It was because a certain country launched itself at another that the World Aquatics Championships came our way. It was because it was held here that I got to see today’s superstars. It was because I was reading about our temporary pool that I realised I that I had been in the inceptive temporary pool at the Fukuoka World Swimming Championships 2001. It was because I was thinking about Ian Thrope as the Big Story of Fukuoka (and a “rising star” then was none other than Michael Phelps!) that I thought of the Perth World Swimming Championships 1998, where he made a mark at just 15 years old (and I saw him swim!). A ( The ?) huge story at Perth was a certain other country’s swimmers being caught, and not caught (syringes found in hotel room bins and so on), for consuming banned substances. All quite exciting being near the thick of things but that was my first ever world event so in itself, the event was very enjoyable...
The Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay opened in October 2002, and who are the Singaporeans who did not step into the concert hall even once these 20+ years? Me! Me!! Finally, the time came, for my friend AL and me! Such an impressive concert hall, but a bit large, no? I don’t fancy sitting right up there in the last few rows and also, there is a toilet problem with such a huge audience capacity. Let me just say that the toilet to concert-goer ratio is far from ideal. First time I knew of seats behind the orchestra but there we were! It’s an interesting angle to watch from and I liked being near the musicians. However, those seats aren’t comfortable, with what I assumed to be a sort of backrest at the wrong position. Also, you’re in full view of the majority of the audience so the whole time, I felt I had to sit up straight and not move – a bit stressful! Still, we were that clos...