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Singapore & Tokyo | 2026
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Singapore & Tokyo | 2026

Family Visit + my 20th layover in Tokyo. Läs mer
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  • Resans start
    2 oktober 2026
    SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    JA608J waiting at the gate in HNL to operate to NRT as JL785.
    JA608J waiting at the gate in HNL to operate to NRT as JL785.Another JAL aircraft - this time a B787 - parked next to ours.My snack at the Sakura Lounge.My legroom on my exit row seat.My lunch on JL785. I chose the furikake chicken. It was so-so.Pre-arrival snack on JL785.Routing of JL785 as captured on FlightRadar24.

    Honolulu to Tokyo Narita

    2 oktober, Förenta staterna ⛅ 29 °C

    Japan Airlines JL785 | HNL/NRT
    Economy Class
    Boeing 767-300ER | JA608J
    ATD/1312 | ATA/1635+1
    Sakura Lounge

    For this trip to Singapore, I purchased a round trip ticket on JAL from Honolulu to Tokyo, and another Business Class roundtrip from Narita to Singapore on Cathay Pacific. CX has reasonable fares priced in yen in the I fare class out of NRT, and so I seized this opportunity as I’ve also been wanting to experience their highly rated First Class lounges at HKG. I also timed my Tokyo layover on my return to coincide with the Bake Neko Festival in Shinjuku.Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    The passageway leading to the upstairs dining area at the JAL First Class Lounge.
    The passageway leading to the upstairs dining area at the JAL First Class Lounge.The hallway of the JAL First Class Lounge.My sushi snack at the JAL First Class Lounge.My ramen snack at the JAL First Class Lounge.B-HNN waiting at the gate in NRT to operate as CX505.The outdated Business Class cabin on the B777. Thankfully I didn't have a seatmate on this sector.The outdated Business Class cabin on the B777 in 2-3-2 configuration.The outdated Business Class cabin on the B777.Menu for CX505.My welcome drink (Cathay Delight) and snack on CX505.Appetizers on CX505. Unlike other airlines, CX doesn't offer Japanese service ware.My main course in CX505. The halibut was overcooked and mushy. I didn't finish it.Mango ice cream for dessert on CX505. I declined the fruit and cheese courses.Routing of CX505 as recorded on FlightRadar24.

    Tokyo Narita to Hong Kong

    3 oktober, Japan 🌙 18 °C

    Cathay Pacific CX505 | NRT/HKG
    Business Class
    Boeing 777-300 | B-HNN
    ATD/1908 | ATA/2251
    JAL First Class Lounge

    I went to the JAL First Class Lounge at Narita because Cathay Pacific was in the process of renovating their lounge there. American closed their lounge in NRT when they moved most of their flights to Haneda; Cathay took over that space and they are now renovating it to bring it in line with their remarkably consistent lounge network.

    A few years ago, Japanese airports stopped requiring security checks for passengers with international-to-international connections arriving from the US. Even then, I had just under an hour at the lounge before I had to head to the gate. The lounge was rather busy and I could not fit in a shower during my time there as there were 14 people ahead of me. I wolfed down some sushi and a bowl or ramen and then I made my way Gate 82. I have mixed feelings about JAL’s First Class lounges. I love the efficiency with the app ordering of meals and showers, and I especially love the fresh made to order sushi, but it lacks the personalized premium touch of other lounges. The dining area pretty much resembles a glorified school canteen. In terms of ambience, the only part of the lounge that resembles a premium experience is the JAL Salon part of the lounge.

    As I mentioned in my last entry, I decided to spice things up a bit by taking Cathay Pacific, as the reasonable Business Class fare combined with the weak yen made for an irresistable opportunity. This first leg on CX was operated by their vintage 777-300s with outdated recliner Business Class seats. Not the most premium hardware, but the flight itself was fine and the service was world class as always. The flight was delayed by about 40 minutes due to air traffic congestion. Meal service en route was also delayed due to turbulence. The flight arrived about 30 minutes late into HKG.    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    The entrance to The Pier First Class Lounge at HKG.
    The entrance to The Pier First Class Lounge at HKG.The passageway at The Pier First Class Lounge at HKG, with various themed rooms on either side.The passageway at The Pier First Class Lounge at HKG, with various themed rooms on either side.The appetizers for my Chinese tasting menu, consisting of mushrooms (bottom) and marinated chicken.My prawn and spinach main for the Chinese tasting menu at The Pier.The dining room at The Pier.The dining room at The Pier.The Pier.The Bridge, while nice, was a notch less premium than The Pier.The Bridge, while nice, was a notch less premium than The Pier.Cute bear in CX pilot uniform at the entrance to The Bridge.Cute bear in CX cabin crew uniform at the entrance to The Bridge.B-HLS waiting at the gate in HKG to operate as CX659 to SIN.My seat on CX659.My seat on CX659.My seat on CX659.The supper menu on CX659. I declined the meal and went to sleep.Routing of CX659 as recorded on FlightRadar24.

