LANTERN FESTIVAL février 9, 2009

 

 

 

 

Fleur lotus

 

 

During the Chinese New Year, there are a lot of celebrations in Hong Kong, Jerome and I went to one of them last night. I can you tell it was a long trip to go there. Firstly, we took a bus from our place for 45 minutes but we got off a little bit earlier : I forgot to tell you, here you can not spot you. Why? Because quite simply, nothing tells you where you are… A little bit annoying, isn’t it? Then, we looked for a taxi driver who could drive us until our destination but no one of them seemed to understand… Finally, we found one who brought us to the right direction.

Cygnes

 

 

 

We arrived at 6.45 pm in the Waterfront Park Of Tai Po. Tai Po is a area located in the middle of  New Territories. To be honest, when you arrive at Tai Po, it is as if you were the Chinese border. What do I mean? There is no tourist or expatriates there.

cascade

 

 

 

We visited at last a beautiful Waterfront Park which was specially decorated for the Lantern Festival. We discovered colourful lanterns by night.

Folkloric dance

 

 

After we assisted a ceremony : the Dance of Lion. But we prefered to leave because of the crowd and I am not an addict of chinese songs…

MY FIRST GUEST IN SINGAPORE! mars 2, 2008

 

 What pleasure to have a friend who visit you!

 Anne -Laure, a friend from Paris, decided to come and visit me for one week after travelling two weeks in Thailand. It was a very sunny week. I was enjoying to share my new life and she discovered a lot of things (not about me but the town). I had planned with enthousiasm a program. Here it is.

First day : First of all, we walked on Orchard, the must beginning. Why? Simply because this is the most famous place for shopping! Moreover, Anne-Laure found her hapiness, a “Guess” watch at discounted price. After, we went to “Little India” by walk. We stopped to have dinner in my favourite Indian restaurant “Muthu’s curry”. So delicious… We finished our evening at Clarke Quay, a district for entertainment. We danced until 2am to the rythm of a Singaporian band.

Second day : We walked in Chinatown, the favourite district of Anne Laure. After walking, we needed a break, we set up an appointment with Aurélie at Royal Plaza Hotel. We had one drink or rather 2 drinks( you drink one the second is free) at the Heat Ultra Lounge, a bar at level 2.  So, I tried the litchi Caïpinrinha twice. The ambiance was very relaxing in this baroque and design bar. In addition, I got my first membership card. So chic!

Third day : Anne-Laure and me joined on East Coast Parkway some friends for a BBQ. Unfortunately, Jérôme stayed at home because he had fever.

In the evening, we went out to the CHIJMES, a former convent for girls.

Fourth day  : Anne-Laure and me went to Sentosa, the artificial Island in the South of Singapore. We met at KM8, a trendy beach bar, different preople of all nationalities who invite us for having a champagne toast (again!).

Fifth day : We went to Bintan for all day, my favorite Island, located in the south east of Singapore (see my  post last November). How I can summarize this trip? Just R-E-L-A-X in front of the sea… I know sometimes my life in Singapore seems to be very hard!

Sixth day : Anne-Laure and I discovered the “Orchid Garden”in the Botanic Garden of Singapore. 30000 species of orchids, it is impressive, isn’t it? We admired the VIP Orchids, my favorite is Nelson Mandela one.   So nice to stroll there!

Seventh day : the come back day. After a great week, it is time to say good bye. Anne-Laure came back to the “real world” with memories…

 

CHINESE GARDEN février 17, 2008

 Chinese Garden is a  park located in the West of Singapore, an unknown part for me because I live at the opposite (on East Coast).

Muriel, a friend and I decided to go yesterday morning. We took the MRT until the Chinese Garden station. It took us an hour to go there.

It is a reconstruction of an imperial garden of the Song’s dynasty. There are temples, pagodas and bridges. The lotus lakes around flower gardens. It was a very relaxing place.

We walked around about one hour and half. It was great because there were almost nobody.

What I preferred it was the Japonese garden. We have seen different kinds and sizes of bonsai surrounded by water points. Indeed, the chinese tradition take a big place in everyday life as the “Feng Shui”. What does it means? Wind and water. The “Feng Shui” shows how to be in the Universe to acquire wisdom, peace and prosperity. Thus, your place of residence and your furniture should be positionned in the direction of  “shen qi” , the dragon’s breath in order to be positive. Okay, you are going to say : “What is this goobledygook?” But the chinese people are very focused on supertitions and do not laugh about it…

BOTANIC GARDEN septembre 16, 2007

Singapore has two faces. On one hand, this island is an urban city. It looks like New York City but in Asia : skyscrappers, business district, shopping centers, taxis. On the other hand, there a lot of vegetations. Moreover, Singaporeans are very protective of Nature.

Yesterday, I decided to visit its Botanic Garden. It was joyful and peaceful experience. The admission is free except for the National Orchid Garden (SGD 5).

I spent my afternoon to discover fauna and flora. It’s a pleasure for the eyes to see the sharp coulours of the tropical flowers. I’ve seen a small rain forest, it gives me an idea of Singapura at its beginning.

After a big walk, it was necessary to refresh me. I drunk coconut milk and I tasted an indonesian chicken curry at the food court garden.

www.sbg.org.sg

EAST COAST PARK septembre 16, 2007

You need a break for chilling? East Coast Park is the answer.

Indeed, this is sea-side of Singapore located in the south-eastern. It stretches on 15 km along the sea shore. There are a lot of activities : water-sports; cycling and in-line skating (you can rent for SGD 6 an hour); barbecuing…

My husband and I walked there last Sunday afternoon. What a chance, We live at 15 minutes walk. It was very enjoyable under shade track. That was crowded of Singaporeans and expatriates families.  Better to go there on week days, if you want to benefit from the sounds of the waves…

http://www.nparks.gov.sg/park11.asp