Sculptures in Singapore: Momentum

At Raffles Quay,near Raffles Place MRT station, you can find Singapore's tallest public sculpture, Momentum by Israeli sculptor David Gerstein. The 18.35m tall colourful steel sculpture "showcases spiraling layers of hand-painted metal figurines to depict the spontaneity, vibrancy and dynamism of the Central Business District." This sculpture was commissioned by the developers of One Raffles Quay and Marina Bay Financial Centre.

Twinkling Momentum

Momentum at Raffles Quay

Esplanade Visual Arts: Soaring Dragon 飞龙在天

From 13 Jan to 30 March 2014, you can enjoy visual arts Soaring Dragon by Carl Cheng Chi Ming 郑志明 from Hong Kong, at the Esplanade concourse steps. This installation is held in conjunction with Huayi Chinese Festival of Arts 2014.

Synopsis ( From Esplanade website)

"Soaring Dragon is based on the qian chapter of the Book of Changes (Yi Jing), one of the oldest Chinese classic texts and a book of divination and wisdom. 

The title of this installation is taken off a translation of the fifth “nine” (unbroken line) of the qian trigram, “When a dragon is in the sky, it will do good to meet with a great person – everyone who sees him may count himself blessed.” With the dragon a symbol of greatness and the sky a symbol of transcendence, Soaring Dragon suggests that people of greatness are now in the right places to lead others to success.

This new work is made of 200 firm bamboo ladders (symbolising one of four aspects of nobility and good social standing in Chinese culture) constructed in the form of a dragon; it represents the economic and social success of the Chinese, achieved through hard work."

 Soaring Dragon

Singapore Motion Time Lapse Video

This is motion timelapse videos on Singapore that feature Singapore iconic buildings and area of attraction by Mr Poh.

National Museum of Singapore: Wormhole Bamboo Installation

Saw this big bamboo installation that resemble a temporary habitat outside National Museum of Singapore. It is a art installation by an Indonesian artist for the Singapore Biennial 2013.

 Wormhole Bamboo Installation by Eko Prawoto from Indonesia

National Museum of Singapore

Esplanade Visual Arts: Tropical Zen Garden

From 17 Jan to 2 Mar 2014, the underground to the Esplanade presents Visual Arts: Tropical Zen Garden by Singapore Oh Chai Hoo.

 Tropical Zen Garden

Singapore, the Most Expensive Place to own a Car

To discourage Singapore residents from owning a car, Singapore government imposed a series of measures like Certificate of Entitlement, Electronic Road Pricing and parking fees. 
Before you can own a new car, you need to purchase Certificate of Entitlement which gives you the right to own a car (a piece of paper). This year February, for Catergory A (Cars up to 1600cc and 130 bhp), the COE costs $76,109.00. 

Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantry

CAT A     Cars up to 1600cc and 130bhp [View Past CAT A Results]  Quota Premium Change Prevailing Quota Premium Quota Bids Received $71,564  $726 $76,109 362 719

CAT B     Cars above 1600cc or 130bhp [View Past CAT B Results]  Quota Premium Change Prevailing Quota Premium Quota Bids Received $75,300  $3,700 $82,333 360 523

CAT C     Goods Vehicle & Bus [View Past CAT C Results]  Quota Premium Change Prevailing Quota Premium Quota Bids Received $51,002  $1,001 $58,989 267 364

CAT E     Open [View Past CAT E Results]  Quota Premium Change Prevailing Quota Premium Quota Bids Received $77,003  $1,807 - 208 351

                COE RESULTS  2014 Feb 2014, 1st Tender ( FromSgcarmart)

                        Hollywood Stars shocked by Singapore car prices.

Getai Performance at River Hongbao Show 2014

Last Friday, I brought my parents to the River Hongbao Show and we were happy that we could watch free Getai performance and have good seats. Getai is literally translated from Chinese 歌台 which means song stage and is normally performed during the Hungry Ghost Festival but is now performed in other Chinese festivals.

