Month: December 2012
41) We are non-ordinary buildings (Part 1)
If you stand at the direction of the Merlion, over looking Marina Square, while enjoying the seascape of this city. You may spot an animal-form building in the concrete forest. Have a second look and see if the building resembles certain animal?
That is Marina Mandarin! A hotel building with an exterior resembles an elephant with two flapping ears, a lowered trunk and a wide face. In “Feng Shui” philosophy, elephant signify peace, steadiness and good fortune. By placing this architectural edifice just a distant from Marina Bay, and having the best view of the waters, it is by nature a good “Feng Shui”? Stay tune for the next building!
Take a close-up look at this special building from the concrete forest.
This is an elephant from its own habitat, are they alike?
40) The two arms of The Fullerton Hotel
In my opinion, The Fullerton Hotel, from the direction of Victoria Theatre is a giant man standing in between two spreading arms with a warm cheering face!
Cavenagh Bridge, the right arm was built in 1870. It is the oldest bridge existing in its original form on Singapore River. It named after the last India-appointed Governor of the Straits Settlement, Major General William Orfeur Cavenagh.
The bridge was designed by John Turnbull Thomson, under supervision of Captain Charles Edward Faber, the Madras Engineer who have Mount Faber named after him.
Before the bridge was born, there was one shaky bridge connected the both sides. Travelers just need to pay 1 cent for passing the bridge.
And now, Cavenagh Bridge is one of the Singapore bridges fav by lovers, after it overtook by Anderson Bridge due to overloading problem.
Steel rivets stand still throughout the era.
Anderson Bridge, the left arm was built in 1910. Given a name after the Governor of the Straits Settlement and High Commissioner for the Federated Malay States, Sir John Anderson.
This beautiful steel arc shape structure was built intended to lighten the load of Cavenagh Bridge. It is so far the last bridge built in steel along the Singapore River.
In the past, there is a belief that men and women tossing apples and oranges respectively into the River will be blessed with a happy marriage.
And for singles hurling oranges into the River will be blessed with a partner soon.
Not so sure if this belief is still concurrence, but the reverse effect may end you getting a fine for littering the River.
The Fullerton Hotel, glimpsed through steel arches and ribs.
15) We are smaller than Ikan Bilis (Anchovies)
Ikan bilis translated from Maly literally means “fish anchovy”. It belongs to Anchovies family, tiny shape in size but full of iron and calcium in nutrients. It is also an essential ingredient in a local delicious dish Nasi Lemak (coconut rice). I would have thought that Ikan bilis is the smallest fish that I have known of, but surprisingly it is not true.
Paedocypris is claimed to be one the smallest known species fish in the world. It measures from 7.9mm to 10.3mm. It can be found in Southeast Asia, where it appears in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Schindleria brevipinguis, also known as ‘stout infant fish’ is the second smallest known fish in the world. It can grow up to 8.4mm and it can be found in Austria’s Great Barrier Reef and Osprey Reff in the Coral Sea.
Dwarf pygmy goby (pandaka pygmaea) is one of the smallest tropical freshwater fish. Mature mail can grow up to 11mm, and the female to 15mm. It is known as bia and tabios in the Philippines.
14) Where is your Tunnel of Memories?
If you asked around the locals about this pedestrian tunnel, they will concur with a smile of contentment. This is a well-known pedestrian tunnel connecting Queen Elizabeth Walk (Esplanade Park) to Empress Place. Apart from crossing over on the Fullerton Road that leads to Anderson Bridge, this is a leisure way to enjoy the beauty of the Singapore River. In the past, it’s a park where families spent their weekend on. Couples holding hands, dress up like super stars in their bell-bottom pants meet up in the park. Gone were those days, where happy couples, groups of youngsters, families with kids gathered around on weekend in this memorable park of pride. It leaves good memories in most children in the 60s/70s.
On top of the tunnel is Anderson Bridge, a famous local landmark visited by countless.
The concrete parapet wall remains the same standing under the rain and sun unlike the landscape of Esplanade Park that has changed tremendously.
It is quite amazing to see those trees still standing green and lavish while those who once saw them were long gone…
This is my tunnel of memories, where is yours?
22) A Tribute to the Dolphin
Welcome to our homeland, my super star
Welcome to Sentosa Island
Welcome to your new ocean blue
Hugging your new kiddy fans
Dancing with your marine friends
Enjoy your lovely feast
Laughter in the air
Our kids willing to share
With their family joy and happy meal
Good to see your new home, my super star
You have come from a long way
My smiley honorable ambassador
Welcome back to your homeland, Wen Wen
Welcome back to Soloman Island
Welcome back to your ocean blue
Hugging your childhood friend
Back to your missile speed
Moon walking on the sea
Laughter in the air
Your dad is cheering for you
Your family joy and happy meal
Good to see you back home, Wen Wen
You have come from a long way
My honorable ambassador
Always a smile on your face
This post was inspired by a news article regarding Dolphins. Wen Wen died suddenly less than an hour before the flight from Philippines to Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore.
Wen Wen is the third dolphin to die out of 27 which RWS acquired from the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific between 2008 and 2009.
14) Whose eyes are those?
A) One of the smallest eye in the world
B) Eye of Nature
C) Eye of Kindness
D) Sleepy eye
E) Slowest eye
F) Eye of warrior
G) Eye of Night rider
H) Eye of the Ocean
J) Eye of a Hollywood Star
K) Sexy eyes
A) Ant
B) Cat eye stone
C) Giraffe
D) Hippo
E) Snail
F) Tiger
G) Owl
H) Whale
J) E.T
Friend (23) – Falling is Just Another Form of Dancing / 朋友- 跌倒又跳舞
Road, it is born for us to tread on. For a life time, we flatten and walk on it for countless time. Yet, when it is uneven, we start to complain about it, and when we trip on it, we grumble on our own bad luck.
Yet, if you are lucky, you board the broad sunny way with pleasant scenery and you say, “well, I created my own road”. Then, many a times, we step on mud, collide with stones, cross the tough Himalayas, go against the tide of the Atlantic. And again, this is the time you started to question yourself on the road you are travelling.
The day I nearly slip and fell on a mossy floor along the corridor. In the midst of panic, I felt I fell with a beautiful stance, and started to understand the fact that a fall can be swift, yet graceful and poise.
Life is filled with swiftly changes and it is a stage with ups and downs. Rather than complaining it being slippery, why not help things along; have a dancing fall, slide out your steps with a spring, as Spring is not far away from us!
路，它一生下来就被人踩，我们一路踩在它身上，一生一世不知来来去去走过几回。它一不平坦我们就抱怨连天，一打滑就怪自己运气不佳。
如果幸运的话，上了康庄大道，一路上风和日丽，景色怡人，你说路是自己走出来的。但很多时候事与愿违，很不幸地踩到的都是烂泥，碰撞都是石子，跨的是喜玛拉雅山，逆流的是大西洋。这时你又会不竟地问这是一条什么样的路？
那天我差一点在有青苔的走廊上打滑，慌张之余，感觉自己跌倒的姿势蛮美的，领悟出其实跌倒也要跌得优美，跌得韵味，跌得坦然。
人生舞台起起落落，与其埋怨路滑，不如来个顺水推舟，以跳舞的方式跌倒，滑出一个春天，反正春天离我们不远了。
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