One Big Black Cloud!

Now I know it really is a lousy photo, totaly out of focus etc ....... but I wanted the photo and couldn't find the camera in a hurry, eventually found, but obviously couldn't take it with flash so used it on night setting without tripod or solid base to rest it.

But you do get the general idea that it was one very big black cloud at 7.20pm on Friday March 23.

Peranakan footwear

On Friday we also had the pleasure of seeing the beaded slippers being hand made ........ talk about time and patience!!!!!

Western techniques also influenced the art and craft of fashioning Peranakan footwear. The style of embroidery for example, once influenced by the Malays was in turn influenced by Western culture. The fine beadwork for shoes with which the Nyonya is identified with is a comparatively recent invention from 19th century Britain and Continental Europe.

The most popular Nyonya object still found today is of course the beaded slipper, or Manek Eh in Hokkien, the lingua franca of the Peranakan. The technique of making such footwear is also one of the few crafts left over from the golden age of the Nyonyas. Amazingly, beaded slippers and makers are still available today, and courses are offered on fashioning them. In this day and age of modern ready-made footwear and hip designer brands, hand made beaded slippers are still sought after as a necessary luxury.

For those unfamiliar with the wardrobe of a Peranakan woman, beaded slippers were elegant and delicate looking footwear made from fabrics like velvet or gauze, and decorated with tiny colourful beads, and gold and silver coloured thread. Needless to say, the finished product never failed to look stunning. Such shoes were de rigueur for social occasions like weddings and reunions and woe betide a Nyonya who wore anything else with her coiffed hair, accessories, kebaya labuh or Nyonya kebaya! After the shoes are used, they are carefully put away and wrapped in layers of soft, non-abrasive paper until the next special occasion. Beaded slippers are very fragile, and any break in the thread will slowly unravel the entire tapestry.

Not surprisingly, crafting a well-made pair of beaded slippers was a time consuming affair, and the 'face' for each pair could take several months to complete. The maker had to possess an infinite amount of patience and perseverance, a steady hand, good eyesight and of course a flair for aesthetic creativity.

On Friday when we spoke with the lady making the slippers, she told us that each pair take approx two months to complete and the cost can be from $250.00 up to about $1000.00. Well there could be more expensive ones, but the above is what I saw them priced at.

Kampong Glam + Arab St area ......

Last Friday (March 23) saw myself and a friend (Deb) investigating the wonders of the Kampong Glam and Arab Street area's!!










as you can see by the photos, the many contasts from back alleys to the shops is really quite amazing.

what I was surprised by was the lack of tourists...where are they? Shopping for bargains along Orchard Rd no doubt!!

The following has been taken from the uniquely Singapore website:

http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/what_to_see/ethnic_quarters/kampong_glam.html

Named after the Gelam tree which used to grow in the area, Kampong Glam was the historic seat of Malay royalty in Singapore. Today, the former Istana Kampong Glam (Sultan’s palace) has been converted into a heritage museum, the Malay heritage Centre, to showcase the rich history and culture of Singapore’s Malay community. The building and architecture has been meticulously restored to retain its flavour and authenticity.

Arab Street is the centre of the Muslim community where it used to be the main selling place of Muslim men’s headgear (or songkok), the holy Quran, prayer mats and textiles. Today, Arab Street is a designer’s dream locale! Glittery and lavish fashion items abound, like the finest lace, sparkling semi-precious stones, ostrich feathers, iron-on diamantes, gold thread, and wholesale bales of silk, organza and lame which dazzle in rainbow hues and intensities.

an adrenaline rush???

photo on right shows three people getting ready for a dose of adrenaline rush with the G-Max Reverse Bungy!

Designed and developed in New Zealand eight years ago, the G-Max is Singapore’s first extreme ride.

It involves up to three people being seated in a specially designed open air steel reinforced capsule, attached by US-approved bungy cords to two towers.

The cords are tightened and then released, catapulting the capsule up to 60m in the air at speeds of 200kph. The ride lasts for about 5 minutes.

We had just eaten fried whitebait, a plate of potato skins and had a jug of beer, I doubt that it would have survived a "reverse bungy" ride!!!

a wander around Clarke Quay

The above photos are just random shots taken last Sunday while strolling around Clarke Quay at about 5.00pm.

