The Boys, Men & Machine in RSAF Open House 2011

I can't believe it that another weekend has arrive and last week Sunday was amazingly hot! Apart meeting up the Top Gun's Asian Tom Cruise look-a-like in the Royal Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Open House in Paya Lebar Airbase, I'd say it was edutaining at the same time.


Anyway, here are the loaded photos with some caption that I must include:

The crest of RSAF:

The Lion & Tiger with the half cresent moon denoting Singapore's as a young rising nation in the east and 5 stars of Equality, Peace, Progress, Democracy and Justice. The bowl of golden laurel that cups the silver wings...

Here's Singapore - under the eagle's wings

Child's play!

Here's my plane! This that seperates boys and men!

I can't recalled whether it's F16 or F15 BUT it's sleek and it's fast and furious!

Needless to tell you WHY? Power exhaust with maximum thrust...!
Mmmy lord! Power!

You CAN touch this!
Throng of people in the que. One on your left, you que and you go into the aircraft's cockpit and another que on your right, you que to see and snap pictures.

Though I can't remember which left or right que but I've got the chance to go into a chopper - CHINOOK!

I always thought that it's like riding a plane but nay,nay!!
There isn't any air conditioning and you are seated, strapped next to the wall, to that interior of the chopper that seperates you and the thin air.


"Be my unicorn!" Next to unicorn : The Vent

Fascinating to know that it can climb as high as 18,000 feet but most of the time they don't reach the maximum height. I found out from men on duty that air is cooler when airborne hence air conditioning not required.


"High High Up in The Skies"

One of the highlight was the aeriel display of fighter jets F15, F16 and choppers Chinook and Puma. And not forgeting the champs of the skies, daredevil jumpers in their striking red parachutes - Red Lions!
MMmmmy Lord!


The Red Lions had landed

This the public viewing platform

Just look at the crowd!

Top Gun's Tom Cruise of the East?

Republic of Singapore, The Airfore - Above All

I am sure many who went for this yearly event were amazed by it's excellent edutaiment program. Salute to all these brave men on going up and into unknown land, seas and skies ; many places to protect and to prevail peace on earth & also Singapore.

Aye Aye Captain and fellow men!

I rendered my respect to you all - A BIG SALUTE, A BIG KISS ON THE CHEEKS TOO!

Idiot's guide to salute:
http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/Prep_For_Basic_Training/Prep_for_basic_customs_and_courtesies/the-hand-salute.shtml

Tres bien - Biennale!

My bright orange Singapore Biennale orange bag


Singapore Biennale 2011 was on the run for almost 2 months now. To be exact, it was 13 March 2011 to 15 May 2011.

I've got my tickets for a while, bought it 4 weeks before the finale - 15.5.11. All entry to 4 venues with audio guide for SGD10. So far, I've visited Singapore Art Museum (SAM)and Singapore Art Museum at 8Q (SAM@8Q) -lovely art installation, weeks ago before the finale.

I must say that my schedule was an haywire and going to the last two venues on last minute basis weren't helping me at all.

Rush rush thing it was...

15.5.11 Early bird get the worms-I'd say!
I was up wee hours in the morning. Then off I go hopping into a cab and specifically told uncle driver ( we fondly called uncle and aunties in Singapore yet we are not bloodily related, just out of respect)

'Uncle, I need to go Old Kallang Airport.'

Soon, he whisked me in his fast and furious manner to Old Airport Road!

BUCKLE UP..!

Wait-a-minute! Oh no!It's Old Kallang Airport, uncle!

Sensing something amiss as he vroomed pass by some big orange colored Biennale posters and banners, I quipped at him,'Uncle, I need to go there-pointing at the deserted building with many orange colors banners / posters'

"Aiyoh, why now you tell me? If I missed out this turn - it will be far for you to u-turn back lah.."

Well, for obviouse reason - my wallet gonna be sorry.

"Okay, okay miss. No problem lah.. I drive you there lah.."

Just save the argument and looking forward arriving to the venue itself..

As the cab arrived at the main gate, there wasn't much thing to look forward to because I personally felt I was transported (teleported??) back in time, at least 50 years ago.

'Whoa! Good Lord Mama! Where on earth am I?!'

