Dairy Farm Nature Park

Went for a walk yesterday morning in Singapore's newest nature park, the Dairy Farm Nature Park. Located just next to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, it was officially opened to the public on 5 September 2009.

I was interested to take a look at the Singapore Quarry after reading the news reported on AsiaOne and National Parks Board.

New Corolla Altis 10th Gen

Click on the above photo for high-res image
Took delivery from BM this morning.

According to Wikipedia, Altis was a location in what is today Peloponnese in Greece. Altis was also referred to as the Sanctuary of Zeus by the Greeks.

The new Corolla Altis feels roomy and spacious. The floor in the back is virtually flat, so middle seat passengers will have less to complain about. Switching on the ignition the car starts with the smoothest sound. The engine is well refined with slick gearshift. The car accelerates smoothly and the steering wheel feels super light. Maneuvering the car is easy thanks to the light feel Electronic Power Steering.

You'd be forgiven for mistaking the Altis for its expensive sibling, the Toyota Camry if it's the first time you see the car on the road. If you look at the picture of the Camry and Altis side-by-side, you will realize where the styling cues have been taken from.

To view slide-show, click here .

Henderson Waves

Visited Henderson Waves yesterday in the late morning. This 300-metre bridge is a part of Southern Ridges, a 9 km chain of greenery, which consist primarily of three large hill parks - Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park and Kent Ridge Park.
One end of the bridge connects to Telok Blangah Hill Park, whilst the other end connects to Mount Faber Park.
Henderson Waves was officially opened on 10 May 2008.

View from Telok Blangah Hill Park.Click on the above photo for high-res image

The bridge has a unique wave-form made up of seven undulating curved steel “ribs” that alternately rise over and under its deck. The curved “ribs” form alcoves that function as shelters with seats within.

At a height of 36 metres or 12 storeys from the road, it's the
highest pedestrian bridge in Singapore.Click on the above photo for high-res image

Hornworm (Sphingidae)

Sphinx Moth Caterpillar.Click on the above photo for high-res image
Stumbled across this little guy in HortPark feeding on the leaves of the Congea tomentosa (Shower orchid or Wooly congea).

In the US, these caterpillars are called "hornworms" because they have a conspicuous horn or spine on the top of the last abdominal segment. Hornworms are the caterpillars of sphinx moths and are classified in the moth family Sphingidae, in the order Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths).

The name "sphinx" is probably in reference to the sphinx-like position that some of the caterpillars assume when disturbed.

Chinatown in Singapore

Singapore Chinatown is known to the locals as Niu Che Shui (牛车水) literally translated as “Ox-cart water” because during the 19th century Chinatown had to collect fresh water from the wells in Ann Siang Hill and Spring Street, using bullock-drawn carts.

The year of the Ox is arriving soon and
Chinatown prepares to usher in the Ox.
Click on the above photo for high-res image

The senior citizens (ah-pek) absorbed in Chinese chess.Click on the above photo for high-res image
Senior citizens mainly the old chinese men ( otherwise locally known as ah-pek) spent their morning playing Chinese chess. This is my favourite shot . . . a very typical scene found in Chinatown. I love the different expressions found at each of their faces with regard to the game.

The heart of activity is in the Trengganu/Smith Streets area.Click on the above photo for high-res image

Marina Barrage

Officially opened on 31 October 2008, the Marina Barrage spans the 350-metre wide Marina Channel separating the water in Marina Basin from the seawater thus creating Singapore's 15th reservoir.

The Barrage.Click on the above photo for high-res image
Marina Barrage consists of a dam that also doubles as a pedestrian bridge that links from Marina South to Marina East.

What better way to find out about this new dam than to go to the Barrage itself and take some photos since I heard that it's a pretty scenic place.

The Green Roof.Click on the above photo for high-res image

The city skyline looking towards the "Flyer".Click on the above photo for high-res image

The viewing pad.Click on the above photo for high-res image

The photos turned out pretty well in spite of the overcast sky. Thankfully, I didn't get caught in the rain because I was only there for a short period of time.

Alexandra Arch

The bridge, with its curved deck and tilted arch, spans across Alexandra Road like an opened leaf. On one end, it continues to Forest Walk, which is made up of an elevated walkway for pedestrians and earth trails for cyclists through the secondary forest of Telok Blangah Hill Park. On the other, it links via a floral path to the Horticulture Park - or HortPark for short.

Although white in colour during the day,
at night it is illuminated with colours. Click on the above photo for high-res image
The steel elevated walkway leading towards the Forest WalkClick on the above photo for high-res image
The end of Alexandra Arch is the start of Forest Walk, a steel elevated walkway that one walks viewing the forest surrounding it.
Forest Walk can only be done in the daylight as there is no lamp-post. Not only that, there is also no toilet too but there are a few stairs that bring one down to the forest to answer nature’s call.

Long tailed Macaque, the guardian of Forest Walk.Click on the above photo for high-res image
Exiting the Forest Walk via this zig zag elevated steel walkway
will bring you to Telok Blangah Hill Park.Click on the above photo for high-res image

Quaint Lamp Posts

Click on the above photo for high-res imageAbout thirty of these quaint lamp posts now at the old Seletar airbase will be preserved for use after the area is transformed into a modern aerospace hub. These quaint lamp posts are believed to date back to the British era. I find their ornamental design rather unique.

Click on the above photo for high-res image These lamp posts will soon be taken down as they are affected by the major road works slated in the area. Let us hope that these too will also be re-installed at the Seletar Aerospace Park.

Durian Fever

101 Durian Stall, Smith Street, Chinatown.Click on the above photo for high-res image
The King of Fruits, Durian, is in season now. This time around, Malaysia has a bumper harvest and truckloads of the spiky fruit are rolling in from across the Causeway everyday, causing the prices to plummet. For durian lovers in Singapore, this is truly music to their ears.

