19 Jul 2026 – Chinese,Eurasian,Singapore Culinary Indulgence

Thu: 客语HakkaYu/ParkwayParade founded in 2013 Guangzhou/China serving family-style Hakka cuisine –
Traditional HakkaPorkSoup 傳統客家豬肉湯 tasty clear soup
CantoneseCharSiu 廣式叉燒 too much fat for me

TraditionalCantoneseClaypotRice+CuredMeats 廣東臘味煲仔飯 decent
HakkaStuffedTofu客家釀豆腐 smooth tofu

CantoneseStirFriedChoySum 廣東生炒菜心 OK
HakkaPreservedVegetable+MincedPork 客家菜干扣絞肉 on the bland-side

Fri: in search of a good SIN-Laksa and KatongLaksa/George’sLaksa@307ChangiRd must be one of the favourites for me so far. A bowl of laksa can only shine with a spicy coconut-based soup, which is the soul of this Peranakan dish and most of them overshine with too much rich-coconut-milk but this one seems to find the balance. A great deal of preparation goes into making a Laksa –  traditional mortar to make the SpicePaste/Rempah, coconut milk is made daily for its freshness. Highly recommended and will most certainly return for more.

https://sg.style.yahoo.com/katong-laksa-george-george-solid-060048292.html

CnergyGasStation@DunmanRd with a wall-mural – must be the only one I know of where you can be served with coffee,beer,wine liquor…

All of Iraq’s oil fields are under U.S. control which is ironic considering all the gas stations here are run by Middle Easterners — Jay Leno

Sat: Quentin’sEurasianRestaurant – excellent RetuTintaChoka/BlackInkCalamariS$21 is a unique squid dish that stands apart from its Malay&Italian counterparts. Squid stewed in its own ink, Quentin’s version is made with chilli,garlic&onions to highlight the natural flavours of the squid. Unlike the Malay version which tends to be sweeter, spiced with lemongrass or chili. Or the Italian seppia al nero, rich&mellow with olive oil&wine which are also yummy.

DessertPlatter+Chendol
SugeeCake/almonds,butter,SemolinaFlour
Putugal/RiceCake w tapioca,coconut,banana,PandanEx;
Breudher/Dutch-influenced buttercake w fermented coconut-flower

TheEurasianAssociation has cancelled the open tender and extended the restaurant’s lease until 2027!  That said, the long-term future of Eurasian-cuisine is still uncertain, and continued support is more important than ever. This beautiful blue-and-white azulejos reminds me of the SãoBentoRailwayStation,Porto/Portugal but of course covering just a small of a wall instead of the all the walls from ceiling to floor.

Sun: appreciations with tkx to Theresa&CJ for scrumptions Sunday-Dinner@SoGood,Takashimaya/NgeeAnnCity. . https://sogood.sg/

WinterMelonSoup 冬瓜湯 long time ago since been served in a whole melon and this one done to perfection
Calamari lighty breaded and tender
RoastedChickenStuffed w GlutinousRice 糯米雞 excellent

Fish done in 2 different dishes – fresh enough for me to think about the days in Norway where fresh fish was the main diet.

Desserts – HKG PoloBun/PineappleBun 菠蘿包 despite the name does not contain pineapple but refers to the look of the characteristic topping which resembles the texture of a pineapple served with butter. RedDatesJelly紅棗果凍 RedBeansShavedIce 紅豆冰. Dinning with Theresa&CJ is always a delightful culinary experience.

Electricity tariffs have hit a record high here driven skyward by the MiddleEast conflict have pushed up the cost of producing electricity. For the Jul-Sep quarter, the household electricity tariff will rise by 17% adding ~S$17 a month to the average electricity bill for a 4room-HDB-flat. With this hot&humid weathers+with May for a work-visit, AC&washing machine on more than usual, looking forward to having her but not looking forward to higher power bills ahead – pix downloaded.

We believe that electricity exists, because the electric company keeps sending us bills for it, but we cannot figure out how it travels inside wires – Dave Barry

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/electricity-tariffs-fixed-price-plan-cna-explains-6227501

15 Jul 2026 – Power-Cleaning Art by Marcus Pang

Sun: woke late after a busy&overwhelming social week, did not see the burning of the paper offerings which probably happened last night but saw the cage set-up yesterday. Did not lose any sleep to learn that Norway lost to England 1-2. Oh well! you win some, you lose some and such is life and good that they made it that far. From cousinYatSoon/UK: looks like we will be on different sides in the football tonight! and my reply: HeiaNorge! but on the same sides where family&food are concerned – hahaha. To RY/HKG who will probably watch the soccer&tennis games – with such amazing screens+all kinds of systems there and what a view from his window, would probably not go out much if I had that – pix credits to RY

Mon: glad to see that someone is enjoying his lunch here on the ArtBench/Scienta=knowledge in latin@NationalLibrary, as long as he clears&cleans up his mess!

