postaday
31) What so special about this tree?
An usual tree that is unusual
This tree may look normal to us. It is a tree of tropical rainforest which require humid climate though it can withstand dry season.
It is as special as its dedication to Mr Nelson Mandela, President of Africa who visited the Singapore Botanic Gardens 15 years ago, on 5th March 1997.
This Giant Cola Tree is among one of the Tree of Fame in the gardens
The extracts from nuts of related species are used in cola drinks and food items. The cola nuts contain caffeine. Chewing cola nuts can also ease hunger pangs and was thought to be remedies for whooping cough and asthma.
This is certainly an usual tree that is very unusual.
9) Story about HWA (Handicaps Welfare Association)
A stroll to Handicaps Welfare Association (HWA), located in Whampoa, Singapore is my weekly visit to my volunteer work with the association. HWA was founded in 1969, with a group of 23 philanthropists. An organization run by people with disabilities and for people with disabilities. An organization aims to promote self-help and mutual support to themselves and others.
After 43 years, HWA has 42 full time staff and they extend their contributions in rehabilitation, educational classes, welfare assistance, driving lesson for the disabled.
A wall painted art piece delighting the entrance of this caring ground.
Staffs helping member repositioning to the ground.
This picture shows a corner of the Rehabilitation Center, where some members are doing the therapy.
Today, a group of toddlers from a nearby kindergarten paid a visit to HWA center, an officer-in-charge explaining how the center operates and works and what we can do to help and contribute to the members of the center.
Architectural room providing Architectural drafting training assisting members to pick up extra skill and integration to community.
In this Art Room, you’ll discover they are more able than anyone else.
Drop of rain, bring about a life with countless crack of dawn, can be found here.
30) Where is this sculpture?
“SWING ME MAMA” Sculpture
The beautiful art piece named “Swing Me Mama” is located next to the swan lake of the Singapore Botanic Gardens
It is made of serpentine spring stone. The sculptor, Dominic Benhura from Zimbabwe created this beautiful piece of work through the inspiration of his kids while he was trying to swing them.
And now, both father and child are swinging and dancing together next to the Swan Lake, emitting and sharing the happiness they had together to visitors day in, day out.
29) Where is this sculpture?
“Chang Kuda” Sculpture
The “Chang Kuda” Sculpture happily enjoying themselves in the Singapore Botanic Gardens. It is situated directly opposite the swan lake below a small hill.
“Chang” in Malay describes “piggyback” where “Kuda” means “horse”. So, it literally means “piggyback on a horse”.
It is a famous childhood game during the 50s and 60s.
This is the work of Sculptor CHONG FAH CHEONG
2) The 5-Dollars Note Tree
This Tembusu tree is located in Singapore Botanic Gardens, it is best known as The 5-dollars Note Tree. It is believed that the tree was there well before the Gardens were laid out in1859.
Whenever you mention about a 5-dollars note, almost everyone in the nation will relate the sweet and joyful story about the tree. Kids and adults find it irresistible to park themselves on the lower part of the broad branch and taking photos with this chivalrous tree is a familiar task to most of us.
The branch of the tree grown wide and as it is politely lowered with not more than 6 inches before it touches the ground.
As years go by, the wise turn wiser, the old turn older. Crutches may have become the evidence of a wisdom man.
Now, the gracious wise tree has been conserved by the National Parks under the Heritage Trees Scheme.
8) “Dragon” playground
Following 3 decades, this “Dragon” design playground was born during the 70s to 90s and is still playing on his own, in this little heartland. Together with those newbies that came along with plastic finishes and rubber floor mats, I supposed he is the oldie in the group, looking untouched throughout the traces of the years standing on his sand-based ground.
Paying respect not only to his age, but also to what he has made it to a list of “15 Amazing Playgrounds From All Over The World” which was compiled by magazine website Flavorwire.
With the remaining of the other three “Dragon” design playground, he is the only one left with sand based.
I am not sure how he feels to stand-alone here, but I am very sure he has many followers and passer-by to pay him a visit and a warm Hi! Reminiscing what a great childhood we had with this guy!
This little cute “sea horse” design resembles a little bone’s shaker, smiling at all ages.
7) “Rainbow” HDB Flats
The “Rainbow” art painted public flat constructed by the Housing Development Board (HDB), I believe there are not many left in this century, where all new overruns the old.
Besides complimenting the art piece, my little mind makes me wonder how the gigantic arc was painted on this big piece of concrete canvas? And how brilliant the designer was indeed. We hardly look up to see a beautiful rainbow, why not stay a bit longer before we turn to the next page of the History.
A semi-circular open protruding staircase, hardly come across them apart from some HDB flats belonging to the same era.
1) The Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator
The sculpture reflects Jesus carrying a cross to sacrifice his life in order to protect his holy spirit.
The Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator, the oldest Christian Church in Singapore. It is sited at the foot of Fort Canning Hill along Hill Street. The founder of this Church is an Armenian community living in Singapore in the 18th Century.
A few persons in this Armenian community must be named, they are the Sarkies brothers, Archak, Aviet and Tigran who were also responsible for the founding of the Raffles Hotel, the E&O Hotel in Penang and the Strand in Yangon. Another person is Agnes Joaquim, the horticulturist who discovered Singapore first hybrid orchid in 1893 which today is known as Vanda Miss Joaquim as Singapore National Flower. And also, Catchik Moses, the founder of The Straits Times, Singapore’s national English newspaper started in 1845, but one year later he sold it away as the press is not profiting.
The abovementioned personalities were buried behind the Memorial Garden behind the church. The tombstones were brought over when the Bukit Timah Christian Cemetery was exhumed in 1988 and now they are the Angels of this tranquil holy garden and holy land.
This beautiful building design by George Drumgoole Coleman, the man behind many Singapore’s historical buildings in the colonial era. Now, the building is design by shades of memories.
1) Attention to my Dearest Nominators and Followers
Hi, my Dearest Nominators
I have been searching all corners of myself
To look for a beautiful reason to say I’m sorry
I open up my drawer
And I see emptiness in the diary, waiting for me to infuse
I open up my safe
And I see another emptiness in the figures, which is no longer safe
I open up my sky
Trying to find out the mixture of East and West
I open up my image album
Attempting to figure out how shabby I am
For the time being
I am still searching
For a beautiful reason to say sorry
If I have turn you down and have let you down
Hi, my Dearest Followers
I have been looking all corners of myself
Searching for a beautiful land to greet you with proper delight Hi
I open up my book cabinet
Started swimming into the ocean of knowledge
I open up your book cabinet
Dive in and almost get drown
I open up our book cabinet
And I saw a smile and warm handshake
I open up our National cabinet
Flattered by this gigantic book filled up with people with knowledge at all age.
Well, for the time being,
I am still searching
For a beautiful land to greet you with proper Hi
28) Where is this sculpture?
Sculpture outside URA
This sculpture can be found outside URA-Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Building in Singapore.
This sculpture is a symbolic of the Sam Shui Woman (红头巾) in memory of their selflessness contributions to our country.
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