Citrawarna 2006

The Citrawarna Parade is supposed to start at 8:30pm. I got to Merdeka Square with half an hour to spare. The multicoloured lights are on, the stage is set, the crowds are just starting to arrive. I managed to get a good spot - right at the mouth of the island that splits the main parade avenue into two. From here, I will have a good view of the procession as it comes and goes. Turns out a lot of other people have the same idea, so they start camping out in front and around me. Good thing a couple of traffic police were around to shoo them away to the sidewalks, but there's no shortage of people who'd like to try their luck. Photographers are a resolute bunch. Short of being arrested and dragged away, they won't easily give up their vantage point.

The Citrawarna Parade started around 9pm. Formations of performers in different costumes passed us by on their way to the main area in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. They did their song-and-dance numbers in front of the assembled audience, then doubled back. From the other end of the parade avenue, performers representing each of the Malaysian states marched in and took turns entertaining the crowds.

Quite an interesting show: the state representatives with their colorful costumes, upbeat music, lively dances, cheers and jeers from the audience, etc. Unable to take the oppressive heat anymore, I left the place around 11:30pm. Had I known they'd be lighting the fireworks at midnight, I would've stayed a little bit longer. No choice but to enjoy the fireworks display from my hotel room window.