Singapore - The Little Red Dot

Christmas in Singapore - 2011

2011-12-10T23:24:00.004+08:00

Merry Christmas to all of you......!

I hope you can visit Singapore during this festive season to enjoy the beautiful christmas decorations along Orchard Road and inside all the shopping malls too!

Great Singapore Sale 2011

2011-05-27T20:50:00.003+08:00

The Great Singapore Sale is here again..!

Starting from 27 May to 24 July 2011.

You may visit this site for more information on slaes and promotions.

http://www.greatsingaporesale.com.sg/2011/english-html/home.html

Singapore F1 - 3 More Days To Early Bird Tickets

2011-05-16T16:35:00.004+08:00

You got 3 more days to buy your early bird tickets to Singapore F1, Marina Bay Street Circuit to be held on 23-25 September 2011.

Linkin Park will be performing at the Singapore F1..!

For more details, pls visit http://www.singaporegp.sg/index.php

Changi Airport Millionaire Dance

2011-05-16T14:49:00.003+08:00

So do not gforget to shop when you are in Changi Airport.....

David

Singapore - Asia Pacific's Top 5 Green Cities

2011-04-21T23:53:00.004+08:00

It was reported that singapore is ranked 4th in the Asia Pacific's top 5 Green cities in Feb 2011.

River Hong Bao 2011

2011-02-22T18:04:00.002+08:00

One of the highlights of Chinese New Year is the River Hong Bao which was held on the floating platform in Esplanade.

Here is a slideshow of some photos taken during my visit there :

David

Christmas Lights in Orchard Road, Singapore

2010-12-22T23:36:00.002+08:00

Merry Christmas to you ....!

My wife and I took a stroll down Orchard Road last week to take in the Christmas lights decorations along Orchard Road.

Singapore is also voted as the top 10 holiday lights in the world by Frommer, an US based travel guidebook.

Here is a short video and some still photos taken during my evening stroll.

Merry Christmas again and I hope you will be able to see the Christmas lights yourself in your coming visit to Singapore.

David

Singapore - Picture Perfect Harmony

2010-12-17T14:48:00.002+08:00

This is taken from The Straits Times, dated 15 Dec 2010.

An American, Jack Blaylock, wrote to the ST Forum and shared his observation on religious tolerance that Singapore has been able to cultivate.

He said that on a daily basis, he see Christian, Muslim and Hindu office workers sharing a meal at a kopitiam (coffee shop), exchanging smiles or pleasantries on the street or otherwise kindly extending help to one another.

And in all his trips here, he has not once witnessed religion-fuelled hostility or prejudice.

His travels have taken him to all corners of the world, yet he has never found a country that comes even close to the religious and spiritual maturity that Singaporeans demonstrate towards one another.

In many ways, and especially in their tolerance for one another, Singaporeans are a beacon to the world.

Though I may not have travelled as widely as the author, I agree with his observations.

For generations, we have made Singapore our home and the government has also put in effort to ensure peace and religious tolerance despite the different races and cultures too.

I grew up with Malay, Indian, Chinese, ...friends and work with them too irrespective of their religions and cultures. My children is doing the same and their children too, so will the future generations...... as this is how we were taught to live in this Little Red Dot.

We are proud of it.

David

Singapore - Happiest Place in Asia

2010-12-15T14:32:00.005+08:00

This is taken from the Suday Times, dated 5 Dec 2010.

American author and explorer, Dan Buettner, found Singapore to be the Happiest place in Asia.

He picked city-state based on factors like tolerance, equality and security in his newly launched book, THrive, Finding Happiness THe Blue Zones Way.

Mr Buettner said that what correlate with happiness on a worldwode level are tolerance, sttus equality, security, trust, access to recreatin and financial security - all of which Singapore has.

He gives 7 tips on Happiness in his book.

So visit Singapore and have some Happy time and memories of your stay here.....

David

SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands

2010-11-02T15:41:00.005+08:00

A friend of ours took us up to the Sky Park on the 57th floor of the Marina Bay Sands hotel recently. HE was staying there for a few nights during his business trip to Singapore.

The Sands SkyPark is an awe-inspiring engineering wonder. This unique structural masterpiece, designed by visionary architect Moshe Safdie, floats atop the three soaring Marina Bay Sands hotel towers 200m in the sky.

Stretching longer than the Eiffel tower laid down or four and a half A380 Jumbo Jets, with an impressive 12,400 square meters of space, the Sands SkyPark can host up to 3900 people. The gravity-defying cantilever is one of the largest of its kind in the world. From this privileged observation deck, hundreds of visitors at a time can feast their eyes on the unforgettable panorama view.

The public needs to purchase tickets to go up to the Sky Park.

For more details, pls visit http://www.marinabaysands.com/SandsSkypark/Sands_Sky_Park.aspx

Here is a slideshow of some photos taken at Sky Park :

BTW, there is also a casino in the hotel too if you wish to try your luck or win back your admission ticket to the Sky Park.

Good Luck!

David

Mid-Autumn Mooncake Festival by The River

2010-10-03T11:38:00.002+08:00

The Mid-Autumn Mooncake Festival by The Singapore River was held until 22 Sept 2010.

There were lanterns floating on the Singapore River and lanterns of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals were placed along the river bank, including stage performances too.

Here is a slideshow of the photos taken during my visit there one evening :

Of course, one of the highlights of this festival is to eat the varities of moon cakes on sale during this period.

Singapore 2010 F1 Night Race

2010-09-30T16:54:00.003+08:00

What an exciting F1 Night Race that we have last weekend!

There were a few crashes and even a car catching fire at the end of the race!

An attempt by Lewis Hamilton to overtake Mark Webber but resulting in Lewis being knocked out of the race instead!

I managed to take some stills from the 'live' telecast on our MediaCorp TV5 and put them into a slideshow for those who may have missed it.

So do plan to come to Singapore for 2011 F1 Night Race.

Please visit this website for more information :

http://www.singaporegp.sg/

Youth Olympic Games (YOG) 2010

2010-08-17T21:57:00.003+08:00

Singapore is now hosting the 1st Youth Olympic Games (YOG) 2010.

For more information on the games, pls visit the website :

http://www.singapore2010.sg/public/sg2010/en.html

You may want to listen and watch the video on the YOG Theme Song too at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHrnaGJ8ckg

Singapore National Day Parade (NDP) 2010

2010-08-13T23:56:00.002+08:00

This year NDP was special to us as Jas volunteered to be one of the 600 Motivators for the parade and we manged to get tickets to attend one of the few rehearsals of the parade too.

I managed to record some highlights of the parade from Channel 5 of MediaCorp and I would like to share them with you.

The opening with the motivators welcoming the hosts for the parade:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0zgYp1zlD8

The aerial display :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd32dd9eAuM

The 1998 NDP theme song, Home, written by Dick Lee and sung by Kit Chan :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AiYnZKqEpo

The Singapore pledge, One Voice at 20:10, and anthem :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpAV15MAPBM

This year theme song, A Song For Singapore, written and sung by Corrinne May ( recorded in HD too ):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtyjrIv-njM&NR=1

Finally, the NDP fireworks :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEeT7JmVarE

My family and I are indeed proud to be SINGAPOREANS...!

Happy 45th Birthday, Singapore....!

Singapore 3rd Most Livable City

2010-06-30T23:00:00.002+08:00

Singapore has been ranked the third-most-livable city, after Switzerland's Geneva and Zurich.

The ranking is based on preliminary results of a study on 64 cities called Global Livaeable Cities Index.

The Great Singapore Sale 2010

2010-05-30T07:22:00.003+08:00

The GREAT SINGAPORE SALE is back again.....!

It is happening from 28 May to 25 July this year.

For more details, check it out at

http://www.greatsingaporesale.com.sg/2010m/english-html/home.html

River Hong Bao 2010

2010-02-21T10:54:00.002+08:00

River Hongbao has been Singapore’s annual signature event to usher in the Chinese New Year.

Immerse in the rich Chinese culture and festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year with the fairyland of lighting decorations, savour mouth-watering food from food street and cooking demonstrations, purchase sourvenirs from the handicraft and specialty stalls, traditional and contemporary Chinese song and dance performances.

For more details, you can go to http://www.riverhongbao.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=69&lang=en

Wishing you a Healthy and Wealthy Chinese New Year...!

David

Chinatown Lights Up for Chinese New Year 2010

2010-02-20T22:13:00.004+08:00

As usual, Chinatown is full of festivities for the Lunar New Year....

