Marina Bay Countdown in 2023.
Happy New Year! Sorry for writing this post 2 years late :P This new years reminded me about the time which I attended the celebrations in-person back in 2023. So far, I had only spectated the celebrations from TV, so this was quite an unforgettable experience!
When I arrived around 10 pm, the traffic on the Helix Bridge was still manageable, however the crowd outside the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) was starting to grow. I recall walking around aimlessly, trying to find a nice place to settle down.
Trying to find a seat near the waterfront was almost impossible! I remember having to walk in a single file, trying to squeeze through people in order to make any progress. Halfway through, I gave up and decided to turn back. I did not feel like I would enjoy the celebrations sitting in an area completely surrounded by people :P
It turned out to be a good decision! I left MBS and walked back towards the Helix Bridge. Now, even this area was starting to get crowded. I believe there were traffic police directing the crowd and making sure that not too many people stayed on the bridge.
While crossing the bridge, I noticed that there were people standing on the adjacent Nicoll Highway. Usually this highway should be bustling with vehicle traffic, but it seems like they have diverted traffic away and allowed people on it :) Since it looked fairly empty there, and I thought that it might offer a better vantage point for the fireworks, I decided to head onto the highway :)
As I walked up the highway, I noticed that they were using drones to create giant holograms in the sky! I thought that was pretty cool :)
Finally, I managed to find a nice spot near a concrete barrier to sit down :P Enjoy the fireworks! ^^
After many rounds of firework displays, the countdown begun! A swarm of drones assembled into what resembled a clock, with the second hand slowly approaching midnight!
As midnight struck, the crowd cheered and fireworks erupted everywhere :) The drones swiftly worked together to form a giant “2023” in the sky.
Watching this video in 2025 makes me feel grateful that I went out and joined the celebration that year :) It was a happy moment that I shared together with strangers that I will cherish.
These past few years, I aimed to treat myself better and become a better version of myself. Only when you are kind to yourself, will you have the capacity to be kind to others :)