The only Chick-fil-A in SIN and my first visit today(opened Dec2025) – disappointed that they have not brought my favourite Chick-n-Strips on the menu, just had a ChocolateMilkShake. Will not be going there again until they bring in the Chick-n-Strips. USA family&friends have been asking if they are open 7days week here and today discovered that like in the USA, also closed on Sundays here.

Tue: early Tue grocery@Giant done by put away by 07.00hrs.Enjoyed this Teochew movie@GV/SingPostCentre DearYou 給阿嬤的情書=A LoveLetter to GrandmaS$5 abit of a tear-jerker but feel-good flick about family&memories on decency,letter-writing,loyalty,misunderstanding – worth while the time despite only seats avaliable were in the 2nd-row from the screen and having to read subtitles! CoffeeMilkShake take-away treat from Swensen’s to reflect on it – wow 2Milkshades within 2days! Happy Bastille Day to those celebrating&marking the day. Read that that tourism is up 30-40% in Chaoshan,E-Guangdong/China where this movie was filmed.

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/i-am-still-malaysian-why-the-hit-film-dear-you-struck-a-chord-with-chinese-malaysians

People will now go to films with subtitles, you know. They’re not afraid of them. It’s one of the upsides of text-messaging and e-mail. Maybe the only good thing to come of it – Kristin Scott Thomas

Short stroll to Bus13-stop/SimsAve to discover this ParkConnector under the MRT-line where the MRT gets above ground. Welcome May and looking forward to having her work-visit here.

Happy Bday KeithW,one of my of Irish-friends from our Dublin-school-days and as he so eloquently(being Irish with a gift of the gab!) puts it – indeed we are not getting younger but heading towards 80s and not that we feel old but do get a shock at the mirror – hahaha! ThankU with appreciations for a most memorable stay 2021 Etourvy/France where we swam&drank champagne,driving around in the 2CV standing up on the seat singing,playing on a grandpiano in tasteful refurbished old farmhouse. Blessed to have visited now that it will be put on the market for sale but the memory stays and will never be on sale and most grateful for us crossing paths in this life-journey. https://amylamsg.com/2012/08/21/etourvy/

Wed: on MarineCresent by the postbox – interesting PowerCleaningArt by MarcusPang who told me that his message NeverGiveUp on the sidewalk in time for NationalDay will fade within 6months but let’s hope that HOPE never fades and also hope that this idea of clean art can also stay. Now see the original colour of the sidewalk underneath the layers of tear&worn over the years since 1975 – hahaha! Good job Marcus, carry on…

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/power-washer-flooded-with-support-business-inquiries-after-smrt-removes-artwork-near-mountbatten

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope — Martin Luther King Jr

11 Jul 2026 – Food Glorious Food

Wed&Thu: need to rest&recover after busy days with cultural exhibits,opera,etc+eating&walking. Time to reflect over how blessed we are to be able to be grateful experiencing & living a good peaceful life here despite of the hot&humid weathers! McD&OldChangKee debut CurryBurger+Fries collab for NationalDay from 9July. Will give it try for a bite if any of the younger gen are getting them but not sure about this combination?? Pix downloaded.

The most powerful social media… it is not the internet, it is not Facebook – it is food. This connects all human beings – Alex Atala

https://www.straitstimes.com/life/food/mcdonalds-and-old-chang-kee-debut-curry-burger-and-fries-collab-for-national-day-from-july-9

Enjoy food and good InternationalCuisines but taste is personal and seems that nearly everybody has their own favourites dishes,places,etc and still learning&tasting around to find my own favourite dish for the different foods, thus impossible for me to pin-point where is the best eatery as there are so many different dishes to suit our individual palates&moods. Here in SIN, we are blessed with endless eateries to try whenever&whatever is affordable within your lifestyle.

Food is not just fuel. Food is about family, food is about community, food is about identity. And we nourish all those things when we eat well – Michael Pollan

After a new law is passed, those caught holding a smartphone while driving could get into trouble even if they were not using the phone. The tightening of laws is in response to its roads becoming less safe which is true but not sure if there are other ways to get ppl off their phones and to be more aware of their surroundings? Have observed that most ppl are on their phones even when walking on the sidewalks or sitting at bus&MRT-stops while waiting where some kind bus-drivers honk when passing by! Pix downloaded.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/jail-fine-those-caught-holding-042641981.html

Fri: appreciations with tkx to Gel for a delightful Oyster&Wine evening@FairPrice/PP and ppl must have caught on – remember just about having the place to ourselves when we were there when it started some years ago.

