Singapore (and other countries) - Beware the Yogi Man

The Yogi con-man is everywhere.. just google "Yogi Man" and read similar stories of those approached by him, not just in the streets of Singapore, but also in Bangkok, Sydney and London.  Below is a sample local site: http://www.blowingwind.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=23298

Even the Lonely Planet forum site mentioned about this yogi guy in Bangkok:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1947064

His trick is the same.. to attract your attention, he may call out to you and say "Excuse me, I know you are a very lucky person".  You may not believe him initially.  He writes something on a piece of paper, crumple it and put in your hand.  He then asks you a few "random" questions like "favourite number", "wish for yourself", etc and writes them on another piece of paper.  He then takes the crumpled paper from you, puts it on his forehead and then return the paper to you.  When you un-crumple the paper, the wordings match the answers you gave when the crumpled paper was in your hand.  He then asks you for dollar notes to be put into the diary he is holding.  He does not accept S$2 notes.. "at least a ten", after showing you a paper saying he prefers "$50, $100 or $150".

I was amazed at first, until a forumer suggested it could be a sleight of hand.  When he took the crumpled paper from your hand, he made a switch.  The other small piece of paper could be a carbon-copy below the paper when he was writing your "answers".  Good thing I never carry big notes in my wallet, so I only extremely reluctantly but "with a happy heart" gave him $30 for his "entertainment trick".  He gave me another "gift" of a small black stone which is supposed to absorb my "bad luck" and which I am supposed to "release into a river" 3 years later.

Why did I willingly part with my money?  Like most human beings, I "want to believe" something special and extraordinary had just happened to me.  My skepticism in me only allowed me to part with my $10 notes and no bigger.  Yogi guy was lucky I had 3 pieces of $10 notes in my wallet.. there were days I only have $2 notes in my wallet.

Oh, it happened on Christmas Day 2011 at a not-so-crowded Selegie Road, in Singapore.

Singapore - Sentosa Boardwalk (Nov 2011)

Sentosa Boardwalk - Merry Marionettes

Nearest MRT station: Harbourfront (North-East Line)

I was lucky enough to catch the first-day performance of the "Merry Marionettes" along the Sentosa Boardwalk on Sat (19 Nov 2011).  The Boardwalk, linking Vivocity to Sentosa, has become quite "happening" these days.  Weather permitting, the open-air free 30 min performance is on every Sat and Sun in Nov and every Fri to Sun in Dec until Christmas Day.  There are 2 timings, 7pm and 8:30pm.  It is very entertaining, so go catch it with your kids or go watch it yourself.

Singapore - Circle Line stations and destinations (Oct 2011)

Circle Line station murals

You can find various murals in the newly opened (on 8 Oct 2011) Circle Line stations.  Leftmost is at Telok Blangah station. More of this below.  Next 2 are at Labrador Park station and Holland Village station respectively.  In the final column, top is at Haw Par Villa station, bottom left is at Farrer Road station and bottom right is at Caldecott station.

The "Amazing Race 3" at Telok Blangah?

Taking a closer look at the mind-mapping mural in Telok Blangah station, I spotted "The Amazing Race 3" on the top left.  So what has the Amazing Race got to do with Telok Blangah?  Tracing down,  oh..

Pit Stop in Telok Blangah

 Telok Blangah Hill (or Mount Faber) was actually a pit-stop for "The Amazing Race 3"!

So, what does Telok Blangah got to do with a "cooking pot"?  Telok Blangah in Malay means "cooking pot bay", which describes the cooking pot shape at the bay, which is behind Keppel Harbour.

Convenient destinations along Circle Line

Some of the destinations [exit at station of the same name as the destination] within walking steps of the Circle Line stations are (top left) Holland Village, (top right) Botanic Gardens, (bottom left) Haw Par Villa, (bottom right top) exit at one-north station for Black Canyon Coffee, the best coffee in my opinion from one-north, and (bottom right corner) exit at Botanic Gardens station for Serene Centre (with nice eateries there).

Incidentally, the Circle Line is not a complete circle.  One terminal is at Harbourfront station, while the other ends at either Dhoby Ghaut station or Marina Bay station.  You can reach both Singapore Integrated Resorts (IRs) via the Circle Line - alight at Harbourfront station to get to Resorts World Sentosa; or alight at Bayfront (on the train heading to Marina Bay) to get to Marina Bay Sands.  Bus service 97 also connects the 2 Integrated Resorts.

Singapore - Fun sculptures (Aug 2011)

Fun Singapore sculptures

There are many interesting sculptures around Singapore.  You can see some when you google images on "singapore sculpture".  The left-top sculpture of 3 cats is called "Kucinta" and can be found along Singapore River.  The left-bottom cat sculpture (ACM cat) and the one on the right can be found outside Peranakan Museum (map of museum location is found here: http://www.peranakanmuseum.sg/visitus/gettingthere.asp).

Singapore - National Day Parade Rehearsals (Jun/Jul 2011)

National Day Rehearsal - Esplanade near Floating Platform (30 Jul 11)

On the final full dress rehearsal on 30 Jul 11, I decided to get as close to the performance area as I can.  The stage was still a bit far off, but I caught most of the off-stage action.  There were no seats and with the nearest train station cordoned off after the fireworks (for crowd control), the crowd had to walk at least 400m to the next nearest train station (Raffles Place or Clarke Quay).  We were thankful it did not rain that night!

