Darwin visitors descend and depart all too soon

The long awaited appt with the Podiatrist arrived on Thursday and turned out to be a lovely chap who spent lots of time analysing my feet and my gait. Turns out I have high arches; fancy that there is a part of my body that hasn't dropped. That helps to explain the pain I am getting in the pad of my foot when associated with a bunion. He has given me some insole pads for my shoes that are self adhesive and he expects it will just settle down. He has also given me directions to a specialist shoe shop in Sg which will have a range of shoes that I should find comfortable so I will head there shortly. Probably need a wheelbarrow load of cash too though as they always seem to charge the earth. Good news that it should repair itself though.
More good news, we have a lovely couple moving from the Tampines Branch to Kovan Branch next year and I am looking forward to working with them. Somehow I think we will all develop a good working relationship with our new team leader, Eric.
We conquered Bukit Timah on Friday morning. It was just the two of us and Bev. She and I talked the whole way which just goes to show how fit we two are. Eric did a few extra summit loops but it's not supposed to be a race you know! Peter was absent as he made a quick trip to see Dilip and family in Galle. His visit coincided with Hiruni's 10th birthday which involved all the extended family, lots of food and games with the children, including cricket. Since June delivered our gift of the rainbow loom and bands she has mastered it and made many bracelets. Peter took some more this trip.
On Saturday after work we all jumped in taxis to meet at Marina Bay Sands for Cavalia. The show has 50 horses and a cast of acrobats, dancers and musicians not to mention the riders. We knew we were in for something special when 6 greys wandered onto the stage with no harnesses whatsoever and were so well trained that they moved together as one, first trotting then cantering about just by voice commands. Bilingual in fact, trained in English and French. The staging, lighting effects and integration of all the participants was magical. A real treat. It was so good that Sandy, Di and Randall were able to be here and see it too having just arrived that day from Darwin we managed to meet up with them for a quick champagne before the show. Sandy bought the program and I scanned a few of the pics to give you some idea of the spectacle.

 Vocal commands

 The Guinean acrobats

 The ball

 Roman riding, she ended up controlling 6 horses

After the show we stayed up a bit too late chatting and it was a bit of a struggle getting to work on Sunday. By the evening we were fine though and met up with them all at Wine Bos in Kampong Glam for dinner before a nightcap at Park View Square. They had spent time shopping in Arab St and then Gardens by the Bay. Sandy has been here 3 times now to visit us but apparently we have been remiss in not taking her to see the wine fairy, so it was one of the items high on the agenda for this visit. She was not disappointed. It was a new fairy since our last visit, this girl has only been in the country a week! Talk about land of opportunity. 

I was really starting to feel the effects of a long week by Monday morning and used the 'obliged to host my visitors' card to escape from the walk on Monday. Eric joined them on the Rail Trail and took Randall with him. Thank goodness Sandy and Di weren't interested, we girls enjoyed a sleep-in and then a morning at home just catching up. 

In the afternoon we played a few hands of mahjong with the boys while Di read magazines. Eric and Sandy then played his Tigers and Goats game he bought in Nepal last year. If you know the Fox and Geese strategy game, then it is much the same. The author retains the rights not to disclose who the winners and losers were; as my Dad would say, "It's not who wins but how you play the game" and another oft quoted "Better to have played and lost than never to have played at all". 

In the evening we went to see the sound and lights show at the Gardens by the Bay.

Then we made our way to Lau Pa Sat for satays before venturing up to the 63rd floor of One Raffles which is home to Altitude, the highest al-fresco bar in the world. The views were stunning.

 satays 

 Marina Bay

 

 Who had to buy a selfie stick?

 The Esplanade

 Clarke Quay

 Chinatown

Now, as if this wasn't enough! Next we wandered down to Clarke Quay and dropped into the Crazy Elephant for a bit of live Blues music. Peter met us there and we caught a few sets before closing. 

