Singapore Spot a Spot / 点出景点
59) When each day is a blessing
While we are enjoying a life of luxury in peacetime, have we wonder how the under privileged in the past had lived through their life? Are we able to understand how they cope with their daily stress? Are we able to put ourselves in their shoes and empathize how tough their world were?
When we are sandwich like sardine in the train, we started to complain and throw anger on others. When we face the cruelty of reality and went under boundless stress, did we ever question about how much we have contributed instead? A mouthful of swear? Confrontation? Or even an endless sigh?
So now, are we ready to step down on these uneven steps, to perceive their way of life from this little tiny corner from the past?
When you are away from your motherland, staying alone and dozing off on this single timber bed, what do you look for to warm your heart? A picture of your family during your happy day? Or a straw fan to release home sick sorrows?
Or do you make a living by making wooden clogs? Working day and night in your petite cubicle?
The simple abode of a respectable Sam Shui woman with all she has in her entire life.
A double-decked bed come with all-in-one, kitchen wares, resting stool and even a simple playground!
Open concept kitchen come complete with kitchen shelving, dressing room. Are we able to understand the meaning of this living standard?
Mirror and a pair of chopstick, let’s call it a day or let’s get ready for work?
When space is precious and it’s a constraint, hanging clothes on a hook is the most space saving and logical way.
Some physician may live under the same roof. Charging $2 for a consultation, $3 for outpatient and free of charge for those who can’t afford the bill. Are we able to hear and feel the bitterness of life?
Well, to me, compare to olden day, each day is a blessing and a blessed day!
Pictures was taken in Chinatown Heritage Center
58) Building makes way to this tree
This Panaga Laut tree is one of the Heritage trees in Singapore Botanic Gardens. This species grow on sandy beaches and lowland forests. It is widely spread over from East Africa to West Pacific. You can find their footprints in Singapore too.
This tree is slow growing and has low and massive branches with a broad, dense crown. Different part of the body can be made into traditional medicine.
This tree has home itself there for over 100 years. The design of the building, Botany Centre has take into consideration the need to preserve this precious tree. Walk ways were made narrow to accommodate the large spreading root of this tree. The second floor void was created to allow tree branches to be retained.
Isn’t it a good way to show respect to nature?
57) A ride to Coney Island
Pulau Serangoon, also known as Coney Island in Singapore. It is a 45-hectare in size and located off the north-eastern coast of the Singapore mainland. Back in about 30 years ago, you still be able to make your own way when the tide is low, as the closest distant to the shore is just about 100metres. Fun seekers will just ignore this and have their fun in this sunny island.
Currently, the island is closed for future quality housing developments. The only residents here are the coniferous trees and the breeze shuttling between trees. While some visitors watch over the waters with approving admiration.
Coming in by Waterway@Punggol direction, a red-soil route welcome you like the red carpet.
Pine trees, ripples with the wide horizon make up an account for Coney Island beyond words.
A pavilion with an irregular arc comes with semi-open concept allows viewers to capture the beautiful scenery at the same time to hide away from the rain and sun.
The inner side of the arc, laid with reflective aluminum ceilings, mirror the bleeding red ground and turn him to a blush!
Rest enough for the day, let’s carry on with the red carpet trail and explore the next destination.
56) Leave your footprints behind
When you visit Green Pavilion, Singapore Botanic Gardens, the easy environment not only keeps your mind free but the fresh air also leaves your lungs empowered with oxygen. The footpath leading to the basement car park is as enticing. The raw cement foot base is imprinted with bona fide leaves. I believe it must have something to do with this charming and creative organization (owner of the park) that is much into biodiversity.
Personally, I love Raphis leaves a lot. They’re always asking you for a dance with their swinging leaves.
The exotic Yam leaf with its broad shape reminds me of its undetachable relationship with the dew. Not forgetting the yummy yam underneath the soil that provides aplenty of nutrients and nourishes our taste buds.
This fan palm looks exactly like the straw fan I am holding now! Both have similar characters but different owners, but they are still standing green as eco-ambassadors.
Do stay a bit longer in a so-call un-expecting place in your next visit here. Listen to their Hellos before you take a life up to the outer green! Sometimes, your inner green is greener than others!
That is why I keep coming back to this little heaven; I just can’t get enough of it!
55) Crouching Tiger and the Hidden Dragon, Why are you hiding there?
The wood sculptures are display at the Green Pavilion, Singapore Botanic Gardens. They were carved from disused tree stumps with different hidden animals.
Perhaps they are happily gossiping behind us in their very own enclosure.
One here, trying to hide away from us!
Another one here!
At last, I caught a Dragon. Oh no! Is a Godzilla!
Beware! They always come in a pair.
Come on, don’t be as slow as the tortoise!
How many of them are there? Hmm…yet to figure out.
Oops! Is that an octopus or a snake or other thing else?
Are you the octopus or an “automated push button”?
Are there anymore?
Most probably the Tiger has escaped in the bush!
54) Wall of tombstones
If you happen in Fort Canning Center, you’ll see two brick walls on both sides that fill up with tombstones.
These tombstones was salvaged from the Old Christian Cemetery which established around 1819, and it was the first burial ground for westerners in Singapore.
You’ll able to see many pioneers of Singapore in the row of Heroes.
Mr. George Coleman may be watching me at somewhere, but I can’t locate him with certain disappointment!
Paying them the highest respect and honor.
Faces of glory.
At the Northwest direction, there are a few men standing for over hundred years.
The group of 12 graves are; Wladimir Astafiew, Elliot Charles Bovill, Nelson William Cashin, William Cuppage, Hans Hermann Eschke, Arthur D. Forbes, George Thompson Hare, Chik Hassan, LDMA Hooglant, Jean Rudolph Lambert, Lee Khia Soon, and William Ronaldson.
