Universal Studios Singapore at Resort Sentosa

If you love thrilling rides, Universal Studios Singapore is the place to go. In the 90s, I was daring and tried almost all the rides at Gold Coast Dreamworld. Now, I only dare to venture the kiddy rides. Recently I went to to the Universal Studios Singapore. The last time I went to USS was in 2014. Not much has changed except for the new trick eye museum. 

One area I love is the New York area. It reminds me of my solo trip to New York to watch Broadway musicals and visit all the art and design museums. Even though I went alone, I had no time to feel lonely as I was immersed in the arts and musicals. It's definitely one of the best holidays in my life. 

New York, New York! One of my favourite cities besides Taipei.

Durian Ice-Cream

Yesterday is Singapore's 53rd Birthday. MacDonald recently launched Durian McFlurry in Singapore to in conjunction to Singapore's birthday. My youngest brother treated me Durian McFlurry when I mentioned I wanted to eat. I went to his new flat to help in drying his plates and utensils. 

Durian McFlurry is sweet, but you can taste durian fibre so its actually quite good but unhealthy. 

Network Neurosis Visual Arts at Esplanade

Esplanade, theatres by the bay, my respite in Singapore.

Sunny and Hot in Singapore

Love the beautiful sky dotted with fluffy cloud I saw few days ago and decided to capture it.

Temperature is about 30 degrees celsius in Singapore today. Few days ago, it was about 33 to 34 degrees celsius. Compared to other countries that are hit by sweltering heatwave where temperature rose to above 40 degrees celsius in Japan even Korea, Singapore is much cooler. Else, one can just venture to the multitudes of air-conditioned shopping malls in Singapore. 

My Blog on Buddhism

I have a blog on Buddhism. This blog is a platform to share what I learned on Buddha's Teaching. 

This is the link https://heartsutrabuddhism.blogspot.com

Ananda, when I asked you earlier about the location of the mind, it was to let you understand that the illusory mind which causes the cycle of birth and death is without a location. All your repeatedly wrong conclusions were rebutted and proven.

That the illusory mind has a location that the illusory mind has a solid substance are all ridiculous. And now I am asking you what exactly is the mind? But you have stopped at your initial perception that the eyes can see the attributes while the mind admires and not move forward.

Cool Weather in Singapore

It's supposed to be hot starting in June yet last week it was raining incessantly and temperature reached to about 21 degrees celsius. For the first time last week, I didn't switch on the fan. 

If only temperature is a cool 21 degrees celsius everyday. Today it is about 29 degrees celsius at night. 

Salad Buffet at Earle Swenson

I enjoyed the salad buffet at Earle Swenson especially if they have creamy penne pasta. As Earle Swenson at Westgate does not offer vegetarian main course, I opted for the salad buffet which includes fruit, pasta, salad, vegetables and salad dressing. 

After I made payment, the staff kindly told me to download fave app and purchase it which allows me to pay $9.90 instead of $19.09. 

Sadly there is no Earle Swenson in Tampines. I'm too lazy to travel to Jurong East unless its necessary. 

Nearest MRT Station: Jurong East

I love penne pasta and salad.

 Coleslaw

 There are many different salad dressing like mango salad, thousands island sauce.

 I love this 

A Beautiful and Modern Temple in Taipei 水中月， 空中花

After watching a video on this beautiful NungChan temple in Taipei, Beitou, I plan to go to Taipei next year to explore this temple. Perhaps I can just go there and meditate.

水中月（Moon in the water)， 空中花 (flower in the sky)

In Taipei, there is a unique modern temple - Nongchan Temple Shuiyue Dojo. Unlike other traditional temples, there are no overhanging eaves and dougong brackets, let alone heavy colors. They even don't burn incense. What is truly amazing is that the architect Yao Renxi etched the two famous Chinese Buddhist scriptures -- the “Diamond Sutra” and the “Heart Sutra” -- into the external walls of the temple, in order for the Dharma to enlighten everyone in the most natural way.

Crispy Enoki Mushroom at Shilin

I was delighted to see Shilin, a Taiwan street snack stall at Tampines Mall selling crispy evoki mushroom. Alas it doesn't come cheap and it is priced at $4.40. This is more expensive than the fried crispy soft-shell crab at Hot Star, another Taiwan street snack stall. 

