For the first time since last Monday (28 Sep), I woke up seeing the sunlight today! I was able to see the tall building and even the ships again from my window! What a nice way to kick off my Sunday!
For the past week when the haze was bad and the PSI readings remained mostly at unhealthy or very unhealthy levels, I stayed at home most of the time. It was definitely not wise for me to go out unnecessarily, especially given my nose and ear conditions. No thanks to the haze, one visit to the ENT (Ear, Nose & Throat) doctor a few days ago has made me almost S$500 poorer!
So I was really glad that I was able to make a visit to my favourite place – the Flower Dome @ Gardens by the Bay – on 25 Sep when the air quality was much better that afternoon, for its new floral display named The Celebration of Chrysanthemums which started just the day before. I always like to go to the new floral display in the Flower Dome when most of the flowers are still fresh and at their best. This latest display is the fifth of the six chapters in the Gardens by the Bay’s storytelling journey in 2015. I went to all the past four chapters (even though I didn’t write about them all), and I won’t want to miss this and the next ones too. 🙂
Celebration of Chrysanthemums : 24 Sep – 10 Nov 2015 @ Flower Dome
Oops, this shot was photobombed by a man and a woman (behind the wood sculpture)! It was not easy to snap without being photobombed even though I patiently wait to have my shots.
This is the first time the Flower Dome is holding a chrysanthemum-themed display. The flowers are mainly from China, Japan and Malaysia. Chrysanthemums are largely in the familiar white and yellow blooms. They also come in a spectrum of reds, pinks, purples and ambers. Though not as colourful as the tulips, they are equally attractive. The chrysanthemum is one of the “Four Gentlemen” (四君子) of China and it represents autumn. The other three being plum blossom, orchid and bamboo.
Together with the chrysanthemums, there are also maple and bonsai trees. As I read from newspapers, the 8 majestic bonsai trees are on loan from ChengTai Nursery, and they are all above 100 years old! The maples (not so outstanding though) are from New Zealand.
Beside appreciating the beautiful floral display, I always find my visit to the Flower Dome educational too, as I get to learn more about flowers, their varieties, characteristics etc. etc. – something which I had never appreciated when I was a student. I did a module on Botany during my tertiary education but unfortunately, it was a drag then!
Do you know that these daily-like flowers with a centre disk and one or more rows of ray florets (petals) are actually chrysanthemums? This is new to me.
Pompon – small, globular blooms
Irregular Curve – the florets loosely incurve and make fully closed centres
Rare Spiders – long, tube-like ray florets which may coil or hook at the end. The florets may be very fine to coarse
Other variety of chrysanthemums
These are chrysanthemums too!
It was slightly past 6pm when I walked out of the Flower Dome. The haze had thickened a little by then and the PSI reading was climbing back to above 100 but I was in good spirits. Thanks to the chrysanthemums! It was nice to be able take a breather from the haze that afternoon, and soak up the autumn atmosphere in the comfortable, cool Flower Dome.
Oh dear, the PSI readings have gone up again since this afternoon, after the air quality began to improve on Friday afternoon. It being the Mid Autumn Festival today, I am sure there are many events being held island-wide tonight in celebration of this occasion. Hopefully the haze condition have not dampened the spirit of the celebration, and affected the smooth running of the events tonight. I also hope that schools will never ever have to close again due to bad haze, just as what the MOE (Ministry of Education) had to do last Friday when the PSI reading hit a hazardous level of above 300 – the worse so far this year – on Thursday (24 Sep) night.
So last Thursday – a public holiday in Singapore (Hari Raya Haji) – was quite a depressing day for me due to the very bad haze condition. I woke up to an acrid burning smell in the morning. My nose was badly blocked, and it bled again. I was also feeling breathless. It was a terrible way to start the day! For the whole day, my eyes were feeling uncomfortable too. I wonder who can I claim my medical bill from!
Looking out the window that day, it all looked so greyish and somewhat eerie too. Our garden city had become a city of haze! It was as if doomsday was near!!
24 Sep evening – tall building beyond the landed property have all disappeared!
25 Sep mid-day – air quality began to improve significantly although it was still hazy. What a big difference from the first two photos!
