QING Moments

A FINE DAY AT MACRITCHIE

qingmoments — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 05:34:34 +0000

After talking about it for over a year, DS and I finally made it to the MacRitchie trails yesterday, for the first time in our lives!

Our first attempt to go on the MacRitchie trails in November 2008 was unsuccessful due to the rainy weather. Thank God for the very beautiful weather yesterday despite it being rainy season now, and it was like a dream come true for me. However, it turned out that the trails were not as interesting as Pulau Ubin and Southern Ridges. Furthermore, the only attraction for us, the HSBC Tree Top Walk was also not as spectacular as we had anticipated. So, that was a slight disappointment.

The HSBC Treetop Walk is about 45 minutes’ walk from the Venus entrance.

Entrance to HSBC Treetop Walk which is open from 9am to 5pm, Tuesdays to Sundays. It closes on Mondays except Public Holidays.

Officially opened in November 2004, this suspension bridge is of 250m long, and up to 25m above ground level

MacRitchie Reservoir, seen from HSBC Treetop Walk

Lots of up-and-down steps right after the Treetop Walk

Oh, there is a well but no water in it!

This part of the path is a more pleasant one, and it reminds me of the walk-board at Pulau Ubin

Monkeys (Macaque), monitor lizards and lots of ants can be found along the way. These monkeys remind us of the Botanical Garden in Penang

This ant is really huge. Wonder if it is poisonous?

We had an interesting discovery – the existence of inedible durians!

Then there was a stream

Remnants of one of the hardwood timber species. Once a giant tree, this timber is now home to simple plants, insects, fungus and other microorganisms

The Jelutong Tower seems to be another attraction. We did not make it up there as it was packed with lots of school students when we reached there

We finally reached the MacRitchie Reservoir and the scenery from this point on is beautiful. Many students seemed to enjoy having a break by the reservoir though the sun was scorching hot. I was hiding under the shade when this shot was taken.

MacRitchie Reservoir next to SICC (Singapore Island Country Club) is the most beautiful part of the entire trail

SICC – beautiful green and lovely sky. What a beautiful day!

If you are considering going on the trails, be prepared for very long walk with some rough paths along the way. There is only one toilet stop at the Rangers’ Stations before the HSBC Treetop Walk and hardly any resting place. It is also important to bring along enough drinking water.

The early part of our trails was like walking in the jungle, far away from civilization

Rangers’ Station before the Treetop Walk. The only toilet stop is available here. They also provide water coolers here.

More uneven paths on the last leg of our trails

In about in and a half hours, we walked a distance of nearly 8km, 13,324 steps and burned 373 calories.

I think it is good to experience the MacRitchie trails for once but I would say, that’s enough for us. Unlike Pulau Ubin or Southern Ridges, I don’t think we would ever consider going on the MacRitchie trails again. I am sure there are better nature trails in Singapore that we can explore in future.

2009 CHRISTMAS LIGHT-UP AT ORCHARD ROAD

qingmoments — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:30:26 +0000

It is this time of the year, my favourite time of the year – Orchard Road is all decorated and lighted up to celebrate Christmas!

I remember reading that this is the 25th year Singapore has its Christmas light-up. It has been this long but somehow, I still can’t help feeling excited about it every year!

DS and I were down at Orchard Road two nights ago, after watching 2012, to appreciate the lightings. Thank God for the beautiful weather, and we were able to do some photo and videos shoots as planned. As expected, Orchard Road was packed with people, far more than any usual weekends. Many went down with their families and children, and there were also avid photographers who went with their cameras and tripods to capture these beautiful moments of the year.

The light-up this year is slightly different from the past as it does not only cover Orchard Road but also the Marina Bay area. As many would have read about it, there are two themes – A Christmas All Decked Out for the Orchard area and A Glitzy Christmas by the Bay for the Marina Bay area. I hope you will enjoy this video clip that I created.

I find the decorations and lightings on Orchard Road much more impressive this year although it has a smaller coverage that concentrates on Tanglin Road and Orchard Road up to Concorde Hotel (former Meridien Hotel) only. I particularly like those snowballs and running lights hanging down from the trees, and the blue-theme lightings from Tanglin Road to Shaw Centre (at the junction of Scotts Road and Orchard Road).

