19 Apr 2013 – Public Transport & Places

Thought that for once this will be a posting completely about SIN, but sadly more bad news from the US: ‘Like a nuclear bomb’, deadly fertilizer plant blast devastates Texas town…

AsiaOne.com: the Government’s latest move to ease congestion during peak hours by rolling out free train travel to the city before 7.45am has been applauded by some commuters.

But others were sceptical about whether the dangled carrot of monetary savings would be enough to make people leave for work earlier. This is because some employers may not be flexible enough to allow their staff to start – and end – work earlier. Early birds could end up working longer hours.

So will this be a solution to help ease with the crowds? Time will show. Whatever, but will not be with the crowds. In some countries, seniors go FOC on public transport. Hope that it can happen here soon! Pix above are downloaded from various sites. Walking will be my choice if caught in rush hours!

Was in Plaza SIN to catch a movie and took these pix of the lines for this recently opened Tim Ho Wan 添好運 Dimsum. A chain of dimsum restaurants from HKG helmed by Chef Mak Kwai Pui, which has earned itself an entry in the Michelin guide with their delectable dimsum. No matter how fantastic their dimsum are, NOT about to Q for hours. Perhaps when the novelty dies down, might find time to give it a bite!

Being a local production and in spite of the title, Judgement Day**with Mark Lee, one my favourite SIN actors, had to see it! A doomsday drama centring on several characters as they decide to share their deepest secrets when it is believed that doomsday will happen in 72hrs. Miraculously, doomsday did not happen and everyone survives. While the whole world rejoices; for those who made irreversible decisions, it is the end of their previous world…

Conclusion: with the downloaded above pix of Chinatown, Botanic Gardens and Bugis, people in SIN (and most of Asia) seem to like crowds and to stand in lines… 🙂

Where ever you may find yourself, even in crowds or Qs, have a wonderful weekend.

Solitude is strength; to depend on the presence of the crowd is weakness. The man who needs a mob to nerve him is much more alone than he imagines – Paul  Brunton

17 Apr 2013 – Why Why Why 🙁

With a heavy heart in a world of turmoil…

http://amylamsg.com/2011/08/11/may-peace-be-with-you-all/

Tue: woke up in a sad mood and reading the news was no help. What is happening – bombs blasting around in the Middle East, nuclear weapons threats from N Korea are bad enough and now even at the Boston Marathon finishing line!

Linn has mentioned just a few weeks ago that she has plans to run this marathon in 2014! This is what she wrote after the news of the bombing… ‘I am still signing up to run in 2014. The evil cowards behind this will not ruin one of the most amazing marathons in our country!’

And my reply: will be planning my 2014 travels to fit in your run.

The Boston Marathon first run in 1897 is considered the most prestigious in USA and occurs every Patriot’s Day, a city-wide holiday attracting app 25,000 runners each year.

The outbreak of bird flu on top of the pollution issues are ongoing in China. Is this going to be another pandemic?

These kind of news are getting to be the daily read… ouch!

Escaped to the movies when evil is on a rampage and things make so little sense. Somehow these two movies were nothing much to reflect on, thus no help! Even when a natural disaster (or it is more a consequence, considering how we are abusing and misusing Planet Earth??), a 7.8 deadly earthquake was just added to this world in turmoil on the Iran-Pakistan border…

I Give It A Year**British romantic comedy film about the trials and tribulations of a newlywed couple during their first year of marriage.

In the House**French film about 16-year-old boy insinuates himself into the house of a fellow student from his literature class and writes about it in essays for his French teacher. Faced with this gifted and unusual pupil, the teacher rediscovers his enthusiasm for his work, but the boy’s intrusion will unleash a series of uncontrollable events.

Akan datang-malay for coming soon, a movie with this title Escape from Planet Earth describes how I feel today

Exactly what I would like to do now…

Ignorance, the root and stem of all evil – Plato

15 Apr 2013 – a lovely weekend with ‘High-Tech Young People’…

Sat: located on a total of 101 hectares 250 acres, the Gardens by the Bay, has won the overall World Building of the Year Award at the World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards 2012. The Gardens have been designed with the environment in mind, adopting environmentally sustainable technologies. In particular, the cooled conservatories are intended to be a statement in sustainable engineering and energy efficiency.