No one offered to join me the next morning for a session in the gym so I snuck out and when I returned about an hour and a half later they were just beginning to rouse themselves. After a big breakfast of fruit, omlettes and toast we all took up positions on the couches. At some point before lunch (mind you that was scheduled fairly late considering the hour breakfast had been served served) Di, Randall and Eric headed off shopping and Sandy and I attempted to catch up on all those things we had said we must do but hadn't. We met up with them again at Chinatown where we were looking forward to seeing the lanterns on display for the Mid-Autumn Festival which is also known as the Lantern or Mooncake Festival because of the festivities that surround the occasion. Sandy did a little shopping for school prizes and treats and then we had dinner watching the crowds meander by and waiting for darkness to fall. The lanterns did not disappoint. 

We've loved having them stay and we said goodbye with a tinge of sadness, but we can do it all again. And we will. Already the sheets and towels are washed in readiness for Bob and Barb who arrive on Thursday afternoon. 

Visitors coming, can't wait.

Visitors coming so cannot procrastinate with the housework any longer. Found a shelf I hadn't cleaned for 2 and half years! Got the rest of the regular stuff done too and its nice to think the next time we do it, someone might even appreciate it. Sandy and friends Di and Randall arrive on Saturday. We'll be at work but Sandy knows how to get to Lorong Lew Lian so they can relax for the afternoon and then catch a taxi to meet us at Cavalia. Cavalia was created by one of the co-founders of the famed Cirque du Soleil, but incorporates a mix of equestrian and performing arts, multimedia and special effects, acrobatics, dance, aerial stunts and live music. They have erected a massive Big Top which accommodates up to 2,000 people beside Marina Bay Sands. Apparently it looks like a majestic white cathedral or a fabulous castle, its four towers extending more than 30m high. If nothing else the show will not be anything like something we have seen before. 

Meanwhile, Eric came home from work on Wednesday feeling lousy, not again! Back to the Dr Thurs am. and back to bed instead of the seniors meeting. He has managed not to have any time off work but has stayed home and rested. Been very boring really. Has found some more music he just had to have, thank you Eric Clapton for releasing a tribute to JJ Cale - another of our old favourites. He has also collected the photobook he made of our Annapurna trek last December and that has cheered him up a little.

Kris came over for a ukulele lesson on Thursday morning which meant I needed to get it out and practice again. Rarely playing it at home as I have one at work I can play a few early childhood songs on. I have been playing the guitar more often recently, it had been sidelined by the novelty of the uke for a few months. 

Before work I joined a few other workmates to celebrate Marie's birthday at a popular Thai restaurant just around the corner from our Kovan branch. Unfortunately it is always crowded at night so we have never eaten there before. The food was very authentic but the music so loud I didn't really enjoy the setting. We moved on to the Hatter Street Bakehouse and Cafe for a brownie and ice cream before heading to work.  I had Alice, the one drizzled with salted caramel sauce. There was a good balance between the sweet and salty flavours which went perfectly with the brownie, not to mention the home made ice-cream which was rich and creamy. (Sounding like a food reviewer). As you can see from the picture the decor is inspired by 'Alice in Wonderland'.

On Friday I was due to walk again and Peter agreed to join me on a trail from Farmway (Sengkang LRT) to Heather and Michael's. I wanted to drop in and see how she was recuperating. Michael decided to join us as well. 

It was a nice cool walk along the river until we were caught in a deluge. Fortunately we were close to Oasis (Punggol LRT) so we jumped on and then caught a bus the rest of the way. Heather was as cheerful as you could expect for a gregarious person now couped up in an apartment. After a coffee, Peter and I caught another bus to get home, getting drenched again at Kovan on the way. One thing about getting caught in the rain here, you don't feel cold. 

After work in the evening we ate at Kovan as we often do with Richard. He rents a room from a local family in a condo close by and they all joined us. Simon is in business supplying the oil drilling business, his wife Regina is from southern Vietnam and they have four children, the maid was looking after the baby at home. They have a number of properties in a number of places including Gippsland where they will relocate to in a few years. 

I didn't feel flash on Saturday, and even worse on Sunday so I had a rare day off and the Dr diagnosed tonsillitis. Slept most of the day and had a very quiet couple of days. So guess what? I will be fine for the working week ahead! More importantly we will both be fit for the visitors. 

Eric walked from Bukit Timah to McRichie Reservoir on Monday with the walkers while I rested. He is happy that when he finished he felt fine, much fitter than the last time he did it. The group was very small owing to a number of illnesses and others have gone away for the weekend. 

