Nancy and Doug Trips
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
Our lifelong travel bug has given us our most prized ‘possessions’ - the many memories from business and especially family trips.
 “Take only memories, leave only footprints.”
Weiterlesen
🇨🇦British Columbia
    • Asian Civilizations Museum

      26. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

      We took the bus across Esplanade bridge and past The Fullerton Hotel and Merlion to the Museum where we cooled off for the afternoon. We recognized many things that are now familiar.

      With its mix of races and cultures, Singapore has earned a reputation for being the cultural melting pot of Asia, and this is showcased at the Asian Civilizations Museum. The ACM is the only museum in the region devoted to exploring the artistic heritage of Asia, especially the ancestral cultures of Singaporeans. Founded in 1993, and in its present building by the Singapore River since 2003. The galleries include the Trade and the Exchange of Ideas gallery including the Tang Shipwreck discovered in 1998 with 70,000 ceramics mass-produced in China about 800 CE bound for Arabia. Highlighted are Singapore’s history as an emporium for global trade, the Ancient Religions Gallery and the Scholar in Chinese Culture Gallery. There were many absolutely gorgeous pieces of art and ceramics on display.

      We agreed that we had now had our fill of museums and followed the redeveloped river front to Clarkes Quay and enjoyed chili, onion rings and shrimp tacos at a quayside American chain restaurant. This previous shipping and industrial area is now a vibrant tourist and nightclub area.
      Weiterlesen

    • Kampong Glam

      26. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

      Historically one of Singapore’s oldest urban quarters, The word ‘kampong’ means "compound" in Malay, while 'gelam' refers to the long-leaved paperbark tree, commonly found in the area and used for boat-making, medicine and even as a seasoning for food. Neighbourhoods, such as where we stayed in Yogygakarta are often marked by an archway with "Kampong X" inscribed on it as you enter the maze of attached bungalows connected by narrow alleyways.

      The district has a history that dates back to Singapore’s colonial era, when Sir Stamford Raffles allocated the area to the Malay, Arab and Bugis communities. The golden dome of the majestic Sultan Mosque is the main landmark around which the streets and alleys are located. Built in 1824 by Sultan Hussein Shah, this place of worship is one of Singapore’s most prominent religious buildings.

      The Arab neighbourhood is now touristic, Doug noted the the stores reminiscent of his trip to the Middle East but more tidy, certainly lots of textile and carpet shops but otherwise largely restaurants and souvenir shops. No inexpensive Shawarma to be found and we fell for a Google highly rated cute looking restaurant with poor food and service and a high price tag; you can’t get ‘em right all the time!
      Weiterlesen

    • Peranakan Terraces

      26. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

      Off to a latish start being somewhat over tired the day before, with balancing our “agenda” with rapidly rising temperatures (the Weather Network reporting a heat wave and to stay inside to avoid heat related illness). A bus ride with some excellent views of the development along the eastern waterfront and through an upscale residential street along Mountbatten to the Joo Chiat area named after Chew Joo Chiat, a wealthy Chinese landowner in the early 20th century. We walked the main streets noting the evolution in architectural style of the shophouses. Most were colourful two-storey shophouses and terrace houses with ornate facades, intricate motifs and ceramic tiles. Having been to Penang where such restoration has not yet taken place, one can appreciate the economic activity that has permitted Singapore to modernize while preserving the architecture.Weiterlesen

    • Spectra Light Show

      25. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

      At the end of our first full day in Singapore, we took in the 15 minute light show at the Event Plaza outside the high end Marina Bay Sands shopping area. This runs a couple of times each night with fountains and laser projected images on the water mist. We both agreed that Disney Surpasses this show but given the cost it should be! (no cost here).Weiterlesen

    • Buddha's Tooth Temple facadeEmtry to Buddha's Tooth TempleBuddha's Tooth Temple Main HallBuddha's Tooth Temple from rearChinatown Centre hawkersChinatown Centre hawkersBig durians

      Chinatown

      25.–28. Apr. 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

      We took the MRT to the Maxwell Station, walked some of the China Town streets with their well restored shop houses and saw the Thien Hock Keng Temple, (Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, large and modern). We stopped at the Chinatown Complex Market (covered, non air conditioned Hawker centre built 1970s) where we had a fruit ice.Weiterlesen

    • A rare black orchid

      National Orchid Gardens

      25. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

      Within the Botanical Gardens, the only area with an admission fee is dedicated to orchids.. We were amazed at how much of the garden was in bloom and the dome containing cooler rainforest elevation plants was very impressive. Pictures do not capture the beauty and expertise seen.Weiterlesen

    • History museum of the Garden

      Singapore Botanical Gardens

      25. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

      Took a Grab at 07:30, starting in the Ginger Garden, then the Orchid Garden before making our way out. The Gardens were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. the first and only tropical botanic garden on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This is HUGE and amazing; the best botanical garden we’ve ever seen; you would need several visits to see it all. There was a downpour but it did not last long and we walked through to the far park exit where we found a good and economical lunch at an indoor hawker business.Weiterlesen

    • National Museum of Singapore

      24. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

      Our room at the budget friendly Strand Hotel was ready early. We had a quick lunch at the food court across the street (i.e. a modern day hawker centre!), and then walked 5 minutes to the nearby National Museum for our introduction to this small but mighty nation, The museum was established in 1849 as the Raffles Library and Museum before moving to its present location in 1887, and a restoration was completed in 2006. The galleries began with an artistic presentation on trees in the city. The main gallery was the history, including the merger with Malaya and then separation two years later.