The staff told me to wait for about 10 minutes as they only fry enoki mushroom when ordered. 

The enoki mushroom is indeed crispy and tasty ( salty) and it has similar taste to fried soft-shell crab. After 3 hours, it still retains its crunchiness. Actually they just use similar batter for soft shell crab. 

Even though it is delicious, it is best to limit intake as it high in fat and salt. I brought to share with my family together as we sat together to celebrate Father's Day. 

Fried enoki mushroom 金针菇. I opted for seaweed version.

Arts in the Esplanade

Esplanade is one of my favourite places in Singapore. Whenever I'm free, I would just go there to just sit there and explore the visual arts on display. I can't explain why perhaps I like the vibe and its near the water. If I have the energy, I would walk to Marina Bay Sands and maybe visit the Arts Science Museum. 

At one of my favourite places in Singapore.

 I was delighted to see artist at work. 

 Watching free performance at the Esplanade .

Remembering Wong Ka Kui in June

25 years ago in June, I cried myself to sleep when I read that Wong Ka Kui, the lead singer from Hong Kong most popular band, Beyond passed away. That year, I was preparing for my Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). In the 90s, Beyond songs dominated the airwave. How time flies! I still like your songs despite all these years. 

Wong Ka Kui was the most talented Hong Kong singer who composed great music and lyrics like Boundless ocean, vast sky (海闊天空) and "Glorious Years" (光輝歲月) despite the fact he had no formal musical training. All he had was pure talent driven by his passion in music. With that he wrote timeless music like Boundless ocean, vast sky (海闊天空) "Glorious Years" (光輝歲月) that are still popular today.

I'm Teochew and don't really listen to Cantonese songs. However I like Beyond Cantonese songs. Perhaps I only listen to Wong Ka Kiu songs as he is a real musician.

Thank you for the wonderful music you left behind.

Finally, Beijing Madame Tussauds has launched Wong Ka Kiu wax replica. I must say its really well done because it looks like him 100%! The one hugging Wong Ka Kiu wax replica is his youngest brother.

One of my favourite Beyond song, Glorious Years" (光輝歲月)

Matcha Shibuya at Suntec City,Siamese Cat

I had a craving for matcha toast and thus went in search for it at Suntec City. 

Luckily we found it at Siamese Cat located at B1-173 around the fountain of wealth at Suntec City. 

This matcha Shibuya is awesome with the buttery fragrant crispy toast and sweet red bean mash and matcha ice-cream. I be back for more. Definitely it is my favourite matcha dessert now!

Siamese Cat

Nearest MRT: Cityhall MRT/Esplanade MRT

Suntec City, B1-173

Matcha Shibuya at $11.20

Taro kaya butter at $4.20

"Kim Jong Un" in Singapore

"Kim Jong Un" in Singapore.

Trump-Kim commemorative medallion Launched in Singapore

The highly anticipated Trump-Kim summit will start on 12 June 2018 in Singapore. To capitalise Oops, to commemorate this historic event, Singapore Mint has recently launched Trump-Kim commemorative medallion. The retail price is priced at the 'lucky' price of $1380. (In Mandarin, 138 sounds like 一生发 which is always prosperous in life)

The Singapore Mint will release three versions of the US-North Korea summit medallions: gold, silver, and nickel-plated AFP/Handout

CNN news: Trump-Kim Medallion Technical Glitch Singapore Mint

Trump-Kim Summit in Singapore

I'm pretty excited about the Trump-Kim summit to be held in Singapore on 12 June this year. The world media will be in Singapore and it will help boost Singapore tourism during this period. Of course, things might change and Trump-Kim summit might not materialise. 

In 2015, Singapore successfully hosted the historic Taiwan-China Ma-Xi meeting in Singapore. Its the first time after 1949, that both leaders from China and Taiwan meet each others. 

I hope Trump-Kim summit is a success here too and there be world peace. 

Hahaha, Donald Trump drinking Merlion's vomit. Images from Mediacock

Ma-Xi Meeting in Singapore in 2015

Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay

At this moment, I love this song, Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay.