a view from my eyes

Hotel First World

2009-05-06T01:35:00.001+08:00

Colorful

2009-05-06T01:34:00.002+08:00

On Cloud 9

2009-05-06T01:33:00.002+08:00

Ceiling

2009-05-06T01:31:00.001+08:00

Lomo Effects

2009-05-06T01:29:00.002+08:00

Gone in 99 Seconds

2009-05-05T22:56:00.001+08:00

Graves inside St. Paul's Church, Melaka

2009-05-05T03:47:00.002+08:00

Strait of Malacca from Saint Paul's Church

2009-05-05T03:44:00.002+08:00

Saint Francis Xavier Statue, Melaka

2009-05-05T03:43:00.002+08:00

Saint Paul's Church Ruins, Melaka

2009-05-05T03:39:00.002+08:00

Old Fire Truck in Melaka

2009-05-05T03:32:00.004+08:00

Queen's Victoria Fountain in Stadthuys, Melaka

2009-05-05T03:16:00.003+08:00

Canals in Melaka

2009-05-05T03:03:00.001+08:00

Christ Church and Tan Beng Swee Clock Tower, Melaka

2009-05-05T03:02:00.002+08:00

Water Wheel of Melaka Malay Sultanate

2009-05-05T02:58:00.002+08:00

Flowery Rickshaw in Melaka Town

2009-05-05T02:57:00.004+08:00

Maritime Museum, Melaka

2009-05-05T02:55:00.002+08:00

Sign-board in Punggol

2009-05-03T03:22:00.002+08:00

Tractor

2009-05-03T02:41:00.002+08:00

Morning in Changi Point

2009-05-03T02:40:00.003+08:00

Doggie

2009-05-02T03:37:00.004+08:00

Sad? Sleepy?

Did somebody say FOOD...?

Duck

2009-05-02T03:26:00.012+08:00

Hello there...!!

Is it safe to swim here ?

Hmm... looks okay

Spider

2009-05-02T03:26:00.010+08:00

Cute Little Girl and Her Dad

2009-05-02T03:25:00.003+08:00

Cute Baby

2009-05-02T03:24:00.006+08:00

Taking Picture in Singapore Botanic Garden

2009-05-02T03:22:00.006+08:00

Swan Lake, Singapore Botanic Garden

2009-05-02T03:04:00.014+08:00

Afternoon in Labrador Park

2009-05-02T03:04:00.013+08:00

Falling Leaf in the Park

Girl in the Park

Flaming Heart

Colourful Tree Trunk

Sunset in Labrador Park

A Walk in the Jetty

Ocean View - 1

Ocean View - 2

Vivocity's Escalators

2008-03-19T00:51:00.001+08:00

Rusty

2008-03-19T00:48:00.002+08:00

Ramada Beach Rocks

2008-03-16T19:09:00.001+08:00

Coral

2008-03-16T19:01:00.001+08:00

Crab in Disguise

2008-03-16T18:59:00.002+08:00

The Wharf Restaurant

2008-03-16T18:57:00.001+08:00

Two Kois

2008-03-16T18:54:00.002+08:00

Water Lily

2008-03-16T18:45:00.003+08:00

Bamboo Garden

2008-03-16T18:41:00.002+08:00

Antonio Blanco Museum, Ubud - Bali

2008-01-22T00:29:00.009+08:00

Blanco's Work Studio - 1

Blanco's Work Studio - 2

Blanco's Work Studio - 3

Painting in the Studio

Figurine in the Studio

Parrot in Bird Park

In Front of the Blanco Museum

Dragon Statue on the Museum Staircase

Sunset in Bali

2008-01-14T21:22:00.000+08:00

Sunset in Ramada Bintang Bali Hotel - 1

Sunset in Ramada Bintang Bali Hotel - 2

After Surfing in Kuta - 1

After Surfing in Kuta - 2

Chasing The Sun

Sunset in Kuta - 1

Sunset in Kuta - 2

Sunset in Kuta - 3

Dinner at Jimbaran Beach - 1

Dinner at Jimbaran Beach - 2

Dinner at Jimbaran Beach - 3

GWK, Bali

2007-11-11T23:39:00.001+08:00

Garuda Wisnu Kencana is located on Bukit Peninsula at the southern end of Bali island. It is a cultural park with religious controversy.