On Tuesday we got the South Africa photobook finalized and then in the afternoon took the MRT in to Marina Bay Sands to see the Annie Leibovitz exhibition at the Arts Science Museum. Celebrated as one of Americas best known living artists, she certainly has had an interesting life and captured some amazing portraits on film. I enjoyed watching the documentary of her life and her personal reflections on her relationships and her work. My favourite image was the one she shot of Jack Nicholson. It is just how I would expect to find him if I was to drop in on him uninvited. As you might. 

Gets you motivated to put more thought into your own images; to make the subject the focus and try to capture something authentic about them. While Eric had a beer I tried my hand using the local subjects. Some work to do.

From there we made our way to Kampong Glam and strolled the streets, soaking up the atmosphere. I had to take some more snaps. 

Then we headed to Mustafas in Farrer Park for some shopping essentials and dinner at the Copper Chimney where we have enjoyed a meal previously. They didn't disappoint. 

So this week will be the announcement of who is staying, who is leaving, who is changing location or position. We are not expecting any surprises but who knows, tomorrow's meeting will reveal all. 

Chaos on the MRT

The Friday planned walk with Heather, along the northern reaches of the rail trail, had to be abandoned when I found myself on the yellow platform at Serangoon just after 8 am in a crush of people that was quite disturbing. The usual 4 min train interval was delayed by 15 minutes but in that time people just kept pouring onto the platform via the 4 escalators. It got to the point where people had nowhere to step off and the crush was falling over each other. Amid screams and squeals the MRT staff stopped people getting on the escalators and eventually halted them altogether, but it was all pretty frightening. It was hot and crowded with many people looking distressed. I opted to escape to street level. When I tried to call Heather to let her know, the phones were blocked. We think this was an action by the company to stop panic and bad press, I don't think it worked. I didn't have the where-with-all to take a picture in the crowd but this is an image from the paper at another station down the line where the same thing was happening. 

We had a cool drink and then headed out locally through the Black and White homes of Woodleigh Gardens and Bidadari where Heather saw her first woodpecker, a Common Goldenback. 

Meanwhile Eric and Peter had made it up to the summit of Bukit Timah and back without any of the drama on the trains that we had experienced. Peter has been doing quite a bit of relief teaching lately, and that included work at Punggol this week where a number of staff have been off. 
Saturday was National Day, many businesses were closed for the day but not MAE. At Kovan we all wore 'I love Sg' t-shirts which the kids appreciated. In the evening we watched some of the parade on tv while we had dinner. Next year will be the 50th celebration so it will be huge. 

After work on Sunday we all planned to meet at our hawkers for end of the week celebrations but it was a small turn-up. Heather was off sick and ended up being admitted to hospital. Kathy went to her place to be on hand if she came home or needed anything. Richard turned up briefly but then went on to the night club. 

It was a good thing not to be too late as we made another quick assault on the BT summit on Monday morning; just the 2 of us, Peter and June. The 4 of us make up the Everest Base Camp contingent from Sg for December to be joined by Crispy and his mate Divey. Deposits were due this week and we booked our flights.  We have begun initial sketches for the new t-shirt logo design.

It had to be a non-stop walk this week as we then had to have time to get to High Tea at the Goodwood Park Hotel by 2pm.  It is a heritage hotel, housed in a uniquely designed building dating back to 1900, celebrating the opulence of a colonial era. The MAE social club organised a group booking at L’Espresso Cafe which offered a sumptuous buffet spread of dainty sandwiches, cold delicatessen, hot savouries, exquisite pastries, chocolate fountain and of course, freshly baked scones. Our afternoon was set once we had a couple of pots of fine tea.

Heather was still in hospital so I went to visit her and took along a small panacotta. Unfortunately she is on a restricted diet so I had to eat it! Things you do. Seems her diet is grey! Mostly soup broth, white rice and tofu in grey gravy. But she can still manage a smile. Good think Michael is due back later today.

After my bedside visit I joined the rest of the revelers at Sque Bar at Clarke Quay where they were celebrating Michael Canaway's birthday. How is it I always take such complimentary pics of others and then they snap ones like this of me? I just thought the label was good Mum, I wasn't drinking it!

