It’s September in Singapore.
And you know what that means?
Yeah, ok. Mooncakes.
Outrageously delicious snow-skin champagne truffle mooncakes from Raffles Hotel. It’s Mid-Autumn Festival time.
Hint? Zoom. Zoom.
Yep – Formula 1, with just 12 days to go.
The city has already been wire-caged for a while now, as it preps for the big shingdig. Last year was my first time, just being back in Singapore…and it looks like it may be my last (at least for a while)…. so here’s to remembering you, F1.
Officially it’s called the Singtel Singapore Grand Prix because the telecoms company is the official sponsor. The Government of Singapore forks over about 60% of the total bill (something along the lines of $90million SGD).
The first race was a big deal. It was also the first night race and since then, F1 has been a HUGE event, shutting down various parts of the CBD around the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
The official F1 weekend starts Friday night and last year the hoohaa started September 23. It was entertainment galore with some pretty big names like Massive Attack, Shakira, Shaggy, Rick Astley and Linkin Park. Oh, and Charice.
Friday was pre-race and we had passes to walk around to check it all out.
I didn’t have any expectations. I didn’t know what to expect.
But it was LOUD. Duh.
The cars were FAST. Duh.
Honestly you don’t realize until you are actually on the ground. It was pretty cool.
Daddy G spinned as the fireworks went off, in a glorious light show of colours. It was packed. It was hot. And it took time to get around the different zones. Thankfully not too crowded to find a table to grab some food and drinks. We ate, drank, and chatted with friends, as the music blasted in the background.
I don’t even remember who. I want to say Linkin Park (because it was loud!) but they didn’t play until Sunday. Oh, and Charice.
I don’t know if hips don’t lie because Sunday night we were at a corporate event in the Standard Chartered Bank building overlooking the race. Spectacular views. Good times.
Though I did miss out on Rick Astley. Here’s a clip of Rick Astley’s 2011 Singapore F1 show that I missed. I still remember putting on this vinyl single in high school!