    Hong Kong to Singapore

    3 oktober, Hong Kong ⛅ 27 °C

    Cathay Pacific CX659 | HKG/SIN
    Business Class
    Airbus A330-300 | B-HLS
    ATA/0136 | ATA/0515
    The Pier First Class Lounge & The Bridge

    I really wanted to experience Cathay Pacific’s much vaunted First Class Lounges while I have OneWorld Emerald status. The newly renovated The Wing First Class Lounge isn’t currently open to non-CX frequent flyers, so my only option was The Pier.

    The delay of my incoming flight meant that my 3 hour 20 minutes layover was reduced. Thankfully, we arrived at the same part of the terminal as The Pier, and it was a short walk there after a quick and efficient security screening. I got to The Pier just after 11pm, only to be informed they close at 12.30am. Drats. Of the four lounges I could access, only The Bridge stayed open past that time,

    Design wise, The Pier was pretty impressive. Entering the lounge, I first encountered a long passageway with entrances to various themed rooms on both sides, I made a beeline for the shower only to be given a buzzer as all showers were occupied. I settled into a plush seat and sat there for about 15 minutes before the buzzer notified me that my shower suite was ready. After a much needed shower, I walked to the end of the hallway to the dining room. There, I tried the Mott 32 Chinese tasting menu and washed it down at the end with a Hong Kong milk tea. The tasting menu was great, in particular the mushroom appetizer, and service was efficient and friendly. This definitely made up for the less premium experience at Narita.

    As I was finishing up my milk tea, the staff came around for last orders. I reluctantly peeled myself away from my seat, did a quick exploration around the other parts of the lounge, and then I made my way to The Bridge where I had another half hour before I had to make my way to the other end of the (very long) terminal to board my flight to SIN. I was sad that I did not have a chance to explore their much lauded private cabin.

    Overall, I would say The Pier might be my second favorite lounge after Qantas' First Class Lounge in Sydney, but QF wins purely because of its impressive aesthetics.

    I had a proper lie flat seat on my flight to SIN, which was exactly what I needed as I was zoning out by then. I declined the meal, and as soon as the flight took off I reclined my seat and went to sleep until top of descent into SIN.    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    Mughal exhibit: Tile Panel with Poetry Contest, Iran, mid-17th century.
    Mughal exhibit: Tile Panel with Poetry Contest, Iran, mid-17th century.Mughal exhibit: Ceremonial fly whisk, India, 17th century.Mughal exhibit: Dagger with horse-head hilt, India, 17th century.Mughal exhibit: Kris from various parts of Southeast Asia.Mughal exhibit: Various artifacts from India.Mughal exhibit: various artifacts from India.Mughal exhibit: various artifacts from India.Mughal exhibit: mother of pearl artifacts from India.Mughal exhibit: betelnut-related artifacts from India.Mughal exhibit: various artifacts from Iran.Mughal exhibit: various artifacts from Iran.Mughal exhibit: Literary artifacts showing Persian influences on Malay artifacts.Mughal exhibit: Ceramic mosaic with animals fighting, Iran, 17th century.Ottoman exhibit: Ceramic from Damascus, 16th century.Ottoman exhibit: Doors and windows, Egypt, 16th century.Ottoman exhibit: Artifacts from Turkey, 16th century.Ottoman exhibit: Artifacts from Turkey, 19th century.Ottoman exhibit: Artifacts from Indonesia, including a circumcision chair (eek).Ottoman exhibit: Artifacts from Turkey.Ottoman exhibit: Artifacts from Southeast Asia.Ottoman exhibit: Quran from Southeast Asia with Ottoman influences.Ottoman exhibit: Artifacts from Turkey.Ottoman exhibit: Artifacts from Turkey.Ottoman exhibit: Artifacts exported from China to Turkey.Ottoman exhibit: Artifacts from Turkey.

    Islamic Art at the Asian Civilisations Museum

    4 oktober, Singapore ⛅ 32 °C

    I landed in Singapore in the wee hours of Sunday October 4th. As with past trips, I deliberately stay awake on my first day, eat an early dinner, and go to sleep. Once I have a good sleep, I will have adjusted to the time difference.