The Legendary 猫山王 Mao San Wang.Click on the above photo for high-res image
The durian most in demand this season is the new cultivar called "Cat Mountain King 猫山王" ("mao san wang"). Haven't tried it yet. It's a special crop and is only grown in Pahang... currently the most expensive in Singapore. ( from 15 to 20 bucks per kg). In Malaysia, the locals there call this fruit "Raja Kunyit". The legendary "mao san wang" durian is characterized by its small seeds and creamy flesh . . . sweet with a slight tinge of bitterness.

Al fresco dining.Click on the above photo for high-res image

Even "Ang Mohs" cannot resist the durians.Click on the above photo for high-res image
My favourite stall is the one at Smith Street in Chinatown. Here we whack the durians "al fresco" style. I was surprised to see "ang mohs", Japanese ladies (tourists) and some Indian tourists tucking in the king of fruits like connoisseurs.

The "kampong durians going for $2 per fruit".Click on the above photo for high-res image
The price for the the "kampong" durians (or wild strains of durians) ranges from 50 cents per fruit to $10 for 3. ( prices depend on the size of the fruits ). As for me, I am quite happy with the usual "kampong" ones taking my picks from the 1 for $2 pile . . . small fruits but shiok. After eating 3 of these durians, I am too full to try others.

Oooh . . . Look at the bright yellow, custard like flesh ! .Click on the above photo for high-res image
Also on display were the premium varieties such as D24, Golden Phoenix, XO, and D13, but I find them too overhyped and usually overpriced.

A tip from the older folks to getting rid of the smell from your fingers. Get some water and pour it into the empty cavity of the durian shell and then wash your fingers using this "bowl". Some versions say add some salt into the water. Supposed to work very well.

55 year old hotel makes way for MRT

The Preferred Budget Hotel in Singapore.Click on the above photo for high-res image
The latest to bite the demolition dust is the New 7th Storey Hotel in Rochor Road. Built in 1953, the New 7th Storey Hotel is a landmark of a bygone era. Evidenced by an ancient lift, probably the last mechanical lift in Singapore with its own operator and an exterior spiral staircase. This iconic spiral staircase has been a favourite backdrop for many photographers.

The Spiral Staircase at the rear of the Hotel.Click on the above photo for high-res image
By the end of the year, The New 7th Storey Hotel will be demolished to make way for the new Bugis MRT station for the Downtown Line. The hotel’s owner and occupants will have to move out of the premises by the end of December.

However, I can’t help but to express my disappointment that this small but quaint hotel - popular among backpackers - has to go the way of the red-brick National Library Building in Stamford Road. Already fading in our memories, is the former National Theatre.

The Möhne Dam

A warm welcome to all who are interested in aviation history.

65 years ago tonight, the RAF's 617 squadron set off to target three dams in Germany's Ruhr Valley near Dortmund.

Nineteen Lancaster bombers departed in three waves from R.A.F Scampton on the night of 16th May 1943. Nine were to attack the Möhne Dam, then proceed to the Eder; five were to attack the Sorpe; and five constituted a 'flying reserve'.

In the early hours on 17 May, the bombers managed to breach the Möhne and the Eder. The Sorpe was attacked by Lancasters from the reserve force but, though hit, it was not breached. Severe flooding occurred where the Möhne and Eder were breached. The raid proved to be costly in lives as almost 1,300 people died in the floods following the dam bombing (more than half the lives lost belonged to allied POWs and forced-labourers).

Breach in the Möhne Dam (Morning after the attack). Click on the above photo for high-res image
The British casualties for the raid were high. Of the nineteen Lancasters that took part in the raids, eight were damaged or shot down, and of the 133 aircrew, 53 were killed and three captured.

Oldest Bus Stop in Singapore

Click on the above photo for a bigger picture
Singapore's oldest bus-stop is at Old Chua Chu Kang Road . . . where service no. 172, 975 & 405 plies. There are four of these along Old Choa Chu Kang Road. Built in the 1970s, they have been slated to be torn down as part of improvement works by the Land Transport Authority.

Oleander Hawkmoth Cat

Check out this beauty!

I found this little guy (8 cm long) enjoying the leaves and shoots of my potted Desert Rose (Apocynaceae Adenium obesum). Seeing that it had a voracious appetite I had to quickly relocate the caterpillar to another spot in the garden where it would not do so much harm to my beautiful shrubs!

Common Name : Oleander Hawkmoth
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Daphnis
Species : D. nerii
Binomial Name : Daphnis nerii

Click on the above photo for high-res image

Labrador Jetty re-opens today.

At last, this is the day all anglers have been waiting for. The Jetty was closed for upgrading works during the past three and a half months. The re-opening today is very timely as now is the season for blackbarred halfbeaks (Hemiramphus far), commonly known as "putput" by the Malays.Click on the above photo for high-res image

Common Name : Blackbarred Halfbeak
Genus: Hemiramphus
Species : far
Binomial Name : Hemiramphus far

Click on the above photo for high-res image

Apple Launches MacBook Air

The star of the 2008 Macworld Conference & Expo at the Moscone Center in San Francisco was the ultra-thin, ultra-light MacBook Air, which was unveiled yesterday during the opening keynote address by Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

MacBook Air.Click on the above photo for high-res image
Claimed to be the thinnest notebook in the world, as one would expect from Apple the new addition to the Macbook range has been beautifully styled. With a sleek wedge shaped anodised aluminium case the Air weighs only 1.3 kg and boasts a variable thickness of 1.9 - 0.4 cm; this is despite its 13.3″ widescreen display, full size keyboard and extra large touchpad. An I/O door on the Macbook’s side neatly hides a headphone jack, USB port and micro-DVI output.
Click here for video showing the launch of MacBook Air by Steve Jobs.