Brightly lit up with lights and street stalls....

There is also a stage for performance on the eve of Chinese New Year, broadcasted 'live' on our TV for the new year countdown.

This year is the Tiger; one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs.

Hope you enjoy the slideshow and do drop by for the next Chinese New Year if you are around this region....

Wishing you a Healthy and Wealthy Chinese New Year..!

David

Chinese New Year Celebration 2010

2010-02-19T23:03:00.007+08:00

Chinese New Year (CNY) fell on 14 February 2010 and it also is Valentine's Day too!

However, majority gave priority to the Chinese tradition of having the Reunion Dinner on the eve of CNY and visiting the elders and relatives on the first few days of CNY.

Colourful lights in Chinatown.....!

This is the Year of Tiger ..... one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac signs...!

This is the River Hong Bao at the Marina Bay floating platform.

I will be posting a slideshow of more photos in the coming days .... so stay tune....

Wishing you a Healthy and Wealthy Chinese New Year.....!

David

Christmas Lights in Orchard Road, Singapore

2009-12-26T22:51:00.002+08:00

Besides Orchard Rd, the shopping malls around the island are also well lighted up for the Christmas festival.

Irrespective of race and religion, people tend to celebrate Christmas or soak into the festivities available.

Part of Orchard Rd was closed yesterday for people to watch the floats, mingle around, etc.....

So if you want to join in the fun, drop by Spore next year if you are overseas else remember to take a stroll along Orchard Road.

Merry Christmas...!

David

APEC 2009 - Hosted by Singapore

2009-11-13T16:28:00.003+08:00

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is the premier forum for facilitating growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

Here is the video on the Summit Opening Keynote Address by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore (Part 1) - 13 Nov 2009.

For more details or information on the APEC summit, pls go to their website at

http://www.apec2009.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1

Singaporeans More Animal Friendly

2009-10-05T10:51:00.001+08:00

My Paper reported that Singaporeans seem to have become better friends to animals.

Fewer animals have been abandoned and more adopted over the last 5 years at SPCA.

Happy World Animal Day......!

F1 Rocks !

2009-09-28T23:38:00.008+08:00

If you have missed the recent Singapore F1 Night Race and the off track entertainment, start planning for next year's event in Sept 2010 again.

The race track is in the midst of the city area so you can see a beautiful building like the one above, in the background.

Lewis Hamilton is the winner in the Singapore 2nd F1 Night Race...!

Photos of F1 concerts ...... Beyonce..!

Singer Gwen Stefani with rock band, No Doubt...!

Singapore 2009 Formula 1 Grand Prix

2009-09-22T12:03:00.003+08:00

Singapore 2009 Formula 1 Grand Prix is just around the corner, this coming weekend.

It was the first night race last year and they are starting the race 1 hour earlier and it will go from daylight to night...!

The 3 days walkabout has been sold out already!

There are also many off-site entertainment like Backstreet Boys, Chaka Khan, and many more.....

Check this site for more details http://www.singaporegp.sg/media/press_090611.php

To give you a better feel of the race track, I found this video on YouTube so check this out.....

SO I hope you can join us here in Singapore and get the thrill of the race car engines roaring and all the entertainment that goes with the event.

David

A Visit To Geylang

2009-09-02T16:34:00.004+08:00

Well, when you are in Singapore, you should visit the infamous red-light district at Geylang for the local food and maybe the unique environment there too.....

But it would be advisable to go with a local or friend who is familiar with the place so as not to get yourself into unnecessary trouble or stray into places that you may not be comfortable with ....ha...ha.....

It is safe as I have been there with friends for dinner. I even went there for a soccer practice with my teenage son and then for dinner there too.

I must also admit that it was also an eye-opener for me and my son as I have not been there until recently.

So if you are adventurous and got a friend to show you the place, do check it out......

David

Singapore's 44th Birthday

2009-08-06T23:45:00.007+08:00

Singapore is celebrating her 44th birthday or Independence Day on Sunday 9 August 2009.

You can get more details at this website:

http://www.ndp.org.sg/home.php

You may also want to visit this site for some videos too:

http://www.etour-singapore.com/singapore-national-day.html

Changi Airport - Cleanest Airport

2009-07-26T15:39:00.005+08:00

It was reported in the papers that our Changi Airport is the cleanest airport to sleep in (I am referring sleeping on the carpet in the airport lounge ) ........!

So if you are planning on transit somewhere around this region, you can safely spend a night at Changi Airport.

Better still, I believe there is a FREE day bus tour around the city for in transit passengers too.

So if for some reasons, you are not able to spend a few days in Singapore then do think about spending either a few hours having a quick look at the city or just sleeping in the airport itself.

The airport is like a shopping mall too and plenty of food; both fast food or proper restaurant food.

So if u have more than 5 hours to spare, pls sign up for the 2 hours Singapore City Tour.

For more details, go to http://www.changiairport.com/changi/en/airport_guide/transit/suggested_activities.html

Check out this website for more info on Changi Airport http://www.changiairport.com/changi/en/index.html

ION Orchard

2009-07-22T20:48:00.003+08:00

ION, Orchard's newest mall is not only striking, but more than 70 per cent of its stores are also new.

More than 70 per cent of its 335 stores will be new to Singapore. Among them are jeweller-to-the-stars Harry Winston, Italian label DSquared2, Spanish high street label Bershka, Chinese sportswear retailer Li-Ning and Australian shoe company Rubi Shoes.

The eight-storey mall is within a 218m-tall, 56-storey luxury building. The other 48 floors will contain 175 high-end apartments called The Orchard Residences, which will be completed by next year. About 84 per cent has been sold. Last month, an apartment sold for $3,299 psf.

The vision for Ion Orchard is to create an icon befitting its unmatched location at the gateway to one of Asia's most vibrant shopping strips.

The Great Singapore Sale 2009

2009-05-29T23:21:00.004+08:00

Whether you are in the main shopping belts of Orchard Road and Marina Bay or at the suburban malls, look out for discounts of up to 70% off the usual prices. That goes for just about anything, from designer apparel to jewellery, watches and more!

On top of that, visitors to the island city during the Great Singapore Sale are entitled to exclusive promotions on selected retail and lifestyle purchases. So take advantage of the season’s tourist privileges and rewards to enjoy even bigger bargains! What’s more, there will also be attractive dining offers islandwide during the season to keep you and your companions thoroughly contented even when you’re not shopping.

For more details, pls visit http://www.greatsingaporesale.com.sg/2009/eng-tourist/home.html

Singapore Flyer Celebrated First Birthday

2009-04-28T16:23:00.002+08:00

Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest Giant Observation Wheel celebrates its first birthday this April 2009.

Here is a video when the Singapore Flyer was first launched in 2008.

If you cannot see the video, pls go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVBgflrPTXE

For more information on the Singapore Flyer, go to http://www.singaporeflyer.com/en

Singapore F1 Virtual Map & Ticket Pricing

2009-04-20T11:01:00.005+08:00

For more information, please go to http://tickets.singaporegp.sg/index.html

Singapore Formula 1 2009

2009-04-13T20:33:00.004+08:00

Hi,

If you miss last year first night F1 race or would like to return again this year, please book your tickets early.

Visit this website for more details http://www.singaporegp.sg/?gclid=COu666bu7ZkCFQUwpAodaB5ISA

David

Why I Really Love Singapore

2009-04-09T17:50:00.002+08:00

This letter was written in to the Today newspaper on Thursday 9 April 2009.

I am touched by what was written by this 16 year old International student who has been here for 2 years.

In summary, the student took a taxi to his friend's home but realised that she left her mobile in the taxi. She managed to contact the person who found it and took another taxi to retrieve it though she kept her waiting, as she took down the wrong address.

After collecting her mobile, she took a MRT train to catch up with her friend. She called her friend and related the whole episode to her and that she has no more money left after the 2 taxi ride.

After she hung up, a middle-aged man insisted that he gave her $10. I suppose he must have heard her conversation and decided to help her.

What a touching incident and I am glad that there are nice and gracious people around.

David

Singapore - Crossroads of the East 1938

2009-04-09T10:54:00.002+08:00

Found this nostalgic video of old Singapore dated 1938 on YouTube.

While I was not even born yet then but I can associate with it and also proud that we have learned to live together peacefully irrespective of different race and religion.

Hope you will enjoy watching it too.