A lake system which takes into account the aesthetics and hydrology within the Gardens’ catchment has been incorporated into the Gardens’ design. It serves to capture run-off from within the Gardens and acts as a natural ‘eco-filter’, cleansing the water using aquatic plants before the water is discharged into the reservoir.

Supertrees are tree-like structures that dominate the Gardens’ landscape with heights that range between 25m 82′ and 50m 160′. They are vertical gardens that perform a multitude of functions, which include planting, shading and working as environmental engines for the gardens. Fake vs real trees…

Tkx to good company of Chuan and WeiKhuen for a Sat morning walk. A shaved ice in the AC Marina Bay food court was well received. No, Chuan did not taste the KCH Kolo Mee! Continued for prawn noddle at Blanco Court Prawn Mee****on Beach Road

http://amylamsg.com/2012/04/21/diversities-good-food/

Hot and humid afternoon walking towards a new shop whose forte is on durian swiss roll, excellent; a new landmark (arch) on Arab St and finally to sit down in the shade quenching the thirst. Tkx to Leonard, soon ready for the transfer to the MacBookAir, but will take some getting use to 🙂

Dinner at 328 Katong Laksa***with Brian, Helen and the kids joining us. The sky opened and poured. Ended the evening in the apt and the kids were contented with eyes fixed on the screen like the guys earlier in the day, but now the guys are doing some male bonding 🙂 🙂

Sun: early morning congee breakfast at the local wet market and saw Chuan off to his flight back to KCH. Tkx for a nice visit and will catch up again in 2014! A delicious Bday popiah lunch tkx to Peggy, nice seeing old and new faces to our mature 60+ ladies group 🙂 Dinner with Clem at the Sin Swee Kee***chicken rice on Seah St. Better memories at the old Swee Kee, sin-meaning new in mandarin Chinese and SIN is the airport code!

For those who ask if being lonely or bored are ever in my vocabulary 🙂 🙂 🙂

I’ve got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom – Thomas Carlyle

12 Apr 2013 – Welcome back to SIN, Chuan

Thu: after just posting about SIN being the favourite airport, was there again to meet Chuan from KCH. The renovations and upgradings in T1 are completed and quite impressive. Many of budget airlines, Tiger, AirAsia, JetStar + other airlines land here in T1. In future must remember to bring the pinkhand to wave so that visitors find me – considering how the crowds can sometimes be here 🙂

Totally hypnotised by this new deco, Kinetic Rain weighing 24tons 21,774kg and consisting of 1,216 motors. This modern arts showpiece, featuring the dance of a thousand copper raindrops in the air with precisely choreographed movements is designed by Art+Com. Very appropriate with constant busy movements like the life in this T1.

Glad to see such creative recycle bins. Once again, Changi Airport has shown its innovative edge to be the world’s first class modern airport.

Dined at Jumbo Seafood/Indoor Stadium*** on black pepper crab, jellyfish, drunken prawns and fish. Somehow my favourite dish, Bamboo Clams was not available, neither was the lime juice or the coconut juice. And had to remind them about the mango pudding. Service has gone downhill in many places here in SIN.

An evening stroll by the indoor stadium for Chuan to see the constructions of the new SIN Sports Hub, World’s Largest Dome Roof and the stunning design of the Stadium MRT station.

Fri: 132****mee-pok breakfast by the local wet market. Discovered the neighbourhood’s 24hrs Shop&Save has been absorbed by Giant but thank goodness still 24hrs. That’s SIN for you, gone only a week and things change 🙂 🙂

Looking forward to a gathering of the young generation tomorrow evening. TGIF y’all and have a fabulous weekend.

Art is like masturbation. It is selfish and introverted and done for you and you alone. Design is like sex. There is someone else involved, their needs are just as important as your own, and if everything goes right, both parties are happy in the end – Colin Wright

10 Apr 2013 – Superlatives…

Somehow after being away always make me appreciate returning back to SIN, ie until after a couple of weeks of the humid heat, loud & rude crowds, am ready to leave again 🙂

Due to a few hiccups, the initial planned completion date of 2011 for the SIN Sports Hub has come and gone. However, after construction finally got underway in 2011, the 35-hectare sports complex is on track to open its doors in 2014…

The centerpiece of the development in Kallang is the new National Stadium that, upon completion, will boast the largest dome roof in the world adding to the other superlatives. There seeming is a need for this red dot tiny island state and country to flex its muscles by having the world’s best and top of whatever possible. So size does not matter when you top the world’s superlatives 🙂 🙂

Unlike N Korea who feels the need to flex its muscles by testing missiles of destruction and might even accidentally start a war, ie if their missiles are miscalculated and land where they are not supposed to. Instead of feeding and educating their people, sad to see how power can be misguided and misused. Above pix from CNN.