We stopped at the guard post. Upon seeing me, one of the guard said,
'Lady, it's 9am and they haven't open up yet. You got 30 minutes or so to go..'

"Oh noo! I am way too early"

'Why don't you come in and get your breakfast in somewhere right inside'

" Well, it was a lovely idea! "

The portable and reliable Toast Box - found and sighted at Old Kallang Airport. Tummy need food!!

Yes, the usual roti (bread in Malay language) and kopi (coffee in Malay language) This is Set A or something, that comes with your puffing hot coffee or tea ( I chose milky tea) with your toasted bread spread with thinly sliced butter and kaya (coconut jam), not forgetting the half boiled eggs.

This is how you eat it.. break it..don't forget the soy sauce and a dash of pepper


It was a temporary set up as I heard from the lady over the counter. Today was their last day too in Old Kallang Airport. It was a hot sunny Sunday and it was just me in the joint.

Wohooo...! Anybody home ?!

Just me with my hungry tummy and serenity..


And I found some interesting exhibits in this local food and beverage joint

Long wooden stool for sale

Kitchen utensils and trinkets on the cupboard shelf

Such nostalgia ?

The installation in this joint no doubt decorative & nostalgic. I personally felt it's a preview of what's more to see in the exhibits later on

After getting my food fuel, I was looking out of the window in this joint.

Behind it was an aircraft hangar!

Did you see what I see?
Was that an aircraft turbine engine?

The venue itself is such an old world charm. Old Kallang Airport used to be the island's civillian airport in mid 1950's.

I must admit that I should have take the early initiative to visit all venues earlier and not on last minute basis.

Though I must agree with one thing, nothing was lost though.

It was tres bien, Singapore Biennale.

p/s: Just want to make it short and sassy - I hope to blog more on my 2nd piece on Biennale (if time permits) Well, readers who are curious about some phrases and things that I've mentioned in this blog, I've provided some TRIVIAs with the link below (for more read up at your own leisurely pace and time)Here goes...!

What's a KAYA?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_jam

What's with the KAYA TOAST?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaya_toast

What's with the LAH?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singlish#Lah

Tres bien, Singapore Biennale 2011 ! http://www.singaporebiennale.org

What's SAM? It's Singapore Art Museum
http://www.singaporeartmuseum.sg/

Find and see it yourself the mystical beast at Merlion Park http://www.yoursingapore.com/content/traveller/en/browse/see-and-do/family-fun/attraction/merlion-park.html

Old world charm in Old Kallang Airport http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallang_Airport

Where can I see and feel Singapore under the rotunda dome?
Answer: National Museum of Singapore - www.nationalmuseum.sg/

Okay lah, one last question! What's rotunda?
Answer: Barucunda it is not , click here for answer http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rotunda

Hybrid Architecture of East & West in Peranakan Houses

Earlier on, I did mentioned about living places way back in time.

Well, today - I like to bring you see the Peranakan (pronounce as per-ana-kan) Houses along Emerald Hill Road. It is a well tucked living area which wedges in between shopping centres; The Centrepoint and Orchard Emerald. The past residents in Emerald Hill were the Straits Born Chinese of Teochew, lovingly known as the Peranakans. Infact the whole parcel of Emerald Hill including Orchard Road was once a nutmeg plantation.

Come with me and see what we have here:

See that tall and elongated windows? Due to the humidity in Singapore, large windows are always welcome to make home airy. These windows are known as 'French Windows'

What else do you notice? Did you see that bamboo designed tiles roof?

Along Emerald Hill, towards the end of the road - you will see this house. It's safely guarded with a bricked up main gate entrance with an absolute eloquent design. Unlike other houses; which you can easily enter through it's main door - this one looks tough.

See the chinese roof?

Now, on the doors...

Yes, I know what you're thinking off? Looks like one of those wild wild west swing doors..!


Hey Baba, open the door please...

Yes, the wild wild west saloon doors! Actually, it is called Pintu (pin-tu) Pagar (pa-gar).

Literally, in Malay it means Gate( pa-gar) Door (pin-tu).

No,no..
It should be "Baba, open the gate please."

