tourist spot in singapore
For you, for sparrow, for me!
Spotted a Pacific Sparrow at MacRitchie Reservoir. It stood on the lamppost tip without assuming my presence.
Pacific Sparrow is one of the commonly seen feathered friends in Singapore. It has orange neck with short scissors tail. Vigilant and does not station at a place for long.
This feathered being seems to love photography. So much so that it allows me to snap a few shots of him in a row.
After a well-deserved break, it took off for its air show again.
When he’s done with his show, he returned for this silly photographer, asking “are you putting me up in Youtube?”
What are the things on and above the grass field?
When space allowed, the open space grass field next to the Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) station is always able to accommodate many kinds of activity.
Pasah Malam (night market), mobile circle, exhibitions and religion ceremonies are some of those frequent activities I could remember.
This in fact is a good and smart idea for space optimization. The day in day out route draws great attention for community bond, at the same time linked up social awareness as well.
The ceremony here is held outside Eunos MRT station where a Taoism religious celebration took place. The on going Teo Chew Chinese opera performance is a form of showing gratitude to gods while audience enjoy in appreciation.
The wooden throne seats catered for heavenly gods are cart by disciples while it swings in trance. Simple decorations those days were replaced by modern days decorative technology and creativities. Seats are litten up with colors of neon and eyes-catching blinkers.
When the field is empty after the day of activities, what is the something that will draw your attention from above?
A tale of Orang Laut and Singapore River
According to legend based on the history of pre-Rafflesian time of Singapore, Orang Laut or Sea Gypsies was the communities who lived ‘in the numerous bays, inlets ad creeks surrounding Singapore.’
Half of them lived on water, in little canoes that could scarcely stretch themselves. The water lodgings were equipped with 1 or 2 cooking pots, earthy jars and mats made of pandanus leaves that allowed shading from sun and rain.
They spent most of their time on boat, where birth, marriage and death took place therein. As they were accustomed to life on the boat, they are easily recognized with their wadding gait on land.
The other half of these people lived in huts on the banks near Kallang River and at the wider portion of Singapore River.
During the times of British settlement, Major-General William Farquhar (1774-1839), the First Resident and Commandant of Singapore was appalled by the Orang Laut wearing no clothes, so he distributed money, clothes and rice to them. Their children were terrified by the newcomers, merchants, laborers from all over the world.
One even jumped into the sea and got drowned when people approached near their boats.
And now, if you attempted to jump into the water, hoping to stay closer to the legendary tale, I think that is the only best reason I could agree upon.
Such an inviting Amphitheatre
Botanic Garden Amphitheatre is part of the unbeatable attraction in this national park of Singapore. It is open to park visitors at all times but provides Orchestra occasionally. This spaceship-like stage is sponsor by Shaw Foundation. The curve lining of the roof is blend perfectly with charming wind and musical notes.
Whenever there is a performance, audience from all places gather here with their family, sit on the lawn, under the wonderful fresh air and enjoy the pleasure of the sound of music. Without any sound acoustic, playing music surrounding nature, this is the most original form of our heart beat!
The stage is surrounded with a waterlily pond, with beautiful flowers blooming all year round.
Frederick Chopin is always there to be a musical inspirer and guidance.
So, why would you want to turn his invitation down!
Tanjong Rhu suspension footbridge
Tanjong Rhu Bridge is the first suspension footbridge in Singapore. It was built in 1998, spanning across the Geylang River to ease the residents and footers for traveling between National Stadium and Tanjong Rhu estate.
It was built at the construction cost of S$5.1 million, its span 130m long and 4 m wide.
The bridge is suspended by 100 number of hangar cables that are 1 inch thick and attached to two main cables that are 4.5 inches thick.
The main cables are anchored to a huge 19m high “A” like frame that located at both ends of the footbridge.
If you travel along the Geylang River side, don’t forget to spend a visit to the iconic metal footbridge. You’ll never regret your riverside walk.
A calm river at Geylang
Geylang River project is part of the Public Utility Board’s (PUB), Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters (ABC Waters) Programme.
This programme allows the river water to transform into clean water with vibrancy.
Kallang Basin is the merging point for Kallang, Geylang and Rochor River. After 10 years of project cleaning up from 1977 to 1987, we must be thankful to the authority involved for the returns of the original face of the water body.
Now, both sides of the warehouse had been demolished. It is left with trees, green and beautiful memories to make up the beautiful nature landscape of the riverbank.
Magnificent Bull
The “Magnificent Bull” bronze sculpture is located outside at the visitor center, Marina Gardens By the Bay.
Sculptor Walter Matia was born in Maryland, United states. Graduate in Massachusetts with degrees in Biology and Art Design.
This is a true belief to be why he has a full collect of animal’s sculptures.
As Walter says,” I am a hunter, a fisherman, a bird watcher, a book collector, a lover of natural history curiosities, an undisciplined dog trainer, and some say, a good game cook. I enjoy these passions-which have their own rewards; but they also provide the narratives of my art. I am not searching for more facts, they can be had in abundance from secondary sources; I am trying to understand the whole sense of a place.”
Which species would you like to pick?
4 types of graphical species define the location of the parking lot in Gardens By the Bay’s car park basement.
Would you like to choose a jumpy frog for your car-park lot?
Or, how about a gorgeous dragonfly?
What about a lovely butterfly?
Or you prefer fish n chip?
The “Meridian” of Gardens By the Bay
Gardens By the Bay comprises 2 conservatory cooling complex, “Cloud Forest” is on the left, where “Flower Dome” is on the right.
The construction of these two glasshouses is built in free columns and having large glass roof without any interior supports. This has to do with engineering expertise.
The “Meridian” of the structures made up by thousands of trusses and glass joints.
It forms interesting pattern on the ceiling.
It portrays dynamic and vibrant in color.
You may able to spot Marina Bay Sands at certain angle.
Would you able to reach the ridge?
Thousands on slight bends make up thousands of miracles.
1,2,3 of the Botanic Visitor Centre
One – I love the elegant clock tower given by Lady McNeice. It provides a resting place for visitors and admirers like us.
Two – The rows of ferns trees welcoming you with their pure clean color.
Three – Looking up to the face of the fern tree, asking anyone of them if they can shade my shoulders.
Four – The canon ball tree, asking him if someone is coming after me.
Five – The mini waterfall that likes speaking to me in his own language.
Lastly, the turtles are the ones that never turn me down.
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