    I spent part of my first day at the Asian Civilisations Museum. But, before I describe my time there, I need to relate the woeful tale of my broken laptops.

    I came to Singapore with two laptops in need of repair. Late last year, the keyboard on my trusty HP laptop started malfunctioning. I purchased a replacement keyboard online, and then I went to two repair shops in Honolulu. Both the shops declined to install the replacement keyboard because they didn't have the tools to do it, and they said that nobody on the island had those specialized tools. So, I reluctantly purchased an ASUS laptop from Best Buy to replace the HP laptop. Within two months, the screen on the ASUS cracked. There was a tug of war between me, ASUS, and Best Buy on the warranty, and I eventually gave up. I went price shopping and I was quoted USD800 to replace the screen, which was more than I paid for the laptop. So, here I was with two broken laptops. I decided to live without a laptop for a while and bring both of them to Singapore for repair. In Singapore, there is a mall called Sim Lim Square which specializes in electronics, and there are dozens of repair shops in the mall.

    I arrived at my mother's condo a tad bit after 6am. I hung out for a bit, and then made my way to Sim Lim Square just after 10am. As it was Sunday, there weren't many shops open. I wandered around looking at Yelp ratings for the shops that were open before I settled on a one-man shop. The proprietor quoted me SGD50 to install the keyboard on the HP. The screen replacement for the ASUS cost more but it was a lot cheaper than what I was quoted in Hawaii. The keyboard replacement would take two hours, and I agreed to leave the ASUS there so he could repair it later.

    With that, I had two hours to spare, so I headed to the Asian Civilisations Museum to look at their new Islamic Art exhibition, which is a joint exhibition with The Louvre. I probably saw some of the pieces when I visited The Louvre in 2024, but this exhibit was curated with a more specific focus. There were two rooms of exhibits - one for Mughal artifacts and the other for Ottoman artifacts. However, they didn't just display pieces from these respective geographic regions; these pieces were supplemented with artifacts from Southeast Asia to draw a connection on how the Mughals and the Ottomans influenced Islamic Art in Southeast Asia. Overall, this was a fascinating and educational exhibit.    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    Hornbill statue from Malaysia.
    Porcelain from China, c1735.Cabinet, India, 18th century.Tang Dynasty porcelain recovered from a shipwreck in the Java Sea.Peranakan porcelain. I am of Peranakan descent on my mother's side.Various Southeast Asian artifacts.Hornbill statue from Malaysia.Makara palanquin, Malay Peninsula, 18th century. This is my favorite piece in the entire museum.Various Southeast Asian artifacts.Various Southeast Asian artifacts.Buddha footprint, Thailand, 19th century.Various Southeast Asian artifacts.Various Southeast Asian artifacts.Various Southeast Asian artifacts.

    Asian Civilisations Museum: Greatest Hits

    4 oktober, Singapore ⛅ 32 °C

    Apart from the Islamic Art exhibit, I skimmed through the permanent exhibits as I had seem them before. I did linger at the Southeast Asian display to view some of my favorites. Anyway, here are some of my top hits.

    After viewing the exhibits, I grabbed some lunch and then I made my way back to Sim Lim Square to collect my laptop. I cannot tell you how stoked I am to have it repaired at such a reasonable cost!    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    Towards A Glory Day, Kracki, Indonesia. This series captures imagery from the Japanese occupation.
    Towards A Glory Day, Kracki, Indonesia. This series captures imagery from the Japanese occupation.Fueling Apolocalypse, Ho Rui An. These AI digital prints focus on Singapore's petrochemical industryFueling Apolocalypse, Ho Rui An. These AI digital prints focus on Singapore's petrochemical industryFueling Apolocalypse, Ho Rui An. These AI digital prints focus on Singapore's petrochemical industryBruce Springsteen, Ismail Zain, Malaysia. I love the juxtaposition of traditional script.Phantom, Ismail Zain, Malaysia.Flies Eat Siti Mastura's Liver, Ismail Zain, Malaysia.Fading Marks, Vanghoua Anthony Vue. This series focuses on the Secret War in Laos.Fading Marks, Vanghoua Anthony Vue. This series focuses on the Secret War in Laos.Towards A Glory Day, Kracki, Indonesia. This series captures imagery from the Japanese occupation.Towards A Glory Day, Kracki, Indonesia. This series captures imagery from the Japanese occupation.Towards A Glory Day, Kracki, Indonesia. This series captures imagery from the Japanese occupation.Bomb Ponds, Vandy Rattana, Cambodia. The photos capture rice fields inside bomb craters.Bomb Ponds, Vandy Rattana, Cambodia. The photos capture rice fields inside bomb craters.Block Out the Sun, Stephanie Syjuco, 2019, Philippines.

