Singapore flora & fauna

I love birds, so my first destination once the workshops ended was Jurong Bird Park. Mien Chew, the information specialist who works with Keng Ho, kindly agreed to show me around. The park is home to over 600 species of birds in a beautifully landscaped environment.


I was keen to see colourful tropical passerines and near-passerines such as bee-eaters. These birds make a beautiful spectacle as they swoop and feed in the rainforest. However, they were too quick for me to photograph well. These pelicans were more sedentary, although I wouldn't want to get between them and their food, either.


Surrounded by so many beautiful birds, I was in heaven. I think the hornbills were my favourites. This splendid fellow is a Great Hornbill, well over a metre in length. I know it is a pity for them to be caged, but I trust that protecting them in the park helps the preservation of the species, which is under threat because of loss of habitat.


Singapore has every urban convenience, yet it is also a beautiful environment where you can nurture your biophilia quite easily. I went hiking in a rainforest, saw pink dolphins, and visited the gorgeous Botanic Gardens, 130 acres of greenery and tranquillity close to the heart of the city.


While I was in Singapore, there were newspaper headlines declaring excitedly that this Illawarra Flame Tree was in bloom. This tree, which originates in Queensland, Australia, is considered one of the most beautiful flowering trees in the world. Because Singapore does not have the same cycle of seasons as Queensland, the tree gets confused and its flowering is unpredictable, so it is an exciting occasion when it suddenly bursts into flaming blossoms.

Where have I been (2): Singapore

Last year I was very fortunate to be able to spend a week in Singapore. I had a wonderful experience in this country and, when you consider I was there for work and not a holiday, that tells you something about what an amazing place Singapore is and, even more than that, how fantastic the people are. I have never encountered such hospitality, generosity, and kindness.


Our host Keng Ho embodied these qualities. It is no coincidence that we are photographed here with food. In fact, I don't think you could have photographed us without food while awake at any point during the week (except for very brief intervals during the workshops I was there to deliver with my director & friend, Sara). Keng Ho is a gourmet and led us from one culinary delight to another. I do not expect in my life to have a better meal than we had at Hue at Amara Singapore. Actually, I feel quite nourished just remembering that meal. (If you follow the link, you can see the bento we had...mmmmmm...)


Since I seem to be food-obsessed at the moment, I'll also mention the hawker centres (above). These are shopping malls of food, row upon row of very small stalls, each specialising in something such as fruit smoothies, spicy fish, or more unusual fare such as dried chilli frogs and animal brains. I don't think I'm making that up. I did eat skate and it was delicious (sorry, Carol).


The idea is that you go from stall to stall and amass a buffet - at least, if you are eating with Keng Ho this is what you do. With each dish costing less than a pound, you can feast with your friends and still have lots of funds for shopping, which, along with eating, is the other great Singaporean pasttime. More on that and other activities in my next post.

Where have I been? Hong Kong

Back from a black hole in the Blogoverse, yes, it's the Bog Standard Blog! We have over 18 months of travel and photos to catch up on, so let's get cracking. First in the queue and still one of the most exciting places I've visited, Hong Kong. I've heard people say that there is a sameness to all big cities, but Hong Kong is an exception. It may be as crowded as London, as hardworking as New York, as polluted as Toronto, but unlike those cities, I found Hong Kong energising and revivifying rather than exhausting. Visually and culturally it is endlessly stimulating.

Hong Kong is also great because it's easy to get from the heart of the city to the more peaceful outlying islands. Apparently there are 235, but I just visited two. Ferries from the terminal on Hong Kong Island go frequently to the various islands and cost something like 40p per journey. (Another great thing about Hong Kong: public transport is fast, clean, easy to navigate, and inexpensive.)


On Lantau Island I took a bus to Po Lin Monastery and climbed the 268 steps to the Tiantan Buddha (above). At 22 m, it is the tallest seated bronze statue of Buddha in the world. Pilgrims climb the steps slowly, placing each foot mindfully on each step while reciting sutras. I was less enlightened at the time and just stomped my way up. Back at the monastery, I enjoyed a vegetarian lunch, although feast would be a better word. I could not believe the trolleys of food or the number of dishes they brought for just one person!


The next day I used my Octopus card to take the ferry 10 km to Cheung Chau (above). It's only about a square mile in size and I walked over it in its entirety. The island is home to a traditional fishing and boat-building community; there are few motorised vehicles and certainly more footpaths than streets. Cheung Chau is my happy place. I loved it there. I also visited the island's temple to the sea goddess Tin Hau (below). I burned incense as an offering (I think) and learned through traditional fortune-telling sticks that I can still have 5 children if I want to!

Holy Forgotten Blog, Batman!

Well, actually, not forgotten, but we've both been doing a lot of traveling lately. Michele is currently in Singapore for work and I've just returned from the Isle of Skye and then Warwick. There are pictures and tales of daring adventure on their way. Rest assured. And if you can't wait, poke me on Facebook or send me an email!

Post lag

As both Michele and I have recently been Facebook'ed, there has been a bit of a lag on updates on this poor wee blog. However, the posts and the pictures will return. Rest assured. And in the meantime, look us up on Facebook. :)

"I find your lack of pants disturbing."

While we wait to post more pictures and tales of derring-do, here is more foolishness I've stumbled onto on the Web. If you haven't watched a single Star Wars movie then... wait, can that actually be true of anyone?! At any rate, here's a sampling of a list of the Top 269 Star Wars Lines Improved By Replacing A Word With "Pants" By Anonymous:

So here are the Top 25 of 269 Star Wars Lines Improved By Replacing A Word With "Pants":

I find your lack of pants disturbing.
You are unwise to lower your pants.
Chewie and me got into a lot of pants more heavily guarded than this.
The Force is strong in my pants.
Your pants, you will not need them.
You came in those pants? You're braver than I thought.
I cannot teach him. The boy has no pants.
In his pants you will find a new definition of pain and suffering
Governer Tarkin. I should have expected to find you holding Vader's pants.
I think you just can't bear to let a gorgeous guy like me out of your pants.
I've just made a deal that will keep the Empire out of our pants forever
Pull up! All pants pull up!
A disturbance in the pants. I have not felt this since near my old master...
I sense the conflict within you. Let go of your pants!
These aren't the pants you're looking for.
Alderan is peaceful, we have no pants!
Looks like someone's beginning to take an interest in your pants.
That blast came from the pants! That thing's operational!
He has no time for smugglers who drop their pants first sign of Imperials
The pants will be down in moments, sir, you can begin your landing
Lock the door. And hope they don't have pants.
Your pants can deceive you, don't trust them
I want them alive. No pants.
I am altering the pants. Pray that I don't alter them any further
Obi-Wan never told you what happened to your pants.

Magic.

More web foolishness...

(Click on the pictures for a non-scaled (i.e. clearer) version)

Ok, yes, this is really goofy, but I had to try it out! But Jason Priestley?! I suspect he only got in there because of the facial hair. I don't mind the others so much. But what do we all have in common... it's the nose, isn't it? Perhaps the jaw? Could it be that I have a movie star nose! Regardless, I think Michele fared much better, see below.



Now I just need to look up these people on IMDB or such! Anyway, silly but fun. Try it out if you like, it just might surprise you!