Through the Grid

Seen from outside my window. Not exactly a first to find a strange plant sprouting out of nowhere.


[* A Macro Monday post. ]




Have a lovely week ahead.

Lining the Big Blue Sky

An old building and the blue sky.

Seen in one of Manila's oldest districts-- Intramuros, the walled city.



[* A Skywatch Friday post. Click to see more skies from around the world! ]

A Thousand Splendid Suns

*title based on a book by Khaled Hossseini


[* A Skywatch Friday post. Click to see more skies from around the world.]

T for Tabloids

Seen on a roadside in Little India.


[* An ABC Wednesday post. This week's letter is - T.]

[* Also for Wordless Wednesday.]

S for Steep Climb and Stunning View

The climb to one of the highest points of the Great Wall (Beijing, China) -- is a little steep, and yet, with a stunning view like this, it's well worth everything.

Young and old, they all eventually reach the top!


[* An ABC Wednesday post. This week's letter is - S.]

[* Also for Wordless Wednesday.]

Moon and Venus

A rare occasion -- Moon and Venus as seen in the skies 16th May 2010.



/minor editing involved to remove noise / taken with a Canon SX110IS/

[* Skywatch Friday post.]

R for River Li and the Rocky Mountains

River Li (also Li Jiang 漓江) is a major river running through Guilin, China. Besides it being one of the most famous attractions for tourists, it is too, a major source of water (drinking, cooking, bathing) and livelihood (the most famous activity being Cormorant fishing) for the locals.

[* An ABC Wednesday post. This week's letter is - R.]

[* A Watery Wednesday post.]

[* And also for Wordless Wednesday

Q for Q here

Expect long lines when it comes to food!



What better way to ask people to queue up nicely. 'Please Q here'



...and wait to be seated. (Photo below taken with a mobile phone cam.)



Japanese food stalls fill up the food place at Singapore's ION Orchard.

[* An ABC Wednesday post. this week's letter is - Q.]

[* Wordless Wednesday]

Timezones

Seen above Xiamen, China.



Which timezone are you in?

[* A Skywatch Friday post.]

Have a lovely weekend.

P for Pedestrians at Bugis

And that's where you go for street shopping in Singapore.



This photo was taken two years ago and a lot has changed since then!

But anywhere in Singapore, there's bound to be a shopping centre, and it's always PACKED with PEOPLE.

[* An ABC Wednesday post. this week's letter is - P.]

[* Wordless Wednesday]

O for Overly-crowded

Seen inside The Forbidden City, Beijing, China.


[* An ABC Wednesday post. This week's letter is - O.]

[* A Wordless Wednesday post.]

N for Night Out

And in Singapore, it's Clarke Quay.



Facing Central, Clarke Quay, Singapore.


[* An ABC Wednesday post. This week's letter is - N.]

[* A Wordless Wednesday post.]

The grey and the blue

[* A Skywatch Friday post. Click to see more skies from around the world.]

M for Meltdown

..or ice melting away after some harsh winter.



Seen at the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing, China.

[* An ABC Wednesday post. This week's letter is - M.]

[* Ice turns into water at Watery Wednesday.]

[* More photos leave you speechless at Wordless Wednesday.]

A busy midweek it must be!

L for Leymo Coffee

Seen along Tiantan Road in Beijing.

[* An ABC Wednesday post. This week's letter is - L.]

[* A Wordless Wednesday post.]


Am finally back after a very cultural, historic, and lovely vacation! Have a pleasant midweek!

J for Jazz @ Southbridge

Jazz @ Southbridge, located along the stretch of restaurants and bars along the Singapore River.



[* An ABC Wednesday post. This week's letter is - J.]

[* A Wordless Wednesday post.]

The World's Colours Dissolving

[A Watery Wednesday post.]

[More Wordless photos at Wordless Wednesday.]

Happy St. Paddy's to everyone. :)

Branches Crossing

[* Posted for Monochrome Weekend.]

[* More Macro shots at Macro Monday.]

[* Wordless everyday at Wordless Wednesday: Monday Edition.]

Hidden Under a Bridge

{* More water shots at Watery Wednesday.]

[* An ABC Wednesday post. This week's letter is - H.]

[* Wordless as usual every wednesday at Wordless Wednesday.]