    National Gallery: Art Remembers

    5 oktober, Singapore ☁️ 32 °C

    Because of the poor air quality, I decided to focus on indoor activities. So, I made my way to the National Gallery. The entire fourth floor, which houses Southeast Asian art, was closed to install new works, so that left only three main exhibitions open. The first I went to was a new exhibit titled "Art Remembers". It features art focused on forgotten, little known, or difficult histories. Issues related to identity and history are also explored in this exhibit.

    Two pieces in this gallery really stood out for me:

    The first was a series of photos of a hand covering images of people in a magazine. In 1904, 1,200 Filipinos were taken to the World's Fair in St Louis and displayed as a human zoo to showcase the US' newest colony. The artist took photos of the World's Fair magazine with her hand positioned over the people on display to give them the dignity they were denied.

    The second display that resonated with me depicted various etchings related to the Secret War in Laos, including scenes from their infamous Lima Sites where Air America ran covert operations. When I visited Laos in 2017, I was dumbstruck to learn about the atrocities committed by the US military on a country that was officially neutral. On a side note, I am still kicking myself about not visiting Lima Site 6 in Vang Vieng while I was there. Back then, I noticed something on the map that looked like an abandoned landing strip, but I couldn't get to it as various structures blocked my way. It was only after I left Vang Vieng that I learned that it was a landing strip used by Air America for their covert activities.    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    Transformation, Wong Shih Yaw, 1989.
    Early poster art on Singapore's pineapple industry.Portrait of Lim Loh (war hero Lim Bo Seng's father), Xu Beihong, 1927.Indian Boy, Tchang Ju Chi, 1939.Portrait of Seet Hoot Kee, Soo Pun Tung, 1917.Family Portrait, Georgette Chen, 1954.Working at the Brick Factory, Liu Kang, 1954.Malay House, Mohamed Salehuddin, 1960.Here They Come!, Koeh Sia Yong, 1965. This depicts illegal street hawkers fleeing from police.Cutting Grass, Ho Ho Ying, 1956.Workers in a Canteen, Chua Mia Tee, 1974.Workers Resting, Tay Boon Pin, 1962.Market, Lee Sik Khoon, 1961.Cockfight, Yeh Chi Wei, 1975.Pulau Sekudu (Frog Island), Lim Tze Peng, 1950s.Potong Pasir Dairy Farmer, Lee Boon Wang, 1958.Drying Salted Fish, Cheong Soo Pieng, 1978.Gibbons, Chen Wen Hsi, 1977.Children of the Sun, Khoo Sui Hoe, 1965.Compositions with Fruits, Georgette Chen, c1969.Rohani, Georgette Chen, 1963.Self-Portrait, Lim Mu Hue, 1963.Different Thoughts, Lai Foong Moi, 1960s.Rhythm of Dance, Ho Ho Ying, 1959.Abstract: A Dance, Ho Ho Ying, 1977.Conversation, Lin Hsin Hsin, 1982.Riot, Lim Hak Tai, 1955.Hummingbirds Racing, Tan Swie Hian, 1983.Drawing from this position with untucked tummy, Ho Soon Yeen, 1992.Mon, Ho Soon Yeen, 1992.Yin Yang One and Many, Gilles Massot, 1987.Promenade in Pink, Gilles Massot, 1985. I believe the subject is a trans woman at Bugis Street.Transformation, Wong Shih Yaw, 1989.A collection of works from an art collective.A collection of smaller items set against a "Merdeka" mural.

    National Gallery: Singapore Stories

    5 oktober, Singapore ☁️ 32 °C

    I believe I visited Singapore Stories when I was in Singapore in February, but some of the pieces appear to have rotated. The gallery starts with depictions of early colonial Singapore up till contemporary art. Many of the pieces depicted activities that are no longer done in Singapore today, such as pineapple cultivation, brick making, dairy farming, and drying salted fish.