National Day Parade Rehearsals - Helix Bridge (16 Jul 11) and Marina Bay Financial Centre (23 Jul 11)

(Top row, 2 pics) From the Helix Bridge, you are closer to the action.  You can hear but not see what happened, as the stage was blocked.  You can see the audience but may not be able to see what the audience saw.

(Bottom row, 3 pics) This is an alternate view of the National Day Parade.  It was just as crowded as other vantage points.  To get here (http://www.mbfc.com.sg/location-map.html), take the MRT (North-South line) to Marina Bay Station.  After you leave the station, just head towards Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort.  The fireworks from the top of buildings would be behind you, while the main fireworks would be in front.

National Day Parade Rehearsal - Marina Square Level 3 Food court (9 Jul 11)

(above pic) You will not get good photos from this place due to the glass panels, but you get air-con comfort and cheap food while waiting.  It is an open secret that this food court (located at level 3 of Marina Square shopping mall) offers a breath-taking view of the fireworks. You will not get to hear much of what happened outside though.  To book a window-view table, you need to be there before 5:30pm (or even before 5pm!).  Do patronise the food stalls for the variety of nice and cheap food, as you wait for the memorable fireworks to start (with your party of friends).

National Day Parade Rehearsals - Skypark (18 Jun 11) and Esplanade (25 Jun 11)

The weekly fireworks (every Saturday night, between 7:45pm to 8:10pm) for the National Day Parade (NDP) rehearsals have started.  As the month of July progresses, the fireworks will get more elaborate.  The rehearsals are on the floating platform near Marina Square / Esplanade / Helix bridge / Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort.

(left column) Pictures taken from Marina Bay Sands Hotel's Skypark on 18 Jun 11; (right column) Pictures taken from Esplanade on 25 Jun 11.  The schedule dates of the NDP rehearsals can be found below:
http://www.ndp.org.sg/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/traffic-table.jpg

So where were you, if you were in Singapore, during the Saturday evenings of July?

Singapore - Sentosa Broadwalk (May 2011)

Sentosa broadwalk

Nearest MRT station: Harbourfront MRT (North-East Line)
Official Website: http://www.sentosa.com.sg/en/getting-around/sentosa-boardwalk/

The sheltered garden-themed broadwalk is a pleasurable stroll from Harbourfront / Vivocity shopping mall to the entrance of Sentosa island.  There are travellators along the way, so you walk minimally.  I would advise you to get off mid-way to check out the waterfront view and the restaurants.

To get into Sentosa island from the broadwalk, you need to pay S$1 entrance fee.  You may then continue your stroll into Sentosa island.  To get back to the mainland, you can either stroll back along the broadwalk (no exit fee), or take a complimentary ride on the "Sentosa Express" light-rail from any stations in Sentosa island.

Singapore - Marina Bay Sands - Water and Light show (Wonder Full)

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  Marina Bay Sands Water and Light Show

Having seen "Sound and Light" shows in other countries' tourist attractions, I was expecting just shooting water, laser lights and maybe some fireworks.  The clear images projected on the water mists were unbelievable!  Go experience it yourself, if you can.

The show is played nightly at Marina Bay Sands' waterfront platform just outside the shoppes.  You will not miss the platform because of the crowd which gathers there.

The first Saturday of the 15-min complimentary show (19 Feb 11) played to a packed and appreciative audience.  The show started at 9:30pm but the platform was already very crowded by 8:45pm.  So, go early to pick a good spot.. and pray it does not rain. :-)

By the way, there are no fireworks - just laser-light, wonderful images and water fountains played to accompanying music.

The official site with updated timings is below:
http://www.marinabaysands.com/Singapore-Attractions/Wonderfull/

Singapore - Chinatown (The TinTin shop)

The TinTin Shop

Address: 56 Pagoda Street Singapore 059215 
MRT station: Chinatown (North-East Line)
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am to 9pm
Email enquiry:  info.tintin@gmail.com


Fans of TinTin, you need look no further than Chinatown (Singapore) to get your favourite TinTin products!  I heard stocks are moving fast, so do check out this place soon.

Singapore - ION Orchard (Dec 2010)

KRASNAYA Watch Art Gallery

A couple of tourists (1 male and 1 female) walked past this shop at ION Orchard, pulling along their trolley luggages and probably doing last-minute shopping.  When the man spotted above shop (website: http://www.krasnayawatch.com), he became very excited, as if he has found the "Holy Grail" or something.

Most locals would walk past the shop with barely a glance.  The man took out his digital camera, took a few pictures of the shop (like above), asked his female companion to take a shot with him posing in front of the shop, asked his female companion to also pose in front of the shop, brought his camera into the shop, only to be chased out promptly (no photos allowed in shop).  The female companion appeared not very interested.

For those who did not click on the above weblink, according to the website, this is the only KRASNAYA shop in Singapore.  KRASNAYA means "Red" in Russian (Red Army Watches) and this shop sells collector branded watches from Russia.

It is located at Unit B3-03 (opposite Starbucks) of ION Orchard shopping mall, accessible by buses or the trains [MRT] (North-South Line, look for the ION exit at Orchard station).