Why do we have to continue to suffer such a bad living condition every year, as a result of the inconsiderate doings of our neighbouring country Indonesia? In the media briefing on 25 Sep, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources had said that the haze is a man-made problem that has gone on for too long. He also said that it cannot be tolerated. It has caused major impact on the health, society and economy of our region. INDEED! But where is the solution?
A number of our ministers have been in constant contact with Indonesians officials, expressing deep concerns, offering help and asking for information on companies suspected to have caused the fires. But, are these all that can be done? Why has our government not been able to take Indonesia to task, and come out with concrete actions and reactions to resolve this haze problem?
For a few nights now, I have to apply moisturiser into my nostrils, and put on a mask to sleep! Air-con has to be turned on through out the nights too. When will the bad haze days end, I mean for good?
Ah, enough of my grumbles about the haze.
Happy Mid Autumn Festival! May my dream of a haze-free Singapore come true!
After a very long night following through the GE (General Election) 2015 results on TV, I woke up late this morning. It is yet another very hazy day and for many days now. Looking out from the window of my study room where I spent most of my free time in, there is no blue sky and it all looks so gloomy. The usual sea view that I enjoy is also nowhere to be seen.
Singapore has been haunted by the problem of haze for many years. So many that we have lost count of when the problem actually started. Our life and health are affected, but this “yearly affair” has become a part-and-parcel of our lives that even our multi million-dollar ministers cannot solve. With all the happenings for GE2015 since its Nomination Day on 1 Sep, obviously GE2015 has stolen the limelight and for once, the haze problem seemed to have become a non-issue.
Since Nomination Day, I had spent a lot of time following through many of the GE2015 campaign reports, including attending rallies and watching live-streams of the rallies. This is so that I would make an informed decision when I cast my vote. Voting is a right and also a duty of every eligible citizen. There is also a responsibility to vote wisely. Therefore I take it seriously and I trust the same for all voters.
The results of GE 2015 has shocked the opposition parties in which there was a national swing – a term used throughout the TV broadcast – towards the ruling PAP (People’s Action Party). With a 69.9% of the overall votes won – an impressive improvement from 60.1% in GE2011 – it is clear that the citizens of Singapore have once again put their confidence and trust in PAP. Surely, many are overjoyed and some are disappointed with the results. This is a reality we have to accept in any contests.
Moving forward, I just hope that with the mandate given, we could look forward to a government that will deliver its promises, be more effective and efficient in tackling issues, truly put its people in the centre of their policy-making and like what the Prime Minister Lee has said during his press conference after the win, the MPs will work extra hard to serve the residents. I have never seen my MP (Member of Parliament) in the past four and a half years, even though he has stressed so much about interacting with his residents, not taking his residents for granted. How ironic! Nevertheless, life goes on, and I just hope for a better tomorrow.
For now, I long for the beautiful, bright blue sky.
It’s this time of the year again – Ghost Festival (中元节) and Getai (歌台).
In one of my previous postings, I have written that I had very little exposure on Getai, and had only watched one or two very briefly in my neighbourhood, in the past. The recent Getai Challenge (歌台星力量) programme on TV did somehow arouse my slight interest in Getai, and so I thought I should try to go catch one or two this Ghost Festival.
I know there are many Getais taking place island-wide during the Ghost Festival, but I wasn’t sure where to get all the relevant information to decide where to go to until I heard about the 4-night Getai by LEX(S) Entertainment and Productions (丽星娱乐制作) at 韭菜芭城隍庙中元会 (in Macpherson) on radio, on Wednesday (26 Aug) morning. So, hubby and I found our way there that night.
Arriving there before 8pm (about an hour after the programme started), we could still spot quite many empty seats here and there although the attendance was high. I noticed that those empty seats were choped (a Singlish word meaning reserved) with something like newspapers put on them. It took us a while to finally manage to find two seats separated apart with a couple in between us. I tried to negotiate with the wife to shift one seat to the right/left so that my hubby could sit together with me. She refused, citing the reason that her view would be blocked by the person in front. I knew that was a crap because the seat in front was empty! On my left, there was an old lady sitting on two chairs! I also tried to request her to let me have one seat but she said her friend was coming. The truth was, I have overheard her telling someone that her friend was not coming anymore and the seat actually remained empty through out! So that was one not-so-nice experience. Why did these aunties behave so selfishly?