    One artwork titled Potong Pasir Dairy Farmer struck a chord in me. It depicted a man who was worn from hard physical labor, but he still looked dignified. My primary school was in the vicinity of Potong Pasir. Because it is a well-established school, the students are mostly sons of alumni, and the overall demographic skewed towards boys from privileged, English speaking families. In my class, however, was one boy from the local farming community. In a perverse way, I suspect he was a diversity admission. He barely spoke English, his uniform was never ironed, and he failed Primary One. My mind wandered to what happened to him, and if he ever managed to find his way in Singapore’s hyper competitive system.

    Another piece that resonated with me was a photograph of a trans woman (or maybe just a cross dresser) on the once infamous, now sanitized Bugis Street. Once Bugis St was shut down and redeveloped, trans women mostly went underground.    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    This video documents my entry to the tunnel and my quick retreat when Instagram vs Reality hit.
    This video documents my entry to the tunnel and my quick retreat when Instagram vs Reality hit.Fort Canning.Fort Canning.Christian cemetery, Fort Canning. The last burial here was in 1865.Fredesvinda by Napoleon Veloso Abueva, 1982.Unity by But Muchtar, 1981.Sir Stamford Raffles (L), founder of Singapore and of my school, was also an avid naturalist.Fort Canning.This sweet treat at Al Azhar Restaurant made up for my underwhelming Tree Tunnel experience.

    Fort Canning Tree Tunnel

    5 oktober, Singapore ⛅ 32 °C

    After I exited the National Gallery, I realized I was close to the Fort Canning Tree Tunnel which has been popping up all over Instagram lately. I decided to check it out.

    To get there, I walked about 15 minutes, entering Fort Canning from behind the National Museum, skirting around the base of the hill, and then entering the tunnel from the top. Truth be told, I was underwhelmed. It was yet another case of Instagram versus Reality. On social media, there are dozens of shots of a circular staircase with what looks like a forest in the opening above it. In reality, it was a short spiral staircase with lots of loud people at the base waiting their turn to take the iconic photo. I was deperately sweaty and thirsty by then, and the air quality was in the unhealthy range, so I beat a quick retreat to Dhoby Ghaut Station and made my way back to my mother's condo, with a stop for a refreshing ice kachang (shaved ice) treat en route.

    While I was at Fort Canning, I saw a statue of Sir Stamford Raffles, who established the British presence in Singapore in 1819 and my school in 1823. When I got back to my mother’s condo, I googled where Raffles was buried, and, to my surprise, I learned that he is buried at St Mary’s Church in Hendon, North London, which is one subway stop from my friend Trixie’s (the same one I’ve visited in Adelaide several times) mother’s former home. I must have ridden past that church several times! I shared this information with Trixie and she, too, was surprised. Next time I go to London, I will make sure to track down his final resting place. I also learned from my research that the vicar of that church refused to allow Raffles to be buried there because of his anti-slavery views, so his remains were kept in a crypt and forgotten until 1914 when he was finally interred in the church.    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    The art deco Tiong Bahru Market.
    Looking down Seng Poh Road.The art deco Tiong Bahru Market.Chinese shrine just outside Tiong Bahru Market.A sacred tree at the Chinese shrine outside Tiong Bahru Market.Tiong Bahru.Tiong Bahru.Tiong Bahru.Tiong Bahru.Tiong Bahru.The air raid shelter at Tiong Bahru.The air raid shelter at Tiong Bahru.Tiong Bahru.Tiong Bahru.Tiong Bahru.Tiong Bahru.Tiong Bahru.Pasar & the Fortune Teller by YC Yip, who is my schoolmate.Bird Singing Corner by YC Yip, who is my schoolmate.It looks as if the occupant of this apartment runs a shoe repair business out of their home.

    Tiong Bahru

    6 oktober, Singapore ⛅ 31 °C

    I arrived early for a dinner appointment at the gentrified neighborhood of Tiong Bahru. This was one of the first public housing estates in Singapore, and, up until around 15 years ago, it was a quiet neighborhood housing an aging mostly Chinese population. Around 2010, younger people began paying attention to the low rise art deco vibe, and the neighborhood suddenly became hip. Housing prices shot up as a result, and the demographic mix changed dramatically with young professionals and expats occupying more and more apartments. I spent a nice half hour admiring the buildings and murals, and speculating which units were occupied by the original owners and which ones had been taken over by the younger crowd.

