Super Trees at Night

A few months ago I visited The Gardens By The Bay in the daytime. It was wonderful! The Super Trees (an incredible engineering feat featuring man made trees covered by natural plants) is in the same area as the gardens. At that time, I had made a mental note that I needed to return at night time to see these trees illuminated. Well, I finally got my chance!

It was a beautiful evening and I overheard my parents discussing their plans to go out for a late dinner with friends. This was my opportunity to escape from our condo to see the Super Trees all lit up at night.

After they left, I scampered out and headed to the bus terminal. I remembered that bus number 106 would get me where I needed to go. I sneaked on, hid under one of the seats and in about an hour, jumped off at Marina Bay Sands. It was twilight so it was easy to follow my nose to the huge man made trees ahead.

Two of the trees are connected by a very high walkway. I just had to get up there! There were quite a few people lined up in front of one of the 2 trees. A door opened at the base and about 8 of the people entered. The door closed behind them. About a minute later I looked up and saw them  walking around the suspended walkway. So that is how they got up there...People can't climb trees very well so the only way they can get up there is to take an elevator.

Well, I knew I would get caught trying to squeeze into the elevator. That did not deter me...I am a cat after all! I am a great tree climber so up I went. It took a while but I made it just before it got dark.

As I got on the walkway all the tree lights came on and music started to play. The music was kind of symphonic (which I love) and the tree lights started to change colors. What a great show! As I looked out over the horizon I could also see the lights of the Sands Hotel, the Esplanade, and the Singapore Flyer. This was magnificent!

The musical light show was only about 20 minutes long. I hated for it to be over. As I started my climb down I noticed the largest tree had a "roof top" restaurant. I wished I had time to sneak into the kitchen to try some of the food. I could smell the aroma of Indochine cuisine but I really had to get home before my parents found out I was out.

     

Christmas in Singapore

Christmas is a big commercial event in Singapore.

Remember the reason for the season!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Singapore Air Force Museum

The bus driver on bus 90 did not know I was on his bus. He was surprised and upset to see me jump off. I guess he doesn't like kitties sneaking a ride on his bus.

 I ended up across the street from the Singapore Air Force Museum. I carefully crossed the road and ran into the shade provided by the open building housing the static display of beautifully maintained aircraft.

The displays range from helicopters, propeller driven fixed wing aircraft, jets, surface to air missiles and drones. In addition there are engine displays, cockpit displays and a collection of commemorative plaques.

This place was really interesting even for a kitty like me. The strange thing was that there was only one person visiting the museum. A very nice gentleman noticed me wandering around and could tell by the amount of time I was spending viewing the displays, that I had a true interest in aviation. He walked up to me and offered to show me around. It turned out he used to fly A-4 Jets for the Singapore Air Force and loved spending time at the museum.

 The elderly gentleman led me into a room devoted to explaining the overall history of aviation. He was very well versed in the subject and added his take on certain events.

On the second floor is a series of rooms devoted to the history of the Singapore Air Force including air traffic control and air defense systems. There are also displays of uniforms and flight suits. Since no one else was around, my new friend let me try on a flight helmet! What an exciting highlight for me!

Before leaving I was surprised when my escort took me to the third floor where the Officers Club is located. It is a large room with a bar, pool table, and a small stage for bands to perform on. I felt honored to be invited to such a special place restricted to the very professional officer corps.

I truly hated leaving this fascinating place and the wonderful gentleman that showed me around. I learned a lot and I think he got a lot out of reliving some of the history upon which he had made such a direct impact.

Speakers Corner at Hong Lim Park

Speakers Corner in the Hong Lim Park is a site where anyone can speak their mind openly in Singapore. However, there are some restrictions. I arrived at the site expecting to give a big speech but found I wasn't allowed to. I read the rules and I found there were several I could not follow.

 1. I am not a Singapore citizen. I am an American dependent cat.

 2. I don't speak any of the official languages. I understand them all but I only speak cat which is  understood by all cats, dogs, birds, monitor lizards and all the other creatures in the animal kingdom.

3. The subject I was going to speak about could definitely be construed to be violent in nature.

I was very disappointed because I had really spent countless hours researching and preparing for my speech. The topic was something I know all the population in Singapore always has on the top of their minds. I was going to talk about a major problem that no volunteer group or government agency is doing anything about. I really think there could, and should be something done about this horrible problem. Everyone in Singapore should work together to eliminate this atrocity!  The situation that is allowed to continue unabated should cause cats all over Singapore to scream out loud!

The problem of major proportions, is that someone in Singapore is breaking, and in many cases, cutting off kitty cat tails at an alarming rate!

This practice must stop! Everyone, cats and people alike, should band together, catch the offender(s) and bring them to justice. If found guilty they should be caned in public and then be required to feed homeless kitties for a year.

 

Telok Ayer Green Landing Site Park

There is a lot going on in the Telok Ayer Green Landing Site Park in Singapore. On a recent bus ride I "landed" in the area of Singapore that was originally the first point of arrival to Singapore for many Chinese immigrants in the early 1800's. The site was originally a sandy beach.

The very small but picturesque park was built to preserve this historical location. There are bronze statues depicting life in those times as well as a pond and seating for people to enjoy their lunch al fresco.

On one end of the park some very enterprising entrepreneurs set up a bicycle repair business under an umbrella. Business is brisk. Many delivery people and others that need their bikes for work, get tires replaced and other minor repairs done here to keep them on the road.

The little park is bordered on one side by the Nagore Dargah Indian Muslim Heritage Centre. The historic shrine was built in 1830 to honor of the Chulia Indian Muslims of southern India who were merchants and money lenders.

On the opposite side of the park is the culturally important, Thian Hock Keng Temple.
It was built on the site where the original Hokkien, Chinese settlers gave thanks to the goddess of the sea, Ma Zu Po, for giving them safe passage to Singapore. It's construction was completed in 1842.

As I left the quaint park, I walked through a covered, but open air, shopping area on Upper Nankin Street that had a couple of interesting bronze statues of Chinese settlers. I then came upon a small coffee house called Good Morning Nanyang Cafe. The owner, a cat lover, offered me a delicious over easy egg which I gobbled up with glee!  

Just before jumping on my bus home, I noticed a sign for the Speakers Corner. I may have to research that for a future trip to this wonderful area of Singapore.