This rotating platform in front of Shaw Centre is a popular photo spot

ION Orchard, the latest landmark on Orchard Road, and its giant purple Christmas tree

Giant Christmas tree at the lobby of Ngee Ann City. Not much difference from last year’s.

Bear trees near the ground-floor entrance of Takashimaya

Orange theme from ION Orchard to the Heeren (Day)

A big difference between day and night

Along the walkway between Ngee Ann City and Wisma Atria

Many reindeer are seen along the pavement between Ngee Ann City and Wisma Atria.

I Am The Light Of The World (John 8:12) by Tangs

Giant Christmas tree outside Paragon shopping centre

Simple but elegant

Red theme from the Heeren to Concorde Hotel (former Meridien Hotel)

If you are thinking of making a trip down to Orchard Road for the Christmas lightings, I suggest you do not miss the decorations at Tanglin Mall as well. It is a popular spot and its nightly snow-play (foam created by pumping soap water into the air) is a hit amongst the children.

Tanglin Mall

More photos can be found on my online photo album.

Christmas @ Orchard, Singapore 2009 Photo Album

Sneak Preview on Orchard Road’s Christmas Decorations (1 Nov 2009)

Merry Christmas to all.

刘三姐（新版）大型歌舞剧 – LIU SAN JIE CHINESE MUSICAL

qingmoments — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:48:39 +0000

11月7日‘刘三姐’驾临新加坡了。噢，我说的是由来自中国广西刘三姐剧团所呈现的‘刘三姐（新版）大型歌舞剧’。在Max Pavillion连演两场。老公和我出席了晚上的那一场。因为是第一时间买票，我们就坐在舞台正中央的第四排。超好的位子！

这个新版刘三姐大型歌舞剧的主题是”为自由而歌唱、为尊严而抗争“。

刘三姐这个从古代流传下来的名字，在老一辈当中应该是家喻户晓的吧。虽然老公和我都不熟悉这个传承多载的故事与人物，但我记得小的时候，妈妈偶尔会哼唱刘三姐的歌曲。我们之所以选择了去看这一场歌舞剧是因为我们对歌舞剧的喜好、不管是西方或东方的歌舞剧，只想尝试欣赏不同的表演，并增广我们在这一方面的见识。

年轻的一群恐怕对刘三姐这个名字是感到很陌生的。我想这也就是为什么这么精彩的歌舞剧没有办法吸引到年轻观众的原因吧。当晚至少有百分之九十五的观众是黄金年华的一群。坐在我们前后、左右的就是这一群人。说真的我们是感到有点格格不入的，幸好整个歌舞剧从一开始，不管是歌声、音乐、服装、造型或故事情节都深深的吸引了我们俩，让我们度过了非常愉快的一晚。

这里就与大家分享歌舞剧的一些情节。我们尤其喜欢的是开场的第一首歌曲。歌声非常的悦耳。

歌舞剧结束之前，饰演刘三姐的女主角甚至一度走下台来近距离会见观众。结束后，我们甚至有机会上台与她合照。我当然没有错过这样的一个机会啦！

以我们的观察，这样一类的表演，甚至是一些传统的大戏如歌仔戏、粤剧等等，在新加坡是有一定的吸引力和观众群的。我希望今后会有更多如刘三姐大型歌舞剧般、有水准又富有娱乐性的表演出现在狮城。

现在就与你分享一些照片吧。

开场：刘三姐与二哥回乡过歌节

采茶歌舞

刘三姐与情郎李小牛

刘三姐是不是很时髦呢

可恶的莫老爷看上了刘三姐。虽已有三妻还硬要把三姐娶

莫老爷的三位娇妻

代表莫老爷到刘府提亲的王媒婆

刘三姐在做什么呢？织布。

莫府大管家进财向刘府讨债、施压

对歌的日子到来了

莫老爷重金请来与刘三姐对歌的三位才子。但他们对不过刘三姐呀！

美！歌声更是漂亮！

谢幕礼。故事的结局很圆满－刘三姐与李小牛有情人终成眷属。

谢幕后刘三姐抛绣球了

幸运的老公接到了一粒绣球！真棒！

大合照。好多观众都挤到前面去拍照

造型是不是都很亮丽呢？更多的照片，就在我的刘三姐网上相簿里。请慢慢欣赏。。

SNEAK PREVIEW OF ORCHARD ROAD’S CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

qingmoments — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:37:34 +0000

November has quietly sneaked in, and soon, Christmas bells will be ringing again. Just how time flies….