    While there, I also visited the exterior of the Atlas Obscura-listed air raid shelter which was built during World War II below a residential building. A friend who had been inside it said it was massive and apparently could house up to 3,000 people.
    https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-horse-s…    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    Cave 249.
    Cave 158, with Buddha lying in repose having achieved Nirvana.Cave 158, with Buddha lying in repose having achieved Nirvana.Cave 158, with Buddha lying in repose having achieved Nirvana.Cave 158.Cave 158.Zhang Qian's journey to the Western Regions, Cave 323, Tang Dynasty.Caravan from the Western Regions, Cave 420, Sui Dynasty.Reproduction of Cave 249, featuring Asura, Chinese gods, the Daoist Queen Mother, and animals.Cave 249.Cave 249.Cave 249.Cave 249 featuring the four-armed, four-eyed Asura supporting Mt Sumeru and holding the sun and moonCave 249.Cave 249.Cave 249.Cave 45.Cave 45, with Indian-influenced depictions of Buddha, disciples, bodhisattvas, and heavenly kings.Cave 45, with scenes from the Amitayus Contemplation Sutra.Cave 45, with scenes from the Lotus Sutra.Cave 45. I'm not sure who the heavenly king is stomping on.Four Sights, Cave 275, Northern Liang Dynasty.Episodes from the Lotus Sutra, Cave 61, Five Dynasties Period.Buddhapali's journey to obtain a sutra, Cave 217, Tang Dynasty,Jakata of the Nine-Coloured Deer, Cave 257, Northern Wei Dynasty.Vimalakirti, Cave 103, Tang Dynasty.Princes listening to the dharma, Cave 103, Tang Dynasty.Tonsure scene from the Maitreya Sutra, Cave 445, Tang Dynasty.Western Pure Land in the Amitayus Contemplation Sutra, Cave 320, Tang Dynasty.Donor portrait of Lady Wang of Taiyuan, Cave 130, Tang Dynasty.Donor portrait of the king of Khotan, Cave 98, Five Dynasties Period.Donor portrait of Cao family women, Cave 61, Five Dynasties Period.Tejaprabha Buddha, Cave 61, Western Xia or Yuan Dynasty.Wedding scene from the Maitreya Sutra, Cave 445, Tang Dynasty.Ceiling painting with grapes and pomegranates, Cave 209, Tang Dynasty.Archer, Cave 346, Five Dynasties period.Butcher shop, Cave 85, Tang Dynasty.Donor portrait of the monks Cihui, Fayan, and Huijing, Cave 345, Five Dynasties period.

    Asian Civilisations Museum: Sacred Caves

    7 oktober, Singapore ☁️ 32 °C

    During a lunch appointment today, I received a message that the second laptop I sent for repair at Sim Lim Square would be ready around 4pm. With that in mind, I went back to the Asian Civilisations Museum to see the limited time Sacred Caves exhibit which I decided to forgo on Sunday because it was too crowded and noisy.

    The Sacred Caves is an exhibit showing reproductions of cave paintings and statues discovered in Dunhuang, which was a major city on the Silk Road in the crossroads between China, India, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Apart from murals and artifacts, there were also reproductions of three caves:

    Cave 158 (Tang Dynasty, 781-847) features a Buddha lying in repose having achieved Nirvana, with some followers mourning his passing, while others were more composed as they were cognizant that the Buddha has achieved enlightenment and had thus ended his suffering.

    Cave 249 (Western Wei Dynasty, 535-556), which brings together Chinese, Indian, and Buddhist imagery, including Asura, the Chinese gods of thunder, lightning, wind and rain, and the Daoist Queen Mother of the West.

    Cave 45 (Tang Dynasty, 705-780) featuring Buddha, his disciples, bodhisattvas, and scenes from the Lotus Sutra.

    I found the reproductions and the artifacts on display fascinating given how the various cultures on the Silk Road interacted and influenced one another. I really should have trained as a Cultural Anthropologist. Anyway, I am now adding the Silk Road to my ever growing retirement bucket list.    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    House of Tan Yeok Nee.
    House of Tan Yeok Nee.House of Tan Yeok Nee.House of Tan Yeok Nee.Examples of the ceramics used at the House of Tan Yeok Nee.House of Tan Yeok Nee.House of Tan Yeok Nee.House of Tan Yeok Nee.A projection showing some of the history of the House of Tan Yeok Nee.A projection showing some of the history of the House of Tan Yeok Nee.

    House of Tan Yeok Nee

    8 oktober, Singapore ⛅ 31 °C

    In the afternoon, I headed out to the Dhoby Ghaut area to visit two sites, the House of Tan Yeok Nee (commonly known as the Teochew House) and Temasek Shophouse.

