The morning after the New Year Countdown Party, we brought our overseas guests for a tour of Marina Bay. The children were fascinated by the white balls bobbing in the water. They are wishing spheres, each wishing sphere represents a heartfelt hope, a belief that the New Year will bring new possibilities and a brighter tomorrow for Singapore.
This wishing spheres project has become a yearly tradition and a permanent feature of the Marina Bay Singapore. Currently in its 5th year, my family have joined 20,000 people in penning our hopes and wishes for Singapore yearly.
Our Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's wishing sphere is amongst the 20,000 in the water. :D
PM Lee Hsien Loong's new year wishes (PMO Photo by Terence Tan)
"Wishing all a peaceful and harmonious 2013!"
"Wishing all a peaceful and harmonious 2013!"
While it seems like a pretty cool thing to do, it sort of has me wishing they'd keep in mind there is already islands of plastic pollutants floating in the ocean.
ReplyDeleteThe wishing spheres will be collected and recycled within a week. The polyvinyl chloride balls will be turned into three tonnes of raw material, which will then be shipped to India and China for recycling into footwear.
DeleteThe organisers will ensure our beautiful environment is not polluted.
Happy 2013!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like fun. Did you make a wish! Happy New Year ECL!
ReplyDeleteMy entries:
Liz (mcn)
Liz (yacb)
Yes, I did. Happy New Year Liza.
DeleteExquisite photos. I wish you a 2013 full of dreams and hopes fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteWow ! that's a nice custom ! We should do that here too ! I learned something new !
ReplyDeleteMany tourists who penned their new year wishes on the wishing spheres like this idea too.
DeleteI LOVE!! this concept. What a great tradition.
ReplyDeleteThanks!It is a great Singapore tradition. :)
Deleteit's good to be back blog hopping. it's good to see you through your blog again.
ReplyDeletei believe i saw those spheres way back from old posts. that's nice custom. hope it will inspire the new generation.
Happy New Year Dong Ho! Long time no see!
DeleteThis is the 5th year of our Wishing Spheres project so you might have seen my old post on it.
What a great way to start the new year. Such a novelty too! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I look forward to pen my hopes and wishes for the new year on the wishing sphere every December.
DeleteI want to do my own wishing spheres! : )
ReplyDeleteSure, it would be fun. :)
Deleteyer, bo jio, i can still throw into the sea here in Penang and see if it reaches your place in time LOL Happy New Year to you and Christopher
ReplyDeleteI doubt the ball can travel so far. :P
DeleteDon't pollute the ocean.
What a cool tradition! If you haven’t joined Wordless Wednesday Bloggers yet, please share your WW at www.wordlesswednesdaybloggers.com each and every week!
ReplyDeletewow what a way to celebrate the New Year..love it! Happy New Year to u and your family, ECL! <3
ReplyDeleteThese are great. I could use some wishes.
ReplyDeletehttp://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2013/01/wordless-wednesday-millies-beehive-do.html
may all your wishes come true in the coming year. Have a blessed 2013!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun!!!
ReplyDeleteMine is up at Bouncing on Words - Happy New Year 2013
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NIce wishing for a peaceful and harmonious 2013 Bananaz would wish the same and echo many many fold.
ReplyDeletelooks like you're having fun! :) .. lovely shots you've got there!:)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!!
looks like your having fun! :) . lovely shots!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!!
How interesting! I have never seen this before. I assume multiple people can write on a sphere and then they are put in the water? Are they left to float out into the ocean?
ReplyDeleteYes, all are welcome to pen their wishes on the wishing spheres which can accommodate quite a few wishes. The wishing spheres are allowed to float on the water of Marina Bay until New Year's day, then they will be collected and recycled. They will not be left in the waters nor allowed to be taken by anyone.
DeleteOur prime minister and politicians would never do anything like that, but actually they should. I think that here people would just think it was another political trick. but it doesn't have to be one, does it?
ReplyDeleteHmm... wishing spheres. I really like the idea!
Happy new year to you!
The Wishing Sphere project is jointly presented by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) as part of our annual Marina Bay Singapore Countdown.
DeleteThis aims to connect people from all walks of life through a collective expression of their wishes for the year ahead. The 20,000 wishing spheres will be set afloat in Marina Bay – the Bay of Hope & Light – to form a spectacular visual arts display.
Our PM was invited to pen his wishes for the new year. He gamely accepted. :)