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Sunday, January 02, 2005
experiencing the christmas atmosphere in singapore
 
this year singapore tourism board launched "christmas in the tropics"
sparkling christmas lights & ornaments are hanged all over the tropical trees that line the orchard road
there are lots to do and see
 we had a very comfortable trip without rain
we spent the whole week walking and walking and walking
the mrt system works amazingly well -- ultra modern and ultra efficient
it's really the easiest transport system and we're really impressed
all the stations are spotless and everything looks brand new.. all the trains run regularly on time and they even refund the ticket at the end of the journey
singapore is incredibly clean -- looks like the inhabitants here are all well-mannered people
i didn't notice any homeless or police officers in singapore -- there must be patrol cameras in public areas
if only the same condition can happen in Jakarta..
here are some photo stories..
  
  
(1) amidst the big building and roads, singapore has plenty of green areas; botanical garden is a green space in the middle of the city, very near to orchard road; its victorian garden design includes this beautiful ornate bandstand
(2) race course road is famous for its indian curry restaurants
among them muthu's curry restaurant is considered the best
(3) the singapore zoo uses natural barriers instead of iron bars to contain its residents; only few zoos have been able to afford the huge cost of employing this open concept system
(4) i also like their concept of sponsorship -- i think it's really creative that big companies sponsor different animals..
(5) a new theatre and concert house - esplanade
the locals give it the nickname "durian" as it looks like that much loved fruit in singapore.. *another nice target for photographer*
(6) the symbol of singapore: merlion - half lion and half mermaid - guarding the mouth of the singapore river
   
(7) *wait!* a group of youths are racing to end their lives??? *ok, too hyperbolic :)*
as u're walking over cavanagh bridge, u'll see these kids-jumping-into-the-river-statues; they are brilliantly carved and a must photo for any tourist
(8) my hubby in front of the tallest christmas tree in the land (30 m), next to the orchard road mrt station.. *a perfect backdrop for canon moment*
(9) are u ready to experience singapore's first bungy thrill?
(10) the sri mariamman temple - singapore's oldest and most important hindu temple, built in 1827.. the roof is richly decorated with colourful sculptures of gods and mythical animals
 
the fascinating ethnic area of chinatown
lots of shops of souvenirs along pagoda & trengganu street full of colours: yellows, reds, blues, greens
definitely a unique place to wonder about & let things surprise you
 on this historic site sir thomas stamford raffles first landed in singapore on 28 january 1819
working for the british east India company, he was looking for a suitable place in south east asia to set up a british port & trading post
he successfully changed the destiny of Singapore from an obscure fishing village to a great seaport & modern metropolis
  
(11) from here u can enjoy the panoramic view of boat quay and singapore river
(12) beautiful view inside but one downside: we have to walk miles in the heat from the bus point to reach the place
(13) musical fountain (sentosa) : a fountain that dances to lively music
a dazzling display of colourful lights & laser images
*u can visit my singapore yahoo photos album for the complete photos*
stelly @ 1:43 PM
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