In case, you are not able to view it, pls go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvvhY6DtfZs

David
Sunny Singapore

Earth Hour 2009 - Esplanade Singapore

2009-04-07T21:23:00.002+08:00

Here is a nice photo of Marina Bay taken before and during the Earth Hour.

Earth Hour 2009 in Singapore

2009-03-30T11:29:00.004+08:00

It was candle power when Singaporeans and foreigners gathered downtown to mark Earth Hour on Saturday 28 March from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.

More than 2,000 people turned up at the Esplanade Park. The event was organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Elsewhere, many companies and hotels also switched off building-facade and non-essential lighting from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.

(The above has been extracted from The Sunday Times Mar 29, 2009).

If you like to know more about Earth Hour 2009 in Singapore, visit the site at http://www.earthhoursingapore.blogspot.com/

My family & I + our dogs also observed the Earth Hour from 8:30pm to 9:30pm. We switched off all the lights in the house and all the non-essential power points too, and then took the dogs for a walk and ended up in the park nearby.

I took some photos of this special occasion with my mobile camera and compile them into a slide show, as shown below

We are happy that we have done a small bit for the future of Earth....!

David

Merlion Back In Action

2009-03-24T17:18:00.001+08:00

Glad to inform you that our national icon, the Merlion, is back in action and spouting water again!

Fair Deals at Sim Lim Square - IT & Electronic Shopping

2009-03-23T16:58:00.005+08:00

Basically, as mentioned in the news above, the bad publicity is due to a few black sheep only.

Apparently, the shops are owned by individuals doing business there unlike being rented out by the building owner as in most shopping malls.

Anyway, bottom line is that you should do some homework yourself and know what you are buying and not be swayed by the salesman talk.

In one occasion, a tourist ( a Frenchman based on his accent ) was quite insulting as he insisted on opening the package and try the thumb drive before he buys it in one of the shops. His mannerism seems to be that the salesperson was out to cheat him. I think if you do not trust them then take a hike and go to another shop or shop somewhere else. I was offended by his attitude or mannerism.

I used to fear shopping at SLS but I got the hang of it and know which shops ( a few only ) to avoid. I now enjoy window shopping there to keep in touch on what is being offered on the market.

If you want a more comfortable shopping experience then go to Funan IT Mall instead, which is more conveniently located near to City Hall MRT station and next to St. Andrew Cathedral.

For more info on shopping experiences at SLS and Funan, read my 2 earlier posts below :

http://singaporethelittlereddot.blogspot.com/2008/11/funan-it-mall-it-consumer-electronics.html

http://singaporethelittlereddot.blogspot.com/2008/11/sim-lim-square-it-consumer-electronics.html

The 'Painful' Guide To Visiting Singapore

2009-03-23T16:47:00.004+08:00

The 'Painful' Guide To Visiting Singapore was published on Mon, Mar 23, 2009 in The Straits Times,by Jeremy Au Yong - jay talking.

Thinking of taking a holiday in Singapore but fear there won't be enough suffering?

Well, worry no more. (Unless, of course, you happen to enjoy worrying, in which case you can worry all you want. Whatever floats your boat. I'm not here to judge.)

We will be the first to admit that Singapore has long neglected your specific demographic. In the past, the country had very little to offer people like you who demand a certain amount of pain and suffering on their vacations.

You will be glad to know that much has changed. In recent months, numerous existing attractions have been retrofitted to cater to your specific tastes. We did a detailed study and invested some effort into this project and I am sure you will like what you see.

Where we could not have the attraction to directly inflict pain on you, we inflicted pain on the attraction so that you can be reminded of pain.

We have spared no expense for the sake of your displeasure.

While we cannot list all of the different attractions here, we've picked just a few painful highlights.

Enjoy, or rather, don't enjoy your stay!

Shopping

Do you find that your shopping experience lacks pushing, shoving and people ramming into you with trolleys loaded with television sets?

Want a shopping trip where you can get good bargains and yet at the same time be exposed to risk of death by suffocation?

Then you absolutely cannot miss one of Singapore's IT fairs.

At every fair, nearly the entire male population crams into a few convention centre floors and proceeds to buy flatscreen TVs like they (the TVs, not the men) are curry puffs.

IT vendor: Hello uncle, would you like to buy a TV? There's a promotion.

Man: Sure, I'll take five. And don't call me uncle.

If you think crowds are painful, wait till you try a crowd where every other person is pushing a trolley with a giant TV in it.

You may never want to go back to normal shopping again.

Eating

Singapore has long been known for its great dining experiences. It is known for having good food at clean hawker centres at very reasonable prices.

Understandably, you masochistic tourists stayed away.

However, thanks to the innovative efforts of one seafood stall at Newton Hawker Centre, Singapore now has a dining experience it is proud to offer to visitors like you.

You will still get a taste of Singapore food but with the added satisfaction of feeling completely ripped off at the end.

Enjoy the thrill of being presented with a gigantic bill at the end of your meal. A single tiger prawn can cost as much as $30. A meal for six will cost more than that TV set you got rammed with at the IT fair.

For a little added bonus, try querying the bill. Then just sit back and soak in some fear as some burly men appear to persuade you to pay.

When you finally cave in and pay up, make sure you don't pay with exact change, then watch helplessly as the stall owner who presented you with the large bill thinks you want to give him a tip.

It's this sort of dining experience that prompted one masochist to say: 'Die, die must try'.

Water sports

After you've done all the shopping and eating, how about some outdoor activity to burn off those calories?

For you the masochist, we offer an exciting water rescue that combines physical pain of injury with the emotional pain of feeling unappreciated.

The day starts with a stroll along the Singapore River near the Merlion. If you are lucky, someone who cannot swim will fall into the water. You then dive into the water to perform a heroic rescue.

In the process, you are likely to suffer scrapes and bruises bad enough to warrant a trip to hospital.

Sounds good so far? It gets better.

Not only are you wet and injured for doing a good thing, you will also be out of pocket to the tune of $90. Yes, as a special treat for tourists like you, you will be made to pay your hospital bill.

During the trip, be sure to have your picture taken with the Merlion statue.

It became an iconic symbol for pain after a lightning strike left a large hole in its head.

Amazing views

After all that excitement, it's time to wind down with a relaxing ride on the world's largest observation wheel, the Singapore Flyer. Such wheels may be commonplace these days, but none offers the kind of torture we do.

As with the water rescue, timing is crucial here. While the wheel will operate normally most times (it has to cater to normal tourists too), it will occasionally break down.

When it does, you can look forward to up to six hours stuck in a small enclosed capsule at over 100m in the air.

This is especially recommended for claustrophobic masochists who fear heights.

For the ultimate experience though, make sure to drink a lot of water just before you get on and don't take any plastic bags with you.

Somewhere around the third hour, you'll be a big hit with the rest of the passengers.

These are but a few of the many wonderful experiences just waiting to be enjoyed. And we're coming up with new ways to hurt you all the time.

So what are you waiting for? Contact your travel agent today.

jeremyau@sph.com.sg

This article was first published in The Straits Times.

Singapore Education Awards 2009

2009-03-20T20:06:00.004+08:00

Singapore is an attractive destination for foreign students who want quality education at affordable costs.

Singapore played host to some 97,000 foreign students pursuing various educational courses here last year.

Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is responsible for promoting the Singapore education brand abroad, honoured some of the individuals and organisations that played a part in attracting students to study here.

Beat Singapore Education Specialist Agency
- RV! Centre International (Vietnam)

Best Enrichment Programme
- Lorna Whiston EAL SChool's Interactive English for Young Learners

Best Host For International Students Studying In Sigapore - Hostels
- Prince George's PArk Residences, National University of Singapore (NUS)

Best Educational Event Organised By A Public Educational Institution
- Singapore International Mathematics Challenge 2008

Best Host For International Students Studying In Sigapore - Schools
- Singapore Management University (SMU)

Best International Marketing Effort By A Private Educational Institution
- Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) Global Education

Best International Marketing Effort By A Public Educational Institution
- National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School

Friend of International Students
- Ms Boey Suit Yim, Senior Officer, Temasek Polytechnic

For more information, you can visit the website at http://www.singaporeedu.gov.sg/htm/abo/abo01.htm

Singapore - Tops With Asian Expatriates

2009-03-14T10:32:00.001+08:00

Singapore has been ranked the top city with the best quality of life for Asian expatriates for the 10th year running.

The country's much better air quality, low crime rates as well as good infrastructure and health facilities give it an edge over places like Hong Kong, according to human resource consultancy ECA International.

Singapore was also named the top Asian location for European expatriates, followed by Kobe, Yokohama, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Singapore - Lowest Charges for Communication

2009-03-10T16:55:00.001+08:00

Singapore is the cheapest place in the world to make a phone call or surf the Internet using a broadband connection.

The survey - the first by the nternational Telecommunication Union (ITU) on communication costs - compared charges for fixed line and mobile phone usage as well as broadband tariffs, in relation to the average monthly income.

Singapore ranked 4th cheapest for Fixed phone line, 3rd cheapest for Mobile line and 8th for Fixed broadband Internet.

I have friends who have given up their fixed phone line at home as they are now using their mobile phones extensively for work and home.

Majority of the homes have broadband Internet connections and it is a must for work and study too at home.

Singapore is highly wired and more to come.

Tourists Likely To Return To Singapore

2009-03-08T19:10:00.007+08:00

Extracted from The Sunday Times February 22, 2009.

Arrivals may have dropped but Singapore is still a draw.

The Sunday Times spoke to tourists in Orchard Road and Chinatown in Feb 2009.

Tourists from countries like US, Scotland, India, Britain and Australia were interviewed and the general response is that they would like to visit Singapore again.

Also, things are not that expensive here.

Well, if you have not been to this region yet, I do hope you will visit Singapore and the neighbouring countries too.

World's 50 Safest Banks

2009-03-08T17:00:00.003+08:00

SINGAPORE'S Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC) and United Overseas Bank (UOB) have made it to the Global Finance list of the world's 50 safest banks - joining DBS Group Holdings.

New York-based Global Finance magazine is publishing a mid-year update of the listing for the first time because of the turmoil in the world's banking industry.

The magazine ranked 500 banks globally based on their long-term credit ratings by agencies such as Fitch Ratings, Standard & Poor's, as well as Moody's.

The ranking also took the banks' asset size into account.

UOB and OCBC joined the list at 37th and 38th position respectively. About 10 positions higher was DBS at 28th place. DBS was 41st last year.

Well, I hope my money in my local banks will be safe as reported above.

Merlion Struck By Lightning

2009-03-05T00:03:00.008+08:00

Our national icon, the Merlion, was struck by lightning bolt and lost part of its top left mane.

No one was hurt.

The Merlion damage is being evaluated and repair work is underway.

Some sort of lightning conductor would be installed, I suppose.

Healthcare Service in Singapore - A Compliment

2009-02-11T22:47:00.001+08:00

Hi,

This is extracted from The Straits Times Saturday, February 7 2009.

Here is a compliment from a Frenchman on healthcare services in Singapore.

Mr Serge Fabre was hospitalised for a stroke on January 25 this year.

" I come from France where the quality of health care is widely acknowledged as the best in the world. But I found the quality of Singapore's health care definitely better than that in my homeland."

Medical Care in Singapore

2009-02-09T17:59:00.005+08:00

Hi,

I came across the following article in our The Straits Times Tuesday, December 16 2008.

S'pore docs help Russian to walk again by Judith Tan.

After a fall that paralysed him 4 months ago, Russian businessman Vasily Nesterenko can now walk again - thanks to surgery performed in Singapore.

.........

A four hour open spine operation was then carried out to remove the fused artery and vein.

About a week after the operation, his legs had improved movement and he regained bladder and bowel control.

With physiotherapy, he was able to stand.

.........

Last year, Singapore saw more than 400,000 medical tourists - an increase of 26,000 over 2006's figures.

Singapore also woos patients from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

==============================================

About 20 years ago, I was diagnosed with with possible nose cancer. Immediately, I thought of going overseas to have a second opinion and get it treated.

I was advised by my GP and also a colleague, who was recovering nose cancer, that we have local expertise and these doctors were trained overseas so there was no need to seek expertise outside Singapore.

I have eb virus but that did not mean I have nose cancer. I was observed for several years and the last test has indicated zero presence of eb virus.

So my friends, do drop by Singapore or do your research to see if Singapore medical facilities can or may solve your medical problem.

At the same time, have a good holiday here and around the region too like Bali, Penang, Hong Kong, .....

David

Compliments from Visitors to Singapore

2009-02-06T17:26:00.008+08:00

Hi,

Here are 2 compliments received from our visitors; one from America and the other from India.

Extracted from The Straits Times, Saturday January 3 2009.

Extracted from The Straits Times, Thursday January 8 2009.

So I hope you will visit Singapore one day and enjoy your stay here too ......

Regards,

David

Chingay Parade

2009-02-03T20:24:00.004+08:00

Hi,

There was a heat wave down in Australia and extreme cold weather in the US and China, as reported in the news.

So I think the best place to be now, should be somewhere in the middle, like Singapore!

The best times should be in December to soak in the Christmas festivities and follow by the Chinese or Lunar New Year in late January or early February ( the date is not fixed so please consult the calendar when planning yuour holidays ).

However, it may be a mistake to be in town during the first two days of the Lunar New Year as most of the eateries and shopping malls are closed so you may feel a bit lost on what to do unless you go to the typical tourist places like Sentosa, Zoo, Bird Park and prepare to eat at fasat food joints like MacDonald, KFC, Burger King,.......

But we do have this Chingay Parade that will be an eye-opener for you as we now also have overseas participants in this parade so it is very colourful indeed.

Why you shouldn't miss Chingay 2009 ?

13 Floats with 4000 performers from 40 local organisations, 4 local international communities and cultural groups from 8 countries.

For more information, please visit http://www.chingay.org.sg/2009/parade.asp

So I hope you will visit Singapore next year around this time of the year.........

Take care!

David

Lunar New Year Shopping In Chinatown

2009-01-25T23:22:00.004+08:00

Hi,

My family & I went to Chinatown after lunch today, eve of Lunar New Year, to do some last minute shopping and also to soak in the festive atmosphere.

It was crowded with locals and some tourists too. The weather was cool and windy though, very exceptional for this time of the year!

Enjoy the slideshow :

So once again, wishing you a Helathy and Prosperous Lunar New Year in 2009 - the Year of teh OX.....!

David

2009 - Year of OX

2009-01-17T19:54:00.004+08:00

Hi,

Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year is just around the corner, 26 January 2009.

There are 12 zodiac signs and 2009 is the year of the Ox.

I will not go into the predicitons of what are installed for the year of Ox (please do not be confused with the stock market , Bull run!) but here are a few photos on how we have decorated some of the places for this festive occassion.

I plan to visit the Chinatown sometime next week in the evening and will take some photos of the place to share with you. So watch out for it!

If the slideshow does not start, please click on the 'X' on the top right hand corner of the slideshow screen.

Wishing you a Healthy and Prosperous Chinese New Year...

David

Singapore Safe From Tsunami

2009-01-07T11:23:00.007+08:00

Hi,

A 2 years study has confirmed that Singapore is safe from Tsunami, the killer waves; as reported in The New Paper on 17 Dec 2008.

The height of the tsunami waves, if they do reach us, will be considerably less than the highest tide (1.5m) here.

In the worst case scenario where the first wave reaches Spore during the highest tide, the wate will only move a maximum of 50m inland.

Even though we faces no significant threat, we have nevertheless developed a Tsunami Response Plan with the co-operation of several agencies like NEA, Siongapore Police and Maritime Port Authority.

So my dear friends, I believe that it is very safe to visit Singapore or even invest or live here.

Anyway, Happy New Year again and I wish Good Health to all of us in 2009.

David

New Year Fireworks

2009-01-02T18:38:00.004+08:00

Hi,

Here are 2 photos on our fireworks ....

So Happy New Year again ......

New Year Countdown - 2009

2008-12-31T16:24:00.008+08:00

Hi,

We are going to have our New Year Countdown at Marina Bay.

And fireworks, of course.....

For more info, you can visit http://www.marinabaycountdown.sg/

So wishing you a very Happy New Year and may your wishes come true in 2009!

David

Christmas in Orchard Road, Singapore

2008-12-24T10:39:00.004+08:00

Hi,

My wife and I went down to Orchard Road last night to soak into the festivities and took some photos of the Christmas decorations, our yearly ritual.

The theme was 'Celebrate The Spirit of Christmas' with 68 churches participating including foreign churches. The programme is held from 19 - 25 Dec and from 7pm to 11pm.

There were performances by the churches and I also saw a local drama and an acrobatic team from China too.

It was very crowded but luckily, there was a breeze due to the recent wet weather.

It is Christmas Eve morning now and it has just stopped raining......

It is typically a wet and not a white Christmas for us here!

There will be a road closure at a section of Orchard Road during Christmas Day; 1pm to 1am.

The churches have put up 8 beautiful Christmas themed floats; each carrying a scripture. They will be travelling along Orchard Road and into the heartlands ( or suburbs ) of Singapore. I missed it though.....sigh

Enjoy the slideshow ....

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year....!

Christmas Decorations in Singapore

2008-12-15T16:07:00.007+08:00

Hi,

Here is a slideshow of photos I have taken on how we decorate our city for Christmas.

More to come as I have yet to go down to the city for some night shots!

So stay tune here ....

( If there is no slideshow, please click on the 'X' on the top right-hand corner of the screen. )

Christmas in Singapore

2008-12-09T00:26:00.008+08:00

Hi,

This is the best festive season of the year.

Why?

Irrespective of race or religion, we tend to celebrate this occassion by having parties either at home or office or both and also shop for presents for our love ones.

We have already started decorating our homes and shopping malls with Christmas decorations.....

Here are a few photos ..... I will post more of them especially those taken in Orchard Road later!

My neighbour got this small tree and decorated it accordingly.

We love it too.....

This is taken in Bugis Junction shopping mall.

Tampines Mall

Singapore - 4th Best Place To Invest In

2008-11-30T23:21:00.005+08:00

It was reported that Singapore is the 4th best place to invest in based on KPMG's survey of 260 leading global firms.

Among the key factors attracting propective investors to Singapore are the political stability, the impartial rule of law, a friendly tax regime as well as access to new customers.

Tour Of Singapore City On Open-Top Bus

2008-11-21T01:42:00.002+08:00

Hi,

Found this video taken of Singapore City taken from an open-top bus. I believe this tour of the city is offered by the HIPPO City Sighseeing Tour located in Suntec City so check it out when you are in Singapore.

The creator of this video has also composed a song making fun of our Elecronic Road Pricing - ERP system which I find it quite humourous. You can just ignore it but enjoy the video instead.

Hope the video of the city will excite you to plan for a holiday in Singapore soon.......

For more information on the tours, please visit this site http://www.ducktours.com.sg/

ERP Song from Richard Hunter on Vimeo.

David

Sim Lim Square - IT & Consumer Electronics Shopping

2008-11-18T13:50:00.004+08:00

Hi,

Sim Lim Square is an alternate shopping mall but you must really know the prices of what you are buying here. This is another popular place to shop for IT and consumer electronics items, frequent by the locals and some tourists.

Although it may be slightly cheaper here but if you are more comfortable in shopping malls where prices are properly displaced and no bargaining, pleasse do your shopping at Funan IT Mall instead.

I normally shop here for IT accessories or if you are an IT geek, for IT components like motherboard, DVD Rewriter, RAMs, etc.....

The first 2 floors are mainly on consumer electronics but a few of these shops have a bad reputation and tourists have complained about them to the Tourist Promotion Board so do be careful. I rarely buy stuff from them so I only frequent the shops on IT stuff.

Like I said in my earlier posting, check out the prices of the items you are interested before you shop so as not to be disappointed with your purchases.

You can find the pricelist of IT items at this site http://sg.hardwarezone.com/priceguide/ and http://sls.vr-zone.com/

A hardcopy of the prices are also available or pasted at the front of these shops.

The nearest MRT station is Bugis Station. Sim Lim Square is also near the budget accommodation available around that area and you can also visit 2 temples, a Chinese and an Indian temple next to each other.

So plan your shopping wisely and you will enjoy it...

David

Funan IT Mall - IT & Consumer Electronics Shopping

2008-11-16T18:24:00.005+08:00

Hi,

Since I am into IT gadgets and consumer electronics like digital camera, I like to introduce you to Funan IT Mall where you can shop for IT stuff and also consumer electronics at big retails shops like Courts, Harvey Norman and Challenger.

I shop at Funan IT Mall quite often for my IT accessories like printer ink, paper, etc..and notebook and PC too. I window shop there at least once a month just to keep up with the latest gadgets and prices in the market.

Funan IT Mall is located near to the City Hall MRT station and within the city area so it will be easy to find your way there.

The prices are fixed though you can always asked for some discount or some accessories as gifts if you are making a big purchase; eg. if you are buying a notebook or PC, you can try to ask for thumbdrive, cordless mouse etc.... It is likely that they can give you such accessories than give you a price discount.

I would also strongly advise you to check the prices of the items so as to ensure that you are not paying for more than what you can buy in your own local retail shop. And also whether the item has international warranty.

Finally, do not be taken in by offer that just sounds too good to be true ( eg display items may be sold off with a huge discount but may be scratched or jaded ) or buy items that were not on your original shopping list.

Otherwise, shopping at Funan IT Mall should be a good and enjoyable experience.

You can check some prices at this site http://www.hardwarezone.com.sg/priceguide/

Happy shopping!

Merlion Statue - Singapore Icon

2008-11-08T06:41:00.012+08:00

Hi,

The Merlion was first designed as an emblem for the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) in 1964 – the lion head with a fish body resting on a crest of waves quickly became Singapore’s icon to the rest of the world.

Measuring 8.6 metres high and weighing 70 tonnes, the Merlion statue was built from cement fondue by the late Singapore craftsman, Mr Lim Nang Seng. A second and smaller Merlion statue, measuring two metres high and weighing three tones, was also built by Mr Lim. The body was made of cement fondue, the skin from porcelain plates and eyes from small red teacups.

Here are a few photos taken of the Merlion Statue when my niece and nephew visited me a couple years back.

Jason and Raechel quenching their thirst...?

Across the river, are the Esplanade ( on your left ) and Marina Centre where there are 3 big hotels and the Suntec City Halls for conferences and shopping too!

Another view of the Merlion.....

All these places are easily accessible and walking distance from either Raffles Place or City Hall MRT stations.

For more Information on the Merlion, please visit the following sites :

http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/what_to_see/landmarks_and_memorials/merlion_park.html

http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_938_2004-12-27.html

Singapore 'most politically & socially stable in region'

2008-11-06T06:44:00.000+08:00

Singapore is well-positioned to weather the exonomic slowdown because of its political and social stability, said Hong kong-based Political & Economic Risk Consultancy.

Its analyst ranked Singapore as having the least political and social risks next year among 16 territories in Asia-Pacific.

The unlikelihood of sudden political changes, stable labour relations and sound policies, including measures to help the poor, were among the factors in singapore's favour.

While Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia could be hurt the most by the crisis, they were the most stable politically and socially.

--- The Straits Times Wed Oct 29 2008, bby Goh Chin Lian

Singapore's Latest Downtown Icon - Marina Barrage

2008-11-04T18:21:00.006+08:00

A 5km Walk from Suntec City Mall to Singapore's iconic dam, the Marina Barrage, was organised to launch the opening of this 'Big Dam'; a tidal and flood control barrier that is constructed across the mouth of the Marina channel to the tune of $226 million.

Built across the mouth of the Marina Channel, the Marina Barrage creates Singapore’s 15th reservoir, and the first in the heart of the city. With a catchment area of 10,000 hectares, or one-sixth the size of Singapore, the Marina catchment is the island’s largest and most urbanised catchment. Together with two other new reservoirs, the Marina Reservoir will boost Singapore’s water catchment from half to two-third’s of the country’s land area.

For more information, please visit the following sites :

http://www.pub.gov.sg/Marina/Pages/default.aspx

http://sg.ksdb.com/1070418.page

Congratulations to Anja Chong !

2008-11-03T06:56:00.000+08:00

Anja Chong, 14 years old, won her historic bronze medal at the Asian Junior Figure Skating Challenge in Tahiland, despite an injured right ankle.

Miss Singapore is Miss Intercontinental Pageant

2008-11-02T06:40:00.000+08:00

Congratulations to our Singapore girl, Lilian Lee, for winning the Miss Intercontinental Pageant title in Poland last Saturday.

Singapore is 42nd in Relaying SPAM

2008-11-01T14:33:00.001+08:00

Singapore is no. 42 in relaying spam while Asia is continent most at risk....!

The top 10 were USA, Russia, Turkey, China, Brazil, south Korea, India, Argentina, Italy and UK.

But Asia as a whole ranked 1st in terms of continents with the biggest spam problems, followed by Europe, North America, South America and Africa.

What is Spamming?

Spamming refers to the abuse of electronic messaging systems to indiscriminately send unsolicited bulk messages.

