To Market, To Market

West Coast Market is under renovation. So try Ghim Moh. The locals say it is nice with good food stalls. Just a short bus ride, and here we are. See what you think.

The Night Race

Woke up to rain. Lots of it. The race will be a mess!

In true tropical fashion, the weather cleared by the

afternoon, and the night on the waterfront was magnificent.

The Singapore River Festival and the Grand Prix on the same weekend. Buildings, boats, and bridges decorated with lights.

Live music everywhere.

Diana Krall up on Ft. Canning.

Fabulous party.

Fancy cars at the Fullerton.

And fencing.

And beautiful women from around the world.




Since Mike was in the US, I spent the evening along the river with Dave and Barbara. We were shocked that we found a little nook for a view of a practice race for the Singapore Grand Prix. Great "seats" standing on the curve at the Cricket Club with about 50 Singaporeans who were also excited and surprised to find a spot for viewing the race. "Nothing is free in Singapore."

Because of all the fencing and barriers, security could not get to us to make us move. They tried to clear the area by hand signal. Ignored, of course. The small crowd was watching the race for the rich and glamorous and quite pleased to get a S$1400 view for nothing! Me too.

Here They Come!

There They Go

Waiting for Ginza

Two weeks after Mike and I arrived, The Ginza closed for renovation. A shopping center was just outside the back gate of Kent Vale, it was very convenient for its residents. When we went there to buy our first groceries, the shelves were sparsely stocked since the store would close in two weeks. Most of the shops were vacant. It was a dark and gloomy place indeed, demolished soon thereafter.

For nineteen months, my friends have lamented the closing of "The Ginza." Apparently, it had everything one would need. The bank. The dry cleaners. The jeweler. The watchmaker. The optometrist. The cobbler. The grocery store. The post office. The Japanese restaurant and grocery.

We have enthusiastically watched the demolition and the renovation processes and are excited to read that it will reopen in October. Cold Storage. Starbucks. Two Japanese restaurants. And more. We can hardly wait!

The Southern Ridges Walk

What a great idea.  A 10K walk beginning at the sea and connecting the southern parks of Singapore.   Andrina, Lyn, and I walked  a 5K section beginning at the new Alexandra Arch.    

Along the way, we enjoyed beautiful views of the sea and the city.  

The metal walkway through the treetops is shaded by tropical foliage which includes a durian tree, a huge ficus benjamina, and many flowering trees and vines.  

Here we are at the Henderson Waves Bridge.  No skateboarding.

                                                                                                                                         

We encountered a family of macaques and marveled at the architecture of the walkway and two new pedestrian bridges.  

The walk ended at Vivo City, a popular shopping mall, where we enjoyed air conditioning, lunch, and an afternoon of shopping.

Thaipusam, a festival?

On this day, Indians of Tamil origin celebrate by making a vow of devotion to the god Lord Muruban. Those who make this vow then walk carrying an offering for 4 km beginning at one sacred temple, Sri Srinivasa Perumal,ending at another, Sri Thandayuthapani, also called the Chettiar Temple.
Some pilgrims carry simple jugs of milk to offer to the god. Others choose to show extreme devotion to the god by enduring pain during the journey. These pilgrims walk with a spear piercing the cheeks and tongue, carry items attached to the body by hooks, or bear a heavy and ornately decorated kavadi that is affixed to his body by hooks or rods that pierce the skin.






To prepare for this arduous journey, the Hindus must spend up to 40 days fasting, praying, and purifying their bodies for the walk. Along the way, family members and friends accompany the devotee. They chant scriptures, beat drums, and provide physical and moral support until the devotee reaches the end of the journey.







After arriving at the temple at the end of the journey, the bearer makes his offering to the god with ceremony and prayers. He then proceeds outside where the kavarti is disassembled, the hooks and rods removed, and he is cared for by family and friends. This festival is celebrated only in Singapore, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. It is no longer allowed in India.