Grand Finale – Fireworks (Part 8)

Grand Finale - Fellowship of the Rings

Please click here to view 72 photos taken by yours truly, KC.
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Please click here to view photos taken by Weng.
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Location photos are taken by Jason Lee.
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Gloomy sky
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“Wah! The car park is full of cars!” Weng exclaimed when I called him at 6:15 p.m. on Sunday 2 September. I had just bought the McDonald for dinner and I called to say that we should start our journey to Putrajaya.

It was the day of grand finale for the Malaysia International Fireworks Competition (MIFC) at Putrajaya, an event that staged eight magnificent showcases of fireworks starting from 18 August.

Taking up pole position
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We were supposed to arrive at Putrajaya at 7:00 p.m. to mark our territory for taking photos; somehow, Jason Lee, Weng and Hon You went there much earlier.

Traveling along LDP Highway, I could see the sky was dark and full of rain clouds. What a coincidence – a bad weather for the finale; it has been gloomy the whole day. When I arrived at the location, it had started drizzling. I could see Jason Lee, Weng and Hon You have set up their tripods and were guarding the photographic equipment sitting on stools each holding an umbrella.

Tough job: waiting in the rain. L-R: Weng, KC and Hon You

It really took a lot of effort to take the photos of grand finale. As usual, that location was fast occupied with spectators.

We were very excited that the drizzle started to dwindle after two hours. Finally, the rain stopped completely at 9:15 p.m. giving amble time to reset or rehearse with the cameras.
Seeing the photographic equipment and the dedication of waiting in rain, one of the spectators asked Jason Lee whether he is from the local newspaper company.

About 10 minutes before 10:00 p.m., there was a test firing of fireworks and the first shot drew much cheer from the spectators. Eight minutes to countdown, the light at Seri Germilang Bridge was switched off. Everyone was waiting anxiously for the moment to erupt. And finally, the continuous shots of fireworks illuminated the Putrajaya night sky.

A few minutes in the showcase, we sensed trouble as the breeze was blowing towards Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) and our directions. The entire area was engulfed in smoke that marred the magnificent fireworks displays. The firing sequence was slowed down a little for the smoke to disperse.

The spectators were treated to a splendid display of fireworks amid cheers, praise and applause. Time passed really fast and 30 minutes seemed just too short. We wished that it could last for another hour. The show ended with explosion of firecrackers being shot up in the sky.

Everyone left the scene feeling satisfied. Let us hope that we can have another round of fireworks displays next year.

By KC

Stay tune for more photos from Team Global on 31 Aug and 1 Sept.