That night, the Getai was hosted by Hao Hao (皓皓) , Li Pei Fen (李佩芬)and Zheng Ying Ying (郑盈盈). There were quite a number of singers, each sang about 2-3 songs, either in Cantonese, Hokkien or Mandarin. Except Hao Hao and MediaCorp artist Chen Tian Wen (陈天文), we were not familiar with the rest of the singers and their singing. Never mind about that though, since we were there to get an experience with a real outdoor Getai.
The three emcees for the night (left to right) : Hao Hao, Zheng Ying Ying and Li Pei Fen. Emceeing aside, they also changed a few sets of costumes during the night.
Performance by singers such as Fu Qing Ling (符庆铃)、Lin Shi Ling (林诗玲), Zhong Ping & Zhong Jin Ling (钟平 & 钟金玲) and Huang Hao Feng (黄浩峰)
Fu Qing Ling (符庆铃)
Lin Shi Ling (林诗玲)
Zhong Ping & Zhong Jin Ling (钟平 & 钟金玲)
Huang Hao Feng (黄浩峰)
I can’t comment much about the performances that night since I am not familiar with the singers. I felt that the mood only got a little better when Chen Tian Wen made his appearance with two songs, including “Unbelievable” that shot him to fame recently.
Chen Tian Wen in his Elvis Presley’s outfit
It finally reached the climax when Hao Hao took over the stage with 3 songs, including two renditions that he performed at the Getai Challenge. Undoubtedly, he was the best that night. He is definitely a Getai darling, and has won a very distinctive, loud applause for his performance. We enjoyed his segment the best.
Throughout the night, I observed that the audience, made up of largely senior citizens, were very inconsiderate. They talked a lot and that was very annoying. So, that was another not-so-nice encounter for the night. It made me wonder if these people were actually there to enjoy the Getai or to talk. If they wanted to talk or to catch up with friends, surely there is a better place than at the Getai!
We left after Hao Hao’s performance. At least, he made us feel that our time spent that night was not so wasted.
On the following night, we actually went back to the same Getai for its final night there. Some Taiwanese Hokkien singers were performing. I didn’t know that Taiwanese singers come to perform at our Getai too, until I read about it recently. So, I was keen to see how different their performance was. The whole place was overly packed with people, so packed that many were standing, shoulder to shoulder very tightly. I later read on newspaper that some 7,000 people were there that night! There were a lot of pushing and rough actions among the standing crowds, as people tried to make their way out or get further in to have a better view. I felt like a roly-poly toy being pushed around! Why couldn’t the people behave in a more civilised manner? It would have been better if the Getai organiser had a crowd control system (there was none at all) like having helpers to usher the crowds, designate proper space for standing audience, provide clear walking paths with barricades and provide a separate area slightly further away from the audience for the hawkers who were selling drinks and food.
The second night was definitely one terribly uncomfortable experience for us and we left after just two songs.
The Singapore Night Festival 2015 kicked off last Friday (21 August). This annual Festival is now in its eighth year, but I had never been to any of them in the past! There are many activities and events (whether ticketed or not) in Singapore that interest me, but many a time, the thought of the extreme crowds especially in non-ticketed events, puts me off. For ticketed events like concerts, musical and orchestra performances, they are getting more expensive and I have to be more selective these days in order not to burn my pocket!
I finally went to Singapore Night Festival last Friday night, for the first time in my life. I had decided that I should at least for once, get an experience of this festival, or I wouldn’t know if I have been missing something interesting in life! And If I enjoyed it, then I could consider going again.
Browsing through the programme booklet which I was given on my way to the National Museum of Singapore, I was impressed with the packed line-up of events for the two weekends, but I knew I could only sample a few in that short three and a half hours that I planned to spend. By the way, one thing that impressed me that night was the manpower whom I believe were volunteers, that were stationed in various locations to guide and assist the visitors with directions, information etc. Most of them were young people, and the few that I spoke with were all very friendly and helpful.
My first stop was the National Museum of Singapore where The Anooki Celebrate Singaporewould be shown on its facade. I was there about 15 minutes before the first display at 730pm. It was already packed with crowds but still comfortable enough for me. I enjoyed the Anooki’s display so much that I actually stayed back to watch it again twice instead of moving on to catch the Alchemy at the front lawn of Singapore Art Museum at 8pm, as I originally planned.
The Anooki Celebrate Singapore was designed by David Passegand & Moetu Batlle from France.
