tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-141536362024-03-04T23:06:40.758-08:00Vacuum State TravelsThis is my travel photo album.michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-17312397701730816182011-10-19T23:28:00.000-07:002011-11-05T19:42:39.539-07:00Park Connector 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51VPl_jzRF7bWzwIhJCq_UAP1nMLgcxDfu7w3yZzV_d1kdsuj6HY6aF4Am_Tzm8_U6a9-4pKegwzc2afJxPvzbFZBVgIL5_OCIcsF7-S2_pY5a8lEeAOS0-48mcKNH_cAF_Pe/s1600/VicNHadri+518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51VPl_jzRF7bWzwIhJCq_UAP1nMLgcxDfu7w3yZzV_d1kdsuj6HY6aF4Am_Tzm8_U6a9-4pKegwzc2afJxPvzbFZBVgIL5_OCIcsF7-S2_pY5a8lEeAOS0-48mcKNH_cAF_Pe/s1600/VicNHadri+518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51VPl_jzRF7bWzwIhJCq_UAP1nMLgcxDfu7w3yZzV_d1kdsuj6HY6aF4Am_Tzm8_U6a9-4pKegwzc2afJxPvzbFZBVgIL5_OCIcsF7-S2_pY5a8lEeAOS0-48mcKNH_cAF_Pe/s1600/VicNHadri+518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51VPl_jzRF7bWzwIhJCq_UAP1nMLgcxDfu7w3yZzV_d1kdsuj6HY6aF4Am_Tzm8_U6a9-4pKegwzc2afJxPvzbFZBVgIL5_OCIcsF7-S2_pY5a8lEeAOS0-48mcKNH_cAF_Pe/s1600/VicNHadri+518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51VPl_jzRF7bWzwIhJCq_UAP1nMLgcxDfu7w3yZzV_d1kdsuj6HY6aF4Am_Tzm8_U6a9-4pKegwzc2afJxPvzbFZBVgIL5_OCIcsF7-S2_pY5a8lEeAOS0-48mcKNH_cAF_Pe/s1600/VicNHadri+518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
<br />
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I have to do that
once in a while - just drop everything and do a long bike ride across the
island, what I call, "doing a Forest Gump"!</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">I started off an
hour later than I wanted at 7am. Still not too bad considering that
the workers haven't even started work yet.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">This time, I am
going to go from Changi to Holland Village. I chose this route
because parts of it along the Kim Seng River is now refurbished
with smooth bicycle lanes and pretty parks.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHufFDDGqen6C2beDP9YALiVhgQTTBkxwoIpGwxNk18Wx90J05TOg2pXm8vfYrgT1GYRE4v5lYk-HFFSUrKmDew40ZEunZS29nfBhKoLPtWi2AAhQrALsprb4N8_DCC4uxbQG/s1600/VicNHadri+532+mobilepix+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnFWt0Or3qqYaoShIqKPxZruHM-t6cHK2GxsPdgdeq8WeMkC5602iS_4ZLkCeI4lRkNIN7SSm6pWUYnUw1gcigp8Yg_fkEu-TQ2THgm7xcE7CkZgDMOsIySjQQ7jdOr-2qXc1/s1600/mobilepix+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnFWt0Or3qqYaoShIqKPxZruHM-t6cHK2GxsPdgdeq8WeMkC5602iS_4ZLkCeI4lRkNIN7SSm6pWUYnUw1gcigp8Yg_fkEu-TQ2THgm7xcE7CkZgDMOsIySjQQ7jdOr-2qXc1/s400/mobilepix+007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsUa4mIt11ruMBLoq5BogrlKIny-UFg0qp7rhliWb_1Hn9ZOzCK8YT_qDDys6bc7A5Mkt3YLzHI6tWtky0CzC69Ueu6rHK4Ed6AdshLhzPgZ-cgL0SLIb8lrdE2fqFBHg1u0H/s1600/mobilepix+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDsUa4mIt11ruMBLoq5BogrlKIny-UFg0qp7rhliWb_1Hn9ZOzCK8YT_qDDys6bc7A5Mkt3YLzHI6tWtky0CzC69Ueu6rHK4Ed6AdshLhzPgZ-cgL0SLIb8lrdE2fqFBHg1u0H/s400/mobilepix+024.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">There are good Park Connectors in Singapore. They are getting better by the days, with additional directional signposts and indicators added. </span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_qcU0ebSCa9NhMHIT2Xh1L81JVnYWGJUmrlsvKfJDItDhYXOqArmbNT4TKkwu5D4CkJLnpJHC3ryoRZTFwqVlBvB9op_GaA0HIBig-73oncv4SofJiXvrGpzUjiYRrsVdM_N/s1600/mobilepix+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_qcU0ebSCa9NhMHIT2Xh1L81JVnYWGJUmrlsvKfJDItDhYXOqArmbNT4TKkwu5D4CkJLnpJHC3ryoRZTFwqVlBvB9op_GaA0HIBig-73oncv4SofJiXvrGpzUjiYRrsVdM_N/s400/mobilepix+028.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">This part of the Park Connector is used as a Pasar Malam (night market) ground! :)</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXMCh_-X6xbvcpY-20fa3Pjcc467BHpfXym_M1xdJwPUr3qivqLpsf9KNnTFK3SgACERHetKC7Tu6fCXO93QsNX7mnCjzsmxhtM3RhCRraZ3idfoNOMNrzI6r1ni2BINTxdDm/s1600/mobilepix+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXMCh_-X6xbvcpY-20fa3Pjcc467BHpfXym_M1xdJwPUr3qivqLpsf9KNnTFK3SgACERHetKC7Tu6fCXO93QsNX7mnCjzsmxhtM3RhCRraZ3idfoNOMNrzI6r1ni2BINTxdDm/s400/mobilepix+036.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">This is ITE East, a vocational institute to teach kids that are more kinesthetic and hands-on rather than academic. </span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A beautiful and well equipped building helps to bring up the self-esteem of these kids. Personally, I think some kids are good with books and some are not. Those that are not are usually good with their hands or something else. That doesn't make them any less important. The illuminary Buckminster Fuller said that in this world, nobody is more important than others.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53y66c_jcjOlsWmIB7IDBNiA5ioVdnzC2OAlX2nUS7e9htbej3-U3cB-W1FV_l5GZnoundYpECYnaxlUJAZmoSDHeGqbvtIbxlRKruGCEI_QyL8gEqcpvZceCdaOtJ1YVsTGe/s1600/mobilepix+038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53y66c_jcjOlsWmIB7IDBNiA5ioVdnzC2OAlX2nUS7e9htbej3-U3cB-W1FV_l5GZnoundYpECYnaxlUJAZmoSDHeGqbvtIbxlRKruGCEI_QyL8gEqcpvZceCdaOtJ1YVsTGe/s400/mobilepix+038.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">This along the Bedok Park Connector, on the way to the sea.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrXU8eTqyjL09b1DxDaWreqPk2y07fkFX4_d5yxLRJU9HtD91JVn44BVFb3Vb9yhyphenhyphenFv58IO9A-GvcgnxxKi5r5jmxAzxpwljLpOmXyVTaU5KpJPXupRbvmlLKMEK8Ku1JPX9f/s1600/VicNHadri+432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrXU8eTqyjL09b1DxDaWreqPk2y07fkFX4_d5yxLRJU9HtD91JVn44BVFb3Vb9yhyphenhyphenFv58IO9A-GvcgnxxKi5r5jmxAzxpwljLpOmXyVTaU5KpJPXupRbvmlLKMEK8Ku1JPX9f/s640/VicNHadri+432.jpg" width="481" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">These lovely flowering creepers grow freely on these humble looking railings along the road, probably unnoticed by many. I am glad I have time to stop and stare at this one.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3hZd4ZyaKn1udD_Dq8rxTNKEcbsxIsZTvxBicUJR-oZtCZXV_qfUVZJeTwg7RO2RxjHO_XsWaaWXvjK9XQPw9oR0t7jsZAw30MZ67F9m-SSkpBz2hMAHnUV-JLwl-jOq0xz1/s1600/VicNHadri+435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3hZd4ZyaKn1udD_Dq8rxTNKEcbsxIsZTvxBicUJR-oZtCZXV_qfUVZJeTwg7RO2RxjHO_XsWaaWXvjK9XQPw9oR0t7jsZAw30MZ67F9m-SSkpBz2hMAHnUV-JLwl-jOq0xz1/s320/VicNHadri+435.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This underpass used to be one that I have to carry my bike down and up the stairs, but no more... it is now upgraded with ramps.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aXcQvLGw_Fh6pjBVQr9VMIMMimuAZ1dVr9oBqPEi6QnpO2-RhbqsMkf1p4fmbw2qFXzc870_0Tk18bLRj5AuriJcrfZV749z-ptzPttXkk8zzhP_zzCYYSTZjiuYtSWsxJzB/s1600/VicNHadri+435+jogger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1aXcQvLGw_Fh6pjBVQr9VMIMMimuAZ1dVr9oBqPEi6QnpO2-RhbqsMkf1p4fmbw2qFXzc870_0Tk18bLRj5AuriJcrfZV749z-ptzPttXkk8zzhP_zzCYYSTZjiuYtSWsxJzB/s640/VicNHadri+435+jogger.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Although I come to East Coast frequently, these big trees never fail to impress me. Kudos to the National Parks who has been keeping all our parks beautiful.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuimM8piwD3ZLn-oUsBSHOZKwsW1237OQ7ntbpfct-z-eCZGKS812mRdHywW509IzlrJiq91QKctACs2KIPE-rjmlKfe6McOUrmyXW6QkSn7xmUhJyPinE9m5TOYLZMZUxtWXb/s1600/VicNHadri+435+mobilepix+049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuimM8piwD3ZLn-oUsBSHOZKwsW1237OQ7ntbpfct-z-eCZGKS812mRdHywW509IzlrJiq91QKctACs2KIPE-rjmlKfe6McOUrmyXW6QkSn7xmUhJyPinE9m5TOYLZMZUxtWXb/s200/VicNHadri+435+mobilepix+049.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnl1VdqeQvgAvdYz21R0PIKDzNteVkeEuCwXBYHp54fF293HV5u6avhqjglQ-xlANVabKoVj4sSYikNw8EsLv_yW4C06M94VvpZMJnPGUzYhmmCasDz8P3iWnJIu0HJqRXntiY/s640/VicNHadri+435+mobilepix+056+photo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Singapore Autumn!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnl1VdqeQvgAvdYz21R0PIKDzNteVkeEuCwXBYHp54fF293HV5u6avhqjglQ-xlANVabKoVj4sSYikNw8EsLv_yW4C06M94VvpZMJnPGUzYhmmCasDz8P3iWnJIu0HJqRXntiY/s1600/VicNHadri+435+mobilepix+056+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_HpDTBqcn3n4ahignYXSY4cXUXJfyKoO3HrsT__G8mLOBaWNZ2JEYBiNO4DGxUjPJMHS-1gfAmsn0pMAiDUs2tPy1qfdnItsMXEXlJ9IjwZepn22uHf9Oy2_r_27oWzCOfHj/s640/VicNHadri+448.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_HpDTBqcn3n4ahignYXSY4cXUXJfyKoO3HrsT__G8mLOBaWNZ2JEYBiNO4DGxUjPJMHS-1gfAmsn0pMAiDUs2tPy1qfdnItsMXEXlJ9IjwZepn22uHf9Oy2_r_27oWzCOfHj/s1600/VicNHadri+448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkLJvAI1aikzeO05FcdJYNRw51jqHak3v1_daZCm4L45yHMB-mRY1d9KgZ5PDCnMNC5VnunqqjwUUjw9sIHE4yihG0pybuHMwwLKspU3Z03g8D1SEo6JSYDoBshMoOXG-B3fU/s1600/VicNHadri+451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCkLJvAI1aikzeO05FcdJYNRw51jqHak3v1_daZCm4L45yHMB-mRY1d9KgZ5PDCnMNC5VnunqqjwUUjw9sIHE4yihG0pybuHMwwLKspU3Z03g8D1SEo6JSYDoBshMoOXG-B3fU/s640/VicNHadri+451.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvwZys2fj1rfNgYsAwOaSYUqqe1hqXMFmkZcCAnMLpqQdxD8mmFUnQo6J9LYT2ZDFybX0_0hRrw3URHSQnaVWthDbbstFS2fLtU-D3xhAfjpoZS7Xu6A-NT3M0EVh46N9wEeL/s1600/VicNHadri+463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvwZys2fj1rfNgYsAwOaSYUqqe1hqXMFmkZcCAnMLpqQdxD8mmFUnQo6J9LYT2ZDFybX0_0hRrw3URHSQnaVWthDbbstFS2fLtU-D3xhAfjpoZS7Xu6A-NT3M0EVh46N9wEeL/s320/VicNHadri+463.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnoS78nd8eGSzIX44ciMSoMJj7KAZkI5Q63yhK8PH2NXev-lnJrRuKFsoc26EirWTGLtwITMRgnonH99jbKS5FaPUjZ1Za_WKycuikunV3OVW260FatwLBB0k5TmdtlyUT2py/s640/VicNHadri+478.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Singapore Indoor Stadium. No, they are not demolishing this! :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnoS78nd8eGSzIX44ciMSoMJj7KAZkI5Q63yhK8PH2NXev-lnJrRuKFsoc26EirWTGLtwITMRgnonH99jbKS5FaPUjZ1Za_WKycuikunV3OVW260FatwLBB0k5TmdtlyUT2py/s1600/VicNHadri+478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4LX90Epv3l9_R715UjkuL5bfuV-p5Mtbivlf0JxWQS8nHhHUMpN4skAIlBMfl8PkmM3uU88DxLzU7JAPqncF5hdUkwQZxV1gqCgn9ytYcHW-4dVVu0q94Sp2LygVtH-fstyo/s640/VicNHadri+483.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There was a National Stadium here. :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4LX90Epv3l9_R715UjkuL5bfuV-p5Mtbivlf0JxWQS8nHhHUMpN4skAIlBMfl8PkmM3uU88DxLzU7JAPqncF5hdUkwQZxV1gqCgn9ytYcHW-4dVVu0q94Sp2LygVtH-fstyo/s1600/VicNHadri+483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVcepwn9LnbIC6amoZl4DZxGjrxERETu6mo5Fz0EY8rLFIm5rleivsgPx0YmbG6hswLVrGZFEvWlprUnhGaEn5BTV_c91HMlv9WldwkZzkUz7hj1DGGgMoGobAP69x5cGCcCK/s640/VicNHadri+485.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is its replacement!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicVcepwn9LnbIC6amoZl4DZxGjrxERETu6mo5Fz0EY8rLFIm5rleivsgPx0YmbG6hswLVrGZFEvWlprUnhGaEn5BTV_c91HMlv9WldwkZzkUz7hj1DGGgMoGobAP69x5cGCcCK/s1600/VicNHadri+485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4bhAuOw2_lAj9cCbPTrXsE_zRLSXI7FO9lT2_sL9ewbawBmsTGQmtxokDyhY0fqoWKujOmvo04tR5DLIR_cszg48twhdn52a3oe8Zy7rwXRH2jQB_4bWDUmS-z3ULo4MJR7I/s640/VicNHadri+486+cropped.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yes, the Sports Hub! we love 'hubs' in Singapore.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4bhAuOw2_lAj9cCbPTrXsE_zRLSXI7FO9lT2_sL9ewbawBmsTGQmtxokDyhY0fqoWKujOmvo04tR5DLIR_cszg48twhdn52a3oe8Zy7rwXRH2jQB_4bWDUmS-z3ULo4MJR7I/s1600/VicNHadri+486+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4LX90Epv3l9_R715UjkuL5bfuV-p5Mtbivlf0JxWQS8nHhHUMpN4skAIlBMfl8PkmM3uU88DxLzU7JAPqncF5hdUkwQZxV1gqCgn9ytYcHW-4dVVu0q94Sp2LygVtH-fstyo/s1600/VicNHadri+483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4LX90Epv3l9_R715UjkuL5bfuV-p5Mtbivlf0JxWQS8nHhHUMpN4skAIlBMfl8PkmM3uU88DxLzU7JAPqncF5hdUkwQZxV1gqCgn9ytYcHW-4dVVu0q94Sp2LygVtH-fstyo/s1600/VicNHadri+483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4LX90Epv3l9_R715UjkuL5bfuV-p5Mtbivlf0JxWQS8nHhHUMpN4skAIlBMfl8PkmM3uU88DxLzU7JAPqncF5hdUkwQZxV1gqCgn9ytYcHW-4dVVu0q94Sp2LygVtH-fstyo/s1600/VicNHadri+483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZorW-z52Ir-CYtXrvillKNlo2TBQAVu_E8WfGwTfmpgYLv7PVLQ8MqccUGNH2PP84TzFvarY-yuCzrAbmzZrFlVHeVERpOhNYlmz2aWvLuzC0yXxHK_n0r_V0B65C9oY_BAT/s640/VicNHadri+486+pinkpurple.jpg.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Pink Route!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj6vAxiw_1yfrEzjILCSJtcsYwQefXtctdKWZdsvl87wZK3boipGw3aWPo6ZBZl8o5l1ffVwUMrN_vsChtwHsSJG0_k1KkreHFgR_fXbM1z6AEnig8r0org5RMFgnVndffWFB/s1600/mobilepix+070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj6vAxiw_1yfrEzjILCSJtcsYwQefXtctdKWZdsvl87wZK3boipGw3aWPo6ZBZl8o5l1ffVwUMrN_vsChtwHsSJG0_k1KkreHFgR_fXbM1z6AEnig8r0org5RMFgnVndffWFB/s400/mobilepix+070.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><div align="LEFT" class="western">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">My fans! :)</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">I have broadcasted this mini-trip on my facebook page and I got some friends meeting up for Bak Kut Teh (pork rib soup) lunch.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-left;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUAcywGG0oS8dr137piOooeQHquwqVwe471nua2qQ4QLYXMBop2mPhkgnV-EymOFqcyPic2aKRfp-a0TCs-ifAa2-hNkPmYMFQBxhvz7fLp8J53mk5cn75icEj02Iakt1-TJP/s1600/VicNHadri+496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUAcywGG0oS8dr137piOooeQHquwqVwe471nua2qQ4QLYXMBop2mPhkgnV-EymOFqcyPic2aKRfp-a0TCs-ifAa2-hNkPmYMFQBxhvz7fLp8J53mk5cn75icEj02Iakt1-TJP/s400/VicNHadri+496.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Iphone intricacy! :)</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbodXGnPAmuPHkJCzVQApcEQKy9SC0lszYt94qeZibcrHp7RdXCpDh9S4fH_tSJTPMzeYyjgiwTlmQF0ZTZdj5W1DuEq9ncP7Az3BhYl2T3cAipPl7DMWwy9rVX-2twIVXLxqZ/s1600/VicNHadri+505+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbodXGnPAmuPHkJCzVQApcEQKy9SC0lszYt94qeZibcrHp7RdXCpDh9S4fH_tSJTPMzeYyjgiwTlmQF0ZTZdj5W1DuEq9ncP7Az3BhYl2T3cAipPl7DMWwy9rVX-2twIVXLxqZ/s640/VicNHadri+505+photo.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Riverside Point.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i-1MtJySg6cLZ8aQGgGvzSupFSa8RT_6o_ZUk7TggyKG_ouFFtcUoX9uJyWtw3w4vaRhJK1ME4_LOHlL21HjHV_wWW8A2jDSqjAp5o7bF-XZPdpPIH4xr1CLFyUcnwxVzqWh/s1600/VicNHadri+511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5i-1MtJySg6cLZ8aQGgGvzSupFSa8RT_6o_ZUk7TggyKG_ouFFtcUoX9uJyWtw3w4vaRhJK1ME4_LOHlL21HjHV_wWW8A2jDSqjAp5o7bF-XZPdpPIH4xr1CLFyUcnwxVzqWh/s400/VicNHadri+511.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaTJT9JedpdiJmKBtB-N992pDuCA4P5MsrS6AaQG2ekv32H_RSrJEF363mKWz8POHZzIbbUOzoQNiIPoYNyPyNxGsB34cIPbRvaoEz_iWuqe4KOmCHbLLeuQDd6xJAKfNHdUF/s1600/VicNHadri+513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaTJT9JedpdiJmKBtB-N992pDuCA4P5MsrS6AaQG2ekv32H_RSrJEF363mKWz8POHZzIbbUOzoQNiIPoYNyPyNxGsB34cIPbRvaoEz_iWuqe4KOmCHbLLeuQDd6xJAKfNHdUF/s400/VicNHadri+513.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These used to be old godowns.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF-PjrLCfEa9jtHmTmRPdhdi8_gy8v_xB_sS0ZkdCc5BmqE7zcUIP4JTNEkguzFNxslShNoUB7Rlo4pqeb6sbhIdrgMDZkguCTZafK2oPnqAOxd3Sx9JTpt5z-CCI_Bq5nFtC/s1600/VicNHadri+527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF-PjrLCfEa9jtHmTmRPdhdi8_gy8v_xB_sS0ZkdCc5BmqE7zcUIP4JTNEkguzFNxslShNoUB7Rlo4pqeb6sbhIdrgMDZkguCTZafK2oPnqAOxd3Sx9JTpt5z-CCI_Bq5nFtC/s640/VicNHadri+527.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">These are all new condo developments. Notice how thin that slice of building is? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">New apartments cost more and more, but are smaller and smaller. </span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8sYQ9OYnwxUNLLzNsZEPKRikJi6yq_VUcjS-QO68ccLAfpzYbUjWg0QKPHJ8rTo4PRGl8b_FSPRvSsoa2oX0ECoO-ybsyTqgItBwkuJa2BKy8LM0O5bMUBGkAnq3IG86XuII/s1600/VicNHadri+514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8sYQ9OYnwxUNLLzNsZEPKRikJi6yq_VUcjS-QO68ccLAfpzYbUjWg0QKPHJ8rTo4PRGl8b_FSPRvSsoa2oX0ECoO-ybsyTqgItBwkuJa2BKy8LM0O5bMUBGkAnq3IG86XuII/s640/VicNHadri+514.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLycz3Ac9ccO9h2NJcFsAaTyy87yIPXtmHOsVRcMAgQ_WWmD6JTzAEY9B6qcadA_g_Fn2NFRUTMM8d1LTHNXw_j0hieDwOS1-c6D19u9-WsLE6qmFRfzH5TOajvEpZcTGNuVVz/s1600/VicNHadri+532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLycz3Ac9ccO9h2NJcFsAaTyy87yIPXtmHOsVRcMAgQ_WWmD6JTzAEY9B6qcadA_g_Fn2NFRUTMM8d1LTHNXw_j0hieDwOS1-c6D19u9-WsLE6qmFRfzH5TOajvEpZcTGNuVVz/s1600/VicNHadri+532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQ75CJwlulmPTC4CohIrQnojy36eMb4RaTlOrMvxc9MpXSMfXdFsib6kxhuTtIyK_88tApYUzXZUt1toriViOuF8SWnS7XLmTS0qCyQjpCRXwPE3fPisYQDpbHhuzLrMVKd55/s1600/CITYSCAPE+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQ75CJwlulmPTC4CohIrQnojy36eMb4RaTlOrMvxc9MpXSMfXdFsib6kxhuTtIyK_88tApYUzXZUt1toriViOuF8SWnS7XLmTS0qCyQjpCRXwPE3fPisYQDpbHhuzLrMVKd55/s640/CITYSCAPE+058.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">This is the section of the river where I stopped the last time.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">This is how it looked before.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RAORiTflOcmwbPVkfpplm28wnpKTplJ1Tamgvii-EF_1vpZznm_RIP-iAo1-0NF-PblDZJEx5HLlfedFHKjkPW09zv3Club-cyHvlLsCUP1tn9EdvkiaRala3C_iFrB5xlqB/s1600/VicNHadri+518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RAORiTflOcmwbPVkfpplm28wnpKTplJ1Tamgvii-EF_1vpZznm_RIP-iAo1-0NF-PblDZJEx5HLlfedFHKjkPW09zv3Club-cyHvlLsCUP1tn9EdvkiaRala3C_iFrB5xlqB/s400/VicNHadri+518.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">This is an old style primary school building built in the 50s. </span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh92iRyFYKBu0gLpe3CleF2EX3iIVce2KfK6yFv8NCp_dCKdXnI6rkCQJhYvBQ9x6E2XDldnb2VHTq5ktAwb8_u-DqoL36g0XflRb83KXib_UWDVerCpkqHEFhgjQ51zp6jLbE/s1600/VicNHadri+520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh92iRyFYKBu0gLpe3CleF2EX3iIVce2KfK6yFv8NCp_dCKdXnI6rkCQJhYvBQ9x6E2XDldnb2VHTq5ktAwb8_u-DqoL36g0XflRb83KXib_UWDVerCpkqHEFhgjQ51zp6jLbE/s400/VicNHadri+520.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then, as the baby boom grew in the 60s, schools became three storeys, like this one, its style commonly replicated in the 60s.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYWlCK7504ImaSBrkefbzE6zVk-h5jFFENAClaw5grWjBiMyNcIrrfrNhMv8j7Ka7BRQrCvA0cHtKVRwTzF7-sgpW51WJyNBVkt1u53lOnuAB95iJX32UmAfo3cJK_9Tm8BRi/s1600/VicNHadri+524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYWlCK7504ImaSBrkefbzE6zVk-h5jFFENAClaw5grWjBiMyNcIrrfrNhMv8j7Ka7BRQrCvA0cHtKVRwTzF7-sgpW51WJyNBVkt1u53lOnuAB95iJX32UmAfo3cJK_9Tm8BRi/s400/VicNHadri+524.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYWlCK7504ImaSBrkefbzE6zVk-h5jFFENAClaw5grWjBiMyNcIrrfrNhMv8j7Ka7BRQrCvA0cHtKVRwTzF7-sgpW51WJyNBVkt1u53lOnuAB95iJX32UmAfo3cJK_9Tm8BRi/s1600/VicNHadri+524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSe0K1LytsxE27Eir3U4mIJGeo3qmDpHvCppJMuW-7AysKYmlx2RtTG_os3UYq7eKjNZiPguMv1Hp0Otk9JuJgtv6xvpbGs2PR5uLz_ZUucnc2zH_gEyZHVb07aDwedY2SHwkM/s1600/VicHadri520+plus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSe0K1LytsxE27Eir3U4mIJGeo3qmDpHvCppJMuW-7AysKYmlx2RtTG_os3UYq7eKjNZiPguMv1Hp0Otk9JuJgtv6xvpbGs2PR5uLz_ZUucnc2zH_gEyZHVb07aDwedY2SHwkM/s640/VicHadri520+plus.jpg" width="449" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">This retro looking architecture is the back part of a church.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLycz3Ac9ccO9h2NJcFsAaTyy87yIPXtmHOsVRcMAgQ_WWmD6JTzAEY9B6qcadA_g_Fn2NFRUTMM8d1LTHNXw_j0hieDwOS1-c6D19u9-WsLE6qmFRfzH5TOajvEpZcTGNuVVz/s1600/VicNHadri+532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLycz3Ac9ccO9h2NJcFsAaTyy87yIPXtmHOsVRcMAgQ_WWmD6JTzAEY9B6qcadA_g_Fn2NFRUTMM8d1LTHNXw_j0hieDwOS1-c6D19u9-WsLE6qmFRfzH5TOajvEpZcTGNuVVz/s640/VicNHadri+532.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">This little park is built on top of a previously ugly looking canal.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHufFDDGqen6C2beDP9YALiVhgQTTBkxwoIpGwxNk18Wx90J05TOg2pXm8vfYrgT1GYRE4v5lYk-HFFSUrKmDew40ZEunZS29nfBhKoLPtWi2AAhQrALsprb4N8_DCC4uxbQG/s640/VicNHadri+532+mobilepix+086.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> It now has reed and plants of water cleansing properties growing on little ponds. This is so that the water that goes into the canal are cleaner, making it easier to recycle the water to potable quality.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHufFDDGqen6C2beDP9YALiVhgQTTBkxwoIpGwxNk18Wx90J05TOg2pXm8vfYrgT1GYRE4v5lYk-HFFSUrKmDew40ZEunZS29nfBhKoLPtWi2AAhQrALsprb4N8_DCC4uxbQG/s1600/VicNHadri+532+mobilepix+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black; font-size: large;"></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEXESUCUci1j6_p4djnOYwPsjP2t95DLY16_HOA7GskE8Irjs50RxoByFtDW5I12ytsxn-4lDaW0ky66rzeQ_ke-PgJVRX-UWQQkOZFNFNSuVWgCN69AzHkB64rlusigHvie4/s320/VicNHadri+534.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This beautiful garden built on top of a humble canal, is like this lotus flower - growing out of muddy waters to bloom in full delight.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEXESUCUci1j6_p4djnOYwPsjP2t95DLY16_HOA7GskE8Irjs50RxoByFtDW5I12ytsxn-4lDaW0ky66rzeQ_ke-PgJVRX-UWQQkOZFNFNSuVWgCN69AzHkB64rlusigHvie4/s1600/VicNHadri+534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8lNOpxB5JHptPIq8Y7jnIMjP-dN39gxSfiq3p1WRmQCXDhBjAg9j8yMrWZnCwQWJNnrA_ga93fhAYc5INPlUmtzuvc48lG8S_FY6NJRaNpqD2Xa9wNlyOM-sTV617-6kyf_u/s1600/VicNHadri+529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8lNOpxB5JHptPIq8Y7jnIMjP-dN39gxSfiq3p1WRmQCXDhBjAg9j8yMrWZnCwQWJNnrA_ga93fhAYc5INPlUmtzuvc48lG8S_FY6NJRaNpqD2Xa9wNlyOM-sTV617-6kyf_u/s640/VicNHadri+529.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rw_jZ7J-t8zAK8vuX9TPbQ-goFRZMAx4BYo4_EAd039gfB3jo4eXi48gN6vDlESCe7oLj0IQpsxc5Cw1a4-Y92bSjZgVgPFYsHQumPsTkSd9benR4zjXE9rhKSdWi9S9AP7l/s1600/VicNHadri+558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rw_jZ7J-t8zAK8vuX9TPbQ-goFRZMAx4BYo4_EAd039gfB3jo4eXi48gN6vDlESCe7oLj0IQpsxc5Cw1a4-Y92bSjZgVgPFYsHQumPsTkSd9benR4zjXE9rhKSdWi9S9AP7l/s640/VicNHadri+558.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Behind the egalitarian HDB estate of Margeret Drive is the posh neighbourhood of Dempsey, with some of these quaint looking and regal houses.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPscQJ7cXYD_DnjjR6Z7Rrm12jyYchPVatEJKHr0KaqvXs1o5d6Sak-AF4-zAnIl-ts4rON_XGTKv6gsmuA_F3pfv5yJGeJ6P2r49FQnKqgyrRt7azBDr0qD2xRmvEM8pgX_T/s1600/VicNHadri+551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPscQJ7cXYD_DnjjR6Z7Rrm12jyYchPVatEJKHr0KaqvXs1o5d6Sak-AF4-zAnIl-ts4rON_XGTKv6gsmuA_F3pfv5yJGeJ6P2r49FQnKqgyrRt7azBDr0qD2xRmvEM8pgX_T/s640/VicNHadri+551.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Doesn't this look like England?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXdmKduT_cD46_TZJIhvbYkEyp-KRBvcbiDtLm7XnioRcRDUX8_hYOfsfigQZAy953cOiP0YW53f8bzLtXNBMtT6rGbJDAMHPl3GJvHqe6_9yP1kXe0tvyNEFC_lKAigVKSlS/s1600/VicNHadri+550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWXdmKduT_cD46_TZJIhvbYkEyp-KRBvcbiDtLm7XnioRcRDUX8_hYOfsfigQZAy953cOiP0YW53f8bzLtXNBMtT6rGbJDAMHPl3GJvHqe6_9yP1kXe0tvyNEFC_lKAigVKSlS/s640/VicNHadri+550.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqfAsF_7wE_avUBR-aRh3iSnlPjEOa2J2kMEk_j21Xg-4OR9iXO5KrH7yywElKh0XyQnEU4fctBlaVzjRUjB9xOLWvIW50bF6uuBQkDDoD0oKrlGEjDV0JUndc5dmFQt4es39/s1600/VicNHadri+553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqfAsF_7wE_avUBR-aRh3iSnlPjEOa2J2kMEk_j21Xg-4OR9iXO5KrH7yywElKh0XyQnEU4fctBlaVzjRUjB9xOLWvIW50bF6uuBQkDDoD0oKrlGEjDV0JUndc5dmFQt4es39/s640/VicNHadri+553.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is the old Queenstown Library. The architecture has some character. I hope they won't demolish it.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtAYEQUP9drDl65Cu3EsFn9n1nRsvPZqrJRPY9HJnzStoKe6r6l53HgIjOsgleUtRx4V6IwyQGN6h2eg-FaeHtxGsnan0o81EN6MnecuY4mS7rm004T-yn2XqUIPsFe3HHx09/s1600/VicNHadri+548+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZtAYEQUP9drDl65Cu3EsFn9n1nRsvPZqrJRPY9HJnzStoKe6r6l53HgIjOsgleUtRx4V6IwyQGN6h2eg-FaeHtxGsnan0o81EN6MnecuY4mS7rm004T-yn2XqUIPsFe3HHx09/s640/VicNHadri+548+photo.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is the old Queenstown recreational areas. As the front still sat standing, demolition has already started in the back.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9aZSZ5J4KJnR-fKUv3_zCfbEx1vQF7kw9AC7g9Itl_iiM8xWbSPWPRnkNfilgKlp3IYrsvMji15nuzhdLMv8scvvJhKW09EyJ31U38e1s0wZ80ptifQTM-XEn6KRIlf3dBHi/s1600/VicNHadri+544+mobilepix+096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj9I06EUYAkseo-iUL7bUiGQLwwF9jBdJs7Z0mUUtph7_r9q63gkZWbkL1TiDoAINd-88Hsc6sK-RGzY6OGfx98OpsE7q1VcfqrtABxWO7IY4tEr7i3TgrZdRKYhBqQaDyP6M/s1600/VicNHadri+543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9aZSZ5J4KJnR-fKUv3_zCfbEx1vQF7kw9AC7g9Itl_iiM8xWbSPWPRnkNfilgKlp3IYrsvMji15nuzhdLMv8scvvJhKW09EyJ31U38e1s0wZ80ptifQTM-XEn6KRIlf3dBHi/s1600/VicNHadri+544+mobilepix+096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj9I06EUYAkseo-iUL7bUiGQLwwF9jBdJs7Z0mUUtph7_r9q63gkZWbkL1TiDoAINd-88Hsc6sK-RGzY6OGfx98OpsE7q1VcfqrtABxWO7IY4tEr7i3TgrZdRKYhBqQaDyP6M/s1600/VicNHadri+543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Q37XUB1_8DUO7-OMcm5KeEDukUBSTGQWsmM4mQiiIIActMMYDZmqOUB9QHYqSqQZLurvEo7ObYLpSPR025ZrXEpvsTDRkuIy2Lma9o6sTIIoBNTaSvoS0wZCTSqrR7nF2Ysa/s1600/VicNHadri+544+ph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Q37XUB1_8DUO7-OMcm5KeEDukUBSTGQWsmM4mQiiIIActMMYDZmqOUB9QHYqSqQZLurvEo7ObYLpSPR025ZrXEpvsTDRkuIy2Lma9o6sTIIoBNTaSvoS0wZCTSqrR7nF2Ysa/s640/VicNHadri+544+ph.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMj9I06EUYAkseo-iUL7bUiGQLwwF9jBdJs7Z0mUUtph7_r9q63gkZWbkL1TiDoAINd-88Hsc6sK-RGzY6OGfx98OpsE7q1VcfqrtABxWO7IY4tEr7i3TgrZdRKYhBqQaDyP6M/s640/VicNHadri+543.jpg" width="640" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9aZSZ5J4KJnR-fKUv3_zCfbEx1vQF7kw9AC7g9Itl_iiM8xWbSPWPRnkNfilgKlp3IYrsvMji15nuzhdLMv8scvvJhKW09EyJ31U38e1s0wZ80ptifQTM-XEn6KRIlf3dBHi/s640/VicNHadri+544+mobilepix+096.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is the old Queenstown Market. I don't think this is going to last very long standing here.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9aZSZ5J4KJnR-fKUv3_zCfbEx1vQF7kw9AC7g9Itl_iiM8xWbSPWPRnkNfilgKlp3IYrsvMji15nuzhdLMv8scvvJhKW09EyJ31U38e1s0wZ80ptifQTM-XEn6KRIlf3dBHi/s1600/VicNHadri+544+mobilepix+096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqazWlEG38GUD1evgkvXebnndDc5S64TFoLsec1CjWEvmeAsSOCfxKkaj8byQXUKLPOFeR_HJyIKeTFtnIHuS5c44erTujo3FmZItNoWlyIP_mT7gyDlGy1m9bR_lFxs1bVQq/s1600/VicNHadri+559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqazWlEG38GUD1evgkvXebnndDc5S64TFoLsec1CjWEvmeAsSOCfxKkaj8byQXUKLPOFeR_HJyIKeTFtnIHuS5c44erTujo3FmZItNoWlyIP_mT7gyDlGy1m9bR_lFxs1bVQq/s400/VicNHadri+559.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: large;">Alas, I reach the last point of Holland Village. Unfortunately, nobody came to meet me. A few said that they will try to turn up, but couldn't make it. So after quenching my thirst, I turned back towards Changi.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqazWlEG38GUD1evgkvXebnndDc5S64TFoLsec1CjWEvmeAsSOCfxKkaj8byQXUKLPOFeR_HJyIKeTFtnIHuS5c44erTujo3FmZItNoWlyIP_mT7gyDlGy1m9bR_lFxs1bVQq/s1600/VicNHadri+559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqazWlEG38GUD1evgkvXebnndDc5S64TFoLsec1CjWEvmeAsSOCfxKkaj8byQXUKLPOFeR_HJyIKeTFtnIHuS5c44erTujo3FmZItNoWlyIP_mT7gyDlGy1m9bR_lFxs1bVQq/s1600/VicNHadri+559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqazWlEG38GUD1evgkvXebnndDc5S64TFoLsec1CjWEvmeAsSOCfxKkaj8byQXUKLPOFeR_HJyIKeTFtnIHuS5c44erTujo3FmZItNoWlyIP_mT7gyDlGy1m9bR_lFxs1bVQq/s1600/VicNHadri+559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoF5EZs3OxsIfAdL5Fy5oSqTRxy7I3HQ6kbwRTl3XjRzBgj7GuAsXh3yYCpeXY71n7DtFHTwllnf4ezzn98Bz5RRwgktF07THSJZCiO8bv0KzAArUnaP-4x5YdLRwiz8eC2yu/s640/zmobilepix+116.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoF5EZs3OxsIfAdL5Fy5oSqTRxy7I3HQ6kbwRTl3XjRzBgj7GuAsXh3yYCpeXY71n7DtFHTwllnf4ezzn98Bz5RRwgktF07THSJZCiO8bv0KzAArUnaP-4x5YdLRwiz8eC2yu/s1600/zmobilepix+116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUsyEDm2l0m7tar2imtolCf6C4i2xWSlXj9igp8TJIPmyXjlo0XGu0tWj5NmbZbiw0VtvflgtI77qGn3ZS6fZWMtL1SHfHApjC7R99uyHlKp_V64vs1cuoAz2K5VdMXzbWleZ/s1600/zmobilepix+124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxUsyEDm2l0m7tar2imtolCf6C4i2xWSlXj9igp8TJIPmyXjlo0XGu0tWj5NmbZbiw0VtvflgtI77qGn3ZS6fZWMtL1SHfHApjC7R99uyHlKp_V64vs1cuoAz2K5VdMXzbWleZ/s640/zmobilepix+124.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Singapore River on the way back.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv754lsBAqAelf8cziXX2A3ZfpqoG9RfaoC5vbZxH9EpzJygmuKRVfeGzvS6Cfd6bNJGpdGooRrT8C_ohfss-H4o0R4fACni3gzSZH50BoQbWgHunue3CYaTXy9MHbCnI3AK06/s1600/zmobilepix+122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv754lsBAqAelf8cziXX2A3ZfpqoG9RfaoC5vbZxH9EpzJygmuKRVfeGzvS6Cfd6bNJGpdGooRrT8C_ohfss-H4o0R4fACni3gzSZH50BoQbWgHunue3CYaTXy9MHbCnI3AK06/s640/zmobilepix+122.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I reached home at 11.40pm and celebrated with a glass of wine!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Total distance about 80-90kms.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Read about my other routes, click <a href="http://vacuumstate.blogspot.com/search/label/Park%20Connector">here</a>.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<br />michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-78319970392752383472008-10-07T04:33:00.000-07:002008-10-07T12:22:45.168-07:00ParisUnder construction...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYxH0YYxI0aD7Sr6WfauG3MxUwJ-0axqBsSK7jhl0jFjFo1RvFEJrqkEUhm4ODRb5eKDzx6SxrjtHKoK6TTKUHs7QcjHo8l2tTtgHXWdCByLWVVPIYEaaF1n7io2sdZpjh9Co/s1600-h/paris+086.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254489275992386610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYxH0YYxI0aD7Sr6WfauG3MxUwJ-0axqBsSK7jhl0jFjFo1RvFEJrqkEUhm4ODRb5eKDzx6SxrjtHKoK6TTKUHs7QcjHo8l2tTtgHXWdCByLWVVPIYEaaF1n7io2sdZpjh9Co/s400/paris+086.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1nfyiFnvYaX4lyw6MfxUtFt6lYEWKrrEgv_wXPjX2iRoDtA34GeE-JVE8J3iF_yC6cf52fwecAH82XU0ETd-0tSSPCnGU8GYkJLw8p0Gu8pY9U2o_s87H55KJxLRUP2tLNHa/s1600-h/paris+087.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254489281602474978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1nfyiFnvYaX4lyw6MfxUtFt6lYEWKrrEgv_wXPjX2iRoDtA34GeE-JVE8J3iF_yC6cf52fwecAH82XU0ETd-0tSSPCnGU8GYkJLw8p0Gu8pY9U2o_s87H55KJxLRUP2tLNHa/s400/paris+087.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254381405404004322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx69orCCp5U5JbrNVjFuQpEPG7uN7P4IU-gPfdxAvc7NPdHG6Jk3gHsQJMICDTCmWO1CCc_mekwScg5-0FamGkNiXAD_SEDCrK1mIUHY6pC-3Hhrxwbujko-1mGMg82kxOeiar/s400/paris+038.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254437272940804738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQhE45QJSfQQDw4hlE3LoBklPWCbvpeHEfTzs1zpDa3E9P4n6WXcUP8Z2PPZlphe7xGfZeP_cxTxAD9AN6YnE4s_anpzceUGlLXepT4tfHExuFLerIOWLOtUYKAJHSrMQWBU8/s400/paris+089.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254437272301754706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQ35IbYw66UYDeZfqCVcDR-Hhz3VccCNuLsFykegywuJ6HYKP2-WhHP1CJS8wooGKd-VyH0-E6YaSpFpICUYpK9akv0va8nWssV3vIr9bE4XjCziCqHlLNJJyw0RFimPifcE1/s400/paris+088.jpg" border="0" /><br />.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254381409848204162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6qzsjnkYM1q0IiU542hI08wRWuMocwgahwycLLfjuOeZt9xtsApiQjduC-CsnzeevynFKosvVVyrspWURS2BOMpyPWAqIigrnlNETzHdC0W3JyVqjownlDHPwRYg3v7XkQRW/s400/paris+039.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254477943699422146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyCBTx1rum9g_mxtbNMdb4QAKScnPfM4CeoOIm6K40HnLNmijR2zO77G4I1gp-h0cXb4TtlPYHjKz4qEMcLAnwd7SBPVi38IsZwjCnNFlHnybIrnvLsaUFr5TipYPd42fQ9Xx/s400/paris+123.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzvlsTtIkEzNXHONG0PqwSYB6KV8fyzQlEoMZ_mRS4sckqVu9USnUbaJ84Iyjy-kX-qn6t5NIjRTuLlb9xZA9qBdrLOSZkGCySZorOUKxhT9eUXPc5ykumA2pk7JBHM6JA_F9/s1600-h/paris+121.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254477935054533042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzvlsTtIkEzNXHONG0PqwSYB6KV8fyzQlEoMZ_mRS4sckqVu9USnUbaJ84Iyjy-kX-qn6t5NIjRTuLlb9xZA9qBdrLOSZkGCySZorOUKxhT9eUXPc5ykumA2pk7JBHM6JA_F9/s400/paris+121.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLGAeE1AsSpstlhyphenhyphenhF9NsOIw8atLTayJUYgwUcFDRUEzF_iW6LNs_XS3y3zqiLYD5edBINbqeWb5ATeCIvU4efomRkKLu0ushY2WAWci3kqKyRXwn-6si9J_pJQETBiXtNooo/s1600-h/paris+122.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254477937712000130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLGAeE1AsSpstlhyphenhyphenhF9NsOIw8atLTayJUYgwUcFDRUEzF_iW6LNs_XS3y3zqiLYD5edBINbqeWb5ATeCIvU4efomRkKLu0ushY2WAWci3kqKyRXwn-6si9J_pJQETBiXtNooo/s400/paris+122.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254385956083198930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65UFoIHC54rfp1Lg6p3gOk5sfgiAmXyBhubCUSug4yg056XE_UcesZHcak8QGp0WbRnx2jCHpwnmeKMlfb_CA8s2Ik30eASezAtZSso8giBh62m1C-SxgvYGVB7R_1YNJGz0M/s400/paris+044.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254489269301739010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzBt5lq1aJBahdTdX7nA0W8LoRPdr95e_-snlbJExU6B-hppyyhjMAXKiqtnv36X7yDpjkeVs9EcIq2HxtvYcOpGLuomJDAETFszJo0IxeRGRXL4cLDG3ZDLEjruxrc3PZ4Jx/s400/paris+084.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UNTd5IEM0X6s28kzBF9_KPS-8EyPqkvrWSTWN5y43slQ3zw3gdBtUBKU0HjVVX3WpkVYCw6kLUWA3IZp1D7F0PDMsZ-dzmHFpF0EO2ltrI9smcQ2cpzLIX0BszVNsa9znR1F/s1600-h/paris+120.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254474476918179842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UNTd5IEM0X6s28kzBF9_KPS-8EyPqkvrWSTWN5y43slQ3zw3gdBtUBKU0HjVVX3WpkVYCw6kLUWA3IZp1D7F0PDMsZ-dzmHFpF0EO2ltrI9smcQ2cpzLIX0BszVNsa9znR1F/s400/paris+120.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzlrui_1Q_HVuRUDukBs2PYmA4PBVYgVwqtgv-U3SsdTJlet45NHMoK7Q6IxFcH-tvYyvZThhFaoId-QzxFtKxaaMZi98zyDtVbjoNewQ0fvuOSR8aMbCeh7u19OMUkAkUBJl/s1600-h/paris+113.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254443886983718066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzlrui_1Q_HVuRUDukBs2PYmA4PBVYgVwqtgv-U3SsdTJlet45NHMoK7Q6IxFcH-tvYyvZThhFaoId-QzxFtKxaaMZi98zyDtVbjoNewQ0fvuOSR8aMbCeh7u19OMUkAkUBJl/s400/paris+113.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SXMVeJOMz3I9uLJcM_ybClS33Q1jLHxwg424dHdXzqq9pI67Iy9GzY02cOXKT4yT6RDG1k9aUlNGbaiypv7o_2Uc57pDmj4Y3YKAqXDPZkMIrcIcDWG8iDwLN58-U01Nrp2b/s1600-h/paris+114.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254443893566840578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SXMVeJOMz3I9uLJcM_ybClS33Q1jLHxwg424dHdXzqq9pI67Iy9GzY02cOXKT4yT6RDG1k9aUlNGbaiypv7o_2Uc57pDmj4Y3YKAqXDPZkMIrcIcDWG8iDwLN58-U01Nrp2b/s400/paris+114.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254474477825190034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCfGPdGjg2honz9cOvyGfZHZEBMdFqKDEiSvZ1yHCSTmDp5fX06oqesheasCtJxbBM5JG2J1rzR6nqgFLTqPO8tGH4qeYkFnpBgaSk89mHbyvjXi3TRAyCcQurdHhkDoO4tl-q/s400/paris+119.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzajnDvtj5sT6nyJD6QS-ikbgEwtQwExeNoooTdvbe5JattutJ116tVJ4fdMpzcUnBof4sFkO8cVWFu-ulU1SbIuDGyRsxe8-6bfE5BEQ7UyqYL1Jm6W2OWDrHsxBTOqnnsYPR/s1600-h/paris+115.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254443896197498466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzajnDvtj5sT6nyJD6QS-ikbgEwtQwExeNoooTdvbe5JattutJ116tVJ4fdMpzcUnBof4sFkO8cVWFu-ulU1SbIuDGyRsxe8-6bfE5BEQ7UyqYL1Jm6W2OWDrHsxBTOqnnsYPR/s400/paris+115.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254474470693031794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgnjsM7mt5jgneqsV3SD7ePApfrnXeldJ3ics0E49Srbf04Mvkry9FyB5y3hdhY3WKHN8xg7WQtLiaFUK-WGGX1Ye5oKaYIJssyFNy-7-djLtdZbopejdQ2IPyLDK06rDRyeV/s400/paris+117.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZgw8aB9PAYo1PxpIazCStWVA1sxR8UqZCJbyHXVohHr3HEXOsbNJRnqDv5Xj9bZyggM3trXXTybpZLdfC5uNt0HbqFvp7Nc0fBAKFmy0YD3XRfSJat-kfFpJnzk21FcAjT-I/s1600-h/paris+111.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254442328647558898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZgw8aB9PAYo1PxpIazCStWVA1sxR8UqZCJbyHXVohHr3HEXOsbNJRnqDv5Xj9bZyggM3trXXTybpZLdfC5uNt0HbqFvp7Nc0fBAKFmy0YD3XRfSJat-kfFpJnzk21FcAjT-I/s400/paris+111.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254381415389894674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZS5R32b4CZ9J3athbBCtKRmmWE6rDoqGVj2NkZZkyLi_WgJJJXAExwU2PIvcTsn6tkyyQsRnYGN5YAdPLT7T3QJU74tnlNCXqc_ovZNwNNYD3pIk4mzOEhuwEqjJdsQ-y6Vx/s400/paris+040.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254442324748137154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisff3gE0uPWxNYdRNF9aEb0kgszUY4vRwq99YAfvWm202zZQ0x0WLtLSOY2UzK0Qpzs96WO4Vh37gy9bDujizLm_cEmj7S6XNDaiFUZMAHyncQP9s7_xY_do-FDaJ2IUPOuYNR/s400/paris+093.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyW05oUPjgfRJpx3LebQGedvFPWOtg6fXnaYhNdc0zTDs1zhpCgkCH5m6hvNSGFvbVqqzL-BvQBMNZ7BaGhPQkWbypzxOjwwLTdcGN32SVpF4i9316rpuPvD4UwTXIqxVpnx_/s1600-h/paris+099.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254442332531225602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyW05oUPjgfRJpx3LebQGedvFPWOtg6fXnaYhNdc0zTDs1zhpCgkCH5m6hvNSGFvbVqqzL-BvQBMNZ7BaGhPQkWbypzxOjwwLTdcGN32SVpF4i9316rpuPvD4UwTXIqxVpnx_/s400/paris+099.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254392258323518946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmYBPt1d3GXItIYaiPWPQc5dhdJkPapsRHR1Oc_60FOTf-isR5ELO14ikhjUtiDR5Iz3AyUo4huhOIml8Apej99sa0qe2x3A7BxfXzRRxOc3S-bK0yKDYZPZDkNl_qMOWmCu3/s400/paris+063.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254435725226953506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYVJ7lO7iuy0I3mLQGRLFhapXglumzypQHGWwLYtyhlytOaeGXtBQZzUKsTd6Y2Rvs53LrmfWLCSSjXXZ1voCRW2On4hUhPNvLmTAltWdkU_KGwPaH_K-RXBU0VC7n0Zhp6FE/s400/paris+074.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254392263527899474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioizcef6FDqSGZLBM5XkarNMv-g66rJMsbAW7umcEaTZXL-9nWm2P3uNIiW0zAzncnJ41I5_uI8wHMYXPdbzZ80O4hDJQ906dHPXiVSOdeWMdaVPgCHe-GqHOcHwKxGP6ygAnz/s400/paris+065.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254390943414265282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXojQuVBaihHUrqXRBPGL7zvXrYiKXrGdr6EkZLMJkotv4u5Yd7k4Dz-Z-B_3VHU0UMpD6KPt_E1HVEmLE16eurblsS8xXRIe2rpSOhGI7NviBEm5absTGCaWENMXR4WMZAU5/s400/paris+061.jpg" border="0" /> <div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvf0koUMDIks7r33ZGgYXnaHWDBUj7crvd3rjjHRx-JAGpsgh9pptBc3Dg1ASaOXklTTkptaAvJ2kYCx7hfsAUA1xicN3-GsZaOUjPHfv-AhrHndBs8jKStyjeP6MbgEoKQBDo/s1600-h/paris+069.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254435722329193570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvf0koUMDIks7r33ZGgYXnaHWDBUj7crvd3rjjHRx-JAGpsgh9pptBc3Dg1ASaOXklTTkptaAvJ2kYCx7hfsAUA1xicN3-GsZaOUjPHfv-AhrHndBs8jKStyjeP6MbgEoKQBDo/s400/paris+069.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254435720701535202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwUxWudH5uabZqcKqPMlukQ9SfMrDQuoxFGZOnfLw7skKJyPSUvw6jw7cv5CZpnc-i9cnFg5gQ_0TA3koxIr_d1w9GLBOUxlp4fNFbvrkb1jAhjKP-p1lnofxUkVcg60HcWuRf/s400/paris+073.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254437259375493570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQerG8RdifSnO8Gv0p0NHiopkVH0bTBA3WRDeW0ExEIfTd0X-H8ZeWUmkS-j0PU9sIZBq4XQGLrLLwOVwhdK_cFiePsf-VPzoIDArgs5IvxtMT1nmrp2Fp3EtXGwuFIIhbgIoE/s400/paris+079.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254389328282396562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXg8Clx4L2FdGhHr0k546_FMqSeA1WYP2B2RbPyj5xHM3ftkdV6q-niDwIwSgwB2e0rCeX1o2jJ1f0nLadu3VfZOm04IgjcQ5bfLXTi3LytZDS2yGWZRtBhUA7qMv3R4t9l8B/s400/paris+058.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FpJ7-xGxQLTzlg_SueChor9XrK47HBY6mn4ySC4BESUWT2_thAce9d11erE0Se7fO7D7Jo4oQ0rsL3RxsQU0VpNDNUs5KV11n3LdAwob7uVrJfjjGGCFntgDG6DfXZ2_aqFd/s1600-h/paris+059.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254390933997683554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FpJ7-xGxQLTzlg_SueChor9XrK47HBY6mn4ySC4BESUWT2_thAce9d11erE0Se7fO7D7Jo4oQ0rsL3RxsQU0VpNDNUs5KV11n3LdAwob7uVrJfjjGGCFntgDG6DfXZ2_aqFd/s400/paris+059.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlOkYM7Bwua8r_XMt0C2tfycl5lAXPWHHo61IIYfFSIBkDPdvBL-M58c4KOjbiCHLBDE_whflPR3S3gk5UOJCuAXSbmj7wj-bzIodpdUY-uIRC5u3witfjVtg7KjsYFv4JQTu/s1600-h/paris+060.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254390939439760722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlOkYM7Bwua8r_XMt0C2tfycl5lAXPWHHo61IIYfFSIBkDPdvBL-M58c4KOjbiCHLBDE_whflPR3S3gk5UOJCuAXSbmj7wj-bzIodpdUY-uIRC5u3witfjVtg7KjsYFv4JQTu/s400/paris+060.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254387810064319666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVLXbR9sOQqcdNBcrzv-wVFuMbCN7LAJaJ-bn5FihjIYwduOB9EhwhDw0c4bcjZ-KraKtKyqJwkIdZbr9vI8Ct60Ll2qaET9zLVMpAzQdt9dPNLEu7HBhRZYLvx2fvYqAe0e0/s400/paris+047.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254385969784740466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6mt9g-QBh62e9A3yM6L3bUKq_dE2Zq5zWj2MqrFonoIyo_jkThm2y_BBW7ZWAksoDHrU2N0N8JCPfHpNyBqTQfS2znpWCDup7JIy5sBN4d0Y4dnG3KDnGTQB3ZTdXtPFRAZL/s400/paris+046.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254389326358335474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd3_yzIkSlRDVzTnfxyC9KLaRWYGRCxrpgCwj5UkRgemsAaHXlVMgG2bWoFF_esSdEyB9sbJsvrwLtkHwlhcXfH-BLgRZeRUgmtmqn78U5osbAK7Mhw4slyaEqSQXEEwO9dY2/s400/paris+055.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOf3ieOvLU_L_H34dr5kzOTyrYg2gTlq9ZsgDirG6m9iOfUjijBgX2aqbU1QEKAVz3R1ylx4bAVLpN8jcTinDpk3y9FvGjTRRa6sJTQ4RPj_IldJFl6FF0gWGLpyv6Y3j-C2o6/s1600-h/paris+052.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254389322413657666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOf3ieOvLU_L_H34dr5kzOTyrYg2gTlq9ZsgDirG6m9iOfUjijBgX2aqbU1QEKAVz3R1ylx4bAVLpN8jcTinDpk3y9FvGjTRRa6sJTQ4RPj_IldJFl6FF0gWGLpyv6Y3j-C2o6/s400/paris+052.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfwa3b1F9cXoJknhFlw3qXe1HvVElLxpVrxSqHjv3k5v6Frmp22-l48aw7L7SO0ydUuQwdbLU7yJH1pNoz5qmUv17bjX5lcNfK_NNXlNEG8Cz1sUnbDYtAXGAZ_qO_WNviDnt/s1600-h/paris+048.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254387807125493106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfwa3b1F9cXoJknhFlw3qXe1HvVElLxpVrxSqHjv3k5v6Frmp22-l48aw7L7SO0ydUuQwdbLU7yJH1pNoz5qmUv17bjX5lcNfK_NNXlNEG8Cz1sUnbDYtAXGAZ_qO_WNviDnt/s400/paris+048.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Eix0CEzszFIOeYlskN_68QRDXZl_CbAdnsut3dttn_4vjosPAMDcGQNjYbVAvvQmgJ6xfhpRMC_nv65syNmJlNlW7dFfPTK6cakgsRNQeYsk1EOFCgcXKTBRkM0fQctom_yP/s1600-h/paris+049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254387818670747970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Eix0CEzszFIOeYlskN_68QRDXZl_CbAdnsut3dttn_4vjosPAMDcGQNjYbVAvvQmgJ6xfhpRMC_nv65syNmJlNlW7dFfPTK6cakgsRNQeYsk1EOFCgcXKTBRkM0fQctom_yP/s400/paris+049.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254481849756375442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNTHmavqhYfFfd9_LsDCUYOc_42EdihRLwiy3kR3tDxyzHddNP_yCgKftfz7eOD3duLL37AVFLWGAGpOGcr-AZonKxBC_t3dWBThi81RrGNgGNyY-GQ-bopDNGypMLKwlx5mZa/s400/paris+107.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxdroRgviWb8wRAdwkLoizi1rbOi4KmGu7aJVgBHkRC8HHKnV-0IRTAE5xsPqlpZljrfqbZEVcfsXbAwcVPJAjEUYff-OADfXR-3tiZIHbo08Vl1Ot6PNiS6m6aM_LsRNzduR/s1600-h/IMAGE_246.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254374432842634690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxdroRgviWb8wRAdwkLoizi1rbOi4KmGu7aJVgBHkRC8HHKnV-0IRTAE5xsPqlpZljrfqbZEVcfsXbAwcVPJAjEUYff-OADfXR-3tiZIHbo08Vl1Ot6PNiS6m6aM_LsRNzduR/s400/IMAGE_246.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Bet7KcvBsjqitFtJOOFa31CEaRWy1SnVZDO_mKTZMGHMTDwDuoS85cW68akR_zcH0I3uNsXGqsE3ahw9259ITbf-sDjeiseX9W9ro9neqss7G3Td3hv32_bbbzgQ6XeJhzGz/s1600-h/IMAGE_247.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254374436567531650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Bet7KcvBsjqitFtJOOFa31CEaRWy1SnVZDO_mKTZMGHMTDwDuoS85cW68akR_zcH0I3uNsXGqsE3ahw9259ITbf-sDjeiseX9W9ro9neqss7G3Td3hv32_bbbzgQ6XeJhzGz/s400/IMAGE_247.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMRsGLb8X1UsJL6FVpqxMXEU02ddtm1hx_cte42mBOyILbw3VA7qSac58gkWPxUSiDfGVNSzhGaf8XjoPqLIPUoBfHu0ZXw2RpXCy7lMwRUBEBjwcAiRDdnCkitWwmMXxAlrt/s1600-h/IMAGE_254.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3N7APAKCZWBJvdHrcVBIvSQ-tY5eScrm0yNPcAO9OvgwCfAKD3Cw4cPosW0vr-b_vDncWQ8HnXTXTxXP65LjYHqU4lxEwmsm6saMOk-Rm4dJAjlmtpHx8iIFec1NLqzxa6ik/s1600-h/IMAGE_255.jpg"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254491915483676034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaITbhFFCoa8VDd-wF6SDNGF_YThb0gqmApQPXqi5I6Za0JgJwoPDkjQ4tpqlt5Fk6YGRsxxen78sFu3SL8IleftI_lkzQSy_XQebbvC1cLTz-O2uqNlm5zA_8L-d6OD0pJmue/s400/paris+100.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXl_0vp9j4mTYjv9PEz58YvnMusV32YkfYunc9ZQ2FINwi8vMYrPHHSwSuDgYAjuvgk7vi2QWIPFM7N0KmtQOw9ZTadm44MADOyR2wofzkAumEzky0ewHmKI3tmVwB4sQW7Zfb/s1600-h/IMAGE_256.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254491903842022114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSux7BrSV72FpreIwygxFWkMvm-b8kgdA6ZuYc4oVzp1GoTYKQdtgxt51c7SN9Pf4AR0bTaUCHsxQJganrhaojV8UQSA3RtwbPqqxUEycYk_-awfJKVgDXdh_Kfd2cg9oZsKPV/s400/paris+124.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254491910784952930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwWDMhvowcP6xSlMO4eJ56ijhx5wmijhpIRbyNdMjO5vzzW-vbxW7ub5Um5ISyWYqAYGaElwmvlbfyrdQ0f7WJTeznxMfmCqSc6vSy7axgPUH_vdEM8v3ihkbTzU1TEYxAXPV/s400/paris+129.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-61257952722591883482008-08-11T02:25:00.000-07:002008-08-11T03:33:10.300-07:00My Double Life - Part 2<div align="justify">I have been busy traveling (read "leading my double life") and therefore too busy to update my blog. So here is a briefing of where I have been. More pixs and narratives will be forthcoming. Other than Paris, they are often off-the-beaten track places of interest.<br /></div><div align="justify">.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233195993129974210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOAE4YFVEi4uLjozWarSAvWgq-5QmPbtbn86B7-cKmYykZZUtLzUbJWuk7HEU8rVZRILZBCc3raW-QkBCgWf-HE9SXJy-eTs4ODGVjpCpmFt_DIFBMtcww1JPefB9Uzl_4RbpL/s400/paris+117.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center">Paris</div><div align="justify">.<br /></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-1xTIx-Q1hc7GEO4wki3s3DUQokXahq_hxtf8nTZbXR1AeHXJ7LVNJEKM7UC-6Cz5mpo6x0RfRwiP2laKlW9UXQ3Iil_NlL9EXfz9Agg8ETN7aGGRNSCkpfBgD0wGSLeFmJ0/s1600-h/lahulpe+and+cats+110.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233196018165772914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-1xTIx-Q1hc7GEO4wki3s3DUQokXahq_hxtf8nTZbXR1AeHXJ7LVNJEKM7UC-6Cz5mpo6x0RfRwiP2laKlW9UXQ3Iil_NlL9EXfz9Agg8ETN7aGGRNSCkpfBgD0wGSLeFmJ0/s400/lahulpe+and+cats+110.jpg" border="0" /></div><p align="center"></a>Scouts Camp in the Ardennes, Belgium<br /><br />.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQGsONhfVYm7pXUD07UudTApsiIOlPu_pb5nWwifJNxkgGiUnlBpoAbkywx_Otd3-8ttrf2cql2XYiZ8XjFg04ClLTgFzj1u1jTjCsBsLPwuuZtgscxWXErTEus5fVEv2b6on/s1600-h/rixensart+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233192002739593938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQGsONhfVYm7pXUD07UudTApsiIOlPu_pb5nWwifJNxkgGiUnlBpoAbkywx_Otd3-8ttrf2cql2XYiZ8XjFg04ClLTgFzj1u1jTjCsBsLPwuuZtgscxWXErTEus5fVEv2b6on/s400/rixensart+018.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Streets of Brussels<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPYdXw6kk9yUnvivly3S_C0L2hLFf3cQ5EMkK-xqakFOMvC0-L5xap6tm2rvz9U-HraaxPjKhI2RKckHqxup26HUb1zDKpwopEccHOxFF_UuFVlCDwTToCMLfCa7gbsXx8RP3/s1600-h/paris+146.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233192006459245794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPYdXw6kk9yUnvivly3S_C0L2hLFf3cQ5EMkK-xqakFOMvC0-L5xap6tm2rvz9U-HraaxPjKhI2RKckHqxup26HUb1zDKpwopEccHOxFF_UuFVlCDwTToCMLfCa7gbsXx8RP3/s400/paris+146.jpg" border="0" /></a> Comic Shop, Wavre, Belgium</p><p><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233192010238900786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9cNC-ABk90SO2Tb-k83XFL2N97TeDmoj8wCxtxh0dYjgA6Kb70t_ml9zIKwG-rQUdfY20ElCsCfnN1Ww0fR_523W_awOhh8bXHHvWg1YkYjcX5MlWObC3RqIbTYP2LalIZTl/s400/dinant+020.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">Dinant, Belgium<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_1ACty3IgP8jzRetRVwiVNhjknphrMzuDWYl40Pp2gKhD1HHtuIQAmeG_t5dUdwDVVvToY1Z1-2uCUT1f1YDeK1u0G39JQxlqMxe7rcnkWUbSUAYwPgAuJNGT1YKtr2pcm-G/s1600-h/lahulpe+and+cats+172.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233192014230570610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_1ACty3IgP8jzRetRVwiVNhjknphrMzuDWYl40Pp2gKhD1HHtuIQAmeG_t5dUdwDVVvToY1Z1-2uCUT1f1YDeK1u0G39JQxlqMxe7rcnkWUbSUAYwPgAuJNGT1YKtr2pcm-G/s400/lahulpe+and+cats+172.jpg" border="0" /></a> Museum of Photography, Charleroi, Belgium</p><p align="center">.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233192022543775570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-QyDvIyqNQC00LAkYkChDB3P03EC31yKXgWq87qaNbEZHZLgk68KR5guXVeQ1Ybi2NEc1xR2WkcPVLEZo6BDKGD172Kbq-yRzK-CaL7ofASCWjaP0dPQ5wT7dLb1FEf1bK22/s400/lahulpe+and+cats+030.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">La Fouquez, Belgium</p><p align="center">.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233205219108277266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIFmcH4YJnTMPIqJ-zeXl9hGHisy8rkLd8kFAgTWVhhiuiREdfIeUvfx_aOdE4OUNAS5F5g13qSXU5F626bKGLSlh91cr35YyrNd7if81gelR9BYlh1qfYO6rJyzEn0PTpL-_/s400/lahulpe+and+cats+072.jpg" border="0" />Chateau de La Hulpe, Belgium<br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233204582009320962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0sU7NwLoNyyiTciRcNOHQO51tPHxo9HlTc8LBI9T0qPmbgJHKZw2S3fzmYA67zuNT6C1Mlf-bE_hNYq_z36fS0Eue3vppqZTlEdA5ho-soAov6QO-v6x70FiCd6Wvick_H93/s400/lahulpe+and+cats+015.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">Lake Genval, Belgium</p><p align="center">.