Former Singapore President Mr S R Nathan at Tampines 1

As usual, this Saturday, I like to go to Times bookshop at Tampines 1 mall to browse the latest books and magazines and to buy some stationery. I was surprised to see people wearing suits and business attire forming two lines near the bookshop entrance as if they were welcoming me. It was only when I stepped in and realised former President of Singapore S R Nathen would be at Tampines 1 for autograph session signing of his latest book, S R Nathan in Conversation. 

Actually I was a little upset as I wanted to browse the latest magazines, yet all those people in business attire were standing there and blocking the magazine section. In fact they blocked the magazine section. So I went to the  book section to read first and then check out the stationery. Actually I'm quite excited to see him as it's the first time I see him in person. Normally I see him only on television. S R Nathan is already 90 years old yet he looks really young for his age. 

 The autograph session lasted for about an hour. 

S R Nathan is already 90 years old yet look younger than his age. 

I was busy taking photo of him and didn't really hear what he was saying.

Delicious Prawn Mee in Tampines

These delicious prawn mee pok dry and prawn noodle soup are super delicious. I love rich prawn broth and delicious springy dry mee pok. This popular Shun Shun prawn noodle stall located at Tampines street 81. It costs $3.50 for a bowl of prawn noodle soup but for the dry prawn noodle, it is more expensive at $4.00.

How to get there?

Behind Tampines Golden Pines Blk 827

Alight bus 291 (red colour sign) at Tampines bus station

Dry mee pok (flat noodles) with pork, sliced fish cake and prawns.

Pedestrian Night at Orchard Road

One the first Saturday of the month, part of Orchard road will be closed for Pedestrian Night where there be performances. This month, pedestrians were treated to some Chingay Performance. For me, I try to avoid the congested street and stay at home. 

Fountain of Wealth at Suntec City

In this brand new year 2015, I wish you Happy and Prosperous New Year. If you want to enhance your luck and wish for prosperity, you can start at the free attraction at Fountain of Wealth located in Suntec City shopping mall. Suntec City building is designed with advice from some of the best Hong Kong Feng Shui Masters and it is partly owned by Hong Kong Tycoons like Li Ka-shing and others.  

It was listed to as the largest fountain in the world by the Guinness Book of Records in 1998. At night, be dazzled by the psychedelic laser light with music and laser dedication messages.
From Wikipedia

• The inward flowing water of the fountain was used for two reasons. Water is known as the symbol of life and wealth in Chinese culture, and the inward motion of the water symbolises the retention of wealth for Suntec City.According to feng shui experts (Chinese geomancers), the water flowing inwards represents riches pouring in, thus the name Fountain of Wealth.

• It is claimed that visitors to Suntec City, who walk around the central base of the Fountain three times and touching the water at all times, would gain some good luck of their own.

Fountain of Wealth at Suntec City

Fountain of Wealth opening time for Daily Touch Water Session.

Hope your wish will be fulfilled.

 Yes, walk around the metal ring and touch the splashing water. 

Christmas Eve at Singapore Changi Airport

Singapore Changi Airport is definitely one of the best in the world. I'm not saying it because I'm local. After travelling to other countries, I realised that not all airports have 24-hour restaurant and shops in operation. You won't feel bored at mid-night in Changi airport as there are many services, shops and restaurants still open for business. 

So if get to transit in Singapore, lucky you. You won't be bored at early morning. If you are tired, there are comfortable chairs or massage chairs for you to rest. 

 You can buy local attraction tickets like Gardens by the Bay and Universal studio.

 Many cafes, shops and restaurant are still in operation at mid-night.

 Swensen's is always open for 24 hours.

Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

Top 5 Nature Attractions in Singapore

If you are a nature lover, you are in luck as most of the nature attractions in Singapore are free. Sadly there is no mountain in Singapore though there are many hills. Generally except for Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome and Cloud Forest dome,nature attractions are mostly free of charge. Of course the Chinese, Indian and Malay gardens and Super tree groves at Gardens by the Bay are free of charge too but then the key attractions are the Flower dome and Cloud forest. 