Singapore Ranks 7th in Top Global Cities

2008-10-30T18:25:00.003+08:00

Singapore ranks 7th in an index of the top 60 global cities, defined as cities that radiate influence, wealth and sophistication.

It was hailed as a place to get a degree and do business, but fared poorly as a cultural capital.

The cities that finished ahead of Singapore were New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Los Angeles - in that order.

-- The Straits Times Wed Oct 29 2008, by K.C. Vijayan

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & Museum

2008-10-28T12:34:00.008+08:00

Hi,

My family & I were at Chinatown to have 'brunch' ( ie late breakfast n early lunch ) over the weekend and we happened to park the car at the temple basement as we could not find any available parking lot nearby.

So we popped into the temple to have a look as it is very new and open to public with no admission charge.

Here are a few photos taken with my mobile :

This is the back entrance to the temple.

One of the few halls inside the temple, Avalokitesvara Hall where Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara sits upon an elaborate lotus throne with Zodiac Protectors along the sides and surrounded by smaller statues of Cintamanicakra Avalokitesvara.

Part of the wall panel inside one of the halls inside the temple.

My family & I in the main hall facing the entrance of the temple.

This is a magnificient temple and museum and we must return to visit the rest of the floors and learn more about it.

This is one place that you may not want to miss if you are visitng Singapore. It is definitely a tourist attraction especially if you have some interest in the Buddha teachings.

Singapore - Slum Free City

2008-10-25T20:38:00.005+08:00

It was reported in the paper that Singapore is the only city in the world without slums, a new report by the United Nations Habitat.

Slums were defined as areas where there was overcrowding, a lack of safe drinking water, sanitation, durable housing materials and rights over tenure.

A quarter of Singapore's population lived as squatters or in slums in 1959, with as many as 200 people living in a shophouse before the Government stepped in to build public housing. Over 4,000 flats were ready in 1964.

- The Straits Times Saturday, October 25 2008, Shobana Kesava

Singapore 4th Cheapest Place

2008-10-12T07:46:00.001+08:00

A global survey has found that Singapore is the 4th cheapest place to raise expatriates children.

Survey is done by HSBC Bank International on 870 expatriates parents across 14 places.

A mother of two teenagers said: "I now my children will be safe in Singapore and drugs are not a concern.

An American chose Singgapore when her husband was offerred a choice of postings in Singapore and in Brazil, China and Mexico.

Healthcare in Singapore

2008-10-09T14:55:00.003+08:00

I just went to a private hospital on Tue to have my back and knees checked up as I was experiencing some numbness and pain.

MRIs were done on my back and right knee on Tue after consultation with the consultatn surgeon.

2 days later, I met with consultant surgeons in the specialised areas of back and knee to review my MRI results.

In short, no immediate surgery required and the causes of the numbness and pain identified. We agreed on the next steps to be taken. Luckily, no change to my lifestyle until further developments. At least, I know how to manage my problem now and have a peace of mind.

Now why am I sharing this with you?

It has been reported that foreigners from UK and Europe have flown in to have their medical concerns addressed or treated; eg dental care and implants, some surgery done.

Why?

I understand from the papers that the queue in the overseas hospitals is long and it is also costly.

Singapore or even the neighbouring countries like Thailand and Malaysia have the medical expertise as our surgeons are mainly trained overseas ( like in UK, US and Australia ). Besides, it also cost them less and they could also take a holiday here too.

So my friends, please do not take my word for it. Check it out and if you happen to be passing through, you may want to have your dental work done here .....?

Just a thought for your consideration.....

Singapore has more to offer than just shopping and food..... ha...ha...

Take care!

P/S You can check out these sites for more info http://www.parkwayhealth.com/ and
http://www.rafflesmedicalgroup.com/web/contents/Contents.aspx?Id=235

My family & I have been to Mt Elizabeth, Gleneagles and even Eastshore hospitals for health screening, etc....... and Raffles clinics & their hospital too.

( I do not get any commissions for these recommendations......! )

Singapore - A Great City To Live In

2008-10-02T05:20:00.001+08:00

Singapore has been named one of the top 10 cities of the future, lauded for building strong adn principled foundations as well as for its long-term planning, by Ethisphere Institute, a US think-tank organisation.

Singapore F1 Night Race Video

2008-10-01T18:11:00.004+08:00

Hi,

I have compiled a few still shots of the F1 race track, some video highlihgts of the race itself, and some still shots of the winner, Alonso.

Hope this will give you a more complete overall view of the first F1 world's night race held here.

Singapore F1 Grand Prix - Final Race (Part 2)

2008-09-30T06:27:00.002+08:00

Hi,

Here is another slideshow of more photos taken during the race, using my digital camera.

Below is a video clip of the race track; corner in front of Victoria Theatre ( where the drivers commented that it was very bumpy and a few crashes happened at that corner during practice, qualification and the final race too ) and the track coming out of Anderson Bridge and turning into Esplanade drive.

I found that these two spots ideal for photography and video and near to Gate 5 & 6 so easy to get in and out of the place.

Hope you enjoy it .....

Some highlights on video ... turn up the volume to enjoy the roaring sound of the F1 engines...!

Singapore F1 Grand Prix - Final Race (Part 1)

2008-09-29T14:21:00.005+08:00

World's First F1 Night Race held in Singapore - a race of thrills and spills..!

Alonso stormed from 15th postition to win the drama packed race!

Massa went from 1st to 13th placing after pitstop blunder while Raikkonen crashed out with 3 aps to go! A Ferrari disaster indeed.....!

My family & I were thrilled to be part of this historic event and we arrived at the venue through Gate 4 around 6pm. The crowd was already there as there were some other events in the afternoon.

Though my wife & I have been attending the practice and qualification sessions over the past 2 evenings, yesterday night was the most electrifying as the crowd was much bigger and the roar of the F1 car engines were fantastic and really got everyone energy level up... Jason, my son, managed to join us and it was indeed an experience for him too!

Here are some photos taken of the venue and the racing cars turning at one of the corners. Hope you will enjoy it.

Please click on the 'X' on the upper right-hand corner if the slideshow is not showing anything.

Singapore F1 Grand Prix - Day 2

2008-09-28T15:54:00.004+08:00

Hi,

My wife & I went to the race track around 6pm and the sun has not set yet but the crowd was already there.

I took my digital camera and I have better shots of the racing cars this time.

The newspapers have reported that this first time night race in Singapore, has been very well organised as it is like a carnival. There was abundant food stalls and entertainment in-between the practice runs to keep the crowd attention.

Again, the roaring sound of the F1 car engines really got my adrenalin going and it was really an experience indeed and we are glad to be part of it.

Hope you will enjoy the photos I have taken with my digital camera.

Tonight is the actual race itself and we will be going with our son, Jason, who has missed the past 2 evenings as he was away on a scholl camp.

Please click on the 'X' on the top-right-hand corner of the display if the slideshow is blank.

Singapore F1 Grand Prix - Day 1

2008-09-27T00:47:00.007+08:00

Hi,

My wife and I went to the racing track after work and a quick dinner to catch some of the practice sessions by the drivers.

I did not expect much other some noise and the F1 cars just passing us by at high speed.

But as we got nearer to the gates, the very loud engine noise could be heard and it somehow got us a bit excited. Yes, ear plugs were essential though I doubt it initially. We managed to buy some...!

We entered Gate 6 and was able to see the racing cars making a corner at that part of the race track. As they have to slow down at the corner, it is a good place to watch the racing cars though they were still going very fast.

I did not bring my digital camera so have to use my mobile camera instead so all the photos of the racing cars are terrible but the static photos were acceptable.

We did a fair bit of walking passing a few gates were on site for about 1.5 hours and we are very tired now....

Well, we should be better prepared for Day 2 at the race.....

Please click on the 'X' on the top right-hand corner if the slideshow is not being displayed.

Singapore - Least Corrupt Country

2008-09-26T13:57:00.003+08:00

It is reported that Singapore ranks among the world's least corrupt nations recently.

The Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Singapore as the 4th least corrupt country in the world.

Singapore Formula One Night Race - Countdown

2008-09-22T23:18:00.002+08:00

A few more days to go before the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix night race...!

This is the first night race ....!

The racing team including the drivers and supporting staff are arriving over the next few days and it was reported in the papers that they will not climatise to the local time; ie. they will be working from evening to early next morning, sleep and have their breakfast around 2pm so that they will peak in the evening ( local time ). The hotels, where they are staying, have been told to accommodate their choice of hours and not follow the local time.

The overhead lights installed will brighten up the street race track as if it is day time.

