My exotic travel notes so far..

Travelling Around the World (2002 to 2008)

Inspired by a YouTube video of a guy dancing badly around the world (just google "Where the Hell is Matt"), here are some of the countries I have visited.  Do see if you can recognize them before reading further. :-)

(top row from left) Sydney Opera House (Sydney, Australia), Colosseum (Rome, Italy), Leaning Tower of Pisa (Pisa, Italy), Pantheon (Rome, Italy), Burj Al Arab (Dubai, UAE)

(middle row from left) Sphinx and Pyramid (Giza, Egypt), Abu Simbel (Abu Simbel, Egypt), Partheneon (Athens, Greece), Knossos (Crete, Greece), Santorini (Santorini, Greece)

(bottom row from left) Charles Bridge (Prague, Czech Republic), Kodaiji Temple (Kyoto, Japan), Auschwitz Camp (Krakow, Poland), Peterhof (St Petersburg, Russia), Red Square (Moscow, Russia).

It has been a wonderful privilege for the opportunity to visit these exotic countries.

Singapore - Bugis Junction (Feb 2012)

Bugis Junction - Street Art Project

MRT station: Bugis (East-West Line)

It looked like the floor cracked and we saw another world beneath Bugis Junction!  The Bugis Street Art will be around till 19-Feb-12.  The staff on duty will show you where to pose, so you will not look out of place with the artwork.  He will even help you take a photo with your camera or camera-phone for free.  One is between Starbucks and MacDonalds, while the other is in front of Intercontinental Hotel.

Have fun!

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).

Happy Holidays! (Dec 2010)

Christmas Stitch (outside Inter-continental Hotel, Singapore)

Here's wishing all readers "Happy Holidays!!"

I shall be back with more "exotic travel pictures" soon..

Singapore - Resorts World Sentosa (Aug 2010)

There is life after sunset at Resorts World Sentosa and I am not just referring to the Casino. The rides at Universal Studios Singapore may be closed but the restaurants (in and around Universal Studios, as well as at the basement near Casino) are open. There is also a "theatrical circus spectacular", Voyage de la Vie, starting at 8:30pm (Wed-Sun nights) at the theatre next to the Casino. No animals are involved, just human acrobats and a male singer.

If you can choose, request for seats at the front rows closest the stage. You will feel more "immerse" in the performance and enjoy the show more. Do note the performance is "closed for maintenance" from 12 - 23 Sep 2010.

You can find out more about the performance, showtimes and book your tickets here:

http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/EntertainmentNightlife/VoyagedeLaVie

Well, at least the show's ticket price is cheaper than the entry levy for locals into the Casino.. :-)

Singapore - Final NDP Rehearsal at Marina Bay Sands (31 Jul 2010)

For the final National Day Parade (NDP) rehearsal on 31 Jul 2010, I caught the flypast and mobile columns from the overhead bridge leading towards Suntec City.

I then made my way across Marina Square Shopping Mall, the Helix Bridge and onwards to Marina Bay Sands. During the playing of the National Anthem, look up towards the SkyPark and you would see a dazzling light show!
Look who had gathered to catch the best views of the fireworks? No other than the marching contingents!
They were actually there to participate in the finale of the National Day Parade, One Voice 2010, to recite the pledge and sing the National Anthem on 2010 hrs. It was quite impressive!

P.S. On all the Saturdays when I caught the NDP finale firework displays from various locations (Esplanade Bridge, Marina Bay Sands, Helix Bridge, and I am sure everywhere else), there was always appreciative applause after the firework display ended. If only the firework display can continue every Saturday.. (sigh!)

Singapore - Marina Bay Sands (June 2010)

Inspired by the Business Times article found here (http://www.relax.com.sg/relax/news/393588/MBS_Makings_of_a_big_star.html), I decided to make a trip to Marina Bay Sands on 26 Jun 10.

Marina Bay Sands (website: http://www.marinabaysands.com/) is more than a casino. There are shops, restaurants, lounge, an outdoor area for you to see the Singapore skyline and a SkyPark for you to get a bird's eyeview of the surrounding islands. In year 2011, there will be performance theatres, exhibition halls and maybe even "sound and light" shows on certain nights.

Besides the surfboard-like SkyPark, you may noticed some "flappers" outside the 55-storey hotel. These are collectively known as "Wind Arbor". The flappers created a water ripple-like effect when the wind blows and look nice both daytime and at night. Inside the hotel main lobby (above, bottom row, right pic), look up and you will see some steel spider-web like structure, called "Drift".

