Travelogue around Asia Pacific Part II

Singapore  - Waling along the esplanade, I came across so many tourist of different nationalities.  The weather was so hot and the ice-cream man was making a roaring business with the bus loads of tourist selling them Singapore style ice-cream with wafer @ $1 each. Beautiful view of the bay Merlion I was being a 'tourist' for today and took this picture.  There were so many people talking selfie and photos of this Singapore icon. Fountain near Fullerton Bay Hotel old Clifford Pier Fullerton Bay Hotel This Fullterton Bay Hotel is occupying the space of the Original Clifford Pier.   

Singapore - Just a short walk away was Lim Bo Seng Memorial.  Lim Bo Seng Memorial is the only commemorative structure in Singapore that honours the sacrifice of an individual during the Second World War. Lim Bo Seng memorial Lim Bo Seng had been active in anti-Japanese efforts since the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945). He fled Singapore just before it fell to the Japanese, but he continued recruiting and building a guerrilla force against the Japanese invaders in Malaya. The resistance group became the famed Force 136. When Lim was travelling through a checkpoint in Gopeng, Perak, he was unfortunately betrayed and was arrested by the Kempeitai (Japanese Military Police). Despite repeated torture, Lim refused to name his companions. He finally succumbed to his injuries and died in Batu Gajah Prison, in Perak, on 29 June 1944. After the war, his remains were brought back to Singapore. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major General by th...

Singapore - I decided to walk along the Esplanade and came across a Cenotaph.  (Cenotaph definition: a public monument built in memory of particular people who died in war, often with their names written on it.) There was silent as a group of British men and women bow their heads heads in prayer. Cenotaph On the Cenotaph is the phrase ‘Our Glorious Dead’, which immediately calls to mind the sacrifice of the brave men. At the top of the memorial is a sarcophagus, featuring a bronze medallion of a crown – a symbol of the Crown Colony – surrounded by a laurel wreath which represents victory and peace. The names of the 124 victims were inscribed on bronze plates mounted on the memorial.

Singapore - I walked from Cathedral to Singapore Art Museum (affectionately referred to as SAM).   This museum was opened in 1996 as our first art museum.   SAM comprised of 2 buildings - the main building along Bras Basah Road (formerly SJI) and SAM @ 8Q (formerly Catholic High School).  The main building is under going renovations and SAM @ 8Q has 4 floors of art collections. SAM @ 8Q It was coined 8Q because this museum is located at 8 Queens Street. Large painting of places of interest in Singapore Artwork on Museum wall Imaginarium: Into the Space of Time Artwork made from Yarn Artwork by Mei Ling

Singapore  - After dropping off my son for his saturday classes, I took a MRT to Little India to visit the Indian Heritage Centre.   It is home to more than 440 artefacts, some of which have been acquired, donated or are on loan. There are jewellery, stone sculptures, costumes, wood carvings and vintage suitcases that were used by Indian immigrants. Alight at Little India Exit E, and you will be right in the middle of Little India with the sound and smell of curries. Early Indians in Singapore Entrance fee is free for Singapore citizens and PR.   Only levels 3 and 4 is open for today.  I started on Level 4 and walk my way down to Level 3. Religious artificacts brought to Singapore Chettiar door Other interesting artefacts include a 3.4m-tall wooden Chettinad doorway from the late 19th century with 5,000 minute carvings. It reflects the bespoke architectural style of South India's Chettiar community, which had acquired wealth from their mon...

Clearwater, Florida - My colleaque Chris brought me to a Pizza joint called Ugo's Pizza Pizzeria and the Pizza are handmade personally by the owner Ugo.   He was friendly and came over talk to us, he is learning basic Mandarin. Ugo's Pizza Pizza One of the most delicious Pizza I have eaten. Chris in the middle

Dunedin, Florida - The food here at Hog's Island Fish Camp is always fresh and taste very good.  This time I ordered the Mahi Mahi fish and grill. Grilled Mahi Mahi fish set The mahi-mahi or common dolphinfish is a surface-dwelling ray-finned fish found in off-shore temperate, tropical, and subtropical waters worldwide.   A weird looking fish and now is my dinner.