My dear wife was given 3 sets of tickets to view the race this weekend. So the family is looking forward to be part of this F1 race.

Since I was lunching near the race track today, I went to have a look and here are some photos of it.

So stay tune for my next report on the race itself this weekend.....!

David

Singapore Formula One Night Race - Bare Facts

2008-09-19T14:22:00.005+08:00

Hi,

Some bare facts on the coming Singapore Formula One Night Race .....

* First F1 event in Singapore
* First F1 street race in Asia
* First ever night race in F1 history
* Race route is along Raffles Boulevard, St.Andrew's Road, Anderson Bridge, Esplanade Drive and Raffles Avenue
* 61 laps ( at over 1 minute 30 seconds per lap )
* 23 turns
* Over 5km of circuit length
* Race direction is anti-clockwise ( more taxing for the drivers )
* Over 300kmh along Raffles Boulevard, the fastest section of the race track

The big day is on Sunday evening 28 Sept 2008 around 7pm...!

Singapore Swimmer Won Gold in Paralympics

2008-09-15T21:03:00.004+08:00

Swimmer Yip Pin Xiu has won the first gold medal for Singapore at the Beijing Paralympics in the 50-metre backstroke finals.

Yip broke her own world record during the heats earlier Monday. She clocked a new world and Paralympic record time of 57.92 seconds.

Yip on Saturday clinched Singapore's first silver at the Paralympics, in the women's 50-metre freestyle finals. Despite not coming in first in the finals, she maintains the new world and paralympic record she set in the heats earlier on Saturday, with a timing of 57.04 seconds.

Singapore has won four medals in the Beijing Paralympics. Rider Laurentia Tan aced two bronze medals in equestrian.

We are so proud of these 2 women...!!!

Singaporean Won 2 Bronze Medals in 13th Paralympic Games

2008-09-12T18:55:00.004+08:00

Hi,

We are so proud of our Laurentia Tan who won a bronze medal each for the Individual Championship event and Individual Freestyle Test (Grade 1a) event at the Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Centre in Shatin.

Singapore Flyer & Formula One Night Race

2008-09-12T06:10:00.004+08:00

Hi,

Here are a few photos of the Singapore Flyer taken when I was showing my Dad around Singapore recently.

The F1 Paddock Pass and stop pit is just next to the Singapore Flyer.

The while building in front of the Flyer in the photo on the left.

The Singapore Flyer is also trying top jazz up the ride during the race.

Read the latest news below.

=======================================================================

Television sets on its premises and in each of its 28 capsules showing live Formula 1 action. Fringe activities such as fire twirlers, samba dance and live band performances. Deejays hitting the deck and gigs by local celebrities like Kumar and John Molina.

The Singapore Flyer is going all out with these to woo visitors during the Republic’s inaugural night Grand Prix race over the weekend of September 26-28.

“Next to getting an F1 Paddock Pass, you can’t get any closer to the pit building than at the Singapore Flyer,” said its general manager Steven Yeo.

Singapore Formula One Night Race

2008-09-11T17:01:00.006+08:00

Hi,

It is getting closer and the local papers have been doing a lot of advertising and also educating us on how the F1 race is being managed and the technicalities too, as shown in the extract below.

And here is the latest news so if you are one of the die-hard fans that can afford $1 Million, go for it ..... and maybe drop me an invitation too..?

===================================================================================

Title : Some fans willing to pay S$1m to watch Singapore F1 race in style
By : Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia
Date : 10 Sep 2008 1730 hrs (GMT + 8hrs)

Singapore’s inaugural F1 night race has seen more than 95 per cent of the tickets - priced at a minimum of S$38 each - being snapped up.

Tapping on the hype, events company Dragon Blaze is now offering a million-dollar package to watch the race, and some fans say it will be money well spent.

An interested bidder for the package, Catherine Kwok, said: "It is enjoyment and lifestyle, more than dollars and cents, and it is going to transport us to another world for a week. And everybody wants that in life at some stage."

For the amount paid, the successful bidder will be treated like royalty. For starters, the package comes with an exclusive use of a 150-foot super yacht during the week of the Singapore F1 race.

Executive director of Dragon Blaze, Dari Levy, said: "It will also include two passes to the Paddock Club... (for the) post Grand Prix, a luxury escape to the Bulgari Hotel in Bali - and that will have a private jet transfer to take the guests there and back to Singapore.

"We are also offering private jet transfer from anywhere in the world to Singapore for the Grand Prix."

The luxury yacht comes with a 12-man crew and there will even be entertainers onboard. The host can also invite up to 40 guests to try the ultimate luxury on the high seas.

And this is an offer that restaurant owner Ingrid Prasatya can use to her advantage.

Another interested bidder for the package, Prasatya, said: "To look at it from the business point of view, we can also offer a great package (with) a set-meal - a private event for the customers."

The organiser said the package is valued at S$4 million and is exclusive – the package will only be awarded to the first bidder. However, the organiser will be using the F1 experience to launch more of such luxury lifestyle packages.

- CNA/yt

Singapore in the Olden Days

2008-09-08T12:48:00.004+08:00

Hi,

This YouTube video brings back some memories even before I was borned. I am sure it not only shows Singapore way of life but also around the Asia region too in th 50s to 70s.

So enjoy it .....

I think life was so simple then and we were easily contented but today, we are so advanced and chasing a different lifestyle........ sigh.....

Vivocity - Singapore Largest Shopping Mall

2008-09-01T22:59:00.009+08:00

Hi,

Took my father to Vivocity which is known as the Singapore Largest Retail & Lifestyle Destination.

Vivocity is also overlooking into the Sentosa Island Resort and you can cross over to it by cable car, mono-rail, bus or even walking over hte bridge.

Inside the Dhoby Ghaut MRT Interchange station, connecting to the North-South line to take a train to Harbour Front station where Vivocity is located.

There is an open deck on top of Vivocity and you can have a good view of the cruise ship berthing port , cable car to Sentosa andother sights on the island too like the Merlion statue, etc....

There are a few wading pools for the public especially the children to have some fun.

Besides the many shops and restaurants, etc... there are plenty of seats for you to rest your tiring feet........

For more information on Vivocity, go to http://www.vivocity.com.sg/home3.html

Formula 1 Grand Prix 2008 - Preparation

2008-09-01T07:26:00.000+08:00

Hi,

I took my father to have a look at the Formaula 1 GP 2008 racing track, which is the road around the city.

We have to install special lights since this is going to be the first night race.

I just read in the papers that we have to replaced our manholes along the road too else they may be sucked up by the passing racing cars travelling at such high speed.

The tourist promotion board is also training a large number of people to handle the incoming crowd or spectators.

The race track will be prohibited to the public and no one will be allowed in without a purchased ticket and there are not cheap either.

The background is the financial centre where the tall buildings form an impressive skyline.

Notice the special lights installed above the road and steel barriers along the side of the road too.

My Dad having a look at the race track through the concrete and steel barrier.

Little India - Mustafa Shopping Centre

2008-08-30T23:39:00.009+08:00

Hi,

I took my Dad to Little India to buy some special battery for his hearing aid. I happened to find it there last year while exploring the Mustafa Shopping Centre.

It is open 7 x24 and it is a very popular place for the locals too especially if you cannot sleep at night and want to do some shopping and have a tea or coffee.....ha...ha....ha.....

Check out this website http://www.mustafa.com.sg/index.asp

Here we are, at Little India.

Notice the decorations in the background....

Having a coffee break along the corridor outside the Mustafa Shopping Centre. I suppose this is a popular hangout for those night birds too......

So if you in Singapore and want to shop, check out Mustafa. You can take the MRT train on the North-South line and stop at Farrer station.

Inside the Dhoby Ghaut MRT station where we change MRT train from the East-West line to the North-South line.

My Dad, who is visiting from Malaysia, is very impressed by the MRT transportation system.

Changi International Airport - Terminal 3

2008-08-27T23:01:00.010+08:00

Hi,

I went to the airport to fetch my Dad flying in from Penang, Malaysia, so I went to explore the new Terminal 3.

I was there in the late morning and as it is off peak period, it was quite empty and the place looked cold and bright.

The new terminal is huge and it is like a shopping mall with all sort of shops and many eating places from foodcourt to fine dining.

This is the Air Control Tower, just rained so it looked wet.

This is the Departure Hall.

This is part of the Arrival hall with many trolleys available at the luggage collection areas.

