6 Feb 2011 – Bear Bids Farewell to the Lion City

Yesterday was May & Bjørn’s last day in SIN, more sight-seeing and shopping! Arab Street, Bugis Junction, Raffles Hotel & Long Bar (SIN Sling), dinner@Soup Restaurant (May’s favourite chicken dish) and dessert@Suntec City. Somehow those pix seemed to have vanished 🙁 but if they do reappear, which has happened with some previous pix, will upload them here!

Today saw them off bright and early and it would not be long before we meet again to celebrate Norway’s National Day, 17 May.

Thanks to Peggy for the delicious lunch, popiah which is fresh spring roll and common in SIN and Malaysia. The popiah skin is a thin paper-like crepe made from wheat flour which is covered with hoisin sauce and optionally with hot chilli sauce and minced garlic before filling with finely grated and steam jicama (known locally as banghuang). The filling has been cooked with a combination of other ingredients like bamboo shoots, beans, carrots depending on the individuals. In addition fresh lettuce, cucumber, crushed peanuts, cooked egg, prawns and crab meat can also be added.

In SIN, there are popiah parties where ingredients are laid out and guests (in the group pix, clockwise: LianChoo, Pat, Beng, Angela and our hostess) make their own popiah with proportions and ingredients to their personal likings. When Peggy’s mother Auntie Tan was alive, she hosted the best popiah party. Appreciations to Peggy for carrying on the tradition. These beautiful orchid are located in her garden and she is also the VP of the Orchid Society.

Goodbyes are not forever.
Goodbyes are not the end.
They simply mean I’ll miss you
Until we meet again – Author Unknown

4 Feb 2011 – Happy Bday Lawrence

Fri: After some discussions and surfing for info, the young people decided to head to the beach@Sentosa. http://www.sentosa.com.sg Not being a sun worshipper like many Scandinavians, opt to stay indoors until time to meet them after their dose of beach, sand and sun! Met up with Leonard@Vivocity for coffee and took the MRT to Little India.

With all the Chinese food during this CNY festivals, a change of cuisine gives some other varieties. The Banana Leaf Apolo*** located@Little India established 1974 is rather unique and fun with their food served on banana leafs. http://www.thebananaleafapolo.com/ Thank you Leonard for dinner.

Thank you Sue for dessert and tea@Intercontinental Hotel’s Lobby Lounge. The calligraphic sculpture, Chuan, Chinese word for creativity or uniqueness, is by the late Brother Joseph McNally, inspired by the brush stroke of Hong Zhu An.

http://www.singapore.intercontinental.com/

I think it’s fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we’ve ever created. They’re tools of communication, they’re tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user – Bill Gates

2 Feb 2011 – The Bear Bids Farewell to the Tiger!

Mon@Marina Bay Sands. Batteries died but fortunately managed a few pix. The better weather day is from posting: 26 Jun 2010/Marina Bay Sands SkyPark. At least the rains stayed away while we were on the surfboard! Highly recommended to just experience the view and the infinity pool even at the price of S$20 and S$17 for seniors 🙂

http://www.marinabaysands.com/SandsSkypark/Sands_Sky_Park.aspx

This time round, saw the night lights and Bear being from Norway, a maritime nation is impress with the containers’ terminals and the amount of ships off the coast. The Port of SIN conducts maritime trade handling functions which handle SIN’s shipping. One of the world’s busiest port in terms of total shipping tonnage, it also tranships a fifth of the world’s shipping containers with half of the world’s annual supply of crude oil.

Cousin ChengEn who is visiting from Shanghai, thank you for taking time to meet up for drinks. Appreciate your hospitality when May was studying in Shanghai and whenever we are on transit there. Clement, thanks for getting the new bank notes and the red packages. In good company of the Bear, we are ready to say farewell to the Year of the Tiger which was burning bright in the Lion City 🙂 🙂

The skylines lit up at dead of night, the air-conditioning systems cooling empty hotels in the desert and artificial light in the middle of the day all have something both demented and admirable about them: the mindless luxury of a rich civilization – Jean Baudrillard

1 Feb 2011 – Bye bye Jan & Curly Locks!

Bjørn besides a name also translates to bear in Norwegian! So should title this SIN Trotting with a Bear in the Lion City. For those who might not be aware, SIN is also known as the Lion City. Started yesterday with a quick hair cut@Parkway for S$10 where they will even vacuum you head when the cut is over… bye bye curly locks 🙂

Marina Bay Sands, Merlion Park and transactions by SIN River.