Sat: what a pleasant surprise to receive a message from CK that he is in the area – have not seen him for years and despite the stomach not at its best after last night’s feasting! wanted to catch up since he is in the hood. Had a cuppa while he had Bfast@MT-market/KwayTeowSoup and even has a thermo-backpack to take-away for his parents. What an amazing young man who takes good care of his parents who also sounds to be a lovely couple(my age)and its no wonder they have a son like him. Have always enjoyed his cycle trips on the StravaApp he shares on FB. https://www.strava.com/activities/19262143002/flyover

Tkx thanks to my amazing bro who made scrumptious BlackPepperCrabs+his SteakRochalie. Appreciations to Chris for driving me back to the EastSide. Here is to his latest gadget, an ElectricWineShaker+Built-inAeratorDecanter for ppl who has everything for wine – hahaha!

7 Jul 2026 – NParks and Gardens by the Bay/GBB

Tue: SGF(started in 2006)10th edition organised by NParks and Gardens by the Bay/GBB from 4-12Jul returns to GBB since 2018, previously held@Suntec&SBG. https://sgf.nparks.gov.sg/ Would usually do my best to attend, flowers being another F-word on the top of my favourite list and a treat to celebrate Norway’s win over Brazil.

Memories of helping to set up many of these festivals including the first one in 2006 when a group of us ~0300hrs had to walk down the circular carpark@Suntec staircase as the whole building was locked. Was so tired checking then into a new Hotel81 on MiddleRd for a shower+few hours of sleep before heading back to complete the setup! One of my all-time favourites where Flora Meets Fashion displayed then SGF 2010@Suntec. 

09.30hrs MRT-MT-sta-GBB diversion walk away from the river(constructions for F1) into the park – no worries when in no hurry and no crowds around this section.

With SeniorResDiscount S$7.20 entrance into the FlowerDome for the OrchidExtravaganza.

Dragon, peacock+many more motives.

Some of the prize-winners.

Still enjoying the permanent displays watching the rains running down the glass dome.

First Shake&ShackLowCarbBeefBurger (belated 4Jul treat since I did not get one then!) with a ChocolateShake for lunchS$19.20 and this rooster must be glad that it is not a ChickenBurger despite it not crossing the road – hahaha

Was not aware that it cost another S$7.20/Senior for entry to the SGF – first display when entering from near the SuperTreeGrove is the FloralMirrorMaze, there seems to be many entrances near the car-parks around the whole park.

Good job to the participating CommGroups for their QuantumFair3026.

Nice ideas at MyLivingSpace for condo or HDB-living – no intentions for any responsibilities to care for any other life than my own for now!

FloralDesigning: from SIN and from Korea’s winner.

ShowGardens: TokonomaGarden,BeneathThe Stars,BetweenThe Lines.

FloraWindows: Germany/GrandChampion.

Very pleasant on this hot day thru’ the FloralVotex in the mist.

Ending at these MotionSensorInstallations which are probably pretty at night when the lights are on – exiting towards the Meadow-Carpark/BaySouth.

Thanks for this 2026SGF and grateful to get off the concrete paths to peaceful quiet boardwalks to myself where these fatigued but HappyFeet likes to be on.

PlantersMarket: not too bad a crowd but did not meet any old familiar faces@OSSEA.

MRT-Bayfront-sta–NichollHighway–bus196. Been a long while ago since being on the feet on the go for ~6hrs, no complains when there is still energy,interest&mood to be out galavanting!

We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses – Abraham Lincoln

Back to the old faithful CanonCamera – old iPhone from May which has battery issue and when taking more than 5pix wearing the battery down giving a black&blank screen! Lost the newer version from Clement in Penang and now tkx to him always a battery charger with me just for phone calls&messages! Grateful to have these younger Gen to help out with High-Tech…

6 Jul 2026 – Ottoman Empire

Fri: again Bus196(both rides from last night&today were pleasant-smooth-joyrides with good drivers, hopefully feedbacks to SBS&SMART helped!)to the QUE-link-overpass crossing CollyerQuay this time with a cuppaS$2.30@FunToast. No ice-cream today – too long lines out in the sun…

ACM for the three great empires/Mughals,Safavids,Ottomans from the 16-18Century which shaped a vast&interconnected world across Asia. This period marked the height of their influence, even as European expansion reshaped global trade&politics within&between these empires.

Amazing&tasteful displays of their master pieces conveying the remarkable beauty,culture,wealth,etc – appreciations to Musée du Louvre+many others who contributed to this exhibition.