DAIWA Freams KIX 1500

I was down in Changi Village today when the Freams Kix 1500 caught my eye. This reel has been my first choice for light and/or medium luring. A reasonably priced "Made in Thailand" reel, it is very smooth and has a great drag system.
Bought it and had the spool loaded with 114m (125 yds) of 8lbs Berkley Fireline. Will be pairing it with my Bassterra S65MH.

My latest addition to my family of reels.Click on the above photo for high-res image
:::... DAIWA Freams KIX 1500 ...:::Click on the above photo for high-res image

My first Peacock Bass

"Monkey God Tree" creates a stir.

I made a trip to Jurong West Street 42 yesterday to check out the much-hyped Monkey God Tree.
During the middle of the week (14.9.07) there were a few newspaper reports (in Singapore) on the discovery of monkey images appearing on the tree bark of an old tree by the roadside along Jurong West Street 42. Since that day, many people have been making a little 'pilgrimage' to the tree to pay their respects to a tree trunk that they believe houses the spirit of the legendary 'Monkey God'.

Can you see the monkeys ?Click on the above photo for high-res image
People from all corners of Singapore came to gape and gawk at this treeClick on the above photo for high-res image
Devotees believed that the images are either a manifestation of the Monkey God, a deity from Chinese mythology, or Hanuman, the monkey deity in the Hindu pantheon, and that praying to them would bring them luck.Click on the above photo for high-res image
The Straits Times has a good article on this, with quotes from different camps of people — believers, scientists, tree experts and assorted professors. Read it here.

Awesome Cobia

Kudos to Ms Michelle Ho for landing a magnificient Cobia Rachycentron canadum (Linnaeus,1766) on the west coast of our shoreline on 26 July 2007. The length of the Cobia (also known as Crab-eater (after its favorite food), Black Kingfish, Lemonfish, Ling, Aruan Tasik and Hai Lei) was about 1.1 metres with an approximate 24 inch girth. Since the fish was not weighed, there will always be fertile fodder for tall tales. However, by employing the standard accepted formula used by most anglers (girth x girth x length divide by 800), the Cobia was estimated to weigh around 13 kg plus. The last time I heard of a Cobia this size (landed in the west coast) was some 7 mths ago.

Incidentally just last Wednesday on 1 August, Peter (my fishing buddy) and I met Michelle by chance at our favourite fishing ground. According to Michelle, the Cobia took the fresh tamban bait attached to a long snood bottom feeder just when the rain started to fall. She was using a Lemax Grand Tournament 7 ft rod that was paired with a Shimano Slade SL4000FB reel and loaded with 14lb Berkley FireLine Crystal. She told me excitedly that her adrenalin was cruising through her veins at Mach 3 when her Lemax rod displayed a tremendous bend. Michelle slugged it out with the Cobia for the first five minutes of the run. Everyone soon gathered around her shouting instructions causing disorder and confusion. When the Cobia finally surfaced but refused to come in, Michelle handed the rod to 'Uncle Yan' (a veteran angler) who skilfully steered the Cobia to within gaffing distance. Fishing "gurus" like "Uncle Hai" and Sunny were on hand to ensure that the prized catch was securely gaffed and landed safely. Surely Michelle was the happiest person that day as she proudly showed me some photos of her fantastic catch.

Nice Cobia Michelle . . . it always feels great to land a personal best.
Peter and I wish we were there last week just to watch the fight . . . .

Acknowledgements: Thanks to "guest" from Fishing Kaki for the use of his photos which I have made them into a slide-show at below

Tight lines and screaming reels always.

"To go fishing is the chance to wash one's soul with pure air, with the rush of the brook, or with the shimmer of sun on blue water ......... And it is discipline in the equality of men - for all men are equal before fish."

- Herbert Hoover

Let's Go Deutsche

There was a cause for a small celebration today as "Lady Luck" casted her smile on Guan Kim. To celebrate his windfall, we decided to give Paulaner Bräuhaus a visit as this place offers freshly-brewed German beer and traditional Bavarian cuisine. Established in 1999, Paulaner Bräuhaus is Singapore’s only German microbrewery and restaurant located in a unique three-storey glass building at Time Square @ Millenia Walk. Of the three levels, the bar is on the ground level. The restaurant is located on the second level where the familiar Maibaum (Maypole), a 16th century Bavarian architectural feature, takes centrestage.

At Paulaner Bräuhaus Singapore, the resident brewmaster Alexander William Buchner brews two signature handicraft beers; Munich Lager and Munich Dark, according to the strictest and oldest regulations of brewing as set out in "The German Law of Purity", issued in Bavaria in 1516 by Duke Wilhelm. The yeast added in the fermentation process stays in the beer, and this contains vitamins.

Munich Lager
A bright, golden brew with lots of rising bubbles and a great head. A smooth taste and a fine hop presence, the Munich Lager contains 4.7% alcohol and has a perfectly balanced flavor.

Munich Dark
Hazy dark amber color; big creamy off-white head. Crisp, a bit roasted flavor., with some nice hop and some caramel. The specialty of Munich, the Munich Dark contains 4.8% alcohol and is light-bodied, easy to drink.

The beers both got a big thumbs up from Guan Kim and I. So much for the German Lagers, and now for some hearty old-fashioned German fare. The waitress drew to our attention regarding the Speedy Set Lunch promotion where we pay $12.50 for any choice from a selection of German sandwiches, sausages and pasta. Add in an additional $8 and we get 2 glasses of 0.3L freshly-brewed Paulaner beer. This recommendation sounded good to us.

