Well..it is our National Day tomorrow. I believe this will be our 43rd one. People living in Singapore will know the routine by now. We will have:

(1) our new set of national day songs. Truth be told, I do not care much for these national day compositions. They seem to lack soul and they fail to stir any patriotic feelings in me. It may be because I am getting more cynical as I age and that no fault should be attributed to the songs…who knows.

(2) our national day parade. The venue used to be either the Padang or the National Stadium. Some bright spark in our National Day organizing committee decided to try something different and thus a entirely new floating platform was constructed along the banks of our Singapore river for the purpose of hosting our National Day parade (this started last year). Each year high fliers from our military will be selected to coordinate the entire parade. Success (meaning no cock ups and the demonstration of marginal improvements and as they call it in Hokkien…the coming out of new patterns) will I think result in these people being even higher fliers. Sometimes I feel the most important day in the calendar for our military is not some mega combat exercise but the parade day. In fact, I get a sneaky feeling that some of the top brass are serial event coordinators.

The parade itself will normally consist of the march-in and out of the various military and civil organisation contingents; the welcoming of our lords government officials and the President, the singing of the anthem (a must), the fly past of our military hardware/planes, the parachute jumps, the running of young people dressed in gaudy customes and waving strange contraption while forming equally strange shapes and patterns on the parade ground,  more running around of people trying to tell some form of story of the birth of our nation and how well we have done, big banners and signs/slogans going around the parade on the message of the year as determined by our lords government, and of course the fireworks (probably a few million dollars worth and the highlight of the day).

(3) our national day message by the Prime Minister. I don’t really listen to it. But I hear it is normally rather long and filled with some interjections of Hokkien jokes and spliced with very important messages and policy announcements for the people..

I would like to add my own item to the festival. Our National food.

Address: 328 Katong Laksa, Katong, Singapore
Date Of Visit: 8 August 2008

In Katong itself, there are many stores claiming to be the one serving the better Laksa. Up to like just 2-3 years ago, I was indifferent to laksa as a delicacy. I have since taken to the dish - bearing one or two incidents of food poisoning from bad milk used.

I do not think 328 Katong Laksa is the original. I remember the original store was located across the street from 328 Katong Laksa. My father frequented there when I was young. The stall is no longer there now and I think most people are hard put to pin point where it has relocated to.

The Laksa (small bowl for S$3.50) served here is those that come served with just a spoon for your eating needs. This is because they have cut the thick noodles into lengths that can be easily spooned. Addition of the quantity of chili is up to the patron. I added a lot. It is good - original or not. One of our national dishes.

Address: Four Seasons Durians Cafe, Along Still Road, Bright Lights, can’t miss it, Singapore
Date Of Visit: 12 July 2008

I hate durians. I cannot stand the smell of it. I cannot stand the taste of it. I cannot stand the smell of burp from people who just had it. So it was a strange thing for me when I found myself at the Durian Cafe as my friends and wife wanted to eat the fruit - some say our National fruit.

People dine here Al Fresco. Cost of the fruit is at S$10 - 15 per kilo I think.

This was bacially hell on earth for non-durian lovers.

They have little tissue boxes on the tables. I could not help but think of the toilet when I saw them. I found the similarity between our WCs and this place stunning. What with the smell and the familiar shapes. I think I could be the only one…

Feedback on the durian was that it was not very “fragrant” and was rather bland in taste. Talk was that they could have chosen the wrong type of durian. I wouldn’t know…

Any hoot, Happy National Day. I will be away (hey…it rhymes).