Here’s a full video of the 7+-minute display. In this display, the Anooki (Anook and Nooki), world’s smallest yet very energetic Inuits, are seen running amok across the facade of the National Museum in a very entertaining spirit. Do watch to the end for their special birthday tribute to Singapore
The other two light displays within the compound of the National Museum are :
Le Desir Et La Menace by Cedric Le Borgne (France). It is a collection of three bird wire sculptures perched on the branches of the National Museum’s banyan tree.
Drawn in Light by Ralf Westerhof of The Netherlands. It is a 12m-wide installation made entirely of metal wires hand-bent into the form of a typical Amsterdam-style canal building, rotating continuously above the ground.
The Festival areas were filled with buzz – big crowds, bands and other performances, festival village etc. etc. So there was not a moment of dullness at all.
A Volkswagen Beetle to be won at the Festival Village! Many people were seen writing messages on the Beetle as part of the the festival activities.
Dining under the “stars” at the Festival Village
A stage in Festival Village – staff were busy getting ready for the next performance
Caricature artists at work
Crossing over to Singapore Art Museum, I was keen to catch Act 2 of the Alchemy at 930pm since I missed the first act but I had to give up in less than 10 minutes into the show. It was super crowded, warm and stuffy despite it being held outdoor. I was getting uncomfortable. Apart from the occasional fire props, I could hardly see the performers from where I was! Given the expected crowds, and it being an outdoor event which presumably would have no constraint on the height of the stage, I wonder why the organiser of this performance did not raise the stage higher up for the audience (especially those at the back) to enjoy the performance better.
So, I decided that I should not waste my time staying on for the performance but I was having quite a bit of difficulty to get out due to the congestion. It took more than 10 minutes for me to finally move out of the crowds! If I had to name one thing that I didn’t like about the Festival, it would definitely be the extreme crowds within the very limited space! Perhaps it will be better in terms of space, if the future Night Festivals would be held in the new art museum scheduled to open later this year. The organiser can then make use of the huge open space in Padang (opposite the new art museum) for the various activities.
Fortunately, a few little pleasant surprises here and there as I proceeded to the Armenian Church for its Hanami light display. That somehow compensated the unpleasant and disappointing experience that I had at the Alchemy performance.
Wow, what a huge crowd at the junction of Armenia Street and Stamford Road waiting to cross the road! Armenian Street was packed with people too!
There was a Peranakan variety show earlier on (8-9pm) at Armenian Street but a rock band was performing when I walked past at about 10pm. The band was so loud that even a young girl was frightened by it! Oh dear…
I only made a very brief stop at the Peranakan Museum which, not surprising at all, was also swarmed with people. The museum was opened till 2am, with free admission.
The statue of Queen Victoria at the ground floor lobby of the Peranakan Museum.
Peranakan Museum
Moving on from the Peranakan museum, I felt as though I had entered into a different world for the night, and a little discovery tour too, as I had never been to this part of Singapore at all in all my life. It was all quiet – a few vehicles intermittently, and there were hardly any souls walking on the street. What a stark difference and I enjoyed that quietness of the night.
Graffiti on the walls by the side of the Armenian Street, before the Canning Rise junction. My first time seeing graffiti on a street in Singapore!
Oops, I actually caught two men smoking at the car park behind these walls. Is that allowed?
Singapore Philatelic Museum which opened till 12 midnight in conjunction with Singapore Night Festival. Now I know where the Singapore Philatelic Museum is!
Meditations on Love and Beauty @ Armenian Church which has 180 years of history. Armenian Church is a national monument of Singapore and again, this was my first visit. I was interested to see the interior of this building but it was not opened. 😦
Hanami light display by Cie Mastoc Production (France), in the compound of The Armenian Church. The light installation was inspired by hanami, Japanese tradition of celebrating the transient beauty of cherry blossoms each spring
Wandering characters that popped up behind visitors and shared a whispered poem or a word on love
The Memorial Garden to the Armenians (in the church compound). A guided tour was on when I was there.
This sums up my interesting, first exploration of the Singapore Night Festival. I was glad that I had done so although I was all tired at the end, after all the walking and standing.
It would be impossible to cover many of the programmes within the short duration of this Festival. Perhaps it would be a good idea to make the Singapore Night Festival a month-long event in every August. Hopefully, it will be less crowded when the programmes are more spread out over a longer duration.
QING Moments 