</p>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-62959876283594844912008-04-29T20:12:00.000-07:002008-12-09T11:13:21.234-08:00United Arab Emirates<div align="justify">This is my third time into the UAE. On my first visit, it was during the Second Gulf War in Iraq. Many major construction projects were put on hold. </div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">During my second visit a two years ago, Dubai was in a construction frenzy. The frenzy did not stop. It may have even accelerated considering the number of cranes we see around us. Twenty-four percent of the world construction cranes are currently operating in Dubai. Property analysts reckon that this market optimism will go on till the Year 2010.</div><div align="justify">. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMEdvXstefyvfjAcwtgbA7I2dItYaJFhuNvNOInsj9jwjNw9RUyN5qMwQ6DSdE61CZ0ULMZppk_r5J1L6UoYBGnS6Z-0cewxM810JCwLDvQHyTrIsyxCqnGPPLySBBxdkkfiB/s1600-h/Middle-East-map.gif">. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195308606151131042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMEdvXstefyvfjAcwtgbA7I2dItYaJFhuNvNOInsj9jwjNw9RUyN5qMwQ6DSdE61CZ0ULMZppk_r5J1L6UoYBGnS6Z-0cewxM810JCwLDvQHyTrIsyxCqnGPPLySBBxdkkfiB/s400/Middle-East-map.gif" border="0" /></a> Like Singapore, the UAE is a relatively small place compared to their neighbours, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Oman and Iraq. Like Singapore, it has to make it up with its open policies towards trade and investments. I heard the residential properties that they construct attract buyers from Iran, Pakistan and India, among others. It is said that there are many tax avoided money amongst such investments in Dubai. Rich Pakistani businessmen are said to run their factories by wire from Dubai and enjoy the security of Dubai.</div><div align="justify">.<br /></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH4Dc-2Zy-5Ko0Xp-6xdGQE5CipaO7z_yMsg3O1t5rlIOdwaVI8paUs_a0GVNYr5tJosID-uJgjevRPKfDupQdi591FtgkZbMEpt4P9d0_7Q0EPhNUrSfj9d6om0sR8ybH0c5/s1600-h/uae_map.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195305917501603730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjH4Dc-2Zy-5Ko0Xp-6xdGQE5CipaO7z_yMsg3O1t5rlIOdwaVI8paUs_a0GVNYr5tJosID-uJgjevRPKfDupQdi591FtgkZbMEpt4P9d0_7Q0EPhNUrSfj9d6om0sR8ybH0c5/s400/uae_map.gif" border="0" /></a> Our trip is a business trip to Abu Dhabi, with a stop-over in Dubai. From Dubai, we took a bus to Abu Dhabi.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLI0Usuzlunu3CEzpYVztZlsvt6Y-h0Wn3i9KejblFU1o3f7YyoyaaTWJ9nGSLhFnaOC5DFj1JWrFI6FUS5KmH4BAgcz2mg00iTrOUrc34zYJ5XrwD2A0tDGeuD_yRACSiDnqG/s1600-h/etick_g_tigerdubai_310.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195227908010606258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLI0Usuzlunu3CEzpYVztZlsvt6Y-h0Wn3i9KejblFU1o3f7YyoyaaTWJ9nGSLhFnaOC5DFj1JWrFI6FUS5KmH4BAgcz2mg00iTrOUrc34zYJ5XrwD2A0tDGeuD_yRACSiDnqG/s400/etick_g_tigerdubai_310.jpg" border="0" /></a> pix from ESPN.com<br />.<br /></div><div align="justify">When we hear the place "Dubai" uttered these days, the first image we have is of a place full of construction sites and magnificient modern high-rise architecture, like the famous "The Sail" above.<br /><u><span style="color:#0000ff;">.</span></u></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194891990028450626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgef9t_Z716GHT9P7MSPYL5mJAfiku7oNRV9e2HEgtJCStgt_S31Xi6Btt2AoLIkVBd7A7iP1xGjbZI1rAC6lZw5J3xSEI6PTCCtecANaQa3j1nlUuG5rGp6fnpQphmIszVMT1S/s400/BulohBuloh+087.jpg" border="0" /> Before all the construction sites, much of Dubai was just sand and desert. Desert land is cheap. So the trick is to buy a big piece of desert land, spend lots of money building an icon like "The Sail" and see the surrounding land (owned by you) appreciates; then sell the surrounding land parcels. That's where you make your money. The cost of constructing an architectural icon like "The Sail" is more than likely an unrecoverable cost, if considered in isolation.</div><div align="justify">.<br /><br /><u><span style="color:#0000ff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194891998618385234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYiwAh1Jh22BXY0btHuUDhjwAyiEsLdlj2YYLLwrcXx2yxwawxJpXZi49PrZija8N_QVGKjfcGX6NPikvRDGWnmB2TX001eO1n_xa1hGtprTT8KwgR2nRJDDKY_2zhwFBcYuN/s400/BulohBuloh+120.jpg" border="0" /></span></u><br /><span style="color:#0000ff;"><span style="color:#000000;">So, you have other minor icons like this one above. Everyone competing for attention.</span></span><br /><span style="color:#0000ff;"><span style="color:#000000;">.</span><u><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194964643695230354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjBgeU5_LDHMN34VdbcT3AxzxapHh2kUKzSk36U9c1GC5fUGqP3DpqlJKTIk_cdJ9NsclJX0LTS2roXrzsLbrPluN4yPd1LQZRppBTqMU3RM6rI37JkX88vCe8Ck2cQHX91RJ/s400/BulohBuloh+008.jpg" border="0" /></u></span> All of them look pristine and futuristic with all the curved metal and glass forms.<br />.<br /><br /><u><span style="color:#0000ff;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194968749683965346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hscxpI3jauHLb5sRuRdQufXmsOVMVdaqaKQYFKY1Kk0g6fHf9mhN9K7meaqRZ9y-dqMWqU0K6YAUop9bLyEe3MbDHRVTDoVyDPRBrXv6yHn5MczxixFR5Jj6I_i4Wawzh4nL/s400/BulohBuloh+012.jpg" border="0" /></span></u> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195239113580281570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAuHhbNwT2AsqMA8HZDnnuQnuCXTYMpk43_5tQ7rsHjlLnpiVd0RR2wxJ09l9ChuPatuvdu1DjPN2kUe5oFH0pmw-BdRiaAFWldRcc-lG065e2gC9i6UbFmXBmlkIwzJ_cW2j/s400/BulohBuloh+009.jpg" border="0" /> This is a foundation pile for a new site. Notice that they are using bore the hole before lowering the steel cage reinforcements in? This is because you can hammer a pile in, as the ground is all sand. :)</div><div align="justify">.<br /></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194872679855487490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJx8X8BY1jQHIfzKuDKDXcFyN-N_DHSHVjw6Q_oiFtrJqGQZGeULONgOw_e6nJI_HkaNK9bO7m1bYmzUrFIHgg9ycgUvSBNu1-cpkuqnVeJ33OlPkpeUFXfrk5YSTHyfEpjNwW/s400/BulohBuloh+024.jpg" border="0" /> More interesting architectures.</p><p>.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194872662675618290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvdXVoxVpdQCn8HXCDuaE3Vvs6tH3H9yHdQJ1bI3QnHF6Qdl3nNpcintjyMM1Q08DSTWSVQuO8VXTmUCntaQhnW_seuE8u6jSs7RaWYx40XV1zGLOG9Dt2gS5h-JEFOu3owC2g/s400/BulohBuloh+023.jpg" border="0" /> This one is a major icon coming up. It's going to be the tallest tower in the world.</p><p align="center">.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195230008249614018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7M5_i03ck4n61MjaKeifyiLTiQ-zJqKyebJrQJmOk2itri2B-U5htopIQBZ4IEUX89_YKYdamE5CN9pTWpQnLpGS2XYTQAa2dxn12wAT8AOjihyphenhyphenfqIAnfl8fEmFn_nGdjvaE/s400/BurjDubaiTower.jpg" border="0" />pix from vixed.com<br />.</p><p>This is the artist impression of when it is completed. Complete with surrounding waters, which is a symbol of wealth in Arabic culture.<br /></p><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195230016839548626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnBF8mCE48pVFXPhCZmkYmJeUC2yf1TOXkSG1RU5iNE9ynp2Npj2VbWW4_y4P4izofe46DTdG9CtqkAlWiKY0ftw3tc9ooUNVQuCQ_wSbavTdyi928gAzKgdWOQ08gOOqRdEm/s400/projected-height-of-burj-dubai.png" border="0" />pix from sightsofdubai.com</div><p>.</p><p align="justify">The Burj Dubai tower will be more than 800m tall. To get an idea, the Petronas Tower is only slightly more than half its heights; and I remember in the mornings I could see clouds that hovers at two-thirds of the height of Petronas Tower, probably at 300metres.<br />.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195084018016255618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvovrO8EmgW-IcSw5BcZnI11jNq_vAoQHQqGTFKdqYXTeB0wFBHnyH0tUWiEhgziXRJCxuQSsu_NTlOry0n1OYb8Vdu8QJwtE1qlDdLvTETI2wjyinS3NfecZ_pVlAgzQjf9M/s400/BulohBuloh+034.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Despite the rapid modernisation of the UAE, their women are still veiled up. </p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194881488833411730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghW4g4QMvxVg_N8C5qxZkFy66lmB_U184_iNtdpvADPiK-h8gM2tq12DAmxV6pF5i9rIbn8Aa2d0hadBto4eLJtrP0j4y8QllYGmkljO5UcMwrElmRhJFfIlz2LwtqMvbviVxD/s400/BulohBuloh+104.jpg" border="0" />However, UAE women are allowed to drive. Saudi women only got this right last month.</p><p>Compared to my first trip to the UAE in 2003, I find the local men more relaxed in the presence of unveiled women. They do not ogle at them anymore. This is not the case in Saudi Arabia where they are more repressed</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195239117875248882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW0rxC1B7IfuTmRKyNm92hSFdlvnmol_jHMN2xSPYoOPFM4rjrHKUhmY5JGWV48FWIuYZL-__1CjIGPvDb_mZpBZFQEvdnw8aVv0t5wDZRv3WGStH8Old4JTcn0DoW0ibLQPQ9/s400/BulohBuloh+021.jpg" border="0" />This is the long morning queue for the bus in Dubai. Most of them are foreign workers from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.</p><p>.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195239139350085410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEiBXLH_hEv4EdbiMvvD1atMAOEWiczujaHKOclROm2nIg4q0gmZiSzvBxZyLqyL5zxy3X7MXuH8tKJsPIZZlvBMG2VkpWSqHFjlYNg5Umy2zZzfqwobq5Cf1XLEfDePf1gJA/s400/BulohBuloh+106.jpg" border="0" />This is the famous Royal mosque where the late Emir was buried. It looks collosal. We didn't have time to visit it though.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194888438090496770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQtPGOcceelzEAc5imTHLIBtxUEZegG2croS15vyyh6BCYmm-JKpdDccFAnuc0jHgyfm9Hbao8ah8Xuc579tuZL3NN3FJo4ofZPfs9zLsDHJuK0bT2WBWVe0-_-cIJs7K0djp/s400/BulohBuloh+004.jpg" border="0" />Here's the bus station. I love those curves! :)</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194888442385464082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5TD1QlxIO59hqYKnwmbwaGKq-AMLPOKJhQPiFZsYJsxCaANnrYJWSGBwoqHUCAoWN6PNSJ8fqn8uVXhI0ynJ6f68E4Mi4KqNi-bvDXEw89vsrh64AjnPCoKN2KnG_QQBLa6F_/s400/BulohBuloh+006.jpg" border="0" />The pixs of the Emir and the late Emir in the station.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194891985733483314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir7L5J8UqR24nZtEIXA-z8qwcBnHT-foGBqMyKVMDhvRDqenT59dW-xxrWqOOtDi4GBPLyuGep1pcADpEqVb9wT9O0y_FX9LddqvVXkG2GhkJSdeMtTsjtMURqaDFLZoMVy4PZ/s400/BulohBuloh+027.jpg" border="0" />We discover this charming restaurant in the station. They sell mostly roti prata, popular among the Pakistani and Afghan taxi drivers.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194875016317696530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkZZd4mrzHd0AFYExAxKR77KvKpO7NO6I0M3xsFFwJuOwmf8svhuVveK_zEFuqByDsdXXbq1Jw6umqoiSHTeJBiWFbi872B1WAjsiFydOm-8Q4c4ybEOUUohZeyMASEccyjVE/s400/BulohBuloh+028.jpg" border="0" />This impressive pix was capture by chance. He didn't know I was pointing my camera his direction and just wanted to take the chair.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194891981438516002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZT1oYeR9h75YiHKCVWCaVtysXwCPYx8daUPEhoUKZt8do8HxN75Gm_HIHBU8CwmOKNjVlab7-nxWtyy_SgPtmGaWWEHYGZzj0mrm1dlBXwpvk1JtKeuP1pasTzdsv373dpiI/s400/BulohBuloh+013.jpg" border="0" />This is the delicious roti prata - I think Pashtun or Pakistani style.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195239130760150786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtuI6BvQ3zNP2UCrn5yVOPCS1wpcC5croewB_jLq7xmguCV2dEPRV8MNoqMQm_eFSfeA0OXs4N3_Urvomk_QdLW77e1uXSGWdQHuozirnzv2Z5k75XLBRd3SUGW9FucxJy0Gh/s400/BulohBuloh+035.jpg" border="0" />This is a cute looking mosque besieged by the tall new buildings.</p><p align="justify">.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195298976834453346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0Xbyu_Yg5tnVHPf95Xrtk-weuDFCLir80eyIlxCxabzhTZN980qpzsy8ZKEst4oVMrEpU8_xk_zYL_8gwcJWk56XnTnT6UPKTcy6lacz_cyHIWyXaXB0N1R8pobV-QPTFrvr/s400/BulohBuloh+103.jpg" border="0" />We happen to pass by the office of the Social Security Fund. My contact in Abu Dhabi tells me there are no poor citizens in UAE. When the find someone poor, they call them in and asks what they need. If they do not have a house, they will give them a house.</p><p align="justify">But these 'poor ones' are mostly desert bedouins. They are used to living in tents in the desert and soon return to the deserts. Some bring sand into their house to make themselves feel at home.</p><p align="justify">Many native city folks are related or connected to a sheikh one way or another. From there, they get jobs or part of a business. The young ones who are able are sent to study in universities in the US and the UK on government scholarships.</p><p align="justify">.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195242562439020370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWY4Xe-3keOW4gX40a6He5BDwG1o_wQUWTzTiAEd3jdFrVDIV0yZT2-hFeq7H97TAN946UqciRwQX7nn23csrxf282E1zw4bNibphWQn2KAFyyweT22kt0lrsCyAa_tGgnS5T/s400/IMAGE_218.jpg" border="0" />Soon evening falls. Our friend in Abu Dhabi brought us around to see the sights by the sea.</p><p align="justify">.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194875033497565746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfGW4sHrYPjf7SlxPSFLF5LVjg9LZAH1cOWKGxV9gcpGjFYTyUtqBvi_V15BoBqIuZb5VzEd34JFFTEKah1ehGoRIXE0aCS0-58RhmpB9atuUN-5M7QGTFS2dlnrLKWC-Lrs9/s400/BulohBuloh+074.jpg" border="0" />This is their six-star hotel in Abu Dhabi. The only one there.</p><p align="justify">.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195239135055118098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebicYR7uyBL9z0Gdj7KSBC_E7pX-hs0HvWUGCyjFpw94Auaivywys_hiYESX7xwbhJoTyb5Rh10hcJNr5ENR-9T1hXnx4vMAcCp-RD9AlfMmqytAr5l7cuMiNCZSPpp_3RgjU/s400/BulohBuloh+083.jpg" border="0" />This is a monument of the late Emir. A Pakistani businessman built this.</p><p align="justify">.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194875024907631138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeL6aRSAOBkDlJoygDxWfJp9k9S8hKBMbX9l-6nvwvnpg5CuU2D8gFhZ3l05Lla-61BPU5dgQAJGnbVg-8hUuvqKCtpB0G_j86edt9RheptkYyRfE9IV3sl3-eUvS9KoXl081/s400/BulohBuloh+059.jpg" border="0" /> This is the Marina Mall, by the sea. It is plushed with marble. It even has a indoor Parisian mall, that 'rains'!</p><p align="justify">.<br /></p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194877928305523266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIpyrwaMSq3sNt2CuxWymDqpA5jcbLFcc0inDDaQUWYznHNCt_uIz6B7ufjkjFlqbFyqmqpBhb969Aq69rJQJJxlU4bem75mU3uAj9veNVmmAbgd0VyadG6i5HSAM_dwR0kUin/s400/BulohBuloh+088.jpg" border="0" /> This is the building housing the famously wealthy Abu Dhabi Investment Fund, one of the five big Souverign Wealth Funds in the world that the USA and EU is apprehensive about, as it went round buying US banks and assets.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194877936895457874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTo__wkjujrZ4syXFtIVnnC8u2iU7Vo-oFW0tVz9SYzxtH3So-1ppABchB4keh6aN3_Wk498wbbpk_7gyIuaJnuE3WDdHW7Sh6Q5Lr7xjgjJmVGKjDcFiGeAAgbcP-JCCi5x8/s400/BulohBuloh+096.jpg" border="0" />Next morning, we woke up early to go to our business meeting near the airport. To save time, we went to this Turkish bakery to get some sandwiches and eat them in the car.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194881475948509826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxhIS55ifZWZLf0CuR4rwZBS5hPPsvseJLEWdzMuBHm2NFm2jaYiZ15umoEp5log9nXZUdD-v2F2Wm_ok-pjOVgn-8XwNSKcIsgIviBwSlWcHz64tTZj79tlZmqkDsxEyXC2g/s400/BulohBuloh+101.jpg" border="0" />The shop attendants are very friendly. They all asks for their pixs to be taken! :)</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194877941190425186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOcDbVz9WDYP_QsX36YnLXs08X9HhqG0q_wkWnykeRqbc23fssexXVms4EyfeCrMwNoFRJDrEX8QR9cF6N8hsEeuJ8oHizxnF5KF2BN1zCu8JLUyZLhW2XQDsre26t56nqnY7/s400/BulohBuloh+097.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194877945485392498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRhOd_skHakvKYyQPChHd3ZiKzdwUQZ4qa9c8xDWqZovPwM6VL2iw188ab3RqEeCGYyI__jYMIpQj7M2kJuzplVscv7iqCa4BM7osYv6vK8LYWFfUU61uUrfkkZv8Gw-cKOZT/s400/BulohBuloh+098.jpg" border="0" />Beware of their desserts though. They are very sweet!!!</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195242553849085746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7bmgqTBqlwsLeuMsjWSJW_vN2iw3HY1t_RIkCOBhF8X0zHRHVChppkl71nTm04IeEJTMqlfSEJuT3-rdT6d-QvTbA5Y08QY04Bc8h68Tz_H0YrrQGaJ2bBofgrZjfEev7o7Z/s400/BulohBuloh+118.jpg" border="0" />Al Raha Beach Hotel, near Abu Dhabi airport. This pix may look ordinary to most, but remember we are looking at green grass, shrubs, flowers and a fountain pond in a desert. </p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194888412320692946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUN2eGjKZSEJelSzNA_xJL3jkhNQzbJDL18aGcE1EZ9dY4LcYb_BtEG6IT89_TYokDwYWYwhyJA45nWOCVjmIr4L2o_eSZDmupcQ85zNiG3Lq0QyXwoWlHZlNteLXy5oUskoS/s400/BulohBuloh+120.jpg" border="0" />Traditional wall motif.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194888429500562162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaiRebExHlEM06wQV-EM7LPo8SqJB21Sk7lgwoBZZ5xI8Alp5dXyDldukFw9qaMrOEgLA5W6ZyYgtOb9WBsBROhoVJnrL9H8iSThniGO2aqIg4-Uh_vcPxqXx9tx-QXYUEpfRP/s400/BulohBuloh+154.jpg" border="0" />I love the bright colours used in this hotel...</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194888425205594850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNk-QMOrBJcKnEqLEhshK2XAYLw1k_oN-4JfhiCI_8UYUIJorF2GCdshpyoN3wzv9UYFFODOwd0sQJA6zXCy8ryXqPfkYLcm9slvRTV25thsJCSLsb5FdCnswuXZdmqKMciS9/s400/BulohBuloh+129.jpg" border="0" /> Retro...</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194881493128379042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi142R1pE52atjEBrIJIyUSVq3F12_2v0Cdthinqe7ukQG9EUOge5nOXew9LZ7758g4MSboQjbP-0vMGKfR0mkRZkrOTq79JfTgXjNHrHK28GSMOb_l2EDO4_IRixjCgR9MyUvT/s400/BulohBuloh+109.jpg" border="0" />. </p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194881497423346354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbB_mhEoqQ7Is6mVlxjtqnH9Y33EFniHvRnXI46Fa0HsEf5S6mRWNSMrAZoevnIywuNRim-PkCHxvmSzuXW4GvqVu4PVnQ1ZTdFpoLTo9gypJWposZY5kwj_oS1O73_CzjZXs/s400/BulohBuloh+113.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194881510308248258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqBa8Pbr7L6otgCeorv31iEACi8obTgPGRvA0q_nTuUzjA5y6sy_oy4cuw6l1w9P8yS9uC1z2r76GLWQB7cD8uNsV8SmSsL2Ewuc4B37U_Fa23O9Y838I0RrVe8ZYF4kDIDp-/s400/BulohBuloh+116.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195298994014322562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIO_Ix__kVb4lmqoFbPaiAkS71da9klf50qSfyKn7padQdwGLbLnECI3mG1gZHzpMfQ7se3BziQy_0OyA0ffaE1yzdPsPeN-lfWujiyLW4njep6HefZ9350QXWnVOQgvVF9EF/s400/BulohBuloh+185.jpg" border="0" />Here, we went about 30kms away from city centre into the 'cottage industry' zone. </p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195242558144053058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSmMRrS509tHStnm-221UmtrUJWxr1-2pYuBBtSU4KdDgnkfbITLq-FnX8_UqzfGBQ-6W0ZOpTY5epEJcDX2acbLFHclpY1hVQARlQUmCxZymBU4FUm3Rh9kAEFYfZt5ScyI6/s400/BulohBuloh+173.jpg" border="0" /> We soon find ourselves far from the posh glossy lobbies and showrooms of Abu Dhabi to a place where work actually gets done. :)</p><p>.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195298985424387954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDt6LvHCbMQYvX5rn_UATkn6VXyI9v6Kac4jPbqqww6N8nIgqt6DGUVxgWb8lhf7CUktydzkmmWM73Ea-VfowhZRdSwvVgzLit35wAIydZQApvXjDDtIPKocgIsm5uCchVmle/s400/BulohBuloh+178.jpg" border="0" /> This is my friend's workshop. He makes aluminium frames. Good and steady business.<br />.<br />After our business meetings, we headed back to Dubai. Instead of the ubiquitous marble and glass hotels, we decided to stay in the old town.</p><p>.<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194964609335491922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeM3yS3sMpcYcqePktFgsoHxfM8vSn86f2rVm77ecHgs7vy-npNNQO38zKd8oOfCAmkLifOrCWP1ZCs9_oHqpksK1z5HYfVfEiw_J3ZI13FFOw1-wr7Pbl36RAPol5FA9YCd0s/s400/BulohBuloh+001.jpg" border="0" /> I took this pix in the morning, where a mother accompanies her son waiting for the school bus. Notice the buildings in the backdrop are built in the traditional architecture, where they have tall ventilation cooling towers for the hot air to get out of the building.<br />.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194892002913352546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2znU137h7qA-W9MQITERVvP2Ba7J3n-O7dohfTJzA4A_Sy6NguZXy7kjvUOslA_TyHfGRfbOV8nALnh-3lPYq0lC6VoEsei2L3xexRTAAatdnq9tFmYDPINmSThf81hoC6um/s400/BulohBuloh+126.jpg" border="0" /> Here's the old town where they sell gold jewelry.</p><p>.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiXVZ5j9OnjOjYmELp-93pBanpMbpTCZSFolMqW-o7dLm6yG-BUZ3dXqMG9fdcwbx3j-aWUfBDMYZlEsA_Jdg92sHOuncanczfaAm4dVvp8oASLng1HTPRux0o4Diw_CjZddn/s1600-h/BulohBuloh+070.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194979122029985298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiXVZ5j9OnjOjYmELp-93pBanpMbpTCZSFolMqW-o7dLm6yG-BUZ3dXqMG9fdcwbx3j-aWUfBDMYZlEsA_Jdg92sHOuncanczfaAm4dVvp8oASLng1HTPRux0o4Diw_CjZddn/s400/BulohBuloh+070.jpg" border="0" /></a> It is a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the more touristy and modern part of Dubai.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194982308895718978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06yVOVJYjRR8aJp2uSWs4OcA49uGFZCGuulKvemJ-0vlOze04ZWRAEqD_j1AyjWYPo7tztYKVrdXCnm86eOmAwBT7lZ3-adzlgc3qy4UIIDJGGB2g98rp7seFhqmjXwVPI_Nl/s400/BulohBuloh+078.jpg" border="0" /> A typical goldsmith.</p><p>.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttL_ePDbEJ3QNvkOMHzoBoEsQ9PmBoPxywnAkM3vzBGafs_vS69hMq-XZvn1eFNsI_ywLIwhLUaNKTYiS5s9GVa_9oA-32sp0draQ0G-fG836qD50ohgKoL0gYv4UACRKDCqZ/s1600-h/BulohBuloh+072.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194979126324952610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttL_ePDbEJ3QNvkOMHzoBoEsQ9PmBoPxywnAkM3vzBGafs_vS69hMq-XZvn1eFNsI_ywLIwhLUaNKTYiS5s9GVa_9oA-32sp0draQ0G-fG836qD50ohgKoL0gYv4UACRKDCqZ/s400/BulohBuloh+072.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The backlanes of old Dubai.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UC0RHZLD0p06W0M22NWwAipyKK-gQOdMW9DMoaClqtjFTrhUQqQtORNKg7OztNG5VecO78gQY56f0AMrGvDwnH0jP_xVCUZKOenoi8BpgAK1FaXaHZdNh6H0iImhqoY0n8nn/s1600-h/BulohBuloh+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194968766863834546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UC0RHZLD0p06W0M22NWwAipyKK-gQOdMW9DMoaClqtjFTrhUQqQtORNKg7OztNG5VecO78gQY56f0AMrGvDwnH0jP_xVCUZKOenoi8BpgAK1FaXaHZdNh6H0iImhqoY0n8nn/s400/BulohBuloh+013.jpg" border="0" /></a> Goods are still carted by hand as some of the shops are along small zig-zagged lanes where it is hard for motorised vehicles to reach. Backlanes are built zig-zagged to keep itself cool from hot winds of the desert. Same principles as the cooling fins of an air-conditioner. </p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194979134914887218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIw4QxoyCFgZhj5yRlyfkZnuXaBoWInW76HgoZWIIEppW13Epo0HTwX6Ms6OevvbHPjrYDhXPTe7F2sSieNbooo8Va41NJNWH2FcOhVJvU10LHxo4NvSBXknM_ANArsU5b7I9/s400/BulohBuloh+074.jpg" border="0" />Pakistani workers resting in between ferrying goods from the trucks to the shops.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194964635105295730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuWjCQ1r5drNXm5FpeFJ0plpv_kJ9iA0-9MT-uuEJODnCV5S7DgvvDjzKGd9Q7fe7kmlqXOr97GDhS0qeK-bnZC1F0kKYyDNssujkFFokisdGlzc0KvgUAgbwk0SYimtCotnP/s400/BulohBuloh+003.jpg" border="0" />Most of the shops here are wholesale centres. The displays are mostly samples for smaller shops in the region to see and make orders on.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194964639400263042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9LGoiFu5XcldDCnmVlHBxtkIFUiz97FbkH05h2THGWOBzTbpm2HuU0KuQmo_YQfDMP7G4u5XDiKcb3d5wQy1_p4PS0AEaKEaDPWLSvsFlPxXws1NaHZRipOPHlVeOiaXAVgM/s400/BulohBuloh+004.jpg" border="0" /> This shop has refurbished its shop front with chrome metal, but still keeps its protective plastic covers. Perhaps, to keep the chrome metal new! :)</p><p>.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194918949538167922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBu6MHxXLjURII13TGIYRKbw4riFjuHwzdm2jZ6HaapesJ3hOz8G9U7XTqBf-huLvrR6sq9S_EzXrR-EOVAM5TlzxtrtqY2JX12lnkZW0O63t6xD1NMucnArE3Hnle0N08bZ2/s400/BulohBuloh+119.jpg" border="0" />Amid the shops, we found one or two buildings entirely occupied by Chinese shops wholesaling shoes, bags, and Chinese products.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194918945243200610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhQMze4wNVSH2DwEpENML7tjpPpA6tR8qGyPNQ753YGWrs-ecRMBonh4HyoDTaUwxPwwbHpzRIeZkn_JE_zUU-xplRRWRGTmxKelFPCuo0rBFV0hnGCXTTN8Y2Sc3Ziv3Onh2j/s400/BulohBuloh+117.jpg" border="0" /> Funny enough, we even found a "Singapore Shop" with many people waiting outside, probably for some goodies.</p><p>.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194914757650086946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NXQ93-BqwsuQESSdCQxIlKUIb2skYQXkC3gwaerN7qPBB3yiGLFtDMuIiHVhgF7IU_DUsKiPfDhCdbNvAMpUJ16SrJNqdo8DSJYKP3TaE0B0jNH3Vgi7tFw8UVHsTVceroy9/s400/BulohBuloh+059.jpg" border="0" />One of the many mosques amid the old town residents and shops.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194902985144728434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4yDgdgf_O5i0r-vl83tD-UFow89JLkoWwo8lAN82iw7MAki7_eg2t2-Cp0-h1deVy0tsOQK29Y_O-PGljrU6pYhHeh5Rji3Cb3y08jj9L5uClzNdEtTFAVlDSKjEuY7aZZegx/s400/BulohBuloh+127.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194914774829956162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGu0N51SOFBGnxTiEJccMEleg3m6_bNlVoBeWh2MZHYp5_7VhzyvhIYnINwQ-YR-hRzf8TBU8wjBWc7UOxShH4r6kEsf5ppA8p-iM5G21ZaOPfdZf5bqbtA0j717DxHCgjq-G/s400/BulohBuloh+112.jpg" border="0" />Some of the mosques are above commercial shops.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194914779124923474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4jmfgUPDm4ImGB6Bt6qmod0dEz7Vnj3wJ4UxBUmArIfaxvLte9S4q692Qkm8l2xK0ExdxJK0JprfC5sNDMAGKkVPdjb8yTjnPew7CQj4KB8lUk9SYoIsAAyuZgwJk-bB9Xsx/s400/BulohBuloh+113.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br />We stayed in a small traditional hotel next to the Admadiya School. It is a heritage area.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194902993734663042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojhFiN2AZoU1xt8gBYTtuJqWhxR20TmYALPfBOcyen6skItixi4BxqgF84Jds0X8JUDr-wkXVAD1OExdlc9crhYl-KymzG_jeiVH9o0l8chrLe9usHKOclkuNtxmV8pnUp9HY/s400/BulohBuloh+131.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194903002324597650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcTUspOefwqdNwUYMll84XyELuugoAZ3a4ePpG0XyD3OtSaIBlmFjczNAMlreNmwvu3A-M5htht6VTpa33cWksvvH43LJ5dUUUOommB8KuyKxXH48IfNN1bzhQQ0B29ZZqGxb/s400/BulohBuloh+132.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194914766240021554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkKuzZnZYU8HJFGjyrfXc4OHC8WHGiE9xEZInRYxOhIbt6adXawTK1lzdkLmnKs7dAf2dc2K-5_ctW2kInAbnoGHvh8UItdNhkcX1zE4hXiYJxUPFmD3SfVUvMdb6Gxnwh6TS/s400/BulohBuloh+083.jpg" border="0" />Note the lovely air vents. Everyone is different.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194903006619564962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAvDGayhxCR3NNn10M-AJt6XczFxmlFVqi1AAhQr-PvlbVLFKQ2GUwGG2pvEiPR4b0mFGwQqA5ZV0nyYyxspIW-doh0JrBSqH6qLwVvGi_BWvgAXdhNnmrmoryYeh3fen6Q2c/s400/BulohBuloh+140.jpg" border="0" />This is the front door of the old Al Ahmadiya School.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194964622220393826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavavltb039Nj6IMegCTpI4VXAJNbkVhKIy_bu0mTbl-dSW_qi8QcGIJyFvvIdid4V62nmLpTm2SFM-STH00RjIMUpme8ZS5kb5aDwN7q0_OCSyGzmxJZeidg10nTp0kDwumjc/s400/BulohBuloh+002.jpg" border="0" />The sleepy charm of the area is surreal amid the busy surroundings of the old city with wholesale shops and goldsmiths.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194910501337496578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrunY05pLCSnn8-CNdbusn5qxvntTlb1OF28brtjhKFi2-kKDvECBPW0_e1t2kU0PnG7M2dDX51q2mHv9bjKHP4DsKiXCdiNH-htp1O5PQ3FYr8Yaf5l5DAl825cOMkipRLFb9/s400/BulohBuloh+040.jpg" border="0" />Outside the hotel.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195084026606190226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGqbbCuwQcPtO1suwANeB-VolCpxvYrJag17pI2X2SNGI_DJo1sZ59MwmTLOuoygV9JNCxu5cryKyn2tdx8fXN0Or4Ygt-T6chsq7miw0SoGIHzdlxksbM8g6mRt4MokIUJds9/s400/BulohBuloh+141.jpg" border="0" />This is the place we stayed. Lovely!</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195084030901157538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBZcl4ElR-Vq59GKy1B2Lv1igvZTkzeVNPQGBvXNqFnhY0PFpVhBjgKVQ8dUmZacqyN9N9i7tDldDrSqldcCoUS4kuuVOI6aOr-xKSjFKFpGmw1blcPXCTP7bJ8FT91LZPuo7/s400/BulohBuloh+142.jpg" border="0" />Hotel courtyard.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194903015209499570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIy944PvAOHBKQzwKWCtB-gO45wZyGMrQV10kCxEPkw4JeYMT9kWIA_X-atiSRPwlSOD_vzJOZEN39rZ412GxSF9SHCh1rUFGvH1GTnaAAR0NyYnIgYITUHhAIDO5BYGBKd8r/s400/BulohBuloh+146.jpg" border="0" />Checking in...</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194910475567692738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxv65gWGxUQTSpovWlyzwyvyoZzPotRB5VUVWIS30DleQrCywibEFZYKLGXYt4uwc8VJ5qDCuoN2Gy-bcsfRa-mZPTcQ7qLry8F3IZuhZeSNTc_RuhXmLvdXi_y3Qwrm4pXCF/s400/BulohBuloh+177.jpg" border="0" />The interiors are kept in the old traditional designs.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194910488452594642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDxop5lxP7sBodOITzEp-7Cv939-ofjnbK6VX-mt2RTArC7TDS0tiFGFkZKHOD0erq6dFN6XeMGjcnV5MyiHzEQoBu6hA89AxWLg9giRgmYSvEzNhyLVoKXhveuWo49L4Td05/s400/BulohBuloh+178.jpg" border="0" />This is the close-up of the cupboard.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194910492747561954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj86Huy9evHTy8fdj8k9sAMx4jtC6Ab0i2CXgBaFhUe0Leca87_IL7u1q0lagV7KIjgKwgb4wPEjCe4rudGWdW1U8wbIi-HDmNn2nOkj0da111eciaIhdS3R9nBT4Z1eVl4PeRj/s400/BulohBuloh+019.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194979113440050690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKjd6oFpZQCmKIbdS7XrItGcl3StACzZPKAUALqKgywqCjlvcHE-rC1suD3HS-RGL4GzSAsxvmMniattaBmGcSx_zbon3XdeTJ-4v2wBWHGZeqWbL5l_AMOE_V2q85n1s2uGDi/s400/BulohBuloh+062.jpg" border="0" />Lunch at the hotel courtyard. We had traditional Lamb Birani Arab style. By the way, Rice Birani has its origins from here.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194910497042529266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk18sjEvbrwWEt2tfoaPOzw5AadJeDUmya8j6he3VGHeuJ-3aGH9w4XOW_22d4G4hw47x0kT3WgFg2oW42G-D2oPqZpv9H_Bbi1pR1LyzQKs0S4whin9OYdiuDyOPokzwCXhYt/s400/BulohBuloh+023.jpg" border="0" /> Mint tea - an essential drink for me after every meal in Arabia, otherwise, I would not be able to digest the food and have a bloated stomach.</p><p>.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhVmBf9vTMGRSHzCIS2nBDXcqSH74gaWsZKtn-N4Bk8RsawY0SfTInTpr9TNCn4lp3yfPZ0pVcEbcxWwEhll5RrRQW884SbVvLYhZyt13VXc7ishrNTQDW6a_twdGeu5ay_sr/s1600-h/BulohBuloh+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194968771158801858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhVmBf9vTMGRSHzCIS2nBDXcqSH74gaWsZKtn-N4Bk8RsawY0SfTInTpr9TNCn4lp3yfPZ0pVcEbcxWwEhll5RrRQW884SbVvLYhZyt13VXc7ishrNTQDW6a_twdGeu5ay_sr/s400/BulohBuloh+021.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the school courtyard. Now a museum.</p><p>.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194968775453769170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBs_RHPlkszox3DCVHOo8Lm00n6BR6fEhyphenhyphenZ7-wE8fr6cIhPJbrXGiaLa3oIF9_N6S3yKbmUtDDYPlAy0tIONFsxb078mRokiVG7_oJJ_4Wm7ovQB_N7wLS0d1SBWBHXirdhVL/s400/BulohBuloh+023.jpg" border="0" />The Al Ahmadiya school is the first school for public education in Dubai and was first constructed in 1912. The school was started by Ahmed Bin Dalmouk, a philanthropist pearl merchant. At first the Al-Ahmadiya School taught only limited subjects including basic math, Islamic studies as well as Arabic language and grammar to about 200 boys.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194914744765185042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyq_pYI8H-L3C5T6Gj1NJDaFM6E_Y7AbVYFKo8jAIH4vd5Ct_8wxeL-gTgyV1Pl-QYoZtzS-PJGFMAWfZER3YgBcdkB9hX2hg8kr5lEqMmcLp9WbzZVrtMS4kRIH5qIdOAe-Bm/s400/BulohBuloh+047.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEFdYgoMXlt_AgW-XO5-ndJLepMSGqcLEfgUs5X5lS25mp9nbaCgXda6u2g8gM7exFiP5Mq8LaWDJJASAKF2iTo6K3h9T2OMGFCcCca-YaEKe5WytmqBzeoo4diOFi7Aq4bav/s1600-h/BulohBuloh+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194968784043703778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEFdYgoMXlt_AgW-XO5-ndJLepMSGqcLEfgUs5X5lS25mp9nbaCgXda6u2g8gM7exFiP5Mq8LaWDJJASAKF2iTo6K3h9T2OMGFCcCca-YaEKe5WytmqBzeoo4diOFi7Aq4bav/s400/BulohBuloh+033.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194954035126009058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UpzjcJevuU5G0v66Jf97Z48QCMq3z6kYIwfGhxmldQYu00uO3vUnQIEvIZdxhXK8__l569YQl1SQZUu_MTqrvUkma3WKHkrp9hHxBSPttmk6pfyWTUv8nXByxiACht7YBKHZ/s400/BulohBuloh+157.jpg" border="0" />This is the grand entrance of the Bank of Iran. Luxurious entrances like these are common place in Dubai. I was told that if you are to open a business in Dubai, they all have to look really posh and slick.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194954017946139826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5S83IWi7W78akdWoAOKzfv81rt58DHTqj1ZA0Gxx1RVbWRS9ArPVx0WM5a4jaZjEm3aS2zlNJkCtBkCN0KZi9FSe-G11-Ncel6zA-5gWIBQHSOwEhzPsV64q2MPKAtIy5qhT_/s400/BulohBuloh+146.jpg" border="0" />At the creek, I spotted this dhouw. A dhouw is a boat made of wood and tarred over.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194918962423069858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouSmfrQD1xo-BSrGiGk6WsAdWaUPgGKjAh6MJqZhscJ-_oXCJozejUGRPw6L97K8Qq-v8hTmwH8PiNc2yy8RmJJo2VvJWyWHfqtQOFRmX8m0y1gWUCLKBpRaandxD2UoiKsjf/s400/BulohBuloh+145.jpg" border="0" />Look at the intricate joints and wooden rivets. It's a work of art.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194954022241107138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutEYs0-g7CpMPa2gsNgZQGyAQ4vfSEojmT_M1bWfAWiFwoKEexUgb6q_B9RD_el7cQRBx_lht1EWcJY0KCVOTmlvTxGrlbcpEG6UojrE52Pw6hMeiDjZZKfBbQrudob61ewZ5/s400/BulohBuloh+149.jpg" border="0" />Goods are still loaded and unloaded along the banks of this creek. </p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194954026536074450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9t8oEvnNfL_nCG2LEtB5IrN49G0NBeKAHCphy97WsbU34fgUAd2URSqxrpkhAp_sFVil6ZIO2B5lef_MEk7Z6ddj4cGda-ltskEoKpMVC56fdO_t5pbQIJL-wYzcYGXc-JW7c/s400/BulohBuloh+152.jpg" border="0" /> Soon it is sunset and the lights of the mosques and building along the opposite banks glitter amid the fading sun.</p><p>.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194918958128102546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCa0VhLDUrgJADEuQkcz_QhocQkTZnnzCdsepCpDLP2pDwYai6rwIRW3iQL5gsf004K_u6LRmsVrVaCKuIk-MML6YXfGzCg5F2DI151FXYabXvd6MUArea8bwbsfj7TYBND15/s400/BulohBuloh+142.jpg" border="0" />Boats like these ferry workers from the old town to the new town and vice versa, together with the tourists.<br />.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194918953833135234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCC84F4MdRO3qnUXyFW6CK42txYEco8iWK6yw-aSn3PWdUeugu4tGgNByNE4EuanInRuEOCQoH49_Kx-XIu0RgM5ZfPmpgRTJHTaXguYeZWrqfRRdtiHBepf-h8hfdcflEjNt0/s400/BulohBuloh+139.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194958038035528962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz86sUqch4f1arNIXgambTQpd_1j9qIO6hjZLeMRxCA56zOZUyeKu3I17N-_5AwwhLZkJz0Clm23SDWYYMTvHYJVro-qk3YNl4JKDun5jkzQvIhA-mL9D1EdxD-Ue_WyW0oQVI/s400/BulohBuloh+167.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194954043715943666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDR7VLbKOYNLdBOPLmt_haFFoV43cSYdXcLJ_CVabsPiDkpVVm40KXUxePXvIar5vO4In_AzKwSR9jttwusCUQRYIHZr-GiFm2dD-Y41MgppaWjMxVUyr4cXH7ya-i391K5Ftc/s400/BulohBuloh+164.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194958050920430866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlhTKpB0qh0-ZtRm09O4fHAcYq5wvhKHdvgufXQO58D8GLigLSQnsx9P3IXy8xvFPiouUvmjnm86_hcLAetLTlSJ4i9bpE-csuVP7bt36naB4K_9PO9yfCAv6funhJMJRbogR/s400/BulohBuloh+170.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194958059510365474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnjh6k1mqkyvTq52dZb2-S0QQ23XrKCZSv2QIQnig-HWDr8oJUwdwqPrfyLCaHej9h3eCbj69-0Nxt0GLmXSDJi6laH0Hr_i96tJMo5pX5Zbp7s3BPRHRQQCNt-Q84HhBy5oZZ/s400/BulohBuloh+176.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194958063805332786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj8KQypIjTMickvZ-wYBpH3qQw4jZqOgDKtJqqgKS2uWAqj3-b8bsHin4ZOsfxTlU2ahRu_5qCJ7hYLfct-WUK0doSzGwiQRfauxNpKMlTyWNMfe3vbzk3Tzd7aFwEp_Hokwg/s400/BulohBuloh+188.jpg" border="0" />Back in the hotel.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194958068100300098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Z6_byopdStEoVNcsvBvCuUZFjhHQ3MS9gxXiR3av-RnFhgFwZ8V2b-sTkUHm5SDUnyOIohxZElq2W5WulTDWsBcLBmyoFUHBswNbjYJabQ8Y1WIrFPYzSfIyzQ8ByTQl2wCg/s400/BulohBuloh+189.jpg" border="0" /><br />.<br /></p><div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194979104850116082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHG9gBe3txFLE3sQUioTYuWXylaLSQI5MaJq7B9zKFDSg_Og9whBEvRMgLFrSrzsB7CQjuUxWFbf56tjH0Uamv-W9dh11mbrM8SQWxcK6VkLeEfKxiStFiBYtaE1SVUiluiHtw/s400/BulohBuloh+058.jpg" border="0" /> Our lunch in a restaurant in the old town before we leave for the airport.</div><div>.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194982321780620882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyCrfGPVFtYsKE3Ozfw-j3O1DVVUJbR-QcVbdin-fPcociq2u26cEjCjPUbs_sqgVC-6i9bhaT3gVti6GDAq6WVeBQach6lZzhs0D2nkLr1rNn9HsqBj0S4z3vKNiZtiheSIn/s400/BulohBuloh+101.jpg" border="0" /> The flying saucer.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194982326075588194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhagbBwHRFr4YtdfWG03MKNAvg5HvnKcbm4dXhy00LsNZvFCxlObALDVpL2-ZNM84fF75bT5O4GqK0C6EOfuRSRBC22UnqhMkL5UDi4NUdnpDP2_HyusXa452euHza_PSFmapkI/s400/BulohBuloh+111.jpg" border="0" /> ... and the dispersed light...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194982330370555506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKgyRnjg663odlR5vQk2OyvvKfJTM2ZJfECNTNvalEt9usAggKQZLKzblI_bCMjYRmtlBw56q9hSLZfIQNjIPq_R1nlM8lOVJeeGTNvFlgsOzhhoMLmh8uRz-T9vp9OeHqSCR/s400/BulohBuloh+117.jpg" border="0" /> We are going home...<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-22285603855892268322008-04-21T03:45:00.000-07:002008-12-09T11:13:22.854-08:00Down in Your Own BackyardJust bought a new camera and have been going around testing it in a beautiful condominium in Singapore.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiVCVpFdsHYwIlRGC5ZR55qMLTLUfpv442aClpQ57_on995LivvwfA1O8H30Yiqb8fJFFs7Q1ru2mfQwzmDKikSY13N0MMIi3Qpg0TAIC6igrq9FFrjBxHr0MHGv3QT5nxVuu/s1600-h/BulohBuloh+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191690471305308498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoiVCVpFdsHYwIlRGC5ZR55qMLTLUfpv442aClpQ57_on995LivvwfA1O8H30Yiqb8fJFFs7Q1ru2mfQwzmDKikSY13N0MMIi3Qpg0TAIC6igrq9FFrjBxHr0MHGv3QT5nxVuu/s400/BulohBuloh+033.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191857840446962130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAH_JDEVZifXImJYdtSLRUmqtEP7OSMzy087Fs11n83zmNbhl-08MfrC4g1YnwdHFC1Vargeg0sSmAzEhGlFiNVbewVag3-oM-bT9BoyKOhXzuNGZrGUBDG_KPNgAww3uXGyc/s400/BulohBuloh+081.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191855134617565618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjb2owryh1RIM62wzqTzTwGdpJ42SYpSZ6MOQ0sv7NPGOXk7Na5Jg0ULQCIXaZgZsev5hgP4H9HsXfdzBfi_FjZ8qv6lyHR-eeWUllvVmJUGkETYGVoHF-oFQM4dqsdFWoCR_F/s400/BulohBuloh+039.jpg" border="0" /> <div><div>Notice the brilliant white of the orchid?</div><div><br /> </div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191649639051225378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qergWbR5O6HcPODlQputz4g0aF3aLnPPsQ8QGBwYkvX9d-m8XRYmEzfdnfdnexv-l8IW1Z7an8TyGPdyQh_nwmLA95qEQBqhZEl-5zgGl6o6dSAAfAOdt1K07OuGPrhVNGt0/s400/BulohBuloh+045.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191648672683583762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtxeN-MSNInahKbL3IiLt3ivN9cTl-clGrEThUaty4rLFwegzG5oPRBCYl6hTSVIqzHymbdVeYXCXdYvPwVua3X5nJC-5eA0UTaOCk6rPM7d28Fahc1PmZL8StmWnMXuQSIl0/s400/BulohBuloh+042.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191692863602092386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigga0OlsASfDio4JMGfD9HuULA-lnWsnuRJrTGJZkFFx56kNha3Vm8qiDiBFCVrZgqkjlGgFZxhW33dZsp7PY6ZC76QUd_jHOGY6u3C8-gyoe1Ffkn93NRw8RKeL1Zi00hSaXe/s400/BulohBuloh+145.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191693769840191858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFUT04gfgjYYeMXX5vLjfFdKi1RowQR_IAuKHfl5t-x1eGH4bS59r1yFaJPwAO2_0hROfuuvFhs-oRYLqiydZFL0DqC_72rh1gTXUySKDnbF4zwCnW6PLdpuAd3r3n02ESx_x/s400/BulohBuloh+134.jpg" border="0" />This is how small this flower is.</div><div align="center">.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191687705346369858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJmemfDxALGwMvUpKZpW7rFtfifRxR55xLqpc0nIwFDd4cGrDVM6qmGqP9_RpvjYov3Sd-IyBC7lrL__r7o52XoeukrR_2HSwbzPtsTh1M0rR9W4tRrCjq3An0NCD8ldcrmr7/s400/BulohBuloh+050.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191856113870109122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8KeKB5NMkLGHkUOCSVlIgsICPJIOmVzWMgccf_6N0GLN52LmnZy-ssufuHQwXdCkgsMPh0TRK8kB2w6BIDFWumHpyWljy2c2UEhe7qpvHtaFdpd9dFCMx25u_BJi4Z5Ur_YS/s400/BulohBuloh+032.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191650489454750002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVqX_YzKvpmPrkh41kLsAdm8zTKYWwha2siNESAIu_984aajrZ3M2TrOdjy9CyIitSBNI2skYQT90WdGMVkzsggupqeFhKxByIIlFKffWy2crJeU3kkQMNlv-U2SSeB9O-7jz/s400/BulohBuloh+132.jpg" border="0" /> This the old camera. RIP 2001-2008<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><br /></div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-30936990088790381502007-10-17T08:44:00.000-07:002008-12-23T19:24:46.703-08:00Route Number 2<div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Service Number 2 is probably the only bus service that still runs along the same route in Singapore since the 1960s. Back those days, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Changi</span> Road was a long and winding two-lane country road starting from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Changi</span> Point, where the army camps were, proceeding onto farmlands and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">kampungs</span> (villages) till it reaches <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Geylang</span> where some urbanisation started.</div><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><br /><p></a></p><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125565424108228674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhl2gtPNtY165SHH9SRzhobj4b5_kGLFFuskQKtx-83AQ1VyQTD-8TLXV6T8ri86t3in95AdkkuqszHAmuIG5iCbT_J9ti-778f_EPO6lCkkntuFSBHupNG25KwXhzf_mFolGS/s400/aCITYSCAPE+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="justify">The bus terminus is at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Changi</span> Point. It is still a quiet place, as it is 'land's end'. The pix here shows <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Sungei</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Changi</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Changi</span> River leading out to the Straits of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Johore</span>. In the distant horizon is <a href="http://vacuumstate.blogspot.com/2007/05/pulau-ubin.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Pulau</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Ubin</span></a>. The boats here ferry people to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Pulau</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Ubin</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Pengarang</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Johore</span>, Malaysia.</p><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kO-xxOessmI1Uhqr0Sqpb8T4GtWMGKQjmvFS-eFI3YZEozp0KHNJaS4USLxoHi1wTFK-7Je9eLiG_qlx3V1mAJi9x_mKiOy84xQf6qqDgwckb1y05VnuvpgDBKPAyv79uBVL/s1600-h/bsia2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125565428403195986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-kO-xxOessmI1Uhqr0Sqpb8T4GtWMGKQjmvFS-eFI3YZEozp0KHNJaS4USLxoHi1wTFK-7Je9eLiG_qlx3V1mAJi9x_mKiOy84xQf6qqDgwckb1y05VnuvpgDBKPAyv79uBVL/s400/bsia2.jpg" border="0" /></a> There are no high rise in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Changi</span>, due to height restrictions, since it is near the airport.<br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLM5CnKlR3hcm0Pl7qN_6sDtrrMKkAYOIuChmCV7dh0KOxaUfLtOyb-uiXyMJhnpxbV2bsLs9eWADisZhQKqB_53FV2og0P6fIYVDvHmXAI0a6dwpuTBus6VGXhwn9qisOs11u/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125564749798363154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLM5CnKlR3hcm0Pl7qN_6sDtrrMKkAYOIuChmCV7dh0KOxaUfLtOyb-uiXyMJhnpxbV2bsLs9eWADisZhQKqB_53FV2og0P6fIYVDvHmXAI0a6dwpuTBus6VGXhwn9qisOs11u/s400/CITYSCAPE+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> There is still this village feel about the place. Very unlike elsewhere in the island.</p><br /><p>.<br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxmVWn2HeTepYtHzPxWbQG_9zwiUcQmFbJvnhl0s_ahBIwVKZpizKcOoixKXTS-PhSskwtjc6SK-N7gQF0k1OacGCmIIJYGAqVMzrskABUuk6bQl-45ZUxHwuJ0pgH4zRIEe2/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125564771273199650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxmVWn2HeTepYtHzPxWbQG_9zwiUcQmFbJvnhl0s_ahBIwVKZpizKcOoixKXTS-PhSskwtjc6SK-N7gQF0k1OacGCmIIJYGAqVMzrskABUuk6bQl-45ZUxHwuJ0pgH4zRIEe2/s400/CITYSCAPE+016.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the famous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Changi</span> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasi_lemak"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Nasi</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Lemak</span> </a>stall. There is a perpetual queue at this stall.</p><br /><p>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9J70SgGKHo8AWmGbdJri7upDPMiGUttx9IHvNl-gNfqmQsRnCoJUFxS9MHOlc7xxJU6hhbIShsn3O3SfYO47YvIYJh6AI3mI5G6zuuLDjKt7oH6bcL3HqsFGRqCoZRfYhiNec/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125564779863134258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9J70SgGKHo8AWmGbdJri7upDPMiGUttx9IHvNl-gNfqmQsRnCoJUFxS9MHOlc7xxJU6hhbIShsn3O3SfYO47YvIYJh6AI3mI5G6zuuLDjKt7oH6bcL3HqsFGRqCoZRfYhiNec/s400/CITYSCAPE+025.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Village centre. Now mostly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">coffeeshops</span>, restaurants and pubs.<br /><br /></p><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKxfPsIik8w6fq_-LK7nUmjHdp-jpG_LxEpikaYoaWS9HuLbGqGMp_4Oji4EdJpuprmUpeJ-vhTo7e71RcU5MTdO8p0CHGFp0KwNFNS74PYGc4ATyqxmnMea5_rX_Tvm3Rsm3/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125563448423272418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKxfPsIik8w6fq_-LK7nUmjHdp-jpG_LxEpikaYoaWS9HuLbGqGMp_4Oji4EdJpuprmUpeJ-vhTo7e71RcU5MTdO8p0CHGFp0KwNFNS74PYGc4ATyqxmnMea5_rX_Tvm3Rsm3/s400/CITYSCAPE+033.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div align="justify">This taxi stand has been around for ages! Probably since the 1960s. </div><br /><div align="justify">For some old photos of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Changi</span>, dating back to the 1930s, click <a href="http://community.webshots.com/album/271175009BzAbmA">here</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"> </a>.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><br /><br /></div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZ6ZTR8y6frbQEJKrEMJYv-0_7L4iX0E7sC_cDE3lCLS_FcwELK-aqxbQsFPMUKodCmDHthL_RE_je9546ynPBB8HiMjTtSlciM0aUFYRCtGnjNWowMeXKNIedTGQygcQEPUs/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+033a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125563457013207026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZ6ZTR8y6frbQEJKrEMJYv-0_7L4iX0E7sC_cDE3lCLS_FcwELK-aqxbQsFPMUKodCmDHthL_RE_je9546ynPBB8HiMjTtSlciM0aUFYRCtGnjNWowMeXKNIedTGQygcQEPUs/s400/CITYSCAPE+033a.jpg" border="0" /></a> This where our journey starts...</p><br /><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftpwvRuZqs3loVpR1pPSkHnIELtK_5EvPnsPMyye2MXPQlQrEkvFcoXaAlZP1B2r5WnC8_kDS2J4np5jBGeJX4Ay3um8I4Jy4FRntxqs__IwX1G7hyphenhyphenrRmW60RKDwjBG1gDlWn/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125563461308174338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftpwvRuZqs3loVpR1pPSkHnIELtK_5EvPnsPMyye2MXPQlQrEkvFcoXaAlZP1B2r5WnC8_kDS2J4np5jBGeJX4Ay3um8I4Jy4FRntxqs__IwX1G7hyphenhyphenrRmW60RKDwjBG1gDlWn/s400/CITYSCAPE+047.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Village centre. These big trees are home to many escaped <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">parrakeets</span> and cockatoos.<br /><br /><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFLbCRWBeMSQXRDiwRm0XKpGYCzaqaJf5MEm00ZXs-yV-Jtl_N9B0HzYe7AuyGJdK758446RxRhbkAj4sEMNnx0dfyQeLWPJCxqQSBJow5hvQT3YhDG4UKsUtZoD9hf6l3JeC/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125562224357593042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFLbCRWBeMSQXRDiwRm0XKpGYCzaqaJf5MEm00ZXs-yV-Jtl_N9B0HzYe7AuyGJdK758446RxRhbkAj4sEMNnx0dfyQeLWPJCxqQSBJow5hvQT3YhDG4UKsUtZoD9hf6l3JeC/s400/CITYSCAPE+051.jpg" border="0" /></a>An idyllic escapade in busy Singapore.