Statue of Vishnu

Relief of Vishnu

Statue of Garuda

Between Two Big Rocks

Spacious Area Surrounded By Big Rocks

Glaring Sun

Rafting in Telaga Waja, Bali with Sobek Adventure

2007-11-10T23:00:00.000+08:00

Telaga Waja is located in Karangasem, Bali. It streches about 12.5 km long with over 2.5 hours of rafting time. Telaga Waja is a continuous flowing shallow river and set in an open valley.

It was a nice and good experience outdoor activities. We had to duck a few low small bridges, accidentally crash the raft onto cliff, avoid big rocks, hold and lay back onto the raft to jump the 2 meters waterfall and 4 meters dam.

Sobek - one of the White Water Rafting Operator in Bali

Rest and Lunch after Rafting with Sobek

Dreamland Beach, Bali

2007-11-09T02:21:00.001+08:00

The beach is located on Bukit Peninsula in South Bali. The place is not crowded and a good place for relaxing, sun tanning, surfing, and watching sunset. It is a very laid back place.

Before reaching the beach you will see a lot of unfinished structures on all side of the road. This is the failed Pectau Graha development site where hotels and golf courses supposed to be built. The project was planned by Tommy Soeharto, the youngest son of former President Soeharto.

Relaxing and Sun Tanning in the Beach

Surfer Girls

Surfer Boy

Duel

Subak Irrigation System in Bali

2007-11-08T16:51:00.000+08:00

Subak is the irrigation system for paddy fields on Bali island. For Balinese, irrigation is not simply providing water for the plant's roots, but water is used to construct a complex, pulsed artificial ecosystem. Paddy fields in Bali were built around water temples and the allocation of water is made by a priest.

Pura Luhur Uluwatu, Bali

2007-11-08T16:28:00.000+08:00

Pura Luhur Uluwatu is a Balinese Sea Temple in the south westernmost of the island. It was built in the 11th century to guard the Balinese from the evil spirit of the ocean.

A lot of monkeys inhabit the temple hoping for a banana or some peanuts from the visitors. The monkeys are quite aggressive and visitors are warned not to wear any dangly earings, sun glasses, hair-band, or hair-pin.

At sunset, Kecak dance performance is held here everyday.

The other shore of Pura Luhur Uluwatu

The main sanctum of the temple on the edge of steep cliff

Stairways to Temple

Bwahahaha... all are mine

One... two... three... four... lice

Hmmm... What's that?

Yawn...

Got Milk?

Hmmm... so breezy

Fort Canning Park

2007-10-03T22:31:00.000+08:00

Gothic Gate Near Canning Rise
This gate was built in 1846 and become the landmark of Fort Cannning Hill.
This gate leads the visitor to Fort Canning Green

James Brooke Napier Memorial
Dedicated to James Brooke Napier, the infant son of William Napier, who was Singapore's first Law Agent, and Maria Frances Napier, the widow of George Coleman. The memorial was the largest erected in the cemetery, reflecting the status of William Napier.

Peeking into Fort Canning Green
Fort Canning Green was once a graveyard for some 600 Christian graves.
Now it becomes a frequent outdoor concerts and carnivals venue.

The Last Graves in Fort Canning Green

Tombstones in The Walls Surrounding Fort Canning Green

Tombstone in the Walls I

Tombstone in the Walls II

National Museum of Singapore

Cathedral of Good Shepherd

2007-09-30T20:53:00.000+08:00

The Humble Cathedral of Good Shepherd
This Cathedral is the seat of Archbishop of Singapore.
It also houses the relics of Saint Laurent-Marie-Joseph Imbert, to whom the Cathedral owes its name.

The Cathedral is built in a restrained Renaissance style. Its porticos are in the Palladian manner. Its plan is in the form of a Latin cross and like all traditional churches, it is orientated east.

Contrasting with St Joseph Church
This church is located not far from the cathedral. This church with its Gothic style has a majestic look. Inside the church has a lot of saints statues giving a communion of saints feeling atmosphere during the mass.

The architectural structure of the church is in the form of a Latin cross. Its central octagonal tower is capped by a dome and flanked by two smaller towers.

The Entrance to the Cathedral

Statue of the late Pope John Paul II Outside the Cathedral

Boat Quay at Night

2007-09-30T19:17:00.000+08:00

Central Fire Station

2007-09-30T10:18:00.000+08:00

CHIJMES - restaurants, bars, shops

2007-09-30T09:25:00.000+08:00

It was used as a Catholic convent known as Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) for 131 years, with Caldwell House as its convent quarters constructed in 1840–1841 and the chapel in 1904.