1) Gardens by the Bay
If you love to see plants and flowers from all the world continents except for Antarctica in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay is the place to go. You can see the baobab trees from Africa, succulent plants and cloud forest. I know there are critics who like to say Gardens by the Bay is not natural and is artificial. Hello, are you trying to say the flowers and plants are artificial? They are real breathing plants! I think Gardens by the Bay is great for people like me who don't travel around the world to see nature. Its expensive to travel to Africa to see baobab trees from Singapore. Gardens by the Bay bring in flowers and plants from around the world to Singapore. Also if you think deeply, Henderson wave, tree-top walk are also not natural and are man-made. They made it easier for us to explore. You can read more in my earlier posts as shown below;

Christmas at Flower Dome 
Cloud Forest at Gardens By the Bay
Beautiful Cactus and Succulents
French Faire at Flower Dome Gardens
Orchid Extravaganza Floral Display at Gardens by the Bay

Gardens by the Bay. The shorter dome houses Flower Dome and the tallest dome houses Cloud Forest Dome.

 Cloud Forest

 Baobab trees in Flower Dome

Flower Dome Gardens by the Bay

2) Treetop Walk at Central Catchment Nature Reserve (MacRitchie)

Want to immerse in greenery and go for tree top walk in the two highest points in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve? Then you must go to MacRitchie Tree Top walk and you also get to see monkeys on the bridge.  Click Tree Top Walk to read more. 

Tree Top walk

3) Hiking at Mount Faber and Henderson Wave bridge. Want to see the unique architecture Henderson wave bridge? Click here, one of my blog posts to read more.

Henderson wave bridge

4) Botanic Garden

You can also hop down to another free nature at Botanic Garden which is the oldest garden in Singapore. Click Scenic Botanic Garden to read more.

Botanic Garden Swan lake

5) Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Click here to read more. I went there few years ago but its a great place to see different types of birds. Also free admission.

Of course, besides my blog, I think NParks has done a great job in preparing very informative and detailed trail guides for Singapore parks and nature reserve. Click here to download walking trail guides. It highlight the main attractions, map and estimated time to complete the walk. 

Popular BookFest@Singapore 2014

Every year I look forward to BookFest@Singapore organised by Popular Bookstore, the largest bookstore chain in Singapore. I try to plan to buy the necessary stationery and books so that I don't have to buy for the rest of the year and I can enjoy steep discount up to 60%. Frankly speaking, I don't like to shop for clothes, watches,bags, shoes or jewelry which women my age like to splurge. My indulgence are books and cute stationery. Simply say, I'm a bookworm and person with few needs. 

I like this year BookFest as there is a exhibition on the history of Popular bookstore which is founded by Mr Chou Sing Chu who grew up in Shanghai and arrived in Singapore when he was 19 years old. It started as a Chinese bookstore. Today, it is the largest bilingual chain store in Singapore and Southeast Asia with branches in Hong Kong and Malaysia too. It is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. 

I'm delighted that talented and humorous Taiwanese author, producer and director 九把刀 Giddens Ko is in Singapore for the sharing and book-signing event today. This year I finally got his autograph and I took a photo with him. I'm thankful he chose Singapore for his first public appearance after the scandals. He shared that it is important to do what you say and to pursue your dream. He fulfilled my simple dream by signing the two books that I brought and kindly posed for picture with all the readers who queued up for his autograph. I hope next year he will come to Singapore again. As usual I enjoyed his humorous sharing. Despite the challenges he faced this year, he gave an interesting and insightful talk. 

Well if you love books and stationery, come down to Suntec city Hall 401 -405 which start on 12 Dec and end on 21 December. There are more book signing event by local and regional writers. You can find out more at Popular BookFest@Singapore here.

Date: 12 Dec to 21 Dec 2014

Time: 10 am to 10pm.

How to get there?

Just alight at Cityhall MRT or Esplanade MRT and walk to Suntec City.

Difficult airline customer? A picture is worth a thousand words.

The entrance

 Enter I Remember Gallery to learn the history of Popular Bookstore

 Publications by World Book Company

 Popular's Founder Mr Chou Sing Chu

 This poster show the evolution of Chinese language for the last four thousand years.

 Chinese characters are inspired from observing nature

You can find Popular Bookstores all around Singapore.

 Old textbook in Singapore

You can buy CD albums at BookFest too.

Wide range of stationery are available too.

 九把刀 Giddens Ko

 九把刀 Giddens Ko like to start with his childhood.

He aspired to be a comic artist initially but he lost his comic book.

 Speak out for what you believe in.

Difficult airline customer? A picture is worth a thousand words.

Christmas at Flower Dome

One of the reasons why I always go to Flower Dome Gardens by the Bay is because every three to four months, there will be a change of flower field and decoration. I love to be surrounded by nature be it flowers or trees as it always make me happy. From November to January, the flower dome decoration is inspired from the Christmas season.   

 I like cactus and succulent plants.

 Interesting facts on Christmas.

 I want to receive lots of Christmas presents too.

After flower dome, visit the Christmas market at Super tree area.