<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122631225939612562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 570px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 349px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="321" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRIuJDOWMrg3zs225GdWcSxA5mTanVFNdGmk-qEeCcggovAdmpECrBksz5vTrrohCESElx-g3IDFwYV_0ssuZY_fxsx-2SfEd6BrlPfWWwGr9EcaZqFjiBrzG1cpldFr47-dD/s400/singapore2.gif" width="498" border="0" /> <span style="color:#6666cc;">Follow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Changi</span></span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Tampines</span></span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Bedok</span></span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Geylang</span></span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Kallang</span></span>-City (that's the route)</span></p><br /><br /><div align="justify">Over the last 30 years, the original <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Changi</span></span></span></span> Road has been cut, straightened and widened to become "New Upper <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Changi</span></span></span></span> Road", running parallel with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">MRT</span></span> tracks and high <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">HDB</span></span> apartment blocks. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">kampungs</span></span></span></span> are all gone and the landscape is highly urban, but arguably more varied and interesting.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">I put up this post to document the passing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">scenary</span></span> that many commuters may take for granted, ignoring the stories that surround the various landmarks that they pass. Our journey here starts at the bus terminus at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Changi</span></span></span></span> Village to cruise along the remaining country road that meanders like a river to more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">intensed</span></span></span></span> urbanisation downstream in the city. The journey ends at the Neil Road terminus, by the Singapore General Hospital. Shown as 'City' on the map. The entire journey covers about 30 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">kms</span></span></span></span> and 90 minutes. So this is a long posting, which I hope you will enjoy the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">scenery</span> and little stories with me.</div><br /><div align="justify"><br />For a quick history of public bus services in Singapore, click <a href="http://www.smrtbuses.com.sg/transport/bus/HISTORY.HTM">here</a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7I-KjxMPOvxa-0X3LQOoeqokOJMP-UCiHEm6I96Ug5NtOA7Q4eGCQEB9DbRsRZNsXeNcmCp8DPeIWGiaTeFU1zsenrGoMlK0vX6rqSn43y3WutLLo0fxnpWIV8gE9fJN9m93F/s1600-h/10CITYSCAPE+030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122590209001935666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7I-KjxMPOvxa-0X3LQOoeqokOJMP-UCiHEm6I96Ug5NtOA7Q4eGCQEB9DbRsRZNsXeNcmCp8DPeIWGiaTeFU1zsenrGoMlK0vX6rqSn43y3WutLLo0fxnpWIV8gE9fJN9m93F/s400/10CITYSCAPE+030.jpg" border="0" /></a> It was a sunny day, so the ambient light is ideal for capturing the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">pixs</span></span></span></span>, but I learn that to do that, I must be really fast. Given my cheap old camera, this was a challenge. Also, the bus jerks and throws you about. You can get a full-size view if you click on each pix.</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDdP5_LHJkBhCtc8iIgrsmj6xqiVqSW7wCjDm8LT4Klx5vIFv-T2t0sbQRVgtK44Pf8uYY9KuVT7YYvHa99DsXPzzdjnslDsyYfGgXSQyDhF_NrvSpElb1Q_aWNBrugLpUJVH/s1600-h/10IMG_5045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122590213296902978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 383px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="346" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDdP5_LHJkBhCtc8iIgrsmj6xqiVqSW7wCjDm8LT4Klx5vIFv-T2t0sbQRVgtK44Pf8uYY9KuVT7YYvHa99DsXPzzdjnslDsyYfGgXSQyDhF_NrvSpElb1Q_aWNBrugLpUJVH/s400/10IMG_5045.JPG" width="462" border="0" /></a> This old section of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Changi</span></span></span></span> Road survived the cut and thrust of urban redevelopment. Largely, it serves <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Selarang</span></span></span></span> Military Camp and the prison reform centres.<br />. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOfD34jMWQyUA3KIlzuqVg-SfMXg1tk73CQLx49tG2GIVqS6s_vo8iLgbcGGXf6Dsm0KSYvhDuneCZqWkre13GVNSljWExtwJYYSSHI37GXIjpo_wr4dModTvTF8gb8FVd5l5/s1600-h/11IMG_5049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122590217591870290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 492px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 367px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="349" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOfD34jMWQyUA3KIlzuqVg-SfMXg1tk73CQLx49tG2GIVqS6s_vo8iLgbcGGXf6Dsm0KSYvhDuneCZqWkre13GVNSljWExtwJYYSSHI37GXIjpo_wr4dModTvTF8gb8FVd5l5/s400/11IMG_5049.JPG" width="463" border="0" /></a> I love cycling along this road. It still has a country feel. I need this peace.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCD-MrkHdwC60KROBnabEqqyW8nvOiNAghtZdM-mBrdmAh33WGcW2x7FK3N3m5lnKe8QN2Z8bzAR8MtLlKCGcdXemKZda2tmcgO6HY49BnU0BzxLdvDgMJiuVkpNgY0VS0IOJH/s1600-h/12IMG_5052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122590226181804898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCD-MrkHdwC60KROBnabEqqyW8nvOiNAghtZdM-mBrdmAh33WGcW2x7FK3N3m5lnKe8QN2Z8bzAR8MtLlKCGcdXemKZda2tmcgO6HY49BnU0BzxLdvDgMJiuVkpNgY0VS0IOJH/s400/12IMG_5052.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHYauyhzK6nhtjPBu37u5w8lw-spILBnpLj7ZIc48XWbNFqjnO32EwJv8YB4sCvQdRewSDG7ANZY-9F7N1ybAxrPnAI9JFPvRVLhOEk1Yw_7xkUOCUGOlag8-s78tmMZDnczA/s1600-h/13IMG_5046.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122590230476772210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHYauyhzK6nhtjPBu37u5w8lw-spILBnpLj7ZIc48XWbNFqjnO32EwJv8YB4sCvQdRewSDG7ANZY-9F7N1ybAxrPnAI9JFPvRVLhOEk1Yw_7xkUOCUGOlag8-s78tmMZDnczA/s400/13IMG_5046.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"></a></p>This is one of the Prison day release reform centre.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLButl4cUSsmweMz0QdtAwSkMwf629EMjY6tCPPjbZ0MG8ujgRNDbG5IKubP2_D7tnZPXhnZucWZgFK0OYpYd9dcP6K4YJpCMzgTkkHOl4JXReUsOvXTD8Z1ivy9M6t6osaxf/s1600-h/13IMG_5053.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122589410138018530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLButl4cUSsmweMz0QdtAwSkMwf629EMjY6tCPPjbZ0MG8ujgRNDbG5IKubP2_D7tnZPXhnZucWZgFK0OYpYd9dcP6K4YJpCMzgTkkHOl4JXReUsOvXTD8Z1ivy9M6t6osaxf/s400/13IMG_5053.JPG" border="0" /></a> These are old British Army quarters. Now used for civilian residence.</p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UyFtqshG7o3vQGMXJOhrbZBuCpwue0rcVypgFEZnBrPYTedsxQ9eGnB7jUYquKle6n57SRKMFHSq_cIL0oblw2K0xXfQmPUdOAQpifoG2xJqZh3mPqMhYSz6-vP2_SIm69Aj/s1600-h/14IMG_5054.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122589414432985842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UyFtqshG7o3vQGMXJOhrbZBuCpwue0rcVypgFEZnBrPYTedsxQ9eGnB7jUYquKle6n57SRKMFHSq_cIL0oblw2K0xXfQmPUdOAQpifoG2xJqZh3mPqMhYSz6-vP2_SIm69Aj/s400/14IMG_5054.JPG" border="0" /></a> As you can see, the old house still standing with lots of green green grass of home.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvsuZAURKZehWwOgVQ98GuGeCNWT4TTVBNJfLLsbAK4d-3cNW7pK1I6FEMm-bRYux9z93QHkJ_5XtvCA3cwttHuQ3g_k6qzNl7XOl1h4aAe6IK__sN6xPch0_sv_o-BNIUY6P/s1600-h/15IMG_5055.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122589418727953154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikvsuZAURKZehWwOgVQ98GuGeCNWT4TTVBNJfLLsbAK4d-3cNW7pK1I6FEMm-bRYux9z93QHkJ_5XtvCA3cwttHuQ3g_k6qzNl7XOl1h4aAe6IK__sN6xPch0_sv_o-BNIUY6P/s400/15IMG_5055.JPG" border="0" /><br /></a>It looks a bit like England on a sunny day. The road names are still very English, like St John's Crescent, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Abingdon</span></span></span></span> Road and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Cosford</span></span></span> Road.<br /><br />.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122589427317887762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6VSQSKg6l6baAQJ5SMuXCkXKTGUpCoekOSug4eU4mxCYvKHrt6qsK-VgUGBgmi4WZwMPgLpQ397QggbzGcYNS95G7djVAvmn1wGjiSrUyeF9NSqxEt8m2T0pOLBaXZAsGm63/s400/16IMG_5057.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><span style="color:#6666cc;">A rare sleepy road in Singapore</span><br />.</p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122587778050445970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DUcm4V202YjkZ8y7MFv2LAlZfV2XGhDtWmZrHdSRxlQfJNze1_2uR9xk4tLXz9MDjaGxp-jdjmGxR6MVwJiLRfkBZ8jfIHGmjpQ84-wTJI6flBQS79dVjf7gCVlR85RQMgMK/s400/19IMG_5059.JPG" border="0" />I found this lonely church by the road.</p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122589435907822370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXR9cVhGdm3jilAoqF60TuUZ0Hn3eKKWE0CcePw3oQvfoOav3Csy0mG11Vjen6c8oJjYQdlWG2Yi_PIkfx1Iqv93lQWU4vOCSSLzF2RcC0fqi2mWhA4o77AOyXmTMJ6Ry_vTxH/s400/18IMG_5058.JPG" border="0" /><span style="color:#000000;">It offers services in the Chinese dialect <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hokkien"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Hokkien</span></span></a></span></span>!! Incidentally, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Hokkien</span> is the street language in Singapore and incidentally what the gangsters use! :) Anyway, I wonder who attends those services, as most Singaporeans now understand English and Mandarin. Could it be that it serves the old folks or those who did not have an education in English or Mandarin? </span></p><br /><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;">When I left Singapore in 1983, most Chinese speak dialects like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Hokkien</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Teochew</span>, Cantonese, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Hainanese</span>, Hakka...etc. Then, Lee <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Kuan</span> Yew, prime minister at that time, wanted to standardise and managed to convince the Chinese Singaporean that their mother tongue is now Mandarin, a northern tongue thousands of kilometres from their ancestral home. :) For the record, none of my parents speak Mandarin, so it can't be my mother tongue. :)</span></p><br /><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;">When I came back in 2002, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singlish"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Singlish</span></a> and Mandarin has taken over!<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-stQzhYqKYvnyLkdMWS7_goARnuSBjZPpDFdh_dEYooZOxWVMCWilzoYUD5BENB-K69TfhyHPeda4FfpNcE8bTznncdJIZg5QLbOxBKAsjfwdGmIy8rWT_1D3KFOS63j6dA76/s1600-h/20IMG_5062.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122587782345413282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-stQzhYqKYvnyLkdMWS7_goARnuSBjZPpDFdh_dEYooZOxWVMCWilzoYUD5BENB-K69TfhyHPeda4FfpNcE8bTznncdJIZg5QLbOxBKAsjfwdGmIy8rWT_1D3KFOS63j6dA76/s400/20IMG_5062.JPG" border="0" /> </p></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-stQzhYqKYvnyLkdMWS7_goARnuSBjZPpDFdh_dEYooZOxWVMCWilzoYUD5BENB-K69TfhyHPeda4FfpNcE8bTznncdJIZg5QLbOxBKAsjfwdGmIy8rWT_1D3KFOS63j6dA76/s1600-h/20IMG_5062.JPG"><br /><p align="justify"></a>This is the famous <a href="http://www.changimuseum.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">Changi</span></span></span></span> Prison Chapel</a>. It has a museum in it, which chronicles how civilians suffered during the Japanese occupation during the Second War World. The atmosphere in this place is so sad. Many Brits, Aussies and Kiwis come here to remember their grandfather, father or husband who had died in the War.<br /></p><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq51T2eeUoiC9pJIS7NqjKXDLjwEhPsZtrcnJo5UlJePU7nBSECjDKkMDLq_M7nUwrcTVUOA6rEQpS6yrkPuhbbqEn5T-8BE63EB2om_NIvt7_YN_9M-ephKu5N9gjilefLlFa/s1600-h/21CITYSCAPE+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122587786640380594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq51T2eeUoiC9pJIS7NqjKXDLjwEhPsZtrcnJo5UlJePU7nBSECjDKkMDLq_M7nUwrcTVUOA6rEQpS6yrkPuhbbqEn5T-8BE63EB2om_NIvt7_YN_9M-ephKu5N9gjilefLlFa/s400/21CITYSCAPE+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the infamous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Changi_Prison"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">Changi</span></span></span></span> Prison</a>. Two years ago, it has been entirely reconstructed and modernised. I heard with lots of technology and monitoring systems, making it less labour intensive.<br /></p><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1sOUcgsZ0Ag9ceTEtT3E2tR9StnI6DZawvx3nYF1wm7Mdg-mNQxOsGJKgRfKQw3r0mmVragB9417GVsC8LdN4WQhROK6HHNKX1yYvSEcq2AP91-jUExEYv6ruYINXoUuUc6C/s1600-h/22CITYSCAPE+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122587790935347906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1sOUcgsZ0Ag9ceTEtT3E2tR9StnI6DZawvx3nYF1wm7Mdg-mNQxOsGJKgRfKQw3r0mmVragB9417GVsC8LdN4WQhROK6HHNKX1yYvSEcq2AP91-jUExEYv6ruYINXoUuUc6C/s400/22CITYSCAPE+003.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the old prison wall. It looks like a fortress. The post there used to have full-time <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gorkha"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Gurkhas</span></span></a></span></span> guarding. This wall is now but a landmark.</p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lqulmJVYSePe_Xus0cBJ4E4A0ShqMEOhXgumbBOfjGE3wgpleuw39vMmNvrDGNRJW4fGNd3sI29UrUOHr3KA4S4Pzux4c8RwQu2fi39THkfcSj0mhTXstbCoJS_hn7bGFcDl/s1600-h/22CITYSCAPE+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122587799525282514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lqulmJVYSePe_Xus0cBJ4E4A0ShqMEOhXgumbBOfjGE3wgpleuw39vMmNvrDGNRJW4fGNd3sI29UrUOHr3KA4S4Pzux4c8RwQu2fi39THkfcSj0mhTXstbCoJS_hn7bGFcDl/s400/22CITYSCAPE+005.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the new prison block.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LFGcakowskWQDfE4ckq7jVjc2QUYsa3cbH8_IDwoVCqPgqfEvYrqgVYmv_Syu6W_oW1myi_hDcC4JEjhGDP_u7LLMfhrkTsPBaEQfVx4pKibbnqXSOKKTlBqavTjXNl06WSs/s1600-h/23CITYSCAPE+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122586884697248322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9LFGcakowskWQDfE4ckq7jVjc2QUYsa3cbH8_IDwoVCqPgqfEvYrqgVYmv_Syu6W_oW1myi_hDcC4JEjhGDP_u7LLMfhrkTsPBaEQfVx4pKibbnqXSOKKTlBqavTjXNl06WSs/s400/23CITYSCAPE+002.jpg" border="0" /></a> Remember always to live on the right side of the fence - it's the sunny side!</p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNecIIx1oGQuykOAvN99-Ukqx1puJBpX9z-c4XSeLuO5eS5z7K2Ehy90sIJ5VhvxU7FCTPgof0AImREsZpMqlP7Q50stzhMzyZmUU5_0GSgB3BHT-dPItiRvpQgJkMB8fZZ32/s1600-h/23CITYSCAPE+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122586893287182930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNecIIx1oGQuykOAvN99-Ukqx1puJBpX9z-c4XSeLuO5eS5z7K2Ehy90sIJ5VhvxU7FCTPgof0AImREsZpMqlP7Q50stzhMzyZmUU5_0GSgB3BHT-dPItiRvpQgJkMB8fZZ32/s400/23CITYSCAPE+003.jpg" border="0" /></a> The left side of road were once upon a time <a href="http://www.imagesofasia.com/html/asia/singapore-village.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">kampung</span></span></span> houses </a>with zinc and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">attap</span></span></span> roofs.</p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3sdQORIBpaUiG5J6bQrBDWw2H-yCnOTHh-2u9leRLt5VhQ8_8Bgr4l7xyvyZYaHJERwj8oB7hRZ3BAuG0XwKsWjulpxStcu1vw7n71BJ9skJPccOlkBBXxyneTc4zRNjdJx-/s1600-h/23CITYSCAPE+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122586901877117538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3sdQORIBpaUiG5J6bQrBDWw2H-yCnOTHh-2u9leRLt5VhQ8_8Bgr4l7xyvyZYaHJERwj8oB7hRZ3BAuG0XwKsWjulpxStcu1vw7n71BJ9skJPccOlkBBXxyneTc4zRNjdJx-/s400/23CITYSCAPE+004.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the <a href="http://www.ite.edu.sg/ite/index_op.html">Institute of Technical Education </a>(East) or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">ITE</span></span></span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">ITE</span></span></span> has come a long way since the early days through its predecessor called the Vocational Institutes (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">VIs</span></span></span>). Students who fail in school too many times got thrown into the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">VIs</span></span></span> to learn a trade vocation, like metal work, wood work, electricity...etc. Morale was low as they feel that they are dumped into a box as a last resort. Therefore its nickname as "It's The End" for "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">ITE"</span></span></span>.</p><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122586910467052146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwK1adjm-lZSPW53VUi0_uR-3El5UpLp547hzczF_gXsenfPtq23DRCJtDjHVIXuGIGQI94G422L6QSKMiBs4M7_f6zK1F6Na-o9H1-nQ6bBnDpxtXcnx4mBnWHNQxiEA9rrI/s400/24IMG_5119.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="justify">However, today's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">ITE</span></span></span> holds its head high, as their graduates perform well in industry and have more up to date courses added to their curriculum to keep up with industry needs. I think a nice campus like this helps to perk up the morale of these students. It is complete with sport facilities, great architecture and well-equipped lecture theatres.</p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSPZ9H3r0dHyJ9nCDEaPW8SGB9OSmpAHxW6QmyL78Q0OXl3r2ByRDUncMxdyFlXD4XhiOo2GXZDJuG0IjGo25wOq4Fc0SoyDPsvqZzX-U9aXzku5G15DOszv2cS8JfOaJ-gdP/s1600-h/25CITYSCAPE+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122586914762019458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSPZ9H3r0dHyJ9nCDEaPW8SGB9OSmpAHxW6QmyL78Q0OXl3r2ByRDUncMxdyFlXD4XhiOo2GXZDJuG0IjGo25wOq4Fc0SoyDPsvqZzX-U9aXzku5G15DOszv2cS8JfOaJ-gdP/s400/25CITYSCAPE+012.jpg" border="0" /></a> After <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">ITE</span></span></span> East, the bus moves on to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedok"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Bedok</span></a></span></span>, where it is largely a public housing estate (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">HDB</span></span></span> estate). 85% of Singaporeans live in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34"><a href="http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10200p.nsf/DefaultHome/HomePageInternet?OpenDocument"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">HDB</span></a></span></span> apartments. The dwellings look like this... Before that, most people were living in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">kampung</span></span> houses.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125307129070014306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhI25MlHsfLRsHqWsIjU0h6ntQWE0gz5tNGZMAdQ7Z7ZTDQdUmQ-l9jw6wNSQ-sdF1aQnIw4lV-Q00VxNsDyo66I2fN_Dv3vZ0ZATHXTaWSU9GY6ZGatGAT8KF0biq3Se99k6/s400/CITYSCAPE+016.jpg" border="0" /> Masjid Darul Aman by Eunos</p><br /><p align="center">.<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125307133364981618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSo2CPrPUzK3kT3tMwX3_R-TN-kmk_POwJXPAZboNQCqHxSvPlePQ5u2vovTjkb5Zo_1hMjSPiN4yLs4ITTZjtQdf5ta8kthCq8-HefRVUxBPJOc3YjZSWX4cpFB8geKcyY-T/s400/CITYSCAPE+017.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="justify">PKMS Building, the only political party in Singapore, other than the ruling party to have their own building. PKMS stands for "Pertubokan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura", which translates to Singapore Malay National Organisation. It is originally the Singapore branch of the Malaysian ruling party, UMNO (United Malay National Organisation) Singapore branch, but become PKMS after separation from Malaysia in 1965.</p><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125307116185112402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWjstQj8oEnLrlsQEhC0S0csJ0NrR6xBrYgiA9m55KinaDlVp9Nzjd0ylrnKZjck08NBJZbAVkVFChXqa22094XOigXTT-C-WENIB1gidXRbs3R4HTzgW4Ws8_tXZev3px3eg/s400/CITYSCAPE+015.jpg" border="0" /> <a href="http://nanyangtemple.wordpress.com/2005/01/05/sian-keng-tong/">Sian Keng Tong temple</a>, a Heng Hwa temple built in 1965 by local crafsmen</p><br /><p align="center">For more pixs from flikr, click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kentneo/sets/72157594541907879/">here</a></p><br /><p align="center">Found a Youtube video, click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHiJNQIFsVY">here</a></p><br /><p align="center">.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUNbWIyS1A12Kpb64VsJW4EzqGU5aNUJSDUdPs46ZS7u1CjkLk4DipTcVHYXFebmVvXI-B9gBbNn3iCDPKKpT7C0lfRSCmuzQXN7fWqpmZBdYNFHCiHIwcimPNspqNK-k3Cyv/s1600-h/25CITYSCAPE+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122582533895377394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 403px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="385" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUNbWIyS1A12Kpb64VsJW4EzqGU5aNUJSDUdPs46ZS7u1CjkLk4DipTcVHYXFebmVvXI-B9gBbNn3iCDPKKpT7C0lfRSCmuzQXN7fWqpmZBdYNFHCiHIwcimPNspqNK-k3Cyv/s400/25CITYSCAPE+016.jpg" width="517" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124728144937636978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzFqpxFVpNigmJMCRa6lwYYqpPfaOyp8fcmiVE3F8dlpyC8nRbYpCsup_rSXV9VpUTGPZOnAjyrivfbrDblHezLpFJQdD-3ZhQNNI3-J33zc94vdFAKlohpGw-1k8rORAu1H6/s400/low+crime.jpg" border="0" />Uniquely Singaporean ad. :) I haven't seen this kind of public announcements anywhere else in the world before. Sounds like a happy problem! :)<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122582559665181202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTAwmxiaou1z0zsRf1v16An34QS1rgf34Dzw7XbNi_fRB_jqZmC5Kz4t60e-CMF0ZB0J91ile5gY9vsH9SV9Kxz9I1msvJLm9D0vwkeoOsAwT_Wm5kmikaMEv-kyHvGow1Crod/s400/31IMG_5127.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="justify">These are Singapore styled <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shophouse">shop houses</a>. Notice that the architecture is a combination of Roman columns, P<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">ortuguese</span></span></span> wall tiles, M<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">editerranean</span></span></span> window slates, and sometimes Chinese motifs. The ones you see in Geylang still have their internal architecture preserved. Many in Clarke Quay and Chinatown only have their facades preserved. If you are a purist, that does make a difference, as for instance, where they put the staircases, toilets,...etc, do tell different stories about way of life of the place during the time when it was constructed.<br />. </p><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJ5xddBnnDm4Biy4eURHfXIYOx15sS4fofxwHJeVhJdIIwKEpil2h2Hv0QMQD4CiWbhMcJ76i62oMfG9tVWKcnaRx0VOUqHs23yAW2ft6xNyNKtLfSZOQpTO2yGRecuKccRPY/s1600-h/31IMG_5128.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122582572550083106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJ5xddBnnDm4Biy4eURHfXIYOx15sS4fofxwHJeVhJdIIwKEpil2h2Hv0QMQD4CiWbhMcJ76i62oMfG9tVWKcnaRx0VOUqHs23yAW2ft6xNyNKtLfSZOQpTO2yGRecuKccRPY/s400/31IMG_5128.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is a typical <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Geylang</span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">coffeeshop</span></span>, along <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Lorong</span></span> 34. "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Lorong</span></span>" means "dirt track" in Malay. A misnomer, as these lorongs are now fully paved two lanes roads.<br /></p><br /><div align="justify">.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQRDw5swNGA31H1YQ1bmpCQPFkJfgeOtYlKnEaCBIHOKB7o0hpqIKe2sD4Cgf7DlJ2Ibe5I_0UR4NHs80xGe2IWjhaJ91p4UZ7U5Zzg2Hi4Teymlo6efzZQrUmdlW06PEMVN7/s1600-h/32CITYSCAPE+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122582581140017714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQRDw5swNGA31H1YQ1bmpCQPFkJfgeOtYlKnEaCBIHOKB7o0hpqIKe2sD4Cgf7DlJ2Ibe5I_0UR4NHs80xGe2IWjhaJ91p4UZ7U5Zzg2Hi4Teymlo6efzZQrUmdlW06PEMVN7/s400/32CITYSCAPE+013.jpg" border="0" /></a> This one sells <a href="http://www.aromacookery.com/aromacookery/2005/04/teochew_porridg.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Teochew</span></span> Porridge</a>, which is rice porridge eaten with salty dishes, like salted fish, salted eggs, salted vegetables...etc. I think the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teochew_(dialect)">Teochews</a></span></span> dialect group must have come from salt basins in China.<br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfpOSCEqbolBvSFNJ89q2y2O-Lo5DG5RcGXGDDo56PYFZNCc4fgB85e4RzANnzmJO081idMDthRnatfdxlA528yh9WPBHUqwLVZevqD6tjuSmgCXLPsEr2-lFUoBeHrYVrec4/s1600-h/33CITYSCAPE+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122579398569251234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfpOSCEqbolBvSFNJ89q2y2O-Lo5DG5RcGXGDDo56PYFZNCc4fgB85e4RzANnzmJO081idMDthRnatfdxlA528yh9WPBHUqwLVZevqD6tjuSmgCXLPsEr2-lFUoBeHrYVrec4/s400/33CITYSCAPE+014.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>This one is specialised in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43"><a href="http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/about_singapore/ezine_home/Jun07/fine_finds/claypot.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">claypot</span></a></span> meals. Since it was around lunchtime, I alighted from the bus to go on a short walkabout. A lot easier taking photos on the ground and also without the dust stained glass in between the object and the camera.<br />.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74_u5DWDb0kCeUQHpXUcpaF8OfTzVWKQcrKsf-lvbqMiCNlDPaBGRqxt6YjJVj61O9tFi721tN4FXLKqqHHIiE4-PlTMkGHy2C7zqe49kWBbJBi_gaNpOYINYgeeI4pZ9iIjg/s1600-h/34CITYSCAPE+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122579411454153138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74_u5DWDb0kCeUQHpXUcpaF8OfTzVWKQcrKsf-lvbqMiCNlDPaBGRqxt6YjJVj61O9tFi721tN4FXLKqqHHIiE4-PlTMkGHy2C7zqe49kWBbJBi_gaNpOYINYgeeI4pZ9iIjg/s400/34CITYSCAPE+006.jpg" border="0" /></a> There are many religious organisations that have their temples and places of worship/practice in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Geylang</span>. Perhaps it is because land is cheaper here since it is a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">redlight</span> district.<br />.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkInQ_eBIazAmonEvoC-hmfU96QjVxSDeUZ2fP70WPK-wYUhxeUPHK99n5tBPuJ7rdHcaLFlQk1SgTiE8cneAR5yoG1gU25fKEYuNqU-V4qMUT11twx7enlSYslyI9veMx1BF/s1600-h/34CITYSCAPE+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122579420044087746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkInQ_eBIazAmonEvoC-hmfU96QjVxSDeUZ2fP70WPK-wYUhxeUPHK99n5tBPuJ7rdHcaLFlQk1SgTiE8cneAR5yoG1gU25fKEYuNqU-V4qMUT11twx7enlSYslyI9veMx1BF/s400/34CITYSCAPE+015.jpg" border="0" /></a> From here, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Geylang</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">sleaze</span> begins to intensify.</div><br /><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89OfefOX8sVisTTQqfnBxsLEpghv5jLcvGs8fFnd_RaqDyml5uTv1izs6xFYwur_cRgqCoXX2ekIQfv4fTc4Qcl0xe4vKHUa1EhIhmjFQLyrBzCkTBKzC6XxjOjIDvpZycjET/s1600-h/35CITYSCAPE+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122579432928989650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89OfefOX8sVisTTQqfnBxsLEpghv5jLcvGs8fFnd_RaqDyml5uTv1izs6xFYwur_cRgqCoXX2ekIQfv4fTc4Qcl0xe4vKHUa1EhIhmjFQLyrBzCkTBKzC6XxjOjIDvpZycjET/s400/35CITYSCAPE+008.jpg" border="0" /></a> Found this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">dilapidated</span> house in the middle of the other shop houses. Somehow it has been left to rot here. A precious piece of real estate in today's crowded Singapore.</p><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEN9p3kELCQ1xYH__q6mGZMnUiSq4_69KJh7td_ckQhRjVlGcWus6lIEKqR_J0DuYBRXLhw1CrnIsR2S1Qk2mLxCEOyxQGfErZTp6eqUIcVqpTX64LculdzAzA-VYAK5O7JQX/s1600-h/36CITYSCAPE+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122579450108858850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEN9p3kELCQ1xYH__q6mGZMnUiSq4_69KJh7td_ckQhRjVlGcWus6lIEKqR_J0DuYBRXLhw1CrnIsR2S1Qk2mLxCEOyxQGfErZTp6eqUIcVqpTX64LculdzAzA-VYAK5O7JQX/s400/36CITYSCAPE+010.jpg" border="0" /></a>Found this very fertile <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackfruit"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">jackfruit</span> </a>tree along the side walk of a residential <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">lorong</span>. .<br /></p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJToi2PnbCieeJVs1Ujf8cdd-xTbD7hLW7gJkA7yjjHviwr9gGQe9rXrg3OcFRyD0jhFGuKkTUR7r4dUPwN1pEHY2L049YEmLbkSVqtFjd5MdolaN4G5vWSGuklx2yRNiJrCJD/s1600-h/36CITYSCAPE+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122577598977954082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJToi2PnbCieeJVs1Ujf8cdd-xTbD7hLW7gJkA7yjjHviwr9gGQe9rXrg3OcFRyD0jhFGuKkTUR7r4dUPwN1pEHY2L049YEmLbkSVqtFjd5MdolaN4G5vWSGuklx2yRNiJrCJD/s400/36CITYSCAPE+012.jpg" border="0" /></a> White cockatoos outside a pet shop along Geylang Road. Cockatoos used to be sold without the cages. Owners sit them on a wooden bar and chain one of their legs so that they will not fly away. However, some clever ones managed to pick those chains and set themselves free. Many of the descendants of these freed birds now live in the trees in Changi Village. There, you will see white cockatoos and green parakeets. To find out more click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZpC9DSwYo8">here</a></p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124910427644646562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="251" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqg3jbmGWD3_MQgp6xEO2yiZHDPj3wtIE1Bf0KHnG73Mk1apFdzEqPL5nDciw3UftV7ioabOsZ3Bf2aFcVwEwwYizFgFLckYShUNVfSglbm929n1WJSujUqFK9rwkGOIqwnjf/s400/parakeets.jpg" width="456" border="0" />These wild parrakeets, offsprings of escaped caged pets, are outside my window every morning. Can you count how many of them are there in the pix? You find many of these wild parrakeets and cockatoos in Changi.<br /></p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122577624747757874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="379" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgejVI1aYArspSpS4G4qvwYmO4-q3AjsWs0nzqj62xGh4Zcl-rvK0i6imJHwiNaabKxdtIlEBMZkxyiXKxP2gBrQF3TCXGY2h42m3iyNk7ZMEKjDCNZkoex_wgEeV1rFkQySup6/s400/36CITYSCAPE+015.jpg" width="465" border="0" /> Khadijah Mosque<br /><br />This pix looks very much like it is taken in a Middle Eastern city.</p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVPZV3a1Tp865GOVSaMf8cx9cUK6BQsbkDANebFMB2I7aZ-x4HhQ-JjE7VwGNRG8qqL1cQx22ZL6rISDXQCaLQCh3jPoFNxae-ZXvX296nU8ZSOuzbwOx5VPXGrlSFjx6icU0/s1600-h/36CITYSCAPE+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122708410796889010" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVPZV3a1Tp865GOVSaMf8cx9cUK6BQsbkDANebFMB2I7aZ-x4HhQ-JjE7VwGNRG8qqL1cQx22ZL6rISDXQCaLQCh3jPoFNxae-ZXvX296nU8ZSOuzbwOx5VPXGrlSFjx6icU0/s400/36CITYSCAPE+017.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><br /><p>The Sungaramuda Buddhist Institute - amongst the many religious institutions along Geylang<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FoXq3c290aHdOF4SfMEPoYFH18AtBxFqLm5-ZkpEPu38SMpxSt-bpKtminKNOTV5AnTJYvuNzvKeSTw1Ub_2TBuz5Ax4VbEEbZFAr2IZLxf3oJK_ZrZS_JhuEvMqgNWuGavA/s1600-h/34CITYSCAPE+015.jpg"></a><br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjcINNCEcXCHEVFpjydo0-OrMfFnFeLi2ylomLK71VwOikdA0I1rdQqFEHguBlvgU2PBNoXmsXIIejVjNL3QOzUvKPPAV0g_v8apiZySwhw42t8eOiUzHhpso9pzFTC2ljgsN/s1600-h/36CITYSCAPE+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122577641927627106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjcINNCEcXCHEVFpjydo0-OrMfFnFeLi2ylomLK71VwOikdA0I1rdQqFEHguBlvgU2PBNoXmsXIIejVjNL3QOzUvKPPAV0g_v8apiZySwhw42t8eOiUzHhpso9pzFTC2ljgsN/s400/36CITYSCAPE+019.jpg" border="0" /> </a></p><br /><br /><p>An old style bungalow. Now a budget hotel in Geylang.<br />.<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122577650517561730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEHZ9op8MMqGBQymd9Rek9o6zbgyAd6ZZdtPv3vrX6-Nb2kRZ5x2nFNkf2GDuuTBoMa-OZy0Pmudz0b3XIZQOzbXhRSA_3AO1O3N7UrSagGIZfbdHWF5L4xlQodnj7VZtwFsR/s400/36CITYSCAPE+022.jpg" border="0" /><br />These apartments are probably built in the 70s. Not a very pretty sight.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdfCpGbXf6NFnzgrZi1mcUXTXqkZW767V-zprIB0R8n24e-53SEj9BO_-MN3lA2qw23kqOBhdA0KMwXZinx88gXMwJCBVjJa0VuGgZW61tNN15ElRbRHc-mfWtk4UcRzQzk4h/s1600-h/37CITYSCAPE+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122576546710966482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdfCpGbXf6NFnzgrZi1mcUXTXqkZW767V-zprIB0R8n24e-53SEj9BO_-MN3lA2qw23kqOBhdA0KMwXZinx88gXMwJCBVjJa0VuGgZW61tNN15ElRbRHc-mfWtk4UcRzQzk4h/s400/37CITYSCAPE+028.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125114607160971074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhza7XxLH1S98D6bgiSt72RvUz_TUokPKaeBeVJo_vqib7kzF4k6YbXH4imQPbOSQ9l5EGa3Cl_e7jqawMsYNI9DFPX86UjxHNFxVC2Kh9_YA6rDLVesaQLqLPdStCXMwAaagPb/s400/CITYSCAPE+018.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Another Teochew Porridge joint<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCgJg01P8UN3cdVY3EPDJdt-fjdKZY-7sD2FA15Wzt0DfkzY9Ob7IemR5wfsUtCs5vU2tCEd3uYf8zAsD0WAlS2BiyWamLAQsuyRYa6Y5HFP2wLswdGvOglZhpzNf5nb1Wvv9/s1600-h/39IMG_5131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122576624020377842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCgJg01P8UN3cdVY3EPDJdt-fjdKZY-7sD2FA15Wzt0DfkzY9Ob7IemR5wfsUtCs5vU2tCEd3uYf8zAsD0WAlS2BiyWamLAQsuyRYa6Y5HFP2wLswdGvOglZhpzNf5nb1Wvv9/s400/39IMG_5131.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9PCKp3biI2-RUfMczfAwH8cRgq2SrAZJlyN362wfl07snCtbO8BLgWmnLjgkCmy12hUHFa7vxmvh76ISs5cU8CxIXP6TLSUPax3QQYYAdlbMFGkMmTVKtyadL7ykgdOdTbMo/s1600-h/40IMG_5133.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122576649790181650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9PCKp3biI2-RUfMczfAwH8cRgq2SrAZJlyN362wfl07snCtbO8BLgWmnLjgkCmy12hUHFa7vxmvh76ISs5cU8CxIXP6TLSUPax3QQYYAdlbMFGkMmTVKtyadL7ykgdOdTbMo/s400/40IMG_5133.JPG" border="0" /> </a>Haji Mohammed Salleh Mosque<br />.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122576641200247042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mUsTjazSwyq29N8DGv6QchzNYhVsGDoEPNXX5wcOqouu3B_vJA1tVDAkLmpkK1gOC_Ud6Y-09SkPG3V-7GIphy8x4jSteQOp3g8o33V68x6pT5trHtioIYEtQpZVBlKcH6Bs/s400/40CITYSCAPE+021.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSq6eoUXWVyldRZcnLg-l7gFmD6UeWUtANdYDPX9BpdjTRqnvABGeLrkR02T5IEiT01030XzhpkJUAi8tgcasd-vONkYY2w7LDIlP06tw9ED6DR4_Z077Av1D0Zw-U6VZ9hYWf/s1600-h/paramount.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124595713916032082" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSq6eoUXWVyldRZcnLg-l7gFmD6UeWUtANdYDPX9BpdjTRqnvABGeLrkR02T5IEiT01030XzhpkJUAi8tgcasd-vONkYY2w7LDIlP06tw9ED6DR4_Z077Av1D0Zw-U6VZ9hYWf/s400/paramount.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="justify">This Karaoke lounge is called "Pai Ler Mern" or "Gate of a Hundred Happiness" in Chinese, symbolic that we are now in the heart of the Geylang redlight district. The two characters below ("Ma Te") is supposed to be "Martell" in Chinese. However, its literal meaning is "Mother Father"!</p><br /><p align="justify">There are two series of "lorongs" on both sides of Geylang Road. The even numbered lorongs on the left and the odd numbered on the right. Traditionally, the even numbered lorongs are where the hookers hang out and this have been tolerated by the public and the police. However in the recent years, there have been a proliferation of freelance prostitutes from mainland China and the neighbouring countries, resulting in the spillover to the odd numbered 'lorongs' on the right side.<br /></p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ti224SNEubbtiwonZ3FFNXZL4G5mRz6ZXZ-NOOxLiUFlSV92-2iDS6uVDZ3MceEYOp7T5hp1JTSgVn_qBz205_N8SvqZGOHTCzb7dbF_5Qd80pFQj3Gj-qG3w7SvnIJQcvj3/s1600-h/hooker9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123033801814201394" style="WIDTH: 640px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 252px" height="143" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ti224SNEubbtiwonZ3FFNXZL4G5mRz6ZXZ-NOOxLiUFlSV92-2iDS6uVDZ3MceEYOp7T5hp1JTSgVn_qBz205_N8SvqZGOHTCzb7dbF_5Qd80pFQj3Gj-qG3w7SvnIJQcvj3/s400/hooker9.jpg" width="636" border="0" /></a><br />.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6GuxXHe_dO6MjTDs6cNt7ab3rodcdkRavHEKEu4-otBFJwReiu7MfJORH1-2cu6tWoLFSxQTNXVvE80KgZR7HsCsE-xmZDox0pLsXydS2F4viGHpnBKsNVsGe9UjUWJXzsv9/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123030176861803538" style="CURSOR: hand" height="143" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6GuxXHe_dO6MjTDs6cNt7ab3rodcdkRavHEKEu4-otBFJwReiu7MfJORH1-2cu6tWoLFSxQTNXVvE80KgZR7HsCsE-xmZDox0pLsXydS2F4viGHpnBKsNVsGe9UjUWJXzsv9/s400/CITYSCAPE+021.jpg" width="222" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I2py4FLDg_-_ANS2JABvPxp4vQTZkkzE_WNLel9s441HSfFEVDwDpokqF5-trKCvRCoC63vpQ7PIiOzVCwzrw9kEFWqIwo9KrlAaMuqXukIVnsCvpi0XrojPAZQrxHHoQcTo/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123030168271868930" style="CURSOR: hand" height="143" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I2py4FLDg_-_ANS2JABvPxp4vQTZkkzE_WNLel9s441HSfFEVDwDpokqF5-trKCvRCoC63vpQ7PIiOzVCwzrw9kEFWqIwo9KrlAaMuqXukIVnsCvpi0XrojPAZQrxHHoQcTo/s400/CITYSCAPE+019.jpg" width="223" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ichyphenhyphen5bLDuIL7ZfLB7mF67b2Wq5yHO02Jb7BK9L-rZatE5dnblZVlctFHyqLvldvG7mQVD6e_Obezzrk-65gqweReUCgeOR5NeiRbT4SbegliLHJF8ena1JfDfgFh26L_sIV3/s1600-h/41hooker02a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123030236991345698" style="WIDTH: 184px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 143px" height="131" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ichyphenhyphen5bLDuIL7ZfLB7mF67b2Wq5yHO02Jb7BK9L-rZatE5dnblZVlctFHyqLvldvG7mQVD6e_Obezzrk-65gqweReUCgeOR5NeiRbT4SbegliLHJF8ena1JfDfgFh26L_sIV3/s400/41hooker02a.jpg" width="170" border="0" /></a><br />.</div><br /><div align="center">What old world charm! Reminisent of a time when being 'gay' simply meant being happy!! :)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229984176885495714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6cN6p9hjkZI9RkBnw1Ugk33RDU_kD1SPdvDjXapvN0BgCITrySBANFa4wKaYx9WWhWCNjZqQpDuv9mXh6F1p-6SNTB8Az0eyLRwLasK7vhSqOImqSM-wpm_XRwgr5MUJaQaGf/s400/CITYSCAPE+023.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Gay World was a popular amusement park in the vicinity of Kallang where this hotel is situated. It had all the joy rides, like ferries wheel, carousels, ghost rides, magic shows, boxing matches, cinemas and mini open air dance clubs where one can dance with hostesses for 50 cents per dance. Big money for a dance those days.<br />.<br />Gay World Amusement Park finally closed due to dwelling attendance in the late 70s, as customers turned more to the TV for entertainment, as colour television began to turn out better quality programmes and live football matches at Kallang Stadium roared in. </div><br /><div align="justify">.<br /></div><br /><div align="justify">Opposite Gay World Hotel is the Old Kallang Airport. Now, the control tower is occupied by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallang_Airport">People's Association</a>. </div><br /><br /><br /><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124910449119483090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRIiyCv08Nq1VOZvWE-Pa89E5pNr3Im9qOY6ILft_nN5fI2YYIHv1FqBO0vnYzItD6n2KK_kJzlHnjav0t0rvc2l1jO93Pv1kcjM5soqjVcmgm6Q2Xdx2oHSZHWyQSMR1F1yF/s400/CITYSCAPE+004.jpg" border="0" />This is Kallang River following into Marina Bay. In the distance is the banking city at Raffles Place. There used to be many workshops that repairs the tongkangs (boats) along these banks. The place stinks like a sewer back in the 60s and 70s. Now it is teeming with fishes and soon, will be another of our fresh water reservoir for drinking.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZfxJy9kBPBbxeIkcD3n0N6uW2WO8O89ESD4-4Bn29xZ_Rl6aB-x7WRk3mHHb44HXvcu4-T_nUFRANsyNjuC4yV_qC3T3ajP9T7qI97l2WmZfIb1yRn4HaF9Al81PwDM_zMEX/s1600-h/60CITYSCAPE+024.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122474051611414706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZfxJy9kBPBbxeIkcD3n0N6uW2WO8O89ESD4-4Bn29xZ_Rl6aB-x7WRk3mHHb44HXvcu4-T_nUFRANsyNjuC4yV_qC3T3ajP9T7qI97l2WmZfIb1yRn4HaF9Al81PwDM_zMEX/s400/60CITYSCAPE+024.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is a new urban redevelopment, probably 40 storeys high of apartments to cater for a conscious effort by the government to increase the population from the current 4.2 million to 6.5 million people by selective immigration. There are taller apartment blocks being built now. See later...<br /></p><br /><br /><p align="justify">I remember a time when the population of Singapore was only 1.7 million people. At that time, we were worried about over-population and there was a campaign to stop couples having more than two children, by voluntary sterilisation and administrative pressure. </p><br /><p align="justify">The belief is that city states in history like Venice and Genoa, did not survive very long without a huge population. The government thinks we can buck the trend of history if we become a city of at least 10 million people. So, be prepared to see more of these cold tall residential building to come up in the next few years.</p><br /><p align="justify">As it is now at 4.2 million people, only 2.4 million are citizens (and not all locally born), with about 1 million foreign born permanent residence and the rest employment pass holders. In other words, for every three persons you see in public in Singapore, only two are citizens. With the mass selective immigration, in future, you will see probably a 50:50 ratio of citizens vs foreigners; and that does not include tourists and people on business visits.</p><br /><p align="justify">Singapore already a cosmopolitan city where many languages and cultures merge, will become increasingly so in the coming years.</p><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmmOTcFUhgnyLCrJRMoH7PxE0WzW-EjE9Nbj5FdCw9xQj_c3jyZwinPTI16s8fNGJmvHXvJhzw4pUvr_lqkrGiWoa9DO6WcoS3RG3noePd8GuVSpWsZzhpABX5cTlGmo0Phi0/s1600-h/65IMG_5137.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122474060201349314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmmOTcFUhgnyLCrJRMoH7PxE0WzW-EjE9Nbj5FdCw9xQj_c3jyZwinPTI16s8fNGJmvHXvJhzw4pUvr_lqkrGiWoa9DO6WcoS3RG3noePd8GuVSpWsZzhpABX5cTlGmo0Phi0/s400/65IMG_5137.JPG" border="0" /></a> The tents outside this mosque is for Muslims to break their fast. This photo was taken during the month of Ramadan.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124910444824515778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16tM45xjlJM1p3hLOE39LbffW6IFvTmI7hrlDUYC3Hfl67NpiO40Qro70tGWacg5YCcKqyVjY7gRu9NctpTRGeb6ohn9ZboQ-xaQJzrdog9DoZqCNZQBCza-tu5D7zPMFYQkU/s400/CITYSCAPE+008.jpg" border="0" />This arty pix is an accident. I was trying to capture Sultan Mosque by Jalan Sultan, but missed it totally. The whitish 'soft focus' is actually the greasy window showing!!! Many commuters on this long journey must have fallen asleep and leaned their head there. :)</p><br /><p align="justify">Do you feel it looks like some village houses in South of France? :)<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4lKT3wU6rvzcNuXI5YKfqcK6pZ6CxaaMVhvYPL1lbZCHYAZa-Fs2ypGyqbQcnyjhY9J7DFz1MP7qmhegtJvCz1VEH9hxdxXPQJpT-W07U8UNBWSDqm9YY0v60d2LPUY-N1oQ/s1600-h/70CITYSCAPE+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122472578437632050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4lKT3wU6rvzcNuXI5YKfqcK6pZ6CxaaMVhvYPL1lbZCHYAZa-Fs2ypGyqbQcnyjhY9J7DFz1MP7qmhegtJvCz1VEH9hxdxXPQJpT-W07U8UNBWSDqm9YY0v60d2LPUY-N1oQ/s400/70CITYSCAPE+033.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the Singapore Management University Administration Block. This is also the heart of the Education Hub in Singapore. Within walking distances, you can find the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, La Salle School of Arts, a proposed liberal arts college, and many other private colleges offering university degrees.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Nowadays, it is common to find groups of students of different nationalities and races in this area. </div><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124910436234581170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEite6FQLdpo6qcA9txs9g7Az6herTYtvdarbY4oc1qkRDw1HCdTw6-Ci376PuZdWUVHxINHuBBKTDQxaYdFtkk8ovX5lFByHqyBSpAciWuCKqrZnk_Kxz4TYUiieVeNK2C_Ygvj/s400/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg" border="0" />I had it all aimed well, then the bus jerked and threw me off the frame!!! :) This is CHIJMES, a former convent, now converted to a place for bars, pubs and restaurants.</p><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7slMQRSZ-wpAbW2JsnM7FfN9PA42q-JfFOqBMv2YSWlTLiL2SIStKg_bDjpZPrPCyfhzJ3KMIZrq_ccQwTz3hu_rJvAuXHuuz2PiKn_GeQsYUsqQHZPOFyLCrTFYHEOHAHYVJ/s1600-h/71CITYSCAPE+030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122472587027566658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7slMQRSZ-wpAbW2JsnM7FfN9PA42q-JfFOqBMv2YSWlTLiL2SIStKg_bDjpZPrPCyfhzJ3KMIZrq_ccQwTz3hu_rJvAuXHuuz2PiKn_GeQsYUsqQHZPOFyLCrTFYHEOHAHYVJ/s400/71CITYSCAPE+030.jpg" border="0" /></a> Doesn't this look a bit like Regent Street in London? :)</p><br /><p>It is actually Stamford building along Stamford Road in Singapore.</p><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMh9EHCk1rEemCRi6SSI_m8iiTgVqF1Ooss_B47qNNClcMLpubgG-EnjwHcgdVtdChfK7Az41xz4JD6XHSyP6xvPKyJDx18bFN6ZHmIB0NT5jl_pzDTEFjAULZG7rHmp2qkjzh/s1600-h/80IMG_5142.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122472591322533970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMh9EHCk1rEemCRi6SSI_m8iiTgVqF1Ooss_B47qNNClcMLpubgG-EnjwHcgdVtdChfK7Az41xz4JD6XHSyP6xvPKyJDx18bFN6ZHmIB0NT5jl_pzDTEFjAULZG7rHmp2qkjzh/s400/80IMG_5142.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Fire_Station,_Singapore">Central Fire Station</a>. It also house a wonderful Fire Fighting museum open during office hours. Admission is free.</p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqe1l5SR04itID0ro9NMWOj2EQCttaSXMIKfIOaK7q0-CFuHrMYU_ufkFj9Rs3z4vUQWUtF5eeXIrNPgPmyZb-dT3_H8_1iyBuFtT-dgsSJxeoHENVwYhrWcNBNloyiq7u65T/s1600-h/81CITYSCAPE+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122472595617501282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqe1l5SR04itID0ro9NMWOj2EQCttaSXMIKfIOaK7q0-CFuHrMYU_ufkFj9Rs3z4vUQWUtF5eeXIrNPgPmyZb-dT3_H8_1iyBuFtT-dgsSJxeoHENVwYhrWcNBNloyiq7u65T/s400/81CITYSCAPE+033.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the <a href="http://www.mica.gov.sg/aboutus/abtus_building.html">Ministry of Information, Communications and Arts</a>. This building used to be the old Hill Street Police Station.</p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi-WD_-6n-mgxTgvEExJnpAvYgFtSHHbWQrj8BvM3FALon8dSrdSqgNcsTGvaIZIgToO8ZSpSl35Lv-KJ0bf7RyuaPuqdnK6SNZzPd0olXMA-tJUPsxUu2nHbRrlqLqj9TPhE/s1600-h/81CITYSCAPE+035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122472604207435890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizi-WD_-6n-mgxTgvEExJnpAvYgFtSHHbWQrj8BvM3FALon8dSrdSqgNcsTGvaIZIgToO8ZSpSl35Lv-KJ0bf7RyuaPuqdnK6SNZzPd0olXMA-tJUPsxUu2nHbRrlqLqj9TPhE/s400/81CITYSCAPE+035.jpg" border="0" /></a> To see how it looked like in the 1960s... click <a href="http://news.webshots.com/photo/2817238190014012283WfPqzI">here</a></p><br /><p align="justify">We are now right in the heart of the city of Singapore. This is the banking city on the opposite bank of Singapore River. I remember a time when the river was black black and smelt exactly like a sewer. That was in the 60s and 70s. Then concerted efforts was made to clean the water ways. Now fishes florish in the river and soon, the whole river and Marina basin will be turned into a fresh water lake and we will use the water for drinking.<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiBUKFL6qhC__L1Nev-4uK7LLKn7OtlpbqsX61ke0ECv4MG2dZ0SEmI9Y37tt4hg8DxhV81X9Jj_bV8NW9IZo_Khs_OQQKTkAPe8B_PseFek0NnFOiPuIsHMd7suD4TN85Rtf/s1600-h/81CITYSCAPE+035a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122470443838885858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiBUKFL6qhC__L1Nev-4uK7LLKn7OtlpbqsX61ke0ECv4MG2dZ0SEmI9Y37tt4hg8DxhV81X9Jj_bV8NW9IZo_Khs_OQQKTkAPe8B_PseFek0NnFOiPuIsHMd7suD4TN85Rtf/s400/81CITYSCAPE+035a.jpg" border="0" /> </a>This is Clarke Quay. Once upon a time godowns and store houses, now teeming with pubs and clubs for the trendy. Only the facades of these buildings are conserved, the internal of the buildings are mostly re-arranged - which makes it hard to retrace the usage and lifestyle of its occupants during the old times.<br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2UdtM_Ezm6PXejmufm-A5XZ07MaLis0AB097UjZhoR9DnbbrCrF_e7N_dkFrxSX_VineglQgdgQe1pHvCcpsaTOzDgVyK6ybudebqNhU4edpdJT1uPlT8rZO_VRUeBuT-y8p/s1600-h/81CITYSCAPE+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122470452428820466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE2UdtM_Ezm6PXejmufm-A5XZ07MaLis0AB097UjZhoR9DnbbrCrF_e7N_dkFrxSX_VineglQgdgQe1pHvCcpsaTOzDgVyK6ybudebqNhU4edpdJT1uPlT8rZO_VRUeBuT-y8p/s400/81CITYSCAPE+036.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is about the point where Chinatown starts.