Then SIN ways of flexing muscles are no doubt far more civilise and superior!

SIN is a SE Asian island city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, 137 km 85 mi north of the equator, area 710sq km 274sq mi, pop 5+mil. The earliest known settlement on SIN was in the second century AD.

Considering the short history and size! it has impressively advance to be world’s busiest port, largest oil-rig producer, 4th leading financial centre, 2nd biggest casino gambling market, one of the world’s top three oil refining centres and a major ship-repairs

The World Bank has named it as the easiest place in the world to do business and ranks it the world’s top logistics hub. It is also the world’s 4th largest foreign-exchange trading centre after London, New York and Tokyo.

Of all the airports, SIN Changi International with 3 top-class terminals all connected by skytrains is my favourite. Not having been to many others, this is only a personal view. As for SIN Airlines/SIA, could not afford to go on it but have heard many good comments from various people, including a bro who only flies on SIA!

Edited 11 Apr 2013 14.30-hrs: (CNN) — Singapore’s Changi Airport has been crowned the best in the world for the fourth time in 14 years at the prestigious World Airport Awards in Geneva.

Will not touch politics with a 10′ pole as that will no doubt open a can of worms… 🙂 🙂 🙂

All pix are uploaded from various sites, except the 2 on the constructions which are mine. Not patriotic just because this is my birth country and no, SIN Tourist Board has no part in this blog. Just subjective thoughts and feelings after the many years of globe-trotting.

None of the abstract concepts comes closer to fulfilled utopia than that of eternal  peace – Theodor  Adorno

9 Apr 2013 – After a week stay…

Mon: Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher dead at age 87. Condolences to her family & friends and may she RIP.

Busan located on the Southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula, an area of 763.5km² with a pop of 4+mil and a seaport like SIN. The complex history of chiefdoms in Korea goes back to the Silla dynasty (57 BC – 935 AD), heavily influenced by Chinese civilisation and the longest reign. The Goryeo and Joseon succeeded until the Japanese invasion in the 1500s…

During the Korean War (1950s), Busan was one of the two cities in S Korea not captured by the N Korean army within the first three months of the War, as a result the city became a refugee camp site for Koreans during the war, along with Daegu.

Today it is the 5th largest seaport, SIN is still rank 1st! The world largest department store Shinsegau Centum City is located here. Haeundae Beach (1.7km), most popular beach in Korea had made the Guinness Book of Records (2008) for the largest number of beach umbrellas.

One week is not like when one lives, works, speak the language and integrating with the locals. Fortunate to be able to stay with Audrey and to have a gracious local guide like Jinyoung that made this visit a joy and pleasure. Both are teachers at the Busan International Foreign School. Being there with a local and an non-local provided some educational insights to many beautiful places of interest.

The cherry blossoms were stunning in spite of having to buy antihistamine tablets and eye-drops! How blessed we are to be able to see such natural beauty with the spring blossoms.

Perhaps the expectations about general Koreans being the soft-spoken bowing society (like Jinyoung) is not realistic. Due to some of the unfortunate incidents, the impression now are similar to that of the mainland Chinese, ie can be loud & rude and you can still see people spitting on the streets. Not knowing the culture, society or language, this of course are subjective observations.

Good food and all meals are accompanied with various side dishes of spicy kimchi which are excellent when fresh, especially for cabbage being the most common of the kimchi served. As for soju/rice wine, only had the chance to taste one and it was decent.

Many locals speak only Korean, thus not easy to communicate. Three wishes are to understand, speak and write all the languages! And these wishes have not changed since teenage days… 🙂

Good-bye Busan, an educational and enjoyable trip. On time and uneventful flights safely back in SIN with hopes for Koreans to live in peace and harmony with each other in their beautiful country.