What better way to start our meal than with a Round Bratwurst with Rösti Potato and Mushroom Stew. We ordered a platter each. Now a trip to any German eatery will not be complete with their signature Grilled Pork Knuckle – Gegrillte Schweinshaxe ($26.50). As the serving was quite sizeable, we decided to share this dish. The pork knuckle was light and crispy on the outside, yet tender and succulent on the inside, perfect with the Munich Lager. Rather substantial, this main course was served with German bread dumplings and sauerkraut, which translates literally as sour cabbage.

Desserts at Paulaner are in a class of their own. We were stuffed all right but against our conscience and better judgement, we ordered their Rote Grütze ($9). I found it a bit of a tangy concoction. Actually they were fresh mixed berries stewed in red wine and served with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. Oh, what a decadant way to end off our meal.

Hic! Bottoms up

MAAF Singapore Squadron Crest

MAAF is the acronym for Malayan Auxiliary Air Force. The Singapore Squadron was formed in 1950 and finally disbanded in 1960.
The Squadron Crest features a gold lion passant on a tower surrounded by the words "Malayan Auxiliary Air Force Singapore Squadron; surmounted by a crown; with the motto : "USQUE AD ASTRA". . . . which is Latin for "All the way to the Stars."

Thanks to Peter Chew Kok Wei for the Squandron Crest. Peter is the son of Squadron Leader Jimmy Chew, former Adjutant with MAAF (Singapore Wing).

Brewing @ Brewerkz

Mein guter freund Guan Kim took me to Brewerkz, the most amazing place in Singapore to sit, sip a beer and watch the world go by. It is a rather large establishment with gleaming aluminum tanks (beer vats) of premium beer filling the cavernous interior. Opened in June 1997 Brewerkz is located at Riverside Point in Singapore and combines an 18-hectoliter brewery with a restaurant and bar serving a range of beers and American-style food. The Brewerkz’s custom-made Microbrewery is run by Brew Master Scott Robertson, a former Canadian physicist, who began brewing at his family’s Regina, Saskatchewan, brewpub in 1991.

It was almost noon on a Wednesday afternoon when we dropped in the brewpub and chose a table (located in the Tap Room) with the brewery as backdrop. We managed to get the incredibly busy staff to bring us the menu. The pricing of their menu is quite unique in the fact that the price of their beer changes depending on the time and day. This means that a pint (470 ml) of beer can cost as little as 3.49 Singapore Dollars in the weekday and as much as 11.99 in the evening on the weekend! From the seven different brews listed in the Draft Selections, we narrowed down our choice to a jug (1400 ml) of "Golden Ale"... brewed right at this microbrewery. It is touted as their best seller, and can be described as hazy golden colour with a large white head, low in bitterness and a floral hop character. "Golden Ale" is a light beer. The alcohol content is a mild 4.5%.

Of course we must have some food to go with the beer. Guan Kim ordered the Rib-Eye Steak, a tender but tasty 300 grams of beautifully marbled, nicely aged, Australian beef. Mine was the New York Steak, a classic flame-grilled sirloin cut of 200 grams from flavorful Australia-raised, hormone-free beef which is one of the best steak I have ever tasted. The soup of the day costs 8.99 Singapore Dollars if ordered individually, but if we were to order any food item, we can have the soup for only 2.99 Singapore Dollars. I love Brewerkz !

Overall, it has been quite an experience. Brewerkz should be the top of the list for any beer lover that visits Singapore. In the interim before I leave, I would like to add that this was something I was not planning to write but seeing Guan Kim talk about one of his favourite watering holes, I thought I too should share this little prayer with all fellow beer drinkers :-

"Our lager, which art in barrels,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy will be drunk, I will be drunk, at home as in the tavern.
Give us this day our foamy head, and forgive us our spillages, as we forgive those who spill against us.
And lead us not to incarceration, but deliver us from hangovers.

Barmen."

The "Ugly Stik" is beautiful.

This 10 footer surf fishing rod has been on my wish list for quite some time and I finally got one today. It is the legendary Shakespeare "Ugly Stik Gold" . The model no: is USG-GPS100A2. The rod comprises 2 sections and features 7 "Fuji" guides + tip. This surf rod is suited for medium/heavy action with a line rating of 6 ~10 kg, just nice for surf fishing from the jetty or shoreline.

I was rather surprised to find the "Ugly Stik Gold" in a local shop as all the while I thought it is only available in Australia. Shakespeare had launched the "Gold" series in Australia (way back in 1998) to offer the consumer a more affordable high quality fishing rod. The RRP in Australia is AUD 145.00.

How did "Ugly Stik" gets its name ? Check it out here.




Porridge - "Sashimi Ala Cantonese"

Just two days ago, Peter and I headed to Ah Chiang's Porridge in Tiong Bahru for breakfast. This is a no-frills coffeeshop that serves Cantonese styled rice porridge eaten with plates of raw sliced fish - "Sashimi Ala Cantonese". The fish that is used to make this raw-fish salad is the 'Chirocentrus dorab' otherwise known as Wolf-Herring or Ikan Parang as the locals call it.

The Wolf Herring is served sliced really thin due to the fact that they have really tiny bones which ran longitudinally down the length of the fish and it is really difficult to remove them. So by cutting it really thin and across the grain, you will make the fish-bone hardly noticeable. Just slap on the red chilles, slivers of ginger, chives, drowned with sesame oil, and sprinkle a little soya sauce to complete the taste. I usually plonk the plate of raw-fish salad into my bowl of steaming hot porridge and leave it to cook themselves. Accompanying this with a bowl of sliced 'you tiao' (deep fried crullers) and you will be in heaven. I find that the deep fried crullers is an excellent companion to the porridge.