</p><br /><p align="center">This first shop here sells "Bak Kut Teh" or Pork Rib Soup. Check it out <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bak_kut_teh">here</a></p><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jFTxbajhq1M1XHYqBWuSPWFnINTSL8ljmv-TTNn6SxzlajMjs3071Icjxy3wQWtayu-o8sjjratdhVmw3cGD849STw9ICj_yLX6fKJVIbUEraV7mKbhz-U0i09Op8o3xFXMu/s1600-h/81CITYSCAPE+038.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122470465313722370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jFTxbajhq1M1XHYqBWuSPWFnINTSL8ljmv-TTNn6SxzlajMjs3071Icjxy3wQWtayu-o8sjjratdhVmw3cGD849STw9ICj_yLX6fKJVIbUEraV7mKbhz-U0i09Op8o3xFXMu/s400/81CITYSCAPE+038.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Thong_Chai_Medical_Institution">Thong Chai Free Clinic, built 1892</a></p><br /><p align="justify">Used to be a free clinic that dispenses free traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment and <a title="Medication" href="http://www.blogger.com/">medicine</a> to patients of all <a title="Race" href="http://www.blogger.com/">races</a> in Singapore. Today, it is used as a <a title="Commerce" href="http://www.blogger.com/">commercial</a> building for the Singapore office for <a title="Forever Living Products" href="http://www.blogger.com/">Forever Living Products</a>.</p><br /><p align="justify">I found some great pixs on flikr, click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kentneo/sets/72157594541944563/">here</a><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHn-hoej1j02HHfXj8QaAfGYH_ObnIVbUhlXh6KLM9Qd1xlrpyxmtJZXEbrlcSR01wW7bMAxA6Xjxn33neYnLizfBlkowOaDDNpIviL4_wdn0-JyiMlhxB_Jf5s8eDINIcGHox/s1600-h/81CITYSCAPE+041.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122470469608689682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="274" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHn-hoej1j02HHfXj8QaAfGYH_ObnIVbUhlXh6KLM9Qd1xlrpyxmtJZXEbrlcSR01wW7bMAxA6Xjxn33neYnLizfBlkowOaDDNpIviL4_wdn0-JyiMlhxB_Jf5s8eDINIcGHox/s400/81CITYSCAPE+041.jpg" width="404" border="0" /></a> This is <a href="http://www.yuehwa.com.sg/">Yue Hwa </a>Shopping Mall housed in the building built in 1900 as the famous Nam Tin Hotel, a luxury boutique hotel then. Fore more about the history of the building, click <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yue_Hwa_Building">here</a><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0g_M_JbC_wiaeX_sueGdZIP_7xHI5P77zosGIHc3GtpKtXG30JK-ceQQz2DhD2IpTrhPXQd7SHZdyv-Q7jgt8uiB1yrc0lklOAzRnDd_DbluKFv-78XMdvmKA16Tf7tKkJpq/s1600-h/81CITYSCAPE+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122470478198624290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0g_M_JbC_wiaeX_sueGdZIP_7xHI5P77zosGIHc3GtpKtXG30JK-ceQQz2DhD2IpTrhPXQd7SHZdyv-Q7jgt8uiB1yrc0lklOAzRnDd_DbluKFv-78XMdvmKA16Tf7tKkJpq/s400/81CITYSCAPE+042.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p align="justify">This is the former <a href="http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/details/SIP_189_2004-12-24.html">Majestic Theatre</a>, built in 1927 by a Mr Eu Tong Sen, a tin and rubber magnate for his wife who loved Cantonese opera. </p><br /><p align="justify">In its hay days, it was a very popular theatre, before video tapes took the audience from cinemas to the living room. Soon after, cineplexes which are cinemas with many mini theatrettes were introduced and standalone huge theatres like these faded away permanently. The Majestic is now a shopping centre.<br /></p><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVFiX0jBLEhwUwOyNwx02t6PA7XjGr9z9k1XH1edUT8xoQSui3pjpmzNcmZAgJV5hP4Cja87Y8mNrDoS8c7pD-A1brKh-TJRE9gHyU8W6ONtK1mpNVzxRQF66AE-reZD-B8q1/s1600-h/81CITYSCAPE+046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122467549030928274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVFiX0jBLEhwUwOyNwx02t6PA7XjGr9z9k1XH1edUT8xoQSui3pjpmzNcmZAgJV5hP4Cja87Y8mNrDoS8c7pD-A1brKh-TJRE9gHyU8W6ONtK1mpNVzxRQF66AE-reZD-B8q1/s400/81CITYSCAPE+046.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is a Clan association building. There used to be a Chinese sinseh where I went to when I sprained my ankle. He will fix the problem by physical brute force. It was damn painful!! Now the place is cleaned up and pretty and the sinseh is gone.</div>.<br /><br /><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiwHQPjInFwnBHaGGpJ_f5wcJ3BokSY67cNOPGC-LJhn5iWddlGhBvRTXVPfudg7erWf5FNH1qpuIOxL-4GpXoouM7dXu3MUXRT5vafZcw53gAI8NJK8TfNRBeRfRPKUOOqYQ/s1600-h/81CITYSCAPE+049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122467561915830178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNiwHQPjInFwnBHaGGpJ_f5wcJ3BokSY67cNOPGC-LJhn5iWddlGhBvRTXVPfudg7erWf5FNH1qpuIOxL-4GpXoouM7dXu3MUXRT5vafZcw53gAI8NJK8TfNRBeRfRPKUOOqYQ/s400/81CITYSCAPE+049.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgX_KbO-wn-_sNVUbTqx-gWz1f7vu5all56N6lawaKH8TESCuksbIxL6kp2GKNsWp3a4V395fWrYzr_T_gaBf9jivhJw-lkQJ-GZ8up_PPlAZw3bji-6Po9BPpbBilrES74bQC/s1600-h/81CITYSCAPE+050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122467566210797490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgX_KbO-wn-_sNVUbTqx-gWz1f7vu5all56N6lawaKH8TESCuksbIxL6kp2GKNsWp3a4V395fWrYzr_T_gaBf9jivhJw-lkQJ-GZ8up_PPlAZw3bji-6Po9BPpbBilrES74bQC/s400/81CITYSCAPE+050.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIBTCK4dTIuGBSDzGoFW0aEnmCSLzVX_CMxatVuPSnnQCyGISTAg6U-9PpfxuyTgTAUgmIIZ-jWrepjXfPIAhsKwO4fetbVwo02LGPYHNNHXxgB7Vped_zUQ-DqMJMVdfN_nD/s1600-h/81CITYSCAPE+051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122467570505764802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIBTCK4dTIuGBSDzGoFW0aEnmCSLzVX_CMxatVuPSnnQCyGISTAg6U-9PpfxuyTgTAUgmIIZ-jWrepjXfPIAhsKwO4fetbVwo02LGPYHNNHXxgB7Vped_zUQ-DqMJMVdfN_nD/s400/81CITYSCAPE+051.jpg" border="0" /></a>If you want to live in Singapore, you need to know your CTE, SLE, AYE, TPE and ECP, and what sets them apart! :) But that is not all, next you have to know which of these expressways to take for your journey, as the taxi driver will ask you for your choice. Not good if you don't know. :)</p><br /><p align="justify">Here "Jln Bkt Merah" is supposed to be "Jalan Bukit Merah" which means "Redhill Road". But when you reach there, you won't see any red hills or any hill for that matter. I used to live there, when there was still a red hill. Now you see a shopping centre instead! :)</p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHRiEBLJSluKPsey1Ed6OrhVNZxK-NGIWn_gxP1KBPqJ0XjC51q_F2Up_q8wuNV1EZY2vAN10McPfLzu_JFfIsbXxrxPQLtODilcSqDfsE4MXKltIbprIJ0lvXNez1cxeU7F1/s1600-h/81CITYSCAPE+053.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122467574800732114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHRiEBLJSluKPsey1Ed6OrhVNZxK-NGIWn_gxP1KBPqJ0XjC51q_F2Up_q8wuNV1EZY2vAN10McPfLzu_JFfIsbXxrxPQLtODilcSqDfsE4MXKltIbprIJ0lvXNez1cxeU7F1/s400/81CITYSCAPE+053.jpg" border="0" /></a>Pretty box, but I think it is more difficult to spot a mail box from a distance these days, when you are trying to find one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDej-UzreKCD7FgAZFjFI9JsmS9VAobgKkwyCTp-66qo9vivQ05mnIoBxFB7EXIgdaGeuVb3LWEVlaoJW_KF0XrJD4wFo6V5wXRj17NLYL8acY38Uvv-sqRX1gSalcDLMtUQ6t/s1600-h/81CITYSCAPE+054.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122466337850150722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDej-UzreKCD7FgAZFjFI9JsmS9VAobgKkwyCTp-66qo9vivQ05mnIoBxFB7EXIgdaGeuVb3LWEVlaoJW_KF0XrJD4wFo6V5wXRj17NLYL8acY38Uvv-sqRX1gSalcDLMtUQ6t/s400/81CITYSCAPE+054.jpg" border="0" /></a> These used to be residential houses, but now they are mostly occupied by design houses and architecture companies.<br />. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125105806772981554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisrjmIsURtCxNlc3nD_iXxlACoBmoklnNjDkpHfx_hBiq8DLEGxqC_ArxJ_lVK596lsk_l5fxom-_49my62CTp4i4-hcOfZT1qrBfkZhX8CJbqV_RstM4q_CHjSRLe9sOep8E/s400/subsidenc.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="justify">The first house (in yellow) is a replica. It was rebuilt after the North East MRT line was constructed, probably due to subsidence of the ground and damages. You can see evidence of the ground subsidence by looking at the slanting beam of the adjoining grey house.<br /></p><br /><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdvLOl0z07RZDnixIs73XC206NkJRxWZdnE7lz7787QuyEx5ppB6yk3hshXhYB38R4gf__y_kyxGjox6tfgol2idOOTtmd_X89vPyHZYalF0RYOT_Mb_kIot_vYI3hOibYCM2/s1600-h/81CITYSCAPE+061.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122466342145118034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdvLOl0z07RZDnixIs73XC206NkJRxWZdnE7lz7787QuyEx5ppB6yk3hshXhYB38R4gf__y_kyxGjox6tfgol2idOOTtmd_X89vPyHZYalF0RYOT_Mb_kIot_vYI3hOibYCM2/s400/81CITYSCAPE+061.jpg" border="0" /></a> The construction behind is "The Pinnacle", a fifty storey tall public housing apartment block. When completed, it will have a jogging track that joins all the blocks at about 35 storeys and 50 storeys. So you will see people jogging in the sky in future.<br /></p><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rtL3kqfTJ_Ao2Cfzh-2rgHtbhb015WaqpwfdpMrr7gs9PZO4RUftPpm0VuvBL3o9hxfBjj1G1fa8bzGRl6pqspA575HsN2WvSc_yKTmysMUVdnHwUqFIHSgbtwLxAS6_Ngka/s1600-h/82CITYSCAPE+057.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122466355030019954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-rtL3kqfTJ_Ao2Cfzh-2rgHtbhb015WaqpwfdpMrr7gs9PZO4RUftPpm0VuvBL3o9hxfBjj1G1fa8bzGRl6pqspA575HsN2WvSc_yKTmysMUVdnHwUqFIHSgbtwLxAS6_Ngka/s400/82CITYSCAPE+057.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is Duxton estate - beautiful residential area with these charming houses.</p><br /><p align="center">.<br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122466359324987266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsCfjM2rIkoCWPwTJEmc-SD7WIq0fQ7-9it5x0NGx7BnctR0mQdE-5IGpvFwHVVWSR2lsN2vsqSHFCanCiJhct4wNmiBRFjUPL0tVhcyF5VpJfdRMmmPEccvfs7_Ghr5Rne-J/s400/99CITYSCAPE+063.jpg" border="0" /> End of the road. Neil Road Terminus. </div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-22436260581673417432007-09-23T19:57:00.001-07:002008-12-09T11:13:46.993-08:00Malacca - the Sleepy Hollow<div align="justify">This is a trip up to Malacca, Malaysia to attend Dr Aaron Lim's seminar on "Face Reading". For more information about the seminar proper, click <a href="http://jupilier.blogspot.com/2007/09/face-reading.html">here</a> .</div><div align="justify">.<br />This post is about our gallavanting around this 'sleepy hollow' historical town and enjoying its delights.<br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRqH1kcZjWEvnbzgsBxHViohUSdLdf7WQWNI482H-72dMTB6mbZ7PBKxDoCDbE6bN5lYjK9b25gvcyWD01Q82Gp3KaXYaEIw3gEKT_UJetUek2eS5gGuHcT7fw3h7Fvdd1A-X/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113810131912772914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVRqH1kcZjWEvnbzgsBxHViohUSdLdf7WQWNI482H-72dMTB6mbZ7PBKxDoCDbE6bN5lYjK9b25gvcyWD01Q82Gp3KaXYaEIw3gEKT_UJetUek2eS5gGuHcT7fw3h7Fvdd1A-X/s400/CITYSCAPE+003.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the hotel we stayed in. A far cry from the hotel where the seminar is held. See later...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113818979545402738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlNFNcjyRUF-I09yG1SHOX4ew7A6tcNaSU6yFthaAPAvNjoXj43biTM05ZkVW7hsIZdJrlQP_b7QJn8XikGwT3ms3_BSWOaSbWX9lEyuueJqyiPBkHp6zcjAynoRg3UrGSVTf/s400/CITYSCAPE+002.jpg" border="0" /> The consolation is that we get some 60s chic in the deco. Mostly accidental I think.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113808392451017986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRrCoHnvT8V5EbnnatvZIgxTbnt2VH9G4SxV097VUZI6RpPDUIqk-cKxsiz5aWcHtDPVYlaBGwV10YeY28ZK5AKLQ3POEZnt_F-XoFF9R98vKF4RxO6OiIwHUJsBHhPgj3B7h/s400/CITYSCAPE+059.jpg" border="0" /> This is the room I stayed in, complete with a sixties heart shaped mirror, themo flask and window unit air-conditioner. :)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-K0TvnwZxiixUrxDSrKMDlI2r4aWOUEDArqu0tTjwa-llxhxZ0eye3_WUOFLly01V6qi5IdnWKpEyfYBLrWQe0aSnzxK-6mquqORKMT7P7hDcLpuZk5oYoN9eiFks6ZU1Rh47/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+057.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113808388156050674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-K0TvnwZxiixUrxDSrKMDlI2r4aWOUEDArqu0tTjwa-llxhxZ0eye3_WUOFLly01V6qi5IdnWKpEyfYBLrWQe0aSnzxK-6mquqORKMT7P7hDcLpuZk5oYoN9eiFks6ZU1Rh47/s400/CITYSCAPE+057.jpg" border="0" /></a> They don't make themos flask with iron and tin like these anymore. This one even comes complete with dents on the top. I remember getting a scolding everytime I dropped such themos flasks on the floor denting its top, when I was a kid. :) Great nostalgia, complete with the red, yellow and blue striped towels. hehe.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113808383861083362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuvaW17AuFHY_JiRLIBAHOCHhgU78wxaOYLm7OAVBzlH7rA3WdD9dClEITAf1sJBrMbo1cZlPSxykBbUOzF6ELufnDp7gICNKhrI2MiQEkNJugl_e7LN58nFh55Cgd_-L0KmY2/s400/CITYSCAPE+056.jpg" border="0" /> This is the mess left after the mahjong session the night before. This cane sofa set must be straight out from the 70s. Notice that the flask stopper is made of cork and wrapped with cotton cloth. This was before the days of themo-setting plastics stoppers were invented.<br /><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdpZqPJdMpHZ3V2ggiYZ1giL6B62RtujCNz72RaOU3xigdsUOLu15BYGLpskSRe6NoBKznpU3wbAbpVZX0YZSDC-C8KFdMrIOqGw4hitypBllhYmKKio2qNZmGk83x41sl9_h/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113808401040952610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdpZqPJdMpHZ3V2ggiYZ1giL6B62RtujCNz72RaOU3xigdsUOLu15BYGLpskSRe6NoBKznpU3wbAbpVZX0YZSDC-C8KFdMrIOqGw4hitypBllhYmKKio2qNZmGk83x41sl9_h/s400/CITYSCAPE+009.jpg" border="0" /></a> This TV bench is a cut-off portion of a dis-used bar.</p><p align="center">How resourceful!!!</p><p align="justify">.</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113810140502707538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdlBpPsFezdytQ-iB2LJW7W8cxysFfidm0mJKmJNcVMxr2xF0WCjCbaNXbmc0wB1viLJq8gnDfXwuV5DdB1oHwZ21QX5bcVHZXUQ1LDALqquOpYPlilktIFfFsQhBrVD7Vq30/s400/windows.JPG" border="0" />This windows are seen near the hotel.</p><p align="center">What caught my eye is the old flowery iron grill. See next pix.</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113821784159047042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOX1hDbE5cpVj6Uo_Kq9Uh23tcDzmP497KBIthg2-sxvJNfahNv5dC_P8IupG1IMivb2PXtZxkAvvKJqjsl1TyUQ5ankjKjL5LBoyf8zw7pmKAIoEANxJRGrtCpTGUiSlv3A0/s400/window2.JPG" border="0" />These grills are made to order. In the 60s that's the only way grills were made. </p><p align="center">They were never mass produced.</p><p align="center">The iron bars for the grills are even manually bent to form the desired patterns.</p><p align="center">.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113810136207740226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidk4yODb4-jvYYnwCTkV6UCiqpnjqeqNzczbaqqe2ufyGwjLF6sVyXOcHdtvP616NV9Bke4xaXm6ozH4vx3cv9YHHW0d4lC_wnY9gtuxtztzh9sNuZbcsrUdw3_fYM6Dwzamy6/s400/CITYSCAPE+004.jpg" border="0" /> Future plans turned monuments.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113807567817297106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPYNo1suxptHpEuG1Yt83unIzkqgB3DGCn7LqTlEbh7fPgfqQPbI31MbddtzjXQCIJ3PFSf847vuPwwMuYweDHY36Mfzfvor2Dx7v4zFmcOp1vcV8W7CL1jjG-M69jopA7tL29/s400/CITYSCAPE+011.jpg" border="0" />Don't you love this kampung life?!!</p><p align="center">With free pastures of lallang grass and coconut trees.</p><p align="justify">.</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113818429789588834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh192qnaUzqrZVMCH8HJblTejOThHcXO5b3VF1HHmBk3V2TMa7ZHMTixun3KVUSUU39JcLnXcaoc2AqKDZILDjyx_gZmX1gnT4Jtto57XqXQ4sXcktRJJulklkxerlIcoCr4NGC/s400/CITYSCAPE+023.jpg" border="0" />This is a typical Malaccan styled town house.</p><p align="justify">See the daring blend of European gable roof, Roman columns, Chinese doorways and motifs and Portuguese glazed tiles.</p><p align="justify">.</p><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj4P1nLkNF44EPPOQRUfLUqdXkQ0MG_ROhpbCKaS_tO-XHriakOONXHWi79weFErydNqe2zJmyKxOTzK6DWKhQl9Ftscr9cvsScuFvkCmvvcs1ZOEDuG_nWZ9ZCL9ZWLVpKBs/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113807546342460562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHj4P1nLkNF44EPPOQRUfLUqdXkQ0MG_ROhpbCKaS_tO-XHriakOONXHWi79weFErydNqe2zJmyKxOTzK6DWKhQl9Ftscr9cvsScuFvkCmvvcs1ZOEDuG_nWZ9ZCL9ZWLVpKBs/s400/CITYSCAPE+012.jpg" border="0" /></a> This shop sells the famous Malaccan Chicken Rice. </p><p align="justify">It is similar to the Singapore Hainanese Chicken Rice, except that the rice are sticky and rolled literally into balls. Don't know why they do that. Perhaps because it made rice more easy to transport around.</p><p align="justify">.<br /></p><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbLL3XfTyOVv2pSNLNC8WgdKp3f_JP8rqYWHW5usbPu98LcJKFYcU8b5lncbqiKM0ShU7gc90KJLkdWmBHcmjG3OFI1_A12xbnJJmzhh-d-s6WlxDbk8VkU8HHYEDlL7DaBLt/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113807554932395170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbLL3XfTyOVv2pSNLNC8WgdKp3f_JP8rqYWHW5usbPu98LcJKFYcU8b5lncbqiKM0ShU7gc90KJLkdWmBHcmjG3OFI1_A12xbnJJmzhh-d-s6WlxDbk8VkU8HHYEDlL7DaBLt/s400/CITYSCAPE+016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z0ALELdyvX-ss72Nh9_ATRuoDkxAUstDs0ajzrdS4h7F6cMkc2rjPLwzJwDxtVTF71KtGmcggbI1IQ5IxGmj6PxFu9DpsOabca4fcJrVut7wb7JZSduoJDJUZXEGCf5wRRP8/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113807563522329778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z0ALELdyvX-ss72Nh9_ATRuoDkxAUstDs0ajzrdS4h7F6cMkc2rjPLwzJwDxtVTF71KtGmcggbI1IQ5IxGmj6PxFu9DpsOabca4fcJrVut7wb7JZSduoJDJUZXEGCf5wRRP8/s400/CITYSCAPE+019.jpg" border="0" /></a>This man sells delicious "poh piah", spring rolls... Street stalls are still common place. </p><p align="justify"><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj7pUHDhMfB_LPoee-EMn5876yOw6Um2vN83goqUho5PRhdNPnxxxr3NjH-0bistTnzRO6SZlft1I-lGHQ3eVQ53J5aUpQ-00KiFOGwJyA10hITl345SjEfBcT4f3WXxWJaS5/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+020.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113807563522329794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj7pUHDhMfB_LPoee-EMn5876yOw6Um2vN83goqUho5PRhdNPnxxxr3NjH-0bistTnzRO6SZlft1I-lGHQ3eVQ53J5aUpQ-00KiFOGwJyA10hITl345SjEfBcT4f3WXxWJaS5/s400/CITYSCAPE+020.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Cockrel sauce dishes... </p><p align="center">.<br /></p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdhPOshi9DdGAKVRa34nk5jmfnj-TFsHQElSwpTfWd-ukoE9NpKrgxsn0pkbrq_5TzdsYm5gW-tyM08NXz1_Da87_xoA2w-PVFb40rpjO_IVYtw1lG9NbJEcpibJc4NxIeXZi/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113663806671965250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdhPOshi9DdGAKVRa34nk5jmfnj-TFsHQElSwpTfWd-ukoE9NpKrgxsn0pkbrq_5TzdsYm5gW-tyM08NXz1_Da87_xoA2w-PVFb40rpjO_IVYtw1lG9NbJEcpibJc4NxIeXZi/s400/CITYSCAPE+028.jpg" border="0" /></a> Tamil Methodist Church</div><div align="center">Many of you may not know, but there are Indian Peranakan in Malacca too.</div><div align="center">They are lesser known than their Chinese counterparts. </div><div align="center">.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEG__eRVQ1_8kJKW3MXPRi3u2CcFrUtBW2Q9xDMudYcb2KRvNyaj_n9KUz38Fjy9EfLP0rEFmafEzSmYiffw23kjOzJwJgYe6kyl2LCrDjK3AmZ8pq6sL4baQZSJellpFPQDnq/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113663810966932562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEG__eRVQ1_8kJKW3MXPRi3u2CcFrUtBW2Q9xDMudYcb2KRvNyaj_n9KUz38Fjy9EfLP0rEFmafEzSmYiffw23kjOzJwJgYe6kyl2LCrDjK3AmZ8pq6sL4baQZSJellpFPQDnq/s400/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>Pasar Malam along their famous Jonker Street.</p><p align="center">.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nOUp_6lGh6UkErsNd8qJ9436KbZyjd15lE26SjYeyIAJO5L4rqrWscb_jT1uW7DQdAUhSqdYl26VaOzmbOeD4HSR1VQlvvJV17X1Tg0Nak8DGXdJ1sWqljtS13IrqJswm4Jj/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113663810966932578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5nOUp_6lGh6UkErsNd8qJ9436KbZyjd15lE26SjYeyIAJO5L4rqrWscb_jT1uW7DQdAUhSqdYl26VaOzmbOeD4HSR1VQlvvJV17X1Tg0Nak8DGXdJ1sWqljtS13IrqJswm4Jj/s400/CITYSCAPE+033.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>This looks like a Hindu Temple...</p><p align="center"><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPo_sTRaWq6m-8AkLfcH-ko0DG0cUzszovyINU3wXeYva5uQK01LrkD04R4DdcDuRrhpoDrMcXzMNpJAejVIm7N6Ud1ks8ePzKQZsxEeAfdOrhJWqszMCvBfLuAENpqG555hD/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113663815261899890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPo_sTRaWq6m-8AkLfcH-ko0DG0cUzszovyINU3wXeYva5uQK01LrkD04R4DdcDuRrhpoDrMcXzMNpJAejVIm7N6Ud1ks8ePzKQZsxEeAfdOrhJWqszMCvBfLuAENpqG555hD/s400/CITYSCAPE+035.jpg" border="0" /></a> ... but it is a Mosque.</p><p align="center">In the old days, people are not so uptight about having to be Arabic to be Muslim.</p><p align="center">There is yet another mosque that looks like a Chinese Temple.</p><p align="center">.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebJa31vQ0CYDAWTj-N7yRWrjoKh4sCbLi48TAPmEZVBNFZvcMn0UK-bRS8qJR1DbRbWwsbAx02flm2VzjGlQpzAhV9bzlKH-QuRTn_laavwOjzbR7MxDTJlKKWDrLHzoE5_Yd/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113663815261899906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebJa31vQ0CYDAWTj-N7yRWrjoKh4sCbLi48TAPmEZVBNFZvcMn0UK-bRS8qJR1DbRbWwsbAx02flm2VzjGlQpzAhV9bzlKH-QuRTn_laavwOjzbR7MxDTJlKKWDrLHzoE5_Yd/s400/CITYSCAPE+034.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnakfmrJAqkP7S7_SceXOyENp76AnbufghTYNXPmv04mqDr_ubHeaFMpDRecd_O9pEm6Gs-vE3PJQHgr2WJVk6iX1Sd9ozwXLn9V7CP0Rk3U3OUp-VpLb7L0Jypetxl8n_IIw/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+037.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113662518181776370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnakfmrJAqkP7S7_SceXOyENp76AnbufghTYNXPmv04mqDr_ubHeaFMpDRecd_O9pEm6Gs-vE3PJQHgr2WJVk6iX1Sd9ozwXLn9V7CP0Rk3U3OUp-VpLb7L0Jypetxl8n_IIw/s400/CITYSCAPE+037.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113662531066678322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhffqQ6DaqizQ9bQ0i9QRPEvGXZ9vInwxA8T3ZAfkxBCIUIMQGAj-PH0q1KcnavLSrd8h3u0YwM3bacH0_nbcO1PKar7eWPvn3hVOveLHki52BkQBbfiGu-6zPZEXhWamorSRPY/s400/CITYSCAPE+036.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpqoAFVZfseQOamhMyE_7_4cwQNvEsVhcUolkZVD5Q1C7ZbDErQlk1U4iz3GOS8sEtGORfjAv-adsdVgGBmQ8JLSP4b5kdU4_OKaOPuyZbdGLuydWDuVHzbk6BG-CqTKSIK-s/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+039.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113662522476743682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpqoAFVZfseQOamhMyE_7_4cwQNvEsVhcUolkZVD5Q1C7ZbDErQlk1U4iz3GOS8sEtGORfjAv-adsdVgGBmQ8JLSP4b5kdU4_OKaOPuyZbdGLuydWDuVHzbk6BG-CqTKSIK-s/s400/CITYSCAPE+039.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40wf31kDD-Dsp8fd6jhCAFptCiDueTYDf822rYBOiK-tI1T-brm3gZ-v9G3S6tdiTL6n4k_TK5e4vk3MrtNYNmPA5y5zOWxfLAfKb8MeLeBr8O_cU5N0OL2lP2X0SMp7F5qbo/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+041.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113662522476743698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40wf31kDD-Dsp8fd6jhCAFptCiDueTYDf822rYBOiK-tI1T-brm3gZ-v9G3S6tdiTL6n4k_TK5e4vk3MrtNYNmPA5y5zOWxfLAfKb8MeLeBr8O_cU5N0OL2lP2X0SMp7F5qbo/s400/CITYSCAPE+041.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the courtyard of the Zheng Ho museum.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVNvzQwfGhyphenhyphenAZE_DCnu0_L_Xp0XTFVcXvytl9toiuxk38UuDeueOJeKRUTZB2ofhERaVVrey53u1S2YDnZQuhqAXKvliywEyXnZFFFWSzgAp1iDqO1Teo-OgqR9Siibe4vXWI/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113662526771711010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVNvzQwfGhyphenhyphenAZE_DCnu0_L_Xp0XTFVcXvytl9toiuxk38UuDeueOJeKRUTZB2ofhERaVVrey53u1S2YDnZQuhqAXKvliywEyXnZFFFWSzgAp1iDqO1Teo-OgqR9Siibe4vXWI/s400/CITYSCAPE+043.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRDOi66Rs0JyTKh_Rn0jE2azEA5M_Hz_8LhOaw979oDAyVQPvi0JWlSxYoTSRTjBbaSlj1WsDy0HbYGrUs_l9VN18QCJ7U_vB67vXZyeK6ibYsoZ9btNVPUU-uTDf_HHaViUP/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+044.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113661375720475618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyRDOi66Rs0JyTKh_Rn0jE2azEA5M_Hz_8LhOaw979oDAyVQPvi0JWlSxYoTSRTjBbaSlj1WsDy0HbYGrUs_l9VN18QCJ7U_vB67vXZyeK6ibYsoZ9btNVPUU-uTDf_HHaViUP/s400/CITYSCAPE+044.jpg" border="0" /></a> With the researcher from China who specialises in the voyages of Admiral Zheng He. Incidentally, his family name is also Zheng. </div><div align="justify">We started the conversation by asking if Admiral Zheng got married!!!! </div><div align="justify">"Of course not!!!", he replied to much amusement!!! hehe</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">The Admiral was a Ming Dynastic Eunuch from China. He was a born Muslim and come from Yunnan. </div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">As he was a capable man, the Emperor got him to sail south to Nanyang (the Southern Seas).</div><div align="justify">He also brought along princesses to be married to the local Sultans in Malaya. He confirms that there are royal blood of the Ming rulers via these princesses, but it is very hard to verify who are these dispersed and forgotten royals any more.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I asked if the Zheng He ever ate pork or drank alcohol (which he shouldn't as a Muslim) and the researcher said that it was again difficult to verify, as on board, there were lots of wine and assorted lamb, chicken, beef and pork for everyone on board.</div><div align="justify">However, Zheng He later converted to Buddhism.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVJvxrgx8rRTFYiSyRXzl3MKpmFnov9YWpQeLmCqgZ0RFuifg2tNM7R5pYra8Fe4kYXS1HeXH4v5ND7TYa53BmdWQGSbLfkBcJHzzoCZzX1iFi2zfHFj_F-yozuFJSjsQLQFW/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113661032123091922" style="WIDTH: 147px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px" height="272" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVJvxrgx8rRTFYiSyRXzl3MKpmFnov9YWpQeLmCqgZ0RFuifg2tNM7R5pYra8Fe4kYXS1HeXH4v5ND7TYa53BmdWQGSbLfkBcJHzzoCZzX1iFi2zfHFj_F-yozuFJSjsQLQFW/s400/CITYSCAPE+046.jpg" width="208" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcM6LXgb5a8VAEtGR1isML7rUevKSYT7vWHxP6jSOXdA_HCTNppDOvyVSgvBDio1XfBeQKs1OvUNAb8zCGxpEtIPye3j5ePH0vdUJs3Db-ka7qMtWKJ9znWopSXbNT4FId2yJ/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113660559676689346" style="WIDTH: 151px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px" height="313" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcM6LXgb5a8VAEtGR1isML7rUevKSYT7vWHxP6jSOXdA_HCTNppDOvyVSgvBDio1XfBeQKs1OvUNAb8zCGxpEtIPye3j5ePH0vdUJs3Db-ka7qMtWKJ9znWopSXbNT4FId2yJ/s400/CITYSCAPE+045.jpg" width="202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113600851041340322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Hvd8azLOSsA2ExfQHdP8Wlbp6YBsx92UPkaticvzRkTyXznfciR3-CwjNsoRn533cz1_yaojkK4KVPswSIJMvjjxwcfJzNDSPiMeA74j-CkmPWL0O1v2_SdooxBK_viaxeaK/s400/CITYSCAPE+047.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9gWKKRrs56RFjAQqxawVWVdTWrY09M4Zw9Fd4xdAP5tMqjakbrWjdFYcp_d6u7aTwSnhUUy15iCLonWQc6GG5QBC5mdVCaT8nkfdDSmjkgX5mQu2yG32H2IGS9DY-p6_643K/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+066.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113600838156438386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9gWKKRrs56RFjAQqxawVWVdTWrY09M4Zw9Fd4xdAP5tMqjakbrWjdFYcp_d6u7aTwSnhUUy15iCLonWQc6GG5QBC5mdVCaT8nkfdDSmjkgX5mQu2yG32H2IGS9DY-p6_643K/s400/CITYSCAPE+066.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the seminar hotel - The Legacy.</div><div align="center">Kinda posh!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGV8LQTrcvfh0XO8U4jJm7t5Ot333ilHHa-99_vI-YufKJ0W3zEq4addveO5wJAk3V2NjeZx32e142UHtbaOOEAW9cW4d32FQiK-RpRyG31kDPde7luBURC0Y-EYrq-B1tAtY/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+086.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113600846746372994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGV8LQTrcvfh0XO8U4jJm7t5Ot333ilHHa-99_vI-YufKJ0W3zEq4addveO5wJAk3V2NjeZx32e142UHtbaOOEAW9cW4d32FQiK-RpRyG31kDPde7luBURC0Y-EYrq-B1tAtY/s400/CITYSCAPE+086.jpg" border="0" /></a> On the way back to the bus station to go back to Singapore, we took this taxi. The driver is such a cheerful person and when I got out, I had to take this pix... it says "MAD 2996"!!! <div align="center"><br /></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMfqDhZ1IytyTEXw3nlrVDg6IIFRuyxSD_tWWRAyRBopmmkzSyrDxj8dbMinusBmj7Ixqe6rIPXTdwYGs1gPQGqLEUV9lmiyxoH0Q6iaeYmuooOhj1nN131RfJ03vi8zupV2u/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+087.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113600846746373010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMfqDhZ1IytyTEXw3nlrVDg6IIFRuyxSD_tWWRAyRBopmmkzSyrDxj8dbMinusBmj7Ixqe6rIPXTdwYGs1gPQGqLEUV9lmiyxoH0Q6iaeYmuooOhj1nN131RfJ03vi8zupV2u/s400/CITYSCAPE+087.jpg" border="0" /></a> After the MAD taxi, I was to take the bus sounding like "dilemma".</p><p>And it turned out quite to be one as we were stuck in the Sunday Johor Bahru Causeway traffic jam for one hour.</p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></p>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-18358519655454693342007-09-07T07:23:00.001-07:002008-12-09T11:13:48.355-08:00The PalaceStayed over at this Palace for a <a href="http://jupilier.blogspot.com/2007/09/usury-3.html">conference</a>. The Palace of Golden Horses in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Reached there at 6am in the morning, that's when this first pix was taken.<br />.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnoM65A0dRASLN3htwlwjqTvKChdQ49pY8S1OJxUb_1_qyMZrSUrABv6WUfo4-qyaXNemzfiZ8rIahe9j7YKw5mW3VvwlMawt0wH0iKa7SMSJHmIk7ms8arFLNC11K824hiBa/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107469373650451810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMnoM65A0dRASLN3htwlwjqTvKChdQ49pY8S1OJxUb_1_qyMZrSUrABv6WUfo4-qyaXNemzfiZ8rIahe9j7YKw5mW3VvwlMawt0wH0iKa7SMSJHmIk7ms8arFLNC11K824hiBa/s400/CITYSCAPE+003.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107475914885643778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikqQpdk7JWkbsmVQpzKqDZuYVa9VtS2kPSaKni3r8pf3bJksYwDcAjhfPk7YzTakDQZSDaQu8D9Xwu9r2KZjuhY5JAzznnCqbMm_w_P5byYsIlhyviZZ_MZR_HdujKLbPQ0iN5/s400/CITYSCAPE+025.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTPEf85woIO8-STD9eAq7S8_iseXUbJVhvcEkJiIuXUJSE6g99bC7VJx7aQcuftiFCj2pgnSqURdK0TH45JKshl6eyoC5VdqkSgb3a9YPvS1omDJKHzv_qhqzUFYyZM8bR6oz/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107469382240386418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTPEf85woIO8-STD9eAq7S8_iseXUbJVhvcEkJiIuXUJSE6g99bC7VJx7aQcuftiFCj2pgnSqURdK0TH45JKshl6eyoC5VdqkSgb3a9YPvS1omDJKHzv_qhqzUFYyZM8bR6oz/s400/CITYSCAPE+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDp5MwIVpOzxAxwMYDe73maWNPXWcZFehl5h9MSbIr2v4J7BLnZnVRvRIKWoYL3rYxQdZrVT_aIDbuEqZ9WENGhXTMNbWxYiET6l6ISAckQBeU82C7B1ouqx8UQllYhDPPU3n/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107469390830321026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkDp5MwIVpOzxAxwMYDe73maWNPXWcZFehl5h9MSbIr2v4J7BLnZnVRvRIKWoYL3rYxQdZrVT_aIDbuEqZ9WENGhXTMNbWxYiET6l6ISAckQBeU82C7B1ouqx8UQllYhDPPU3n/s400/CITYSCAPE+006.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107475923475578386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87r9ZZwrUeE-_kVEiNEAmTIsszQqPDD9i_7kag52R7r8gO_3__M6n_DHeOwJ7mc6TCtNPmumHHeblqCBe6YdvZqFSYNvI8jyfJ98pbeGjAOTi8lUi9UgoS7gnhn8Yiii6vBAb/s400/CITYSCAPE+027.jpg" border="0" />You will have to get used to seeing pixs of horses everywhere you go. In the lobby, in the foyer, in your room, in the breakfast hall and even in the toilets! Serious horse play!<br />.<br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107475914885643762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTk3zd6F36zdWd1bGdh5B8BvvdvAx1BQf5HFV96A6R7YWwpd6DmMxMuiQ36T4MNMcm_6st3-cn-Fb_aes4vvOYh2h29Mnt8g-6Sro2O_w74vI_GOHzjV4swxCc1bzl2BW1OVM/s400/CITYSCAPE+023.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifj2nhic2XyTiMG_Exr5R7DAUWqobgeKljAdQJ0OllPHZkst8CRacTaF5EPItDSk0KrB8UBHGqjQAR0i8CkpQ2eynIYzNRIyUHqtEmzbwEFgT1nbxf08IGrG_3wmaQ8eGMMlTu/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107469395125288338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifj2nhic2XyTiMG_Exr5R7DAUWqobgeKljAdQJ0OllPHZkst8CRacTaF5EPItDSk0KrB8UBHGqjQAR0i8CkpQ2eynIYzNRIyUHqtEmzbwEFgT1nbxf08IGrG_3wmaQ8eGMMlTu/s400/CITYSCAPE+015.jpg" border="0" /></a> front porch</div><div align="center">.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107475897705774546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSCmSfxwIXspWpibVS5yjW1z5zTxGR5oKD6Ii6__CL442dzfNj5F6bLTZSGkTDSDjBVl_ZoiuJVI3TwYdaxc1Pp-Fh5g1JkygKqlnOvUb2VZJBZBdtyXq60s7atgJDxzOS_nI/s400/CITYSCAPE+020.jpg" border="0" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5XBhi5lnLqR9JssxZbDPym-gJyrXMOQ8nbKN9OwCTfRgSAdM1WepM5WxJiQzWK1RKEvrHXVu1NZy0RX9Gmic-MpbLW0MuwLadqWiKClmhKQy3zLlMrNVL71IMQ3R3A3P2QqX/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107469408010190242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX5XBhi5lnLqR9JssxZbDPym-gJyrXMOQ8nbKN9OwCTfRgSAdM1WepM5WxJiQzWK1RKEvrHXVu1NZy0RX9Gmic-MpbLW0MuwLadqWiKClmhKQy3zLlMrNVL71IMQ3R3A3P2QqX/s400/CITYSCAPE+016.jpg" border="0" /></a>It is built on a disused open cut tin mine. </div><div align="center">The open pits are now filled with water to form a nice lake. </div><div align="center">.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107475906295709154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxmFgQcM80h_nfRRbGhP_WiDVFtF0LU028d9OX4VAyZbqgMPXqQJBKaxZyEqcGYfSp6PvivRPSV1Tv-o_fPW9lNezB2rIrcjvPVBusnwGGtr0D_j4MjurZdipo6wfwcwdAwE7/s400/CITYSCAPE+022.jpg" border="0" />michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-23226142522513991892007-08-26T18:58:00.000-07:002008-12-09T11:13:57.106-08:00Getai 2007<div align="justify">This is the Chinese Hungry Ghost Month again. It falls on the 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> Lunar Month. During this month, devotees of this belief offer prayers, food and entertainment to the hungry ghosts who are released this one month a year to our world.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">The entertainment for the ghosts used to be traditional Chinese opera. These come with thick <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">gawdy</span> face makeup, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">wayang</span> costumes and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">erhu</span>, drums and gongs. They are usually in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Teochew</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hokkien</span> and Cantonese (southern Chinese dialects). However, over the years, such <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">wayangs</span> got less popular and now staged concerts (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">getai</span>) almost took over the entertainment circuit for the Hungry Ghost month. </div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">Apart from the ghosts, these <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">getais</span> are popular among the common people, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">HDB</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">heartlanders</span> in Singapore and the working class.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103195498748177762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 396px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 288px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="266" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitz12LNe0oDEOF9aUBrPobieQWQ8hebR2Vp4l0UvLjPyxUWBpkkSqWkouzA5ilkg-_7Jckt3Ylo6hBf7Ye1iXhv_cdWiF8afxxYcmGHRvepp1d9YIFM8rOKZukTQ3Sc469mH5a/s400/CITYSCAPE+009.jpg" width="373" border="0" />I managed to find one at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Serangoon</span> Road area, near Kitchener Road. It is situated in a charming corner of the commune. Isn't these town houses lovely? The architecture embraces European colonial columns and architraves, wooden slated windows with green tinted glasses, Portuguese wall tiles and Chinese wall motifs.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfR6mKbaMQeXELHvdy3F8bwWNp43YJne9yTwrY-ZJQFiADJR2cccepR_ZF6BxuSO6Xxfp3ZcnwTbHFFtlhcvIsaWAQUjNP_kQ_g82E1eEscDxtEDC4wztDcMZm9dDnuU0U-mML/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103195515928046962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfR6mKbaMQeXELHvdy3F8bwWNp43YJne9yTwrY-ZJQFiADJR2cccepR_ZF6BxuSO6Xxfp3ZcnwTbHFFtlhcvIsaWAQUjNP_kQ_g82E1eEscDxtEDC4wztDcMZm9dDnuU0U-mML/s400/CITYSCAPE+013.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the entrance to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">getai</span> site. The devotees have put up tents for the stage, the dinner and the auction.</p><p><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-6LikZ0fbMe2JExZA01JdOknQibcp6OqZew-BBM1r1hzDkpTBM9zMF2XywZZQTit9KEIfyw8eKpSGYJqgC1DDq8JgQADxMdHRw6HdQl0xPGovinopGUkH8F7lUVs3tA3pwAw/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103195550287785346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-6LikZ0fbMe2JExZA01JdOknQibcp6OqZew-BBM1r1hzDkpTBM9zMF2XywZZQTit9KEIfyw8eKpSGYJqgC1DDq8JgQADxMdHRw6HdQl0xPGovinopGUkH8F7lUVs3tA3pwAw/s400/CITYSCAPE+014.jpg" border="0" /></a> These are their celestial saints and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">deities</span> in heaven.</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103202482365001330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdAMEvTqxpeyD6YFFJYwE7mTq2n68zuityjLkWkC3nvTRxwZQ1cS81ecH3aVoaBCTRWRRYKttWlnlB0ZrRyIU1IqoDo60uF_Gyvmic8MEY-ZY9jvs4m0MHrvkO9UeG0Jw6qZn/s400/IMG_4711.JPG" border="0" />This are the items that they auction during the dinner. </p><p align="center">It is usually a noisy affair. Especially when they compete with the music coming from the stage. :)</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103202473775066722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDcaKVhgkWctKMSskYyEWq8UA8YEapeQLCivS2Mi2ft9EqtHHHWxFjXBX5qltxgKNevvfqBj-X5vBEynmgDxpfM2mDbqw2ULVncz4fg-jTCvdh4QJwgcar0a8lrvv6jOv91zM/s400/IMG_4710.JPG" border="0" /> These are worker dormitories in the construction site next to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">getai</span>. These workers come mainly from China.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdWyvdfuQodUhvkyrAxMhQuxvKTygPTUDaiB6_lnijSXcj38ZPMkU7CP8RuTojUGxzrjsU8Uty8ofxVS1kSPoY9oV0okTSrDazOpYFEeWwMvVYscW5rwnpWTS1PGwPB8J8pkn/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+015.jpg"></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103197929699667362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7xlBRfHql2IpUXeyzGMyICD46P3CzdRN426JxUSMjy3cxnOm2QyFvTCc_46ywZ8JE3UuBodCHnwTjBrXzitP7CJOahdCLj1Cql26awKXnXuo7x3cvQNvQ0NiVm8TJ6CAQm4I/s400/ghostchairs.JPG" border="0" />These front seats are for the hungry ghosts. There is a packet symbolic of their presence placed on each chair. You are not supposed to sit there. Those behind are human beings. They are construction workers from China.</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103202469480099410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhps33-SmBl0z8ICwyG5eMID89IvnAga_ajB7rEaUPmXKdXB09s3Ol_jdnnVsetbsVJRM9AL-XZZwVbeBxB2bWp6SajYMgjANDQawuUO5ZIIYxjg_fbjBinhUJt3mxyToEvEOYp/s400/IMG_4707.JPG" border="0" />They fill up the chairs before dusk. Most of them are Chinese from mainland China. It is good that they get to have such entertainment amid their hard life in the construction site. It reminds me of my CO Evening when I was in the army. During CO Evening, we likewise had entertainment from the Music and Drama Company. </p><p>I took a seat right behind these workers, where I took this pix.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103202490954935938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmzoQfmPUitTT_ojH_iwos4SHP4OQGCKcazhCQJP1rntOKLFteEgV6HUSY2-D-QNj6DaCmYAgA75Pz_c9p2kmu46xUEVEBom7BF3Ak3ks9wG2hSEOGe6-glcgNusPpubXvjRh/s400/IMG_4713.JPG" border="0" /></p><p>Then, next to me, I noticed three seats with silk covers immaculately arranged, complete with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Guinness</span> Stout, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">cigarettes</span> and cakes. These seats are for the ghosts in the high pecking order. I guess the ordinary ghosts are not supposed to sit here either.</p><p>.</p><p>There is a devotee who will come around to light up the cigarettes for these 'seniors' <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">every time</span> their cigarettes burned out.</p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103230253623537378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsngdh3apOcOWesljmQlTQavC05Nd5WopVVtlvrCECEmet9Cvpm3An_A-ax_vCIPclzkF-xCSVVxyR1k7UtbeiIF7C36rryhyphenhyphentCA_1G08JtNAqCWDqKZdcPG84Mbfpz4Zn83gJ/s400/IMG_4714.JPG" border="0" /> Notice that each chair is pasted with a yellow paper talisman. These <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">talismans</span> are prepared by mediums when they go on a trance.</p><p align="justify">Then at the left side, I notice a small crowd forming around a yellow bicycle. The crowd seemed amused with this old fella here. He has made himself to be the unofficial sound man at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">getai</span>. With his improvised bicycle, he managed to put a high microphone to connect to his little compact cassette tape recorder.<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103197946879536594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmZWoPvkWPG_h8ro1W2wBhsZZ3NahKjFw4E_stoGQMYwvhGlkc-7Y9akAetyRTrTR55zyRRdcm1CdS1hAy8uLqxnlF9GDXDXlTvDg9Orj0yxjjr8g4_AO6xpAwooqaeciNfNB/s400/CITYSCAPE+022.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnnsVf67oQVuO505xoeKIjnPyv8y64ECq50__pIiId8zEzmiaOgQE_dJixM4ytcvjI0raRiF7tV3ZPKH53sZ7WVBePf5By537RshFopEKZvruzxNbGLQx0I_5MY2mO1wG2wUt/s1600-h/IMG_4716.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103236859283238754" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXnnsVf67oQVuO505xoeKIjnPyv8y64ECq50__pIiId8zEzmiaOgQE_dJixM4ytcvjI0raRiF7tV3ZPKH53sZ7WVBePf5By537RshFopEKZvruzxNbGLQx0I_5MY2mO1wG2wUt/s200/IMG_4716.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpvZto_v8ftqKlgMzNey6hnsF9qCMWQ0RemvWG0-Vgkwm_rZ3x5qWZP_nc_zkjqlzIlcIDk-70g8qMUQmd_-G57nyJ4HbDsHnZf4W4nNKk8pjCZznNhMi3UZKx5Og6C9WpAh9/s1600-h/IMG_4717.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103239492098191282" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpvZto_v8ftqKlgMzNey6hnsF9qCMWQ0RemvWG0-Vgkwm_rZ3x5qWZP_nc_zkjqlzIlcIDk-70g8qMUQmd_-G57nyJ4HbDsHnZf4W4nNKk8pjCZznNhMi3UZKx5Og6C9WpAh9/s200/IMG_4717.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxKEaWmuC-iqShFbwpXnaZw1KQhJ3Q7AS_N3y46Rr6EpEok23XxPDUYzV9cDemhEHuVdzzwfQenPj4C2-GCCpIHQgcVj2aq0lrd8kW5dX_vk-_LnwDRO441Dmmaus3eEHGW2f/s1600-h/IMG_4719.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103236872168140674" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxKEaWmuC-iqShFbwpXnaZw1KQhJ3Q7AS_N3y46Rr6EpEok23XxPDUYzV9cDemhEHuVdzzwfQenPj4C2-GCCpIHQgcVj2aq0lrd8kW5dX_vk-_LnwDRO441Dmmaus3eEHGW2f/s200/IMG_4719.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8DSR3G8_Zej05HtkcJvQihmXpBTznCeHL1abQsFUcP29WyHUNW3pcbAtem-8liCrfoo4yrdn1Tm_B_lgAnJfdmdVwX4mwyJTwoNWjL2aJ_rEGeuwKkriqptcWpxw9CTpLB_c/s1600-h/IMG_4726.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103239504983093202" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8DSR3G8_Zej05HtkcJvQihmXpBTznCeHL1abQsFUcP29WyHUNW3pcbAtem-8liCrfoo4yrdn1Tm_B_lgAnJfdmdVwX4mwyJTwoNWjL2aJ_rEGeuwKkriqptcWpxw9CTpLB_c/s200/IMG_4726.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccL50_YMdVsdG-D3nwtfCb9Frhv3fBcLIfehZCIr0oq46XGJGQhOWhBwHzSWXYJ6H9lcIu6K6ew1511YdA515wJquNas4ryn-_9tP7waEn7V4uXuU6UHSuKeWqK7Ge3PmdHZC/s1600-h/IMG_4728.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103236880758075298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccL50_YMdVsdG-D3nwtfCb9Frhv3fBcLIfehZCIr0oq46XGJGQhOWhBwHzSWXYJ6H9lcIu6K6ew1511YdA515wJquNas4ryn-_9tP7waEn7V4uXuU6UHSuKeWqK7Ge3PmdHZC/s200/IMG_4728.JPG" border="0" /></a> </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzyCX6bFUhvZE4q4dKhRXkoXDiLHv6dx4Y0yHy2RTuZ2lXjPF2aWK2tDcbDLc_43ypDtCnOX3XYW0gzaiAU7GTuGqHnaSC-00HEYLy5-14AurMZAyDxIqJdeEBcBxY2q4C1cj/s1600-h/IMG_4723.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103239496393158594" style="WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 160px" height="199" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzyCX6bFUhvZE4q4dKhRXkoXDiLHv6dx4Y0yHy2RTuZ2lXjPF2aWK2tDcbDLc_43ypDtCnOX3XYW0gzaiAU7GTuGqHnaSC-00HEYLy5-14AurMZAyDxIqJdeEBcBxY2q4C1cj/s200/IMG_4723.JPG" width="281" border="0" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3L5-N7aq9GdtxkWpR5pGrBvk56Js1WisgZLpiwz5dVmrfP5J9ALBsgF4a0dQ6n2Qym2T68ccGoJZKElOjyRbVa5zP6o4Shyphenhyphenio9VVUDdfPUZLRYyRX7BO8mwOODLgU6dbraSa3/s1600-h/IMG_4721.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103241055466287074" style="WIDTH: 217px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 161px" height="194" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3L5-N7aq9GdtxkWpR5pGrBvk56Js1WisgZLpiwz5dVmrfP5J9ALBsgF4a0dQ6n2Qym2T68ccGoJZKElOjyRbVa5zP6o4Shyphenhyphenio9VVUDdfPUZLRYyRX7BO8mwOODLgU6dbraSa3/s320/IMG_4721.JPG" width="271" border="0" /></a><br />Look how earnest he was! </p><p align="justify">He must have a really old bike as it still has its bicycle registration plate. Bicycle registration was abolished in Singapore probably 30 years ago!</p><p><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJjaOZIxib42a3V7f7h3WdflOv7gOSulEFE4Q8sR6iMGrqAAcn3HrGU7Q2h-4-n-GIpNdm2lkliCxnqHnkUncIYYcJZ_MHY-bjHsq7CQ66aIHW92DIsNYb-jODtrR8VT8oERN/s1600-h/IMG_4717.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJjaOZIxib42a3V7f7h3WdflOv7gOSulEFE4Q8sR6iMGrqAAcn3HrGU7Q2h-4-n-GIpNdm2lkliCxnqHnkUncIYYcJZ_MHY-bjHsq7CQ66aIHW92DIsNYb-jODtrR8VT8oERN/s1600-h/IMG_4717.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJjaOZIxib42a3V7f7h3WdflOv7gOSulEFE4Q8sR6iMGrqAAcn3HrGU7Q2h-4-n-GIpNdm2lkliCxnqHnkUncIYYcJZ_MHY-bjHsq7CQ66aIHW92DIsNYb-jODtrR8VT8oERN/s1600-h/IMG_4717.JPG"></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103230270803406626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFyksNG6bucjYsxAuaRXOy0Uu86RJUotFotWFlbz-c6UZ6wX3lHuuxgVOuKf6mUiOOJHaps-3sRCo8JKRaMpqjqNIwND1fewGbIzVVogRARZt5t9SHeXxsBLqIft7_IVuLVI6/s400/IMG_4725.JPG" border="0" />Now, the show must go on...</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103200553924685298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_IA1fSn9DXbTwLuvLPaWRwIhNPcIP_Bc5wTfjXugX_RkInKsnUh0Mq5ykIOW050zkny465GjEt5zGJV2NdNjz1HSeChNSrVJ-Qag5A5kKjFvYmcbcIpWSperGt6xKDOO3B0u/s400/CITYSCAPE+018.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103197938289601986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZM2zV5LnUbviHDeOWq8dqsiasHv0S9DT1rINybPDLoMLNHugjDTPKRb_Zfogngo_kSqU16LGIOo4CjRZw6XtCrH5JdplUXmE7iC9JIPD73mELiftqzAdyVFWUeQiEsv3ZTmCe/s400/CITYSCAPE+021.jpg" border="0" />The sun has set and the stage is glittering and ready...</p><p>.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103197955469471202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLba3rA1tJFVSlLiM1cg0Yeoye7z-lxBWEfeoMRjcPLCqPvUjlAglWEp990AK1jX40Q0VRg7RCz7JXRBOZB8RoPRTvgFg8uxVoRDojF2MthKiYSB1UGZ2MtZ0-JzF-_n3QoSFM/s400/CITYSCAPE+023.jpg" border="0" /> The show started with the famous MC in Singapore <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">getai</span> and Karen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Lim</span>, the most popular female <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">getai</span> artiste in Singapore. May be even <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">JB</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Batam</span>. :)</p><p>.</p><p>Karen appeared in the recent <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Royston</span> Tan's movie "881" which is musical based on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">getais</span>.</p><p>She is a great entertainer with a wonderful voice... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">ok</span>... and a great body! That helps! :)<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103200571104554514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe7u8amjkVvNiPz-crEcDrOzFqIuufK55h1_Jz7LrKeWMzmPx0diSTA_zB3BdNe7Lsn9rkl-PewXieo9hh_dBU6neqOQmlSd2R7uN7QLOyOZNO7JEig1mP2i0NFwZyhltLKTac/s400/CITYSCAPE+025.jpg" border="0" />She sang songs out from the movie "881". You can find those songs at the end of this posts.</p><p align="justify">.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103200588284423714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXIqMmuMfrJce49TLp7LhKn5Q2isoa5Yu0F8bAwB_QabA6RYwCG55edxGjiF-TL8-TQYO-hjgX8WU-lAiw2ACHU8B33qmJlilAOB97xB0n_NoYPqDOMcj7XcRCKdxGsdT_rZk/s400/CITYSCAPE+026.jpg" border="0" />This gentleman is the most popular male singer in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">getai</span> circuit. He sings mainly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Hokkien</span> songs. Later he managed a Mandarin song for the mainland Chinese audience who are mostly from North China and would not understand <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Hokkien</span>, which is a southern dialect.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103200601169325618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKX3LFcL-NekDSbXsfhmteEDFkLaRW-OK1H_OnSpoxAtjwEHJAFjyrfwSIX_2DgCrP2wIerRcUSLFTAZ_XnnpJb175iOGUTmS8aohTCGvg551PE2y1QcvZp2TwQDUoiGv2Om53/s400/CITYSCAPE+027.jpg" border="0" /> This lady is another singing veteran. She sings in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Teochew</span> - a funny song about the number of stars in the sky and what happens to her family when there were 1 star, 2 stars, 3 stars,...etc.