Travelogue around Asia Pacific Part II

 Singapore - This was one of Singapore smallest museum but worth the visit as I am able to link up this former WW2 Changi prison and my prior trip to Kanchanaburi .  It took me about an 1hr walking around the museum and chapel, small but most importantly was air-conditioned.   It was a hot and humid day @ Changi. Entrance to this museum This a thought provoking museum , an important remembrance to avoid war and the hardship it caause on human lives and families lost.  It was touching to see families of Australian and UK soldiers sharing part of their lost ones in this museum and tell of their experiences as a POW during the Japanese occupation of Singapore.  It was in appalling conditions this POW lived and how their kept it together through songs, worship and performances.   Many POWs were sent to Kanchanaburi from Changi prison camp; 12,000 Allied soldiers lost their lives building the Burma railway. Changi as a Fortress an actual door of the P...

Kuala Lumpur - It was great to be back with good friends.   Time flies and we have known each other for now more than 15 years.   Deep fried Tofo A very addictive but simple dish with a light sprinkling of salt makes this dish a good starter for us.  Outside is crispy and a nice bite will bring out the soft succulent texture of this tofu. Sweet potato leaf A all-time favourite dish of mine.  I used to plant sweet potatoes just to harvest the leaves of this plant stir fry with garlic and blachan (scrimp paste) with a touch of chilli, makes this a simple and delicious dish.  This dish served here was delicious too but without the blachan and chilli.   Curry pork ribs A special dish a bit spicy and the pork ribs were tender which was nice. Steam fish This restaurant signature dishes are their fresh live steam fish served with lots of garlic and ginger.  The fish flesh is very soft and tender but this fish has many bones, so need to be caref...

Singapore - After dropping Pax and return home.  Took a morning walk at 9.30am from Serangoon MRT along Serangoon Road towards Potong Pasir.  I had my breakfast, and continue my walk towards St Andrew's School. Fish ball Kway Teow   Along Potong Pasir main road, many of the residents plant fruit trees and edible plants. The walk along the Kallang River park was beautiful occasional spoilt with ash burning of the 'Hungry Ghost' month. This stretch of Kallang River that used to run in a concrete canal but is now a naturalised, meandering river teeming with life. The result of a joint collaboration between NParks and PUB, under the latter’s Active, Beautiful and Clean Waters (ABC) Programme; this river brings park users closer to the water to enjoy its beauty and serenity, and to appreciate the flora and fauna that flourish in the park because of the waterway. I cross the bridge from St Andrew's Secondary school to SAJC - brings back memories as my sons were from this ...

Singapore - I met Edmund at one of the coffee shop at around 8am, had our Thosai and then started our journey towards Bedok reservoir.    location of our breakfast Halfway through our morning walk it started to rain heavily and took shelter at one of their many huts around the reservoir.     Scenic view of the reservoir A lone otter is out to play. Otter out playing

 Singapore - Singapore celebrated its 59th National Day on August 9, 2024, and I couldn’t think of a better way to honour the occasion than a walk through the iconic Singapore Botanic Gardens with my friend Edmund. This cherished green space, steeped in history and natural beauty, provided the perfect backdrop for a day of exploration, reflection, and celebration. A Brief History of the Singapore Botanic Gardens Established in 1859, the Singapore Botanic Gardens is a living testament to Singapore’s rich horticultural and botanical heritage. Its role in cultivating rubber trees for commercial use during the colonial era was instrumental in transforming Southeast Asia into a hub for rubber production. Today, it stands as a symbol of Singapore’s commitment to conservation and education. In 2015, the Gardens earned the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, making it the first and only tropical botanic garden to receive this honour. National Day brought a lively energy to...