Named after Sir Andrew Clarke, Singapore's second governor, Clarke Quay had been the commercial centre, where an unending stream of lighters would transport their goods upriver to the warehouses.

Near the entrance to Clarke Quay on River Valley Road is Whampoa's Ice House which belonged to Hoo Ah Kay, an early immigrant from Whampoa, China who imported ice from Boston in the mid-1800s before ice-making facilities were available in Singapore.

Note how the Chinese and European merchants brought their own architectural styles to the area.

It was on its banks that the foundations for modern Singapore were laid more than 150 years ago. Beginning life as a humble bustling fishing village, it soon developed into a busy seaport as trade increased between the East and West.

It wasn't long before industrious stevedores and hardworking Samsui women filled the streets and enterprising hawkers packed the alleyways with their fares. Fishermen, traders and workers from across Asia and Europe soon flooded in - adding diversity, colour, and life into the thriving and vibrant community.

Discover the present Lying near the mouth of the Singapore River, the site of Clarke Quay was the centre of commerce during the late 19th century. Today, Clarke Quay is still buzzing with life and activity.

The waterfront godowns now play host to a colourful kaleidoscope of restaurants, wine bars, entertainment spots and retail shops.

The bustling market atmosphere of bygone days comes alive amidst the rows of charming shophouses, pushcarts, and five-foot-way merchants.

Today, Clarke Quay is a delightful mix of modern and traditional. A reminder of its rich heritage is reflected in the vibrantly orchestrated concept. Their vision - an innovative approach which boldly reflects the heritage and charm of Clarke Quay.

Savour the many delights Set amidst a backdrop of old shophouses, you can savour the many delights of Chinese, Italian, Mediterranean and local cuisine.

When the sun goes down, you don't have to look far to discover some of the city's trendiest nightspots, or hop onto a traditional trishaw and take in the spectacular views. Or cruise down the historic waterways in an authentic bumboat for a rare glimpse of old shophouses and godowns.

smoke and haze also over Singapore .....

I must admit, I do miss the clear blue skies we often get in Melbourne. I know that Melbourne skies cannot compare with the big, clear outback skies of Queensland .....but now, here in Singapore, I would be very happy to see a clear blue sky like in Melbourne!!

At the moment in Singapore there is a lot of smoke and haze around and I have heard that it was much worse in October 2006.

but to show you what it is like here now, take a look at these two photos of this morning at 9.00am from our balcony.

and this photo taken last August that is on the R.E.A.C.H. website.

R.E.A.C.H. is "Regional Environmental Awareness Cameron Highlands"

and on the Asia Pacific website today:

Disaster zones declared as Thai haze reaches dangerous levels.

BANGKOK: Thailand's northern Chiang Rai province has been declared a disaster zone after haze hit the region, while the air quality in nearby tourist hotspot Chiang Mai reached dangerous levels Wednesday. Eight provinces in northern Thailand have been blanketed in smoke and dust for two weeks after forest fires and agricultural burning in northern Thailand and neighbouring Myanmar and Laos. The worst affected provinces of Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Lamphun recently reported hazardous levels of particles in the air, and visibility has been reduced to as little as 800 metres (half a mile).

and on other news sites....

Southeast Asian officials will meet in Brunei to work on an action plan to combat the annual, choking haze caused by Indonesia's burning forests to clear land for crops, reports the Associated Press (1 March).

The ASEAN statement said that "the meeting will also seriously discuss collective measures … to prepare for future haze episodes and other possible efforts to intensify actions on the ground". ASEAN members Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have complained since 1997 about haze drifting from Indonesia especially on Sumatra island and in Kalimantan on Borneo island. However, Indonesia argues it lacks the money and technical expertise to prevent or control the fires in its large number of islands.

A thick haze hangs over Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia that has lasted since early August. Again this year, hundreds of small fires set by local farmers clearing their lands have set fires that burn deep into the underlying peat layer. The fires will smolder for weeks or months, spreading smoke across the region.

First devastated by the tsunami, the Indonesian island of Sumatra is now the center of the current smoke and haze pollution. While the tsunami affected the large island's northwest coast, the fires are burning in the east.

a little bit about Singapore ......

Singapore consists of one main island and 60 small islands about 137 km north of the Equator (latitude 1° 09’N and longitude 103° 38’E).

