a walk in the park

Was feeling rather bored, so decided to explore Bottle Tree Park at Yishun. Always passes by this place by MRT, and it looked quite interesting. To get there, took the MRT to Khatib, and walk. The distance is about 10 - 15 mins.


interesting picture, ya?


doves


birds flying out.. although not quite John Woo style..


birds crossing...


Walking below the MRT track, I noticed that there are alot of doves! Perched high up at the lamp post, on the ground, and even flying above your head. Everywhere! Beware not to step on the s**t too.


nearing the place


entrance to Bottle Tree




fishing pond


resting place, but can't access one...


mascot! (aka bottle tree) Not quite sure, what's the dino bones are supposed to be there for... probably picture opportune?


erm..anorexic tree?


pomelo trees? (overhead a guy saying Singapore cannot grow fruits one.. hmmMmm)


rambutans!



got caged pheasants...


beautiful colors






got vegetables? maybe for the restaurants in the park??


exotic plant


flower of starfruit tree


baby starfruits


me, being quite bo liao....


postcard worthy? probably not quite...




someone resting below the tree...


close up of the tree trunk


was it nice to rest below here?


rushing home to watch NDP?




lotus flower


moo


idlylic life...


any luck today?


spewing out water for the pond


view from a tabletop...


swan boats... does it make this a 'swan lake'?


feel free to sit under the hot sun...


abandoned train ride...




going home...


birds of a feather, perched together.. but hey, not on talking terms isit?

national day

Happy 45th Birthday Singapore!

happenings @ red dot museum

Was at Red Dot Museum (Maxwell Road) with HS to check out the once-a-month event, organized by Markets of Artists and Designers (MAAD). Many stalls scattered throughout the museum and many items to see and to buy. Amongst the items found, we saw T-shirts, postcards or photos (photography), dresses, trinkets, books, illustrated cards, bags and baby booties. They also have a space setup to paint a brolly for $10. Great to see parents working with the kids on this project :)

At Red Dot, the event also saw the Organization of Illustrators Council (OIC) having their live drawing sessions. Patrons can have their portrait drawn in about 20 minutes by a group of illustrators, and then can take home the one that they want at $10 a piece. No obligations at all. Just take the one you like and pay the token sum. Cool, right?


live drawing in-session


portrait done up from previous session


more people at the drawing area


Also explored the museum a bit, and took a few snaps:










After about 10 minutes, we went back to the live drawing area, to check out their progress...


young artists in action...


Nice place to explore, and an eye-opener. Took a few pics of the outside before heading elsewhere.


blue skies


bird bath


After that, we went to Exelsior Shopping Centre to find Luther Music. We had an early dinner or late lunch (depending on whichever way you look at it :P) at Sushi Don (Funan).


unagi and salmon set


sashimi set

night out

Visited Katong, to try out new eats.


parked at dimly lit carpark...


It was quite exciting to go to a new place that looked all-oh-so-cutesy and promising, only to be dampened by patchy service.


we ate here


window, looking from outside of the restaurant


Felt a little like Oliver Twist, where we could only stare from the outside.. looking at the diners eating happily, while we had to wait somemore..


studying the menu intently...


After what felt like eternity, we got our table.


inside


hs


fried platter


pan-fried dory (looked nice here but is super salty)


chicken cordon bleu


nice tender beef from beef stew


caramel pudding


warm bread and butter pudding


Food was so-so, although we spied somebody else's escargot looked interesting. Beware of topping up to make the meal a set (gets you an extra soup/salad, drink and dessert) as the drinks served was quite diluted. Well, we came, we saw and we waited. Hahaa!

After that, we went to Sunset Bar at East Coast carpark F2. Nice ambience there, with cool breeze lulling you into calmness...

instant luxury

Here's my instant noodles dinner. With added luxury. Tiger prawns. Chicken yakitori (de-stick) and fu gui cai (what is this vege?? prosperity vege?! haha!) Total costs: $4

a day of orange lanterns, national geographic and sushi

A friend wanted to eat Vietnamese food, so off we went to Harbourfront to visit the Orange Lantern Vietnamese Restaurant. Well... did consider Pho99 (the one that Jade Seah went to for the show 'Real Deal for Good Deal') but it doesn't open on weekends apparently. It was then a toss between Yummy Viet and Orange. Yummy Viet is at Smith Street but it was raining, and after that basically nothing much to do at Chinatown. Moreover, both of us haven't try Orange Lantern before, so it was decided to go orange. It's a halal joint, so muslim friends now have an alternative to visit. The restaurant itself somehow reminds me of Thai Express. Not sure why! Haha.


didn't get any of these


decor, inside the restaurant


imperial rolls


inside are normal spring roll fillings


My friend ordered something un-Vietnamese (imho). Tomato based stewed beef noodles! Maybe it's a French influence?


stewed beef noodles


interesting dip for the stewed beef (plum powdered salt? can't taste the plum 'coz the salt very salty!)

There plum powdered salt given for the stewed beef. Interesting! Yup, a little of those did enhance the taste of the beef!

As for myself, how can I visit a Vietnamese restaurant without trying their pho?


pho bo (beef noodle soup with beef balls, beef slice and beef brisket)


yummy tender beef slice


Somehow, I can't find beef brisket inside my bowl! Haha! But I think those thinly sliced chewy stuffs must be it! The normal beef slices were quite tender, so that was likeable. The soup was clear and light tasting, and flavourful. Not intense, but still nice. Eat it all, with Thai basil and fresh beansprouts, provided as garnishes.


Thai basil


After lunch, we walked around Harbourfront and eventually Vivocity. Some event was going on at the ground floor. Apparently got some football cups on display. Hahaha, if not wrong, I think people who subscribe to mio EPL channel will get a chance to have their photos taken with these championship cups?


football stuffs


After walking enough (that would be when our feet demands to be rested), we retreated to National Geographic Cafe, away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds in Vivo. Very dark decor, furnitures with characters and very explorer like atmosphere.


table decor that you can buy


cappucino mocha


vanilla milkshake


chocolate truffle


Went over to The Central, and after bouts of walking (in our futile attempt to feel better after eating all those high caloried stuffs...), we went over to Liang Court to browse at Kinokuniya. Found an interesting Japanese conversational (English-Japanese) phrase book, that was simple to understand (with romanji) and situational use, and is fully illustrated, like a comic book. Imported from Japan, and hence hefty price-tag! About close to SGD$50! There was also an illustrated book on Japanese etiquette, which I browsed through for 10 minutes. Keke. Probably gained SGD$40+ worth of read time? :P

Didn't think I could eat somemore for dinner, but how to resist the call of sushi? Especially after being in a Japanese bookstore?? Haha! So, for dinner, we were at Tampopo.

My friend had zaru soba and clam soup. While I had my mini nigiri sushi.


zaru soba


clam soup


mini nigiri sushi


maguro, with such pretty color~


yummy fatty salmon~


It sure felt like a foodie's trail where the agenda is to eat and eat and eat the whole day long! :P