Merlion and Fullerton

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.   

Lim Bo Seng Memorial

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 the Nationalist Government of the Republic of China. A dignified funeral was held outside the Municipal Building (the Former City Hall today), and his gravestone was erected at MacRitchie Reservoir. It was also decided that a memorial be erected at the Esplanade in honour of the war hero.

Cenotaph

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 Art Museum

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

Indian Heritage Centre

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 moneylending businesses across South-east Asia.

Baoli or Step Well

Stepwells are wells or ponds in which the water is reached by descending a set of steps. They may be multi-storied with a bullock turning a water wheel to raise the well water to the first or second floor.

Lunch @ Ugo's Pizza Pizzeria

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

My 5th time @ Hog's Island Fish Camp

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.