</p><p>. </p><p>When my mother sang that to me when I was a kid, I fell asleep before we reached 3 stars...<br /></p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103232572905877330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIE0He-s_LtYcurL3DOinD1-eqewkdxNQx0mDlmCTLgeChnpftojWnECqy0xipDHE-yJSp-qRcbLjNVMshlyAd0lDDDN2Jm2ecf1pmboGkFjxK1e_V3iwD_GuFf_fj1UKqEwHZ/s400/CITYSCAPE+035.jpg" border="0" /> As we leave the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">getai</span>, we noticed this contrast between the old and new. Traditional operas have almost exited the 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">th</span> month scene. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Getais</span> are the ones that draws the crowds, and may be the ghosts too. However, these are great draws amongst the common folks and the less educated in the Singapore. Commentaries and jokes uttered in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">getais</span> are usually rough, bordering on profanity and mostly in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">Hokkien</span> - the street language.</p><p>.</p><p align="justify">Youngsters now are getting better educated. Most of them now no longer speak dialects and are probably more comfortable with American Idol and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Youtube</span>. Perhaps <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">getai</span> will one day have to go through its own transformation. Already the better funded ones have background dancers and acrobatics as the singer literally flies in from the stage roof. The one here already uses a lot more light than those I saw when I was a kid. There is also use of lasers and disco flickers.</p><p align="justify">.</p><p align="justify"><a href="http://www.lexs.com.sg/aboutus.php">In the near future</a>, they may have to continue to innovate and use newer entertainment technologies. May be there will be fireworks, pyrotechnics, more electronic music, more techno beats, holographic displays, large LCD screens for those in the far end from the stage, or even simulcasts on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">Youtube</span>. I wonder if this was how New York Broadway and London <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">Westend</span> entertainment started.</p><p align="justify"></p><p align="justify">I enjoyed the evening very much. First it was such a nostalgia listening to all those old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Hokkien</span> songs complete with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">cha</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">cha</span> beats and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">gaudy</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">kitch</span>. It reminded me of childhood, when we mingled under the stage trying to poke the singers feet through the gaps between the floor boards. And the little '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">tikam</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">tikam</span>' (lottery) stalls underneath the stage.</p><p align="justify">But most of all, I love it because it is so truly local. While the jokes and songs can be vulgar, they are all unpretentious and well meaning just to have a good night's entertainment with the ghosts.</p><p align="justify">If you are in Singapore and haven't visited a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">getai</span>, you ought to do so now. It is true blue Singaporean entertainment. I have ever been to one where I was even served food and beer. And it is all FREE!!! Elsewhere in the world, there would have been a riot! :) In England, you would see many drunk!!!</p><p align="justify">For the highly educated high brows, perhaps this would be a time for a reality check at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">getais</span> and learn to love people as they are. Besides, if you can truly understand these folks, you can be sure to win the election!<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103232568610910018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-d9cH3FAtQfAb9jwgqhbArVE8kLRZPHV6KsivIEdzPl9qVGRIIm8_dqM8QjhqVv95WSA_TkFhZdTJuWLvXfxff24GEBlymjAHjMUFuIABtBkD090jMK9o3abEDDSuGIgbXGF/s400/IMG_4736.JPG" border="0" /><br />As we walk out from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">getai</span> premises, we slowly transit to Little India. Isn't it amazing? One minute true blue (or rather, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">gawdy</span> red) Chinese <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">kitch</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">getai</span>, a few minutes down the road, it feels like being in India with the Sunday Indian crowd.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103202460890164802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qZemrqCZiDkDZV0vzQjo3E96kpl30_X1O6SHtdtl_BCByLDNvEc3Q8rocK0mo2tAbapS9NLLn9Lh17p5EJPAtDvLtPMj0fVsMypz-MaQ0MVZBtJUQrwp7VySViAcxwr3dXhD/s400/CITYSCAPE+036.jpg" border="0" />At Little India, we went for a delicious <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">dosai</span> supper. Yum!</p><p>It was a splendid evening!</p><p><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ubeLcCnqGWo" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed><br /><br /><br />This is from the movie "881". I think <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">Royston</span> Tan has done an amazing job to lift the standard of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">getai</span> and make them popular among the young. Well done! </p><p>For getai schedules in Singapore in 2007, click <a href="http://www.lexs.com.sg/events.php">here</a></p><p><br /><br /> </p>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-90572489157828055852007-08-08T17:58:00.001-07:002008-12-09T11:13:57.752-08:00Singapore's 42th Birthday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTaI3kJWYotCDwbeZHdJ9QTOKSCqasTUimH9UtCbbEc78sQOo_VzIuz7DhFBTipqwQXCxWMmos48ZzPE4IMXpUvwsX410EUxcqYGJvHytBTYUuarIwnsrUsxSBEigHOadIFEV/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096499081857391282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTaI3kJWYotCDwbeZHdJ9QTOKSCqasTUimH9UtCbbEc78sQOo_VzIuz7DhFBTipqwQXCxWMmos48ZzPE4IMXpUvwsX410EUxcqYGJvHytBTYUuarIwnsrUsxSBEigHOadIFEV/s400/CITYSCAPE+009.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>Measured by the number of national flags on display during National Day, Singaporeans are most likely to be the most patriotic citizens in the world. It probably has the most displayed flags per population or square kilometre. Singapore's National Day, which marks their independence and separation from the Federation of Malaysia on 9th August 1965.<br />.</div><p>Have you ever noticed how similar the Singapore flag is to the Indonesian and the Malaysian flags?</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI5U2iMSL9CeUzAYUDtHF8jp_X6rsAVdZ4RqrBaPayi5LHSckE7K2ZpnpxlMkq4bn1pI832v1oeq6bBY1do7ebywE7FUjHSRGChLZ78QufXBJIp_cyNQNat_aJIHu-YN-D8bB/s1600-h/flag_indonesia.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096500894333590210" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" height="131" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuI5U2iMSL9CeUzAYUDtHF8jp_X6rsAVdZ4RqrBaPayi5LHSckE7K2ZpnpxlMkq4bn1pI832v1oeq6bBY1do7ebywE7FUjHSRGChLZ78QufXBJIp_cyNQNat_aJIHu-YN-D8bB/s200/flag_indonesia.jpg" width="200" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXycWc8XjMDXShaPzd9flryaoQaaiov_JTnSLxOQcCftIw_J7o8TcqovFviRhnybvC8j9Gv4YTbOBkRKO6QsqiD8qzAOR8nElWGNAjlIKS_bXdOrsmgTtQMDMppKTIb2xhhPb/s1600-h/singapore+flag.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096500898628557538" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKXycWc8XjMDXShaPzd9flryaoQaaiov_JTnSLxOQcCftIw_J7o8TcqovFviRhnybvC8j9Gv4YTbOBkRKO6QsqiD8qzAOR8nElWGNAjlIKS_bXdOrsmgTtQMDMppKTIb2xhhPb/s200/singapore+flag.bmp" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-Txsj5pcZ5LePjcAzlWxxtLHJA4ZVe17nNKjetXaNdjQ-iQH1ORvZlH9Ze7o16SYsmXH-1iZxwCu4DBVfkNOFxSaOMSABBEtHejvJ2YtUEMY9d7t2cN05XdkUDtlXJvO7rXv/s1600-h/Malaysia_flag.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096500898628557522" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-Txsj5pcZ5LePjcAzlWxxtLHJA4ZVe17nNKjetXaNdjQ-iQH1ORvZlH9Ze7o16SYsmXH-1iZxwCu4DBVfkNOFxSaOMSABBEtHejvJ2YtUEMY9d7t2cN05XdkUDtlXJvO7rXv/s200/Malaysia_flag.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p></p><div align="justify">Isn't this very symbolic of pre-independence Singapore or even the old Temasek days of coming out from the 14th century <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parameswara_(sultan)">Indonesian sultanates of Sri Vijaya and the Majapahit Empires</a>; and then the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Malaysia">Federation of Malaysia</a>? :)</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Such notions are probably not popular amongst the fiercely patriotic people in this successful nation state. Much like the other notion that some (older) people living on the island were once born British, then became Malaysians before becoming Singapore citizens! :)<br />.</div><div align="justify">For the official symbolic meaning of the Singapore flag, click <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Singapore">here</a></div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-21774448422273373032007-08-05T07:07:00.000-07:002011-10-19T23:15:46.982-07:00Park Connectors in Singapore 2<div align="justify">
After the great fun we had in our <a href="http://vacuumstate.blogspot.com/2007/06/park-connectors-in-singapore.html">last cycling trip from Pasir Ris to Zouk, at Kim Seng Road</a>, we now decided to make another trip on the 29th July 2007, across the north side of the island of Singapore. Actually, I won't call this trip a "Park Connector" route, as parks on the north side are not well connected yet by cycling trails. We started at 6.30am in the morning. The idea is to cut across the nature reserve of Singapore and then head northwards towards Woodlands, Kranji and then Lim Chu Kang. See map later.</div>
<div align="justify">
.</div>
<div align="justify">
As in the last trip, we took it at a very leisurely pace, stopping by for our favourite <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roti_prata">Roti Prata</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teh_tarik">Teh Halia</a> (ginger tea) and photo shots.</div>
<div align="justify">
.</div>
<div align="justify">
However, we had to hurry to the first destination at MacRitchie Reservoir. We had to make it by 8.00am for the Sunday <a href="http://jupilier.blogspot.com/2006/11/bucky-group.html">Bucky Group</a> book reading and discussions.</div>
<div align="justify">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqoJH3BqEJz153XkGnEmtvn09l7YGyWeLbYPxEHhmtwEQwFfpRsvSh1eAHWmOTFBLTEzLVWwPuG0kxVQnp2NBVJZ5ewfwXoX_LFe5Ncfi2jYpNAxn9_123VZNAYAdMecAuuGv/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+001.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095218855185667986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLqoJH3BqEJz153XkGnEmtvn09l7YGyWeLbYPxEHhmtwEQwFfpRsvSh1eAHWmOTFBLTEzLVWwPuG0kxVQnp2NBVJZ5ewfwXoX_LFe5Ncfi2jYpNAxn9_123VZNAYAdMecAuuGv/s400/CITYSCAPE+001.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>Just before cutting across the Tampines Expressway, we saw the <a href="http://www.tzuchi.org/">Tzu Chi Foundation Building</a>, a charity organisation that had done so much for the poor around the world. It was started by Dharma Master Chen Yen. For details of the Singapore branch, click <a href="http://www.tzuchi.org.sg/">here</a>.</div>
<div align="justify">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHpO7tWJWumJRNg7yQ8vdMlKFQTy5tUgOhba8_oBhEeuCKvMiXE2OnJGugu1tKR4AaDWnHwtx_L40fZW8BFpIG9QcSrmpfvu4UzHDLG4CBnKwV6mhVOMMVWjNJsKQdWmgkXj9/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+002.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095218863775602594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHpO7tWJWumJRNg7yQ8vdMlKFQTy5tUgOhba8_oBhEeuCKvMiXE2OnJGugu1tKR4AaDWnHwtx_L40fZW8BFpIG9QcSrmpfvu4UzHDLG4CBnKwV6mhVOMMVWjNJsKQdWmgkXj9/s400/CITYSCAPE+002.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> Across the Expressway is Old Tampines Road, the temple trail of Singapore.<br />
We still have mediums that go on a trance to get connected with higher beings and devotees coming in to ask for advice in these temples.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQSXOhFC_UdbFPzEpAsplcRaJvZhsaKBBIcSlSed1za4qnpFw1ARxhtZb0Q3Z45p97ClTIRCJi7z87mxl2GHNVNI_VHGpBdclMYuV2FGify6MogZ_pqTbRtTPzR7Nzy-hoAxj/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+004.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095218872365537218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQSXOhFC_UdbFPzEpAsplcRaJvZhsaKBBIcSlSed1za4qnpFw1ARxhtZb0Q3Z45p97ClTIRCJi7z87mxl2GHNVNI_VHGpBdclMYuV2FGify6MogZ_pqTbRtTPzR7Nzy-hoAxj/s400/CITYSCAPE+004.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<div align="center">
</div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095218868070569906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ArtG9k32UdMpxfHIvZZVxhqYh_LHW9vPibOgNz42tXOvL4q-XO84ZLATHhWbH_CQNmYRyov-iVJ8vE0tbl8u_iek74BgAoHXpNRNACjco5BOkjdqeLaKcx5smzZbMI2sjkIO/s400/CITYSCAPE+003.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> <br />
<div align="center">
Two space ships landing...</div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095250139727452802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYzu05fBRwzMtmPBWXs_aAyomAGjruf6nbG7QiYqRLnv_rZkuXzC3vRMUMH47-8wC-v1msyo9ft-SOhNVGZy7NMEII3S9Htn8Bus-W_4E5Vlzr11xjOX6JcRx0pHJgGPFLfBV/s400/CITYSCAPE+584.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> MacRitchie Reservoir - our morning bliss - we made it on time and reach there at 8am. We covered 20km in about 90mins, including stopping for some pixs.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ab6fFFVt2We4RF6Ad8hy1bem1tflSquio4jUqk-JMrbt1ScuCmdzkNOH_ZhaXu9nNj1XY9Pn19701SHbnAc7pU46zYpmybr-_VIqdAiFnWxexC3a8DnGURV_rjf2cz3ZVNiT/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+007.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095218880955471826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ab6fFFVt2We4RF6Ad8hy1bem1tflSquio4jUqk-JMrbt1ScuCmdzkNOH_ZhaXu9nNj1XY9Pn19701SHbnAc7pU46zYpmybr-_VIqdAiFnWxexC3a8DnGURV_rjf2cz3ZVNiT/s400/CITYSCAPE+007.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> Instead of starting with the book reading, they started with the durains first!!! :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095250135432485490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9OqAKTT1Xfmt-exMzSqqF3Kk2IqwogBELUi-pf6SrNY5x_gWiM0ykf-6jo_q7YO3OChF0q3hfxGxAx5ea4ib-BzuEtzLhD2PXFoighyphenhyphen3a-NqI8sRvuUBig65PKKkaR-83ftJ/s400/CITYSCAPE+947.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> For those of you who doesn't know what a durain looks like, they are starchy sweet fleshy seeds in a green spikey husk. Either you love it or hate it. If you are from South East Asia, you are most likely to absolutely love it!<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095223949016881122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxQA-kJ-F3-lp2newO7sCdIfQeNZlTEY1He3nK70l8-_2L2B3EB0o7Cb5n95qC_YslRm0IRL3QFjfMXUvGj5LruFdpHWe5iiurzTISif5SrGa-UDQo3Ymi0YGQ3bFmb09F33Q/s400/CITYSCAPE+008.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br />
MacRithchie Reservoir is very scenic. Here one of the Bucky members sketched this whilst we read Bucky's chapters. For more pix of the Reservoir, click <a href="http://jupilier.blogspot.com/2007/03/bucky-group-2-incomplete-not-even-1st.html">here</a>.<br />
.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095223957606815730" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2WWcnG-cxNrvQylxyflX1nazmiJgYcdW5ziJJM0X8rAudH9oAA-T5C69XAeKJk6JQmwTSoiindnu0eMgKuJqnw2tdO9h46m8u34dLC2qQKWuYBYhyyrmDoYEFu6Oi6_44Ag1/s400/CITYSCAPE+010.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br />
<div align="justify">
After the Bucky Group session, we headed for the Tree Top walk at the northern side of the reservoir banks. Then we realised we that bicycles are not allowed in the nature trails. This would mean that we would not be able to do a short cut across the forest and would have to take the road later.</div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095223966196750338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TAWRzrzEEPoiFNMtY67txRdbSdfNmLnbTStN_Jzs-HUAFnu6d4ndRrmQHh81J9TCaxxornS-Amotj9dIldcrOdMZtJkcWvYbJkCijBMQoxDldJlCOXtLB_zQ3zVyTXkAUspN/s400/CITYSCAPE+011.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />On the way to the Tree Top Walk, it stormed and we had to take sneak in a nearby posh golf club to take refuge till the rain stop. It is a beautiful club.<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095223987671586834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqn9dfTrbyT3wo63UiL0KyYFQDd6XrFn3z0NrdlPSNucUieIFaW7d0DjgCJBZ0j9eMxAh749WKNYzsVzYTNgRJuI7i8cIBay-tbvMfn4uTdFhsqgie8TTAE_WH53uk0ge3co7k/s400/CITYSCAPE+016.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br />
Here is the Tree Top Walk, which is a suspended bridge over a valley.<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095224013441390626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0exaNvA2vKz56ZxHcR4og3UM07XwxoY5NLPg_qAq6tKxn0egvb5YhmgrHxXdX3zaHdoG4D2rEq5crj_GBS2Nj26EKMobfkQZHCI2i5Wcd-ZHRJrmIU-zajcULRAx0EEMBuK8I/s400/CITYSCAPE+017.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> These two trees rise way above the rest. The giants in the forest.</div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095227419350456370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsm_5bQv2A_9Azvr6dTapcbGjlcAY-h_gkwFcJ2Y181jQxC9fqrawLuJdTVCGfpz0ScMyknvhssAEalYah_1YP-2QOsLZXzjnR0Bpnv8-ZbMWeoddVHMvNPAFK-4AxwgMWP0Zg/s400/CITYSCAPE+019.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />This are dense tropical forest not covered by the last Ice Age! It is amazing for a small island like Singapore to have set aside a relatively large area as nature reserves.<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095227427940390978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixG1Vz9_8JWI1jtE-Uo5noZzJnKI3gMZRDhyIzsSLLahRICxw9HHduBcGELk-HEbWHIIScgppSot_DpmKYmtuyJwDZWVhUt94pVWPuM4tkUbi2iec5rSSe7tCqgXBzBsIWLQpl/s400/CITYSCAPE+020.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095227440825292882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMGI0I1zObFylyMqsjFP3HPvXJTAs6S7ZPPP1il97lmibTai1NtMEKSJZRUhfbVunIxjWlTAvFdB5t9DCshvRSSEgPHzagv1jZOQ7-wZi19lKVgo-BMfR4uAet67bkw7YyzRP/s400/CITYSCAPE+021.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095227449415227490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3xpnJykLHvv0auZ1H393hRnHDjJ5sNDzLA5CBrJ6f05sCNZqcG4xTxy0hGcaTXJVCVrDGosOqtBKL7WsdaJRaea1-gZF-0cXm2gH8n1_dQFsCsw_giwnj8E_gDKWxaCLKRil/s400/CITYSCAPE+022.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br />
<div align="center">
End of the Walk, we headed down the slopes, to get back to our bicycles and head further north to Lower Pierce Reservoir. At the fringes of Lower Pierce, the rain had stop and it was sunny again! </div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095227462300129394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5daJP78BHvRtjOTRo7nAxJC64YnRAAiSCQ1I7CroUJACyMym1YSgxncZ8T6Y-PTyELmZE5IK6hb2LP8zjVHDo5L-yUn5VrefRu52-pACzWlrCdBB3rv4TP1Wy-few5NMycDdl/s400/CITYSCAPE+027.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> Then some families came out for their outings by the Reservoir grounds! :) </div>
<div align="center">
Can you pick up the alpha male in the family?</div>
<div align="center">
<br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095230090820114562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7RsKGgPWU60k52fs5YyQuoIbmE_qFIxhbHJ9mMpthk4-T2Dm9dZ7ZD6p4pDqRrcDALX9hZONgZUP5BkahEnHUFocvwNS-VPpbKULvJPY5gGTmGqcOFAhtj_13ldcTqopCEnHq/s400/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> We spotted this funny papaya tree opposite where we have lunch! :)</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095230099410049170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzkGGUE-wNVsFyKKtMUCaJc9VJ4ZOyq8ZeevxeocfK5Z-cprFAOngb3MZD2Xt27X6MViEs1VFoW-I6zIsAg1E0gGCpEcaUIeWSFIzv4LIcCBcPi21DjTg8kE895VDjJU_3SnD/s400/CITYSCAPE+032.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />Along the board walk of Lower Pierce Reservoir.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095230112294951074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAXU9eStL5eM7zTlGZMqyd8E4wSJL1fG9rQqbnniwP4vRfS08KNcoF_zA4uARA0ZGQ4ICCn7V1nV5c8GS9tDVJs2sGxLzABkga5kZvGSg3DKWwAHQDoZKkdMwrZRAtdNcSgqky/s400/CITYSCAPE+035.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />A little monitor lizard.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095230116589918386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJWWmW1pVR-0WM0iJ5AEooYOmT7zrDIRKMiteUo4Y994AtUtIm12_vujmXFfOaZkFUpk7GHNhPAHIA7DuCADrCuH-lxnH0Y4OOvDbn96xzJVwrxxvElARlziZlUOQMpYZ68yW/s400/CITYSCAPE+038.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095230129474820290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VK7aXv3GpQ5Frmz-kJhgLO2REH10Q6mu-M3yNGKddIBxkvlyQvxZIr4RnAe-b7wYNZIpi1uelTs50A7fYgommbyny25SLTxt7gSsMYpefODureAJtU2otUcoESjCVNVlE3T3/s400/CITYSCAPE+041.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></div>
After we left Lower Pierce, we headed further north along the Old Upper Thomson Road, a lovely winding country road. It used to be a Grand Prix circuit back in the 60s and 70s.<br />
<br />
Along Mandai Road, there were loud aggressive screams from a family of monkeys on the trees against a gentle stray dog merely looking up at them with curiosity.<br />
<br />
As I passed by the dog, it connects with me instantly and followed me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095233166016698578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpoqn15AxE1WasGqYF34Gl-GluIgSI_cym2SEoYWdvRn2WJbGJtdqt9gT5wFBAzj6u6lURtcBLpwBxaLR44z3Y5J28y3KtMe__ZTJOErBAcbZNRrA-OUqeRHAJFRJzOSAXH_a/s400/CITYSCAPE+043.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
This part of an old army camp.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095233174606633186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmXXhFQIzeahNIphz0Gav08mStfmAi7OfD8vEac2jG513EmipSGDPm_VPLwGuBuWSEVse7YNLq_fAdZgLiqpiodUi0c5Ivv4PObQaIU-BgX08DQ4AQVaNjLh8IrsAm02nJcPg/s400/CITYSCAPE+044.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />At Kranji Reservoir.</div>
<div align="center">
By now, you probably realised that there are so many reservoirs in tiny Singapore. </div>
<div align="center">
There is lots of rain here, but not enough to impound them all.</div>
<div align="center">
That's why water has to be supplied from Malaysia.</div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095233187491535090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXcVdMvLmOcys4ai1_7_7FtlHyofLr5HDCCJG2SYotx48igPsHQRZsLWdj67MKUo2gCWIpUMuoXlvubxd_KI7Pj4yUfk7wS_WuAGUOSvIQNCPP6rm-gwSrb5N8IwmsEFAxBTJ6/s400/CITYSCAPE+045.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />I call her "Jojo". Such a lovely dog. She has jogged about 10km alongside us by now.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095233191786502402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16hbMetU4bpXoPZd8p8lmy_1aVZBQXrTsa9L5kZRR082FXFWD9m0ua-rs5zzEyAmv8PYiQd4Y09J4ohJwTzW1Wp8tIKBi7TlxKSH_ZtkK9WQReQqjL7V130atCdOzZmwNUCcP/s400/CITYSCAPE+047.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></div>
<div align="center">
Outside the reservoir bund, I saw this barbed wire fencing on the shore facing Malaysia.</div>
<div align="center">
Wonder why... Is it to keep illegal immigrants out?</div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095233200376437010" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLb_rjecrYik47kwS1rNAPTqJAmnnx44CL_b6CYNqeTDmT3KotvdMm4qEexN-KHNSQHD_6u4OMmWd3hZZjzRdJgrRaa4ksJvihKYWxehcMQx4sxcdEAVBO6k1-_cyu2Z0a7HEz/s400/CITYSCAPE+049.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br />If it is, then there is this side that is fully exposed, just next to the barbed wires.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095238392991897890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7hzwpkUw25K6oU4Bri36H6n_q7JBVEiQzkXEvmNw0hBONjIMn6u3R-KFwLc2_JSSIoXXd9UydEdgye20yt2oO3FQh_Kt4OVwOCtV3eBSjIuqjXgf446GClHIXr58R3BdR3VT/s400/CITYSCAPE+052.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />The white building on the right is the Istana (palace) of the Sultan of Johor.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
The Straits of Johor is only 1.5 km wide.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095238401581832498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvyILMR5IUOPPZjALORuCIiADrOKfUW0WjJ5_mTogv86uNuiCN-AS5SUdH19piN25TW-dhlS_HgUWd_-8HgsF4mVeHZY1Jxkg-GDUcfdqBAOvO4R_ndvGsd7tW0V6oXOBXTUN/s400/CITYSCAPE+054.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />As we went further to Lim Chu Kang, Jojo followed.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095238405876799810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNMybmjV87AA3sx2DOEK6_5F4eAnl_mbNgNfSaiIZUr0vMVnQzwcWqv5TnAt0Z-Q2NLNDqTpzD79MjYWhWIhSoxx0bvgi6xVYJvQwcNdVMHgHWFH6gpPel9pmb__CXsGgOgeb/s400/CITYSCAPE+056.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />Outside Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserves. Lots of migratory birds stop here for rest. It was closed by the time we reach there at 6pm.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095238410171767122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaageWHIEpm2WktQC8oNVxAU_hQ3600aBgDCSjtrb9MQeUMrcL1T4qf_JWhCAi248dKN_uObWtF10nhqlm2lUKs3Vyq2Wv4VypwE7P2FDCVA8fJ8jChE4iqafx3pjUyuuyr5za/s400/CITYSCAPE+058.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />This is a Koi fish farm.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095238414466734434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuU5kar94f_rIvyztpuN447dSbrcQEuekQVxrNQwxV3yHB2ZBUv847xK3-w-bZq2qceLMyKw3liqUZPxZP9kCPgMqqNfXWRExsBDManTZ8qMPp82mAje7dt9R93n9A3RpIhphn/s400/CITYSCAPE+059.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> This is what a Singapore country road looks like. Fish and vegetable farms on both sides.</div>
<br />
<div align="justify">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095240622079924594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGiqLFk_Gsdz2XUNu0sZF2j7XePOhkQkoiUwytmUd00-BcRD6sIWmY5LS4e8bTpC0IXhwbXdpmeWv3mBeX7i31fZFxHMpvixvJp73flPEx6NIweXQfMtp6AWE4SMAp9sdzQeN/s400/CITYSCAPE+061.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />It is now about 7pm and we are hungry looking for a place to eat.</div>
<div align="justify">
We stumbled on this golf club called Kranji Sanctuary. I am wondering how it can be a sanctuary when the original natural habitat had to be cleared to build this golf course? </div>
<div align="justify">
Anyway, there wasn't dinner by then. In fact, the whole place was closing for the day. They also did not have anywhere for us to stay for the night. We had to either head southwards to Jurong, which is highly industrialised or backtrack. We decided on the latter.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095395279557286562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6YacZmcVRcCHphD0u0P6G7r_Hu0zYi9cgHlTM4bLG12pQ9nFZ8fI2fwqPMJvYKD0yITMrEBCDm8gj1XwEHid-20ZwDSsfjVijYhr0c1oze2FMpJgLR99wtPZVkYyDTQzfVdd/s400/CITYSCAPE+160.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />Flat out!</div>
<div align="center">
Jojo taking a rest after we fed him food and water.</div>
<div align="center">
We backtracked and stopped by a hawker centre which had only foreign workers from China and the Indian sub-continent.</div>
<div align="center">
They are mostly hired as contruction workers and farm hands.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="justify">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095242795333376386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BBsXxq3TeZDs7z7On8kybj06XaKr9SuVSBv1Vu1orU_J1qDfDy0k2WC5MPhytbF6NpasJPMmy5yJR7MrImZatRxp-kwkvLXidL1zgrhekjRF7ZcJlCYjTKpQICThf509WsGT/s400/CITYSCAPE+162.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />This is the mural of the room where I slept. I manage to contact a friend in Woodlands, who is kind enough to put me up for the night. It was about 11pm by the time I reach my friend's place. It was a much needed rest! Even laying flat, I felt my legs cycling. Once eyes closed, I could still see the winding country roads. Finally, I must have slept around midnight.</div>
<div align="justify">
We had to leave Jojo outside the apartment though. I thought it would be stretching my friend's hospitality a bit too far if I bring the dog in. Besides, they have a 17 month baby and I wouldn't want her disturbed.</div>
<div align="justify">
When we woke up, Jojo was gone. Such a pity. I would have kept her as a pet. Such a lovely dog! She had followed us for at least 20kms, running diligently by our bicycles without straying. Oh Jojo, where are you?</div>
<div align="justify">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095242803923310994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27sbB_PugnbJZ4zbXYS5Vbbu1n9hZUbGQNFehu6NHy1pNBsK-IAqNRMxtDOM1Hp82xnA1vFgcrCt4ErQLi8iMw0cAGq44xid-AzxtfELdcm9l4nzaU2SDRbgl3SHAlCRixrSy/s400/CITYSCAPE+167.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />As we head further east from Woodlands, we passed by a pavement parked full of motorbikes. This is unusual as it is normally forbidden in Singapore and fines are meted frequently to offenders. On closer look, these bikes all come from Malaysia. They are Malaysians from the other side of the Straits who cross over to Singapore everyday to work at the shipyard. Perhaps that is why they are 'exempted' from the fines! :)</div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095242812513245602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK4an6jSpt8yAXjXmrIOiDYl4C9mw7DyWHwmMc3ztIXpJ3rxK8n17Iln5QzVgugY3DFrWJtNncSip1eP5O_hCqqCnQ7ep-TbAfKZRABDPse6Cpqv70_T60wF1r8Wci04KCySz8/s400/CITYSCAPE+173.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />This is a typical black-and-white colonial bungalow that dots over the northern shore of Singapore. More of them as we headed towards Seletar Air base.<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095242825398147506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50nh8jPffjCyv-v9FvlGXwe0TXRLPYlNHjSrzD06r_CYl3_nU8YfQw0ccc1g_4lEBzucFiOnEmhuhKMv5BO7b0C_g6-hJpTjIKXVlXHZ-lu3vEYbuBokhhqlrB7mSp_VnsAbp/s400/CITYSCAPE+175.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />Sembawang Park.</div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095242833988082114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIChIyQ-NmtB1YG5iTE7VY0pWv04UpiWal3vigliKiGsS_8HcYbmRCyndDmGYsFZsqui4BteYyR_0vABDeeYIxda6eYBWm4u4uYFUf5cvaLBSbGtTu6bNgCJvq3lmSe0ykPZpC/s400/CITYSCAPE+184.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br />There are many names like these that are so British. Some others are: "Hyde Park Road", "Picaddilly Circus" and "Trafalgar Road".</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095245526932576722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUThAfNFQVvm7nS2IQV3XKmvItWb1TdOLwpO-tN6YXmPv5kdP2B1G2bPkNUV-G-7qzk7x4-gGArBbDdgB0mDty2_wggXYJxYRNFjnh59E5wHVudx5VsAAOP983iTpALpw4wlBR/s400/CITYSCAPE+238.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />Further east, passed Ponggol, we finally got back to Old Tampines Road. </div>
<div align="center">
Here, it is like time has stood still. <img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095245561292315154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipPXKpVVIBIBTo_qIEn-MCuXuAt9XA74dF7RzCXyxenVXDIEEh9MWbZxyxLmAuDGBiWofFQitqrjRoyRqKqepGr0Nr6ZnFwkDniSQDU5M44VJMZmzTwwQS7UH5X66aXNeTuNVo/s400/CITYSCAPE+598.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></div>
<div align="center">
This is the old mouldy coffee shop that's still standing and the waiter walks around barefooted.</div>
<div align="center">
.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095245535522511330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSkLKtOO_-DO3oHefuQ-zAuwuv1Fig5HnhwFddxF6bijP1nBur4JhaDeVRAxoMj28U5YueikQtQyr9BBYe9lTpsTF5HBZ4pylcoISXUDFw_nTYPcd2uthNCXDic-WKgGz5eHDi/s400/CITYSCAPE+240.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095245552702380546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRluRWUMluymPCMqALfk7T5IxCQ6PW96E3YQW9yyOHnlNG3FtHTnf4W_R4m9mEVE6NQEfbYo7jGB74jQo8AhIeu8YVNp5JCew_b2SeZs8IJhDGW5HLxQaxDuSEFKsZig3jPx9f/s400/CITYSCAPE+572.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> ... and kampung chickens and roosters still roam the turf.</div>
<div align="center">
Just 20 years ago, the whole Tampines/Pasir Ris area was like this - just slow and sleepy kampungs of fish and chicken farms. </div>
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095248155452561954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIgLWwS5ZyHDd54AL3Zmwh0UaqlK1ZldzMT_irzTcwN4lpxAU2dVel9dOszyIs10FUho8bClezK2TfjH5EydAcjFve8SPRLd7XKqc8axAHAUaN9KpT_dIBnmYAQrJXJqlr8hg/s400/CITYSCAPE+847.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />Since we hurried past this place yesterday, we decided to visit one of the temples. This one is a Taoist temple.</div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095248168337463858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EmKyxkIc0qlO8VWFWaxYa7GRad_2TkEHJVOno79bXnrUP9Z01mZsRM6t6xOm7CZS5Vz2CIIt1x1siOG5dLyYgSZAhV6xeBuKPpr1TpVa2di6Q4pk61glphd7EDC55EYpxk5w/s400/CITYSCAPE+848.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095248185517333058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0HN02GU04NWfHk5b3zdS-AiyjBndZtpI1GnyydyQKFU9gGZfnw6OzvVcCZYo90vvdW1gfGRiFqeTvAYEy9-sp71PPjEurAHRrelORJA8_XLws-6Rrwfu_Zv6TISLgo2C-_S1W/s400/CITYSCAPE+849.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095248189812300370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEili-pEKT3jERCv0osegRKW7R_Tv0YMUB_FCvs5den9-gkTALKMCVGaaFW4MDbkyXog-OveCsTW6Ql06zartmnoPYIcnyENalATBZRHVOZsu4-9GoBzDHVGvEiRnKXDNnSwfHiQ/s400/CITYSCAPE+850.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />There is a street wayang in the evening. Temples do that during the 7th Lunar month.<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095248198402234978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwflnCKC9rFUyztneWAg3v8bz260gj2Rm5evc7vNwUVNS5uEZqoKrEzBbu59Lm1Mnte9WZd1F0pxkVULayzsycaK1Cwd7sNLr73R9Q22anXfz7Upk20Th_xUWGgm1ydgZjOnHj/s400/CITYSCAPE+852.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> 'Space-ships' in the day time.</div>
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5095379843444824722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EYApSdQypuqp4-2lUZaVaoU-IF6agJSyFuq14On_odsizV4dE8w4cWZNaW6-l5Zg-EH1Qx9GCV_m_uOBDzQZ46ePZDt7TuOhlZ3RWmja2hd33UtQZIPL08FwLfUUj8napgxk/s400/singaporemap600.gif" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> <br />
Our route is marked in red, from east to north-west, then back.<br />
Before we retired home, we rewarded ourselves with a ice-cold <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cendol">Chendol</a>. Yum!michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-9812439961070553732007-07-16T11:08:00.001-07:002008-12-09T11:14:15.337-08:00Penang HillThese pixs were taken on my trip to Penang Hill with the Bucky Group. For the narrative of what we did up on The Hill, click <a href="http://jupilier.blogspot.com/2007/07/bucky-group-4-local-global-and-universe.html">here</a>. Otherwise, just enjoy the pixs and leave your comments, if you have any.<br />.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6IhROnRf1JI3O1A_xsMwPGabUcg0sjg0rYvaYxOW0CIfqn0ZgYqy9arvMuBHXjvBiRjVWpex0hCZ5OyueK0ssE94z4bPs0KV885uuBn1BZF3IWmODxU6UKyh87f-pccUe9xE/s1600-h/IMG_4449.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087859889400569186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6IhROnRf1JI3O1A_xsMwPGabUcg0sjg0rYvaYxOW0CIfqn0ZgYqy9arvMuBHXjvBiRjVWpex0hCZ5OyueK0ssE94z4bPs0KV885uuBn1BZF3IWmODxU6UKyh87f-pccUe9xE/s400/IMG_4449.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuVWdkmACxQSfz3lUU6Tk_EP-B8IptMyGn4zfAWwKkzBFTepTI2-81bXpeGu8DNPaU3G7x58pO1Hu6pV6Bo1cK-KTjMtDg1gbQA_iA4cTJffGHGzO2l639lECCpifuxexr_9w/s1600-h/IMG_4451.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087859897990503794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicuVWdkmACxQSfz3lUU6Tk_EP-B8IptMyGn4zfAWwKkzBFTepTI2-81bXpeGu8DNPaU3G7x58pO1Hu6pV6Bo1cK-KTjMtDg1gbQA_iA4cTJffGHGzO2l639lECCpifuxexr_9w/s400/IMG_4451.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJy6RhgADdrmtwttj2xReqhA88Zb506en5FnV38Gyw9zATdKKAFb2LfxbMINjoRxM3Q9oz92lTl-Kus2qdfjf7wRY7vFffXRoip07MOiAH15Y_Jn6IZPHWMm0AFCbFsfW8yUGj/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087859902285471106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJy6RhgADdrmtwttj2xReqhA88Zb506en5FnV38Gyw9zATdKKAFb2LfxbMINjoRxM3Q9oz92lTl-Kus2qdfjf7wRY7vFffXRoip07MOiAH15Y_Jn6IZPHWMm0AFCbFsfW8yUGj/s400/CITYSCAPE+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIU2kajs0OhQgUfOxgedQ0x1Am8c7mLKx4ygyzX_WuE8YFbW46eGW8xE-lcGDNrQB2Q-A6_My3b16rPUQhGUjzMtSIkuFIcptUnCywW3Z6OYbdWAoM96tqQh1cKlW1VOIke7Pv/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087859906580438418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIU2kajs0OhQgUfOxgedQ0x1Am8c7mLKx4ygyzX_WuE8YFbW46eGW8xE-lcGDNrQB2Q-A6_My3b16rPUQhGUjzMtSIkuFIcptUnCywW3Z6OYbdWAoM96tqQh1cKlW1VOIke7Pv/s400/CITYSCAPE+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGUhrALJxZxSUzL4EIzTti6ygVR2pIiuKxEWWqsg3xzMe8npQ18P403QnJ2RqB4hn0IdIxQpS0A8SpZLUtVcfuzRUtvwZzCBswO8cqT7DP5S0A2lNoXcDFjb4vDzpZqGESeWr/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087859915170373026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGUhrALJxZxSUzL4EIzTti6ygVR2pIiuKxEWWqsg3xzMe8npQ18P403QnJ2RqB4hn0IdIxQpS0A8SpZLUtVcfuzRUtvwZzCBswO8cqT7DP5S0A2lNoXcDFjb4vDzpZqGESeWr/s400/CITYSCAPE+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087862895877676466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dSIOkbIqOgUe-ZmXkklnRONK-dg_pZZVdhWAm3_s_7c8xsTxkysziX-AxYjX1FQnWDHE9p1exisrWKKgTDpOEdkqxMn6pJ1NInlr0SQzet5FJBbkq9ucoCqIO8mR63C0StU-/s400/CITYSCAPE+020.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087862900172643778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wekYf1WwujkQVjxVkNrmk0p0BBKmezlNUSrbwUCLXdq5FH2uRme6WLG_jffLRsNX5lLCA8GuNCByLNRtxzCKgxs4BfhMgui0m2SHmm9qnl1ib3MDBJPSibyJ9WH0T3JwkfiM/s400/CITYSCAPE+018.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087862913057545682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqBEUZVhug7W-2RNv9I1jVy9S9u91DIT_KAwYVfXwhYXbz7QCSnUN1RIpPMKqjj66ExW3IDP3-EubG8lje-VuK4gGe-7GTPBK9B1_K5OO6xelMPNPbxk6Pmsa28XjzzmjQh32J/s400/CITYSCAPE+024.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087862917352512994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNPrxA_C6Nk-TTNrFryIrFyHsqwDB1IzIPm9DbCHzFHuEpibEnmRFnRRJZEri_5K7fxSXwaWcttGReSNq9L_f8Oo3yMln4DGB7M9_RxoqlOk7AevGm7-QVWBUQ5lTZxDbnogG/s400/CITYSCAPE+027.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087862925942447602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLFK2WpqAQigsAEGwtUcZQx2XOmNYVV5NYwCoDmcpbe9DDo7O2oxEOZMvbaX2_eAU3IvRUklfe_OKEjcUQGr1miE-EqqdZitM9FZl3AZvjZu0NoPeAOL0XhxjfMv8KujC8Er3/s400/CITYSCAPE+032.jpg" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087864931692174850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCI9vWP-N_j9WhvfSn9EyVwX5UVoNoZosCPI5_mLkgeY9fdQkky49hGunrvMnS_HTWjAvWM-GBx3J4N90ACylLIvnEu47_0dNniHq7I8rqyY1Ld-Q8_uuH2XNZR0pqYqZRa-k0/s400/CITYSCAPE+050.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087864948872044082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-j3EPyMYyQSirqkNpelqcgc9HJ7UlxfnLKqzf0GokxL0BpxeEQmRXnPYllHxmnUArmGMO7whC1buUFuqn81oxUU2xRO-6NiWbM511e9_Qwdtos1Nekd38QJ0WBF8vnx7AIVY/s400/CITYSCAPE+003.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087864953167011394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxngHVvpg2MCkk4tJXgP9gYYbXMO3DGkODjFDzRAHi3zoMPW3xUVfuqjm8G0j3TTeI6YrqfQCq0vC906_QEU77AhqKfN60paXGJwxt9dK9B3qxJjeu6HfK-djkmIYWr6JgTQgn/s400/CITYSCAPE+022.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087866920262032978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrTJjKQPHBrpcLphutRoe4Qyx-VrEFcju1aEtLAdhAko3Gip2s_9uimJ_rp2Lwmb_W3VTE0IppbrVNM34W8tyfQ4XQ0t226xs2xmHGLiJCVxbWa-1VhXH2wOctD9hG9Qs1MD3m/s400/CITYSCAPE+023.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087866928851967586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFsW9Ehi4uPm4SGQ4wRsX1HSI3XauMoo5UBDBShNvKHddMT_K1i5uL5XwTVlmNfv9LGxVGYiswLiOqb72PDGgoMvywwZJ51EVXFo_UW88M48yi3zz3ZylyMUZxNE0aMhMPsvy/s400/CITYSCAPE+024.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087866933146934898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1cHqbfzm8GFXtxVTTt883Uq07sDQrkBxs48nrsX0vKtCSxYBtW2Ao5cLQLKAjBKmqNXZPO17MKIGFbXVXOTcbNFZ_j_44HWjd1mCef0iuvKZE9NE_B4_iGIwJvAYjEhvfn9d/s400/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087866941736869506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPofen_mIPsRRukvsl5BID81CJbzoW5Ity7Gl9dBsLnMC42y1FOqnPC2QpMUtfbtGGGYGsHSg0PrOHLCfLzCUt7ldCRNOaCQMUcIFNAE91nb_tKhpg9PVji8wrlWBmTZPovun8/s400/CITYSCAPE+034.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087866950326804114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01XH0lv-ixjcJSFUE6o9VGQvANbRj_YQ-bvQc3lD1Gn8Pl1sgyT-xlnXKkynb6li4tj_CT12QHn6d4oTyCB3q5WJ6R1KLT6DWbQuokjpt1BTs3NM7Ti8jGjBz1yGAdEdtIgwh/s400/CITYSCAPE+049.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087868900241956514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjSB4avDMn9TJ8X2sksW789Geq60M3iY2p05PvT6dDJfPdgVEa5k2Ba-U1_u_-9nwGyHBxJNhmqteUAk2eLk6gwkBhabdveKKyr0vnQXieUgUrvxL_yafghDuAhr-n4j0FRQW4/s400/CITYSCAPE+041.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087868904536923826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYFSHQO5b5XByqQ3T_5ZBg4EuBuWFfc7LcQYL9OewnIZGmODu-UQ_w_5TxJJi0Cmu0gmWD_BM2Lnh3BBGYtpY895c2hE2Bzk56WonkXLEnXeeYRYQ5AdJh-REL0aN96_outhM/s400/CITYSCAPE+045.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087868913126858434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyO-L6KMjtU2lZAEsWBucnuVvbaKh9R43mInrdAs_wXudA266JMjmkBnn3bBhYp8WF6lyiv4X2cT0UvbKzkuaXaNqNYOmbLrOb5hqGWA6gWM18KUjAhrNz9uwEjBX4TFfa9Xg/s400/CITYSCAPE+046.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087868917421825746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5wno7WgkeIaCS7ref0J_0O3a2KNjZ1loIuW-gyNpeJ7_xlWK1-IL3SjfHXSKV3n_RwjXZoofHdeyAFj2s4gL7KDAoIK8ef1OnVunx2uNIrKWO0n3hD-P1kPkrMSDTLB5RDiM/s400/CITYSCAPE+048.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087868926011760354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb5vuxX3cwyZuirq3GEZdp_gfAIkRVTk0l5Dj0GTVE0sPeCRPgcUC6J5tTTNCbwvMf4cQ2PuIHLbMw8hgkcQAMwgFf3aH8S78KommC3QnaLu95i1vl_dYtQDfBhHT4mVD5RybQ/s400/CITYSCAPE+067.jpg" border="0" />michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-70682087905082978252007-06-20T21:02:00.001-07:002011-10-19T23:14:48.312-07:00Park Connectors in Singapore<div align="justify">
The <a href="http://www.nparks.gov.sg/">National Park Board </a>has done a great job in beautifying Singapore. It is the brainchild of the former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew in 1968. At that time, it was to build a <a href="http://www.unescap.org/DRPAD/VC/conference/ex_sg_14_gcm.htm">Garden City</a>. Trees and shrubs were planted along roads. There is even an annual Tree Planting Day since. Then land was allocated to build parks.</div>
<div align="justify">
.</div>
<div align="justify">
Fast forward to year 2007, Singapore now wants to move from a "Garden City" to "City in a Garden". Thus, the National Park Board has now constructed 'park connectors' linking park-to-park. Isn't it wonderful?!</div>
<div align="justify">
.<br />
I have decided to test out some of those park trails to see how they measure up. So I did, cycling from Changi-Pasir Ris-Bedok Reservoir-Siglap-East Coast-Kallang-Esplanade-Old Parliament-Clarke Quay-River Valley-Kim Seng and back. About 50kms.</div>
<div align="center">
.</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhay3jidzpsBW5aJGQUSrFUhZ50qKy9TYcNk5HZ8OmDfRfJUJ8_LbYS0VtGmIY1Q0zx324ydm_VnxSfLgQu96hdL0DzhGU1WoKG0gdR4HQl4GnNGwU9M2HbASOVXfLSPHmBDnmo/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+005.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078389391755862178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhay3jidzpsBW5aJGQUSrFUhZ50qKy9TYcNk5HZ8OmDfRfJUJ8_LbYS0VtGmIY1Q0zx324ydm_VnxSfLgQu96hdL0DzhGU1WoKG0gdR4HQl4GnNGwU9M2HbASOVXfLSPHmBDnmo/s400/CITYSCAPE+005.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>Pasir Ris Beach - where the trail starts</div>
<div align="center">
.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_8f6A4RCmASAicHIeDyQtAgD5zdVEBw8MdxejRFbofgN56B_8LlPDmGP41_O6YravjJ0Pt37bv7djOCJkK0e71CgZukyhkq2xhw0Mfke8euRveen89obqI5hbvZU5XGCfMLD/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+008.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078389426115600562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_8f6A4RCmASAicHIeDyQtAgD5zdVEBw8MdxejRFbofgN56B_8LlPDmGP41_O6YravjJ0Pt37bv7djOCJkK0e71CgZukyhkq2xhw0Mfke8euRveen89obqI5hbvZU5XGCfMLD/s400/CITYSCAPE+008.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> Pasir Ris Park</div>
<div align="center">
This is all on land reclaimed in the 80s.</div>
<div align="center">
.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6CLcjS8yCJZJmJviwZhiwzHoWYf_k_KPfxqfdBuK5fax6es5O0jlshJm79cbT8cbRWvyB1Jno1KdED_6WLaFOHB9ZIZl_uSVNoU7Oh-8SzQLY6VtZtFFD7c_z9gYFXfadc9I/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+028.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078388094675738754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6CLcjS8yCJZJmJviwZhiwzHoWYf_k_KPfxqfdBuK5fax6es5O0jlshJm79cbT8cbRWvyB1Jno1KdED_6WLaFOHB9ZIZl_uSVNoU7Oh-8SzQLY6VtZtFFD7c_z9gYFXfadc9I/s400/CITYSCAPE+028.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> Pasir Ris Park</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcUnUqbC_y9N-vPB9NQ_CBcqWge45qlV6r9avSeIs0IYYlxuQSbNI5Q8sLZQhQtVa6JWp4wdkEnvQGVzWMuevYrfF-kCTqa1YNewB3MqdT2tI73CArfIaNaR_K-L4IovvYJFf/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078383468995960818" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcUnUqbC_y9N-vPB9NQ_CBcqWge45qlV6r9avSeIs0IYYlxuQSbNI5Q8sLZQhQtVa6JWp4wdkEnvQGVzWMuevYrfF-kCTqa1YNewB3MqdT2tI73CArfIaNaR_K-L4IovvYJFf/s400/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>From Pasir Ris Park, we are led by paths like these by the canals to the housing estate. </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwad0KnsD9iA1nz1eAUEJQ4gSXVBZ9QtoJl7JNy7lAeIFIACTFaET_r2WVPNVnhvcRRiCEbW9uZTavWYqlnB6ri0SAPnNMNbhF51NC7D-3dC7wLj3FD7gza3iKijOkv3qac1ij/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+031.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078383477585895426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwad0KnsD9iA1nz1eAUEJQ4gSXVBZ9QtoJl7JNy7lAeIFIACTFaET_r2WVPNVnhvcRRiCEbW9uZTavWYqlnB6ri0SAPnNMNbhF51NC7D-3dC7wLj3FD7gza3iKijOkv3qac1ij/s400/CITYSCAPE+031.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> These are government Housing Development Board (HDB) apartment blocks. 85% of Singaporeans live in HDB apartments.</div>
<div align="center">
The HDB has come a long way towards building more attractive looking apartment blocks since its early days in the 60s.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh210N_WvpVgbq2eNRV05ha5bBpLDToCda6EY15FcImkZvlNV41R3Qfo48uZDnex7tkVR305KsqKKkAfzEA8tOf0zsRKshJ6owpgwkT5p9tVGvPBvj3yrUNqf-Mj-nQ2SBTFMXQ/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+032.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078383490470797330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh210N_WvpVgbq2eNRV05ha5bBpLDToCda6EY15FcImkZvlNV41R3Qfo48uZDnex7tkVR305KsqKKkAfzEA8tOf0zsRKshJ6owpgwkT5p9tVGvPBvj3yrUNqf-Mj-nQ2SBTFMXQ/s400/CITYSCAPE+032.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1_LrvnBuGJF1xeSTb5HmOwAwkCn0G1dAyfWTbuDgTShJS7q0f7t_LV27Kj6nIBroaS5sCLgweo71XKRy5S4B0BVp7F0H6SAQaRFtU9yR2w8rWR7jrrlBYkuVGHvlqC58niin/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+035.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078383494765764642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1_LrvnBuGJF1xeSTb5HmOwAwkCn0G1dAyfWTbuDgTShJS7q0f7t_LV27Kj6nIBroaS5sCLgweo71XKRy5S4B0BVp7F0H6SAQaRFtU9yR2w8rWR7jrrlBYkuVGHvlqC58niin/s400/CITYSCAPE+035.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> </a>Actually cycling is forbidden on many of these bridges, but generally, people do. :)<br />
<div align="center">
I don't see why it should be forbidden if the cyclist is gentle.</div>
<div align="center">
That's the great thing about cycling, we don't get traffic tickets! Well not yet anyway!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiP-XjyHlmGzIaFQiOTsrJq7oFwAXnDh_feaRbpiI2iKdc5yQI0a5ROKF6QmwdS1RfKtrH2r9ui7Uulw-XNJ2fvyIyq59kSgt6rcJ6SYcUtm0ks1gfLDcoMdy9G09Ddgs7lSbS/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+037.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078383516240601138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiP-XjyHlmGzIaFQiOTsrJq7oFwAXnDh_feaRbpiI2iKdc5yQI0a5ROKF6QmwdS1RfKtrH2r9ui7Uulw-XNJ2fvyIyq59kSgt6rcJ6SYcUtm0ks1gfLDcoMdy9G09Ddgs7lSbS/s400/CITYSCAPE+037.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>This bridge brings me over and across to the other side of the expressway. </div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X014PZr4FFCPmZorMAb9t6_7Smd-2IoLjMfI_XENJm2Fo8kVv-b7tuMhbZTBIU0NDjPO-s6EiderXp1JT5t1VxPkoaDLRXB7rsIBlFKDwowQu3__9jf6oO_Bzb_7Pz5ORsB1/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+042.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078381841203355570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X014PZr4FFCPmZorMAb9t6_7Smd-2IoLjMfI_XENJm2Fo8kVv-b7tuMhbZTBIU0NDjPO-s6EiderXp1JT5t1VxPkoaDLRXB7rsIBlFKDwowQu3__9jf6oO_Bzb_7Pz5ORsB1/s400/CITYSCAPE+042.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> </a><br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2X014PZr4FFCPmZorMAb9t6_7Smd-2IoLjMfI_XENJm2Fo8kVv-b7tuMhbZTBIU0NDjPO-s6EiderXp1JT5t1VxPkoaDLRXB7rsIBlFKDwowQu3__9jf6oO_Bzb_7Pz5ORsB1/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+042.jpg"></a>Can be tough going up these ramps. We encounter several of these along the Park Connector trail.<br /></div>
