Every day seems to be a day of celebration in Singapore. Recently, my tenacious generosity to entice friends to visit our shores has crept up on me – my life resembles a revolving door. No sooner does one guest depart, then another proverbial “best” mate is in the wings to claim the spare room as their own. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. I’m blessed to have a diverse – although at times – challenging selection of life-long friends and past colleagues wanting to stay a while and reminisce of times gone by. But is it really me? How do I dare to think I am the main attraction when Singapore has so much on offer?

           The celebration of a nation is the month’s hot topic. No matter your race, religion or creed, national pride is a universal theme touching the heart and igniting a flame of loyalty within. Being Australian, and now in my forties, I recall one of the greatest national day events now etched in my memory, the 1988 bicentennial celebration of Captain Arthur Phillip’s arrival in Sydney Harbour, marking the founding of the City of Sydney and the colony of New South Wales. As a budding male model and professional musician at the time, I was invited to join a swag of guests on a spectacular launch, owned by some media tycoon. It was a perfect January summer’s day. Thousands of vessels dotted the glistening waterways, the iconic Opera House basking in the sun in all its glory and the harbour bridge high above, with its 6 million hand-driven rivets joining the north shore to the south. Australians celebrated for days as only they know how, with good friends, plenty of beer and seafood. Revisit that Aussie feeling in Going Places which features some great down under road trips. This year I’ll be high above – celebrating with Singapore friends – overlooking the Float @ Marina Bay and viewing the National day fireworks from one of the Lion City’s favourite local watering holes Lantern, the spectacular rooftop bar at the Fullerton Bay Hotel.