Cup: Turkey/mid 16C,jade.gold.rubies
Quran: Terengganu/18-19C,paper,ink,colour&goldpigments,leather binding
DaggerWithHorseheadHilt: India/17-18C,RockCrystal,gold,silver,rubies,emeralds

While@ACM, also took time to re-visit the – KhooTeckPuatGallery is the permanent home for the cargo recovered from the Tang Shipwreck/Level1

Wonderful display where it is bright enough to see these objects in details without squinting! Do enjoy popping in here when in the area without crowds and when time permits to check on the PEACE-Bowl(named by me!)and the exquiste GoldBracelet with discreet floral designs from ~830s/China.

Ancestors,Rituals&Belief/Level2

Sent a note to KK who was the first director here, and finally I now understand why he is collecting feathers – to get enough for his Ceremonial-War-Clothings, hahaha! https://www.acm.nhb.gov.sg/

Museums should be places where you raise questions, not just show stuff – William Thorsell

Walked by the outside of VictoriaConcertHall to discover BroJoe’s Chuan calligraphic sculpture and if the memory serves correctly, there was a large one at the InterContinentalHotel many years ago! First-tasting@RempapaCafe/NationalGallery,decent set NasiLemakLunch with an extra side of MackeralOtahS$17.27 including 20%discount after 14.00hrs otherwiseS$21.23, – enough food to take-away for dinner.

Sat: Happy 4th to USA/250yrs ready for the future or facing its age? Missing my favourtie FuddruckersBurgers, but will be happy for a yummy LowCarbLettuceWrapBurger/Carl’sJunior today – pix downloaded.

Australian fashion and lifestyle retailer CottonOn has closed its store at Velocity@NovenaSq, and is shutting its outlet at Nex/SerangoonC. Been to some of the CottonOn once or twice, have not bought anything and do not shop there! Pix downloaded. https://www.straitstimes.com/business/cotton-on-shuts-two-singapore-stores-as-leases-expire

GoldenV to close@PlazaSIN outlet in Aug after 28yrs – will miss it when there running errands and sometimes catching the big screen when there is something worth for me to watch! Pix downloaded.  https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/living/golden-village-plaza-singapura-closing-gv-585341

TaylorSwift marrying the boy TravisKelce on the football team – pix downloaded. Not a Swift fan but #5James is and to keep up with some of the latest hip-news with the grandkids’ interests in some way to keep&relate the bond&contact with them.  https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/taylor-swift-travis-kelce-donate-millions-charities-585471

Sun: appreciations with thanks for Sunday-Family-dinner@Rochalie/foods clock-wise Pork,Squid,Clam,Shrimp,Soup, Steak,Veggie+Rice,Fish,Chicken – blessed to have a bro who makes the best steak, likes good food and likes to cook. My X-Steinway there desperately needs tunning for Kai who might show some interest – must try to rememeber to bring my tunning fork next time there…

Mon: woke ~04.30hrs to pee, turned on the laptop to see that Brazil was leading 1 against Norway – somehow dozed off, waking ~07.30hrs to my surprise that Norway has beatened Brazil against the odds! Had to double-checked to make sure that it was not a dream or too tired with amazment&excitment to head to the SGF this morning despite not being a soccer fan!

HeiaNorge OMG! such exciting news to wake to – ErlingHaaland has scored a quick brace to kick Brazil out of the FIFA-WorldCup2026. Congratulations to Norway for beating Brazil 2-1 – had all my fingers&toes crossed for them all of last night for WorldCup2026 round-of-16 showdown@MetLifeStadium,EastRutherford, NJ/USA.

Few had expected Norway(not expecting but hoping in my case!) to beat the powerful Brazilian team, which has won the WorldCup five times. Norway has only qualified for the WorldCup twice before, and the last time was 1998/28yrsago. That’s when it also beat Brazil 2-1 at what was dubbed the Miracle in Marseilles/France.

With Brazil fifth-ranked look to reach the quarterfinals for the ninth WorldCup competition in a row but ErlingHaaland scored a brace to send his side to the WorldsCup quarterfinals for the first time in their history, and they will face England on Sat11Jul17.00hrs/USA-EastenTime@HardRockStadium,MiamiGardens,FL/USA – all FIFA pix downloaded.

People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day – AA Milne. Hahaha!

https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/viking-row-arrives-in-singapore-as-fans-celebrate-norways-world-cup-win-over-brazil

2 Jul 2026 – Farewell to Ambassador SarahMcGrath

Mon: 4yrs has gone by quickly – Wed31Aug2022 was a historic day here in SIN as the first female and 7th Irish Ambassador to SIN, Ambassador SarahMcGrath presented her credentials to the first female President of SIN, President HalimahYacob then. Farewell to Ambassador SarahMcGrath and safe journeys back to Dublin/Ireland.

https://amylamsg.com/2014/05/11/irish-ambassadors-in-sin/

Be a part of all that is decent and be an ambassador for the kind of world that you want to live in – Julie Andrews

Thu: looking forward to tonights Puccini’s MadamaButterfly@VictoriaTheatre – last here was