      The evidence of human settlement extends back only 7,000 years and recorded history to the 14th century when the first ruler of Singapura had a palace on hill. In 1819, Raffles recommended that the strategic position of Singapore would be a valuable British asset and Fort Canning was built on the site of the ruined palace. Many grand colonial buildings were constructed, these are all beautifully restored lying within our immediate neighborhood.

      A repeat theme in Singapore is of a melting pot of people and religions in its strategic position as a trading post. The major difference here was that 60% of the population is of Chinese descent rather than Malay. Thus, although Singapore joined with Sarawak and Malaya to form Malaysia in 1963 under Tunku Abdul Rahman, it separated in 1965. Of particular interest was a video of the first prime minister, Mr. Lee, giving an emotional address to the nation stating that Tunku of Malaysia decided that Singapore would need to separate due to the ethnic and religious differences that, in his judgement, would continue to be conflictual in the long run. Thus, Mr. Lee started on the challenging path to build a nation based on equality; unlike Malaysia which gives preference to ethnic Malays and is officially Islamic, Singapore has no state religion.

      This small nation has gone from a 3rd to 1st world country in fifty years, now ranking in the top 10 wealthiest countries with an average annual income of $80,000 USD/year per person (Canada is at $55,000). The government was very directive in its approach (some would say dictatorial) and there continues to be a clear expectation that you’ll follow through for the common good with signs reminding you of the expectations and to be a good citizen. The government built housing complexes for low income people (HBC Housing) after a Kampong burnt down and assigned people purposely to mix ethnicities up. In the 70s, street vendors were organized into "Hawker Centres: where there was proper plumbing, sanitation and gas stoves. Thus, as a visitor you see no destitute people and organized outdoor food stalls. Due to the unusually high temperatures (mid 30s+) while we were there, we found stalls with local Hawker history selling non franchised food in air conditioned spaces; these were by far the most economical option.
      Weiterlesen

    • To Singapore

      24. April 2024 in Singapur ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

      We had a comfortable, on time 2 hour flight with Air Asia from Kuching to Singapore. The three flights with this budget carrier have been very good, including well organized boarding process compared to the chaos of both Vietnamese airlines. There were a series of polite announcements before landing listing a variety of illegal acts: bringing in any weapon including knuckle dusters, bringing in more than $10,000 , stealing the lifejackets and carrying drugs is punishable in Singapore with the death penalty. Hmmm .. you certainly know where you stand.

      We arrived to Terminal 2 which connects with the MRT subway system.

      Singapore is a “rags to riches” story that is amazing given its small land size and this was evident immediately. The MRT is modern, and everything is superbly signed in both directions and expectations for Singaporean behaviour (eg, glass sliding door barriers protect the tracks, lines are clearly shown as to where to stand, there are metal guides to aid to the blind. Four written languages on the MRT signage, English and Mandarin announcements. We easily located the Strand Hotel right across from the MRT Blue Downtown #21 Bencoolen metro stop and we were to find this location very central.
      Weiterlesen

    • Chinese History Museum

      23. April 2024 in Malaysia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

      It was built in 1912 as a court by Chinese traders to enact their laws and customs. Thereafter it was taken over by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce and in 1993, it became the Chinese History Museum.

      The Chinese in Sarawak occupied a special place during the period of the White Rajahs. They formed a state within a state. They had their own temples and their own code of laws.

      The Chinese now make up about a quarter of the population of Sarawak and are Sarawak’s second largest ethnic group after the Ibans. The museum describes the 3 waves of migration of Chinese into Sarawak. The origin, destination and occupation of each major dialect group are detailed. It also highlights the early prominent pioneers and the current leaders of the community.

      The 1st wave of immigration took place in the early 19th century. These were mainly Hakka gold and antimony miners from Kalimantan. The 2nd wave of Chinese immigrants arrived by sea and consisted mainly of Hokkien, Teochew and Cantonese. These traders arrived before the 1st Rajah, James Brooke. The 3rd and biggest wave of immigrants arrived mainly at the invitation of Rajah Charles Brooke to open up land for cultivation and provide labour for the mines.

      An information panel on each of the Chinese immigrant groups who helped build Sarawak – Hakka, Cantonese, Hokkien, Teochew, Chao Ann, Henghua, Hainanese, Foochow, Luichew and Sankiang – forms the bulk of the displays in this little museum.

      Two large sections of the museum are devoted to prominent Chinese leaders both past and present.
      Weiterlesen

    Erstelle dein eigenes Reiseprofil

    Kostenlos

    QR code

    FindPenguins für iOSFindPenguins für Android