This is the big and nice Foodcourt at the basement and it was crowded during lunch time with office workers and cabin crew and some passengers too.

My Dad having his late lunch at the foodcourt as the airline food on board the flight was not edible, according to him.

He is having Fried Hokkien Noodles and a dessert called Ice Kachang.

You must try them when you are in Singapore!

Singapore Women Table Tennis Won Silver Medal

2008-08-18T23:29:00.004+08:00

Hi,

An Olympic medal after 48 years when we last won a Silver medal too in weight lifting...!!!

Finally, we saw our flag flying high up and we are now mentioned in the medal tally ladder....

We look forward to more medals in the coming Olympics ......!

Olympic Table Tennis - Singapore Women Team in Finals

2008-08-16T19:58:00.013+08:00

Hi,

The Women Table Tennis team beat South Korea 3 - 2 in a dramatic semi-final round !

Congrats to the Girls & Coaching staff too !

It was indeed a thriller and a close match with South Korea team.There were instances that I could not bear to watch and the rallies were very good; from defensive to attacking and then repeated again

Feng Tianwei was the heroine, winning her 2 singles games and the deciding game too!

Our doubles team winning their game, Li Jia Wie & Wang Yuegu.

We salute the team for their efforts and bringing home at least a Silver Olympic medal...!!!

Olympic Swimming 100M Butterfly Final - Tao Li

2008-08-12T23:55:00.006+08:00

Yes, one of our swimmers finally made it to the finals and broke the Asian record though she did not win any Olympic medal.

We are very proud of Tao Li's achievement.

It was so exciting to see her swam her way to the final of the 100M Butterfly swimming event.

Libby Trickett, the eventual Gold winner, has this to say of Tao Li.

"It is amazing achievement for her to qualify for the final, considering this is her first Olympics. ... Sometimes people under-estimate how hard it is to get into the top eight at the Olympics. ....Obviously, she knows how to handle the pressure and she'got a bright future ahead of her."

Well said.... and I am sure we are proud of her achievement eventhough no medal was won.

Also,Tao Li was the youngest and smallest swimmer among the eight finalists. To closk sub-58 seconds timings in three consecutive races is by no means an easy feat.

I salute you, Tao Li, and keep it up....!

Singapore Independence Day 2008

2008-08-11T23:25:00.009+08:00

Hi,

Singapore celebrated its 43rd birthday on Sat 9 Aug, it is know as our Nation Day celebration locally.

For the past 2 years, we have held it on a floating pontoon in the Marina Bay. The marches by the uniform bodies, entertainment by local performers and schools. As usual, ending with some spectacular fireworks.

Here are some photos to give you an idea of the festivities that late afternoon leading into the night :

The floating pontoon is in front of the 2 big buildings and the Singapore Flyer ( like a huge ferris wheel is in the background ). You can also see the parachutists coming down in the background.

The activities started around 5 pm and ended at 9 pm with the spectacular fireworks.

The helicopters carrying our country flag in a fly past over the bay with the financial buildings as the background.

It is also known as the National Day Parade ( NDP ) as shown in the advertisement above.

Here is a photo of my son ( taken 4 years ago ) when he attended the NDP in the stadium with his classmates, all in red as it is the colour of our flag.

A very good photo taken by his teacher.

The family watches the NDP on TV 'Live' every year as you need to queue or ballot for the limited tickets available to see it on site.

Happy 43rd Birthday, Singapore! We love YOU..!

Olympic Games Opening Ceremony 2008

2008-08-09T11:09:00.008+08:00

Hi,

Yesterday was an ausopicious day for the Asians as it is 08 - 08 - 08, especially the Chinese I suppose.

Eight in Chinese is prosperity or good luck....!

So besides the Olympic games, many couples also tried to hold their wedding on this day too!

Here are some photos and video of some highlights on the Olympics opening ceremony ( in case you miss it but also worthwhile to have another viewing too... ) :

And finally, my Singapore Contingent marching into the 'Bird Nest' stadium ..... a very short clip.

Singapore look forward to winning a medal of any color this year.... Good luck..!

Singapore River

2008-08-06T12:43:00.014+08:00

Hi,

Here are some photos taken of the Singapore River basin.

Singapore River has a row of Pubs and restaurants along the river.

You must visit the financial centre nearby; ie. Raffles Place or Shenton Way.

You can even take a cruise too on one of the junk boats.

We have a statue of Sir Stamford Raffles next to the river, our founder of Singapura.

And here is the night scene along the river ......

My nephew from Australia, in front of a Pub.

So the best time is to visit the place in the late afternoon and then dine along the Singapore river and enjoy the food and lights at night.

The Merlion is at the mouth of this rvier and within walking distance too.

Singapore Plays Host To Olympic Teams From US, Australia & Brazil

2008-08-02T23:03:00.012+08:00

Hi,

In preparation for the coming Olympic Games to be held in Beijing, China, teams from countries like US, Australia and Brazil have made arrangements to train in Singapore to climatise themselves.

US swimmers like Natalie Coughlin are in town and there was a report on her trying one of the local fruit called durian. The team is training at the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) pool twice daily but they managed to find some time to visit our Night Safari and exploring our shopping at Orchard Road. They are here on a 10 days training session and staying at our Shangri-la Hotel.

"The intense smell is like a strange combination of rotten bleu cheese and petroleum. The texture is like a really creamy flan or cuustard. After a couple of bites, it becomes sweet and the initial small is just a memory." - Natalie Coughlin's comments on the durian fruit, the yellowish item in the photo.

Similarly, some Aussie swimmers are training at our Sport School pool, I believe.

And finally, the Brazil soccer team just have a friendly match with our National team last Mon. My son, Jason, managed to buy a student ticket to watch them played. He managed to take soem highlights of the game with his small Canon digital camera and I edited it into a small video clip and upload it to You Tube. Here it is and I hope you will enjoy the 3 goals scored against Singapore team.

It was a good match and I am sure the fans really enjoyed watching the Brazilian team in action; especially Ronaldino and Anderson.

The Singapore Garden Festival 2008

2008-07-29T20:33:00.005+08:00

Hi,

My wife and I took some time off from work to visit the Singapore Garden Festival exhibition at Suntec City ( where the we have the huge Water Fountain, if youhave read my earlier posting ) yesterday afternoon.

I thought I should share it with you as it was very impressive and I took many shots. I have selected a handful and put them into a slideshow.

Please click on the "X" at the top right-hand corner of the slide screen if the slideshow is not dsiplaying the photos.

For more information, please visit this website at http://www.singaporegardenfestival.com/

Singapore - Best Place To Live

2008-07-26T22:00:00.004+08:00

Hi,

I came across this short article in our papers yesterday and though it is worthwhile to share it with you.

Of course, this is based on a small sample only but I believe it does say something about living here in Singapore.

My brother and younger sister are living in Australia and taken up citizenship there, for their personal reasons. For many years, I have also harboured thoughts of going to live there too until my recent two trips to Melbourne. I lived in Melbourne for 4 years as an overseas students so I also have some fond memories and attachments to the place.

Now, my wife and I have decided that we will retire and live within our means here in Singapore. However, we are open if our only son chooses to live overseas for his own personal reasons.

Please do not get me wrong, I am not boasting that Singapore is the best place to live in this world.

We all have our own personal reasons to choose the place to live and die.

National Day Celebrations

2008-07-18T11:13:00.016+08:00

Hi,

On 9 August every year, we celebrate our Independence Day or we call it our National Day.

My Americans friends just celebrated theirs on the 4th of July, I believe.

Here are some photos of the recent dress rehearsal to give you an idea of how we celebrate our National Day, as some of you have actually asked me about it.

Schools are inivted to participate in the National Day Parade celebrations (NDP) and during the dress rehearsal, school kids are sent to the stadium to witness it. So in theory, every schooling kid like my son in Primary 5 a few years ago, got to see the NDP at least once in his lifetime. The Public needs to ballot for free tickets each year.

We have events leading to the actual day itself; refer to the website at http://www.ndp.org.sg/celebrations/calendar/calendar.php

Students from the various schools are invited to attend the dress rehearsal.

Students and uniformed groups are also invited to particiapate in some of the events.

This is a very good photo of the stage built on some sort of floating platform at the marina bay. We have the helicopters carrying our national flag in the air.

The performances continue into the evening.

Beautiful fireworks will finish the day's celebration, as always.....

This whole NDP celebration is also broadcast 'live' on TV and to-date, my family and I have not missed it.

Please visit this website for more information http://www.ndp.org.sg/index.php