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30) Caring is the core of this festive season
The hall behind the Sri Mariamman Temple is a place to offer a reunion dinner to those new immigrants and the underpriviledged. Early days, immigrants from overseas go through hard life, many were earning token just to fill up their stomach. So it is understandable that they live alone and did not start a family. This temple was also used as a refuge camp to hold new immigrants. During Chinese New Year, you will see them gather here to celebrate the festive season irregardless of race or religion.
This is the front view of Sri Mariamman Temple. It is the oldest Hindu temple in Singapore. It was founded in 1827 and built to dedicate Mariamman, a Goddess, famous for her healing power of epidemic diseases.
Banana and mango leaves hanging over the temple door, welcome and purify visitors with a fresh reborn life.
Mango leave will withered after a few days and closed up by itself, this symbolizes a humble society, caring for the surrounding and to make way for their passing by.
Isn’t it sending a clear message across? Being caring and benevolent are the cores of this festive season!
Friend (25) – I am so glad you have grown up, my friend
On 21 August 2012, I posted a post on Peacock plant under ‘My Friend’ series. During that time, this plant was young and tender and I wish he’ll be growing happily like a kid.
6 months down the road, I heard him greeting me this morning. This one-foot tall kid greets me first thing in the morning. Before that, I don’t really pay attention on him. Reason being that I have too much things to care for in my secret garden. Also, too much thing to meddle on my daily job.
And to my surprise, this little kid has grown up to be a one-foot tall gentleman. When I talk about his greetings it’s as simple as just a warm stare at each other. I’m just too amaze about his speed of growing which is more than what I have expected!
There is a Chinese saying’无心插柳柳成阴”, literally means unintentional actions may bring unexpected success. I was truly enlightened by this word of wisdom!
Again, it is a sight I am looking for in this atmosphere of spring! It doesn’t matter how exuberant he is, or how much fruits he will be baring, I am looking at his uplifting spirits, his will to put enough effort to penetrate hardship and go through obstacles. Fruits or flowers are just extra bonuses!
29) Arrowhead & me
Planting arrowhead is famous among Cantonese tradition, as they believe keeping them for good luck and blessing. Sagittaria trifolia L is the scientific name for arrowhead plant. The name is related to the shape of the leaf when it’s mature.
In my young days, filling up pebbles or marble balls to decorate the pot is a joyful stuff to do. When the bulbs started to shoot up, tying a red ribbon around the stem is just like putting a color of red to your coming new year.
Arrowhead bulbs can be eaten as well. The usual way is to clean up the bulbs, slice it and fry it with sweet pork sausage. The texture is powdery, juicy and sweet. It is usually acceptable by most after a few try. According to some medical report, it has some medicinal properties too.
This year, I bought the bulbs quite late and foresee it will not shoot up on time. Nevertheless, am glad to see some new stalks turning green and some sign of growth. I believe it is the soul of my wish and I will keep it in my secret garden.
28) More than a cup of coffee
In the 60s, using plastic or Styrofoam cups is not a common sign comparing to the can you see in the picture. Nobody knew who started this wise and environmental friendly idea. Using the finished bottom-up milk tin for filling up coffee is a common scene along the street. Some worker hang the canned.
The process of making the can useable is easy. First open the can with a drill-opener, then allow a string to go through the hole of lid and hinge. Next, fill up the coffee and it’s done.
The tricky and amazing part of this is to press and slide the tin a little to allow the uneven lid edge to stay closed. Amazingly, the cover will wedge inward and you carry the canned coffee with the attached string. You may worry about spillage but after a few practice, you can’t agree more than this ingenius invention.
Process to enjoy the coffee is similar, pressured the tin and lift up the cover. The fragrance of the coffee is unleashed together with the smile on your face! Whatever the beverage is, I bet you will never forget the joy and the ethos behind.
After you have done with your drink, the most important thing to do is to wedge the lid back to the can, to ensure safety to cleaner who are clearing the rubbish bin.
Conversely these days, this environmental friendly method is no longer a common way to take away hot beverages as it is regarded not glamorous to some, to carry their drinks in a used can. Thus, the Styrofoam cups have replaced this tradition quietly. Before this is completely replaced and left in museum, I better take one before it’s gone with the wind.
Every single part of this, the string, the sharp cover edges, the sticky milk can, and the caution to carry it along the way home, make up an un-returnable journey with sweet wisdom and a wholesome me!
27) What flowers may spring choose?
When Lunar year arrive, you know spring is not far and potted plants start to grow from one corner to the other corner of a floral nursery. Most of the plants are imported, this shows that spring is boundless and able to stay in every single part of the world with non-returnable journey.
For sure, buying flowers for home deco is not a tradition only for Singaporean, isn’t it good to pay something in exchange for good blessings and happiness in return.
Mandarin oranges represent great auspicious.
Gomphrena globosa, commonly known as Globe Amaranth or Bachelor Button, literally means bloom for thousand in mandarin.
Celosia cristata, commonly known as cockscomb. Chinese believes luck will crown you throughout the year.
Pineapple literally means flourishing prosperity.
Buying back a Phalaenopsis, is just like holding a national heart.
Charming Chrysanthemum offer you a charming year.
Salix argyracea means money in homonym.
Gold berry, of course the golden exterior explain every things.
Pomegranate, was believed to have the ability to cleanse and protect your house from the evil.
So, what flowers may spring choose to be his public ambassador?
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.
30) Song of wild flowers
Wild flowers, my dearest wild flowers
Spring is your day
Spring is your mom
Spring is your holy faith
Poem within your palm
O!
Wild flowers, my wild flowers
Aren’t you turning down my admiration?
Aren’t you releasing my nuisance?
Aren’t you realizing a fool is waiting for your enlightenment?
Wild flowers, my dearest wild flowers!
Dawn is on you way
Dawn is by your side
Dawn never fade away
Praises within your lovely farm
O!
Wild flowers, my wild flowers
Wont you care about my admiration?
Won’t you release my sorrows?
Won’t you able to feel my sympathy?
Wild flowers, my dearest wild flowers!
Rippers living by your side
Rippers waiting for your ride
Rippers need your smile and make him bright
Pleasant within your kindly eyes
O!
Wild flowers, my wild flowers
Won’t you still be seeing me tomorrow?
Won’t you be able to?
Wont you able to speak softly to me again?
Tell me where is your 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!
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