I noticed that my TikTok feed has been showing posts about the upcoming long weekend. I guess I’m not the only one excited about it—apparently, many others are looking forward to it as well. This Monday marks the celebration of Vesak Day, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing (nirvana) of Gautama Buddha. It's a special occasion for Buddhists, who often visit shrines and temples to honor the day.
I’m also taking this as an opportunity to visit some of the amazing temples around the city to observe the celebration and do a photo and video walk. Temples are usually more crowded during this time. I imagine the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown will be packed, and the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in Bright Hill will likely be very busy too. I visited the monastery last year during Vesak Day and saw the beautiful offerings they had prepared—it was truly amazing!
https://www.tiktok.com/@city.life.explore/video/7502467506225876242?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7489108241423877650
This time, I’m planning to explore different places so I can focus on creating photo and video content. Personally, I don't find busy places ideal for filming because it’s hard to find a good spot to shoot. In crowded areas like these temples, there’s usually a lot of activity, and it becomes challenging to keep up with the flow of people. I also feel like I might get in the way and unintentionally disturb the celebration, which I’d rather avoid.
With that in mind, I think going to less crowded areas would be a better option for me. I've been busy during the weekdays, so I’d prefer to relax a bit this long weekend and enjoy a quieter side of the city. I'm thinking of revisiting the Botanic Gardens or the Jurong East Gardens. These parks are spacious and ideal for practicing video shooting with my DJI Pocket 2.
Over the past few days, I’ve been researching how to best use my time exploring places and how to make the most of my Pocket 2, which has been gathering dust in my cabinet. It’s been weeks since I last used it, and I want to ensure it doesn’t get damaged from disuse. Electronics can deteriorate over time if left unused, so I’m making a conscious effort to use it more often.
Thankfully, it’s still working fine—so I’m gearing up for tomorrow’s walk!
I’m really looking forward to spending the long weekend reconnecting with the city in a more peaceful and creative way. Whether it’s through quiet moments in nature or capturing everyday beauty on camera, it’s all about being present and appreciating the experience. Wishing everyone a meaningful and refreshing Vesak Day weekend!