It has a total land area of 647.5 square kilometres, of which almost half has been set aside as forest reserves, marsh and other non-built-up areas. Three reservoirs occupy the centre of the island. Almost half of the land (49.67 per cent) is for residential, commercial and industrial use. A mere 1.7 per cent, about 10.8 sq km, is for agriculture.

Three-fourths of the people are of Chinese ethnicity; most of the rest are Malays and Indians.

Languages: English, Chinese (Mandarin), Malay, Tamil (all official).

Religions: Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Daoism, Hinduism.

Currency: Singapore dollar.

Nearly two-thirds of the island's hilly landscape lies below 50 ft (15 m) above sea level. It has a hot, humid climate. Although only about 2% of its land is arable, it is highly productive cropland.

The economy is based largely on international trade and finance; there are more than 100 commercial banks, most of which are foreign, and the headquarters of the Asian Dollar Market is located there.

The port is one of the largest in the world, and the country is one of the world's leading petroleum refiners. Manufacturing (notably electronic equipment) is also important.

A trading center as early as the 14th century, Singapore was later part of Johor, a region of the southern Malay Peninsula, under the Malacca Sultanate

The island of Singapore was ceded to the British East India Company in 1819, and the city was founded the same year by Sir Thomas Raffles. The British took complete control in 1824 and added Singapore to the newly formed Straits Settlements in 1826.

During World War II it was held by the Japanese (1942–1945) before being retaken by the British. Singapore became a crown colony in 1946, a self-governing state in 1959, part of the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, and a fully independent republic in 1965.

The city of Singapore is the capital. Population: 4,420,000.

If you want to know the average temperature or humidity of Singapore, or the hottest time of year, then continue reading....

.... as I took the information off this website:

http://www.expatsingapore.com/general/land.htm

Climate

Depending on whom you ask, Singapore either has four seasons or no seasons. The four seasons are: hot, hotter, wet and wetter. And no seasons because Singapore has a warm tropical climate with sunshine all year round--making it a good place to develop a perpetual tan.

With the sea to further moderate fluctuations in temperature, Singapore's weather is almost boringly consistent--between 32°C (90°F) for a high and 24°C (75°F) for a low. The lowest temperature ever recorded in Singapore was 20.5°C (69°F).

Humidity is high. It hits you like a wall the second you step out of the airport. The daily average relative humidity is 84.4 per cent. That means it gets past 90 per cent just before dawn and perhaps 60 to 70 per cent in dry afternoons. Allow anything from one week to a month to adjust to the humidity.

Rainfall is abundant (annual rainfall 2,333 mm). It's wise to carry an umbrella to avoid getting drenched. As anyone who has left an umbrella in the office or home knows, the second you do that, the rain is going to pour down in sheets.

The rainy season falls during the Northeast Monsoon from December to January. December is usually the wettest month while February is the sunniest. July and August are the hottest months, with average temperatures hitting their peaks.

today's cleaning chore!

Today I decided to stay home and do some much needed cleaning, especially all the brassware that seems to discolor so quickly in this climate!

As you can see by the above two photos, both the lamp and the table need a good polish.

Good old Brasso, some cleaning cloths and "elbow grease" I get on with the job of cleaning the very old Chinese brass table that once belonged to my grandmother ......

[ Eileen May Rose ROBERTS (nee NORMAN) b. 1900 ]

she always kept the table in the middle of her lounge room with a crystal vase full of fresh flowers. The table was then handed to my mother and subsequently to me. I enjoy cleaning it and seeing it come up so bright and shiny. After the Brasso, then the polishing off, I give it a good wash with soapy water and finish it off with paper toweling. The brass comes up a treat!
The same cleaning procedure applies to the lamp. This lamp has always been mine, having been given it as a gift in 1965.
Here is a photo of the table after it has been cleaned, certainly worth the effort of some elbow grease! and the display of all the little brass nick nacks make a lovely display beside the wedding photo of my aunt and uncle, Dorrie and Jack Delaney.