    The Teochew House is the last remaining traditional Teochew mansion in Singapore, and it appealed to me as I am of Teochew descent on my father's side. Built in 1882-1885 by merchant Tan Yeok Nee, it initially housed his family before being used as an orphanage. It later became the Salvation Army's headquarters before it was gazzetted as a national monument and restored.

    Only a small part of the building was accessible to the public as most of the space was dedicated to two restaurants and some offices. There was a room playing a video about the mansion and its restoration, as well as a display on the ceramics used and how they were restored. Although interesting, I didn't have much reason to linger.    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    Temasek Shophouse.
    Temasek Shophouse.Temasek Shophouse.A sculpture acknowleding Temasek Shophouse's origins as a car factory.Temasek Shophouse.Temasek Shophouse.Temasek Shophouse. Note the spiral external staircase.Temasek Shophouse.Temasek Shophouse.The community garden at Temasek Shophouse.Temasek Shophouse.

    Temasek Shophouse

    8 oktober, Singapore ☀️ 32 °C

    My next stop after the Teochew House was Temasek Shophouse, a restored set of shophouses utlized as a "social impact hub", the purpose of which wasn't obvious to me even after I went through the facility. Violet Oon's Peranakan restaurant was the anchor of this facility. Other than that, I saw a coffee shop staffed by disabled workers (they appeared to be supervised by a person without visible disabilities), a store featuring locally made goods, and indoor and outdoor social spaces. The green spaces outside the building were nicely done up. There was also a community garden, but instead of community members tending to plants, there were migrant workers taking care of a highly curated collection of spices and herbs; considering how pretty much all menial labor is outsourced to migrant workers, it just seemed apt for Singapore.Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    Brush Impressions, Heart Sutra, Hiroshi Sugimoto.
    Hiroshi Sugimoto's fossil collection, which featured fish, frogs, and dragonflies.Brush Impression 1547, Hiroshi Sugimoto, 2024.Accelerated Buddha, a video by Hiroshi Sugimoto, 2017.In Praise of Shadows, Hiroshi Sugimoto. Each long-exposure photo captures the full life of a candle.Opticks, Hiroshi Sugimoto.Opticks, Hiroshi Sugimoto.Mathematical Model 002: Dini's Surface, Hiroshi Sugimoto, 2005.Five Elements, Hiroshi Sugimoto.Theaters, Hiroshi Sugimoto. The shutter is left open for the duration of a film in each photo.Brush Impressions, Heart Sutra, Hiroshi Sugimoto.Brush Impressions, Heart Sutra, Hiroshi Sugimoto.Brush Impressions, Heart Sutra, Hiroshi Sugimoto.Seascapes, Hiroshi Sugimoto.Spacescape, Hiroshi Sugimoto, 2024.Spacescape, Hiroshi Sugimoto, 2024.Black Forest, Han Sai Por.Animal Roulette, David Chan, 2005.A piece by Ezzam Rahman. The flowers are made from skin from the artist's feet.A piece by Ezzam Rahman. The flowers are made from skin from the artist's feet.Afterimage, Maria Taniguchi.Story of a City, Farida Batool, 2012. The series of photos follow a cityscape in Lahore.Source Code, a solo exhibit by Jemana Murti.Source Code, a solo exhibit by Jemana Murti.

    Singapore Art Museum

    9 oktober, Singapore ⛅ 32 °C

    The air quality got even worse today. As I had a dinner appointment at a classmate's apartment in Katong in the evening, I looked at several places where I could make a pitstop en route, but I nixed most of the options because they were either outdoors or they would involve some walking between those places and transport points for my eventual evening appointment. I was resigning myself to going to a mall when I realized there was a good option - the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) at a repurposed warehouse in Tanjong Pagar - which was both indoors and very close to an MRT station. With that, I happily got onto the MRT to Cantonment, a new station on the now-fully Circle Line.

    The main highlight at SAM was Hiroshi Sugimoto's Form is Emptiness, which was due to wrap up in two days. Sugimoto is mostly known as a photographer, but he works in other media on display. I especially loved his fossil collection which included fish, frogs, and dragonflies.

    There were a few other items at SAM which caught my attention, and others which were just downright pretentious. There were also a couple of solo exhibitions in other parts of the building. One of them - Jemana Murti's Source Code - caught my attention. In this exhibit, the artist displayed 3D printed figures from Balinese cosmology and tradition.