Summer Sunshine

It's amazing how much heat these flowers can take, no?




The weather has been crazy these past few weeks, being out in the sun for at least an hour would probably cause one a rather nasty sunburn. (no exaggeration there)

Apparently, these flowers, called the bougainvillea, thrive in warm climates and do not need a lot of water. They make for nice indoor plants too.

For someone without a green thumb, this is a rather convenient low-maintenance plant to grow, you think?

Although, I read somewhere that being in contact with the sap of the bourgainvillea can cause an allergic reaction to the skin similar to that of poison oak/ivy...

Then again, it blooms into such a wonderful pink colour!

Have a lovely week ahead.

[* Wondering what Today's Flowers are? ]
[* A Macro Monday post. ]

G - All that is Gold does not Glitter

[*A Watery Wednesday post.]

[*More wordless posts at Wordless Wednesday.]

[* An ABC Wesneday post. This week's letter is G. Click to see more.]

Where the Sea Meets the Sky

[* a Skywatch Friday post.]


---


This week's Friday Shoot Out theme is Revisiting your favourite theme/subject.

Here's what came to mind:



If you think this looks familiar, it's because you saw it in the header.

Yes, it definitely is a personal favourite.

You can read the original post here: Stairs and the Old Town.

{* a Friday Shoot Out post.]

Enjoy the weekend.

Dash of Yellow

It is more than a dash of yellow.



Have a bright week ahead.


[* A Mellow Yellow Monday post. Click to see more yellow-inspired photos.]

[* More exotic and beautiful flowers at Today's Flowers.]

[* See things from up close at Macro Monday]

Growing off Branches

Randomly came across this tree as we drove around last weekend. I thought it was unusual. And it looked interesting.

Does anyone know what this is (growing off it)?

Have a great weekend.

[* A Skywatch Friday post.]

E for Easygoing

A local vendor resting and seeking shade.

Shot in the Philippines. These vendors are allowed to go from car window to car window to sell their goods while the cars wait by the stoplight.


[* An ABC Wednesday post. This week's letter is "E". Click to see more.>

[* More wordless posts at Wordless Wednesday]

Love in the New Year

It so happens the Lunar (Chinese) New Year falls on the 14th February this year (today).

It's two fiery reds indeed-- the Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day.

---

Strawberry dipped in chocolate and pistachio...divine!



Happy Valentine's Day.


---


We celebrated the eve of CNY with family and great food.



Dinner was lovely.

Location: Lili, Hyatt Hotel and Casino.



Happy CNY!



[* Sunday Stills / Macro Monday]
[* Mosaic Monday]
{* Ruby Tuesday]

Sea of Clouds

It's one cloudy flight.



Seen over Singaporean skies.

[* a Skywatch Friday post. Have a lovely weekend.]

Bird Crossing

They're not afraid of people... or their CARS.



Seen at Serangoon Road, Singapore.


[* a Ruby Tuesday post.]
[* Wordless Wednesday (all-week)]

Wolf Moon

Last week, I was on my way out to grab dinner when i noticed the moon! It was so beautiful! I had to seize the moment.

I photographed the moon using two different cameras -- Canon SX110 IS (which is light and takes wonderful photos-- I bring it with me everywhere) and Canon EOS 500D with Canon EF 17-200mm IS lens (which takes even better photos!).


Shot with a Canon SX110 IS:


And another with a Canon EOS 500D:






So why is it called the Wolf Moon?

The full moon of each month are given names which date back to native americans. With these, they were able to keep track of the seasons by the distinctive names of each recurring full moon. The European settlers followed the same custom as well but by another set of names.

The wolf moon (a.k.a. Old Moon / Moon after Yule) is a full moon that falls.occurs in January. It got its name from hungry wold packs that howl outside native-american villages.





I hope you enjoy this photo as much as I did taking it!

[* To see more skies from around the world, Skywatch Friday]

C is for Chairs

Something caught my eye--- and it's the intricate detail of these chairs!





Lined up along an open area of Raffles Hotel in Singapore.

Have a lovely mid-week!


[* An ABC Wednesday post. Do visit for more words that start with the letter "C"]

[* For more interesting Wordless Wednesday posts]

Brighter than Sunshine

Saw these flowers when I was walking around the park yesterday. I don't know its name. But I like it.