The chapel, now a multi-purpose hall, is known as CHIJMES Hall and Caldwell House, now an art gallery, have both been gazetted as national monuments. The complex has been restored for commercial purposes as a dining, shopping and entertainment centre with ethnic restaurants, shops and a function hall, providing a backdrop for musicals, recitals, theatrical performances and weddings.

Outside Singapore Art Museum

2007-08-07T22:52:00.000+08:00

Singapore Art Museum
For 120 years, the building was the home of St. Joseph Institution (SJI), an all boys school founded by French priest Father Jean-Marie Beurel and a small group of LaSalle Brothers on 1 May 1852. Then the school was relocated in 1987. In 1992, the building was gazetted as a national monument and it was converted into the Singapore Art Museum (SAM), which opened on 20 December 1996.

The mission of SAM is to preserve and present the art histories and contemporary art practices of Singapore and the Southeast Asian region, so as to facilitate visual arts education, exchange, research and development.
- National Heritage Board -

Statue of St John Baptist de la Salle 1
The statue was created by Cesare Aureli.

Statue of St John Baptist de la Salle 2
St John Baptist de la Salle found the Brothers of the Christian School in 1680. He is the Patron Saint of Teacher. SJI is one of the Lasallian Institutions.

The Verandah of Singapore Art Museum 1
This verandah was once filled with boys studying and playing.

The Verandah of Singapore Art Museum 2
Afternoon in Dome Cafe

The Royal Peacock Hotel

2007-08-05T16:17:00.000+08:00

I stayed in hotel for a week after I came back from Jakarta. This is because of my flatmates' relative came to visit them. Anyway, they paid for the hotel. ;)

So I spent the night in the Royal Peacock Hotel for four days and in Quality Hotel for two days.

Quality Hotel is a nice, clean, and quite cheap hotel in Balestier area. Probably because of the location is a bit far from MRT station, although there are quite some buses go to City Hall, Bugis, Orchard, and HarbourFront areas passing Balestier Road. Balestier Road has quite a lot of hotels and I think most of them may be categorized as a dirty hotel, if you know what I mean. There is also a famous Ba Kut Teh shop if you go further down along the Balestier Road. But because the Quality Hotel is just like a typical hotel, I will not put any photos in this blog.

The Royal Peacock Hotel is a budget boutique hotel located in Keong Saik Road, Chinatown. The former shop-houses turned hotel is using a Chinese theme as its concept. The ambiance is quite warm. The room that I occupied is not bad considering it is an attic. Unfortunately my room does not have any windows and uses yellow neon lights. So it is a bit dim for me, but hey... maybe that's the concept of the hotel to create the warm-like atmosphere. There is one important thing that I need to complain about the room though. The wall is thin. I can hear people talking at the other side of the room. Overall, the hotel design is interesting.

The Royal Peacock Hotel Logo

The Royal Peacock Hotel Replica 1

The Royal Peacock Hotel Replica 2

The Royal Peacock Hotel Replica 3

Hotel's Room Sign

A Classic Chinese Round-back Armchairs in the Lobby

A Classic Chinese Style Couch Bed in the Lounge

Aunty Tong's Restaurant
I had my breakfast here for four days. The food is not bad considering this is a budget hotel.

Teck Lim Road Scene
Located just opposite the Royal Peacock Hotel, this road offers the travellers other budget accomodation and affordable eateries places.

Hotel 1929
In contrast with the Royal Peacock Hotel, Hotel 1929, which is located just opposite the Royal Peacock Hotel, is a boutique hotel with hip, retro, and vintage theme. It was a shop-houses built in 1929, hence the name.

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum

2007-08-04T23:57:00.000+08:00

It was the 3rd night I stayed at the Royal Peacock Hotel, Chinatown. As to why I stayed at hotel will be told in another entry. That night I was bored. No computer, no internet. So I decided to visit and take pictures of Buddha Tooth Relic Temple after my delicious porridge dinner at Maxwell Food Court.

The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum is a living cultural monument in the heart of Chinatown housing what Buddhist leaders regard as the Sacred Buddha Tooth Relic in a magnificent Relic Stupa composed of 420kg of gold donated by devotees.

- from www.visitsingapore.com -

Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
The architecture is very beautiful. It is so big and magnificent. According to the temple's website, the design incorporates the Tang Dynasty architecture style and Buddhist Mandala concept. The temple is dedicated to the Maitreya Buddha, which means "The Compassionate One", and also called "The Future Buddha".

