highly recommend having a look at this unique light and musical showcase of traditional boats and dancers in giant bubbles.

For a list of free events and activities during the Singapore River Festival, be sure to click on singaporeriverfestival.com

We found out the River Taxi Ride is free of charge during the Festival. After the show Pinkpau and I hopped onto one of the boats.

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As you can see, Pinkpau absolutely enjoyed it!

Both of us have been to Singapore multiple times, but to see the architecture of the country from the waters while enjoying the breeze blowing in our face was truly an unforgettable experience.

The river at night is amazingly beautiful.

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I still find it difficult to imagine that as little as 40 years ago, Singapore was a fishing village no bigger than Kuching. Yet today it’s sprouted into such a beautiful modern city.

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The taxi ride took us back to Clarke Quay.

Here, we joined the rest of our friends and partied the night away at The Arena.

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Now, here’s the problem.

The party we were going to was a pajama party and the dress code was obviously, pajamas.

The problem is, I don’t wear pajamas to sleep. I have no pajamas in my wardrobe, so I went to Singapore without any form of sleepwear tucked in my suitcase.

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Naively, I thought since it’s the Great Singapore Sale, I should be able to easily grab a set at one of Singapore’s many many many many many shopping centres.

So earlier during the day, I asked Stickgal to follow me pajama-shopping at Vivo City.

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This is Stickgal. For those who not know, Stickgal is the now-retired comic blogger who inspired this entry.

Vivo City is one of the biggest shopping malls in Singapore, but even after scouring every corner of it, we found no signs of pajamas on sale at all.

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Not for men’s anyway.

It wasn’t until we p
opped into La Senza that I finally picked up my attire for the Pajama Party for 70% off.

Yes, LA SENZA. The lingerie shop.

 

 

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Can’t help it, satin felt soo good.

(My reputation has evaporated.)

Karma Point Collection: I’ve been getting tons of e-mails from people asking me to highlight their different plights.

I hope you guys are feeling charitable today ‘cos there’s a 4-year-old girl in Singapore fighting cancer, an 8-month-old baby in KL who needed a liver transplant, and a 20-year-old dude selling virtual real estate to fund his education to Berkeley.

124 Replies to “Singapore River Festival 2009”

  10. Can’t help it, satin felt soo good. – Kenny.
    —————————————
    Kenny,
    I always knew you were a cross-dresser.
    🙂

    Reply

  13. You always never fail to make me laugh!
    You look Gorgeous in that Shocking Pink lingerie!
    Nice shot of you 🙂 HAHA

    Reply

  29. i’m starting to worry about your blog being children and family friendly!
    first was u as susan boyle and now you as megan fox!
    man! how come you know more about Singapore than me!

    Reply

  30. omg i’m so glad i saw this today! i live in singapore and yet i didn’t know about this river fest at all! definitely heading there after work today 😀
    p/s: you are one sexy mama.. or is it papa?

    Reply

  54. bobby is such an A-hole, he got a scholarship to London but chooses not to.
    Come on, when you don’t have money, do you have a choice? London is already very good, just get the degree and work your way out there.
    Besides, there’s a program in Msia called the American Degree Transfer programme, where he can study 2 years here, and 2 years there.
    He doesn’t deserve my donation!

    Reply

  57. Aw. Got to head to Sg one of these days. And stayed there at night to see those amazing views. XD
    Thanks for the post, Kenny!

    Reply

  59. LOL @
    “Singapore army’s underwater unit, preparing to attack Johor.”
    “Poor fella kena mobbed during Great Singapore Sale.”
    HAHAHAHHAX

    Reply

  60. the next time i go back, i’ll certainly visit singapore’s flyer (1 hour drive from jb only without queues at the customs).
    you look kinda sexy in your lingerie… really must praise your courage to wear it…

    Reply

  62. I almost choke on my coffee when i see e last pic.
    Pinkpau was so lucky to get tat room de. =) So did u go her room to take a shower *evil grin . I believe none of us mind viewing such *ahem pictures . ROFL. But hor remember not to save it on laptop. U wun wan to end up like Edison
    Assumption : Muz be the hotel ppl make mistake tot u booking 1 room for 2 person.Thinking u 2 couple and giving U opportunity. U shdn’t have add another room mah.

    Reply

  66. yeah, you should cross-dress professionally. you really have good “assets”. maybe have a blog entry dedicated for it! ;p

    Reply

  67. Was happily goggling at the photos of cute female bloggers until ur last photo came into my view …
    PUKE !!! Hahahaa ….
    Hey Kenny, next time before doing this kind of stunt please give a warning first …

    Reply

  88. Hi Kenny, thanks for highlighting Kai Xin’s plight. I’m one of her parents’ friends who are helping them out with the fund raising. Your pimping here is giving her blog quite a number of hits and let’s just hope half of them will donate to her liver transplant fund.
    Hope to see you again 😉

    Reply

  100. Love the satin! (lol) You have seen so much of Singapore, I know the city well and I love it…Sorry can’t stop thinking about the satin…

    Reply

  101. Hey…this is one of the greatest reviews I have ever read…nice photos too….I will definitely visit it next year 🙂

    Reply

  103. yea man, now u know what ur missing out on guys! satin really does feel good.
    BTW KENNY ISNT THAT A LITTLE SHORT

    Reply

  105. whoaaa.. nice post! such a wonderful place singapore is.seems like u had a great time there! cheers!

    Reply

  110. Wow.. singapore looks really beautiful.. We were supposed to go there last year but my dad backed out. (boo!).. Anyway, hope I can go there one of these days.

    Reply

  113. The Singapore Tourism Board thanks you. Seriously, you sell Singapore so well you should be made an honorary citizen, since you definitely love this country more than alot of its own people.

    Reply

  119. is pinkpau not single n available? How come no one compliment u two looks a beautifully happy couple? All the best Kenny! Regards fr kch 🙂

    Reply

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