The camera makes everyone a tourist in other people’s reality, and eventually in one’s own – Susan  Sontag

7 Apr 2013 – 감사합니다 gam-sa-ham-ni-da Audrey

If not for Audrey, this visit would not have been. Appreciations for her kind and gracious hospitality and tkx for being a tour guide to this first timer visitor. The week has gone by quickly and have seen and done much. With the present tension between North and South Korea, one can only pray and hope that diplomatic and peaceful dialogues can continue. Threats of launching missiles of destruction and wars are NO solutions at any time…

Sat: a rainy and perfect day to rest, load, update blog and pix. The energy and focus are still in tact and happy to know that even with 12hrs on the go yesterday, made it back before crashing like a rock…

A delicious dinner at Korea Red Ginseng Samgyetang Galbitang***ginseng herbal chicken soup with Audrey and Jinyoung on this last wet evening in Busan with hopes and thoughts of peace for this country. Cupcakes at Red Velvet***

감사합니다 Jinyoung for the dinner, for showing us places and translating.  It makes such a difference to have a local guide, especially when most only speak their native language.

Observed: Vivaldi’s Four Season-Spring played over the loud speakers before the subway arrives at every station. Most of the subway stations do not have escalators, no wonder obesity is no a common sight! Ajummas (Korean for a married woman or woman old enough to get married, but it has negative connotations when used in everyday life) have tightly permed-hairstyle and wear bright colours.

감사합니다 gam-sa-ham-ni-da/thank you.

Sun: random pix from the past 7 days. Leaving on Eastern China Airlines for a 7hrs flight back to SIN with 3hrs layover in Shanghai.

I want to do to you what spring does with the cherry trees – Pablo  Neruda

6 Apr 2013 – is a Long Fun Day…

Fri: 1hr with subway+bus from Haeundae to Oryukdo Island where Taejongdae 태종대 is a natural park of Busan, South Korea with magnificent cliffs and a lighthouse facing the open sea on the southernmost tip of island of Yeongdo-gu. It is said that its name to have taken from King Taejong Muyeol (604 – 661), the 29th king of Silla Kingdom.

Walked uphill and then down to Pebble Beach, realize that the cherry blossoms are turning green and summer will soon be here. After the lighthouse paid KRW1,500 S$1.70 on the colourful tram back to the entrance due to lack of time after an enjoyable 3hrs hike of ups and downs with many good pix opportunities.

Was concentrating to use my knees so as not to get injured climbing up and down the steps, thus no count of step numbers down to the beach, lighthouse, including the lighthouse tower! Bus back to Busan to –

Jagalchi Fish Market located on the edge of Nampo Port is a must for seafood lovers. This market is Korea largest seafood market and is very colourful and vibrant. Was totally amazed at all the different kinds and sizes of fish (dried and fresh) and shell-fish available.

The giant cockles were tempting, but remembering what happened in one of the KCH trips with shellfish, am more careful about shellfish when travelling. This phallic creature is new to me but thx to nephew Steve who ID it as chinese penis fish and according to Wikipedia – Urechis unicinctus/penis fish/spoon worm is eaten raw with salt and sesame oil in Korea and in parts of Japan!

In Chinese cuisine it is fried with vegetables, or dried and powdered to be used as an umami enhancer. Considered an important ingredient in Shandong cuisine and is used in numerous recipes. Also used for fishing bait – like the bait idea better than eating it… 🙂

Lunched upstairs at one of the restaurants on raw Bastard Halibut, no joke but that is the real name! and Red Sea bream, grilled shrimps and other typical Korean side-dishes. Yummy and KRW60,00 S$66 for 2 persons. Delightful to watch life for a bunch of seniors enjoying the life entertainment by the sea. Am told that the background on the slopes is not a desirable area, ie poverty.

A short walk to the center for a cuppa and dessert at Hollys Coffee 할리스 커피on a trendy street where the escalators to the Busan Tower are also on this street…

At 120m 394ft, Busan Tower KRW 5,000 S$6 (including the entrance to the music instruments museum) located inside Yongdusan Park, remains one of the best spots to see the whole city in 360 degree view.

Ending this fantastic day at the Busan National Gugak Center with traditional Korean music, songs and dances. The elegance of the traditional clothing are pleasing to the eyes even when they can hardly stay open… 🙂 🙂

The  real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having  new eyes – Marcel  Proust

5 Apr 2013 – Dongbaek Island & Busan Aquarium

Thu: breakfast at Bon Juk***good seafood congee. 20mins bus to Busan International Foreign School to collect tickets for tomorrow night’s Heritage of Korea Show.