Besides the raw sliced fish, Ah Chiang also serves porridge with various toppings such as minced pork (bak chor), fish belly, innards and century eggs.

Nah Sih Gua Uh Ji Pa Ban (If I have a million dollars)

A Hokkien song by Freddie Huang Yi Fei.
This is the all-time Singaporean dream.
May all your dreams come true !


Nah sih gua uh ji pa ban, ji pa ban
Gua uh ji pa ban, jit si lang tio khin san

Bo khong bo lang jai, kong tio chin pai seh
Chiak kak hia nih tua hanh. ko mm pat je puey kee
Pah piah hua chuey ni, bo chia bo chu ko bo ai lin
Kua lang chua bo ko chuey sing di, wu jii ko wu seng

Nah si gua wu ji pa ban, wa beh je puey kee
Wa beh ew seh kai, ha wa ee sai dai yang
Lit pun chiak su shi (Wa chia li chiak su shi)

Nah si gua wu ji pa ban, wa beh buey chia buey chu
Sang ting ka hai bi, siang lang ka ho kih, lai hor wa cho bo

Nah sih gua uh ji pa ban, ji pa ban
Nah sih li wu kiam eng jii, khui chui bien keh khi

Bo khong bo lang jai, kong tio chin pai seh
Chiak kak hia nih tua hanh. ko mm pat je puey kee
Pah piah hua chuey ni, bo chia bo chu ko bo ai lin
Kua lang chua bo ko chuey sing di, wu jii ko wu seng

Nah si gua wu ji pa ban, wa beh je puey kee
Wa beh ew seh kai, ee tah li lim ko pi
Loh pi chiak speh ge ti (Loh pi chiak speh ge ti)

Nah si gua wu ji pa ban, wa beh buey chia buey chu,
Buey tiam lai siu chor, eng eng bien cho kang, chua kow ki san por

Nah sih gua uh ji pa ban, ji pa ban
Nah sih li wu kiam eng jii, khui chui bien keh khi

Nah sih gua uh ji pa ban, ji pa ban
Chap cheng puay cheng teh ki eng
Bien huan ma boh bun tuey (huan chien pu se wen ti)

Nah sih gua uh ji pa ban, ji pa ban…
Wei, peng yu eh, li siong ji pa ban, chin chuay ah?

Air Show Salutes Fallen Blue Angel Pilot

The pilot of Blue Angel #6 that crashed during the final minutes of an air show in Beaufort, South Carolina on Saturday, April 21, 2007 has been identified as Lt. Cmdr. Kevin J. "Kojack" Davis.
The air show in Beaufort continued on Sunday without the Blue Angels, but with a tribute to the pilot who was killed. In a sombre salute, a team of six GEICO Skytyper jets flew in traditional "Missing Man" formation at the start of the air show as Taps was sounded during a moment of silence . Then one jet peeled off to honor the F/A-18 Hornet and its pilot, lost when the jet plummeted into a neighborhood near the air base. The “Missing Man" formation is the traditional salute for a lost military aviator. For Sunday’s "Missing Man" formation, pilot Jan Wildbergh, who flies the No. 6 plane for the Skytypers, was chosen to peel away from the formation because Davis was also a pilot of a No. 6 plane, the opposing solo position.Click on the above photo for high-res image
A sad day indeed not only for the Blues and the Navy, but for the aviation community.

Requiescat In Pace, sailor.

Blue Angels Jet Crashes at South Carolina Air Show

I have been a long time fan of the Blue Angels, so it pained me to learn about the Blue Angels aircraft that went down during the final minutes of an air show in South Carolina yesterday afternoon.

Here is an excerpt from Salem-News.com:

"(BEAUFORT, S.C.) - An F/A-18A Hornet assigned to the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron (Blue Angels) crashed during the final minutes of an air show at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C., at approximately 4:00 PM EDT, on Saturday, April 21.
Navy Blue Angel No. 6 is shown minutes before crashing during an air show at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in Beaufort, S.C., Saturday, April 21, 2007.
(AP Photo/Birmingham News, Mark Almond)Click on the above photo for high-res image
The pilot did not survive. The pilot of the jet was joining the DELTA formation for the final of the aerial demonstration when the mishap occurred. It was his second year on the team, and first year as a demonstration pilot. The DELTA formation, what the team was setting up for:Click on the above photo for high-res image
The other five Blue Angels jets were not involved in the incident and landed safely moments later.
The crash occurred approximately three miles outside the air station in the vicinity of Pine Grove Rd. and White Pine Rd. One civilian on the ground reported minor injuries and was transported to Beaufort Memorial Hospital. Some houses in the area received damage, the extent of which is unclear at this time.
The name of the pilot is being withheld pending the notification of the next-of-kin. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation."

The Blue Angels returned home today to Pensacola Naval Air Station with heavy hearts and decided not to participate in a weekend air show in Vidalia, Ga.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Blue Angels in the loss of their teammate and to their families.

The Beauty of Maths !

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?

And finally, take a look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 12321
1111 x 1111 = 1234321
11111 x 11111 = 123454321
111111 x 111111 = 12345654321
1111111 x 1111111 = 1234567654321
11111111 x 11111111 = 123456787654321
111111111 x 111111111=12345678987654321

Help us put an end to Whaling

Hello all,

This morning I received the following mail:

Hi,
www.whalesrevenge.com is trying to get a million people to sign a petition to stop whaling.
If you could tell as many people as you can about our website, that would be a great help.
Thanks for your support and remember to sign the petition.
I think this is a great initiative, so I went to the website and signed the petition. If you feel the same, follow me and 310737 others. Of course it would be great if you could send this message to all your friends or post it on your weblog.

Thanks.

The Apple iPhone has arrived.

