Family Day!

Wah.. What? I reached for my ringing handphone and glanced at the time before I answered.

5.45am

Sis was on the other line, telling me that she'll be there at 6.15am. Before we know it, we were heading to the Sembawang Air Base. Clarence (bro-in-law) is a commando in the para-wing, so today the family members get to go for a private viewing of their jumps. Sorta like a private family day. The skies were still dark when Clarence drove us inside the camp, en route to the area where they 'parked' the Chinooks. They're huge!

The really cool part was after we parked the car. On the way to the runway, we walked through the hanger where they kept their helicopters. It was so cool! I have seen them up closed before at the Army Open House, but this is the first time we're there alone with the helicopters, in all it's glory, some were taken apart for maintenence.

There were only a few groups of families. We were the only one who brought our own food! Hahaha... We brought coffee, tea, mom's lor mai kai (gultinous rice) and even bread. We were having a little picnic on our own while the other families watched, salivating. Haha...

It was a great experience, watching them pack their parachutes, suit up, see the Chinook arrive in front of us (very windy!) and the Red Lions go on board. After they reach required height, u can see them jumped out like little black dots. They look like little flowers blooming in the skies when they open their parachutes! Pop Pop Pop! :) Then we see them land in front of us while we cheered. Yeah! Soo fun...

Strictly speaking we can't take pictures but I managed to take some photos in the wee hours of the morning.