Haeundae Beach (1.7km), most popular beach in Korea had made the Guinness Book of Records (2008) for the largest number of beach umbrellas. Covered end-to-end with 7,937 multitude parasols, one will certainly not find me here in this crowd of 300,000 in the summer!

Today, a pleasant 2+hrs walk in lovely weather with only a handful of people. Seeing more young men in military uniforms than usual…

Dongbaek Island, Busan officially known as Busan Metropolitan City Memorial was said to be an island in old days. Accumulation of soil and sand over time carried by stream and rivers formed a narrow land bridge between the island and the shore along Haeundae Beach. Still the place is popularly called as an island with dense wood of pretty camellias and pine trees.

Dongbaek Park walkway, an impressive wooden walkway lets one feel the fresh sea breeze and the enchanting sounds of the waves for a pleasant stroll.

Busan Aquarium KRW21,000 S$23, overpriced and have seen better ones but supporting museums and aquariums is important!

Tasty dinner at An Ga****Korean BBQ dish that usually consists of grilled marinated meat. Delicious with yummy soups, sauces, salad and side dishes to compliment the pork. Good soju, cheers!

It is not the destination where you end up but the mishaps and memories you create along the way – Penelope Riley

4 Apr 2013 – National and Sex Museums too!

Tue: morning train from Haeundae-Gyeongju (round trip tickets KRW11,200 S$13) 1hr 40mins ride stopping at 6 stations:

1.SongJung, another beach town where Busan International Foreign School is located between and 2.Gijang,

3.Wollae, where a nuclear reactor is located, 4.Namchang, what are the jars about? 5.Ulsan, industrial town with shipyard the cars or the Republic of Hyundae is what the Koreans call this place!

6.Hogye and  finally Gyeongju, yeah here we are at this old Silla kingdom’s capital when the longest dynasty was in power, 57BC-935AD.

Cab (KRW11,000 S$12) from the station to Daemyung Resort*** (KRW84,000 S$95 1 night stay divided by 3, app S$33pp) on Bomoon Lake.

Lunched at Shilla restaurant** on dol sot bibimbap (KRW10,000 S$11)

Bulguksa (KRW4,000 S$5), national temple of Korea and a UNESCO site. The temple’s records state that a small temple was built on this site under King Beopheung in 528. The two famous stone pagodas, Dabotap and Seokgatap are located in the main courtyard. One has been cracked by earthquake and is now under covers for repairs.

Beautiful grounds by the temple where one could have a picnic under the cherry blossom trees! Bus KRW1,200 S$1.30 and a short stroll by the lake to get back to the resort for some snacks and a rest.

Anapgi (KRW4,500 S$5), a ‘pleasure garden‘ (according to the guide-book) constructed in 674AD by King Munmu. A friend and co-worker of Audrey, our local and charming guide, Jinyoung KWON explained that the grounds were ruins of a summer palace and now only partly reconstructed. It was a cold and windy night but one could try to imagine the scenario with a beautiful summer feast on these grounds.

Unexpected to find this museum but where there was a ‘pleasure garden‘ a Sex Museum/Love Castle (KRW12,00 S$14) should not be a surprise! Opened in 2004 with an area the size of two soccer fields, was an interesting experience and the first encounter with a male chastity belt!

Wed: Tumuli Park/Royal Burial Grounds (KRW1,500 S$1.70) – excavated in 1973, Cheonmachong/Heavenly Horse Tomb 12,000+artefacts were discovered…

which are now housed in the Gyeongju Museum (FOC).

Gyeongju town is a colourful place, even with clothes to match with it… goodbye Gyeongju!

Train journey back to Haeundae was quite a drama, a silly man who did not know better than to tell us that we were not supposed to be doing something that he had no idea about. An ajuma (an expression given to these past middle age colourful dressed women!) took one of our seats on the train but refuse to move. Followed by another ajuma who missed her station and create quite a show. The final straw was after we arrived back to Haeundae where an elderly man dressed in a suit started to yelled at Jinyoung for no good reason!

The past 2 days have been full of wonderful experience, tkx to Audrey and Jinyoung. With expences divided by 3, this was affordable. The cab fares for the 2 days app KRW80,000 S$85 and when divided by 3 it worked out to S$28pp. S$130 to cover all expences for 1night+2days pp.

Travel brings wisdom only to the wise. It renders the ignorant more ignorant than ever –  Joe Abercrombie