A Day at the Hort Park

Photos taken some months ago at the Horticultural Park, Singapore.




Apart from the flowers and trees, some rather unusual,


 
There were flower pots that were more artistic than functional, perhaps . . .

There were local fauna not commonly sighted in the city, this reptile was half way through shedding its skin.

And if one is bored, there are other attractions, such as this tricky ball maze that we all participated in.

It was a hot day, but we all enjoyed the visit !

Planets in conjunction

It doesn't seem like much on the photo, but it was a major effort on my part to wake up an hour before sunrise (hours before my usual wakeup time) on a cold, late autumn morning to view this rare event when four planets move visually close together. Highest up was Jupiter, lower and brightest was Venus. To the right was my first ever sight of Mercury (small and nearest to the sun, surprisingly bright) and low down in the horizon, a faint glimpse of Mars.  Click on the image for a larger view.

"Smithfield" and Pete's 60th

We went on planes, trains and automobile in getting to "Smithfield" near Ilfracombe, Queensland,  for Pete's 60th birthday party.  Apart from the variety of the long journey through a range of towns and cities, there were experience of life at the property and interesting visits to the attractions of Longreach and Barcaldine.

Yvonne on the 4WD.

Flying out of Brisbane (on the way home).

Tilt train to Rockhampton.

Very nearly there after 8 hours, road to "Smithfield".

Pete and his birthday cake.

Longreach's Stockman's Hall of Fame.

Barcaldine's Tree of Knowledge.

Alpecas at "Smithfield".

Glorious sunsets at "Smithfield"

"Smithfield" (Ilfracombe, QLD) Panorama from Kin-Mun Kan on Vimeo.

For more photos, click on Pete's 60th , "Smithfield"  and "Longreach and Barcaldine" .

Singapore Elections 2011

Elections time in Singapore . . . .


Large crowd at Workers Party rallies, including this one at Ubi Avenue with thousands standing on wet field soggy from heavy downpour earlier in the day.

PAP's rally at Tampines Stadium was well orchestrated. . . .


Marine Parade featured the battle of the two stars - PAP's Tin Pei Ling and NSP's Nicole Seah.


and East Coast had Workers Party's heavyweights against the sitting members.

Visit from Dad and Beo Lan

Dad and Beo Lan spent a week with us. Apart from doing the usual tourist things in Sydney, we also had a couple of days at the Hunter Valley enjoying the wine-tasting and food.


Click here for more phots of Dad and Beo Lan's visit.

Gilly Update

Yvonne's cat is now more than a year old. Remember she was just a tiny kitten . . . .

Now she climbs trees . . .

Defends territory against bigger (and older) cats . . .

Roams the garden looking for . . . lizards? . . .

And relaxes without a care in the world.

And she can be very insistent in having her own way . . . .

Gilly trying to get in. from Kin-Mun Kan on Vimeo.

PS The door is open and right next to you, Gilly !

Jetcat ride and a brush with the new Premier

We ran into the newly elected Premier of NSW Barry O'Farrell, the day after his landslide victory over Labor, doing his first casual interview with the media, and answering questions from reporters including David Marr.

We were waiting to board the jetcat at Parramatta ferry terminal . . . .

. . . . a trip that showed us many expensive houses on the way . . . .


. . . . gave us a different view of the University of Western Sydney,

and of course, a good view of the Harbour Bridge at the Circular Quay destination.

Christmas with the Strausses

A bit late, but here are some photos taken at Christmas, when we joined the Strausses celebrating the day in their new Japanese gazebo.

Ho Yew Kee

Few weeks ago I was in Singapore for the Chinese New Year, and met up with a few Old Boys at the Tekka market. From left, Yew Kee, Chee Mun, myself and Roy.

Sadly, Yew Kee passed away yesterday, Tuesday 22 Feb 2011.

Marina Bay etc in Singapore

I finally caught up with the exciting new developments at the Marina Bay, including the Marina Barrage and the Marina Bay Sands. Of course I was unwilling to pay to enter the casino of the latter, but the 56/57th level rooftop was worth every cent of the $20 entry fee (discounts for seniors and weekday visitors).

Click here for the photos.