The buildings opposite the hotel are the shops (or "shoppes"). Near the outdoor area, you will see an inverted dome structure. This is NOT a wishing well, so please do not throw your "lucky coins" down the dome. This is also not a litter-bin. There may be security cameras trained at the structure, so good luck to the person who attempts to throw rubbish down this dome. :-)

It is actually called a "rain oculus", designed to catch rain water which will drip into a "canal" in the shopping centre. If you happened to be at the "shoppes" when it rains, you may like to take a look at this rain-catching "oculus" from the basement. I spotted some drain-holes in the "canal", so I am confident it will not overflow and flood the basement shops during extremely heavy rainfall.

One function of the "canal" is for the romantics who may like to catch a sampan ride (as opposed to a gondola ride) in the shopping centre. I would not expect the sampan ride to be "rocky", even when the weather outside is stormy.

In the main hotel, there is a lounge with 'live' music playing, called "Fuse" (top row, left). Next to it (top row, right) is an international buffet restaurant called "Rise". At the other end (bottom row) is a Chinese restaurant called "Jin Shan" ("Golden Hill" in Mandarin).

I shall not mention the other Chinese restaurant located at the casino area which is served by 2 slow lifts. If both lifts broke down while the guests were already in the restaurant, the Singaporean restaurant patrons may have to pay Casino Levy (S$100 per Singaporean) to leave the place via the Casino.

Marina Bay Sands has a "kids club" for you to "park" your kids, while you "park" yourself at the casino, shops or restaurants. The kids will be entertained by electronic games, cartoons and the staff would even play table-tennis or table-soccer with your kids if they wish to. The "Casino" signboard is popular with non-patrons (especially those below the age limit) to take a picture to show they have been near a casino.

Singapore - NDP Rehearsal at Marina Bay Sands (Jun 2010)

If you happen to be at Marina Bay Sands on any of the Saturday evenings in the month of July, you will notice a group of people gathering to view the Singapore waterfront between 6:30pm to 8:20pm. They are actually there to see the flypasts (between 6:40pm to 7:15pm) and fireworks (8:10pm to 8:20pm) of the National Day Parade Rehearsals from a new viewpoint. If you are lucky enough to purchase a ticket to the SkyPark during that period, you may get to view the flypasts and fireworks from up in the sky!

The full works can be seen on National Day (9 Aug 10). Unfortunately, you cannot see or hear much between the flypasts and fireworks, unless you have a mobile phone or laptop which can stream the parade 'live' on 9 Aug. Otherwise, you may be better off getting a drink or taking a stroll at the 'shoppes' between the flypasts and fireworks.

Have fun!

Singapore - Resorts World Sentosa (Apr 2010)

A trip to Resorts World Sentosa (http://www.rwsentosa.com/) and Universal Studios Singapore costs only S$2 by public bus RWS 8 from Vivocity (or Harbourfront MRT). You can check out the website (http://www.rwsentosa.com/language/en-US/Attractions/UniversalStudiosSingapore) for the entrance fees to Universal Studios Singapore. You need 1 whole day to try the unlimited rides and attractions. As I only reached Sentosa island around 11am, I decided to just view the Universal Studios from outside.

Local citizens and Permanent Residents have to cough out S$100 as entry levy just to step in. For overseas guests, you just need to show your passport to gain free entry. 

Above are 2 other interesting hotels at Resorts World Sentosa.

Japan - Osaka Universal Studios (Oct 2007)

With so much excitements about the opening of Universal Studios Singapore [at Resorts World Sentosa (http://www.rwsentosa.com/)] and another in South Korea soon, I thought of sharing some photos I took in Oct-07, from the outside of Universal Studios Osaka - I did not purchase the day-pass to go in.

Egypt Guided Tour - Cairo Arrival (Dec 2004)

Being slightly naive, we thought of having a "free and easy" day before our guided-tour to explore Cairo on our own. We were armed with only the Lonely Planet (Egypt) guidebook and our knowledge of English language. We did not took the tour's hotel transfer because we arrived a day before the tour started.

We were stuck at the Egyptian Customs for an hour plus! Apparently, this Customs officer seldom saw young (late-twenties/early-thirties) Chinese Asians with Singapore passports visiting Egypt for pleasure back in 2004. He took a very long time trying to establish that our passports were real, even to the point of trying to remove the photograph pasted on the passport!

