MV Doulos - world’s oldest ocean-going passenger ship

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Last Friday, I spent some time on board the MV Doulos. She is currently the world’s oldest ocean-going passenger ship with the hull built in 1914, just 2 years after the famous Titanic. This is her last voyage to Singapore as she is due to be decommissioned at the end of this year. What a great pity but understandable given the age of the ship.

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MV Doulus arrived in Singapore a few days ago and will be here until December 26, 2009. She is currently docked at the Harbour Front, Vivo City.
This 94 year old ship has gone by many names over the years such as the SS Medina, the SS Roma, and the MV Franca C.

One of the life-boats on board Doulos.Click on the above photo for high-res image
Doulos (meaning "Servant" in Greek) is operated by the non-profit charity organization Gute Bücher für Alle (“Good Books for All”), based in Germany.

MV Doulos shifted from Vivo City to
the Marina at Keppel Bay on 27 Dec 2009.Click on the above photo for high-res image

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

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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.
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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