Look at these lion door knocker on an gate grilles!
Although I cannot think much of the functionality of its' knocker when installed on a grilled gate but interestingly enough,I think it's ornamental and at the same time, it also guards the family in a symbolic Chinese way.

What's is Baba (pronounced as Ba-ba)
It's a form of salutation for male Peranakan, which sounds like Mister (Mr.)

Now on the exterior of these houses...
The houses' colour schemes are sometimes soft and in pastels. Though there are some bright and loud hues.

Regardless of its' colours, it's absolutely plesantly looking.

Nostalgia furnishing at the front porch.

A hanging joss stick urn in the front porch

I was nosy as I wanted so much to peek-a-boo of its' interior especially its' airy living room. In every Peranakan Houses, there is an airwell way past the living room.Randomly a unit was picked and I braced forward. The living room was spacious and it look elongated due to it's design.

Despite being narrow on its frontage (maybe approximately in between four to six metres); as I zoomed into the living rooms and way past the living room - I'd say, it was more than 12meters. That's 3 times of it's narrow width on the porch!

My nosiness came to an abrupt end.

To my sheer surprise, a Caucasian came into the living room with nothing on except his black triangular brief! Upon seeing him, I fled (and I hope he doesn't see me)

Being such meddlesome is a no-no for me, don't you agree?

Anyway,I hope you've enjoy my hybrid adventure of the Peranakan Houses along Emerald Hill. If you really have time shopping along Orchard Road, why not detour to Peranakan Place? Emerald Hill is just right behind it.

Orchard Road - Shoppers' Paradise
For shoppers, don't forget 313@Somerset and also Orchard Central which lboth located opposite of Peranakan Place.

FACT:
Orchard Central is also shortly acronymed as the O.C (no, it's not Orange Country nor Orange County aka California but the Orchard Central)

If you need fresh air...
There's a sky garden on the highest floor in O.C. (I called it sky garden but it is termed as ROOF GARDEN located on Level 11 and Level 12)

Look at what I've found:

If fresh air is what you need, this the place.
Not forgetting those lovely art pieces and installations too.Here is the link for those who wanted more information on ROOF GARDEN
http://www.orchardcentral.com.sg/roof-garden

Well, folks - here's a tad of modernity of high sky buildings with a tid of culture and Peranakan architecture along the way.

Remember, do not be nosy like me!

Mystical God & Goddess

Of late, I chance upon comic books on cultures in the book stores.
Interesting read was upon Indian culture. The comic was entitled - Gateway to India Culture.

Get your copy from: http://www.asiapacbooks.com/product.asp?pid=557

Nothing beats exploring Little India on your own despite passing by that area more than twice. But once you have done your read up, information searching and curious enough, you just have to go to the ground for some adventure like what I did!

It was last week where it was my 3rd visit to Little India. I started off my walking trail at a goldsmith shop.

Now who do we see in this picture frame? It's none other than Goddess Lakshimi herself, the goddess of wealth. Well, why wealth? Come closer and look closer : her two hands hold the lotus which symbolize purity and the most significant part of thy calling as Goddess of Wealth was two of her other hands were pouring out gold coins abundantly.

Now, doesn't that amaze you when goldsmith shop owner - no doubt the Chinese runs it, however the buyer were the Indians. This was placed at the entrance of the shop nonetheless welcomes business that translates good fortune.

Goddess Lakshimi up close

Well, I was amazed to find out that Goddess Lakshimi's the other half is none other than Lord Vishnu.

Lord Vishnu is known as the preserver. Hindus believed that there are somewhat 10 avatars of him, whereby he descent of a deity to the earth in an incarnate form or some manifest shape.

The 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu:
Matsya (fish)
Kurma (turtle)
Varaha (boar)
Narasimha (man-lion)
Vamana (dwarf)
Parashurama (warrior-priest)
Rama (prince)
Krishna (cow-herd)
Buddha (sage)
Kalki (horseman, who has not yet appeared)

Now, his 8th avatar - Lord Krishna looks like this:

The baby blue cow -herd boy. He usually holds the flute.

It was somewhat a long walking trail that day & it's been a while since my last post, so I want to make it short and sweet on these mystic hindu god and goddess.

Lord Vishnu & his consort, Lakshimi : Loving couple indeed!

More to come...!