Thanks to an English-speaking Egyptian tour-guide who noticed our uncomfortable situation, the tour-guide managed to convince the Customs officer to let us through.

We checked into our hotel and visited the Cairo Tower nearby.
We were surprised to see how developed Cairo was, with all the buildings, cars and roads. From the Cairo Tower, we spotted the Giza pyramids in the horizon. We could not wait for our "Wonders of Egypt" guided tour to start..

Egypt Guided Tour - Memphis, Giza (Dec 2004)

After breakfast and a pre-tour briefing, we started our "Wonders of Egypt" tour with a sightseeing trip to Memphis, the capital of the Old Kingdom. We saw a colossal statue of Rameses II and a great alabaster sphinx. We then made a short photo-stop at Sakkara, to see the Step Pyramid of Zoser I.

Our next stop was Giza, to see the famous Sphinx and magnificent Giza Pyramids. Here, we got to climb up and walk alongside one of the Pyramids, as well as climb in to see the inside of another one of these historical creations. At night, we returned for a magical "Sound and Light Show" which illustrated the ancient history of Giza (in English).

Clockwise from top-left: The statue of Rameses II, the alabaster sphinx, the famous Sphinx and Great Pyramid (copyrighted by me, because you need to be at a certain location to take this photo), the Sakkara Step Pyramid, another view of the Sphinx, a lighted Pyramid, ticket to the Giza Pyramids "Sound and Light Show", a lighted Sphinx.

Centre: A picture of the 3 Pyramids of Giza (also copyrighted by me).

Egypt Guided Tour - Luxor and Karnak (Dec 2004)

We took a morning internal flight from Cairo to Luxor. We were brought to a cruise boat in private moorings near the edge of the town. After we have "checked in" and left our luggages in our cabins, we had lunch on board. We then alighted to visit the Luxor Temple (below).

Luxor Temple (middle row, 2nd pic): You need to take this picture from an angle so it seemed like the branches are growing out of its head. :-)


Next we visited the Karnak Temple, constructed over a time period of 1500 years.

(bottom row, 2nd pic): It's hard to resist taking a picture of the "bunny" photo. :-)

At night, we returned to walk through the Avenue of Sphinxes, as we were introduced to a complimentary "Sound and Light Show". We strolled through the Karnak Temple one more time.

Egypt Guided Tour - Hatshepsut and Valley of Kings (Dec 2004)

This morning, after breakfast on board the ship, we alighted to have a photo-stop on the West bank of the Nile for a photo of the towering Colossi of Memnon. These 2 seated figures are the only remains of the Amon-Ofis III mortuary temple.

We next visited the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which blended into the cliff face above. This temple was also known as the Temple of Deir El-Bahri ("Temple of the Northern monastery" in arabic).

We next dropped by the Valley of the Kings, which is the burial place of many New Kingdom Pharaohs, including King Tutankhamon. Our ticket granted us access to 3 tombs (except for that of King Tut's).

Egypt Guided Tour - Edfu and Kom Ombo (Dec 2004)

In the morning, we visited the Temple of Horus (Falcon God) in Edfu. We then spent the rest of the day cruising until we reached Kom Ombo.
We stepped foot into the Temple of Sorbek (Crocodile God) and saw mummified remains of many small crocodiles.

On our final night on board the ship, we were treated to an Egyptian Galabea Party and Dinner. We arrived at our ship's final destination, Aswan, the next morning.

Egypt Guided Tour - Nubian Village, Aswan (Dec 2004)

At Aswan, we took an optional tour to sail to a colourful Nubian Village. We bought some nice souvenirs there.

Egypt Guided Tour - Aswan (Dec 2004)

We took a motor-boat ride to the Temple of Isis, which is on the island of Philae on the river Nile.

(bottom row) We saw some Egyptian children, a building and noted how crowded the tourist boats could be.

We later sailed in a traditional felucca in the Nile river, around Aswan's Botanical Gardens.

Egypt Guided Tour - Abu Simbel, Aswan (Dec 2004)

(Top row) The next day, we took the optional early-morning excursion to visit the magnificent Abu Simbel temples in Aswan. It was well-worth the time and money. I felt like Indiana Jones when I entered the temples. :-)

(Bottom row) In Aswan, we saw an unfinished obelisk in an ancient Granite Quarry (left). We also passed by the Aswan High Dam (right).

We took the afternoon flight back to Cairo.