<div align="center">
.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2RRNzplYeRogUY9MDZYzFCcdSAmK4qLAWroY9tNlPfGDyKW7anH__lhvdvgXUQJL0icR6O3R4-QrYO_8Tg3Gu3u5S0Rmk0Ru6uiS7PqyY1UWjUYsGRrATS1I_821k98Ojkd3/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+043.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078381845498322882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2RRNzplYeRogUY9MDZYzFCcdSAmK4qLAWroY9tNlPfGDyKW7anH__lhvdvgXUQJL0icR6O3R4-QrYO_8Tg3Gu3u5S0Rmk0Ru6uiS7PqyY1UWjUYsGRrATS1I_821k98Ojkd3/s400/CITYSCAPE+043.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1QBm8JdZfTZgajPgkjlqbQwKlRi5YttNwFK1RiljOxkeD-MR6R6Q8M7sHjwdXwBP5QZERKTEHLl6QMg1F7gTHRHe30pBxKOCvKpVW1S8Rz999blzM2ogXvFx2EvlwzlRkBIi/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+046.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078381854088257490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1QBm8JdZfTZgajPgkjlqbQwKlRi5YttNwFK1RiljOxkeD-MR6R6Q8M7sHjwdXwBP5QZERKTEHLl6QMg1F7gTHRHe30pBxKOCvKpVW1S8Rz999blzM2ogXvFx2EvlwzlRkBIi/s400/CITYSCAPE+046.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAQyUO_qCudHT1a18etCYZMuz403muPJFPur1ZnLiY9FBkXio4dfIubWqfCOJxB41slbbLetfoBCP1e_uf0W0OBqRFAOVUF4TSVoYHnnxjubi3ngNr10d7Hs58g-BEcxx4rJ2/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+047.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078381858383224802" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAQyUO_qCudHT1a18etCYZMuz403muPJFPur1ZnLiY9FBkXio4dfIubWqfCOJxB41slbbLetfoBCP1e_uf0W0OBqRFAOVUF4TSVoYHnnxjubi3ngNr10d7Hs58g-BEcxx4rJ2/s400/CITYSCAPE+047.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br /></a><br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAQyUO_qCudHT1a18etCYZMuz403muPJFPur1ZnLiY9FBkXio4dfIubWqfCOJxB41slbbLetfoBCP1e_uf0W0OBqRFAOVUF4TSVoYHnnxjubi3ngNr10d7Hs58g-BEcxx4rJ2/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+047.jpg"></a>Mature trees like these are kept during the construction of the estate. People are more conscious about keeping big trees these days.<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6S72jlaDe742H3AzCczRksUPiAQ6QQQKZvuidB8CneOFI0zcJQ9JX6GNte1TbGA-VUJyW9OV5QAKR4fE-m_KEJIJ-MGOrw19EqhnkCpEcMW0sPUIDjigMtbSxaQP9pYWRukb/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+053.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078380041612058466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6S72jlaDe742H3AzCczRksUPiAQ6QQQKZvuidB8CneOFI0zcJQ9JX6GNte1TbGA-VUJyW9OV5QAKR4fE-m_KEJIJ-MGOrw19EqhnkCpEcMW0sPUIDjigMtbSxaQP9pYWRukb/s400/CITYSCAPE+053.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br /></a><br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk6S72jlaDe742H3AzCczRksUPiAQ6QQQKZvuidB8CneOFI0zcJQ9JX6GNte1TbGA-VUJyW9OV5QAKR4fE-m_KEJIJ-MGOrw19EqhnkCpEcMW0sPUIDjigMtbSxaQP9pYWRukb/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+053.jpg"></a>Street artist!<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmjM6Ebu6YOnXtpcDHkvSPacj_2UDuD7Mp8EOOjcR1EaGbB8g8R_fCBZYEWz-GY6YU1osSmiwJi9k_LRFTw4ti28hvT2N01ggpyhe0PpCIloINDIUnbgQO7zis2KD0TjOs4_B/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+048.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078380045907025778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmjM6Ebu6YOnXtpcDHkvSPacj_2UDuD7Mp8EOOjcR1EaGbB8g8R_fCBZYEWz-GY6YU1osSmiwJi9k_LRFTw4ti28hvT2N01ggpyhe0PpCIloINDIUnbgQO7zis2KD0TjOs4_B/s400/CITYSCAPE+048.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4q2EdUKegMEToI0WKc-XRcXJzSsDTOf4Nw95Xqhgf4CitG_OOEMxqILzdno0-qeDPUwCoTvjVVDTeByHsPZ1s9LHjhJ8r487Q2A7uP8FUqs56Z4E-csC2WkX4RBibJCH0iXnA/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+049.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078380050201993090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4q2EdUKegMEToI0WKc-XRcXJzSsDTOf4Nw95Xqhgf4CitG_OOEMxqILzdno0-qeDPUwCoTvjVVDTeByHsPZ1s9LHjhJ8r487Q2A7uP8FUqs56Z4E-csC2WkX4RBibJCH0iXnA/s400/CITYSCAPE+049.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> </a><br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4q2EdUKegMEToI0WKc-XRcXJzSsDTOf4Nw95Xqhgf4CitG_OOEMxqILzdno0-qeDPUwCoTvjVVDTeByHsPZ1s9LHjhJ8r487Q2A7uP8FUqs56Z4E-csC2WkX4RBibJCH0iXnA/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+049.jpg"></a> <a href="http://floraweb.nparks.gov.sg/search/viewDetail.action?pgId=2143246012307989&key=8">Dillenia philippinensis</a> (origin: Philippines)</div>
<div align="center">
.</div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078380058791927698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9p2HmJXjRRfUdj1oP3dOgpmK8rd4kHIsO5Fh9AekQavPwKx_sY8MQsPKBlphLrL6qdlBbEYzvyg4uO_kRNcW9zulwEb3R65MRSuYDYA55htg8L8ZHheN_QIaxYcg0Qr64VsSH/s400/CITYSCAPE+050.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br />
<br />
<div align="center">
Many of the paths are along canals and below MRT train lines.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
In land scarce Singapore, every square foot counts! :)</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078384001571905602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwn8j3FlXz4tWr-zMTjGwWol18hKg3ddjLPfsPkVGBTNfkXbR9l82xYVR9wSCE3LXo-0hMLBD5uo4esauO5Qv2xNpZ9bD_3XywFhbCY6y39AWQHpJYoBS2msTZe00fK_G_UvF/s400/CITYSCAPE+027.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />Sign posting along the trail is quite good generally, but somehow, I got lost and ended up in a tapering and narrowing path.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078384327989420114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3sPEueedmxyzcQpApPxC6mN4TeTNzFtUXtB_6yCFdX5_W1jDMWNb6NqrMxFSXYwkkCYFfelNG4Yk_t4q_yIBM21CH7yiLw92ZggBNy7TlWjjr5K5r8P6cCmiGHlfj7dVQDId/s400/CITYSCAPE+028.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />Then I ended up outside a small farm! :)</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078380033022123858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKO82jQF68G9Xv0tdXRenweKfNflV60Hp8pQZM3SN-fE4hgF5Bq2KzmGp4EFrlN-nZv47yZNsjf2_AVVSkgWIBpG-OytPgAPBqscUpcfkVT8eQTrKJEBSB9vgMFnOh_wVZ7XY/s400/CITYSCAPE+001.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> Ok, we got out of it and now back on track. Well, not quite, as we choose to go off track to cycle within the HDB quarters where the trails are quieter and prettier.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXop3lyJsjDdiJUB8Z0rU1KAPKFxTBy77PrjucPmxIxpZWEE2D_g5dkHLDnT-sHFvIPTmbsXRB0K9apC7GyvMEeZTXgLEkjIR4KLRDqXoSVL2k4uXDaQROoSO5kmojbpieNCmn/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+004.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078378495423831810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXop3lyJsjDdiJUB8Z0rU1KAPKFxTBy77PrjucPmxIxpZWEE2D_g5dkHLDnT-sHFvIPTmbsXRB0K9apC7GyvMEeZTXgLEkjIR4KLRDqXoSVL2k4uXDaQROoSO5kmojbpieNCmn/s400/CITYSCAPE+004.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> Now getting out of the HDB area.<br />
.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzjrmzCO2bNwVRGR-m8jY756i8pLCwWvyIq2twSx-6PQkN2K-wIHjJyF2Dh4xbDisC__ePxvS7oG0l6VmyHcjSb5L_2tEZ_D8G-0ly7ArkQI9QIJAbL2XDtNZNZAE5QnGv9ZG/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+006.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078378499718799122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzjrmzCO2bNwVRGR-m8jY756i8pLCwWvyIq2twSx-6PQkN2K-wIHjJyF2Dh4xbDisC__ePxvS7oG0l6VmyHcjSb5L_2tEZ_D8G-0ly7ArkQI9QIJAbL2XDtNZNZAE5QnGv9ZG/s400/CITYSCAPE+006.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> This is Bedok Reservoir. It stores some of the water we need, so that we don't have to rely totally on Malaysia for our supplies. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
If you look carefully, you will see that we are storing something else in the distance. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
Let's zoom in...</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078393781212438738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQCQRegAtcrIIDpgzgUqH7GtqSgG6uRaURkVkPnwBlEvy9-t33FcTyhDR4_s2gGVkiWvwQvXjsWHLK3qTm8q6JEQU4SoEq3Ffu0CoGyok_GlPFacjRQr7v0wjvPsYsw_GaMSN/s400/sand+mountain.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> Here on the opposite bank, we also hoard sand.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
This is a sand mountain. Let's zoom in further to appreciate how big it is...</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" height="144" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078395159896940786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFgmY5ccPCW4KKBC59a9mN6AKu92ES0C6diY9Q0GxjJwfJICPAgqscHLcLpzakk1iTcfGkPtIdP26KHDffERCChiHga-b7rCG0iNFG2Zg82rep5PWtyAe9-ZCnUX6ShrGN9dn/s400/sand+mountain2.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 258px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 408px;" width="346" /> See the scale, it is even higher than the trees.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
This reminds me of the former PM of UK, Margaret Thatcher hoarding coal before the miners strike. As it turned out our sand mountain comes in handy when the Indonesians decided not to sell us any more sand.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
You have to worry about everything when you live in a small country that have no natural resources but 4 million mouths to feed! sigh!</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlKX24RdE9OrIumF5dz5HQTuBqF53U6faBWGc1SeLurVNwyjJBVcu5MVFAtRiylXoo-QY-f191NUg5d20z5dWzPQC2XpxRJqHM1eSCYudRtBLpXQyOoJxYG6Z4p9fx1EYZBaJ/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+007.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078378504013766434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlKX24RdE9OrIumF5dz5HQTuBqF53U6faBWGc1SeLurVNwyjJBVcu5MVFAtRiylXoo-QY-f191NUg5d20z5dWzPQC2XpxRJqHM1eSCYudRtBLpXQyOoJxYG6Z4p9fx1EYZBaJ/s400/CITYSCAPE+007.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br /></a><br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxlKX24RdE9OrIumF5dz5HQTuBqF53U6faBWGc1SeLurVNwyjJBVcu5MVFAtRiylXoo-QY-f191NUg5d20z5dWzPQC2XpxRJqHM1eSCYudRtBLpXQyOoJxYG6Z4p9fx1EYZBaJ/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+007.jpg"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
This is Temasek Polytechnic, built along the banks of Bedok Reservoir.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglb_6cjeh94uZGmfy3aV-qOtLPNfOskZMKR3oopaV8xsKAVY4e-xK30iUTaarGz8BUPp2AFiiOXztisOOy4QoxdvLbciQRFr1SOKkGdHld-AkFAgZYMNYXqD9aJIs5aLErAu6/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+008.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078378512603701042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglb_6cjeh94uZGmfy3aV-qOtLPNfOskZMKR3oopaV8xsKAVY4e-xK30iUTaarGz8BUPp2AFiiOXztisOOy4QoxdvLbciQRFr1SOKkGdHld-AkFAgZYMNYXqD9aJIs5aLErAu6/s400/CITYSCAPE+008.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> This beautiful and serene setting of the water front is only 'skin deep' as it is built on top of a huge ugly canal underneath! </div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
As land in scarce here, we got to be innovative!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMfPqSRJoENFKJwNULuiFCGkZ_sHt3SKnnf3YnS-fkJWzf3mfVuZrCaieP4Ry2iOAQ-UdRvEE8AeCEFa48Y8RNeRTQaye5RtuHNrGdOWXf78n7M4pGGIaUOTGSsKTEjavIvsc/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+010.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078378516898668354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMfPqSRJoENFKJwNULuiFCGkZ_sHt3SKnnf3YnS-fkJWzf3mfVuZrCaieP4Ry2iOAQ-UdRvEE8AeCEFa48Y8RNeRTQaye5RtuHNrGdOWXf78n7M4pGGIaUOTGSsKTEjavIvsc/s400/CITYSCAPE+010.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> We stopped by for a drink in the Polytechnic. </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
We are to bring back our cups to collection points. Here it is... they are so organised... separating the dishes used for different foods. I can understand the separation for Chinese and Muslim food, but why Western food?</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5N53wQf5pmBEJ7JgeU4DcPYepQhRei9HXYTLrhvSOuR2JYFLXg8JJNhFbU1XwM2eGa0d7YYRGgugt3CduHLZRMcW_584Js_-HkEB9LDCr7LyAmYJpm24BkO2R0pZGeTFwn7y/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+014.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078376910580899506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5N53wQf5pmBEJ7JgeU4DcPYepQhRei9HXYTLrhvSOuR2JYFLXg8JJNhFbU1XwM2eGa0d7YYRGgugt3CduHLZRMcW_584Js_-HkEB9LDCr7LyAmYJpm24BkO2R0pZGeTFwn7y/s400/CITYSCAPE+014.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>Along the way, we stopped by a pebbled path for foot reflexology. For those of you who don't know, it is supposed to be healthy for you if you walk on its pointed ends. Try not to scream as it can be very painful!!!! </div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0thO1jEgLLbVpWzYlZMEaQ8YAECdqEt0mgXoMQd3ugJwPKbYEiGVfIXW8xeHcAyToqAqJiDC8JBSrRI6Oq-3ep7MRVNGJX4NSAQLmhwh7xVJnJYkCAoJSFULaNsMinkPdP9s/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+015.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078376940645670594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0thO1jEgLLbVpWzYlZMEaQ8YAECdqEt0mgXoMQd3ugJwPKbYEiGVfIXW8xeHcAyToqAqJiDC8JBSrRI6Oq-3ep7MRVNGJX4NSAQLmhwh7xVJnJYkCAoJSFULaNsMinkPdP9s/s400/CITYSCAPE+015.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br /><br /></a><br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0thO1jEgLLbVpWzYlZMEaQ8YAECdqEt0mgXoMQd3ugJwPKbYEiGVfIXW8xeHcAyToqAqJiDC8JBSrRI6Oq-3ep7MRVNGJX4NSAQLmhwh7xVJnJYkCAoJSFULaNsMinkPdP9s/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+015.jpg"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
Ha! You can add this one to your "Fine City panel" collection.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjpIVtV6gu5BuGhOu1U5X7CQ_8KjJeqGG_NQRx5Cahh_4qwlxbXV68gHB0HrLPeIFnTZa-wHFv3qhG3nWS1W5Aw7GQ-6c_QcaZTMyICiiR6BHCLdgkdKaFhsjXIOFDIXAE9nA/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+017.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078376944940637906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjpIVtV6gu5BuGhOu1U5X7CQ_8KjJeqGG_NQRx5Cahh_4qwlxbXV68gHB0HrLPeIFnTZa-wHFv3qhG3nWS1W5Aw7GQ-6c_QcaZTMyICiiR6BHCLdgkdKaFhsjXIOFDIXAE9nA/s400/CITYSCAPE+017.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> This canal separates the public housing (HDB flats) from the lower density housing on the left, as the latter wants a little privacy for the hefty price they have paid for their private houses. :)</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_Z0ooiPRskPAo6tEmgXPU9HEJFO1NBjbygeNzPCeSbi7BU7uYfbMxooMMucCS-UB_WL_5gwlF9X6RNnipaFK56U0m2tIXkSNjek-n4Y_Zq9DncD5r02k1_tOI19Hm-2RFZzO/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+019.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078376953530572514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_Z0ooiPRskPAo6tEmgXPU9HEJFO1NBjbygeNzPCeSbi7BU7uYfbMxooMMucCS-UB_WL_5gwlF9X6RNnipaFK56U0m2tIXkSNjek-n4Y_Zq9DncD5r02k1_tOI19Hm-2RFZzO/s400/CITYSCAPE+019.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnavqw9bekqYhRZFSy5U0oTTCmG2q-tIJpiayePwJaQcTe7e2QPVuuA7c9LrZmpDiQi17Xm7UDwfI74y5PFJHA1hzJRtk-08YL7l5QyYW-SHkrsnZMVGZ0uN-qXPSTf0ItJ5Xr/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+020.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078376957825539826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnavqw9bekqYhRZFSy5U0oTTCmG2q-tIJpiayePwJaQcTe7e2QPVuuA7c9LrZmpDiQi17Xm7UDwfI74y5PFJHA1hzJRtk-08YL7l5QyYW-SHkrsnZMVGZ0uN-qXPSTf0ItJ5Xr/s400/CITYSCAPE+020.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> </a><br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnavqw9bekqYhRZFSy5U0oTTCmG2q-tIJpiayePwJaQcTe7e2QPVuuA7c9LrZmpDiQi17Xm7UDwfI74y5PFJHA1hzJRtk-08YL7l5QyYW-SHkrsnZMVGZ0uN-qXPSTf0ItJ5Xr/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+020.jpg"></a>This is St Patrick's School - a historical building.<br /></div>
<div align="center">
<u>From Wikipedia</u> :<br />The school was founded in 1933, originally as a temporary branch school of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph" title="Saint Joseph's Institution">Saint Joseph's Institution</a>, another Catholic boys school in Singapore, and was built on land acquired by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_the_Brothers_of_the_Christian_Schools" title="Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools">La Salle Brothers</a> in 1898. The land was originally meant to be a resort bungalow for the brothers. But Brother Steven Buckley saw the growth in the eastern side of the island and petitioned the La Salle Brothers to build a school on this piece of land. The main school building was completed in 1932, and Saint Patrick's School became a school in its own right in 1933.<br />In the war years, this school was used by the British as a hospital and by the Japanese as an administrative building. It was officially returned to the Brothers in 1946... <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Patrick">more </a>.</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nVaNiUnvfLqA4opuyuxajCr35JwEwPrCa7Eq9PqrAxmjHwdUjU2mNyAzjIGHtZcxk3aPVzwfnoB8mYKR3xjFpXnDH0ceaTo0eKXnCVNY0rp5LO-qmc0pKScTtTk_C4wftdzV/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+021.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078374380845162082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nVaNiUnvfLqA4opuyuxajCr35JwEwPrCa7Eq9PqrAxmjHwdUjU2mNyAzjIGHtZcxk3aPVzwfnoB8mYKR3xjFpXnDH0ceaTo0eKXnCVNY0rp5LO-qmc0pKScTtTk_C4wftdzV/s400/CITYSCAPE+021.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> One of our bikes needed new brakes and bearings.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VQOsP1rDI1YV_oqq_CkNNmC0wKn1QfAoIi0EqBwhVKAtZRkhK5ib8SgJxSij78wRr45-wwyn5Gy4nell8_55ybCDusUdI_ODghR3_LsAm73MECImj735Bp_0C1xd9BlErvSS/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+022.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078374398025031282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VQOsP1rDI1YV_oqq_CkNNmC0wKn1QfAoIi0EqBwhVKAtZRkhK5ib8SgJxSij78wRr45-wwyn5Gy4nell8_55ybCDusUdI_ODghR3_LsAm73MECImj735Bp_0C1xd9BlErvSS/s400/CITYSCAPE+022.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> We hit the beach again! East Coast Beach.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdgVJuyqfq-Yf-yQ_6sCHxAzBH7mGPREPh0KtHaV2F4H8EoCly9cGQFIa8YWN_4c3CdXydWVOZPgM_DSH-zb0aGZiWRRJdo28XxqvSkPSO-dTZLmqAdfB51kSNYNXibxKcLee/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+024.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078374402319998594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdgVJuyqfq-Yf-yQ_6sCHxAzBH7mGPREPh0KtHaV2F4H8EoCly9cGQFIa8YWN_4c3CdXydWVOZPgM_DSH-zb0aGZiWRRJdo28XxqvSkPSO-dTZLmqAdfB51kSNYNXibxKcLee/s400/CITYSCAPE+024.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32eW5jdBY-SvRRRraBGhsnmMxxvpvNDNl04swzxAijfEkOlswemE_P_nt1L6e61HEISvCWU6wTS7E3vgpHMAf-EPzDBF-4gPA1_7V3x8oIwmB-zZwA_ajTPLDH3pc93dPiiCx/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+025.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078374410909933202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32eW5jdBY-SvRRRraBGhsnmMxxvpvNDNl04swzxAijfEkOlswemE_P_nt1L6e61HEISvCWU6wTS7E3vgpHMAf-EPzDBF-4gPA1_7V3x8oIwmB-zZwA_ajTPLDH3pc93dPiiCx/s400/CITYSCAPE+025.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> </a><br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32eW5jdBY-SvRRRraBGhsnmMxxvpvNDNl04swzxAijfEkOlswemE_P_nt1L6e61HEISvCWU6wTS7E3vgpHMAf-EPzDBF-4gPA1_7V3x8oIwmB-zZwA_ajTPLDH3pc93dPiiCx/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+025.jpg"></a>From East Coast, we move on to Tanjong Rhu-Kallang Basin.<br /></div>
<div align="center">
.</div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078374415204900514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiao6y2ApzzyZ1Q5EK70wG0FSCVqde7VYL5boZanVphR25NexqB9O1NV9scCBj7VmZsvxOaOG9tBSidUu00Z8rSxUIZclwdOoZ_TL1FvNTMvNXqDwjA1GYmUYVyxlW6vA1HG4wS/s400/CITYSCAPE+027.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> <br />
<div align="center">
This is the majestic <a href="http://www.sis.gov.sg/gen_overview.htm">Singapore Indoor Stadium </a>designed by the famous architect Kenzo Tange and opened in 1989. </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNxtQgoBhkKezMs44YZzs__f4ySLF-tQhD1KWY2FA5zm67s5WpVVbGdcDzi3KKU3GWEImQVh8fpIeEZLbbiEL-ROKO-NPlbmR6nwDJ2fWqnVb5MVzCe6zleCSXCM2uCadh2gP/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+028.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078372160347069970" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNxtQgoBhkKezMs44YZzs__f4ySLF-tQhD1KWY2FA5zm67s5WpVVbGdcDzi3KKU3GWEImQVh8fpIeEZLbbiEL-ROKO-NPlbmR6nwDJ2fWqnVb5MVzCe6zleCSXCM2uCadh2gP/s400/CITYSCAPE+028.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbuoRKE8i3-ZBv01rpJuFCZsWAtVHAK59ZD-WxXIVxgLPemJYhRD6JmNCiR-Fk_XRVR5YpoaDlOZW4F3PGCXljNjKGBWSPErYV11idjdmGT_Jh6tkePLQZEI9UEFb3UtI-Qhz/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078372164642037282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbuoRKE8i3-ZBv01rpJuFCZsWAtVHAK59ZD-WxXIVxgLPemJYhRD6JmNCiR-Fk_XRVR5YpoaDlOZW4F3PGCXljNjKGBWSPErYV11idjdmGT_Jh6tkePLQZEI9UEFb3UtI-Qhz/s400/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> This is "Oasis", a cluster of entertainment joints built on piers on the waters.</div>
<div align="center">
Hehe, they used to have a couple of naughty nightclubs there. At one time, fights were frequent here among drunkards.</div>
<div align="center">
They looked pretty, especially at night (see pixs later).</div>
<div align="center">
I hope they won't demolish them as they are part of the current Sports Hub re-development in the area.</div>
<div align="center">
Do they demolish icons like these? :)</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0AQeWwrsA9fTmWx0Gw0NsYQMZCpcvygXAPD82ikdks4lNLbD1hLztLHbmPyx6o6r5w_TkJwPYBS9bSQZ41Wylej39NKhm8RSuI-uy8wEGN1yPwJf5KY80JMe_v0zxGA9TgAF/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+030.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078372168937004594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0AQeWwrsA9fTmWx0Gw0NsYQMZCpcvygXAPD82ikdks4lNLbD1hLztLHbmPyx6o6r5w_TkJwPYBS9bSQZ41Wylej39NKhm8RSuI-uy8wEGN1yPwJf5KY80JMe_v0zxGA9TgAF/s400/CITYSCAPE+030.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> Yes they do. This is Singapore's National Stadium. It is going to be demolished!!!</div>
<div align="center">
The old National library was demolished, so was the National Theatre!</div>
<div align="center">
So don't name your building with anything starting with "National" if you can help it! :) </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NlHjyL1E6vSgtULTVbCyQir7IxI1Wij_QqIe8cDewixtqIAAr2MSGVSb0cbf80IHf6PXicvP61nQfJDRzVoBjpWO4098j0TKyBOg1isWm7c_JC2_MQyehRS-IOGIAOH-wqHJ/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+032.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078372173231971906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NlHjyL1E6vSgtULTVbCyQir7IxI1Wij_QqIe8cDewixtqIAAr2MSGVSb0cbf80IHf6PXicvP61nQfJDRzVoBjpWO4098j0TKyBOg1isWm7c_JC2_MQyehRS-IOGIAOH-wqHJ/s400/CITYSCAPE+032.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> Now we are along the other side of the water ways. On a bridge along Nicoll Highway.These guys on the waters are practising for their dragon boat race..</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNSrnsrXfgJsnIz51K8rEfzF2wH2xIyLSD8Ma6XbCwLGKAb2ppdiKMa_kCeaSor52QTFl1DmZqerqVRzhMmvPCH5W7ukWM7aUQhbKXCuufHJZG2satOIZM5YOT5eGUyT7Sxrz/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+033.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078372181821906514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNSrnsrXfgJsnIz51K8rEfzF2wH2xIyLSD8Ma6XbCwLGKAb2ppdiKMa_kCeaSor52QTFl1DmZqerqVRzhMmvPCH5W7ukWM7aUQhbKXCuufHJZG2satOIZM5YOT5eGUyT7Sxrz/s400/CITYSCAPE+033.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> </a><br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNSrnsrXfgJsnIz51K8rEfzF2wH2xIyLSD8Ma6XbCwLGKAb2ppdiKMa_kCeaSor52QTFl1DmZqerqVRzhMmvPCH5W7ukWM7aUQhbKXCuufHJZG2satOIZM5YOT5eGUyT7Sxrz/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+033.jpg"></a>The Ferries Wheel in the distance. </div>
<div align="center">
It is Singapore's latest pitch to be a "Cool City" along with F1 racing. </div>
<div align="center">
London did the same in the mid 90s after a gloomy economy in the early 90s.</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppXMHqp-xDl5ClkmE3GOmzP3nKWIhGo9iyTfWwAlHJPx6R5wApPp9Qy3kzhYb0hN2MLjVPVXI-VdjM1CxGPGVrbLQwnmZFAVOmuUc88OOTX9hCyo6eBJVhzNf1G7cQEjuKSTg/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+034.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078370790252502466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppXMHqp-xDl5ClkmE3GOmzP3nKWIhGo9iyTfWwAlHJPx6R5wApPp9Qy3kzhYb0hN2MLjVPVXI-VdjM1CxGPGVrbLQwnmZFAVOmuUc88OOTX9hCyo6eBJVhzNf1G7cQEjuKSTg/s400/CITYSCAPE+034.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> Ok, this part of the trail is not well connected, or not connected yet. </div>
<div align="center">
It is between Tanjong Rhu and Kallang.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuyKyq01lBxizsH95qFWkCkCNmuLKZlTobOmbjxfbjC2PDDN7OwJgvYFxadeHY7Y-HIq8eAo9ybjltkRDeW6LAOkPD4DxsM2QA8zFyrKyrQdaw-NAzvDq4AEGCd2efuIq084s/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+036.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078370798842437074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuyKyq01lBxizsH95qFWkCkCNmuLKZlTobOmbjxfbjC2PDDN7OwJgvYFxadeHY7Y-HIq8eAo9ybjltkRDeW6LAOkPD4DxsM2QA8zFyrKyrQdaw-NAzvDq4AEGCd2efuIq084s/s400/CITYSCAPE+036.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> This is the tallest Bougainvilla tree (tree? normally they are just shrubs!) I have seen. </div>
<div align="center">
It has clinged on to a Casuarina Tree.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NcJ_oqmQdWSxlNYfzcpuwnAHY32nahK9hsKCBHDKe_oKq2JZhX-OV5hskDZqNe-HwfJaQDhFtIyJ_rnSLmDAT0caT719I16CkLZ8DKeVCjghmoYwIqFPA0JkSWbsgvCC5lht/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+038.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078370803137404386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NcJ_oqmQdWSxlNYfzcpuwnAHY32nahK9hsKCBHDKe_oKq2JZhX-OV5hskDZqNe-HwfJaQDhFtIyJ_rnSLmDAT0caT719I16CkLZ8DKeVCjghmoYwIqFPA0JkSWbsgvCC5lht/s400/CITYSCAPE+038.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjew1bv4mu0gwa08neyN8G4rrObRVD73gh8R2_3Cuneija0VazMrNOG7TMvy7Ixk0zwDiEwmpvhTuvqFqSpYuzqS_w7esAPoA1BublLEY9yPfSayd4PAciTZIV4OJwrVkp_Ol6I/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+039.jpg"> </a><br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIrk45k9BP_VA759p6TRug0lCINzmUb6wgM3Rq3wpQSNUVVpLOQVeNglgXdMfsu0YYAD-fqsCTRdkQZlNCRfEsvYLK5b3N-mcU7MU12CWxXZ42Abie2ZCAZLqm5-9W4k4XCAU/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+031.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078370807432371714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIrk45k9BP_VA759p6TRug0lCINzmUb6wgM3Rq3wpQSNUVVpLOQVeNglgXdMfsu0YYAD-fqsCTRdkQZlNCRfEsvYLK5b3N-mcU7MU12CWxXZ42Abie2ZCAZLqm5-9W4k4XCAU/s400/CITYSCAPE+031.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> This is Nicoll Highway. The typewriter-like building you see in the distance is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrAhZ6hdd58">The Golden Mile Shopping Centre</a>. Built in the 80s. It was the first of Singapore buildings that dare to be different. Now, it is a little enclave of Thai shops and places where Thai people hang-out.<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078370803137404402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjew1bv4mu0gwa08neyN8G4rrObRVD73gh8R2_3Cuneija0VazMrNOG7TMvy7Ixk0zwDiEwmpvhTuvqFqSpYuzqS_w7esAPoA1BublLEY9yPfSayd4PAciTZIV4OJwrVkp_Ol6I/s400/CITYSCAPE+039.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />Now out of Kallang, towards the most famous 'durain' in Singapore -</div>
<div align="center">
The Esplanade - Theatres by the Bay<br />.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJu94ClXGfJgh7L6YPIoHQFRKPVpsSP2tY568nzLzV-lqXYfkccYJYo6NOiG-ZRmxCeSBconXYvdUaQMK24VLbWO3mSuAomnXPN-sEWTIdCO_99wS8mkJJqZEfSJ5eeuV1faf/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+040.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078369351438458258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzJu94ClXGfJgh7L6YPIoHQFRKPVpsSP2tY568nzLzV-lqXYfkccYJYo6NOiG-ZRmxCeSBconXYvdUaQMK24VLbWO3mSuAomnXPN-sEWTIdCO_99wS8mkJJqZEfSJ5eeuV1faf/s400/CITYSCAPE+040.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>This surrealistic picture is taken along the Esplanade grounds. The backdrop is a stage built on the river for Singapore's National Day celebrations on 9 Aug 2007. </div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBNF9Jz5_k4-LN-NsJ4kJaEIYAI1Rb0GUCLyS-4If97cf8PqwUFoaY1u-WI6Zyg4wz8okuvtCgiTULshTlpUDd_oDDhwHjaIqzvcsW1zExfaEKLYPwgUP_R0JIVChJcsjvr6q/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+042.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078369355733425570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBNF9Jz5_k4-LN-NsJ4kJaEIYAI1Rb0GUCLyS-4If97cf8PqwUFoaY1u-WI6Zyg4wz8okuvtCgiTULshTlpUDd_oDDhwHjaIqzvcsW1zExfaEKLYPwgUP_R0JIVChJcsjvr6q/s400/CITYSCAPE+042.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> I love this geometry!</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwjRdW0USt6d1FFWIL45lDCA7owvVzFZZRGs-cROYqnUr4LQ1dU4YfP_HtIQRG_0eoAAW0yFVotoA6ZpXTJxnUQLqQXg3HIm6gYZP2IR82YMFfhvmJG_qbJheXDW2HA5Ool5f/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+045.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078369360028392882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYwjRdW0USt6d1FFWIL45lDCA7owvVzFZZRGs-cROYqnUr4LQ1dU4YfP_HtIQRG_0eoAAW0yFVotoA6ZpXTJxnUQLqQXg3HIm6gYZP2IR82YMFfhvmJG_qbJheXDW2HA5Ool5f/s400/CITYSCAPE+045.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> The banking city in the backdrop.</div>
<div align="center">
The exhibition is on this side of the river bank, at the Asian Civilisation Museum.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078369342848523634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFup5OSAud5NOTT476yKfpEBlEbjh_YFur0zgLOkl1eqYJkGAfZ6opsBKj7idARlaIT7ZTDU_doX2t1vezWNfOH6o7eHxrR05d4SZ9MW0DzhQ0QwxLiJGcpwEn0sJbty7xUaNC/s400/icecream+man.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />Time to stop for some ice-cream along Clarke Quay</div>
<div align="center">
.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078369351438458242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjav_HJLSoiwfW7YpeLyxYRA7WDU1w-HvtpitmQLChq4Z3K66gr_5xoKhoZkptk-Z15fRdgVvAtQYy9mimr7gQX2r8DkEBFoRoiCfpA94Blp7MSlcHrRxITZBQMt_RKAO6dHrl/s400/CITYSCAPE+052.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> Indochine Bar</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl76fGUdRc5MW3rGeXmUV6nDsxeZZCj5Snx4g-WfZBF069NiZqkDIh3h0ljCPBUrIrQiBTdzPkquGVSsi1FQ2NEybw3m3osxhGMj-hv-fCI4PWUJIx9cc1pWxO5Z7hnXgr0g6d/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+055.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078366972026576162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl76fGUdRc5MW3rGeXmUV6nDsxeZZCj5Snx4g-WfZBF069NiZqkDIh3h0ljCPBUrIrQiBTdzPkquGVSsi1FQ2NEybw3m3osxhGMj-hv-fCI4PWUJIx9cc1pWxO5Z7hnXgr0g6d/s400/CITYSCAPE+055.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078430086570991874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-7V694ItF2N8lSH7a2_5h8D1HUmauMqo1AogXj5iRF3ho_t6UEYqLR2E1wnSlX2Oz1TwzR-7rdB-yUSZxVi7eDcXdptmObA9G9QdnTL0buJcCK1I1U_u-pr3rjU0o79AtP_wt/s400/CITYSCAPE+054.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> Further up the river, pass Clarke Quay and River Valley, we found some warehouses reminiscent of the old times. A time when banks still had their hands in every business. </div>
<div align="center">
This godown belongs to Bangkok Bank.</div>
<div align="center">
.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078366997796380002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLocQ2urdEk2Kuugb9-clRvArq_KXl-_QHQUiO3xYf1p-YwrZCDiLKaUaFo7Etlv4YC6bpDlFbi2umFZXTeSLIFv9eB19b59drg8D_3OkkYAtkQriKFymnenHcOfUDtpTsHT1i/s400/CITYSCAPE+053.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> Funny why the one one the left is still not rented out after being refurbished for so long.</div>
<div align="center">
Particularly in these days of scarce office space in the central business district!</div>
<div align="center">
.</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH83BwJKOsrexO-AEv6G7Rk26aEZEItRQQejO98KPDQZIvrGsEigQSuxIHudW4TFmG4MZ1saGOBmhyn_1DTLn0bvsm3pHjyBHoL_82fP7B9COze1Y0PGlNwMfk-cKpLJeD8GaX/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+056.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078366976321543474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH83BwJKOsrexO-AEv6G7Rk26aEZEItRQQejO98KPDQZIvrGsEigQSuxIHudW4TFmG4MZ1saGOBmhyn_1DTLn0bvsm3pHjyBHoL_82fP7B9COze1Y0PGlNwMfk-cKpLJeD8GaX/s400/CITYSCAPE+056.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> I thought refurbishment would have even started for the old warehouse!</div>
<div align="center">
.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvMjN4XfuYbnFgcztsv34thZB-LP3QLHdmthPtpJCSnWpysuvGcHGMuu98XPxNE9r8ptt5oCb7SzgVlpymQ_35SqkR7fAwLPP8wqk-qCNhYIHnJ0-rshmN0oZQGwWlIGZZnYJ/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+057.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078366984911478082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvMjN4XfuYbnFgcztsv34thZB-LP3QLHdmthPtpJCSnWpysuvGcHGMuu98XPxNE9r8ptt5oCb7SzgVlpymQ_35SqkR7fAwLPP8wqk-qCNhYIHnJ0-rshmN0oZQGwWlIGZZnYJ/s400/CITYSCAPE+057.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />Anyway, it is a beautiful waterfront property!</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8A3e2XlsIaSAurJm-_GWVDYJ9UDO0ogjT7tVe_Ms_fPBevC1b9QeDvUyqXbMABVXp24mLAkyLM4LB0f_S430u31X2k4B_Ns2GyZ2KH1dHFDNzMFRqD7_J9ME6l-vIi49Txyi/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+058.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078366993501412690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8A3e2XlsIaSAurJm-_GWVDYJ9UDO0ogjT7tVe_Ms_fPBevC1b9QeDvUyqXbMABVXp24mLAkyLM4LB0f_S430u31X2k4B_Ns2GyZ2KH1dHFDNzMFRqD7_J9ME6l-vIi49Txyi/s400/CITYSCAPE+058.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> This temporary bridge looks out of place in this posh river front area. Looks like a mining town shack. This is the furthest point we reach up the river. The cycling path also ends here. </div>
<div align="center">
So, time to turn back.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SahlYF-OOdicqh3PFrA5D64EwKaRtGnbpxKt9SL4X83rUS4RTYlzgvCPTnV7QuC7kwScGSKABguPeD1e43j80xp9lvEKoOSoybDPwbmr5ttCC9nMeNBnMToAhoElB9_vcsxA/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+061.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078364888967437570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SahlYF-OOdicqh3PFrA5D64EwKaRtGnbpxKt9SL4X83rUS4RTYlzgvCPTnV7QuC7kwScGSKABguPeD1e43j80xp9lvEKoOSoybDPwbmr5ttCC9nMeNBnMToAhoElB9_vcsxA/s400/CITYSCAPE+061.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> Boat Quay - along Singapore River.</div>
<div align="center">
About where the bicycle is in the pix, labourers and coolies used to sit around in circles after a hard day's work, to listen to story tellers. I think the stories were told in Teochew.</div>
<div align="center">
For the time each joss stick burned out, everyone has to pay a few cents to the story teller. </div>
<div align="center">
Now, the row of former godowns are occupied by fashionable pubs, cafes and restaurants. </div>
<div align="center">
Instead of coolies, we have executives and yuppies! </div>
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079606426573758770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxoGjNLkSVSk7HrmaddQA-jj35_93nlqS8CfuibrKx7c9qRSQqKcEbMziFcqBGUx1nRacoq0IyV-EHnwQ5Am4s1JGMBCOn54AJb3JWnsgK-9U2Rld2duBcGbSAKs0vtUONNy4/s400/DSC01940.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br />
<div align="center">
By the backlanes of Boat Quay on the way to have some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teh_tarik">Teh Halia </a>and Lassi. Thirsty!</div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6t1Ilv7iCpnDIR63q4zIQmEO4guPa9F31jqkCutI9oUxkNd3zPYfS6ZIRFDvziOOV-q2izPE12ftcrZRfe4lk0x7d9EXPDM3WX92UmV4yGkn5MdLI8u1Z8HShqGrcrP2bU4e/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+059.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078364893262404882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6t1Ilv7iCpnDIR63q4zIQmEO4guPa9F31jqkCutI9oUxkNd3zPYfS6ZIRFDvziOOV-q2izPE12ftcrZRfe4lk0x7d9EXPDM3WX92UmV4yGkn5MdLI8u1Z8HShqGrcrP2bU4e/s400/CITYSCAPE+059.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a> This is outside one of the 5-star hotel along the river.</div>
<div align="center">
.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078364884672470258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibxtdv5rd-Ty4ZdU9W7Qya8lTgE5pc7Vw9dyi3D_uWaOoqUPBDwFLgUyUrTufUzecb9fXQSpcXsQ_DGWMzG_y1Cx40vyB8RrzhpfSTFnn5Xurw6Q8T1oT3HrVU57vUtTGGLCT/s400/CITYSCAPE+068.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />Soon it is sunset - at Fullerton Hotel.</div>
<div align="center">
.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078364884672470242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Pn_xhoMaIksxbASEUcwlozQQeFX0QIefCSw5c8xcDPCuNGS6mC_TTXZNS6S7D64NaU_Lrm3JvkPMkACl9SeVhtYFb_y2tNF3jbkbuwKNMZrZliCPGLlvtqAwK438ca1QMaQF/s400/CITYSCAPE+070.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />The props are now lighted at the Esplanade.</div>
<div align="center">
.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078391496289837250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaf-SJTUDXoFmMUqwClJLnVMiAHpGvH7rRNy1dKv95H6u7pR8dyLkVED2xV9hWb-7Pqp41gdNVMthFb_oinFf3NXEYeohMYmP6iDgTlkqD-yvfjbHHpiLSEDYgJv5VPZHxIwY/s400/CITYSCAPE+016.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" />Zoomed-in from the Esplanade.</div>
<div align="center">
Looks like a typical tourist shot! :)</div>
<div align="center">
.<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078364880377502930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXE_yZ5U0WnaFmgGtZuMVsmfztdqcbaIVLov275ba_i8Jtn1a547erg5-MRrkxzRlx8-kK0Lmx7a1hsVutK8DSBZbw11v987TMrFUOHq1uVAftlA0FF4t5T9f1SThYxAhT40Mq/s400/CITYSCAPE+073.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /> The Oasis at night! Lovely.</div>
<br />
<div align="justify">
By now, we are tired, sweaty and thirsty.</div>
<br />
<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5079614093090382146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTCifzKuI79tnvahdM2_evlAAahOHtX9z1ic50bCZhFfuPavZoAiiH5mFMgR2wZgLDDr8bd2JDmh1_Tbgb9rVq4FomLSw_SFusHHBjqxwCzc57sqm413-yNaqHhesI-p41pXw/s400/singapore+map.bmp" style="cursor: hand; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /><br />
<div align="justify">
We have been on the road for about 10 hours now, and still have about 12 kms before we reach home. From here we headed back to East Coast, Bedok and finally Changi. We had a wonderful day! See the black line in the map - that's the route we took.</div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="color: #333399;"></span></div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-19214842318922396472007-05-15T22:40:00.000-07:002008-12-09T11:14:35.346-08:00Pulau UbinPulau Ubin is this sleepy tiny island about 5km by 1km tucked in the North-East corner of Singapore in the Straits of Johor. See <u><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?um=1&tab=wl&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLJ,GGLJ:2006-41,GGLJ:en&q=pulau+ubin">Map</a>.</u><br /><u>.</u><br />There had been pressures to develop the island and connect it with the mainland with a bridge and the mass rapid transit, but so far, they have not succeeded. Ubin remains this kampung (village) right into year 2007. Whilst on the island, it felt like I am back into my childhood days. Time had stood still.<br />.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWr4VR0SFGZm_-hu2dhoa6p_rcORd0p_icJpAmDt3VIvpSWCumeXdFRQIzzlZX1vwstwmsEVZfQR2dHhQgPK8-XBzxx4wPiI1k31l2jlTetfOK9hpW7tTgWPJVO4BZu8pe8xvk/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065048796466173202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWr4VR0SFGZm_-hu2dhoa6p_rcORd0p_icJpAmDt3VIvpSWCumeXdFRQIzzlZX1vwstwmsEVZfQR2dHhQgPK8-XBzxx4wPiI1k31l2jlTetfOK9hpW7tTgWPJVO4BZu8pe8xvk/s400/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div align="center">We started at the Changi Ferry Terminal, where even bumboats reverse park (something uniquely Singaporean). :)<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065042444209542386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuCACtYiCuV9wCcJ9j5gSugcT6b6GMukE-7WrXQ9Q0XweoJFOUW1iBq9SkKk6jqYxll76tjTGIlmK9ohELdtFqjWuyul4HHdSg19Bnvo5vVmyy0eyLywlyi4NFb5oT2y1p8Vl/s400/DSC01519.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">This is just about the most modern looking part of the island.</div><div align="center">The old jetty was a lot narrower and wobbly.</div>.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065051545245242658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pzh6eP6878-u0KM9IjG4m93z39s3eYgmg_xri_9WTkO6Akj9Uv7BIlQt2oDiyFo8Ud5SGZQxffAkES-NDRogJ6qPGHqpqLV7EnePnMFY2eGPnlaZckaB5Oyj3TQRgJMySU6p/s400/CITYSCAPE+004.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="justify">The old house stood the same...</div><div align="justify">You find similar stilt houses in the region in Malaysia and the Riao Archipelago which Singapore is part of geographically. Difference is that there are no debri underneath these ones. So even kampungs are clean in Singapore.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">Hmm... don't know if the government is going to like me saying that we are part of the Riao...</div><div align="justify">... can be sensitive stuff considering that as recent as in the 60s, the late ex-President Sukarno of Indonesia was claiming souverignty over Malaysia and Singapore!</div><div align="justify">.</div><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065051588194915682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-J0vAgAp3Aoot1hKJYUVqSUleGaTVStrRlaMn3SKH5RFXFKknjiZ2doe-jkMUa5NBzasL659OvyPSO-sM5cHCve5DLp9fd3da1WCsRbj4ZwyU0bPBLBZ_YZYaIciTXHZbUXr/s400/CITYSCAPE+013.jpg" border="0" />Taoist shrines like these are common place across the island.<br />.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065042427029673170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldL5e8icraYzBmzFWtuyWRdh9826iAzA3eOwxjLzqOfajMVjcCIprE-vXbj1CtqyXJLEUMxV3erdPU9WIdebTk6DzGpzK9-Nqmtr65-RMRIgjLUmFUIH29a3k0h4GbZmyImaY/s400/DSC01536.JPG" border="0" /> This is the useful vehicle that brought me around the island.</div><div align="center">.</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065051549540209970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7W_G6cakaJlhsm4qA4kdlcdxXzwen9UOLFJTMNv0yqKKAXW_JzUGkHYteMXI-EQj293nf6Obc_dKWCuohqFepzs9wMXmTmmlOoWoPfaIaFGGdioqxF6t0gof0KZWGQllhDwHs/s400/CITYSCAPE+006.jpg" border="0" />Old kampung charm</div><div align="center">.</div><div align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065051566720079170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTuhSJyKzXjaN9ww5EIC-iGw5PAQrGzHSGeDWiMacNY230_hqyGxPTZGEd6TOZoIgbXJcSNfVVtx7BnF_ozffu_eynqTWy0-1wEOig_nNauz3BQ2B3QAKWeSwvu-_aRwEOxmG_/s400/CITYSCAPE+007.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065051575310013778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7RSSwLcPwJuMxBlLppE7Mc03LV-yrLOWGJLFgUVNlny5v_B49qDYq8qSgnCx17jb4MRJjbpi94vMHX5dWqIKWA5mvddehyphenhyphenEH1G0NeMgbNKcfVhW79yHNJiPincgepJ9dBRTO/s400/CITYSCAPE+008.jpg" border="0" /><em>"This is the German girl shrine holds the remains of a German girl who died in 1914 when she accidentally fell off a steep cliff whilst running away from the British who had come to take over the plantation. It is said that her body was discovered the next day, covered in ants and buried at the beach where she was found. The villagers kept seeing her ghost so her remains were moved to a nearby Chinese shrine and kept in an urn. The remains were eventually looted, but the urn remains. It is not known how her shrine became popular with gamblers, among others", from <a href="http://www.wildsingapore.com/ubin/places/temple.htm">http://www.wildsingapore.com/ubin/places/temple.htm</a>.</em></div><div align="left">.</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065053645484250498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-jLk5HlqjYo1IhU0aLwtDGhYpmfFtiM-fmqQhA2TWhv1vc4zsouXSVuhN00cFDgbBoW_cocmBbGD1T7KHH8E5blS9IX_-urmruIlb6c3K2-hzRwRnqrcJvP0uNssSs1k9qT5/s400/CITYSCAPE+021.jpg" border="0" />It is amazing how this German girl who was born a Roman Catholic and died a Roman Catholic could become a local legend with a following of Chinese devotees. A newspaper report says devotees also come from Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.<br />.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065055981946459586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-EwFZFNdK3n-FroEJHsftajMWCGgyp8rBUlhMVWpOdxQ5fw-xfcM_GY7fNDFnkduwsFlxSMyTRR8X5SnSrQuIx24goiciftwK-xseijstNeGywyTwu1pnmOc0Efm6G_vUQi3/s400/CITYSCAPE+022.jpg" border="0" />Place for buring incense paper.</div><div align="center">.</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065053641189283186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-WFE7oPgi8-O32iv92gv-u0A9F2o52_wVH8boBx10A2tt-5IsvWiQfNa7nMoF6XY41kfQ71scy-Ed1G9s7cZgBXbYLWhhgMfSHbMW2CmZfB2-F1-6LhnPVs45bDMDZwmbB4lU/s400/CITYSCAPE+014.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065053658369152402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-zhk_Nu2uSHdCaxfSeuEkX9PC9FVsJeSedKk_H9lqnLm9lBZe92jwl1kEA0lAimRGDVSZAxRQ8GPL01wTGJWXUOCpWGrfSrK6I4u4nsfFugyOHXg3Cbv11mjE5OJBrjF3DN6/s400/CITYSCAPE+015.jpg" border="0" /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065053666959087026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASmKMyaZ5QU80qta2osnsdWunz1kbu3NqSc1CezmegAZvoMZXcQ74mMSQLY0clruJLiy-WsYXBuJWZfPt-s3Sro80vnY8C-T0NNbbGTgHBdBrbUqNrhqST25moUwmprv9YbTc/s400/CITYSCAPE+020.jpg" border="0" />Offerings to the German girl spirit.</div><div align="center">Cosmetics, drinks, flowers...etc</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065053662664119714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Gcrf7PD6oGKWjGE0qyTaRRxfhUbkukkqv_98toshEhFsp6Ta5olafKjALXZzQyndK-fGxbCCYPWpNAVxtFblK2OGUx6S8TB6ZWOKI0nHNtR3NkDZVdFxxR7nOKZ4G4rAyO1n/s400/CITYSCAPE+018.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065055986241426898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOdfr0cos0KTZgl2HLSGZMjvuaaHYoMJWxShgv62EkZbUUXgiGpJWUo_QPT4TBFGCq9jAiEPsQf2Dkx-BklZD9o5O-0lrmbEnheWs47JFN8aDmcw3CIOJDg0Ll_WC0fT5OEwy/s400/CITYSCAPE+030.jpg" border="0" />"OH YEH, OH YEH</div><div align="center">Y U SO LIKE THAT</div><div align="center">BUY A DRINK LAH"</div><div align="center">So we stopped for some coconut water.</div><div align="center">.</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065044879455999234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSBjSAT3G9t4wGzA2bVc2pLAry7TRwewjwT82bLZ2e-_TSoW1YZCjSWDn8edOLKYa-c2uaUZ3mBTorP5h4V02ZLv4mLACvRkrIonHcBJCyKoAlmzKM1LaaDFTgm67giu6wIWZ/s400/DSC01540.JPG" border="0" /> This place is lived in by an amazing 77 year old man who grows herbs and sells them to in the mainland.</div><div align="center">.</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065055994831361506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXa8yYpoJ44EZNQDGA_JcDqsE9Lie8lBpqKpMxXjbPNSSUbcJRluH4xB2tFG0IKNLWOWGWx97Y3GAJZUH-X0GtBmTROq1E1XHCQRocNDI6YpbpG81IUf9JESxHL3Biw_eKNGt/s400/CITYSCAPE+032.jpg" border="0" />Amazingly strong man for his age.</div><div align="center">He is showing us the herb he just pulled from the ground.</div><div align="center">.</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065056007716263410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xP8P9JAtG2qsFTdiclPaFn0MFhnx4SgnxHPHthKC_uylxY2UldU_FsRIaFYBz3gl8Y5coIXU5rZLb1GebGF_3v4hQ3m0k3m5nCaqU0ZXpfaQxVcXp19BZ__cOcY6bqFUXt7u/s400/CITYSCAPE+034.jpg" border="0" />He harvests the roots, dry them and sell them to medicine shops.</div><div align="center">It is said to cure kidney problems and cancer.</div><div align="center">He claimed to have helped many without costing them a hole in the pocket.</div><div align="center">.</div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065056020601165314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1DvfZQncUbnKWfqthRvx7UO5Jjr1IlVPWhRscEiB7Fikf9xzWVJCCCujZwYxT9H0Fqs_U23PuvwyRNfxT3cgy29EwdqiIOKWJjXsDfo-yxT_t7Dzt9KOP0MOVcEjT5eHP475z/s400/CITYSCAPE+038.jpg" border="0" /> A Taiwanese customer who has been cured by the herb wants him to set up a farm in Taiwan.</div><div align="center">.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKJmNc4tfPs5iuaF5jtCF0tV1YcHUZZxbqnoA_6nwnXVjOQFpRwOHSq7GOuwWRILCe17eq93fYSUA97aqYdt7xMiyZxKMGBvyqpZuATvc2VakHH_gNI8LEesETpqay_aAwnwR/s1600-h/DSC01546.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065042418439738562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKJmNc4tfPs5iuaF5jtCF0tV1YcHUZZxbqnoA_6nwnXVjOQFpRwOHSq7GOuwWRILCe17eq93fYSUA97aqYdt7xMiyZxKMGBvyqpZuATvc2VakHH_gNI8LEesETpqay_aAwnwR/s400/DSC01546.JPG" border="0" /></a> This naughty cat is fishing.</div><div align="center">.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065042405554836658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifepRlb1y5vd7J8hsnFxhs7tcCPRW_IOsy04YpTVcHIOiMtHE_IBwp7q_Q_TD700QdknPIA6QwCRqbW4rH4qOb1rHFY6F84uQlIyg224AiRkv6-ErPcqncglUCgasyAyhyNz6f/s400/DSC01547.