Tulipmania 2021 at Flower Dome

I'm so happy that Tulipmania is back this year! Due to the pandemic last year,  Tulipmania was put on hold.  Today is the first day of Tulipmania theme at Flower dome. After work, I excitedly went to Gardens by the Bay, Flower dome to view the tulips. This year, the flower dome showcases the origin of the tulip as a wildflower in Central Asia at modern Kazakhstan. The tulips in flower dome are from New Zealand, where it is now spring season.

At the flower dome, you can also find beautiful vibrant red yurt where the nomadic tribes stay. 

You can go to Gardens by the Bay Facebook page to watch video on Tulipmania here.

From the Straits Times here

Gardens by the Bay chief executive Felix Loh said: "Our horticulturists have been working hard to bring this display to fruition with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan."

While most people look to Holland for its famous tulip fields, not many know that the plant originated in Central Asia.

"Tulips first appeared about 10 million years ago in the foothills of the Tien Shan mountains, on the territory of modern Kazakhstan," said Mr Arystanov.

In the 16th century, part of what is now Kazakhstan was conquered by the Ottoman Empire, which brought tulip bulbs back to Turkey where they were planted in the gardens of the powerful. Every year, when the tulips were in bloom, a big party was held by Sultan Suleyman the First.

Tulips became a symbol of power and wealth, and the Ottoman sultans wore a tulip on their turban. As the shape of tulips resembled the turban, the flower was named "tulipan", or turban in Persian.

Sultan Suleyman gave tulips to important guests, including the man who managed the gardens of the emperor of Austria and later became head of the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands. The country's first tulips were planted there and the Dutch popularised the cultivation of tulips in the 17th century.

"Tulips were scarce and expensive in a time dubbed as the 'tulip craze' or 'tulip mania'," said Mr Arystanov.

Amid the blooms at Gardens by the Bay is a yurt - the dwelling of Kazakh nomadic tribes in the steppes of Central Asia - handmade by Kazakh craftsmen using traditional techniques without the use of nails or screws.

The mobile home, which is designed to be transported by camels or horses, is on loan from the Kazakhstan Embassy.

The floral display also includes a bazaar that shows Kazakhstan's role as a trading hub along the Silk Route, as well as towers and gates inspired by Timurid dynasty architecture, featuring blue and turquoise geometric patterns.

I love these orange yellow hue tulips.

Took this overall view of the yurt at flower dome at the succulent area.

Near the entrance

As it is the first day of Tulipmania, not many tulip bulbs bloom yet. I will visit flower dome again next week.

I like this double petals Red princess tulips.

Kazakhstan is a beautiful country but with extreme temperature. In summer, temperature can go up to 40 degrees celsius and -40 degrees celsius in winter.

Face-off in the Sky

Did you see two animals confronting each others? I saw this interesting shape this Wednesday 6 October near my home at Tampines Singapore. 

I see a cute poodle and a tiger facing-off each others. 

Hot Scorching Sun Yesterday

Saw this bright scorching sun yesterday via my phone camera yesterday.  Too bright to see with naked eyes. Yesterday was one of the hottest days in Singapore. Today is much cooler with dark overcast sky. 

Georgette Chen At Home in The World Exhibition

I love the amazing oil paintings by Georgette Chen, an inspiring artist and educator who chose to retire in Singapore after living in many other cities like Shanghai, New York and Paris. 

I visited the exhibition this June with my friend who also enjoy appreciating arts. I hope there be more art exhibitions at National Gallery soon. 

From National Gallery Singapore

Georgette Chen (1906—1993) is a key figure in the development of modern art in Singapore, widely recognised for her achievements as an artist and contributions as an educator. Born in Zhejiang, China, Chen studied at art academies in Paris and New York, and exhibited her work in annual salon exhibitions as well as solo presentations in Paris, Shanghai, New York, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Much of Chen’s life was marked by local and global conflicts including the Chinese Revolutions of 1911 and 1949, and World War I and II. Throughout these upheavals she strove to remain dedicated to her profession as an artist. In the post-war period, Chen relocated to Malaya, and settled in Singapore in 1953, where she made her name and living as a painter and teacher. Working for almost three decades at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, she was an active influence in the art community, serving as a mentor to and supporter of other artists.