[ Dorrie passed away two weeks ago on February 28 2007]

today's excursion .......

today's excursion was a trip to the IMM shopping centre at Jurong East.
I caught the train from Bukit Batok MRT to Jurong East MRT, took only three minutes as it is the next stop!
The above photo is taken from the Jurong East MRT. IMM is a Unique composition of retail, warehouse and office space and the URL is:
http://www.imm.sg/index.asp

This is the inside of the Jurong East MRT interchange, very clean and modern. From the train station you can catch the free shuttle bus to IMM. Though today I decided to walk, knowing it would only take about 5 minutes.

The above photo is of the Jurong East MRT just after I had left it.

and this photo is of the covered walkway, that goes to IMM and elsewhere. Though there is also a 'short cut' across the park to the right.

after crossing the road, the above is the pathway that I continued along.

One more road to cross! But had I continued along the covered walkway I would have then used the overpass that can be seen in the distance in the above photo.

Now I am nearly at the shopping centre, the entrance that can be seen here is one of many. It is a very large centre with approx 250 retail stores and 35 food and beverage outlets as well. There are also two indoor playground areas as well as an art and craft area for children.

and now I am there!!

Each day I try to go somewhere different or learn something new about living in Singapore. So today was the trip to the IMM Centre.

After wandering around doing some window shopping and having lunch, I caught the free shuttle bus back to the Jurong East Interchange, then the train back to Bukit Batok and home!!

Singapore is so easy to get around, there are plenty of trains, buses, shuttle buses or taxi's to take you just about anywhere.

Singapore weather March 12 - 15, 2007

and for those that might be interested in what the weather is like here in Singapore, during March. Then the following few days will certainly give you that!

Monday Night (humidity 64%)
Chance of a Thunderstorm. Overcast. Overnight Low: 26° C.
Wind light. Chance of precipitation 40%.

Tuesday
Chance of a Thunderstorm. Overcast. High: 29° C.
Wind light. Chance of precipitation 40%.

Tuesday Night
Thunderstorm. Overnight Low: 25° C.
Wind light. Chance of precipitation 90%.

Wednesday
Scattered Clouds. High: 28° C.
Wind light.

Wednesday Night
Thunderstorm. Overnight Low: 25° C.
Wind light. Chance of precipitation 80%.

Thursday
Chance of Rain.
Partly Cloudy. High: 31° C.
Wind light.
Chance of precipitation 20%.

We have been told that we arrived at a good time of the year (February) just in time to get used to the weather BEFORE it gets hot.

April, May and June are the hottest months in Singapore - or so we are told!

the storm has passed......

The above three photos are all taken from our balcony on the 18th floor of The Jade condo at Bukit Batok.

The top photo was taken as the storm passed by, then the middle photo was taken the following day and the last photo is (obviously) at night.

The train line that is seen is from Bukit Batok MRT thru to the interchange at Jurong East MRT.

here somes the storm.....

Photo taken as the storm is approaching.

Then it started raining!!

but the sunrise at 7.00am in the morning was beautiful.

Now, I really gotta tell you, I don't get on too well with thunder storms. In fact I am very much a 'scaredy cat'.

Then you may well ask, how on earth is she going to cope in Singapore with all the tropical storms that seems to happen every afternoon!!!
Yep, am wondering that myself.

I am told by people with far more knowledge than I, the local people of Singapore that is, that the ones that we have experienced over the past 3 weeks that I have been here, really have not been that bad at all.

Now who are they kidding?

Last Tuesday, as in February 27th, had me sitting at the dining table with my head in my hands, frightened out of my wits (not that I have many left!) and I really don't know if it was me shaking or was it the building?
Anyway, here was this thunderstorm complete with all the lightning effects probably going on for about 15 minutes all up. The thunder was incredibly loud and it just seemed to roll on and on with it's rumbles.

Anyway, I obviously emerged unharmed.

Then yesterday, another one was on the horizon and about to erupt...... but it was nothing like last weeks, in fact I rather enjoyed watching the rain and the heavy black clouds roll by. I even managed to stand out on the balcony and take a few photos!

As you can see by the photos as above. One day I may even be brave enough to stand out on the balcony and capture the lightning!!!

I will place some photos on the next 'blog post' that shows the storm after it has passed and same view the following day without the storm!

They have arrived!!!!!!

yes, the 'two little princes' have arrived in Singapore and as I write this they are sitting at my feet, totaly exhausted ........ they dare not let me out of their sight!!

 

Jet Pets in Melbourne were the people that transported them and they were fantastic, always letting us know what was happening and when. We were kept informed at all times.

