ASTRO GALAXY: March 2015

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Paying last respects to our unique HERO!

Today was the first day for the public to pay respects for Mr Lee Kuan Yew at the Parliament House, Singapore. It would last until this Saturday, 28 March 2015. This morning at 9am, I saw the live telecast of the funeral procession from Istana to Parliament House. I couldn't find the right words to describe my feelings. I wished he could live on but I also don't wish him to hang on suffering or in pain in the hospital. I know the time will come for people to go and the living will have to accept. Still... my heartache. I had also taken half day leave off work few days ago for I know I had to go over there, to pay my last respects. This was the only little thing I can do.

The little red dot where I called home was built up by this man, It's his country and endless efforts.

Building up bit by bit, all this was super not easy and it was this man that continued his passion and love for the country to make all this possible. Buildings with balance of nature, lots of tress all over the place.

A short walk through of the queue today. Arriving near Boat Quay. I do not know where the start of the queue was, I can only walk on.

The sun was blazing hot today and I have never seen any queue in this way. I was offered an umbrella by a group of kind souls. I thank them and had the umbrella returned to her when the weather started to cool off. There was also good people especially this restaurant that put out the free drinks to the public.

The queue went up and around the bridge and this was only about an estimated 20% of the distance made. Then a u-turn around had to be make as directed by the police guards.

By the time my queue reached Raffles Place, it was about 3pm. I had started queuing from 12 plus.

Of course, there were still some people trying to cut into the queue on and off, here and there. Thankfully, majority are queuing in order, doing it the right way, the honest way, the good way. Along the way, many guards was also helping to distribute water to the public. Overall, everything was still in a very good order.

Looking up at all this skycrapers, I can't help but think again how much was went through before all this can actually happen in a small island, in such a short time. Since young, I had lived in a shophouse and also a house in Chua Chu Kang. Both my childhood houses are no longer there and had made way for newer developments. Changes are inevitable, sometimes good, sometimes bad.

The queue goes on...

Looking at the opposite, I think I'm making to about 50% of the queue line from where I'm standing. Only then I started to take a few slips of my drink (given by the resturant). I didn't dare to eat or drink since 10.30am this morning, fearing I might have to go to the restroom. It is actually not advisable not to drink though especially under hot sun. Please do take a umbrella if you are going there.

At the bridge and nearing the Parliament house.

Upon reaching this covered point, it takes about another 30 minutes to get into the Parliament House.

Cards written for Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

Reaching. Photography not allowed inside.

Paid my last respects.

Rest in Peace, Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

Exiting back of Parliment House, Singapore.

Large crowd continued on near Hong Lim Park. Overall, it took me about 4 hours. The crowd seemed to be longer and longer later in the day. TV are now reporting changes to the time. The time had changed it to 24 hours open from today and till 8 pm on Saturday. It is really touching to see such a huge crowd lining up orderly to pay their respects. Keep the good flow.