Walking on Orchard Road now, one will not miss seeing the decorations that are being put up for the upcoming annual Christmas Light-up event, which will run from 7 November this year through to 3 January 2010. So it is just less than a week away.

“A Christmas All Decked Out” is the theme for this year’s Christmas light-up on Orchard Road. Many Santa Claus, snowmen and Reindeers are used for the decorations.

Here’s a sneak preview of some of the decorations. Except for the very last photo, all photos on this entry were taken using the camera on my iPhone. The quality is not bad right?

Little snowman outside Wheelock Place and Liat Tower

Decoration at the entrance of Wheelock Place

Blue decoration outside Wheelock Place and Liat Tower. Similar decoration in red colour is found in other parts of Orchard Road

Golden decorative items used by Tangs

Workers putting up the decorations in Tangs

Decoration at the lobby of Wisma Atria

Decoration at the junction of Orchard Road and Scotts/Patterson Roads

Giant Santa Claus, one each at the four corners of the cross-junction of Orchard Road and Cairnhill Road

Orange and while balls hanging down from the trees

I wonder if there will be any surprises in the decorations and light-up this year? I shall share more photos after I have a stroll down Orchard Road one of these nights.

I always like Singapore the best during year-end when the weather is slightly cool (though wet as well) and the spirit of love and joy is felt everywhere especially in the shopping malls and along Orchard Road. After all, this is what Christmas is all about – GOD’S LOVE, JOY AND PEACE TO ALL MANKIND.

However, unlike previous years, DS and I are planning to spend Christmas on a cold winter land outside Singapore this December. Hopefully it will be a white Christmas for us! We are eagerly looking forward to seeing this pink “Princess Christmas” decoration in a tiara motif in our holiday destination. It has been 13 years since we last spent Christmas in overseas. That was a summer Christmas down under in New Zealand.

Can you guess where this is going to be?

Since we will be away, we will not be putting up our 5-foot tall Christmas tree at home this year. DS is mot happy about it as it is quite a chore to put it up, and then bring it down when the festive is over.

We are counting down to December …….

BITTER MEMORIES OF SWEET POTATOES

qingmoments — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:15:11 +0000

Our breakfast this morning was steamed purple sweet potatoes (or in Japanese, Murasaki Imo 紫芋）which we bought at Isetan Supermarket when we went to its Okinawa Fair two days ago.

I would say it was a luxurious treat because these four purple sweet potatoes cost us S$20.64, and this is far more costlier than a typical local breakfast. I am still wondering why they are so expensive although, as a matter of fact, they are very delicious and the best we have tasted so far.

DS and I don’t eat sweet potatoes often but eating them always reminds me of my mum’s stories about Japanese occupation during the World War II, and the hardship they had suffered. Then, as a young kid, my mum and her family survived on raw groundnuts and sweet potatoes many a times. In fact, it was considered a luxury to be able to have sweet potatoes! Life was really tough then and it is something that we, the lucky younger generation, can’t possibly imagine.

Coincidentally, I happened to watch two movies related to Japanese on World War II recently – the City of Life and Death on the Rape of Nanking (by the Japanese) in 1937 and Kabei (aka Our Mother). The latter, a Japanese movie, depicts the great love of a Japanese mother during the early 1940’s when Japan was in war. It also brings about a message for peace. I was greatly moved to tears by both movies.

City of Life and Death (南京！南京！）Movie Trailer

Kabei Movie Trailer

It is a great blessing that we are now living in a peaceful era although sadly and unfortunately, there are still wars somewhere on this world.

Why is peace so elusive? Human beings resort to war to fight for power. It seems natural since war is not limited to the human species. In the animal kingdom, whether big or small animals, like tigers, lions and even ants, also engage in wars and fights in order to establish their own dominions. So, human beings are just like animals. Just how sad, isn’t it?

