Singapore Spot a Spot / 点出景点
49) Last day of the year in the Gardens
This Gazebo sitting next to the Swan Lake, designed in Victorian style with cast iron material. It was originally built in 18th century at Grange Road. It was later on been re-erected in 1969 and relocated to the entrance of Botanic Gardens. Finally, in 2010 it was shifted next to the Swan Lake.
I wish this would be his final home, as to get a favorite ground like this is not as easy as you could choose. Memories, surroundings and atmosphere are considerations.
What is it like sitting on this timber bench, well washed by weather? Well, while enjoying watching the lonely swan surfing from one end to the other; waving at the surfing boat passing by; or even meeting a new friend could be a valuable insight for some.
The Gazebo with a dark gray body, exudes the calm and tranquility of the landscape even more.
Only one single swan is onboard today, I see that the others are all out for their party preparations or are they somewhere reciting their incantations for a better new year ahead…?
Come close to Frederick Chopin and his lover seated near the Symphony Lake, a few hundreds meters away from the Swan Lake. While Chopin is engaged in his keys and notes, his lover looks on. Symphony Lake is filled with emptiness now, but with the looming notes of Chopin, a brand new year awaits her. Shall we ask Frederick for some inspiration?
And I am sitting next to the lotus, good enough for my companion to comfort me, on the last day of 2012! Cheers!
48) Would you like to have a new curtain for 2013?
This is not a curtain, is a root!
This is the root of Cissus sicyoides, it is also commonly known as Curtain Ivy or Princess Vine. This beautiful lady carries long reddish roots that forming a dense lacy curtain.
It looks like a Mammoth from far, but I am sure she is much more gentler.
This amazing plant is not the true Ivy but is a close relative of grape family.
Traditionally, it can be used to treat rheumatism, ulcer and diabetes. To me, this is the most elegant doctor I ever met.
So would you like to have this kind of curtain for 2013?
47) Tembusu Tree Speaks You and Me
Tembusu tree is one of the popular trees you can find along the roadside of Singapore. It can grow up to 40m in height with it large and evergreen portray. This tree in the picture is located next to the footpath, which heading Ginger Garden, Singapore Botanic Gardens. Besides being a Heritage tree, it also serve as an appreciation to The Shaw Foundation in supporting for the Garden City Fund.
This huge tree bears creamy fragrant flowers that attract moths in the evening when the party starts.
It grows small and orange berries that I believe is nothings to do with Christmas.
It can grow to a very large size on poor soil and low branches will develop when the tree left unpruned.
Let’s be strong and hardly like this guy, carry on the battlefield in 2013.
46) We are all shouting out loud in IKEA
We are not going to be like this dull fellow anymore.
I want to be a prosperous flowerpot, making your word and world upside down!
I want to be the up and coming Christmas super star, shining on your wall and ground
I want to be a dangling dancing cushion, making your home look smart and smitten!
I want to be a jelly cup, filling up rainbows in your stomach!
I want to be an Eco reindeer, waiting for Santa happy cheers!
I want to hang myself in a graceful way, leading you all the way to Christmas Day!
I want to clean your space with my creativity, as this is my duty.
We want to be the flag of IKEA, joining force to capture your heart!
And enjoy a colorful dream at dark!
Here you come, a brand new you after walking out from IKEA and after knowing us!
45) I lost my Christmas Tree this Christmas
I asked a mangrove tree, he presented me with a creative idea in return.
I asked a poster, which told me the story of the forest.
Asked a tortoise, which told me it is not in the water.
Asked an autumn leaf, which told me it is not far away.
Asked the fern trees, they reply “aren’t we gorgeous enough?!”
Asked the restaurant staff, they showed me the Christmas set meal.
Asked a delicate flower, she said, “I am not a tree”.
Asked a mini-waterfall, he said, “I couldn’t hear you”.
Asked a cannon ball tree, he said, you could take me as the ornaments.
Asked an antique clock, he told me time is running out.
So, so, where is my Christmas tree? Is it hidden with you somewhere?
I lost my Christmas tree….lost it in the Singapore Botanic Gardens
44) I can’t find my way back home!
This is not an ordinary street buzzing with pushcarts selling souvenirs in the core of Chinatown. It has a certain background we should recall or try not to recall…the Sago Street.
Sago Street alias “sei yang gai” in Cantonese refers to “street of the dead”. Back to the last century, funeral parlours stretching from one end to another are not an uncommon sight.
In the funeral living room, you see bodies covered merely with cloth lying on pallets in open cubicle, each with a table placed with offering items. As the shops are usually small and dimly lighted, the atmosphere then was chilly and creepy. It is definitely not for the feeble hearted.
When I was young, I remember having to pass by a few lying bodies just to reach the toilet situated right behind the backyard of the shop. To me, attending funeral wake is always a hair-raising event. It’s a frightening experience and one that left a deep impression behind.
The picture was captured in the Chinatown Heritage Centre at Pagoda Street (a few lanes away from Sago Street) depicting the bitterness of life during that century.
Those offerings are the basic needs for the deceased, it’s offered to serve them with a better life at the other side of the world.
Today, if your soul traveled back home from the other side of the world, you maybe surprised by the overwhelming tourist crowd, waking you up next to the side of your soul bed. Or maybe you would consider starting a new life again, this time with a more graceful surrounding.
43) Please drop me a card this Christmas!
You may be able to spot this pillar post box at the Fullerton Heritage Gallery at The Fullerton Hotel. But these are the last two left since 1873, which were specially shipped from Great Britain. These special pillar post boxes feature the EIIR (Elizabeth II Regina) British Royal Cipher on its door as symbol of the ruling monarchy at that time when the pillar post boxes were produced.
In 2001, the Fullerton Hotel has transformed himself from a General Post Office to a super star Hotel. It was during that time that the post box was preserved as his iconic memories!
The other pillar post box is still serving the public outside Singapore Philatelic Museum. It stands in front of the museum welcoming people from all over the world.
And this handsome guy in the Fullerton Hotel, is gladly asking if you would like to drop him a card this Christmas!
This FLOOR COMPASS shows you the direction to your destination.
Whether you are going Hong Kong or Saigon, it takes you over thousands of kilometers from this direction
Or you want the distant Cairo or the nearby Penang?
My home Sydney or neighbor Auckland?
42) We are non-ordinary buildings (Part 2)
Is a numerical figure prominent in this particular row of buildings?
A closer look can make one guess what the number is? Though, the view might be block by some building beneath.
Yes, it is number 13. This is on the exterior of Conrad Centennial Singapore. The number 13 in Cantonese coincidently sounds like “实生”, and it means “sure to survive” or some interpret it as “sure to prosper”. However, this could be tittle-tattle, the number 13 could have belonged to a Friday!
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.
AddGrainOnEarth 