Ten-odd Days
traipsing to see the world, our way
Category: Asia
The Grasslands in The Park
A visit to a park possibly furthest away from home in the entire of Singapore has been in the pipeline for the past month, but our plan had been thwarted several times due to inclement weather and last-minute recall to work. Finally on this day, we managed to make a short trip (albeit long drive, by local standards) to the new national gardens. At 90 hectares upon completion, Jurong Lake Gardens will be even larger than Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Fort Canning Park, a Historical Icon
A particular open-air spiral staircase location encased by lush green leafy top has been making its round as an Instagram hotspot. This photogenic site was never meant to be a point of attraction of the park, until local Instagrammers discovered it. Now, more than half of visitors to Fort Canning Park will probably invariably end up looking for the spiral staircase. Talk about the impact of influencers.
Exploring Singapore Botanic Gardens
The weather has been erratic, to say the least, and we were most grateful it held up for the morning (it poured in the afternoon) while we were exploring the sprawling grounds of the garden. There was really no agenda, and so we allowed Belle and Cassie to sniff to their hearts’ content, letting them lead the way.
Exploring Marina Barrage
Marina Barrage is a 350m-wide dam built across Marina Channel to keep out seawater. In essence it acts as Singapore’s 15th reservoir with a vast catchment area of 10,000ha. It was the vision of our late Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew to build this largest freshwater reservoir located in the heart of the city in order to reduce our reliance on the import of water.
Penultimate – A Photo Essay
We had to help Paris cross the rainbow bridge about 2.5 months back, but I just only found the courage to complete this post. It was probably the most difficult decision I’d ever had to make in my entire life, and I never stopped questioning my decision after making an appointment with the animal clinic to help her pass. I still question myself today.
Hort Park, the Gardeners’ Paradise
It was our very first time to Hort Park, a relatively new 9-heactare park that is part of the Southern Ridges – we didn’t know what to expect. To our pleasant surprise, it was quite secluded with few people about. Great, it meant that while still holding on to their leashes, we didn’t have to watch the two girls too closely as they took their time to sniff about.
Of Chinese and Japanese Gardens
It just so happened that we found a fantastic home boarder for the girls a couple of years back, and the sweet couple S & D with their golden retriever Kobey reside in the west. They had been requesting to visit Paris ever since news of her cancer diagnosis broke. I didn’t think it nice to ask that they travel all the way to our house just to visit her since she was doing quite well.
The Quintessential Beach Park
Mention East Coast Park (ECP), the largest park and a beach park almost 15km long built entirely on reclaimed land located to the south-eastern part of Singapore, and it will trigger beautiful memories in many a Singaporean. Most of us would have gone cycling with friends, or spent nights with classmates at the chalets during our school holidays. It was our frequent haunt when the mister and I were dating, like it was for many couples.
Singapore’s 1st UNESCO Heritage Site
In 2015, Singapore’s very own Botanic Gardens was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I remember beaming with pride as I read the news because I have such fond memories of the colossal Gardens as a child. It was always a treat when my parents brought us there occasionally. And in recent years, I too enjoy bringing the dogs out to the Gardens for walks.
This is Home, Truly
And home is where the heart is. Singapore has recently been plagued by weeks of unceasing wet weather. This, combined with Paris’ increasing lack of stamina and us letting the busyness of everyday life overwhelm us, meant that we have not been venturing out much with… Continue Reading “This is Home, Truly”
Reservoir in the Heart of the City
It was a gorgeous day on my birthday, the day we both decided to take leave from work in order to bring our two golden retrievers out for a day of fun. This day was also perfect in many other ways: it was a weekday, and a non-school holiday! Singapore in general, is not dog-unfriendly.
Phuket: The Sights and Sounds
Phuket has changed a lot since we last visited. Several large shopping malls now replace the low-rise shophouses of the past. One of these mega shopping complexes is Jungceylon, which I’m fairly certain was not in existence that last time we were there.
Resilient Phuket and Its Seafood
Patong Beach is always our choice because it’s the most vibrant of all the beaches in Phuket, it’s accessible and food is easily available. If you are one of those who prefer to stay in the luxury villas at the quieter beaches, it is still rather convenient to get to Patong Beach either by renting your own bike or car, or flagging down a tuk-tuk. As a general rule, we do try not to drive overseas and diesel-driven vehicles make me nauseous so as far as possible, we walk everywhere when in Phuket.
First Permanent Capital and City of Vitality
Without a doubt, the cities I am referring to are Nara (奈良市) and Osaka (大阪) respectively. Nara, formerly known as Heijo (平城), was Japan’s first permanent capital, established in 710. Due to its historic status, Nara is replete with historic treasures and cultural significance. It is also home to some of Japan’s oldest and largest temples.
Kyoto and Its Rich Cultural Heritage
Starting the day off, the services of a maiko (geisha trainee) was sought in that she accompanied us to Heian Shrine (平安神宮), an Imperial Shinto Shrine for some unique photo-taking moments. I will readily admit that, like most other people, I know very little about the sui generis geisha culture beyond their glaringly obvious white makeup. Apparently this ‘escort service’ is a booming business for the geisha in Kyoto.
In Search of The Elusive Fuji-San
After a quiet and peaceful night sleeping at an Onsen Ryokan in Hakone (箱根), we left early the next morning in search of the elusive Fuji-san (富士山), otherwise more commonly known as Mount Fuji. The plan was to have the coach bring us up to the Kawaguchiko (河口湖) 5th Station for a closer view of the active stratovolcano, also the highest mountain in Japan. And if luck would have it, we might even get to walk a bit of the Yoshida Trail.
Of Ramen and Hello Kitty
The coach transported us to Yokohama (横浜) where we spent time for the better half of the day. First and foremost, the Yokohama Chinatown (横浜中華街) cannot be missed. Purported to be the largest Chinatown not only in Japan but in Asia, it started and grew exponentially in 1859 following opening of the sea port in Yokohama.
Tokyo Disneyland, Adults’ Paradise Too
After a rather long flight including a layover at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, the mum, the little sis and I stepped foot on Japan soil. And immediately, as typical of most guided tours, we were whisked off from Tokyo Narita International Airport to Tokyo Disneyland. It was not our first Disneyland visit (the honour goes to Disneyland in California, albeit 20 years ago) and we were most certainly not expecting to be wowed like children.
Our First Encounter with Taipei
In the day when the legendary night markets were still not in operation, we visited the major tourist spots in Taipei. Our first destination was National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall (國立國父紀念館). We managed to catch the change-of-guards ceremony and were quite enthralled, unlike the locals who were going about their own business in the park – either relaxing or exercising.
Of First Trips and Many More
It was our inaugural trip together as man and wife. Fondly coined the ‘Mini Honeymoon’, we chose a country close by to vacation for a week, postponing the honeymoon proper to Europe till spring the following year. Hallyu (한류) was still in its infantry stage but was interesting enough to arouse our curiosity, hence the decision on a package tour to South Korea (the mister’s first visit and my second within a year).
Of First Snow
The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be… Continue Reading “Of First Snow”
One half of Ten-odd Days - the planning, writing and photo-taking half.
Ten-odd Days 