After weeks of speculation and expectation, Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs introduced the Apple iPhone at the Macworld Conference and Expo 2007 in San Francisco yesterday. This is really a cool product and I am quite impressed with it. Not only is it a phone, but also an iPod and an internet browser as well. For more details, check out the iPhone site and even watch the Steve Jobs presentation of the iPhone.Steve Jobs highlights applications on the new iPhone..
"This is a day I've been looking forward to for two and a half years," said Jobs. "Every once in a while a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything. Well, today, we're introducing three revolutionary products of this class," said Jobs. "The first one is a widescreen iPod with touch controls. The second is a revolutionary mobile phone. The third is a breakthrough Internet communications device. "In 1984, said Jobs, Apple introduced the Macintosh, and changed the computer industry. In 2001, Apple introduced the iPod, and changed the entire music industry. "These are not three separate devices," said Jobs. "This is one device. And we are calling it iPhone. Today Apple is going to reinvent the phone."The Long-Awaited iPhone.
iPhone will be available in the US in June 2007, Europe in late 2007, and Asia in 2008, in a 4GB model for $499 (US) and an 8GB model for $599 (US), and will work with either a PC or Mac. iPhone will be sold in the US through Apple's retail and online stores, and through Cingular's retail and online stores. Several iPhone accessories will also be available in June, including Apple's new remarkably compact Bluetooth headset.



15th Asian Games ~ Doha 2006

The 15th Asian Games, (officially known as the XV Asiad, is Asia's Olympic-style sporting event) was held in Doha, Qatar from December 1 to 15, 2006. Now that the Games are over, there is much to celebrate, for Team Singapore went home with 27 medals, 8 gold, 7 sliver and 12 bronze. Congratulations to Team Singapore especially the Keelboat crew in the Beneteau 7.5 Open Match Racing. The Keelboat quintet of Teo Wee Chin, Ivan Tan, Roy Tay, Renfred Tay and Justin Wong beat India 3-1 to claim Singapore's 8th gold medal of the Asian Games.
Match racing debuted at the Asian Games in 2006 with most sailors coming across from various double handed classes. Competition was close throughout, with boats consistently finishing within seconds of each other.
Team India, the Asian champions and experienced favourites looked strong in all the preliminary rounds. But Singapore's youthful and light five-man crew prevailed.
In a tense finale, Singapore beat India after India was penalised for infringing a right of way rule just before the finish line. Korea and Thailand battled it out for the bronze with Korea cruising to an easy victory. “Just metres from the finish line, we jibed on port and they were on starboard so we had to give them right of way, but . . . .".
Ivan Tan, one of the winning Singapore crew described the race and how the team came together, "Awesome, awesome, the whole unit just functions together. We are such a great team. I have never been to anything like this [Asian Games]. I had the opportunity to come here and it has just been the best experience.
"It was very, very close. We led for most of the race. We were first to the first bottom mark, then we got some breeze and took off, then they got breeze.
“At the bottom mark we called water on them (had to allow buoy room), then they lifted (got a wind shift).
“Just metres from the finish line, we jibed on port and they were on starboard so we had to give them right of way, but while we were giving them room they jibed back onto us infringing the right of way rule so they had to do a turn and that allowed us to win the race.
"The results show who is on top, but they don't show how close the races have been. Today [Wednesday, 13 December] it came down to who sailed a little bit better, and we somehow managed to sail a bit better." The Asian Games 2006 Gold Medal . . . picture courtesy of Lucilla and Melissa.Click on the above photo for high-res image

Jaunt through Kampong Glam

Kampong Glam takes its name from the Gelam tree (malaleuca leucadendron) that once grew in abundance in the area. Medicinal oil was extracted from Gelam tree while its bark was used by the Bugis and Malays to caulk the seams of their boats. Originally a fishing village at the mouth of the Rochor River, Kampong Glam was also the historic seat of Malay royalty in Singapore.
Yesterday, I took a jaunt to this historic area starting from the former Istana Kampong Glam (Istana means Palace in Malay) which now houses the Malay Heritage Centre (Taman Warisan Melayu).

The Malay Heritage Centre.Click on the above photo for high-res imageBuilt in 1840s as the palace of residence for the last Sultan of Singapore, Sultan Hussein Muaazzam Shah ibni Sultan Mahmud, this historical two-storey Palladian architecture-styled building was meticulously restored in 2003 to retain its flavour and authenticity. The Malay Heritage Museum now showcases the rich history and culture of Singapore’s Malay community.

The Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan).Click on the above photo for high-res imageLocated at Muscat Street is the grand Masjid Sultan or Sultan Mosque crowned by its golden dome. It is the largest mosque in Singapore with the capacity to accommodate up to 5,000 Muslims in congregational prayers.
Originally built in 1824 by Sultan Hussein, the mosque features a massive golden dome and is one of Singapore’s most imposing religious institutions. The mosque is a blend of classical Turkish, Moorish and Persian style which brings out the magnificence of the era of colonial architecture.

Bussorah Mall.Click on the above photo for high-res imageNo trip to Kampong Glam is ever complete without visiting Bussorah Mall, a pedestrian street of conserved shophouses which is closed to vehicular traffic. Fronting Sultan Mosque, Bussorah Mall cannot be missed. Tall graceful palm trees lined both sides of the street where the beautifully restored shophouses sell traditional clothes, artefacts, handicraft, furniture and jewelry.

Haji Lane (The narrowest street in Singapore).Click on the above photo for high-res imageI made a little detour down a small lane halfway down Arab Street and found this quaint little street. It is barely the width of two cars ! Yes! This is the famous Haji Lane where the shophouses were all built in the pre-war era, and have now been conserved. Many of the old tenants and businesses in these shophouses are no longer around, although the architectural character has remained largely unaltered.

