Accidental Tourist – MacRitchie Reservoir – 2nd trip: Monkey trails

Was down at MacRitchie again last weekend – this is one of the few weekends I don’t have classes on Saturday so decided to pull myself out of bed again at 6a.m. to take some photos.

This time round, I went down the other garden path towards the winding bridge (currently under renovation). I was fascinated with an old sign along the waterworks bridge that indicated that the waterworks was done some 110 years ago in 1890s. Wow!

Managed to hook up with monkey friends – one even spared me the time to pose for some photos for me! :)

Saw some interesting human-monkey behavior which reminded me of a sign that I saw on another trail which is on the other end of the MacRitchie trail – here’s the sign that I saw in my earlier walks…..

I actually wondered what that sign meant. Now I realize that the monkeys have become quite familiar with humans. I saw a monkey leap towards an old couple carrying plastic bags in their hands & was not frightened even after they were chased off by the man. I think they were thinking the couple was carrying food.

Overall, it was fun photographing the monkeys but when you are around there, you really have to be aware of your surroundings (I got one creep up on my bag to rummage through my waist pouch when I was sitting down on a bench).

My poser monkey

Drop by my JPG link as I posted some other photos there as well…..till the next trip out, onto the world & beyond!

Accidental Tourist - Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research

This post is about a trip down to the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research which is now housed in National University of Singapore.

Firstly, it’s not easy getting there (even though I am a Singaporean and supposed to know the way around my little island). Secondly, the display is a bit morbid (preserved animal specimens no less). Thirdly, it’s one of a kind in Singapore. Pity that it is not really that accessible to the general public as it’s only open from Mondays to Fridays working hours and closed for Saturdays, Sundays and Public holidays. Thankfully, it is reported that the Museum will be moving to another new building in 2014 – hopefully, it will be more accessible at the new location.

Here’s what I extracted out from a ChannelNews Asia article in July 2010 about this museum:

“The museum is the custodian of one of the earliest natural history collections in Southeast Asia.

The 160-year-old collection was inherited from the then Raffles Museum and Library at Stamford Road in the 1970s, after the museum was renamed the National Museum and refocused its attention on the arts and history.

Over the past 40 years, the collection has grown to more than 566,000 specimens.

Today, NUS said the museum is the leading biodiversity research centre in Southeast Asia.”

My 2 photos:

1^st photo shows a picture of some of the biggest preserved specimens at the Museum – this photo shows the fox, turtle & tiger most clearly. I recall some of these specimens are some 100 years old.

The 2^nd photo of the rhino head was displayed since 1900.

Until my next foray to places I have never been in Singapore, onto the world and beyond!

Accidental Tourist- Out of the Urban Landscape

Finally had a chance to take some photos out of the urban landscape. Considering the proximity of the place that I was going, I should have done this photo excursion eons ago but somehow, the bed always calls louder in the morning!

As the bed call was softer last Saturday, I managed to slowly make my way down to Mac Ritchie Reservoir to soak in the morning air. I found myself wandering around for some 2 odd hours stopping ever so often to take in the greenery & the tranquility of the place (when it’s not punctuated by the voices of the morning walkers)!

My pic of dew drops on a leaf – I think this particular plant actually retains the dew drops more prominently……

My picture of an elderly man taking a breather on one of the bridges – I was aiming for an artistic shot of his reflection on the water as opposed to a direct shot & frankly I quite like it!

My last picture shows the many waterways along the walk that reminds me somewhat of China’s Guilin…..

I am hoping to take another route & capture more in my next excursion…..

Onto the world and beyond!

Accidental Tourist- Singapore City Skyline photos

Was down at the Esplanade the other day & decided to try some long exposure photos using my recently acquired wide angle lens. Read the “PhotoCaddy” app in my iPhone that indicated that night photography needs a tripod, long exposure times of at least 20 secs and above at shutter priority mode so that’s exactly what I did. The route that I took started from the Merlion before getting on the bridge to Esplanade before heading down Helix Bridge to Marina Bay Sands before stopping for a drink at Fullerton Bay Hotel.

Singapore city skyline from Esplanade

Helix bridge with a huge crowd & the national flag reflected on Marina Bay Sands (MBS)

Pool bar (Lantern) on top of Fullerton Bay Hotel (with the MBS on the background)

If you have a chance, do take that same way around & see what you can find!

Onto the world & beyond!

Accidental Tourist- Singapore Flyer at Dawn

Was adventurous & decided to take some dawn pictures…the best photo opportunity came along with the “First Light” festival that was organized by The Arts House over the weekend at the Singapore Flyer.

After a groggy wake up at 4.20a.m. followed by a quick taxi ride - I actually considered taking a bus until I found out that nothing moves on the road at that time except for the taxis…I reached the Flyer at 5a.m. We managed to get our tickets almost immediately & proceeded to queue for the capsule. Figured that will be able to catch the break of dawn on top of the Flyer if I only board the capsule at 6.15a.m. At first, thought I had miscalculated as the sky was still dark when we boarded the capsule. Then, the sunrise came from the east & it was beautiful….I picked 4 photos this time as this is my 1^st attempt at dawn….

1st picture -the view of the CBD & MBS casino at dawn. At first I thought it looked like my night shots but I think the blue sky made the difference!!

2nd picture -the sea view. I LOVE the blue sky & how it reflects on the water!

3rd picture – view of the boardwalk along the F1 circuit. I LOVE the sky (no longer blue but a few shades of orange & how the (to be completed) building on the right side of the photo seems to fit in - just in-between the railings...

4th picture – There's something about the reflective view of the CBD & MBS casino

in this picture that speaks to me...

Onto the world and beyond!

Accidental Tourist- Thieves Market

Sungei Road Flea Market (aka Thieves Market) is another place I used to frequent cos there’s really quite a bit of "un-Singaporean" feel to it. Why is it called "Thieves market"? Well, back in the ol' days, it was reputedly a place where goods of unknown origins are sold. Now, it's more organised and stretches over 2-3 streets. My photo buddy tells me that the market used to be quite big (like over 2 football fields or 5-6 streets) during the previous financial crisis...

Pics showing people jostling to get a look at the numerous things on sale….old cameras alongside with Buddha statutes & metal containers

Accidental Tourist- Street Graffiti

Was down at Arab Street area the other day. Frankly love going there cos of the cultural feel of that locale. It’s good that I can also get my goodies here for those long ago when I used to make my own jewelry & dress watches. This time however I decided to head out to streets that I somehow don’t go when I head down & I am surprised at the finds I see. I am particularly intrigued with the graffiti that I see – this is NOT usual for “sanitized” Singapore as some of the expats will say…here are my 3 shots…..