Raffles Landing Site by SIN River, Cavenagh Bridge with the contrast of the old Supreme Court (green dome) and the new Supreme Court (spaceship looking building) in the background, Esplanade Bridge and Clifford Pier/Fullerton Bay Hotel.

Fullerton Hotel****opened 2001. This majestic colonial building built in 1928, was the former General Post Office which also housed the Exchange, Singapore Club (now Singapore Town Club), the Marine Department, and the Import and Export Department (later the Ministry of Trade and Industry) and the Chamber of Commerce.  http://www.fullertonhotel.com

Singapore Botanic Gardens/SBG established in 1859, National Orchid Gardens and SIN national flower the Vanda Miss Joaquim in bloom. According to Bjørn, his father being a botanist enthusiast will be happy to know that he made an effort to visit!

SBG: By the Tanglin Gate, Bandstand, A Curtain of Roots. http://www.sbg.org.sg/

Another Lo Hei/撈起 thanks to Les & Ivy in the company of porpor, Jo & Sue

A practical botanist will distinguish at the first glance the plant of the different quarters of the globe and yet will be at a loss to tell by what marks he detects them – Carolus Linnaeu

31 Jan 2011 – Lo Hei/撈起 with Steven & Family

What a way to end the year of the Tiger… burning bright! with unrest in Egypt. Cyclone Yasi is forming and building strength over the Coral Sea off the coast of Queenlands/Australia… as if the land there has not had enough woes with all their recent floods. SIN is still raining relentless for 3 days like there is no tomorrow! Not easy for all the stalls in Chinatown when this is the time they have hopes for their best sales.

Yesterday was another rainy day but Bjørn managed to choose the material and got his measurements done for his tailor-made suit! And a walk in Chinatown thru’ the crowds and rains. NO, May & Bjørn did not taste the durian 🙂

Delightful family gathering with brother Steven & family@Mui Lum****for their reunion dinner. His whole family lives in SIN and thus easier to get them all together. Grand nephews Stanley, Darryl and Andrew are charming kids and nieces and nephew Ann, Vince, Judy, Daisy and Clement are L&M’s cousins. Stanley age 15, was wondering who the stranger is and was pleasantly to discover that May is his auntie!! Thank you for including us and was impressed that Bjørn tasted all the 13 courses.

A nightcap@The Scarlett Hotel**** rooftop before the wet bus journey back to MP. And yes the glass is really the way it is, even before the one drink! The last time in that boutique hotel was 5 May 2009 when Ann & Mick from Dublin were guests there. An unforgettable hotel with the most unusual faucets/taps in their restrooms!

Like Scarlett O’Hara, I won’t be broke again – Toni Braxton

30 Jan 2011 – Night Safari

Started the weekend with a short walk on Orchard Rd before lunch. Thanks to Kenson for a most delightful lunch. Always such a treat to be at his home with his collections of artefact, like going to a private museum!

Before heading to the Night Safari, we got off bus 138 to Mandai Crematorium to pay respect to May & Clement’s grandparents. Clement told May that when he was visiting Oslo a couple of years ago, we went thru’ a cemetery one evening to pay respect to Munch! There is much serenity in these final resting places where we will all end up someday!

Being the world’s first dedicated night zoo, the Night Safari opened in 1994 is a must-see attraction for all tourists. Had dinner@Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant**over-priced food court style food. There are 2 road loops-East Loop and West Loop total length, 3.2km and the  park is divided into eight geographical zones, which can be explored either on foot via three walking trails, or by tram. Took the tram, got off to see the clouded leopard and was hoping to visit the flying squirrels and bats. Unfortunately the sky opened and poured cats & dogs instead leaving little choice but to get back on the tram. Sorry Bjørn, the bats were not meant to be for this trip… he will have to return for another trip!

http://www.nightsafari.com.sg Thank you Leonard for the tickets, wish he could have joined us.