An old rain tree is their wisdom companion.
53) Circles of rainbow on the Bridge
Welcome to Alkaff Bridge, you are strolling on a rainbow now.
The Alkaff Bridge is a pedestrian Bridge spanning across the Singapore River in length 55m, height 35m. As the name suggested, it is related to the nearby Alkaff Quay. Alkaffs is also a wealthy Arab family who settled in Singapore during the early 20th century.
One side is connected to the “River Place” condominium.
The other side is connected to “The Quayside” condominium. What a home sweet home for these estate residents!
This bridge resembles a wooden boat (Tong Kang) is a gift from a lady artist, Pacita Abad (1946-2004) who transformed it to a rainbow bridge with an artist touch of joy and vibrant colors!
She used 120 liters for white base paint after scraping the old paint away. And subsequently, using 630 liters for two coats of 6 base colors for this Art piece.
And finally, applying 2,350 circle stencils, using 46 colors painted with hands. In addition to these, the railings are also full of wonderful circles.
Imagine staying in a home next to the rainbow friend…
Or a ferryboat passing by here and there outside your doorstep, what else do you ask for…?
52) Review the past with respect, gratitude and blessings at this moment of time
The Lim Bo Seng Memorial is located in Esplanade Park opposite City Hall, Padang. The Memorial in memory of this Chinese resistance war fighter whom sacrificed himself in exchange for dignity and peace.
Lim Bo Seng (24 April 1909 – 29 June 1944) was born in Fujian, China, happened to be the last year of the Qing Dynasty. He was the son of Lim Loh who was then a building constructor. Lim came to Singapore at the age of 16 and studied in Raffles Instituion under the British Colonial Government and subsequently further his studies in the University of Hong Kong.
Lim took over his father’s business when his father died in 1929. He started with two businesses in brick manufacturing and biscuit production and later ventured into building construction together with his brothers.
When second Sino-Japanese War broke out in 1937, Lim immediately participated in anti-Japanese activities. In 1942, Lim traveled to Sumatra with other Chinese community leaders and made his way to India. He recruited and trained hundreds of secrets agents through intensive military intelligence mission from China and India. He set up the Sino-British guerrilla task force (Force 136) in mid-1942 together with Captain John Davis of the Special Operations Executive (SOE). Unfortunately, Lim was captured by the Japanese at a roadblock in Gopeng around March-April 1944.
In 29 June 1944, he was tortured to death in Batu Gajah prison by the Japanese soldiers and buried behind the prison. The Chinese National Government awarded him Army Major General, 13 January 1946. Lim’s remains was brought back by his family to Singapore and buried in a hill in MacRitchie Reservoir.
In 1954, the Singapore government constructed a 3.5meter high monument in Esplanade Park to commemorate the sacrifices he made for the country.
This picture shows Mr. Lim and his member of Force 136, Mr. Tan Cheong Tee.
Flowers look upon a heroic soul.
And now, he is watching over the Marina Bay Sands, cheering for our Nation’s growth and developments.
If you happen to be in Esplanade Park, do pay a visit to this Fighting Warrior!
51) Throw up your New Year resolutions
Who dare to “Bungy” your New Year resolution in this way?
Get ready! And wish you all the best!
Smoke gets in your eyes!
One more time for stage effect!
And let’s go and let it go!
Up, up to the sky! (1st bounce)
Up, up swing, can’t hear your scream! (2nd bounce)
Down.. down again, hear you now! (3rd bounce)
Did you regret it or you like the thrills and spills? (4th bounce)
Come for Reverse Bungy in Singapore.
At the bank of Singapore River in Clark Quay, forget about the muddy water and the gloomy sky.
It is near the colorful MICA building, you can also follow the sound of people screaming to find it.
Make your reservations at this cart and make your resolution in the air!
50) Do you need a tailor for this New Year?
Pagoda Street got its name from the temple next door – Sri Mariamman Temple. It was one of the earliest streets of Singapore and was well known for its opium-smoking dens in the early 19th century. The street turned into a coolie-trading center in later part of the century and extended its role to coolie-station and in the mid-20th century turn itself as a textile/tailoring place.
“洋服” in Chinese literally means western style clothing, you can see in the picture they were many shop fronts written in this words. According to records, it has 18 tailor shops in the 50s along this street.
At one time, two brothers whose names Chan Cheak Tin and Chan Kai Kah own 5 tailor shops in the street, and all end with the name “Cheong”. In 1972, Queen Elizabeth II visited Pagoda Street.
And now, you may be able to have a glimpse of the historic background behind these Indian’s tailor shop.
A corner in the Chinese Heritage Museum reflects the typical front portion of the tailor shop.
Does the tailoring accessories remind you of the yesteryear of black and white?
How about the pendulum weight, ruler and measuring tape?
Middle portion of the shop reveals home-based lifestyles of the tailor. Sewing machine, baby hammock, the off-colored plastic carrier, does that hark back to some old memories?
How about the metal baby tram and the bicycle? Does that recall stories to our folks or childhood?
There is no sight of any water dispenser or fridge at this corner of the pantry. Perhaps, the feather duster looks quite similar.
Picture of stars! The paper cut-outs in the middle is the original famous Kung-Fu movie, acting out by Jack Lee now.
Kitchen reflects simple and prudent lifestyle of that era.
What about the condition of the lavatories? It’ll be an experience to use it then!
Today, the sunny area here welcomes all from, all walks of life.
And now, you can easily get a chilly authentic ice cream from the roadside cart. This is how I define “blessing”.
AddGrainOnEarth 