The Right Statue that Guard the Entrance of the Temple

The Left Statue that Guard the Entrance of the Temple

Interesting Chinese Door Knocker

Bell Tower

Temple's Roofs Viewed from Below

Punggol Beach - Singapore's Slaughter Beach

2007-07-07T21:30:00.000+08:00

Punggol Beach is a quiet and peaceful beach in the north of Singapore. This beach is almost deserted, probably because of its inaccessibility and not many people know this beach exists.

Bus number 82 is the one and only public transport going to and from this beach. The road that leads to Punggol Beach is lined by dense vegetation all along.

This is also the place where some 300-400 Chinese civilians were massacred during the Japanese Sook Ching operation in World War II time. In 1995 National Heritage Board marked this beach as one of heritage sites to commemorate 50th Anniversary of the end of World War II.

Sunset at Punggol Beach I

Sunset at Punggol Beach II

Hold Me Tight, Dear

Restful Nature at the Back of Punggol Beach
« Who will suspect that this place witnessed such a brutal and mass killing? May the victims † rest in peace. »

Eagle's Soaring in the Sky
« I'm always fascinated by how nature shapes the clouds into interesting object. Truly display the beauty of God's creation. »

Johor Bahru's Lights from Punggol Beach

My Favorite Shoes

2007-05-26T21:35:00.000+08:00

Timberland's Power Lounger Low
These brown Timberland have accompanied me almost 2 years, and I still love wearing them. They are so comfortable and keep my feet dry. I don't regret buying these shoes. Worth my money.

The only thing I don't like about these shoes is they are made using suade fabric, which is very hard to clean. It took me about 15-20 minutes to clean them and they are still not completely clean.

Inside the shoes are using smartwool technology which Timberland claims to "act as a climate control, wicking moisture and keeping feet warm, dry and odor free" according to the brochure.

Pedro's Suade Blended
Another suede shoes that I like. But thank God they are not completely suade. Still have leather in it. Make it easier to clean them since the suade area is smaller.

These Pedro have been with me about 6 months. Two weeks ago, Pedro had warehouse sale. The discount is quite big which is about 40-70%. Although I did not buy anything from that sale, I am still happy because my shoes are not on discount. They are still in their original price. :D

Night at VivoCity's Sky Park

2007-04-22T23:21:00.000+08:00

Marché at Night

Three Crazy Girls

The tickleart Series

2007-04-22T20:07:00.000+08:00

tickleart is a series of exhibitions held in showcases lining a tunnel of CityLink heading towards Esplanade. This series features artworks that seek to examine the issue of 'value' in the physical and ideological spaces between capitalism, consumerism and art.

- From Arto Mato Website -

The showcase started since April 2004. Each artwork is exhibited for a period of about 2 months.

« this showcase is still under construction »

« I forgot to take note about this showcase.
I guess this work is from Jon Chan collaborated with Rirkrit Tiravanija? »

Masuk Angin - Showcase from Apotik Komik

Superstring - Joshua Yang

2007-04-22T16:37:00.000+08:00

Superstring by Joshua Yang
Exhibition @ Concourse, Esplanade
7 Apr - 1 Jul 07

Created by Joshua Yang, an engineer turned sculptor, Superstring - a series of single continuous line drawings is a site-specific installation consisting of drawings done on rolls of canvas stretched across pulleys and rollers and moved along in circular loops by electric motors in the fashion of conveyor belts or travellators. These drawings are done in a single continuous line with no breaks or overlaps. The concept behind the mode of drawing in a single continuous line ties in with the Superstring Theory which postulates that all matter in the universe is made up of and connected by tiny symmetrical vibrations called strings. The significance of connections and drawing parallels between science and art becomes apparent in the installation which couples art (in drawings) and science (motors and pulleys).
- From Esplanade Website -

Sentosa Island, Singapore

2007-04-10T17:01:00.000+08:00

Map of Sentosa

The New Monorail from Vivo City to Sentosa
« For just $3 you can go to Sentosa, and that's including the $2 entrance fee. »

Harbour Front and Vivo City from Monorail

Welcome to Sentosa

Merlion - The Symbol of Singapore
« The Merlion was designed by Mr Fraser Brunner, a member of the souvenir committee and a curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium. The lion head represents the lion spotted by Prince Sang Nila Utama of Sri Vijaya Empire when he re-discovered Singapura in 11 AD, as recorded in the "Malay Annals". The fish tail symbolises the ancient city of Temasek (meaning “sea” in Javanese) by which Singapore was known before the Prince named it “Singapura” (meaning “lion” (singa) “city” (pura) in Sanskrit), and represents Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village.
- from Uniquely Singapore website - »