This exhibition spans two galleries, and starts with Chen’s time in Malaya and Singapore, where she painted her most emblematic works. Declaring Malaya “a paradise for the artist,” Chen revelled in the beauty and variety of the region. The second part of the exhibition explores Chen’s early years, her academic training, and the increasing recognition she gained as a professional artist exhibiting her work around the world. A rare opportunity to encounter the range of Chen’s practice over five decades and three continents, this exhibition critically re-examines her unique contributions to the artistic landscape of her time.

Visit this website here  https://www.nationalgallery.sg/georgettechen

to explore her arts. You can't open the above link if you use Safari but you can explore using Chrome.

Lotus in a Breeze. I love this oil painting by Georgette Chen

Georgette Chen and her husband Mr Eugene Chen

Georgette Chen painting the lotus.

Beijing Forbidden Palace

I like the quiet ambiance at the National Gallery. 

World Expo 2020 Dubai

I hope to visit World Expo one day. It'll be amazing to explore many countries by visiting their pavilions in just one city. The World Expo is supposed to start last year but is delayed to this year due to Covid19. The next World Expo in 2025 will be held in Japan, Osaka city. I hope I can visit the World Expo in 2025. 

Let's explore some pavilions from around the world, starting with Singapore.

From https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/about-world-expos

World Expos, officially known as International Registered Exhibitions, are a global gathering of nations dedicated to finding solutions to pressing challenges of our time by offering a journey inside a universal theme through engaging and immersive activities. World Expos welcome tens of millions of visitors, allow countries to build extraordinary pavilions and transform the host city for years to come.

The first World Expo – the Great Exhibition – took place in London in 1851. The concept became popular and was repeated across the globe, demonstrating an unparalleled power of attraction and a record of world-class legacies. Since the BIE was created in 1928 to regulate and oversee these mega-events, World Expos have explicitly been organised around a theme that attempts to improve humankind’s knowledge, takes into account human and social aspirations and highlights scientific, technological, economic and social progress.

In the modern era, World Expos are unrivalled among international events in their size, scale, duration and visitor numbers. They are large-scale platforms for education and progress that serve as a bridge between governments, companies, international organisations, and citizens. 

World Expo 2020 is taking place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, between 1 October 2021 and 31 March 2022.

Singapore Pavilion 

Italy Pavilion

Netherlands Pavilion

 

 

Saute Sushi Vegetarian

If you want to eat vegetarian or vegan sushi, then Sauce Sushi is the place to go. They offer a wide variety of sushi and ramen. Try to visit before 5pm as there are not many people. After 6pm, there will be long queue.

I love their vegan chocolate ice-cream and avocado roll. Will be back again to try their ramen and other sushi.

Click Saute Sushi here to find out more.

Nearest MRT: Paya Lebar MRT station

Address: 60 Paya Lebar Road, Paya Lebar Square. Singapore 409051, #B1-19, Singapore, 409051

Vegan chocolate ice-cream $3.90

Abi Avocado $12.90. You love it if you love avocado.

Sakura white bean mocha ($3.90)

 

Yin Yang Cloud 阴阳云

I took this photo of this amazing cloud formation like Yin Yang cloud where one part of the sky is filled with clouds and the other side devoid of cloud at my workplace at Singapore on 14 June 2021 morning. Amazing isn't it? 

Just for Laugh - Cats

I received this hilarious picture via Watsapp from my friend. Quite true to a certain extent. 😆

Hmm, cats are adorable and cute to look at but I'm scared of them and will scream and run if they approach me.