Tattoo Parade

I was in town watching the Tattoo Parade yesterday night. Although it was mainly a musical parade, it really got me excited to catch the real performance on the 29th July. The Indonesian team was most exciting with their 'free-style' musical performance and their unique dressings. The Chinese being the biggest delegate among 12 countries, did some street stunts using whips which really impressed the public.

As I was talking about this to my friend today, I was surprised she doesn't know what this parade is about. And when I told her it's the Tattoo Parade, she thought it's the bodily arts. Sorry if you are reading this, I don't mean to embarrass you. But just to show how the people in Brunei do not keep up with local current news. And mind you, this is quite a hot event.

There are people who complain that Brunei is boring. Apart from the fact that Brunei do not sell alcohol, and the 'associated' entertainments that it may bring, I don't see it as much more boring than other countries. I have travelled to many cities and worked in several countries, I assure you what I said is true. All countries occassionally hold functions, same goes for Brunei. But when you are elsewhere outside Brunei, you tend to join in the functions, taking advantage of it fully. But when it comes to Brunei functions, most people come out with excuses: panas eh... ramai kali tu... payah cari parking, jauh kali ah... Honestly if you can't bear the heat, there's no outdoor activities you can do.

Anyway back to my subject. The Brunei International Tattoo will be held on 29th July to 1st August. The 1st of August being the extended day to cater the public who couldn't get the tickets for the first three days of performance. The show is a military performance with martial music, consisting of 12 countries (or is it 14?), and a total of over 1000 military personnel. The last time it was organised by Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) was in 1992 to commemorate the Jubli Perak (25 years) Coronation of His Majesty the Sultan. This time, it's to celebrate the Sultan's 60th Birthday.

I was told that before the contingents came to Brunei, they performed in Australia. In Brunei, the tickets are selling like hot-cakes at $1, $5 and $10. When they performed in Australia, each ticket cost AU$120. Yes you read that right: One-hundred and Twenty Aussie dollars. So why is it so cheap in Brunei? Subsidies from Government. How lucky are we! If you haven't got the ticket for this event, you might have to wait at least another 10 years because they are all sold out already.

I managed to take some photos of the event. However my battery ran flat at the moment they started the marching! I'll just post the better quality photos as most of it are blur cos I don't use a tripod, and you know... night shots are always difficult to take due to insufficient lights entering the lens. Slower shutter speed is required, and by the time it allows more light to enter the lens, your hands already shook the camera.

This is the last photo that I managed to take, after that I have flat battery! The first contingent just about to walk past me! Grrr...

The IBB building.

Looking towards the Post Office.

The opposite side of the streets is not filled yet, that's because this photo was taken an hour before the parade.

I'll post up photos of the Tattoo performance to be held in Stadium on 29th July. This time making sure I have a fully charged battery.