The walking group's activity for this week was postponed to Tuesday because of High Tea and it was planned as a bike ride at east Coast Park. Only Peter, June and I made it, Eric felt a sleep-in was going to be more beneficial for him. It was a nice overcast morning, even a little drizzle, so a pleasant ride.

Singapore struck by festive fever

I've had the sewing machine out lately, so frustrated that I can't even buy a pair of shorts to exercise in unless I shop at a men's store. I found some quick-dry material at Spotlight and after a serious failure with the first pair have now solved the problem. On Friday I gave them a test run on a walk around Punggol Point to Hougang with Heather, Eric was still not feeling like he should exert himself. Other than a problem with the elastic waist, which was soon sorted with a safety pin, they were deemed a success. 
The weekend went by in a rush and on Monday I put them to the ultimate test, in public, up Bukit Timah.  

After the summit 5 trekkers did the full, extended loop while the rest did the usual one. We all ended up together at BT Plaza for lunch. My knees handled it ok but I conceded I needed to see the doctor about the constant pain in my right foot. In the afternoon, hoping she might refer me to a podiatrist or send me for Xrays, she advised was to take drugs and stop walking, avoid standing still for long periods, or carrying heavy loads. I shouldn't ever walk around indoors in bare feet or wear high heels. "Look at your bunions, tsk, tsk". No matter what I said she wasn't listening to me. I'm sure she didn't even hear me say I am training for an attempt on the Everest Base Camp in December! As I wasn't moving until she suggested some treatment she reluctantly referred me to a Diabetics Clinic to be screened by the podiatrist but when I rang for an appointment they told me I couldn't get in until Mar 2015. I tried a Polyclinic in Hougang and I now have an appointment for August 21.

While I was waiting for the appointment I noticed a huge incinerator at the HDB being filled with paper money by a team of Taoist devotees who were working together like a chain gang. There was obviously a particular way to stack the money, much like the way you carefully construct a haystack. The burning of this is believed to translate into great fortune for those ancestors already in the afterlife, presently wandering around enjoying the Hungry Ghost Festival while the gates of Hell are open. The workers welcomed my interest and happily explained what I should be taking photos of. In no time it was full and ablaze. 

 nearly full

 the fridges of the fish shop were used for the food offerings

 Joss sticks and candles

 everyone stood well back once it was alight

In the evening Bev and Peter joined us for a meal here. Eric cooked a delightful curry dinner and Peter contributed generously with bubbles and red wine. Bev slept over to avoid the long train trip back to Jurong. We had planned to watch the movie Tracks, a copy given to us by friends at work, but the night just filled with convivial chat and music so it got too late.

Monday, despite the rainy morning, we incorporated a walk which took us from Tanjong Pagar to Chinatown. The whole place is looking very colourful, what with the current festival and the upcoming 49th birthday celebrations next Saturday. Many buildings are displaying national flags but we were amazed by the size of the one on the top of Pinnacle@Duxton, a modern HDB here. We have bought 'I love Singapore' t-shirts to wear to work since we don't get the day off.

 Can you spot it here?

 How about now?

We happened to pass by a funeral underway in a makeshift pavilion. Attending the funeral rites was a traditional Teochew gong guan drum troupe and Tua Tow (big headed dolls). It was noisy and colourful and I was invited in to take a closer look and encouraged to take photos. These are not really sad affairs as it is believed the deceased are now on their way into the next life.

 Tua Tow

 hearse

The funeral services include the display of filial piety performed though rites and ritual even if this means the family will go into debt. Respect to the deceased is expressed through the burning of paper items and the more one spends the more appeased the dead will be. Favourite things and any personal items thought to be useful (like jewelry) will be included in the coffin. The atmosphere at the service should be noisy, grand and dramatic, hence the presence of the big dolls. To help cover the costs of the funeral mourners may make bereavement donations. It must take place on an uneven number of days after the death as even numbers are considered unlucky, so it is usually day 3, 5 or 7. 

We jumped on a train to Orchard Rd and got lost negotiating our way between the megalithic shopping malls and underground bypasses. Eric came home with some purchases as you do, apparently. We enjoyed left-overs from the night before and watched Tracks which we had both read years ago. We enjoyed the movie, amazing scenery and great drama with very little dialogue. To me though there were other incongruous oversights - like where were all the flies and why wasn't she wearing a hat or at least a scarf as the Afghans did?