War is cruel. I just hope mankind will always remember the pains and sufferings of our forefathers. No one shall ever take peace for granted, and there will never ever be another world war on this earth.

2009 FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX – VROOM, ZOOM AND BOOMS

qingmoments — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:44:31 +0000

Interesting, exciting, tiring and memorable. These are the words I would use to sum up my experience watching F1 car race live for the first time ever in my life when I attended the 2009 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix (night races) last weekend.

I have mentioned in my previous blog entry that I am not a fan of F1 and I was not sure if I would enjoy myself. Well, I am glad that I had a great time despite having to stay late for three consecutive nights and suffering huge crowds everywhere in the Marina area. It was through this first-hand experience that I learned a lot more about F1 race and got a better idea on how the event is like.

Lewis Hamilton’s win that night made the event even more memorable for me because I am his supporter! I was both thrilled and touched when watching the British flag being raised at the podium over the big screen, and hearing a group of his British supporters seated behind us singing the British anthem loudly and proudly.

A newly formed F1 team by Malaysia will join in the race from the next season (2010) and I wonder if there will ever be the day when Singapore will have its F1 team?

Must have for the event – the survival kit which costs S$2 and consists of a pair of ear plugs and a poncho. Thanks to the great weather throughout the event and we did not have to use the poncho at all!

Crowds everywhere!

Great demand for beer during the 3 nights. S$8 per cup of Tiger beer and S$10 per cup of Heikenen beer!

Lots and lots of manpower deployed to put the event in good order

Racing accident happened every night

Large crowds waiting patiently near the Bay Grandstand to catch a glimpse of the drivers during the Drivers’ Parade on Sunday (27 Sep) evening

Timo Glock from Panasonic Toyota Racing. He won the second place in the race

Loudest cheers for Lewis Hamilton during the Drivers’ Parade!! He was in pole position for the race and was the winner for the night as well.

The upcoming new landmark for the Marina Bay area – The Marina Sands IR (Integrated Resort) which is due to open in 2010

Drivers’ in action. Lewis Hamilton leading all the way!

Jarno Trulli of Panasonic Toyota Racing and Fernando Alonso of Renault Team

Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari

Jenson Button of Brawn GP

A stroll down the racing track around the Bay Grandstand area after the race

A group of Lewis Hamilton’s supporters at the track after the race.

Vintage cars used for the Drivers’ Parade on display near Empress Place

Will I want to watch the race live again in future? Well, I don’t know yet. I have to say that the tickets are expensive but if I could, I would be interested in those S$1,388 Pit-stop tickets to be able to see all the “happenings” there. My younger sister, a fan of F1 and a supporter of Kimi Raikkonen, was very fortunate to have received a complimentary S$1,388 ticket from her friend. I hope I will be this lucky someday!!

阿密特首次世界巡回演唱会-AMIT LIVE FIRST WORLD TOUR

qingmoments — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:31:35 +0000

天后张惠妹（阿妹）又要开唱咯！

2010年1月30日，新加坡室内体育馆隆重登场！

阿密特首次世界巡回演唱会

这将会是老公和我第五次看阿妹的演唱会。全新的造型、全新的演唱会，非常、非常的期待，也希望是一个惊喜连连的演唱会！

今天开始售票。我已买了两张票，而且是很好的位子哦！

AMit阿密特-分生MV

SEASON TO BE OVER THE MOON

qingmoments — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:28:20 +0000

Can you guess what this is?

Did you guess it right? It is a box of moon cakes from Golden Peony Restaurant of Conrad Centennial Hotel.

The packaging though looks deceptive and non-traditional, it is very unique and practical. Each moon cake is individually wrapped, thus maintaining a good hygiene standard, and the box can be re-used as a storage box for items like costume jewelleries! What a creative design! I was very attracted by it when I went shopping for moon cakes at the Takashimaya Mid-Autumn Festival Bazaar (basement 2) two days ago. I think this is probably the most impressive packaging I have seen this year! But of course, this was not the reason I decided to buy a box home.