The Alsagoff Arab School. Click on the above photo for high-res imageBuilt in 1912, the school was named after Syed Ahmad Alsagoff, a wealthy merchant and philanthropist who was very influential in Singapore's early colonial days. It is the oldest girls' school in Singapore, and was the island's first Muslim school.

Kampong Glam Cafe.Click on the above photo for high-res imageFinally, I made a pit stop at this cafe along Baghdad Street where I had my "brekkie". I counted at least half a dozen Arabic cafes along Baghdad and Pahang Street serving Middle Eastern food and drinks. Baghdad Street is a favourite haunt of taxi drivers who stop by for Singapore's best "teh tarik" (sweet tea with evaporated milk and sugar, served with a thick bubbly froth created by pouring the piping hot tea from a mug into a serving glass.)

Art by the Singapore River

As you walk along the Singapore River, you can find many interesting sculptures. Kucinta cats, kids jumping into the river, men in pigtails and a bullock cart. These are some of the public sculptures installed along the Singapore River since the opening of the promenade, to add a touch of art to this “river of life”.
Many of them is sure to remind you of the good old days along the banks of the Singapore River.

Sculptures of Kuchinta, the Singapura Cats.Click on the above photo for high-res imageA playful family of sculptured Kucinta Cats (river cats) sits on the corner of the Cavanagh Bridge at the southwest abutment. They are recognised as one of the smallest breeds around the world.

Title of sculpture : First Generation.
Sculpted by Chong Fah CheongClick on the above photo for high-res imageThis bronze sculpture located along the Singapore River shows 5 kampong boys (stripped to their birthday suit) jumping into the river for a swim.
It captures the simple and happy lifestyle of people once living along the Singapore river.

Bumboat with touristsClick on the above photo for high-res imageMoments later, a bumboat arrived and the tourist couple seems to have been taken aback by the life-like image of the five kids jumping into the water.

Forget 'emoticons' - use your own smiley face.

"Software that contorts an image of a person's face to express different emotions could enrich text-based internet chat.
The researchers behind the system say it can quickly transform a user's face to convey any of six emotions, ranging from anger to happiness.
A user first uploads a picture of their face with a "neutral" expression. Then they use their mouse to mark the ends of their eyebrows, the corners of their mouth and the edges of their eyes and lips."

Click on the link below for the full article:
http://www.newscientisttech.com

The Lord of Latin Love

Julio Iglesias performs the Spanish version of "Begin the Beguine".

Noordin Beach, Pulau Ubin.

The sign says it all.Click on the above photo for high-res image
I went to Pulau Ubin today, the last reserve of the kampongs. Except for the absence of chickens, ducks and turkeys, [the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has banned all poultry on Ubin since 17 June 2005 as part of ongoing efforts to keep the deadly bird flu out of Singapore] the island has not changed much since my last visit some 15 years ago. The rustic settings and slow pace of life in Pulau Ubin is still well preserved and is a refreshing change from the main island of Singapore.
The Gazebo in the afternoon.Click on the above photo for high-res image
The abandoned Pekan Quarry.
Today, it remains as a picturesque relic of Ubin's history.Click on the above photo for high-res image
First thing I did on arrival was to make a bee-line to the NParks Info Kiosk and say hello to the friendly staff out there. Unlike most visitors who rent a bike to explore the island, I decided to walk instead. Took a leisurely stroll through the village town center and headed towards Noordin Beach. The scenery is beautiful and after passing Pekan Quarry, I spied a number of durian trees heavily laden with fruits. After slightly more than an hour or so, I arrived at Noordin Beach. It is a small beach, and the view was ruined by the "fence" that was erected to thwart the landings by illegal immigrants.
Noordin Beach.Click on the above photo for high-res image
I continued to explore Noordin beach. There was a lone feral dog that kept following me around. I saw a pair of Grey Heron perched on the "fence" motionless waiting for prey. As thunder clouds started to gather, I decided to head back to the village town centre.
Road sign-post in Pulau Ubin.Click on the above photo for high-res image
I was sun-burnt, hot, sweaty and tired. My leg muscles were aching and I thought it was best to stop at a roadside stall for some fresh coconut juice before catching the bumboat back to Changi Point.

Test shots using my Nikon 4T.

Received the airmail package containing the Lens Adapter Tube for my Nikon 4T on Monday, 15 May.

Went to MacRitchie today and took some test shots with my Nikon 4T. Whilst prowling along Petai Trail, I met Peter San who is a Macro enthusiasist. He is using a Lumix FZ10 coupled to a Nikon 6T. When two Lumix users meet up, there is bound to be plenty of yakking and exchange of views. I must thank Peter for his tips on Macro shooting. Will try out his suggestions on my next outing.

Posted below are some of my test shots, (still a long way to go !).
Click on the above photo for high-res image
Click on the above photo for high-res image
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Cycad Blue. [Chilades pandava pandava]Click on the above photo for high-res image
Tyriobapta torrida Kirby, 1889.Click on the above photo for high-res image

Simpang Kiri Park Connector

This is the entrance to Simpang Kiri Park Connector, located at Canberra Link near to Yishun Industrial Park A. The jogging track begins just after the bollards. Along this track, (adjacent to a wide canal which ultimately flows into the Johor Straits) you'll find fitness stations and benches to rest your tired feet.
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The jogging track is 2.8km long, starting from Yishun Avenue 2 and stretches to the end at Tanjong Irau beach next to the Bottle Tree Village. Good place for in-line skating, cycling and jogging.Click on the above photo for high-res image
This jetty fronts the Bottle Tree Village (where the Sembawang Sea Sports Centre used to be) and offers a beautiful view of the Straits of Johor and Malaysia..Click on the above photo for high-res image

Jelutong Tower

The Tower.Click on the above photo for high-res image
Named after a common forest tree, the Jelutong Tower allows visitors to have a bird’s eye-view of the varied terrain of the MacRitchie Reservoir and the skyline beyond. This seven-storeyed observation tower (reaching 20m in height) can be reached via three access routes – the Golf Link, Sime Track and the Rifle Range Link. I took the Golf Link route, a boardwalk that hugs the reservoir's edge of the Singapore Island Country Club (Bukit Location).
An exhilarating view from the top of the Tower. See the Reservoir beyond ?Click on the above photo for high-res image
This trail leads to the HSBC TreeTop Walk.Click on the above photo for high-res image

Are the distances displayed correct ?Click on the above photo for high-res image

Closure of Sime Track (from Petaling Hut to the Ranger's Station).Click on the above photo for high-res image

The "top of the world" feeling.