The vet (from Jet Pets) went to our daughters home last Friday to check them over making sure they had their microchips, all injections up to date and give them their flea treatment etc, then on Monday morning at 8.00am Jet Pets arrived in a van to place them in their respective 'cages' to take them to Tullamarine where they were again ' checked over' and kenneled overnight ready for the flight the next day.

They were taken to the airport in the afternoon in time for the Qantas flight (QF9) departure at 5.00pm.

I really don't want to know how they coped during take off or even the flight itself, I can just imagine Pokey would have been planted flat on the floor of his cage, shaking!

Mind you I was not much better here in Singapore as I waited for their arrival. :-)

The plane landed at 9.06pm (due at 9.30) and by the time they went thru customs then driven out to Bukit Batok, it was 11.15pm.

Mitchville K9 Kennels were the people handling everything at this end....they also were very good at keeping us informed as to time of arrival etc. They called us the day before to make sure we would be home (with our boys arriving, where else would we be??) and to let us know the ETA. Then once they were picked up the driver called to let us know he was on his way.

So we have been VERY happy with the service provided by Jet Pets and Mitchville K9 Kennels.

....... and of course, we are VERY happy to have "our boys" with us here in Singapore and coming in from Australia they did not have to be quarantined. Going back will be a different story .... one month in quarantine will not be a pleasant time for any of us.

Whether we have done the right thing in bringing them to here to Singapore, time will tell.

We will do our best to make sure they are happy and as comfortable as possible.

 

 yes ..... they are comfortable!!!

----------------------------------

PS:
Pokey died in Singapore on JULY 7 2011 ....
now we are preparing Oscar for his journey back to Australia on FEB 21 2012!

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.....

our boys - POKEY & OSCAR

These two well seasoned little travellers are about to embark on their first overseas flight.

But first, here are some photos of their other travels!

John and the boys -

camping at Sale

Pokey and Oscar, totally worn out

after a long day of travelling.

Oscar climbed up on Pokey to

get a better view out of the

window of the motorhome!

Laying over Leone's shoulder,

camping at Woodside.

Walking in the rain on a

very wet camping trip at

Murrindindi.

Today - Monday March 5 2007 - Pokey and Oscar were picked up from Janines home at 8.00am and taken to the kennels of "JetPets" at Tullamarine in Melbourne. They are having their final vet check's today before boarding Qantas Flight QF 9 tomorrow afternoon bound for Singapore!

The flight is due in at 9.30pm , after they go thru customs (checking for drugs no doubt!!) they are driven out to our home. We are anxiously awaiting their arrival that we think will be at about midnight.

They have a nice, comfy new bed waiting for them, plus new blue water bowls I bought at Ikea last week ...... and no, they are not spoilt, Just loved!

John suggested this morning that we should Blog the tale of the boys and all their travels ........ as they have always gone everywhere with us.

Apart from many camping trips, they have often been to Blackwood Cottage (our holiday retreat just out of Melbourne) where they love chasing the lizards!

Then in 2002 they travelled 40,000 klms around Australia with us in our motorhome.

...... and now, they are about to make their first overseas flight!!

I will document their arrival (on the blog) on Wednesday.


PS:
Pokey died in Singapore on JULY 7 2011 ....
now we are preparing Oscar for his journey back to Australia on FEB 21 2012!

The Pool......

General view of the pool.




View of the pool from our balcony.

view from the front lobby.

.

.

.

.....as you can see, the pool at The Jade is really beautiful. Certainly could not be called a suburban 'lap pool', probably a bit like a resort type holiday pool.

It is not heated and no laps lanes are marked. It is more of a pool for total leisure and relaxation with plenty of green foliage and BBQ area's. There are tables, chairs and umbrella's and lounge chairs for sleeping or reading!

Also there are 'spa baths' at about 6 or more different locations within the pool, plus three 'spa beds'. If you can imagine a contoured, tiled bed just below the surface of the water that is actually a spa bath?

We have been enjoying the pool usually of an evening, just after John arrives home from work and before we have dinner. So an hour or so in the pool is ideal to unwind.

John swims a few 'laps' and he says the pool is 'about' 50 metre's long. Then we have a bit of a laze in the spa.

Very relaxing. :-)