My parents enjoyed the getai performance hosted by humorous Chen JianBin who could sing and act. We also managed to watch the fireworks near the Singapore Flyer as another major event Chingay was also organised. At the end of the day, I'm glad my parents enjoyed the performance. 

I really look forwards to next year River Hongbao show. Next year will be the year of Goat. Really appreciate the organisers which include Singapore Federation of Chinese Clans Association, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  

The majestic Horse in the city.

Pineapple and durian 

The hosts Chen JianBin and bilingual Lim RuiPing who could host both Mandarin and English fluently. 

The four performers sang popular Chinese New Year songs.

The singer sang in Teochew, one of the Chinese dialects.

Chen JianBin can really sing well.

Glitzy stage lighting and live band. I love live performance.

Fireworks for the Chingay event.

The finale

Late dinner after watching the performance.

Tradition in the city.

Ming Dynasty emperor and empress lanterns

Entrance to the River Hongbao show.

Is this UFO?

Everytime I pass by old Tampines road, I'll see these two large inverted cone that look like futuristic aircraft from afar. Actually they are used to store Newater- waste water that is processed to be drinking water for nearby electronics chip manufacturing factories.

Happy Birthday to All!

Based on Chinese tradition, on the seventh day of Chinese New Year, it is the birthday for human. Thus, today is everyone birthday. 

My mum will cook seven different types of vegetables and eat yusheng (shredded vegetables with raw fish) to celebrate to celebrate the seventh day of Chinese New Year. 

Have a Safe and Smooth Sailing Horse Year!

Saw this lovely sailing vessel  filled with treasures at Cityhall Link mall and just wanna share with all. Wishing all readers a prosperous, safe and smooth sailing Horse year ahead!

Happy Chinese New Year!

Wishing all Chinese readers, a prosperous and Lucky New Year! Galloping to a great year ahead!

Anticipating Chinese New Year!

Hurray, this coming Friday will be Chinese New Year. To me Chinese New Year is the most important festival. It is the time to meet up with relatives whom I have not met for a year. Also I get to enjoy sumptuous dinner with my family during reunion dinner. Since I'm not married, I get still get red hong bao (packets of money) which symbolise blessing.
Will share the reunion dinner and the River Hongbao show by this weekend! 

Marina Bay Sands & Gardens by the Bay

Went for a walk with my cousins to explore downtown area and saw this beautiful scenery in the Gardens by the Bay. 

It's Better to Travel by Public Bus

Although MRT is convenient, frequent MRT breakdowns make it unreliable. It is better to travel by public bus or taxi in Singapore. After the announcement of fare hike, the MRT broke down twice. Not sure if its a sign from above.  

Photo courtesy of Kelvin Ong- Commuters at MRT station

Scoot Airline, Singapore Budget Airline

I prefer to travel budget airline for short-distance travel. Last year, I flew to Taipei on Scoots Airline, but I decided to give myself a treat by traveling in Scoots business class which cost me about $680.00 for return trip. Depending on when you book the flight, you can travel to Taipei from Singapore for about $400.00 for return trip economy class or Business class if you book early. Of course if you book your flight few days before the trip, a return ticket to Taipei can cost about $600.00 for economy seat. 

Scoot airline is a Singapore-based low cost long-haul airline and its parent company is Singapore Airline. From Singapore, you can fly to Australia Perth, Sydney and Gold Coast, Taipei, South Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong and to Thailand Bangkok. 

Click here to view Scoots airline.

 Scoots Airline in Taiwan

 Business class seat

  Quite empty business class

 I prefer the ham and cheese croissant hot that was served when I flew to Taipei. This was served cold on the return flight to Singapore. 

 Love window seat as I can view the land and sky of the country. This is one of the mountains in Taiwan. I love to seethe clouds sea hovering below the mountain.

Fluffy cloud