Carlsberg Tower
« You can see the whole Sentosa island with its neighbouring islands here,
but really it is not worth the price. »

Sentosa 4-D Magix Show Poster
« You can get 20% discount using UOB credit card up to 2 tickets per card. »

Inside Sentosa 4-D Magix Show Theatre
« The show is not bad, but below my expectation. »

Luge
« Quite exciting attraction.
I took the Hot Deal package where you can get 3 times ride and 3 times skyride for $16. Usually 1 ride and 1 skyride are $9. »

SkyRide
« Catherine, the girl with red helmet, accidentally dropped her left sandal when riding the skyride, just after she said to take care the sandals they wore. :D
Fortunately, it was fallen not far from the starting point. Hence the skyride guard could retrieve it easily. »

Rasa Sentosa Resort at Siloso Beach

An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

2007-04-09T10:03:00.000+08:00

Pomme d'Amour - Love Apple

Forbidden Fruit
« malus: apple or evil? »

English Daisy

2007-04-03T11:08:00.000+08:00

Bellis perennis

Condensation on a Bottle of Cold Coke

2007-04-02T16:29:00.000+08:00

After The Rain

2007-04-02T16:10:00.000+08:00

Neighbourhood From the Wet Window Glass

Colour of Dusk Behind the Rain Drops

Palm Sunday

2007-04-01T22:59:00.000+08:00

They proclaimed:
"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest."
Luke 19:38

Significance of Palm Branches
« Palm branches have been used by all nations
as an emblem of joy and victory over enemies.
In Christianity as a sign of victory over the flesh and the world. »

Treating The Palm Branches
« The palms blessed on Palm Sunday were used in the procession of the day,
then taken home by the faithful and used as a sacramental.
From the blessed palms the ashes are procured for Ash Wednesday. »

Optical Illusion

2007-03-20T19:08:00.000+08:00

Ship Wreck or Bearded Man?
« One of the attractions in Singapore Science Centre »

Cemetary Guards

2007-03-19T11:21:00.000+08:00

« This picture was taken in Chinese cemetary.
I took this picture during my trip to Pontianak visiting my parents' relative »

Jaguar on the run

2007-03-19T11:17:00.000+08:00

A view from the window of my office

2007-03-16T09:52:00.000+08:00

Somewhere in the Straits of Malacca

2007-03-15T10:40:00.000+08:00

« I took this picture during my three days Star Cruises vacation with my family.
The cruise went from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur. »

Pulau Ayer, Jakarta

2007-03-15T09:50:00.000+08:00

Floating House
« Pulau Ayer is one of the resorts in Kepulauan Seribu (Thousand Islands). It is located about 20 minutes boat trip from Marina Ancol, Jakarta.
Btw, Kepulauan Seribu is the only regency of Jakarta. »

Tirtosari Waterfalls, East Java

2007-03-14T10:57:00.000+08:00

Crop field on the way to Tirtosari Waterfalls

Another crop field on the way to Tirtosari Waterfalls

Tirtosari Waterfalls
« Believed by the local people that the water can preserve the beauty and youthfulness »

Reflection

2007-03-14T10:02:00.000+08:00

glass reflection

Bowral, Australia

2007-03-14T09:23:00.000+08:00

Maple leaf in focus

Afternoon in the park
« This is a park in Bowral, Australia. We visited Bowral to attend Good Friday Mass. I am very impressed with the young priest's beautiful wonderful voice especially when he was singing the Psalm. The organist played super excellent too. »

Blue Mountains, Australia

2007-03-13T12:17:00.000+08:00

Three Sisters Giant Stairways

Three Sisters in the morning
« The legendary Meehni, Wimlah, and Gunnedoo »

Rainbow across Wentworth Falls

Hunter Valley, Australia

2007-03-13T12:02:00.000+08:00

Long road to Hunter Valley
« The road leads to horse riding place »

Story Book Garden at Hunter Valley Garden
« Psst... at 3pm the entrance ticket is cheaper »

Port Stephens, Australia

2007-03-13T11:44:00.000+08:00

Nelson Bay Boat Harbour

Sand dunes at Stockton Beach
« Went here riding 4WD for sandboarding »

Bondi Beach, Australia

2007-03-13T11:25:00.000+08:00

Bondi Beach from the top

Sunday morning at Bondi Beach

Mom's Jasmine

2007-03-12T09:40:00.001+08:00