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065057738588083730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMpCrj-SANz4TEarhk-xnqFjwtN9zqyP0PHIDtC49OVATg3zBe18_IJUo4GDCT6B4qNEq7KCMTepmIAkWsUqELUdIndfKZzfcVP4o307H2v1iLuNXN2PqHW3vX2wfw0KiBLQ7/s400/CITYSCAPE+044.jpg" border="0" />This is the village centre.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065057751472985634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5Gi1rqd0vtu2t6lD7G7mRZLAaLURUcmr8n6hMfVXhai_LRPAwvh9_002Iie4Yl2kaZV8bbQEKpXS4i8llVXCkkC9NpHqnsG8y0IypVci4DPS_fE6NH1KA75G1Ey0ELAgX8vE/s400/CITYSCAPE+045.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065057764357887538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK_76wq1PHR_XqBiBmEYfxd5zAWGFzFaXsnGG0QnLew-Kw62YZlFjeHkAwWwwrmWN8rQ2bNWglGXcPiVxRJB9bWQPKviHvkCy1Vo3YiZBuO3dY2rMmputeJwzXOuUfz8yy3UnT/s400/CITYSCAPE+049.jpg" border="0" /> The Tua Pek Kong temple.</div><div align="center">This deity is Guang Gong, a famous general from the era of the </div><div align="center">Three Kingdoms in China (190-263 BC)</div><div align="center">.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vsj0pgT2WB4-2fDFOpqN6AHTWHWuPBAM72CDA4Fjzs3rFyB03F27qdYmy8cN_P1vxOaOzGt9K2OiWl4wZ_OqE_fxG0VXGWznAKMYhDcCdhZLhIUjM1JdOiv1oBCthgi14Pmq/s1600-h/DSC01527.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065042435619607778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vsj0pgT2WB4-2fDFOpqN6AHTWHWuPBAM72CDA4Fjzs3rFyB03F27qdYmy8cN_P1vxOaOzGt9K2OiWl4wZ_OqE_fxG0VXGWznAKMYhDcCdhZLhIUjM1JdOiv1oBCthgi14Pmq/s400/DSC01527.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxXoTuIxrDzsL7rk60l456wN22XqFnGq7ptS3hhtXHChRw52QfV4z0U1v9NfakZJEJfC2sqX88AAiTNBA-xHMzgQyafKU5r0K3HixhGHCYBwqWVDtDpf1Wt5huhVv8XR0azaB/s1600-h/DSC01565.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065040313905763490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxXoTuIxrDzsL7rk60l456wN22XqFnGq7ptS3hhtXHChRw52QfV4z0U1v9NfakZJEJfC2sqX88AAiTNBA-xHMzgQyafKU5r0K3HixhGHCYBwqWVDtDpf1Wt5huhVv8XR0azaB/s400/DSC01565.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyynvDYRAMCZm3yv19jvGmRU431mqm3ZyT3hHiwLv7OG3VKOtm5D7SiIVRhcC1XRtch1-M66PjQAYs3gKmqy8rO6OwzeZkfFogkellFKcaZZI4VQxFiDPtkAwTeNn_cVXvl_4/s1600-h/DSC01569.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5065039343243154578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyynvDYRAMCZm3yv19jvGmRU431mqm3ZyT3hHiwLv7OG3VKOtm5D7SiIVRhcC1XRtch1-M66PjQAYs3gKmqy8rO6OwzeZkfFogkellFKcaZZI4VQxFiDPtkAwTeNn_cVXvl_4/s400/DSC01569.JPG" border="0" /></a> Going home... back in Changi<br /><br /><div></div></div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-67634773980983545062007-05-08T22:11:00.000-07:002008-12-09T11:14:47.370-08:00Haw Par VillaThis place is a piece of Singapore history. A villa built by two brothers, Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par who became self-made millionaires (probably billionaires in today's money) from the Tiger Balm empire stretching from South East Asia and eventually the world. This villa was built for the amusement and education of the local people.<br />.<br />Almost every Singaporean I know who grew up in the 50s and 60s era has a photograph taken at the Haw Par Villa arch entrance. It was a place not to be missed.<br />.<br />However, by the 80s, the place got too expensive to keep and was leased out to an American operator who attempted to Disneylandised the place. Fun rides were put in and human mascots with dress forms more compatible in Disneyland than the Aw's earlier Chinese kitsch and naivete, were introduced. Naturally, it all failed to flow with the spirit of the Villa. The attempt to add sizzle to the Villa failed miserably. Gate takings soared in the beginning, but quickly fizzled away when word got round that the refurbishment of the Villa into an amusement park lack lustre. The Villa was eventually closed for a time.<br />.<br />Recently, I noticed that it has opened again, so I make my way there for a day's outing back in time!<br />.<br />This post is quite a handful. Many pixs to illlustrate both the beauty and the naive generation of Singapore art related in simplistic high moral ground.<br />.<br /><strong>[<u>Warning: </u>Beware of the gory details in some of the pixs. You may like to skip some pixs or the entire post if you are faint hearted!!! :) ]</strong><br />.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062592659155955618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPUDIL7di-Mld_qBLRZgECm2QMDAj5F2oKB0pK5u7ZFiPUycrPprhzu0OYVawsvCbaAmuLPSok6KVjNTayGWMEyTDATzRUfzEt0jr9FDFkLpMOJC3vzc4bFbdQinoOLBkUbzh/s400/CITYSCAPE+059.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>This is the ticket booth set up in the 90s by the American operator changing about $16 per person! It was outrageous, considering that the Aw brothers built the place so that everybody could enjoy it for free!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062592646271053714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtI-PjXRUck-oK_FI6-O0IZoFJCTFgvj-H8Qcv0wQrTup2aux-5tK9IfZNDhVmxKqKr4GWSaGzIw1h1pZy99zvhTKkTk_6tM_jf70carndIpHRTcrKCwJ1J3urh2x26MeHHgo/s400/CITYSCAPE+060.jpg" border="0" />This Herculean character riding on a mythical beast is likely to be a creation from the 'American era'. The original figurines, as you will attest to later, do not use tame colours like these. Neither do they have any muscular looking male characters.</p><p>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8CraGgte4zgqz1QmsRE3h-vHxySrfQtSYaymE6hJkHdbSKDgR0oLZ9ZwMAq5_XtUAUIw_36LETuuPv-H_msPv5JWS_SLjIr-Id2SIYaZRTOTTqJOkQcqif-cF5Ciql2e801l/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062445663900249970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfeu9nW3GgWI6iQePJytcPgIul_PjySAV_9zKxAIz1cF_dmw3yMfyqMFfSxIPX_YsyWkToaet7zH-3MVSe8XWa93bU5vX_zzNfTpnXJAsPZ1J7sUbZS44M8o4m361hic_k7_Bn/s400/CITYSCAPE+064.jpg" border="0" /></a>AWesome Haw (tiger).</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062445693965021058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2z6HnZEvsF5DYamAOEkiz47_bDV-zExgm-aeOar3jkyLQae5Y9uSVxbuCwvHC2kwzyO3iPwNkBeFCyn_l2fx_d6qt_lQSk4A2Mnn9GGmPjrOu7w4rt21igdJsQA4tEPDFQfD/s400/CITYSCAPE+063.jpg" border="0" /></p><p></p><p>Boon Haw (Gentle Tiger) and Boon Par (Gentle Leopard). Awsome names that match the prowess of two skilful and benevolent brothers. </p><p>.</p><p>What would we call our kids these days to make billionaires?</p><p>Toh Gates and Ma Kan Buffet? :)</p><p>.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062434076078485154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEV5j2_kxGGeNj-wHfbS8jYy3vizHVqChHS6icBFTn6WomUH7jKUuRjVdyRoPL4m8D-ur0Z4VJeI994AQZ0KLiLm2YqEAiHAa8-hEs5zThraC2aOrPMQ-YX4k0w5vOferPa5Js/s400/DSC01478.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062445655310315362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRxkvOXjLH6CcOSPAWReqoYoCFUNrrdm6UKkytsgQl-RMb57qI7Mrf9KsaCBsZ4cwgkzCdqqI9ElAtPmHFAHFtsFLwkQMkDlTg1vf5IwEKHkGqZQmgD9bkmhfurvbB9wI1gdO/s400/CITYSCAPE+066.jpg" border="0" />This is the famous archway entrance where most Singaporeans have had their photograph taken against.</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062887581675270674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8CraGgte4zgqz1QmsRE3h-vHxySrfQtSYaymE6hJkHdbSKDgR0oLZ9ZwMAq5_XtUAUIw_36LETuuPv-H_msPv5JWS_SLjIr-Id2SIYaZRTOTTqJOkQcqif-cF5Ciql2e801l/s400/CITYSCAPE+003.jpg" border="0" />The memorial of Aw Boon Par.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062445642425413458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NED6IcCTH4eueFJ9dIK5QNgcAOW4drYLP2FOEvG1RhTXHQ0ZFdYoqttR3O3ivEEPzZF6N9lmVaFXdyIT8uIA_afmSbCYeoTXB31uh1kcUi7bgXY8bWyqA-GDs-NrlL_3dLL3/s400/CITYSCAPE+067.jpg" border="0" />This is a miniature size of a typical taoist temple. There used to be many such temples in rural Singapore. You can still find a few of such temples in Pulau Ubin. (see our coming post on Pulau Ubin)</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062445633835478850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcz5crxkKwiCFlcYnKgAon4GaUis4UBE_Ix9EhQkCs7iRuZu9WYD4REdF7Zh2xHDAABaW8LZwJqEpQ7D5z1tpuANDdgr_JbBNt23m5nUvAXkR4n8GB1r4_xLDTDznRZVRb28p/s400/CITYSCAPE+068.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062441995998179122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOI0YjIpeTlTPxaYJj_lHe5SEvyXqp6KahaWxLThUQ8caSgH5kTVWz7FgeQGhn_zYU6HeJDut9BjhcE-jqPdfTfwHirV3E03FjjFrwkQxPfQsIgHG272uOyB6KzisVVRZU9ju/s400/CITYSCAPE+069.jpg" border="0" />This is the famous laughing Buddha. Some say it is the most photographed one in the world.</p><p>.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062441154184589074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPhIwUi9hMgZVEds2DBBSYotGf2s5tREN1-YYGmT1LW8U3whubtpS9T0zLVwYTSK-VBnpgoOgN-gxie_5m2yMltmHRD1_VTq1hC2jX1Hozl3fOYHtd5LwJy9IL2L5oJ-R0gUd/s400/CITYSCAPE+070.jpg" border="0" /> While the first statue of Buddha was a tiny one to remind us of his tranquility and peace. Subsequent statues all get larger and larger. Definitely larger than life!</p><p>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEz_iYiXt1Bbvfk2rNkiNMYkUqcwYD5iQUz7b5eC5z8G8qw_dwtmWobPQtRRe5wHh_kmqqeTw4JKNUZr1gx2I3IFDer5GQIMyAvnneJ_Gn9ArJr7gzVlisK4-nXobvbo5c0GMt/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062887590265205282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEz_iYiXt1Bbvfk2rNkiNMYkUqcwYD5iQUz7b5eC5z8G8qw_dwtmWobPQtRRe5wHh_kmqqeTw4JKNUZr1gx2I3IFDer5GQIMyAvnneJ_Gn9ArJr7gzVlisK4-nXobvbo5c0GMt/s400/CITYSCAPE+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />You will see later that there are full of these moral stories depicted by various figurines in this park. This one probably tells the story of a woman who was forced into prostitution because of her husband gambling debts.</p><p>.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECrE2h1p_8u2S-IOxgA3V6BHhFYInRE9anVK8pDnx_FHdBiYxyJ98ldV6WNWakdj2rEG5hrELQalynHoTPgga_gi3dKB1R3mw6Q7QP90eMC5xnc0tEnWsuVXuROcrynzQyVCn/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062887594560172594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECrE2h1p_8u2S-IOxgA3V6BHhFYInRE9anVK8pDnx_FHdBiYxyJ98ldV6WNWakdj2rEG5hrELQalynHoTPgga_gi3dKB1R3mw6Q7QP90eMC5xnc0tEnWsuVXuROcrynzQyVCn/s400/CITYSCAPE+008.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the monkey magistrate with monkey assistants in the Monkey World. Still happens in many countries, sadly.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2FGqpceLyNs-Sh6ay3QJHl9zeDYFlwxV5D0ENy5ibS6TfzJSr2OZ9dJRIXLwIIvZU2_4wAD85BVe8JVC96knPN57NVVaHUGPfzICaJkfJ0gPdgVAwNJXLNNeQcJfJynt_iUY/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062886069846782402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2FGqpceLyNs-Sh6ay3QJHl9zeDYFlwxV5D0ENy5ibS6TfzJSr2OZ9dJRIXLwIIvZU2_4wAD85BVe8JVC96knPN57NVVaHUGPfzICaJkfJ0gPdgVAwNJXLNNeQcJfJynt_iUY/s400/CITYSCAPE+001.jpg" border="0" /></a> I think this is a Balinese import. Could be imported during the 'American era'.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C6tvoLVEk6sJJiDR5_Z2JSAfin2IF3uB1blaGFaZ0rjiCsQYlI7R_8X72zsVHn9svmaSarhBPPZ5eFJ5VRrpH53qlouTyaK7DY3Wc2p8T5Jek0sSLHWQxy_9I9TbJKtcmREH/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062886074141749714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8C6tvoLVEk6sJJiDR5_Z2JSAfin2IF3uB1blaGFaZ0rjiCsQYlI7R_8X72zsVHn9svmaSarhBPPZ5eFJ5VRrpH53qlouTyaK7DY3Wc2p8T5Jek0sSLHWQxy_9I9TbJKtcmREH/s400/CITYSCAPE+001.jpg" border="0" /></a> Don't you love the kitsch?!!!</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062592667745890226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgql0dsvTqNo0JpEtzqJ0-JEzs2T_5pJP5UAZ4AVXq40TLmo_Rpe6NB3OFK4_GcISGTnV15nfVNCKeprx0c3KIFVMyRqfeOV45CxpS6UKhkTfDqzTlKjgl3HQZdmML2ABXmb2TT/s400/CITYSCAPE+055.jpg" border="0" /> There are a few figurines that are out of place but not included during the 'American era'. </p><p>This is one of them. It is said that the Aw brothers wanted to include some of these foreign figurines in the Villa because many Singaporeans could not afford to travel overseas and this was a good way for them to enjoy the presence of some foreign icons.</p><p>.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIeaPoEpBiWuZAHwbIJ7VBQOIQRPYznbDjdXjKAH83tq1A7XCt5ov2TCgv7tM0jMlriN2uLLwOa9fGgU78_5-ZMbGsJ3iNV_vZGv1wB7yIGw3HxHbcE1cdHbqDZc5czgk_Z6i/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062886082731684322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIeaPoEpBiWuZAHwbIJ7VBQOIQRPYznbDjdXjKAH83tq1A7XCt5ov2TCgv7tM0jMlriN2uLLwOa9fGgU78_5-ZMbGsJ3iNV_vZGv1wB7yIGw3HxHbcE1cdHbqDZc5czgk_Z6i/s400/CITYSCAPE+007.jpg" border="0" /></a> Drumming up attention...</p><p>(Upper right corner)</p><p>Great formula passed down from the ancestors</p><p>(Upper centre) Szechuan Province Nan-kan Town House of Wide Healing</p><p>(Upper left corner) </p><p>guaranteed to cure a hundred diseases<br />(Text)</p><p>A dead person was seen when (the ancestor) went to to look for herbs in the mountains<br />Even the Heavens got to know that (the ancestor) was determined to heal all the people in the world<br />And hence a wonderful formula that could help bring people back to health was found<br />However if one cannot be cured even after one asks (to the doctors and the Gods) it is fate.<br />Three generations (of our family) have walked around the world<br />And made ourselves famous by spreading the good formula to the people<br />If the formula does not work<br />We promiss to return double the amount that was paid (for the formula)</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062887598855139906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57u25eNCM8Wueinm5h50wCddjxPI33SdHCkdMdXFQKlbOVb22GkdBnPMzE3JUhHEpH9plSTYPsEqXkIyGFM2ecJ0GKwCUiRZonPvrtJEWW_njPvDMjZVqZpM7U887xNwpfhfJ/s400/CITYSCAPE+011.jpg" border="0" />"In our womanly form, they will not suspect we are spider spirits..."</p><p>What a timeless saying. Applies those days as it applies now! Well metaphorically that is! :)</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLaOrskye13O6Srxwa90d5Ea1DUf2joK_dtmNnu6EPsG8NCiBuy_XI4pCkGh1Qe2zVyGQWjfhImPHyqmQl9QbbcQncOHmmo7DCCMBYEx1U-Gq62Sv0jdY4lJ8mQ2CVjEPGeHP/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062886087026651634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLaOrskye13O6Srxwa90d5Ea1DUf2joK_dtmNnu6EPsG8NCiBuy_XI4pCkGh1Qe2zVyGQWjfhImPHyqmQl9QbbcQncOHmmo7DCCMBYEx1U-Gq62Sv0jdY4lJ8mQ2CVjEPGeHP/s400/CITYSCAPE+010.jpg" border="0" /></a> Indeed, some things never change.</p><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH8fi7hDKnKh3DdwORxJZl_wuG8ud8MxLcuCRvN_xbYLHeo8k_C2G-mLxmApdNpIp5RSo60cRuBorJ6NPrUrD5S47GILd7jkzE7KVBNiPYhxa6ByDKJiHZAJY0hgE-V64kPDs/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062886091321618946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCH8fi7hDKnKh3DdwORxJZl_wuG8ud8MxLcuCRvN_xbYLHeo8k_C2G-mLxmApdNpIp5RSo60cRuBorJ6NPrUrD5S47GILd7jkzE7KVBNiPYhxa6ByDKJiHZAJY0hgE-V64kPDs/s400/CITYSCAPE+013.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the epic of the Monkey God.<br /><br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062883235168367026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcF_F_2LSvzlrs4pCocNY7EQ2MdD-7VQ6CXiuNc0pD2DF8ztQn3y6kcE2dbW5d9TssJn163OwVN0GclmmnwYQDDBWKoduQPDiiTYnBUP1Sjo6FhdAFPDef0TCJ4VFQfTeNj9J/s400/CITYSCAPE+003.jpg" border="0" />This is the entry to the villa.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062883230873399714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5A3LBoY_lQksA1EV35LxMgADnJ79vp4dExd4GT6SzOKygBk3z5OhazmhHIoPdhtqGNI4ufY9LfxaCSHP2vEgjYrRe9lU0zcnEJoZLBeCVlGPF4h-SVx9WTjkJVRzpVvxGDZyv/s400/CITYSCAPE+004.jpg" border="0" /><br />This is the Tiger Balm publicity automobile that made its rounds the villages and towns often received with warm welcome from the natives. The Tiger Balm automobile arrival was received as if the circus has come to town.<br />.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHi-vAxUukEVc4KhYLAhtAbCKTpGNCMX9dlmIgAKZaV_png0XZBT7n_byMsdE4XtljRxV4t6rRc4aWFIFV6THWVteM0VHjZX-qkUeI8O9PEFvewHRyxkj8SLAqKNNEUCM8xXHF/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062883209398563186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHi-vAxUukEVc4KhYLAhtAbCKTpGNCMX9dlmIgAKZaV_png0XZBT7n_byMsdE4XtljRxV4t6rRc4aWFIFV6THWVteM0VHjZX-qkUeI8O9PEFvewHRyxkj8SLAqKNNEUCM8xXHF/s400/CITYSCAPE+007.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the surreal dwelling of rodents.<br />It does has a streak of eeriness. Perhaps with the deliberately depicted human-like expressions of rodents. Were they trying to say that some of us baddies may be reincarnated as rodents???<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM20_zXz0orpxI9COCIdKtbDzTPmBQs8QUf8tpV9M8o1Z7PI6AoMQWECLykLVB1wPMBwlCpCSyunPqbzjov5UVfi-SrXEMkykMhDW7DxNr91jQU0OiTs2lOudViMz4RE_aHGva/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062883222283465106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM20_zXz0orpxI9COCIdKtbDzTPmBQs8QUf8tpV9M8o1Z7PI6AoMQWECLykLVB1wPMBwlCpCSyunPqbzjov5UVfi-SrXEMkykMhDW7DxNr91jQU0OiTs2lOudViMz4RE_aHGva/s400/CITYSCAPE+005.jpg" border="0" /></a> The scare story deepens...</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062883217988497794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQS3P5hD8vSLeZoBNA9QJgm0qpjVWoNkJ_mMlpcyUoQwCfVgCgBXclEV4zxr7aX3nK-THSeUxlTz94EE-OFho1gM5wK_q1hXRDKsutPhPUc07LLj9IAWRHwTgrl_JdhePqgQV/s400/CITYSCAPE+006.jpg" border="0" /> Look at these buried bodies with their heads sticking out and bleeding!!!<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnQ9iCosBZO_LcgBSGeKbNTmPThWUwv_ltawp6d4BD75Y_F2F8rjtyj_zAfESiyl4635PxrM_7ARP-sZplKd4bCPjT156QrAYDFlO0BHlwM9mDtPWFSLbN74nYz3U_8khoab9/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062873863549727010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnQ9iCosBZO_LcgBSGeKbNTmPThWUwv_ltawp6d4BD75Y_F2F8rjtyj_zAfESiyl4635PxrM_7ARP-sZplKd4bCPjT156QrAYDFlO0BHlwM9mDtPWFSLbN74nYz3U_8khoab9/s400/CITYSCAPE+013.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is the ultimate!!! Entry to the 10th Courts of Hell.<br />.<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdYtHZ1Hai0m1g7NXOLwM62RrAwxAAg9Cf2Jdltpjm8u6zt8cBYKrMoHu7SUHYGpMdshhps2yFPEGqdSvL_Og1AM9B9pcEBK4pgdJtOMMjrPnnoNhoqYOFS_NQZRMH9YRLEWC/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062873867844694322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPdYtHZ1Hai0m1g7NXOLwM62RrAwxAAg9Cf2Jdltpjm8u6zt8cBYKrMoHu7SUHYGpMdshhps2yFPEGqdSvL_Og1AM9B9pcEBK4pgdJtOMMjrPnnoNhoqYOFS_NQZRMH9YRLEWC/s400/CITYSCAPE+012.jpg" border="0" /></a> Trying to bribe the formidable looking guardians with a drink.</p><p>.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7Thm2kHDyUcRopVbPPYDUfPs3Dsmo7A3ZUwzdcBvCq5AQSJQY-DbTTdsaZEIt_tCydPdcSp1Arq72XW4sEpfueZgVpPtYM-D1syzUxPwt160Y-lRiNJ_MB2feMmTXNUHeiUG/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062873876434628930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7Thm2kHDyUcRopVbPPYDUfPs3Dsmo7A3ZUwzdcBvCq5AQSJQY-DbTTdsaZEIt_tCydPdcSp1Arq72XW4sEpfueZgVpPtYM-D1syzUxPwt160Y-lRiNJ_MB2feMmTXNUHeiUG/s400/CITYSCAPE+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcS8XL9kDIb3tqcMd7ImFfL36_36ARNBsNpE55kZVE0br49gOJ5IMdGsnFlO18xxBt-Y6AUFO6-qhDPUMM4Nn8isTO_K-fjqBwPLXnZ4K-1dY5vcBFEwakXGlfuOAaIPqTM51/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062873880729596242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcS8XL9kDIb3tqcMd7ImFfL36_36ARNBsNpE55kZVE0br49gOJ5IMdGsnFlO18xxBt-Y6AUFO6-qhDPUMM4Nn8isTO_K-fjqBwPLXnZ4K-1dY5vcBFEwakXGlfuOAaIPqTM51/s400/CITYSCAPE+009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWn0gD8snDHy53TUiHEeO2qaHJzTkD2Tah685Qh9DjSlDpMb9TCmXkSqdhHI2cgkr4sipcCq4k6_mME7tw4AxAA5z0oBzIZpLcVIQuqaMTGj3okcdHhl7_qtB_-gbkJstS-x2/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062873889319530850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWn0gD8snDHy53TUiHEeO2qaHJzTkD2Tah685Qh9DjSlDpMb9TCmXkSqdhHI2cgkr4sipcCq4k6_mME7tw4AxAA5z0oBzIZpLcVIQuqaMTGj3okcdHhl7_qtB_-gbkJstS-x2/s400/CITYSCAPE+008.jpg" border="0" /></a> Your local guide through the Courts of Hell.</p><p>Notice that the face of the one on the right is morphed from a tortoise.<br /><br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062870466230595858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vGEyvQGWnYTICXyH4N3aJX90InX4vK34zb4h7Iy3mzW5wyW_w7wMC5VcrZPN21KzFup2GBIldlgi1H8wcYAPXG4SMomHGVrgDGTpdQOEdYnEjgMnnseywcZOwpfUxlpmu1yu/s400/CITYSCAPE+014.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062870461935628546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGgFVt92QuD8Z6eDBfTuNX2fqTQFs8NFvu5fpjbZY3esJebODmPYuwQ41vuPxJ7rCcLMCOxrCUrlN-Ky-7gYLShJprFFIUmLrMK_e5IfRpN0wjpOD0SUQcZyy3VO0k1J_YDfk/s400/CITYSCAPE+015.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062870461935628530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8UQoBaNMMf4XBjQHYWfnQclWLVpwG9LbGy0MhWVOgXFQLuF6n9p-fQ5joimgFQGBJnbU2YdABOFfo1HmVJYDrjKlLfvdTqmCAviKf4OhR9HNjdmpXZkcSwFNDVxpD8DpkNvST/s400/CITYSCAPE+016.jpg" border="0" />This is the Golden Gate to Paradise. For those who did no wrong during their time on Earth.</p><p>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BSOrxpP8FSobDjxExyk542aBHxORJvsLj10VNTNY_NYLnGVD4aJltT2rw3eItE9S7nlz0zkwAUaR2CJ1YMxLG5s3Qb0zSJQt_4DkdINbnqXKOfwFC0Xfyrg6OrfDzZVpo-ps/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062870453345693906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BSOrxpP8FSobDjxExyk542aBHxORJvsLj10VNTNY_NYLnGVD4aJltT2rw3eItE9S7nlz0zkwAUaR2CJ1YMxLG5s3Qb0zSJQt_4DkdINbnqXKOfwFC0Xfyrg6OrfDzZVpo-ps/s400/CITYSCAPE+021.jpg" border="0" /></a> Now the grilling starts...</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hQL2fhyphenhyphenuSfY3ucHzirKSPMTlfWY_vT_5N80LJlCnmpHdXWdvtBPdyAPLYBuvvWc_lDr8PNRYXWjID3Jx6kY_ASs4YNvNky9RRKjaG1r5Bb1tj545IDxvIEp7LVI-oFOFXvZB/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062870457640661218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hQL2fhyphenhyphenuSfY3ucHzirKSPMTlfWY_vT_5N80LJlCnmpHdXWdvtBPdyAPLYBuvvWc_lDr8PNRYXWjID3Jx6kY_ASs4YNvNky9RRKjaG1r5Bb1tj545IDxvIEp7LVI-oFOFXvZB/s400/CITYSCAPE+017.jpg" border="0" /></a>Drag them, whack them...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAX2w9uzo2NFg9okFhHXH6WehFXq19XZvDN7RFzHEhn0WijMpzPXlRm8lTvixNhumqtT34Nii_OjF42xh8V4Qx_9Jr12TKMsVdZTc59Ev95gQa3Ejq_DnbdAdzwfjU5uzW7of/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062866557810356354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMAX2w9uzo2NFg9okFhHXH6WehFXq19XZvDN7RFzHEhn0WijMpzPXlRm8lTvixNhumqtT34Nii_OjF42xh8V4Qx_9Jr12TKMsVdZTc59Ev95gQa3Ejq_DnbdAdzwfjU5uzW7of/s400/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg" border="0" /></a> Were you a cheating type when you were alive?</p><p>We now dig your heart out!!!!</p><p>.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuyQ-Q2IOOUVMibZe0spdTH4kUT3hMiuih17qrzM6Ce-OJROQQ38krTXNkapRSFFWG0wcRQD94FMlGilr4TcGRzbXKk9O64ltC7s3EGm86_TriACzkDJWtjyhCYipZC3V3P5l/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062866562105323666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuyQ-Q2IOOUVMibZe0spdTH4kUT3hMiuih17qrzM6Ce-OJROQQ38krTXNkapRSFFWG0wcRQD94FMlGilr4TcGRzbXKk9O64ltC7s3EGm86_TriACzkDJWtjyhCYipZC3V3P5l/s400/CITYSCAPE+025.jpg" border="0" /></a> Or drop you in deep freeze on the mountains.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn9BtAathdhjW1kI27E6YJlYWIySg5RQO3dl4RxBFeRujXuYa-XvwF4Li7Hd_SOr1VNWL7yN5A7qjFnEwEFZzZfEc4flg8AdMHWpwWhVbO72S6S71vXdJXMF3LSWxXEQ7x3QR0/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+024.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7vI1CgsHBwLQ37GR81DesOYBiqVgRF9_yA8DOXNCra1hwZPK8K4_duLJf5QQ5_vMRiwvmCXwRRbbybCUwcjlCASiQL9NscfzGAOTphitSR5GTDZUxOVf_B1FbhGFHuyLeBNB/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062866566400290994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD7vI1CgsHBwLQ37GR81DesOYBiqVgRF9_yA8DOXNCra1hwZPK8K4_duLJf5QQ5_vMRiwvmCXwRRbbybCUwcjlCASiQL9NscfzGAOTphitSR5GTDZUxOVf_B1FbhGFHuyLeBNB/s400/CITYSCAPE+023.jpg" border="0" /></a> Don't know what this devil with a long tongue is doing to this young girl...</p><p>.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhduQ6vkV1bbkn-4l2HCHrx3uufUnJPwi11KNCFODfriD5fJF7eo629ek12pUEug1X7mW3l8nHIk_NnwD2zsr51fEO8HXO-9ksHpK77k3looETxjLz4_1n0P9Mg7dEJ6D5eAVoF/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062866570695258306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhduQ6vkV1bbkn-4l2HCHrx3uufUnJPwi11KNCFODfriD5fJF7eo629ek12pUEug1X7mW3l8nHIk_NnwD2zsr51fEO8HXO-9ksHpK77k3looETxjLz4_1n0P9Mg7dEJ6D5eAVoF/s400/CITYSCAPE+022.jpg" border="0" /></a> Or drown in the sea of fire...<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUrhT0ZyigxhjI2JHwPyRNXG-xOES-1Zhuu-YZL8WW442uC4eu7I3vTDckEeXcMOg8DQqG6Nzoc3XxAAIYN14_ChK9SFiaP2bGxDTG8ZJw2JP4zdS-YWdv5WUxu_X5Q8zejko/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062861592828162098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUrhT0ZyigxhjI2JHwPyRNXG-xOES-1Zhuu-YZL8WW442uC4eu7I3vTDckEeXcMOg8DQqG6Nzoc3XxAAIYN14_ChK9SFiaP2bGxDTG8ZJw2JP4zdS-YWdv5WUxu_X5Q8zejko/s400/CITYSCAPE+036.jpg" border="0" /></a> Or chop you into half...</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK6jUcVSuOak5QMAMc-31WlqMMGF-4OA135tihueKZcWV8cTWpkVkTvCoT42Ak-POkDsvfljZg2E_dtLuclpUBzP1IgJlZJLFD5GeDOqahexXjWBEKie7hPDsozySVPevwOfm/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062861597123129410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBK6jUcVSuOak5QMAMc-31WlqMMGF-4OA135tihueKZcWV8cTWpkVkTvCoT42Ak-POkDsvfljZg2E_dtLuclpUBzP1IgJlZJLFD5GeDOqahexXjWBEKie7hPDsozySVPevwOfm/s400/CITYSCAPE+035.jpg" border="0" /></a> Or throw you in the valley of knives...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2199H_zi5RnAUwx7xGTxjDkzfe59NH2RfoAVGtMXDHVAoejbsPilqtS_1vTzsd1f8vU6iDwL0tcmWF62hMrrVDwuNa18_nXsKL8K2etcAtFKVXfIrWV7vyS_9Xb31vtJEqXq/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+034.jpg"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-BSnfrWwcLA2032Rjacyaxq26IFNYwZGvEyf2ShgnVuD8wCXGmXsr7-pY43g7Je2I4K1keUNlvByagFqBvdPupXLj23Y2r8sx4ojsg_nj7QDcU5A9AJyQYdzxC08uxz9L0rC/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062861605713064034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-BSnfrWwcLA2032Rjacyaxq26IFNYwZGvEyf2ShgnVuD8wCXGmXsr7-pY43g7Je2I4K1keUNlvByagFqBvdPupXLj23Y2r8sx4ojsg_nj7QDcU5A9AJyQYdzxC08uxz9L0rC/s400/CITYSCAPE+033.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYfJkpY7y0QvN1kTOANErQSKiVhW44iwzj7A-j0qt_-UZYAnSpIRq_Jy5yGsQfwmaB5vUaBI7Wu0RJkQtM4UKdA_J6FuC75ZN2Z0rw_xpEh9HXGk1KwZ6uiTKP7uadIDJddMt/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062861610008031346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYfJkpY7y0QvN1kTOANErQSKiVhW44iwzj7A-j0qt_-UZYAnSpIRq_Jy5yGsQfwmaB5vUaBI7Wu0RJkQtM4UKdA_J6FuC75ZN2Z0rw_xpEh9HXGk1KwZ6uiTKP7uadIDJddMt/s400/CITYSCAPE+030.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Or just grind you into paste like sambal...<br />For those of you not from the region, sample is a chilli and prawn paste.</p><p>.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyKAuIfgsirjIWrNwOJDqDCkWwe_DuLplxNiSBlPMusSF92I4Emg3UpomvbjhODjE8XW9zH8UnPzt_zyVve1U4Kw0zSZRKKbx_VnWgYma6Y-RPBWcd86N7QRdd_Sk27g72wHk/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062809585069174786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyKAuIfgsirjIWrNwOJDqDCkWwe_DuLplxNiSBlPMusSF92I4Emg3UpomvbjhODjE8XW9zH8UnPzt_zyVve1U4Kw0zSZRKKbx_VnWgYma6Y-RPBWcd86N7QRdd_Sk27g72wHk/s400/CITYSCAPE+043.jpg" border="0" /></a> Not enough, we will reincarnate you into goats and pigs...</p><p>.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7vUGBIu1pRue-5jywf_VgGsXmlEbYsKw7by-EI7mBM2V5aPYS6vsxk8FoMOpcHZUq0GX7nVAp3X6AOR0G6bYtoi508qIVkohaZaRstOPmBep5WMXOSxn0YZ6XxExG6omEHmv/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062809585069174802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7vUGBIu1pRue-5jywf_VgGsXmlEbYsKw7by-EI7mBM2V5aPYS6vsxk8FoMOpcHZUq0GX7nVAp3X6AOR0G6bYtoi508qIVkohaZaRstOPmBep5WMXOSxn0YZ6XxExG6omEHmv/s400/CITYSCAPE+042.jpg" border="0" /></a> This one has his head chopped off...</p><p>.<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOit5qmmS43Tb8q90yVt_DH1snLY5fO-Fpw4G_FbmLWzIPB1QmLa89phD_ntSztwnZU_3C-tQap7yfywyTVorg4Kqys_ITMeubAVXqjW4ZFjLUCaJaD-o465pn8gHbjzdPROf/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+039.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062809593659109410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOit5qmmS43Tb8q90yVt_DH1snLY5fO-Fpw4G_FbmLWzIPB1QmLa89phD_ntSztwnZU_3C-tQap7yfywyTVorg4Kqys_ITMeubAVXqjW4ZFjLUCaJaD-o465pn8gHbjzdPROf/s400/CITYSCAPE+039.jpg" border="0" /></a> This one prefers a longitudinal slice...</p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062809580774207474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqegNrhsgry6darQrooRVMlUYeS_erPZpRl74fRfKg-KW4Nj4wZgGJGmkkBMmgSi3Gz_5NeS79cQNwk4ols3Xkp-EtkPqHnXaZ-jrcTh7ehSueTNCASe_xOMfHI4ZQch6tApi/s400/CITYSCAPE+045.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062809580774207458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxg5YZiHedPAW4NdqSgqJIqYaS35jln2zIh0BQrDlsJ9kdJzNqEaH8VndSP898dpDVXgA8wiCLHIDspLwCLsYUpIS3OfESqcq0hSpqB0y4gpwR5YRC5lxn3pcvVMUlzw1qxa5o/s400/CITYSCAPE+047.jpg" border="0" /> Some light at the end of the gory tunnel. We all drank from the cup and forget what we have seen.</p><div>.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062892688391385682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuQ6IBz4NfLB7FvhqG0C_dPE2FFx6JjUrXumzetExVtfBROZ2HUWuG-sKo6bN4ULm-KWdFd1h276Fq41IhXNQ1td4xRjvfq5nq5s6n5LquYBmwAFArnr7mHEeGLz7DxjU_rLC/s400/CITYSCAPE+049.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Meanwhile, it's still a peaceful sunny day outside.</div><div>.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062892688391385698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdodqGl6he3o7-7ryl6FB9spDIrnthTkqnMI8uJED9NFjgwSb9qu4n5g6lpEFJjx6qUf2e2H5w0y-T8NjNRO8SRDcgyoql6TIHWGTdB54TR6LCbJ42WEWfi5obzF8xDftliVU/s400/CITYSCAPE+046.jpg" border="0" />Repent. There is still time!!! :)<br /><br /><div><div><div><br /></div><div>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcx_hAzN_juAf9lVCxlR7vyJiFhstk5CyJslN1bblU2llyqOzqEUmmhO_XI44NeIIC0nCkhPLWTXeyJWEZ0-ihb3IhYvT3XozYUWzodSZv47G72VSB1YZiYgyvhUuKd7CIyI1/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+071.jpg"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062441145594654466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcx_hAzN_juAf9lVCxlR7vyJiFhstk5CyJslN1bblU2llyqOzqEUmmhO_XI44NeIIC0nCkhPLWTXeyJWEZ0-ihb3IhYvT3XozYUWzodSZv47G72VSB1YZiYgyvhUuKd7CIyI1/s400/CITYSCAPE+071.jpg" border="0" /></a> These two look like newbies during the 'American era'. You can tell as the colours used are not primary (kitschy) colours and are less contrasting. The faces are also less glazed. Besides, that looks like an American dragon to me.</div><div>.<br /><br /><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQekk38-tkudZezSmtr73Bu0gLswgRiQIUH37ifCjAf6tmOwRy9F1QODjz5H1HcL_iZoTIYx27eQ7NeAJ60epqr7a3us1CmId177BInyz5jKFxEGPKEjMtYJIqjZ2U-HbGUekB/s1600-h/DSC01470.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062434080373452466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQekk38-tkudZezSmtr73Bu0gLswgRiQIUH37ifCjAf6tmOwRy9F1QODjz5H1HcL_iZoTIYx27eQ7NeAJ60epqr7a3us1CmId177BInyz5jKFxEGPKEjMtYJIqjZ2U-HbGUekB/s400/DSC01470.JPG" border="0" /></a> This Kuanyin (Goddess of Mercy) look very different from most others I have seen. She doesn't have the serenity we normally see of one. Instead, she looks worried.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bAqhErL588WeLBtYeAJWBYu5X-46sWrxvIifBQQ3bJpsGzJaaXj64Qbik4SFYosD882pByOXUMPUo6Z80BIrEJSR-joGrD2YaSOM8zBDr08qxDWstnJCM0siOJb7QGVgdQIF/s1600-h/DSC01465.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062434088963387090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bAqhErL588WeLBtYeAJWBYu5X-46sWrxvIifBQQ3bJpsGzJaaXj64Qbik4SFYosD882pByOXUMPUo6Z80BIrEJSR-joGrD2YaSOM8zBDr08qxDWstnJCM0siOJb7QGVgdQIF/s400/DSC01465.JPG" border="0" /></a>More morals..</div><div>This one tells of the naughty boy who doesn't like to go to school.</div><div>The mother told him that he should study hard and get a good job, like his neighbour who has now become a accountant with a big company! :)</div><div>. </div><div>They didn't tell him that if he did eventually become an accountant, don't join a big company called Arther Andersen, as he will end up losing his job and be on the streets again!!! :)</div><div>Isn't wonderful when we know the future?!</div><div>.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062434084668419778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexpPy7DcsnBJESiUTbAR00to2-LHflUmA5uYF-kU5RfymPADhoChffcgBTloLqB8a6FsMGogSvo8yapbmijJtLoIRkMV0_0c5mZ4MokGkOsd8_eGUt9y8gwVb3gM3_74QGZ4A/s400/DSC01469.JPG" border="0" /> These beautiful giant masks are also recent additions. </div><div>.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062441137004719858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18jMC2OqOk6sa5FNT5yWONbkQPydkvjw6YNKwM-xWSOygFJyLMyriGX2t-EavKNmzZpdeHonX1ClEb_Dl3git68JzlOjQjXEJKhdWA7YJgbaRHRWFr5-vyb7kgLpJQgujkaqc/s400/CITYSCAPE+072.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062441128414785250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQh2ytlNQshhLGYBPSQuhIUgjTwYFHJLHJcrwW-dBiWx_nCeMt-_igAxms8zTCTzw3BEeZkQXYOY5Z5vHLqn7-fZVyZ1T0yj6bKoo80-OVgx_3DrFAJnJ0SQNrppVSE-sFXlnq/s400/CITYSCAPE+073.jpg" border="0" />Now some commercial break...<br />This wraps up the story of two brothers who came to Singapore with very little but built an empire out of a secret formula from his grandfather. It was reminiscent of a time when Singapore was a land of opportunities for hard working immigrants from China.</div><div>. </div><div>Now what do we have?</div><div>Speculate on the property boom due to the coming of the casinos? :)</div><div>. </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgHph0-4s9j6ROrFFBtqeMtKFfKvgLmgYne8nryIfHiTn3lk3D5wdsLmlQiVPiDMfPEoKFBdfWKy81VIWSBWw35VRyVJu-1E5B5cK1-kf_XF2YQKJqqoUBZlMZsJxzBXUWaji/s1600-h/DSC01445.JPG"></a></div><div><br /></div><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sQ061W1KjUKngqIY-RhllSFJQwICXwC8KAldRNr6fOLYvE4V2mRjC7-bAx63Eh0IlvpmbO501bIoJuKsCsz7GpXgKp08Y0FweKvG-hLU-qgDZgOTidZBsJN_8Lw5y-9RGaOK/s1600-h/DSC01471.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062427874145709714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sQ061W1KjUKngqIY-RhllSFJQwICXwC8KAldRNr6fOLYvE4V2mRjC7-bAx63Eh0IlvpmbO501bIoJuKsCsz7GpXgKp08Y0FweKvG-hLU-qgDZgOTidZBsJN_8Lw5y-9RGaOK/s400/DSC01471.JPG" border="0" /></a> I love this place. My friend thinks that it is a bit out of synch with the times with their naive and simplistic stories told from a high moral ground. To me, this is precisely what makes this place charming and a testimony of the past when the majority of Singaporeans were uneducated or even illiterate. It was a time when we had people who didn't even know how to write their own names, let alone read the newspaper. Times were different. </div><div>.</div><div>Literacy rate among the young is now 100% and child mortality rate has fallen to be one of the lowest in the world. Tubercolusis whilst almost a plague in the 40s and 50s is now wiped out.<br /><div>.</div><div>While technology has made our lives better, it is also a source of distraction and sometimes temptations. In that, some things never change. I get the point that the Aw brothers were trying to impart to their audience, except that nowadays, it needs a touch of sophistication and subtlety.</div><div>.</div><div></div><div>Oh yes! As for the gory pictures in the 10 Courts of Hell - take it with a pitch of salt.</div><div>God is loving, not one that imposes fear. Religions use fear to control believers. God is loving, God is forgiving and God is omnipresent. Feel better now? Don't worry. You still have time to repent. :)</div><div></div><div></div></div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-55361694607019031382007-05-06T06:04:00.000-07:002008-12-09T11:14:54.045-08:00Bangkok Chinatown<div align="justify">I last came to Bangkok in 1991. Then, there were rumours of an imminent coup. A few days later, the then Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan appeared on state television to deny the rumours. Soon after his assurance, Chatichai was deposed. That was February 1991. Coup leader General Suchinda Kraprayoon made himself the new Prime Minister without democractic elections although he promised one earlier. Public protests took to the streets ending with a blood bath after Suchinda brought the tanks to the capital.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">The King intervened in May the same year to bring in fresh elections bringing democracy to Thailand and Chuan Leekpai as Prime Minister in 1992.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">Fast forward 14 years, and another coup happened on 19 Sep 2006. This time deposing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (first elected in Jan 2001). Here we go all over again!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBP93xvOx4fikakUOm1nh_lwtgQ84O3fh515NZMAiZubmVyQhm79yI5aOuUXMY-QbaP8kchf6IGUfwaAyOnEQ6FVBTjOyWUrQAD-0EJ_7bafAdQsH53Nh6fCUnnuweHXB1cMRr/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061446877845499426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBP93xvOx4fikakUOm1nh_lwtgQ84O3fh515NZMAiZubmVyQhm79yI5aOuUXMY-QbaP8kchf6IGUfwaAyOnEQ6FVBTjOyWUrQAD-0EJ_7bafAdQsH53Nh6fCUnnuweHXB1cMRr/s400/CITYSCAPE+005.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="justify"></a>In the aftermath of the coup, the military junta has tried digging out skeletons out of Thaksin's closet. One of them is the much criticised new airport of Bangkok, alleging heavy corruption and shoddy workmanship. I can't comment on the shoddiness, but surely there seems to be lots of heavy metal. Whoever decided and designed the place must love heavy metal!<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEEdJa36MPT9KIG5eFBzVLi2e4QCGpFLHg0uwEpH-v-KHoAeNFLPq5AdBg_maCEXQGFRhFfRxC4z5zh1LsWMC1Wup-F5kaTxoIXxurb8QBUOO_uBljkDCAb_bF9fapOVH9gPu/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061446130521189906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpEEdJa36MPT9KIG5eFBzVLi2e4QCGpFLHg0uwEpH-v-KHoAeNFLPq5AdBg_maCEXQGFRhFfRxC4z5zh1LsWMC1Wup-F5kaTxoIXxurb8QBUOO_uBljkDCAb_bF9fapOVH9gPu/s400/CITYSCAPE+006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />As a trained civil engineer, it all looked structurally very over-designed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiKaGvVjVJaEsZVvyRxZ_t9rOoenxscVRJNtDdLpdocqEOpimVm8OeaouYn7mA_vFk6mQBCcf6e2nVBFgVuJiidt9jJu7VnISAW1L7XjkPoFOgP0CdJuQJnrIfQhfFYwm1_lB/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061445735384198658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiKaGvVjVJaEsZVvyRxZ_t9rOoenxscVRJNtDdLpdocqEOpimVm8OeaouYn7mA_vFk6mQBCcf6e2nVBFgVuJiidt9jJu7VnISAW1L7XjkPoFOgP0CdJuQJnrIfQhfFYwm1_lB/s400/CITYSCAPE+011.jpg" border="0" /></a>Enough of those grey iron. This beautiful orchids are taken at the hotel. Thailand has in recent years, become the biggest orchid exporter in the world.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YkHF1AhjqW5bA12H6oxIYJt1oyFG_pZxzPFGYO54nP5C5dcaAAGZg7RvzwzCuXdrMAaJajLUSEVSAdfx4AOadgFHXh4udKz650FcT27TvZKJ-2UOumd7CXyvaQtDXEfXfksK/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061445529225768434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YkHF1AhjqW5bA12H6oxIYJt1oyFG_pZxzPFGYO54nP5C5dcaAAGZg7RvzwzCuXdrMAaJajLUSEVSAdfx4AOadgFHXh4udKz650FcT27TvZKJ-2UOumd7CXyvaQtDXEfXfksK/s400/CITYSCAPE+012.jpg" border="0" /></a> This is Bangkok Chinatown. We stayed in the hotel opposite called Chinatown Hotel. :)<br />In case you are wondering, the billboard is depicting a giant shark fin!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CpbVTq3GJC3iN9m5PR3PXcaieGwAmbpZ7vobvO7GtlTvTTLJ_2j2sRPpcm_d2JNdSP-ZkWDtORO6QLoIhccdp1LIQpYsRhrFBSQu6loPjbYnCUhQP3LWIqRe6WTrFzzS7WRm/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061445323067338210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CpbVTq3GJC3iN9m5PR3PXcaieGwAmbpZ7vobvO7GtlTvTTLJ_2j2sRPpcm_d2JNdSP-ZkWDtORO6QLoIhccdp1LIQpYsRhrFBSQu6loPjbYnCUhQP3LWIqRe6WTrFzzS7WRm/s400/CITYSCAPE+015.jpg" border="0" /></a> We were hungry after a hard day's work, so we head for the street stalls. No shark fins served!<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061443386037087618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtFukU2ZqOC0UOmeRgpuYpbnRYhRWvJNFhKDSyD39i6eQRdnqRRVAa_-Si2dlRW5Or1YiLK4knUJfW2hvueq1N4YnjKpyYKjgK-RdYuF6TJAz0DyCseNDEa0P8pJ3dyTUvbTg0/s400/CITYSCAPE+024.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXB93nIFpr9NlbpTZI_0W2KLtR1UU4HF-LTCgd5QMAphTAgBgHzt6fQwqwECC9ByzYj6C_AbIUkxzhRAmwm_ocpJohlttwEhypYow4f7JC05FQs70_Qr8582t0GRhSjWAp8WO/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061445146973679058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqXB93nIFpr9NlbpTZI_0W2KLtR1UU4HF-LTCgd5QMAphTAgBgHzt6fQwqwECC9ByzYj6C_AbIUkxzhRAmwm_ocpJohlttwEhypYow4f7JC05FQs70_Qr8582t0GRhSjWAp8WO/s400/CITYSCAPE+017.jpg" border="0" /></a> We had some tea and coffee, watching the world go by.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lwHlIZ18-TlYXW3cxrNUoC6cHSj-nPBMKQPu4MTIQh9aUWNZR9OJDAZzFx2_si1l9YNA1_fD7zlG_RvZ09v89tdvS7VrSuqyzo8x45fDMZxxCP7Wt6oFhTDvQaAiJ8QiXG1y/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061444541383290290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6lwHlIZ18-TlYXW3cxrNUoC6cHSj-nPBMKQPu4MTIQh9aUWNZR9OJDAZzFx2_si1l9YNA1_fD7zlG_RvZ09v89tdvS7VrSuqyzo8x45fDMZxxCP7Wt6oFhTDvQaAiJ8QiXG1y/s400/CITYSCAPE+018.jpg" border="0" /></a> This mug is really cool! Years ago, it used to be very fashionable in Singapore. It is basically a tin mug with hand crafted patterns.<br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsT7Zi_5etxcTG2Pfr5RxIupwId9uVcuFQUS2j4eCU_aQEfuhE_9H9zixqUO6hGZ5-Wh98pNX2sD1Uvk02Xkd4lsUbShY4QwNzRseN5Aqg1VV_heKVw4gUMOirBpatvDobmKqn/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061443600785452434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsT7Zi_5etxcTG2Pfr5RxIupwId9uVcuFQUS2j4eCU_aQEfuhE_9H9zixqUO6hGZ5-Wh98pNX2sD1Uvk02Xkd4lsUbShY4QwNzRseN5Aqg1VV_heKVw4gUMOirBpatvDobmKqn/s400/CITYSCAPE+026.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This stall sells sweet gingko soup.<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPNyTQkXGQfZfpHFwUIWbkeyLl0hmz1nYDNt0P0cSKlL6mUwZ0w94BKis00akGYSYLIsgXnhWFpwjte0i_zyzdMMCXxNZH7hI5WAhpNGGWWFqB2p3tUbRvYUdb8vEKG5TUWG7/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061443201353493874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPNyTQkXGQfZfpHFwUIWbkeyLl0hmz1nYDNt0P0cSKlL6mUwZ0w94BKis00akGYSYLIsgXnhWFpwjte0i_zyzdMMCXxNZH7hI5WAhpNGGWWFqB2p3tUbRvYUdb8vEKG5TUWG7/s400/CITYSCAPE+025.jpg" border="0" /></a> One full bowl. They are very filling and yummy!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBMhYkdlttlb68VOQnEOgsWr4qHzk7Xm6FOXUQaqB7Y0_sSlVFs8yhzDF6215xTh-1j3_tUoGNEBLlIxepLoh0SRMIa3RJkwVItOnGCkzs9K79eImHXqDv0Pz-NGrc8WuXV0N/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061442995195063650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBMhYkdlttlb68VOQnEOgsWr4qHzk7Xm6FOXUQaqB7Y0_sSlVFs8yhzDF6215xTh-1j3_tUoGNEBLlIxepLoh0SRMIa3RJkwVItOnGCkzs9K79eImHXqDv0Pz-NGrc8WuXV0N/s400/CITYSCAPE+029.jpg" border="0" /></a> Dusk in Chinatown.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5I2MX9zzGVUkPna32i9sDc-5Tr22e-hwEZTktvB81BXJ7Ya31MMSrcdWYgnjZBLF-Nbrmop0pHrzlweV2q393lanqLIMBPJAE_oTjBcnO8flIR6r-asjnsM92eTtPKRKmDCAa/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061442733202058578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5I2MX9zzGVUkPna32i9sDc-5Tr22e-hwEZTktvB81BXJ7Ya31MMSrcdWYgnjZBLF-Nbrmop0pHrzlweV2q393lanqLIMBPJAE_oTjBcnO8flIR6r-asjnsM92eTtPKRKmDCAa/s400/CITYSCAPE+033.jpg" border="0" /></a> And the night life thickened</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061438000148098162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOs7Y_f0OTawyFquXMvFQpHZWUlPHT5TkaL-xcuClsijJe1GnjZ4zJB1lxCXZX7wuv5l2lrmJwhYcsRzxrtGkhIbzUddWpR3Ni_JP8I827yUEbFilaDXKBFAqVivpQMmMxq_Vj/s400/CITYSCAPE+064.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061438283615939714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU9GRKrcmgenDTjV18Eva_wEfRS8zzUSD1gIno5v-Au-1eWshsojRgKgf77IqBA3P5z7HQ2tbB0tuiRGpWaw3yiOFSslECIHdMxBCJ0cptNM6Y64wEpZnVFmP-k5DWQZLRk2B/s400/CITYSCAPE+063.jpg" border="0" /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061440559948606674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN4y96jj1kY-gnjB8Wz_Mk9epphrGdZ_ClXCYjPJFjo-2xlE0vC2oD5M4Zsi7y2454zwwkvx_UOKJMDeFncVkq7-OXzdBF14u0zc2VdTR1-avPjd24PHDemQ8S-Ii7img0KlIG/s400/CITYSCAPE+052.jpg" border="0" /> Traditional Chinese Medicine Shop</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061441702409907474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-QSQAsEEtDY8u70OkoXK7j7u9YtJ8q98296vCkU5tfts65hpgMBQWg8pMnav2BNmaxXHP1XWMeOfj9VOIjig08__9J36ZvqN-RHmDgXufLe9cy6QyWn9S-m13V_RgJHRPu_M/s400/CITYSCAPE+043.jpg" border="0" /> A religious artifact shop<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUi9guf-Sn2G19Tm5z0NWK_TZ_J9Opvp7BjqUIQYGx1s_8_JFYIfBQGhZQWjt4uGnNMSgAnnSuhShxeM1Sd5aoe9zMASx-RnixZG4oT0tw7nq8jUhtoMqG4BKSgumwqlI-bV2/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061442539928530242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUi9guf-Sn2G19Tm5z0NWK_TZ_J9Opvp7BjqUIQYGx1s_8_JFYIfBQGhZQWjt4uGnNMSgAnnSuhShxeM1Sd5aoe9zMASx-RnixZG4oT0tw7nq8jUhtoMqG4BKSgumwqlI-bV2/s400/CITYSCAPE+034.jpg" border="0" /></a> Night Market<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vAh5PWnT_JaGV2rGn4L2ihWDxFleSjVtcgbeEMygxrOXzJXOSDhcACPh7jZycwVLaEKwZXEXTYpllyFs8Xw12Y7wCdhkr1pDcytb-iZw2EUiCmlr3qBPPthcwadOEuk_95od/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061442166266375474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vAh5PWnT_JaGV2rGn4L2ihWDxFleSjVtcgbeEMygxrOXzJXOSDhcACPh7jZycwVLaEKwZXEXTYpllyFs8Xw12Y7wCdhkr1pDcytb-iZw2EUiCmlr3qBPPthcwadOEuk_95od/s400/CITYSCAPE+036.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div><div>This little boy was wanting me to snap his pix. So I did.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7u8h6nzU5h0mafd_tRYnjv5Sx-srybwgvLjaqLPqWPxbJ19iOQOvARL5tWJeROkq07bUpuPCcdu89GqylzkyXIv6QtrgMz-iuQ7UjQkiCUiUxp-Ysh9P_qImCprZuyxV1tsnQ/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061441466186706178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7u8h6nzU5h0mafd_tRYnjv5Sx-srybwgvLjaqLPqWPxbJ19iOQOvARL5tWJeROkq07bUpuPCcdu89GqylzkyXIv6QtrgMz-iuQ7UjQkiCUiUxp-Ysh9P_qImCprZuyxV1tsnQ/s400/CITYSCAPE+045.jpg" border="0" /></a>The white flowers are jasmine. An Indian influence.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061438579968683154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxj26LPvuKiWXVMxF4VQz772InsEbsgVAV7Ko8xHkyvIh3sjGhPXoDQ4sgYYQp2IFhn0U3RRQ_kAZ4B4wKYiXwwASQQUEhOe-nHj27lgQPsy0iDhYcHuUJ6DeuKiR9HyrsF_le/s400/CITYSCAPE+059.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>These dollar bills are real!!!</div><div>They are hanged as decoration in the reception of the massage parlour where we went.</div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061440860596317410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUF4RVCyk9b7qhf17o9XBcqxTlmFbweukVNpd-T4J9V1-T5fhPJfsUP98uDBghw4NyP_UGgTHQ8XBlKPiif-r7ebgBes3EeDotHll2Vq8lPRqgc0ei-UcBggxFcMyEGK-LkfG/s400/CITYSCAPE+049.jpg" border="0" /> Pictures of the King and Queen are everywhere.</div><div>The people has very high regards for their King.</div><div>The mobile phone sales girl shrugged her shoulders and said she didn't care if Thanksin is in power or the military. And when I added that she only liked the King, she corrected me by saying she <u>loves</u> the King. </div><div><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061441899978403106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9x0QgZ_yLTevN5XO5R9ytPLaPgkp5GEhXTiAesUCCEtVW1c7ewQwSHNeGCSU9RJnC2fb84zGqS7S2XOBJhzMjXrSZwajhOLuqY9xKQleB6Ft1c2mvHZC1yiPdp-NyF1_mqXbK/s400/CITYSCAPE+041.jpg" border="0" /> It was late, and time to retire to the hotel.</div><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061441260028275954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoy5MoRACmvPr6s13Sj_R7oHKg6Oo73M2SSQe-eeLN_RE53KHIkgukC8m8g2Y5o6aoAzQR16KVPdTK9wAj5GQYDJJlQr_TCgFCYAPB_Wjcmu76xTfwkge_GpN80-u0MqiqiG2/s400/CITYSCAPE+047.jpg" border="0" /> Look at the building on the left, it looks like preserved vegetables!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvyC31LtFnCTlhAWGYbfjEJ98KXU7KwVtWTUhb38n5sz7PeI5xDwyjqV1PbvbiJ-C2h94iQepV6M0xFd_q9WBE_GOS6GAbdsx2_6h6CM03BuoU0zxpq5UuvKyjFjmHQcANTS1/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+053.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061440083207236802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvyC31LtFnCTlhAWGYbfjEJ98KXU7KwVtWTUhb38n5sz7PeI5xDwyjqV1PbvbiJ-C2h94iQepV6M0xFd_q9WBE_GOS6GAbdsx2_6h6CM03BuoU0zxpq5UuvKyjFjmHQcANTS1/s400/CITYSCAPE+053.jpg" border="0" /></a> Lovely old Peugeot<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrdQ52a12_zkpxGXGuaIMm1_lvFCG3bSsw48aHNO_abeBk_-qJvCv5ozOuRXgTGWrL9HPpqqcoGXpq2ZxnruoD3MfZh8HXl2ARq9Q2tHwbrbfgxqyHQ21UTD8rSSBpiPhMtrR/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+055.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061439675185343666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrdQ52a12_zkpxGXGuaIMm1_lvFCG3bSsw48aHNO_abeBk_-qJvCv5ozOuRXgTGWrL9HPpqqcoGXpq2ZxnruoD3MfZh8HXl2ARq9Q2tHwbrbfgxqyHQ21UTD8rSSBpiPhMtrR/s400/CITYSCAPE+055.jpg" border="0" /></a> Captured this lotus pots amid the noise and haste of the city.</div><div>It grows up beautiful despite starting in muddy waters.</div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061444068936887714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJzBKktqgB4OJ4cUs-1HfZ2pX0Yx72Gq3iSLV9lCn3c2kGOjISmAYhprx2jUUHVsxqyl1_Mt3DiQAEXt3YcvRPK0p3t9Iu-8-1PRjk-B2bgIPBzDPjH4BBJKqVO3FQJHGQVxa/s400/CITYSCAPE+022.jpg" border="0" />Traditional Chinese Temple</div><div>For those of you who are not familiar, Chinese Temple goers pray to Taoist dieties and also Buddha. Thai temple goers pray only to Buddha. </div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuQoHJpxPnwlr8RC1e4dcMnGk60ZPg0rM2gKGc3zPQR9IX18XpApEPGEjB7RCLiNfjEFt8lQslKh7vGOK0qceQ7C8km-pEwc68-pvW82uZhrr4JQSe5MHJtY5LxluscbDyE4j/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+058.