The Takashimaya Mid-Autumn Bazaar was rather busy on last Friday’s afternoon

When choosing my choice of moon cakes, quality has to come first. This means that the skin of the moon cakes must not be too oily nor too dry, the lotus paste has to be very fine and smooth and not too sweet, and the egg yolks are of good quality too.

I love moon cakes, especially those with egg yolks. This year, DS and I have decided to continue with our annual feast for this special Chinese festival after a break last year. This is what we have bought so far….what a treat, isn’t it?

I don’t really like the Da Zhong Guo moon cakes but there are hardly any good choices for black bean paste fillings which DS likes.

Most likely I am going to buy more moon cakes when I finish eating these! I can eat one whole piece in one sitting!

崖の上のポニョ – PONYO ON THE CLIFF BY THE SEA

qingmoments — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:00:54 +0000

I had an enjoyable weekend last week, watching Ponyo (崖の上のポニョ – 2008) DVD by Miyazaki Hayao (宮崎駿). The movie was so lively and captivating, so much so that I fell in love with Ponyo and the little boy, Sousuke after watching it.

I had also watched Miayazaki Hayao’s last productions – Spirited Away (千と千尋の神隠し – 2001) and Howl’s Moving Castle (ハウルの動く城 – 2004), but I like Ponyo the best!

Have you watched it?

「崖の上のポニョ」予告編と大橋のぞみ主題歌

Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea Japanese Trailer

私もポニョと宗介が大好きだよ！宗介の声がとてもとても可愛いね。。

WEI LIAN (aka KELVIN TAN), THE EXTRAORDINARY SINGER

qingmoments — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 15:40:47 +0000

WRITTEN BY DS

Kelvin Tan Wei Lian （陈伟联） would have remained obscure his whole life had he not joined the 2005 Project Super Star singing competition by Mediacorp. I did not follow the show at first, and only towards the last 2 episodes did I get to know about him and was really captivated by his emotive voice.

I remembered then that there was a controversy or misunderstanding in the competition that he was advancing based on sympathy votes and not real talent. Of course I didn’t agree and voted for him to win and was certainly delighted that he did.

陈伟联早期牵动人心的演唱－其实你不懂我的心

A touching rendition – Wei Lian singing “Qi Shi Ni Bu Dong Wo De Xin” (You Don’t Know My Heart) live. This was one of his songs at the final of 2005 Project Super Star

Wei Lian is certainly extraordinary and I always looked forward to his new albums.

His latest album, Moving Notes, is still as good as the first two, and certainly would be my most played album for quite a while. I just love the songs that are so touching when sung by him. In this album, track number 11, The Big Sea （大海）, is my favourite, and track number 05, Breakup Letter （分手的情书）, is a close second. Out of 11 tracks, I like 9 of them quite well, and two might just need some more listening so the album is certainly a very good buy.

陈伟联的第三张专辑－走唱(2009)

陈伟联的大海 MV

陈伟联的第一和第二张专辑－我只是想要…..(2006) 和 i伟联(2007)

陈伟联第一次上台湾电视节目－快乐星期天の快乐歌喉站（2007年），演唱火柴天堂。好一个动人心弦的演唱！

Another excellent yet touching rendition by Wei Lian – singing “Huo Chai Tian Tang” (Matchstick Heaven) in his first TV appearance in Taiwan (2007). Note the comments from the Taiwanese judges.

Somehow, I feel that his first 2 albums have more touching songs. This latest album has two, and I hope Wei Lian is not changing his style to become more ‘ordinary’! Jay Chou doesn’t need to change his style and I believe many of his fans will continue to like his style, and so I think Wei Lian can afford to stick to what he does best by belting out touching songs. I didn’t buy any of Kelly Poon’s （潘佳丽） and Sin Huey’s (Xin Hui’s 石欣慧) albums so you can imagine how competitive professional singing is, and I am a person that buys about 50 CDs a year (I support Sun Yan Zi 孙燕姿, Joi Chua蔡纯佳， JJ Lin 林俊杰 and Jocie Guo 郭美美 though).

Anyway, I certainly hope for many more good years to come for Wei Lian, and I will always be his fan if he can maintain his style.