Do you remember AKC "REGAL" Cinema ?

Click on the above photo for high-res imageIt's hard to imagine that this building at Gillman Village was once a cinema in the 1950s. Yes, you are looking at the former REGAL Cinema. If you look closely, you can still see the AKC (Army Kinema Corporation) logo proudly displayed on the wall.
After the Second World War, the British War Office in London established the Army Kinema Corporation (AKC) and set up cinemas for the entertainment of their soldiers stationed in the various army bases around the world. The REGAL Cinema at the former Gillman Barracks was just one of them. Today this building has been converted into an eatery.
In 1965, The Royal Air Force Cinema Corporation merged with The Army Kinema Corporation (A.K.C). and formed The Services Kinema Corporation (S.K.C.)

Chinatown celebrates Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is a major highlight on Singapore’s cultural calendar. In the Chinese lunar calendar, each year is represented by one of twelve animals from the Chinese zodiac. This year, Chinese New Year falls on February 14 and will usher in the Tiger.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageWelcome to the Year of the Tiger! Here are some pics taken from Singapore Chinatown just before Chinese New Year. These cute Tigers are just located at Chinatown Point.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageRows of lap cheong (Chinese dried sausages) and waxed ducks in Chinatown. Basically, there are 2 types of lap cheong. One is what you normally see - red and made purely out of pork. The other is darker in colour which is made out of liver, usually duck liver.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageWaxed delicacies still remain a must-have food item for the upcoming Chinese New Year. Waxed duck or lap ngap in Cantonese, is made by preserving a flattened, deboned bird in salt, spices and fat.
Extremely salty and leathery in texture, the duck is cut into bite-size pieces, steamed and eaten with rice congee or porridge.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageCookies for Chinese New Year selling for five jars for $6. Come Chinese New Year's Eve, the price will be slashed to about fifty cents per jar.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageGroundnuts and melon seeds in different flavours. . .Groundnut is one of the popular or hot items during Chinese New Year. It symbolises longevity. The word 生 in 花生 (groundnuts in Chinese language) means life. Eating melon seeds suggest proliferation of offspring. Chinese like to play with words and symbols.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageLim Chee Guan is the most popular bak kwa (barbecued dried pork) shop in Singapore. During the run up to Chinese New Year, be prepared to queue for long hours.

Farewell to the Aussie Pig at the Singapore Airshow 2010.

In Australian military and aviation circles, the F-111 Aardvark is affectionately known as the "Pig", due to its "Terrain Following" ability,
Singapore was privileged that the RAAF’s F-111C commemorated its last flight at the Singapore Airshow 2010 before flying into the sunset. The F-111C lighted up the skies above Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC), when it performed the trail-blazing “Dump and Burn” fuel dump, a procedure where the fuel is intentionally ignited using the aircraft's afterburner. This was awesome !



Click on the above photo for high-res imageThe RAAF is the sole remaining operator of the F-111C Aardvark strike aircraft. This Aardvark is from No 6 Squadron and flew in from RAAF Base Amberley, outside Ipswich, Queensland.
I am glad I had the chance to bid farewell to A8-138.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageClose-up view of the F-111C twin-engine swing-wing aircraft. It can take off and land at relatively low speeds with the wings swept forward, then fly at more than twice the speed of sound with its wings tucked back. It can fly close to the ground at supersonic speeds, following the terrain to avoid detection.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageYou are looking at the business office of the Aardvark.

Click on the above photo for high-res imageThis is the hot end of the F-111C. Note the Aardvark's fuel vent (between the two exhaust nozzles).
More pictures taken at the Airshow can be viewed HERE.

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

Click on the above photo for high-res image
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.

Click on the above photo for high-res image
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

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

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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.