The suspension bridge is 250m long and 25m above ground (at the highest point).Click on the above photo for high-res image
Situated amidst the MacRitchie forest, the HSBC TreeTop Walk (free-standing suspension bridge) is a first of its kind in Singapore and enables us to have a rare bird's eye view of the forest canopy level. Drawing inspiration from those who have been to the Tree Top Walk (TTW), I became very excited over the idea of experiencing what it'll be like to overlook the Central Catchment Area from an unobstructed, panoramic view, never made available before. Taking advantage of the good weather this morning, I took to the Terentang Trail and headed for the TTW which is located in mature secondary forest between Bukit Kalang and Bukit Pierce, the two highest points in MacRitchie.

A breathtaking view of the Upper Peirce Reservoir and lush greenery.Click on the above photo for high-res image
Getting to the TTW involves going through an undulating trail with steep slopes and long stretches of mud track strewn with stones and broken bricks. Proper footwear and clothing are necessary in such a terrain. Just as I was wondering if the trail will ever end, the service road of Singapore Island Country Club at Island Club Road looms into view. From there, it's another 20 mins of walking to the Ranger's Station followed by some panting uphill climb before reaching the bridge itself. The view from the bridge is quite a sight to behold. I was earlier informed by one of the NParks staff that the Sime Track (from the Ranger's Station to Petaling Hut) is affected by a landslide and is currently closed until further notice. To get back to the Ranger Station, he advised me to follow the pipeline track at the half-way mark of Petaling Trail. The return route takes visitors up and down a series of boardwalks. What a relief when I finally reached the car park at Venus Road.

Croc sighted at SBWR

Estuarine Crocodile, [Crocodylus porosus] .Click on the above photo for high-res image
Spotted this croc at Sungei Buloh Wetlands Reserve this morning. I was walking along the Mangrove Boardwalk looking for butterflies when this reptile caught my attention. It was about 2 metres from head to tail and look deceptively coy ! If you ever go down to the Mangrove Boardwalk, do precisely as what the signboard says - "WATCH IT !"

Radjah Shelducks (Tadorna radjah)

Click on the above photo for high-res image
These wild ducks caught my attention when I was at the Singapore Botanic Gardens yesterday. There were three of them, all with the same color markings. The head, neck, and under parts are white whilst their wings and a band across their breast are black. The secondary feathers are metallic green with white tips. Legs, feet and bill are light pink.

Click on the above photo for high-res image
Click on the above photo for high-res image
Thanks to Ms Jacqueline Lau (ecologist and nature photographer cum nature guide) for ID-ing them as "Tadorna radjahs". They are also commonly known as White-headed Shelducks or Black-backed Radjah Shelducks.

Click on the above photo for high-res image
Tadorna radjahs are definitely not native to Singapore. They are mainly found around the coast of New Guinea and on the Moluccan Islands, the Aru Islands in western Papua, and on Fergusson Island. These birds prefer marshes, lagoons and swamps of shallow brackish or saline water. Both sexes are vocal, even when flying. Females sound like a harsh rattle, males sound like a hoarse whistle.

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Radjah ducks feed mostly at night by grazing in pastures or by dabbling in the water. They eat mollusks, insects, sedge materials, and algae.

Green Iguana (Iguana Iguana)

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Spotted this handsome Green Iguana at Sungei Buloh today. As Iguanas are not native to Singapore, I suspect that this one has been (illegally) released into the freshwater ponds at Buloh. This beautiful reptile was sunning himself at the lily pond. He was easily 1.5 to 2 meters long from head to tail. He nodded his head (and the dewlap under his throat swung like a pendulum) just before disappearing into the bush. I understand from fellow photo-buffs that there is another one at the Botanic Gardens which I have not come across yet.

Labrador Nature Reserve (Labrador Park)

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Labrador Park is well-known for its natural rocky seashore and coastal vegetation, and has been gazetted as a nature reserve in 2002. However, it is more than a nature reserve. Labrador is also a park rich in history. In its midst are historical war relics and bunkers that date back to the 19th century, when the British identified Labrador as a strategic site for the defence of Singapore. View of the Labrador Jetty from the aerial staircase.Click on the above photo for high-res image
The cliffside aerial staircase offers a good view of the Southern Islands of Singapore. In the distance, the chimneys of Pulau Bukom's oil refineries stand out clearly against the blue sky (though perhaps not on camera). The Jetty is also known to be a good fishing spot and is very popular with local anglers.
Click on the above photo for high-res imageThe above is one of the two 6-inch Rifle Bridged Loading (RBL) guns deployed at Labrador during the war and is an apt reminder of the role played by the Labrador Battery during the battle of Singapore in February 1942.

The Little Heron (Butorides striatus)

I spotted this juvenile Little Heron (aka the Mangrove Heron or Striated Heron) at the Singapore Botanic Gardens this morning. It was standing on a water-lily pad hunting for little fishes.
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