I hope it brightens up your day too.:)


[* Today's Flowers]

[* Mellow Yellow Monday]

[* Macro Monday]

[* Blue Monday]

Orange Hues

[* a Skywatch Friday post]

Arts and Tiles

Seen at Jendela Recital Studio: Visual Arts Space @ The Esplanade, Singapore

Nothing but a wonderful MESS of colours to make good art.



Tile-like, painted on plain surface, this may be found along a stretch of wall in one of Singapore's main theatres/concert halls--The Esplanade.

(I, unfortunately, do not know who the artist is.. Does anyone happen to know?)**


[** 2014/05/05 The artist is Milica Bravacic. Below is a snippet of this work from her official website; Some of her other exhibitions here. Thanks to her art agent who sent the info -- It's great to finally put a name to such a beautiful work.]



Dubrovnik-born Milica Bravacic is now based in Singapore and offers art courses as well.


[* A post for Thursday Challenge Photo Theme: MESSY ]

Message in a Pet Bottle

[* Explore more watery photos @ Watery Wednesday ]

[* and take in more that will leave you speechless @ Wordless Wednesday ]

Lack of Colour....Not

Seen at Hill Street, the MICA (Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Arts):





This building, also known as the OHSPS (Old Hill Street Police Station), was erected in 1934 which upon completion, was then regarded as the largest government building and a modern skyscraper. It housed the Hill Street Police Station (hence the name) and living quarters for policemen and their families. This was Singapore's first jail.

At the time of the japanese occupation, it was used by the Kempeitai as a holding area (and torture chamber, some say) for prisoners. After the occupation, it was reverted to being a police station where the Arms and Explosives Unit of the Police Department operated (1949-1981).

In the 1960's, government housing provided accommodation of the police staff and they gradually moved out, the last occupant leaving in 1979. The station was closed and renovated therreafter and was renamed Hill Street Building in 1983, then housing several government offices.

The building was gazetted a national monument in 1998, and was regarded as one of Singapore's 100 Historic Places.

It is now also known as the MICA (Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Arts), and it houses the National Arts Council, the National Heritage Board, the Media/Infocomm Development Authority, and Singapore Kindness Movement.


And just so you know, the building has a total of 911 windows with colourful shutters.




Some useful links:

The MICA website: http://app.mica.gov.sg

The ARTrium @ MICA website: http://www.artriumatmica.com

The ARTrium was established in 1991, functions as an art space/gallery for visual arts exhibitions and performaing arts events. It was converted from the courtyard os the OHSPS, the former police parade ground.




[* Well, That's My World!, what about yours?]

Merlion Park, the morning after

My previous post was the Merlion Park seen on New Year's Eve.


This photo was taken the morning after.






Ah, the first morning of 2010.




The little white dots you see floating actually contain peoples' wishes for the ooming year. You can write on these wishing spheres at various places in Singapore (like shopping centres, etc). They then leave them afloat and light them up by New Year.

(I was lucky to have been able to write on one the previous year, and luckily for me, my wish did come true!....not that you really need to know).





A little history:


The original Merlion statue used to stand at the mouth of the Singapore River, at the tip of the current The Fullerton Waterboat House Garden with Anderson Bridge as its background. It was later moved to the Merlion Park (where it currently stands), situated near Singapore's Central Business District, and is one of the most visited places by tourists.



* For a virtual reality tour, you may visit this website.

* To know more and read more FAQs about the Merlion, you may refer to this website.



[* Care for more Watery Wednesday photos?]







And just so my post isn't too redundant, here's a little something to lighten things up, I came across this at some shop. They call it The Mercat. Somewhat a cross of the japanese money cat and the singaporean merlion.

Here's the result:




..a perfect plushie souvenir for little kids, you say?

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone!

Here's a photo taken on New Year's Eve in Singapore.

They've closed the roads until 2am for the countdown (at Marina Bay). The place was packed with people!

Of course, there were fireworks and everything, But it's rare occasion we see the streets full of people in SG.






That white thing over there, it's the Merlion, (Lion head and fish body), and where it stands is called the Merlion Park.

Right across the park (crossing the bridge) is the Esplanade, and the floating platform (where they've set up the stage for that evening).

Pretty interesting, and exciting evening.

How was the New Year in your country? :)

[* Have a pleasant Scenic Sunday!]