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061439052415085730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUuQoHJpxPnwlr8RC1e4dcMnGk60ZPg0rM2gKGc3zPQR9IX18XpApEPGEjB7RCLiNfjEFt8lQslKh7vGOK0qceQ7C8km-pEwc68-pvW82uZhrr4JQSe5MHJtY5LxluscbDyE4j/s400/CITYSCAPE+058.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A local talk shop<br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCYcHrjHYWrs8VS5YBn3vkShOR_HaAHZqQk5RSn3ywylTUIwZE_z8_OdjU4A63VUIsswa_HmkDHHxuVL_OMSweYs3HtmaorKu6KzGxLm2E-Kb7Agyrqw7xxbFrAFq-dOX0VWo/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+065.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061437557766466658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGCYcHrjHYWrs8VS5YBn3vkShOR_HaAHZqQk5RSn3ywylTUIwZE_z8_OdjU4A63VUIsswa_HmkDHHxuVL_OMSweYs3HtmaorKu6KzGxLm2E-Kb7Agyrqw7xxbFrAFq-dOX0VWo/s400/CITYSCAPE+065.jpg" border="0" /></a> This fruit stall managed to get some shop space in between two parking lots! :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASeVhJItVPLDKO9q7LYG6zqWw6tqwDD2GcMDEziZENTyQLp7W76DEb1l0zwuViDje7c_BAFqGery1YrTaEGVIMn_sd99SjTqcDkNGQKPkboS4PC1gtTpANQvTr2NctYR7VvlS/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+066.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061436694478040146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASeVhJItVPLDKO9q7LYG6zqWw6tqwDD2GcMDEziZENTyQLp7W76DEb1l0zwuViDje7c_BAFqGery1YrTaEGVIMn_sd99SjTqcDkNGQKPkboS4PC1gtTpANQvTr2NctYR7VvlS/s400/CITYSCAPE+066.jpg" border="0" /></a> Chinatown skyscraper! :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhyZ6GQVK2zbyhZe7mScQAwHVWqyEQYvnI_GXDHzaQ8oqPtSXmFUXsvVKO6NJ50klX5QJYBELiC0dKQoQlOw6CkPxdt0YGCQeL9jXEKJHzrHxS3gLeAheI1_6Urkrq_bzWnRf/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+067.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061435921383926850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhyZ6GQVK2zbyhZe7mScQAwHVWqyEQYvnI_GXDHzaQ8oqPtSXmFUXsvVKO6NJ50klX5QJYBELiC0dKQoQlOw6CkPxdt0YGCQeL9jXEKJHzrHxS3gLeAheI1_6Urkrq_bzWnRf/s400/CITYSCAPE+067.jpg" border="0" /></a> Pawn shop<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFy9P_bnYMPgN7iPDBb3bjeNZnIdbgmFi09rliscZwKIF0qWS4_RqjYH2cKJkgg0bAxykuxMcaa-210x-eFrZmq6Xm1HHPtV1JSwxL_ewH3GxAdUV6FST7Eo3_o9ONU-uIPw3M/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+068.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061435195534453810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFy9P_bnYMPgN7iPDBb3bjeNZnIdbgmFi09rliscZwKIF0qWS4_RqjYH2cKJkgg0bAxykuxMcaa-210x-eFrZmq6Xm1HHPtV1JSwxL_ewH3GxAdUV6FST7Eo3_o9ONU-uIPw3M/s400/CITYSCAPE+068.jpg" border="0" /></a>Buddhist amulets</div><div>I can feel the vibrations amongst them. </div><div>Some stronger than others. </div><div>Some hardly any vibes.</div><div>The seller asked me if I can tell which is real and which is not.</div><div>I told him I couldn't.<br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061450747611033154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pLQpJAou6A5WiX0Hep7kgFtoSa073UJzIlFY4tYy47_7pfGXq8d-JAOBoFkVH9WYILMdN9I5fVQw5yOYzuhrviz1Ga3Igh9ckmHjgNbFEe5DV7U-eYULoIofnTlT_7le2HBH/s400/CITYSCAPE+071.jpg" border="0" /> This is a display in the airport. </div><div>Kind of a tug-of-war between good and evil with the judge in the middle.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1r9V0ndZkGigbk2s2jvvF1_-8YwwF-2oljkd3D3W8PIiFMjS6a0QmscGAPRm04jk5RQS9NG1p767c3u0jqmqdExxkRzXB1wDf6pptLDogIDIduZ3VwyMbfFn5z5EGDvC-EiV4/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+074.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061434594239032354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1r9V0ndZkGigbk2s2jvvF1_-8YwwF-2oljkd3D3W8PIiFMjS6a0QmscGAPRm04jk5RQS9NG1p767c3u0jqmqdExxkRzXB1wDf6pptLDogIDIduZ3VwyMbfFn5z5EGDvC-EiV4/s400/CITYSCAPE+074.jpg" border="0" /></a> I guess this is the good side.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5swevEmung24upZQ3qLzo-hcODRankPfFeJ7bm9jyo-WBrh8gFgXIZe8JhrQlSOGopi11ykvQR_FDctxDcgxO-rr9uEXmDq7a3JHqBNHyZRatjg7pkMiiBYaSfHSA59isxDc/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+073.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061434362310798354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5swevEmung24upZQ3qLzo-hcODRankPfFeJ7bm9jyo-WBrh8gFgXIZe8JhrQlSOGopi11ykvQR_FDctxDcgxO-rr9uEXmDq7a3JHqBNHyZRatjg7pkMiiBYaSfHSA59isxDc/s400/CITYSCAPE+073.jpg" border="0" /></a> Erhem, any guess which side is this?<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061448806285815346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjHIs-UoOodxHO7mEueXyPLprXaYaeswFJs5Q51EmPG9aNZSTmLSTw1cO-hQO_IqBy6nWZXDuoHxOhM2ZF1lw10aCcHnv9rc9zz9yiem-zFKFffj_lkcQJiX9VLv5kPjUJ3FL/s400/CITYSCAPE+075.jpg" border="0" /> This is the figurine in the middle.</div><div>I guess he is the aribitrator of peace.</div><div>Much like what the King did after each military coup.<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-19924208517715830282007-03-19T00:54:00.000-07:002008-12-09T11:15:00.147-08:00Fu Lu Shou<div align="justify">Europeans and Americans who have not been to Singapore think that we are all martial arts exponents donning traditional Chinese silk and doing all things Chinese here. Some who have visited expressed their surprise and dismay that it is so modern and Westernised (not Chinese enough); and too organised and clean, unlike the impressions they have of Asian cities.</div><div align="justify">.<br />The truth is somewhere in between, as there are some places, like Orchard Road, that are very Westernised, and some places like the Waterloo Street area, that are very Chinese. Some say the latter is even more Chinese than Chinatown. You can judge it for yourself from the pixs. My Taiwanese friend thinks that it is even more Chinese than Taipei! That means it is even more Chinese than a capital city that sometimes claims to be the rightful heir of China. Taiwan also have not gone through the Cultural Revolution and is highly motivated to remain more Chinese than the mainland Chinese are!</div><br /><div align="justify">.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg-hhA1AFIeSgdvv56uwH1ph0OUGUVuo-w-CU6zAQ31dLEmiG-I_m4nZHcFnA1ZfHKDkIXh_kXPw9LQn6q6bkLvoEtNXcMNE7CnushSkfzB8JV_yu93ydQiCg8dMptgW31T0L/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124722750458713186" style="CURSOR: hand" height="394" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg-hhA1AFIeSgdvv56uwH1ph0OUGUVuo-w-CU6zAQ31dLEmiG-I_m4nZHcFnA1ZfHKDkIXh_kXPw9LQn6q6bkLvoEtNXcMNE7CnushSkfzB8JV_yu93ydQiCg8dMptgW31T0L/s400/CITYSCAPE+009.jpg" width="529" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div align="justify"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1LaJ_aR6V7ASqQ-Bx1eKHJ5v4edHDergQu4qVNSPSYOi_8Er2hz5gD49j0nFA0Ua7LRyv__VEcY6Owj81cMrJh_bwrQg-R3dAJ87UaFG_cET5WbAKl0sb8L3XNS9IP8CUVgs/s1600-h/IMG_3546.JPG"><p align="center"></a></p>We started in the Fu Lu Shou (Fortune, Success and Longevity) shopping centre...<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXC0FUsLrr8WPa4FogrRu1M0ejyBmgylL60xC8QpFMqJ0GxK-wzCvwEi4bWFFYjxWRdwimL8KAySmzuJLAyW6HrhvhaUCGFjlxCwJs_4_UUOr6o0tIe660eu5Q_TbcJUPJCHHg/s1600-h/IMG_3545.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043552197596549986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXC0FUsLrr8WPa4FogrRu1M0ejyBmgylL60xC8QpFMqJ0GxK-wzCvwEi4bWFFYjxWRdwimL8KAySmzuJLAyW6HrhvhaUCGFjlxCwJs_4_UUOr6o0tIe660eu5Q_TbcJUPJCHHg/s400/IMG_3545.JPG" border="0" /></a>"Hall Full of Gold and Jade"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARwCsuga_qfmFh2Ep2QaeCaDV-3j5ysUZRb7UNm22ALnahgA3eVU9KLhLmv8WCXu3ztI4v6Of7fmC6gOEtYAk8eyZB8Ac1jEgqor2CsqhDh64BxfuNM-SlISkEFtrSMlofLjE/s1600-h/IMG_3548.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043551853999166290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARwCsuga_qfmFh2Ep2QaeCaDV-3j5ysUZRb7UNm22ALnahgA3eVU9KLhLmv8WCXu3ztI4v6Of7fmC6gOEtYAk8eyZB8Ac1jEgqor2CsqhDh64BxfuNM-SlISkEFtrSMlofLjE/s400/IMG_3548.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is a Thai Buddhist shrine. </div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Devotees come here to pay their respects and also consult the lady inside about their future.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpJHX-Ga1Uy2geVQnZ9QLMKWNT9kDmT13m8ce8vBOFYE4JrG8YYcnqAAkK2-FnJEIrnyptTg01MPKg42O6g6Zpd0hEoFzvGF5LnaXCV-6mQDLJ5nCnWPI0siDDFW7RwbkTZEd/s1600-h/IMG_3549.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043551609186030402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpJHX-Ga1Uy2geVQnZ9QLMKWNT9kDmT13m8ce8vBOFYE4JrG8YYcnqAAkK2-FnJEIrnyptTg01MPKg42O6g6Zpd0hEoFzvGF5LnaXCV-6mQDLJ5nCnWPI0siDDFW7RwbkTZEd/s400/IMG_3549.JPG" border="0" /></a> Notice the brigade of untidily parked trishaws in the background?<br />Very unlike the usual prim and proper orderliness of Singapore.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044216032269441714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmS_9-pSZ6h2BGfKXPg8gXr6xUWdjguKyySCN4hVPpiUvgt-ND3HwYucv6ttbkztJH3pDXY8nHxtwHS0wbof4Q1uHiRN6DJ3IYzXtcdJVgiEKHz8VEHrDBggZ-8tIVoS5pseDR/s400/IMG_3572.JPG" border="0" />close up</p><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oU1ggktlmJ6287r2bQMjxG91deEG0ABeu-6XBsMrGl6iLXIcyqqTFrKkfvyJiGe-54UPFUs0H5HoQ56snVt_RTJtvsh1ftNkIsUuXU9dvLeIzK4GydDaMHP-jb79TcOUL2eU/s1600-h/IMG_3551.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043551347193025330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6oU1ggktlmJ6287r2bQMjxG91deEG0ABeu-6XBsMrGl6iLXIcyqqTFrKkfvyJiGe-54UPFUs0H5HoQ56snVt_RTJtvsh1ftNkIsUuXU9dvLeIzK4GydDaMHP-jb79TcOUL2eU/s400/IMG_3551.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here's how aura pixs are taken using Kerlian photography.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4pwOklGeqTXoqsQWmFgrtnwYOprbD4YcI7rHvTM2bHfqpTaEYEt73DAtW-eIpdfLgY1UAtLpq9sWoJCCtpMqP4RsOMzqPjGpAmxWGAtGuUHrOmSMVFVYqJK3WUhrInsTYmsx/s1600-h/mikechua_lowres.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043550990710739746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4pwOklGeqTXoqsQWmFgrtnwYOprbD4YcI7rHvTM2bHfqpTaEYEt73DAtW-eIpdfLgY1UAtLpq9sWoJCCtpMqP4RsOMzqPjGpAmxWGAtGuUHrOmSMVFVYqJK3WUhrInsTYmsx/s400/mikechua_lowres.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I had mine taken too. ... <a href="http://jupilier.blogspot.com/2006/11/aura-pixs.html">more<br /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://jupilier.blogspot.com/2006/11/aura-pixs.html"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043550294926037778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHv93vYYSvleP4-iuW-ugs4xbWw0OAf6GZsI1zxsAVOgeQhcNrztDEBcr3gPCDVzp74r39EwbVTUk_omKz40_ZIaRyUfJzSO8KOdbHpMTStVnyFqdb05adIrvbqZVMbzg9Hla/s400/IMG_3552.JPG" border="0" /></a> These pigs rotate around greeting visitors to the shopping mall.<br />I love those kitchy Chinese colors! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLgGj9aOLsvaQIMWOywPUYq8XsfDuYpifOhdraiuAZjzyXpMb_wIhv3bvnQBb6A8ZrsHMDQ_-V6slRhJMx-uQMVT80Nahc7lmQlGNeDiv304kBiaaVuL2jhMDED0NO7qn-8Xa/s1600-h/IMG_3553.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043549843954471682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoLgGj9aOLsvaQIMWOywPUYq8XsfDuYpifOhdraiuAZjzyXpMb_wIhv3bvnQBb6A8ZrsHMDQ_-V6slRhJMx-uQMVT80Nahc7lmQlGNeDiv304kBiaaVuL2jhMDED0NO7qn-8Xa/s400/IMG_3553.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A Buddhist artifact shop.<br />.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043545106605543954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaEjXzEUkhc0dG22e6lKh4ZewnJXSBo7qK8WNE-tpeoI3MH0i3zomxjeKXicoByWAoQ_HXuEErJtUSWIZX8MQOK4vRIp5wlkp1yabHiFFZ8PsWNePh9kRDnnHzJZ1EnolQiTbS/s400/IMG_3570.JPG" border="0" /><br />Outside, there is this pig greeting everyone. </p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center">Then I notice a little Thai dancer figurine on the lower right corner. See next pix...<br />.<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043544771598094850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9dQwEPDSDseFedbW9yyDgR1_H1kLPLNf-EF1XXhPnUShadpvz6wKzN4NeCkgPbNgaUcQ2YRZ42x3Lrjfgia8Tl97ekF2tKJd5TD5sgQ0tyP717DugC4QgN-vttHrO8xXiYdA/s400/IMG_3569.JPG" border="0" /> This Thai figurine welcomes the visitor to pick up a rolled paper containing 4 digits (4D). </p><br /><p align="center">*sigh* She is encouraging gambling </p><br /><p align="center">- not a good karma to have as for one to win, many have to lose. </p><br /><p align="center"><br /></p><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzBEFGXnna655xALYZVnfI7unImUtqElh2MpN6_74kwbg3AQjgbGHBP-M-e6C5ThFwuADfqiYMJReU0oza3fitDWy5w_UUcHyZnYi0hv7rSs-ZO669fg3L7TyLKF294OjXM9o/s1600-h/IMG_3554.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5044219287854652098" style="WIDTH: 674px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 582px" height="384" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzBEFGXnna655xALYZVnfI7unImUtqElh2MpN6_74kwbg3AQjgbGHBP-M-e6C5ThFwuADfqiYMJReU0oza3fitDWy5w_UUcHyZnYi0hv7rSs-ZO669fg3L7TyLKF294OjXM9o/s400/IMG_3554.JPG" width="674" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div align="center">Inside the shop... lotsa glitter...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIv9FzdU3u8ApUhLYkwdtkx8FZmeTITb04eqsMeR4fS89KAlQU5c-ssDwoC0CXuoO_8iz3NmQmW2BbvgQ4E1ffBWR4sP7Wl7K2bhjSN3x3OYmDnraVqzqF5BXpyMfdPwHoJYB-/s1600-h/IMG_3555.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043549388687938274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIv9FzdU3u8ApUhLYkwdtkx8FZmeTITb04eqsMeR4fS89KAlQU5c-ssDwoC0CXuoO_8iz3NmQmW2BbvgQ4E1ffBWR4sP7Wl7K2bhjSN3x3OYmDnraVqzqF5BXpyMfdPwHoJYB-/s400/IMG_3555.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Buddha with his protectors at his side...<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfycHkpjUpJmMvB55wnonhKuToqaO9dXAL4xGiPZ2omzhq0W3m1EO_1TFy7eEDU8M-kwb0EcyHQp4FTARGlacblW1SL_0dY9Upmw5aswOmu4Qkn1uP-ttY70JzPy41WVgCurHI/s1600-h/IMG_3556.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043549045090554578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfycHkpjUpJmMvB55wnonhKuToqaO9dXAL4xGiPZ2omzhq0W3m1EO_1TFy7eEDU8M-kwb0EcyHQp4FTARGlacblW1SL_0dY9Upmw5aswOmu4Qkn1uP-ttY70JzPy41WVgCurHI/s400/IMG_3556.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It has been a long time since I have seen a notice board with only Chinese posts.<br /><br />This one is rare, in multi-lingual and multi-racial Singapore.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuG71bwxqWePMO3-jXq7XhaHy31NlJTr_hJFzhZCMzJhxsgafBbJOeHYk0wI6_FGJCppEGPwFZI-8t8BhWtkKPS-gSLWRHG83h-X9YlRrfmQhr9myVEIelEwqsySpqOw8kWiou/s1600-h/IMG_3557.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043548808867353282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuG71bwxqWePMO3-jXq7XhaHy31NlJTr_hJFzhZCMzJhxsgafBbJOeHYk0wI6_FGJCppEGPwFZI-8t8BhWtkKPS-gSLWRHG83h-X9YlRrfmQhr9myVEIelEwqsySpqOw8kWiou/s400/IMG_3557.JPG" border="0" /></a> Usually there are dollar bills inside during Chinese New Year!<br /><br />When I was a child, it was called "Ang Pow" in Hokkien.<br /><br />But nowadays, people speak Mandarin more and called them "Hong Bao".<br /><br />In Singapore, we even change our languages with the times. *sigh*<br /><br />I come back after 20 years and the natives now speak different languages.<br /><br />It feels surreal!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnJhhztlJEyTHcQv11CK58pWfa4cVmfxbyocAlA4NbJrkobeGJLbUN7ddsPU-4I4T1bw623EDcngWBu0tBDy3xxddul_UFuXev6jmtnbpu6talkEFzaAryOpFOFTaZFppdiQB/s1600-h/IMG_3558.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043548529694479026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnJhhztlJEyTHcQv11CK58pWfa4cVmfxbyocAlA4NbJrkobeGJLbUN7ddsPU-4I4T1bw623EDcngWBu0tBDy3xxddul_UFuXev6jmtnbpu6talkEFzaAryOpFOFTaZFppdiQB/s400/IMG_3558.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Broaches and gold nuggets.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043541571847459234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0cBYgj7mQftctfEzLD7mhZvv-riFiC8eEDrdDbpYEbefUW_HoyJ4fIVAPIqj1FNdYqTZMO9xEkaksvM-nOUzNoQo6AvxpGME5OiHLoWcZthFz-0xnFmoGN4zMwgAOMsgY_ATs/s400/IMG_3584.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />Incense sticks are meant to be aromatic, but Chinese ones are mostly just saw dusts.<br /><br />Originally, they were made of dried flowers so that when burned their fragrances can still be enjoyed during the winter months.<br /><br /><br /><br />The smoke coming from the incense sticks meandering to the sky symbolises our eternal spiritual evolution; and that though we may experience ups and downs in life, like the meandering of the smoke, in the long term we evolve progressively through the cycles of samsara by reincarnation.<br /><br />.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043545634886521394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHua9_DKcNOsy0acZQ9RGPIs4_Wwmvi_CEhcWLupwXmkPn6PcHBszYM6xYw14U5KPZ0KNqtKVV-53S9nMgakfvLdFvTbuO9ssk0LHJgEliuKMRXN-n8vJ6wU5b-7mHSVbRL0F9/s400/IMG_3567.JPG" border="0" />Incense paper<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043547443067753106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiX7-1EUSarzmQgRqReeRkWyhPuLlVGj_TWoUnWbwbMoaTOs7OADnlxKyhp0_b9GYnzy5LhTzApK746znJQ0YwhgAJrz7SgxQUrcsyc-OdCSLLe7uNJC882tUlVEbVk6srabm/s400/IMG_3560.JPG" border="0" /> Dried fish stomach and shitake mushrooms<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043548203276964514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwWL6GEzx50JoB_oqz00LG9XNvr2OwZnUKMz4Je3BkH76G9ty-_rdNPjFaNsYxZXISqqcdEU8jdkKKu_pqlNbtBL-bbwTyz9DOSx85C5OxwJDGurKWf3I9RPMMQaBwQ8xHDheA/s400/IMG_3559.JPG" border="0" /> Outside a feng shui and face reading shop <a href="http://jupilier.blogspot.com/2006/08/face-and-destiny.html">...more<br /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyKpqZ6NvwYSiMNiS8cVr1ZT1k7F6pGYBh5St-lm1xQ0RJCDC-FapRDEBkst98M-QHfSMMRfX1OoX-f5CR76BmL0a_TIv1GJCPhS-_m4M8CavbYS6rAJJTRiq5t8gyXKTBdph/s1600-h/IMG_3563.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043546747283051106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyKpqZ6NvwYSiMNiS8cVr1ZT1k7F6pGYBh5St-lm1xQ0RJCDC-FapRDEBkst98M-QHfSMMRfX1OoX-f5CR76BmL0a_TIv1GJCPhS-_m4M8CavbYS6rAJJTRiq5t8gyXKTBdph/s400/IMG_3563.JPG" border="0" /></a> "Weight Gaining Centre".<br /><br /><br />No, you didn't read wrongly. This one is special.<br /><br /><br />Especially when there is only 1.6% of obese people in Singapore.<br /><br /><br />Most Singaporeans spent a lot to keep slim.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKrSLgt8TNGoWgiPMQGEJGcWu5UYUmeERO-zIz3birO59aQVDNB1p-q6NUQTiLZQK2CWGuw9Fh9SbwYHykI7ti2RovYkJ0I5wITJ4xx4uxrTXUvW4vAWCMeQLdKq5bXji-uFa/s1600-h/IMG_3564.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043546523944751698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgKrSLgt8TNGoWgiPMQGEJGcWu5UYUmeERO-zIz3birO59aQVDNB1p-q6NUQTiLZQK2CWGuw9Fh9SbwYHykI7ti2RovYkJ0I5wITJ4xx4uxrTXUvW4vAWCMeQLdKq5bXji-uFa/s400/IMG_3564.JPG" border="0" /></a> One happy customer.<br /><br /><br />Guess which one!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043546979211285106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Nk1H8wf01u3uEjOd2gjAIH3SjlLCCJe9znZn-fowohruVpTcuRXT2GVuheTaKnjFXhhwWtlqj0aeu_QP5W8U-I4qfkGFVoXsLIhE__Yq_eRbLOenHmqi3XAsu_X44_6IkU9m/s400/IMG_3562.JPG" border="0" /> Free Buddhist books.<br />I took one entitled, "Reflections" by No Ajahn Chah<br />Very inspiring book.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0aBDo7OswQgVBd0DWxJKJ8S1Md0W35MUtRYJOZwrj1SEJL2RiBVPz8L_1TDf7-1XglaDauFl11lQB2vUlrBpPx46tsg-O2He7bcpXURQlouF-5UQWkQwGLrx-BbQ9X4CkXvT/s1600-h/IMG_3566.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043546214707106370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0aBDo7OswQgVBd0DWxJKJ8S1Md0W35MUtRYJOZwrj1SEJL2RiBVPz8L_1TDf7-1XglaDauFl11lQB2vUlrBpPx46tsg-O2He7bcpXURQlouF-5UQWkQwGLrx-BbQ9X4CkXvT/s400/IMG_3566.JPG" border="0" /></a>Bigfoot<br /><br />In Traditional Chinese Medicine, all our meridian points passes through our feet.<br /><br />Massaging the soles therefore clears the energy blocks due to toxins.<br /><br />Different parts of the foot correlates to different organs the meridians lead to and serve.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzVQi1_XQ0wv7LpO_chdb7CKWmrDPjgbNWBTpGxE2Q1X0esRmQO7xEIkytLHH3CVUIAfcvBwH4L3Lj6nrC_IbMCg7lM4QFIV4rKvugUXPSZue1R4qFhTfyqKFW30871DUNOr1/s1600-h/IMG_3568.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043545304174039586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzVQi1_XQ0wv7LpO_chdb7CKWmrDPjgbNWBTpGxE2Q1X0esRmQO7xEIkytLHH3CVUIAfcvBwH4L3Lj6nrC_IbMCg7lM4QFIV4rKvugUXPSZue1R4qFhTfyqKFW30871DUNOr1/s400/IMG_3568.JPG" border="0" /></a> A crowd gathers around some kung fu flicks on TV.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcOM2p7y8t01-vsCXdVicL8Wg3DQpW20NImtUpNpwYrNm9HH3Ypd9qtAKhraTd_3rlBHyHOvvAmklhyphenhyphentd99dAG8dFZoGfJqO1gHuQwWU1nS9vWsdRvzGVVE0KiXZAvm37HZ8T/s1600-h/IMG_3573.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043544007093916146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxcOM2p7y8t01-vsCXdVicL8Wg3DQpW20NImtUpNpwYrNm9HH3Ypd9qtAKhraTd_3rlBHyHOvvAmklhyphenhyphentd99dAG8dFZoGfJqO1gHuQwWU1nS9vWsdRvzGVVE0KiXZAvm37HZ8T/s400/IMG_3573.JPG" border="0" /></a> God of Fortune<br />Don't worry, more money coming in ...<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mu5wkU0fx1mmzYuKEy4owpUX7ZloppwCgN3WqvZisXAUIXOpd47i7eb-9YwG7pdwjryfJG8ygXSNNyGMLnHrIobalPtMXpz3Rpt94hen9cQdJpSsM1Ygib6dpiKuvVx0GPYJ/s1600-h/IMG_3574.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043543573302219234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mu5wkU0fx1mmzYuKEy4owpUX7ZloppwCgN3WqvZisXAUIXOpd47i7eb-9YwG7pdwjryfJG8ygXSNNyGMLnHrIobalPtMXpz3Rpt94hen9cQdJpSsM1Ygib6dpiKuvVx0GPYJ/s400/IMG_3574.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here it is,... it says "Wealth" on his tummy!<br />Hey! He even has a pink nipple!!! haha<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJR4x4XezCSO2m8t-n_s_6kkHCNfY82SgCeYBe8x0Ep-H5vW0l_tqC6HuFvB-Rcxqvuiu2Y8mwFeZ4rfmEbc9Ujv2Z3GJlRKvOeZI6Fu9m4WGtw8erd60HgGsTewT7x18c35K/s1600-h/IMG_3577.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043543083675947474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJR4x4XezCSO2m8t-n_s_6kkHCNfY82SgCeYBe8x0Ep-H5vW0l_tqC6HuFvB-Rcxqvuiu2Y8mwFeZ4rfmEbc9Ujv2Z3GJlRKvOeZI6Fu9m4WGtw8erd60HgGsTewT7x18c35K/s400/IMG_3577.JPG" border="0" /></a>This is the famous Waterloo Street Kuan Yin Temple.<br />It has this crowd of devotees everyday.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KoMFInmCBPAf8QYBBvmMsf_lEsWrNeqABlEdzL9P4c9Vg2aSsu9OGREPiLZLzEKEYF9kLrDhDvICxatQz2EaDpKiQSXGtRoM9PItd6-nfQejb2O3QBoKj1bqZGGpJJ5799c5/s1600-h/IMG_3579.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043542851747713474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KoMFInmCBPAf8QYBBvmMsf_lEsWrNeqABlEdzL9P4c9Vg2aSsu9OGREPiLZLzEKEYF9kLrDhDvICxatQz2EaDpKiQSXGtRoM9PItd6-nfQejb2O3QBoKj1bqZGGpJJ5799c5/s400/IMG_3579.JPG" border="0" /></a> Lotus and Chrysantenum. </div><br /><div>Lotus symbolises that beauty can emerge even from murky waters or humble beginnings.</div><br /><div>Flowers offered to the Gods symbolises impermanence. </div><br /><div>Fruits symbolises wisdom.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQteK80akM3KhvxA9Ff8w3-Lm_V-jPdKqPK2qELuYyY_ebinbFP43P8vkhi1kazAAgwuQyzS5W_4KK8iEl5sj4gNK4esTKIeUkbxxyF7-2B3ID58_PzZL2F1200J8EKkWCOOm/s1600-h/IMG_3580.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5043542177437847986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQteK80akM3KhvxA9Ff8w3-Lm_V-jPdKqPK2qELuYyY_ebinbFP43P8vkhi1kazAAgwuQyzS5W_4KK8iEl5sj4gNK4esTKIeUkbxxyF7-2B3ID58_PzZL2F1200J8EKkWCOOm/s400/IMG_3580.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div>(Non-hindu) Chinese people praying the Chinese way, outside a Hindu Temple.</div><br /><div>Can only happen in Singapore, I think. </div></div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-85991338360573761422007-02-16T22:43:00.000-08:002008-12-09T11:15:10.110-08:00Saigon<div align="center"><div align="justify">When I was in the military service, we were consistently reminded to protect Singapore against the dangerous communists up North, most potently the Vietnamese troops who had just invaded Cambodia in 1978. The world was worried that after Cambodia, the communists will advance into Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and the rest of South East Asia - what political observers called the 'domino theory'. </div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">After my Service, I went to Australia to further my education. There, the White Australians talked about the 'Yellow Peril' - that the Yellow races will come raining down southwards and ultimately taking Australia. To them at that time, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Koreans... all look the same and are 'yellows'.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">Twenty-eight years later, the Vietnamese still had not invaded anyone else and had gone on to embrace the market economy. The Prime Minister is now a Southerner, so is the majority of his Cabinet. While the Northerners are acknowledged for their liberation of Vietnam from the French and the Americans, the Southerners are now all set to develop their country's economy.</div><div align="justify">.</div><div align="justify">In my short trip of only a few days, I am very impressed with Saigon. Can't help calling it Saigon, as it just doesn't have the communist ring of Ho Chi Minh. So let's call it Saigon for this posting! :)<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSYmnQuHiBbbImZLmwtr3qibMT_WJ8Uk1LLEdnguhe1qynT80xK9WGPXWI3Cq8r6AEdjVFDXAKUZ776Ox5PZyBT17rVHFAnElVg6Do4kkOuUYlNaSW6KpPR8BdKACJUfRwGp_/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032391878389814370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkSYmnQuHiBbbImZLmwtr3qibMT_WJ8Uk1LLEdnguhe1qynT80xK9WGPXWI3Cq8r6AEdjVFDXAKUZ776Ox5PZyBT17rVHFAnElVg6Do4kkOuUYlNaSW6KpPR8BdKACJUfRwGp_/s400/CITYSCAPE+004.jpg" border="0" /></a>Can't help noticing so many pretty Vietnamese girls in our flight from Singapore to Saigon. Wonder why?</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHlDZ2wrYJStB1stBlbUUywPkd_ygY3PoLNKiyzGSAib2OxRkSTOCsqDyxFP_X2QtT2qRGfM0n5UAqbKlr9qOlnJd-IVwMt3uP2MlTjSWI2NWhpHB9cpEQylAaLTtHlUQLCwN/s1600-h/CITYSCAPE+038.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032390808942957618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHlDZ2wrYJStB1stBlbUUywPkd_ygY3PoLNKiyzGSAib2OxRkSTOCsqDyxFP_X2QtT2qRGfM0n5UAqbKlr9qOlnJd-IVwMt3uP2MlTjSWI2NWhpHB9cpEQylAaLTtHlUQLCwN/s400/CITYSCAPE+038.jpg" border="0" /></a> Some are tall, pretty and elegant.<br /><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032391517612561490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8hzg2laKCCs7loReqmQxBBmWXsbvmfcJSUwZhyzLvy_g_pZh9DSq0an36EMF0Uf2egXff2UbPb1vqOPXKR-ew1R_CeT3Rp-CaPvxmpT14ZgLNy7D9q4qEb4P7mcDeJLXIZIg/s400/CITYSCAPE+040.jpg" border="0" /> Some are less so, and a bit out of synch.<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032391053756093506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-4xmtVZ_Cr-E54oG9LqyunhhnD_cBbZGlaMxQCWbnai9hHqle_55CL9DVDFEJiwZbsm4_KYiXeBeYUpWwl1dkvBu9T8DX_DyCUrmqxPnXUhel8eDsw9EXM2_CIVnd2qgzbyb/s400/CITYSCAPE+005.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">While the young sport blonde hair and sexy tubes, the older one still don traditional black costumes complete with the traditional Vietnamese hat.<br /></p><p align="center"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032392312181511282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuI4TtKXq613G5kE_9r8687qfsQpaZSHYrFhWJFzSI4AeuBZeUNDxmz7V4a5JO9y-xWBR6bubB6Zk_8JByR8rpXXuq9kVaI2owU1ej59mi-EyCNx1I6gWE0b4rNX3vk3z7l5Id/s400/CITYSCAPE+008.jpg" border="0" /> Then one of them hopped onto a motorbike with suitcase and all. As she saw me photographing her, she smiled and waved to me. </div><div align="center"><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033281795780854450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOrVbyKCf5KrP2y1At38K7y1I0WCkAmtRqPihbMLO6-CXrMKsD0XWQZy0jJBjGnYgfA6YqLWBYw7jGhyphenhyphenkszZ_xGJlDXGPucHuDGZ10oRWDXgwwjhFMKC9k94e3ycw6m5aQkGW/s400/CITYSCAPE+009.jpg" border="0" /> As our contact in Vietnam is a politically well connected person, I was wondering if we will be riding on this gawdy red Mercedes at the airport...<br /><br /><p><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033282233867518658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCAkp58aSv-YjOAsGtYcNfGmOHqN3ttcmwZRlododr46JyU7Y8NS-GeSGX8CpkLk5qjdN_UnKSYHmu-RD06Tu4o5mDs0Qutmu0r9qNSaLHvKvbeevHNdTVaR953TCcyXkGzyu/s400/CITYSCAPE+044.jpg" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">No we were not! Up this truck please! Actually, probably a good sign...</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033463734890480354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_-zLoOiQsCE2Xjwj-M-jPIWTV-BaS3Z9SOLPJMIJV7GLrLdGFWlOdPvaerp827W5CNb4KS25lsAeHIv6pTTWGu-TX9T9eKqCsx0cg2mMuXAowumx5AFpQApI6pwKBhQv0samj/s400/CITYSCAPE+010.jpg" border="0" />It brought us from point A to point B, all the same.<br /><p align="center"></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5033283818710450898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFwSirPRycnDKuTVz2NyAX4G8VuUHvHU5J6ncqOkBUxoL_c5WpTuEYSuSx1ro5Z_UA94lNOl4VKnvhywg-Rxa9IyL5bB2nCzQawsm0C22Y5QoIKpY0CmMZLoIfrunxwso2qhu/s400/CITYSCAPE+011.jpg" border="0" /> This one peddles toys on his bicycle. Free enterprise is rife.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032394081708037266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9giQfrOqRyiLg_3F5EnN9oDFL4NWk8vLQkp1uZGI1Tv8vOh-hTJgIu5vcGqHpTPu7WtLaEUU0vSDCNz6XaddjYev4qG37urImlnEJXxyv0u9lCpEc1S2VPfK6SzKO4rF7i_FS/s400/CITYSCAPE+012.jpg" border="0" /> The streets were teeming with food stalls like these. I was also delighted to hear that they do not have to pay any protection fee to anybody. No mafia and also not to the police. This one in the pix sells sweet potatoes she roasts over charcoal.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032394545564505250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN7dFegSJuE2jNaefYldhJ3n14Jqi4UCSmujt3anLFkrT8LSgPMABcZ2VD4c86HenfkbsIhQJzX_L1BW1s5uhVCXbMVgPueecXsRhRrIE5RBsDS3RYtQ60K8tiyoHnX8CrODHZ/s400/CITYSCAPE+064.jpg" border="0" /> This one outside the hotel sells glutinous rice. Apart from peanuts and rice, she adds, sugar, coconut, fried shallots...etc. A little too rich for me. As I approached her stall and looked, she very generously scooped some on a paper to let me try. Yum!!! So I bought a packet, but without the extra toppings. Then as I opened the packet to eat, she even offered her stool for me to sit down by the pavement. A kind soul indeed. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032394992241104050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6IDbQwgnhHiKzDFH_GDnjAjSryC_x8AYHgk_paoURoMs3mMbf4Me3rdU15ZmIG2fAubeF5-_eT01PWw5Ks60NTv-q5YPpjbZ2av8NogRzlrphF9ZqE5XZQioFks4GFmBurRK/s400/CITYSCAPE+072.jpg" border="0" /> Street side barbers.</div><br /><div align="center">The pavements and roads are so busy that cleaning can only take place at 11pm to 4am. They clean the streets everyday. So the streets are neat and tidy. It is also not uncommon to see shop keepers sweeping the pavements in front of their shops during the day.</div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032395778220119234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-UXuKB-YDHyC_iuIjXAb5TVOOY_VT9QkkRhG_-uoKnxyXbzNQWyuLT5DuCPc5uZu8-wGgxtE9vpJ1qWX7MTNSHT0h76_q3781p0NLYqS8O-wNGxWV-NlTd_dQayoB7rfgu7H/s400/CITYSCAPE+046.jpg" border="0" /> Passed by this 'art production house'. Here you see lots of replicas of the works of Van Gogh, Cezanne and other famous painters.<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032396250666521810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSz8ixJ-PbPZLK_v_JEhFLwNE809EkpJymhAjdva29SWQqEiOS8XVW9xRZuLRxEokwzooP_txB8h_tt_hIxHSaiDfkbAGXOUuxZ6ENrMfE8oHbl8HzqT6hytJtwE5cVw5tzpvX/s400/CITYSCAPE+057.jpg" border="0" /> </p><br /><p align="center">This is the posh street of District One. We came here for our dinner. The restaurant is reminiscent of those from old world Parisian charm.<br /></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032396654393447650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCo8M-Nk2tmyp2wyw2lo_gCZrL5vukyfQIGjRh1xrRr8-RGh3XopI9dIMP3GlQBT8l_KQi5EEx9_IP4gQ5RnIozUni5Ui6GpeXvjn7acl9roVXwKGu-wf3mBSW1O-O6O-KLTd/s400/CITYSCAPE+020.jpg" border="0" /> There are these posh districts and also these naughty districts.<br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032399974403167522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGW0lTUDmtInVduwO7xQlQfGaAAaoSKksuWbs8oYgaNr38aMzWp4gvXM4HdKFMNEjzZpngS4E98IEDMGymXlo6i8QGXCq90LnJv6Qg6hiacBAQ4842XahCVNnsImqzxwfBeOT/s400/CITYSCAPE+067.jpg" border="0" /> This pix is taken in a street side coffeeshop selling Pho (Vietnamese beef rice noodle soup). I love these quaint Coke bottles. The orange squash bottle is the same as what we used to have in Singapore for 'Green Spot' in the 1960s. I felt like time had stood still.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032398024488015090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWBwOTVm6Xt-kPNiDj5yGwIm7QVkgDugQXP58DwVAOEShVXhT3bDtTC5Lr8MWYOTKogt56PcAB8b74uXUfjSiF-TVnXq04d3tVgQHSQ17JkeZZFbFhzspe6Qd4NOUcsnhTLkk/s400/CITYSCAPE+051.jpg" border="0" /> This is the only communist symbol I saw in my whole trip in Saigon. The pix of Ho Chi Minh and the hammer and sickle red flag.<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032398535589123330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgibYycDN_813tIQGEHDmr3x01zbgGf8wvudnO7G2dhzw2NYhqd-tk61RoAAOv_g_wAt1x_0GPa83Cirr3i9YpB_mvFkVFjyicAMYzzq-u10lrB9FLVw2AZHgABYPXUPOSNSqQB/s400/CITYSCAPE+053.jpg" border="0" /> A colonial symbol from the French era. Probably a Catholic church.<br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032399510546699538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpJkjAjV85uvy-O13R__nNB_pb5eY9H0kIxI4UBpzGZWVNPEeTgta6v5gTK9QFAvjki3AMl-9eGTL9TZ80fJxWFH-r1YQVUIQwEsOBWsRFgS8inX6Ppn-MfDJ1ZolXqNjZrq5/s400/CITYSCAPE+077.jpg" border="0" /> This is a Taoist/Buddhist shrine along the backlanes near the hotel. The priest was very friendly and waved to me and urshered me to visit the shrine and take pictures if I wanted. I noticed that the diety figurines have smooth glazed faces and circular aura depicted behind them. Somehow, it looks very similar in style to the statues of Mother Mary in street corner chapels in Italy.<br /><br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032400567108654386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKRpGlniKnNjs-ey_SFwOwCPrjyM0R2fMWljJwSiXwDG5kYITUCaVW5Et3c057UB-jH9t9b06WUw0449nTAHIprZAzDgGys44NQXMq98lodKdOYgRVLKqXCUlkKRiNMbyZV4A/s400/CITYSCAPE+083.jpg" border="0" /><br />This is a Buddhist/Taoist pagoda behind the hotel. </p><br /><br /><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032401000900351298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvulT70qxOZ-pL_GUZVhyphenhyphens4MFFb9BDIZa-5EwzTSs0Csf4raY33SdaCc1MV2WbH6tkjLMrjFeZK5SI_pDMGf-29RXh9gbzADpS_ua6RucZRK0G8M49LM7Bck5VIH5fL9xRjgo/s400/CITYSCAPE+087.jpg" border="0" /> It has a giant statue of Kuan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032401516296426834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2uwbA4Zkp6fX5DhjiwHL1vRtb37th8dNolUAdVYB8nL9MrafFTNyaRxAjE1zeXxpFpQVE9Mdq7jukp4_bEZDVLQg0DfIShXSxd1PTQn_u9L6-OEOSKm3Sgx6c8Q9ecR18GRW/s400/CITYSCAPE+088.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><div align="center">... and a statue of a meditating Buddha, with a few children playing around it.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032403912888178034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpHzG_q7e1k_zqY2MfTsC0txCwxxBDyXaTl_VGkybtPBjDsGXr0dkBWzdktmqZy2nNEUgmfaSPsdF-Z-ThVxveGEUFBDTNgUansBU8DlczHsg-bIt3pFWWCaHEbTfLl_zYe1Pp/s400/CITYSCAPE+092.jpg" border="0" />... and children who refused to leave me alone. :)<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032403650895172962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i8TshhPBZVq7W-lSPt31F7jPRYQ6siKEFr6Ofj0jb_rsTSRcV6pYgtl1KzHuEJIHr_a2gpavOHNlbKqXX6486XlzDkjLU_XO4Ea9soHhy9Onrxs9jU5W2leI5eiNl_XyzA-W/s400/CITYSCAPE+091.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><div align="center">... they love to be photographed. Aren't they beautiful? So innocent and vibrant!<br /></div><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032404131931510146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWlHCFQgyoHqWLuXj-36vy0_oJRGv8jPUJg7dVchFZgLa4mB0022JGIdaKAZM-52NLEiGfzh53FhPpa_YS-Cwvuwd_FKt4nm8fTrMTyHsVJBsG4unh8IJxlXHMe3EQzGiy1Vx/s400/CITYSCAPE+093.jpg" border="0" /></p><div align="center">Actually, it seems not so long ago that I was the one being photographed by Western tourists at Mt Faber, Singapore. :) I still have vivid memories of those days when Singapore was a 'very developing' country. Those events inspired me to travel around the world 'when I grow up'. So I did and went on to lived in 17 cities across 4 continents and traveled to 10 others. It is a dream fulfilled that still feels like a dream!</div><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032405570745554322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebCGhygc0U3TTLVQRlzTwbAt0UW_VfA5FI-JazVfNc7MFHUap12omT0yGJas2GuSQS9lyi2rZlzogwvvTI7nVDrwf-CANwpV9tMDkTkk-u-fbSf440ABFKOVvBGVEAMjO_ZO7/s400/CITYSCAPE+080.jpg" border="0" /> Spotted this laid back cafe near the hotel that serves fruits, ice cream floats, cocktails and coffee, so we decided to relax there. Notice that the chairs are all faced outwards French cafe style. Ok, the seats are a bit modest here, but it does the same job.<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032406141976204706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOe0xsrU0hiDis6M9qtm7pJjerVQoL69XKUCbFqweBm-r_tWfRgfgQ8GxF9ElYaRQq8cyf4zs4alWattx3cOwk_DLhk4MiWn6zQCyTL6CpwhLaaip49uZMEqwcSlzgEOFRpTs-/s400/CITYSCAPE+096.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">Then while I was enjoying my ice-cream float, a beautiful angel fairy appeared.</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032406927955219890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheewwHs5ZuyDLroZlSCoUCxRLa2wqyhm0lYhw1P6O2PhKitWmCkHcZe9S1Fg9ukNEyTjpjhdIEIX923J-isORGF0NcHqEcYsCTJCQv9A4FEWSVkdzR5afEeZvRMEzMgDC9poNK/s400/CITYSCAPE+097.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">She came closer to me and gave me some magic tokens and say that I can find her again using them.</p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032407537840575938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddyn3cys_a_tH7JNAtcb-a8_B8ECTQgqaB9sApKrcheaREx7VRrQkY05cmAM4CuBkrGGXy1Hih558dVBESA9Zq67ds-Q_-aYX8hhsErQA2_mLMAoG3-OV6qkKPTIE6N_SiNVD/s400/CITYSCAPE+099.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">After she left, I took a look at the tokens and they are free login credits to an online game. So Cybergames and fantasy has entered Saigon.<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032408452668610002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuhEmEXeGqih5GvplLJu-dTx1iuvGDI90G7I-gkisGeS1wJPYKz15NA93wlGYC3gdPM4OdJhbbc4GoXI4JUFgmHOUa-ywuwnWgSuozleO1faMibU4Mi7ls2egfsj1RjrWU_P9X/s400/CITYSCAPE+034.jpg" border="0" /> </p><p align="center">The Vietnamese people are so disciplined, organised and industrious. Look how close they park their bikes to one another so as to maximise the parking space for others. Also the bikes are neat and clean. People are also neatly and smartly dressed.<br /><br /></p><p align="justify"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032409891482654178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0PUOvm2a-YmfQ6Rt40m-oex3FRnjIZrVcq4kz9p5GYQv1Kk3OWoc2fZPpNq91Eib4O0U5SVPl96ES02JWWCL6wrFeo7s5kAZMesYH39Q6Hd38Bl7b3x8l3oFASM6VDRfvMjP/s400/CITYSCAPE+024.jpg" border="0" /> This pix speaks volumes. The old phone set speaks of economy of this two-star hotel I stayed in. Notice also that they wrap the air-con and TV remote controllers in clear plastic, so that they will stay clean and probably last longer? Also typical is the kistchy plastic flowers. :)<br /><br />Whenever I ask for the key to my room at the reception, I would say "401", in which the receptionist will respond "402", which I would correct him by saying, "No, 401"; which he will repeat "402". But, eventually, I will get the key for 401. I don't know what happened but I always get the right key. So somewhere, he thinks 402 is 401. </p><p align="justify">About 3 out of 10 people speak some English. Young people are keen to learn English. Hardly any young people speak French. Some old people, but very few of them, speaks French.</p><p align="justify">I am very impressed with the young Vietnamese who served me. One day when I came back to the hotel, the receptionist was cleaning the front glass panes, but on seeing me, rushed to get my key for me. Then she continued cleaning the glass, door, door knobs etc. Upstairs, as I reached my room, three young men were cleaning my room - one in the toilet, one vacuuming the floor the other wiping the table, door knobs, bed head...etc. Needless to say, the room was immaculate! And this was just a 2-star hotel!<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032413580859561490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfcWvyuzAHSs3NXG5rXLwLL0Tmuko-Z8iAoOPGXRFih9_BfYEn7nmaMrp4cCY4bl-sWSov0EDpuUigvcziYY9uNMXiWLETiVY9meNp5RiWa1n4mlX0NSoaAZmxs1FQLtMxMRjH/s400/CITYSCAPE+105.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">You like a souvenir to surprise your friend at home? :)<br /><br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032411721138722306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiNH1F0M4rThzP-y5U1atucHH4MxZpLQSw1dlULcIkpgvuhS_kHjScTiUkxUE5-HnL_ZCwcwYWdWYSsEUgv2RDHD5aSIbA7EAIu5qgq_xO-zp3UNdXmsatEVe4he0WbfLtNWH/s400/CITYSCAPE+098.jpg" border="0" /></p><p align="center">More kistch! :)<br /></p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032410806310688242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1hAle_prRukJGqAdycMW66PTOeeQVFLBJ9ijzIHyMCZBrQEjDiUGEFu7dotCMxusEURwJawYSJcTNXqgYLMhqXtrmIdXzeNye4QGAtl0aH6sV7OFbwkp2OmtR69Vrgn4v4dUB/s400/CITYSCAPE+106.jpg" border="0" /> Going Home. </p><p align="center">Saigon is mostly low rise urban sprawl. It is about 160km by 120km.</p><p align="justify">Last, but not least, do remember that the pixs above doesn't talk, so you didn't get to hear the traffic humdrums and the motorbike invasions in the city. The video below will give you a better idea of the dynamics and noise level of the city.<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oDU33VQAxVs" width="425" height="350" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent"></embed></div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-44907826274150371292007-01-30T06:42:00.000-08:002008-12-09T11:15:12.468-08:00Rixensart<div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0bJvbLrPdgABBO48Ns7jlrbmRfSPLwUQl0Evq57T26Nfd9LTlwnHVFoYJf2RDdynPED-W2yyVpZMX-i75lQFajpQxbiW7E9lmorOEfw4BFXTgyfmE2K5_84yYQqbE_70ETBM/s1600-h/IMG_3098.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025835463336926258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0bJvbLrPdgABBO48Ns7jlrbmRfSPLwUQl0Evq57T26Nfd9LTlwnHVFoYJf2RDdynPED-W2yyVpZMX-i75lQFajpQxbiW7E9lmorOEfw4BFXTgyfmE2K5_84yYQqbE_70ETBM/s400/IMG_3098.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcbhDcMWGd_82iWzEBRHfNGugsRXFEAxqlbXqjeYsD5cs2SP0hOACIFfx1FtKwe7ww2jSonC1vXhXMeBXaD29rjoCh1BzwFfqhvJmf-NCgkyhWTzbd78R8pzVMEvFmAQYQaxI/s1600-h/IMG_3094.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025834565688761378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcbhDcMWGd_82iWzEBRHfNGugsRXFEAxqlbXqjeYsD5cs2SP0hOACIFfx1FtKwe7ww2jSonC1vXhXMeBXaD29rjoCh1BzwFfqhvJmf-NCgkyhWTzbd78R8pzVMEvFmAQYQaxI/s400/IMG_3094.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="center">Chateau de Rixensart, Belgium - Jan 2007 </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025835768279604290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnXaAiaUFia4qu3B5yZjy0BE-NGW7nhjLNy1oQ0E_WnWCbugNm0YP2B7mh_P8AxQDiLCld_iUpWmwUildjqsXekMw5dQO_V6xRD-Wb3smwN8AnugS_kFrgpIriZeFSOcx0e_Z/s400/IMG_3099.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">By the creek near the chateau </p><p align="center"><br /></p><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025836605798227026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpItD1G4J-S19xzVPDenRMxX1ePd10-YylB5SZhr_35_uwm1sDYlq2EK95D9raJvn8MgwpWKObSME9MFCliWldcEZnFvg8lvU-vuHl3g2g7QTFb9SRe3Rt9UXH2vZ0qjO_OMjs/s400/IMG_3104.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">The derelict chapel in the woods </p><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025837202798681186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtRTo9kkUqqWcTkRrvq5JuLrVLg2HAq9mj-O2HmpEcttc8zH-TgM26GPFVtTWhJL2Yf7m2F0vUabcH1w8dr2PWfEEwEZEdMDBT0iZzFavo5mSeidUYU7dbHCeVRKqyPqkX0mK/s400/IMG_3102.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">Close up<br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025839672404876402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5XvE9l4LAycIaJ2iJmS2LkBe1ZqSftyain-lQyeGCC9qDmJC_bGc6xnsDjmBang1POR7dLkRC0f5wNmCFiRC55AuSwAthzebNJHsW4c1F2xr6qA74SJLCu_YSBH-FOgneuOYr/s400/IMG_3093.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Found this cross near the broken chapel </p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025841484881075330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEZUEtRa7ko0qmfaTNqCKatvktIWiP8LnoUeXbIbpV-x4doMxDckw-LE6WGyV4r37EC32AnCAEeqDDnubPvqzncgQ7icsZkVAoDNhFr_GKhcRG5dta2coxUYeEQFBDOfR3y9f/s400/IMG_3084.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p align="center">Going home</p>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-20029116222642447312007-01-10T04:11:00.002-08:002008-12-09T11:15:12.591-08:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZcqs27KAQkR9dt-PglNdRWmFfVAcbp2nOKsos_6_6UG847_5P4fESXk3nwVjORVNPEsId1f8u_Dkc931oDCZi36zZ7I0pKGD5kkAuB-b8bnJ5hAebWtibQ-53bV85eFoIBr6/s1600-h/IMG_3046.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018373528856278578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZcqs27KAQkR9dt-PglNdRWmFfVAcbp2nOKsos_6_6UG847_5P4fESXk3nwVjORVNPEsId1f8u_Dkc931oDCZi36zZ7I0pKGD5kkAuB-b8bnJ5hAebWtibQ-53bV85eFoIBr6/s400/IMG_3046.JPG" border="0" /></a> North Station, Brussels, Belgium, Jan 2007<br /><br /></div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-26911795255930717522007-01-10T04:11:00.001-08:002007-01-10T04:11:27.557-08:00michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-75637351857381319512007-01-10T04:10:00.000-08:002008-12-09T11:15:12.763-08:00<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0Tw4BKAw6Xl-3cUOmBjZYkc7QQ881Psrw-NpVUBr7SShI3OVuiVpVQDxvNAP_tsO_mdnI77N6BHYZK9yKlCDX6bipz6T3JnEb7o9KnwtkR1PcRA_eFxDqqIUgVhegBof-Xh3/s1600-h/IMG_3043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018373150899156514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0Tw4BKAw6Xl-3cUOmBjZYkc7QQ881Psrw-NpVUBr7SShI3OVuiVpVQDxvNAP_tsO_mdnI77N6BHYZK9yKlCDX6bipz6T3JnEb7o9KnwtkR1PcRA_eFxDqqIUgVhegBof-Xh3/s400/IMG_3043.JPG" border="0" /></a> Antwerpen Station, Belgium, Jan 2007<br /><br /></div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-68640412701087840812007-01-10T04:08:00.000-08:002008-12-09T11:15:13.012-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaSSEGZ8PqS7hBrUcU073pbDrwpPS42Wub_bIU8tgmcOw_rLB8moqQcYOqeLd93tcKkpyejAdm86NBTBnyY8VSdXtQi0oPMzNYJhlUoFgJWHuEGgEJYUoGxtXtswBh1sCneI6/s1600-h/IMG_3027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018379666364544578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaSSEGZ8PqS7hBrUcU073pbDrwpPS42Wub_bIU8tgmcOw_rLB8moqQcYOqeLd93tcKkpyejAdm86NBTBnyY8VSdXtQi0oPMzNYJhlUoFgJWHuEGgEJYUoGxtXtswBh1sCneI6/s400/IMG_3027.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgGHpdN-ClySc8u5eqq5k-jPN_MZYC5SDWrFz87EW3eaGo6chd3ASiNAZpvzagriJCB2mDvU-XBboAkGWwA1l4WomIuEg3g8n4L7sQD7efysr8M53MC8UxnKXMuy1RILYtgnB/s1600-h/IMG_3028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018372738582296082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgGHpdN-ClySc8u5eqq5k-jPN_MZYC5SDWrFz87EW3eaGo6chd3ASiNAZpvzagriJCB2mDvU-XBboAkGWwA1l4WomIuEg3g8n4L7sQD7efysr8M53MC8UxnKXMuy1RILYtgnB/s400/IMG_3028.JPG" border="0" /></a> The gothic church in Arnhem, Holland </div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-24055062806303197422007-01-10T04:07:00.000-08:002008-12-09T11:15:13.142-08:00S-Hertogenbosch<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_olN3c_H1MCPyc54B9IBjnKK09ffEQ5PH3MC2arCh2i7Tae1w48um3i5Vk8kDOWuf2uiabVoQlyhufB1wVm-lWsJKNjphhYdCWO-QrC-0XFZIz7Bx9C3IaVswCo6dmu5eSGs/s1600-h/IMG_3042.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018372442229552642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm_olN3c_H1MCPyc54B9IBjnKK09ffEQ5PH3MC2arCh2i7Tae1w48um3i5Vk8kDOWuf2uiabVoQlyhufB1wVm-lWsJKNjphhYdCWO-QrC-0XFZIz7Bx9C3IaVswCo6dmu5eSGs/s400/IMG_3042.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14153636.post-12914484271937919302007-01-10T04:05:00.000-08:002008-12-09T11:15:13.270-08:00S-Hertogenbosch<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aVXezHnSTxQ9TmzUpUkyNLyUfQm2CjH1_z1Az3RgcbiDbRHr1Z2bj8b2VdCA_3mCxyUDN1gAMqCltP3Ec0-5Dud5r7rHLs6UDcXZfYXiXhQRs4KL5uAsZ85mamIPW4AiVSiw/s1600-h/IMG_3037.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5018372167351645682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aVXezHnSTxQ9TmzUpUkyNLyUfQm2CjH1_z1Az3RgcbiDbRHr1Z2bj8b2VdCA_3mCxyUDN1gAMqCltP3Ec0-5Dud5r7rHLs6UDcXZfYXiXhQRs4KL5uAsZ85mamIPW4AiVSiw/s400/IMG_3037.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11867685967275729776noreply@blogger.com0