The last time in the bat house was over 10yrs ago when Linn & Jeff were visiting. Had to get out immediately after a bat flew near the face! Am really not one who likes to see wild animals in any zoos but here, the animals are not in cages but in restricted areas. They do not seemed to mind it, or do they have or know of any other choice? What a life, no worries about being hunted or having to hunt,  just eat, mate, play and sleep 🙂

That the birds of worry and care fly over you head, this you cannot change, but that they build nests in your hair, this you can prevent – Chinese Proverb

28 Jan 2011 – Stumps@SCC

Established in 1852, the Singapore Cricket Club 新加坡板球俱乐部/SCC is today one of the oldest and premier sports and social clubs in SIN located at the centre of the city’s colonial heart. The clubhouse is on one end of the Padang which  is a public space that has witnessed many of Singapore’s triumphs and defeats, upheaval, independence and finally the annual National Day parades on 9 August.

Yesterday, had a buffet lunch in good company of Lucy, Stella & GeokChoo. Strange to be in SIN and being the only locals at Stumps@SCC. It certainly is a reminder of the colonial days in such a situation with the surroundings architecture&decor! Thanks for the lovely lunch, Lucy!

Today is a day of tidying and clearing to make space for two more people in the studio apartment for the next 10 days. Looking forward and waiting anxiously for May&Bjørn’s (from OSL/Norway) arrival tonight when life will be pretty hectic.

Cricket makes no sense to me. I find it beautiful to watch and I like that they break for tea. That is very cool, but I don’t understand. My friends from The Clash tried to explain it years and years ago, but I didn’t understand what they were talking about – Jim Jarmusch

27 Jan 2011 – Fun Toys

Remote controlled cars… wow such fun! These young men were using the common ball-court to race their toys one early morning where there was no one in the court. Being a nosey auntie, went to watch after marketing. Quite amazing that these cars cost over S$400 each. Ouch! when did toys get that expensive? As one gets older, the more expensive their toys 🙂

Was told by these young men that there were complains. Quite understandable if the court was occupied or if these toys are disturbing others. But this is not the case, as a matter of fact these are quiet and non-polluting electrical cars. The police came but could not justify their presence and probably wishing they could be there playing too! Must have been some envious neighbour to make the complain!!

Do not overrate what you have received, nor envy others. He who envies others does not obtain peace of mind – Buddha

Yesterday was@Archives Library to search for pix of CHIJ orphanage but without any luck. Ended up@Raffles City to avoid the rain, had lunch and visited with New Asia on the 70th floor for some real skyline views. If any body can help Brian locate any pix or info about his adopted sister Barbara KOH around 1965 in the CHIJ orphanage, would really appreciate to hear from you. Brian, thanks for good company and hope that you will find pix and info of Barbara. Enjoy your stay in SIN and safe trip to where ever you may be heading. A globetrotter’s home is always in the heart 🙂

Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe – Anatole France

25 Jan 2011 – Little Sisters of the Poor

St Theresa’s Home is formally Little Sisters of the Poor established 1935, is so vivid in the memory as it was and still is on the way to Island Club/now Island Country Club where my father played golf in the 1950s-60s and also where I learnt to swim. The archway on the slope in those days looked like a hill in a child’s eyes but is actually only a slight slope. Yesterday was the first experience walking up this slope to see Sister Jo. Talk about being blessed, she was available to chat and remembers Brain’s step-sister Barbara very well.

http://www.sainttheresahome.org/history.html

Hereafter****A drama touch by death but change by life, featuring three people, a blue-collar American, a French journalist and a London school boy who have seen or experienced death in different ways. Marie is a French TV news anchor who is haunted by disturbing flashbacks after she loses consciousness briefly during a natural disaster. George is a former psychic whose skills as a medium are so potent and he considers it more a curse then a gift. Marcus, a London schoolboy retreats into a somber shell after losing his twin brother in a tragic car accident.

Good acting with a very real opening scene. Interesting issues with what is out there after death or is there anything out there after death?? Since everyone who has gone there never got to come back to tell or give signs, will just enjoy and live for the moment until time is up 🙂

I cannot conceive of a God who rewards and punishes his creatures, or has a will of the kind that we experience in ourselves. Neither can I nor would I want to conceive of an individual that survives his physical death; let feeble souls, from fear or absurd egoism, cherish such thoughts. I am satisfied with the mystery of the eternity of life and with the awareness and a glimpse of the marvelous structure of the existing world, together with the devoted striving to comprehend a portion, be it ever so tiny, of the Reason that manifests itself in nature – Albert Einstein