    Overall, this was a worthwhile stop and a great option to do something interesting without venturing out too much into the polluted air.    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    B-LAX waiting at the gate to operate as CX716.
    The Noodle Bar at Changi is remarkably similar to other lounges, right down to the green tiles.My laksa and dim sum at the Cathay Pacific Lounge at Changi Terminal 4.Cathay Pacific Lounge at Changi Terminal 4.Cathay Pacific Lounge at Changi Terminal 4.The departure lounge at Changi T4 includes replicas of traditional Singapore shophouses.B-LAX waiting at the gate to operate as CX716.B-LAX waiting at the gate to operate as CX716.My seat on CX716.My seat on CX716.My seat on CX716.Menu for CX716.Menu for CX716.The haze-obscured Changi Airport tarmac as seen during our taxi to Runway 20C.The haze-obscured Changi Airport tarmac as seen during our taxi to Runway 20C.The haze-obscured Changi Airport tarmac as seen during our taxi to Runway 20C.Takeoff from Runway 20C. The haze was so bad that the ships in the strait were barely visible.Welcome drink - Cathay delight accompanied by warm nuts.Smoked salmon appetizer on CX716. The plating was odd as the premium ingredient was half hidden.Prawn and asparagus main course on CX716. Fruit and dessert on CX716. I declined the cheese course.Approach into HKG on CX716.Routing of CX716 as captured on FlightRadar24.

    Singapore to Hong Kong

    10 oktober, Singapore ☁️ 29 °C

    Cathay Pacific CX726 | SIN/HKG
    Business Class
    Airbus A330-300 | B-LAX
    ATD/1806 | ATA/2207
    Cathay Pacific Lounge

    After saying goodbye to my mom and her caregiver Eva, I took a taxi to Changi Terminal 4. I’m a little mystified why Cathay Pacific operates out of T4, which is primarily a low cost terminal that isn’t connected to the other terminals or to the MRT, when their alliance partners operate out of T1. I guess most of the traffic on their Singapore flights originate or terminate in Singapore so they don’t need to co-locate with their partners. Regardless, the handful of transfers who do fly into or out of SIN on CX have to put up with a cumbersome transfer process.

    T4 is different from the other terminals at Changi in that security checks are at a centralized location instead of at individual gates. I cleared immigration and security in no time, and from there I headed to the Cathay Pacific Lounge, which was remarkably consistent in decor with their other lounges. There, I happily tucked into a laksa - a dish I hadn’t eaten yet on this trip - at the iconic green tiled noodle bar. After that, I hung around a bit until it was time to board.

    Service on CX716 was great as usual. Once dinner was completed, I reclined my seat into a bed and got some decent sleep.    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    The Pier First Class Lounge.
    The escalator down to The Pier First Class Lounge.The Pier First Class Lounge.The dining room at The Pier First Class Lounge.My octopus carpaccio at The Pier First Class Lounge.Dan dan noodles at The Pier First Class Lounge.The Pier First Class Lounge.My seat on CX524.My seat on CX524.Menu on CX524.Cathay Pacific's signature eight treasures glutinous rice with crabmeat.Approaching the coastline near Narita.Approaching the coastline near Narita.The haze obscured outline of Mt Fuji is visible in the distance. This is rare for NRT.CX524 landing at Narita.I had a pocari sweat while waiting for the Narita Express.Countryside scenery as viewed from the Narita Express.Flightpath of CX524 as captured on FlightRadar24.

    Hong Kong to Tokyo Narita

    10 oktober, Hong Kong 🌙 26 °C

    Cathay Pacific CX524 | HKG/NRT
    Business Class
    Airbus A330-300 | B-LAX
    ATD/0112 | ATA/0629
    The Pier First Class Lounge

    While approaching Hong Kong on my inbound flight from Singapore, I was stoked to learn that the flight would dock at Gate 62, which is a stone's throw away from The Pier. I was even more stoked when I learned that the same aircraft would take me to Narita from the same gate. This meant that I would have more than two hours in The Pier.

    After a quick and efficient security check, I got to The Pier in no time. This time, I did not have to wait for a shower stall to become available. After a refreshing shower, I headed to the dining room for an octopus carpaccio and dan dan noodles. I then hung out in the lounge until it closed at 12.30am. There was only a short lag time between closing time at the lounge and boarding time for my flight, so I hung around Gate 62 for about 15 minutes before boarding. It sure beat schlepping all the way to the other end of the (very long) terminal.

    On this flight, I preordered Cathay's signature eight treasures glutinous rice with crabmeat, which is apparently a delicacy from Fuzhou. Before this flight, I considered skipping supper and prioritizing sleep, but I decided to eat because I didn't want to risk being hungry on the hour plus train journey from Narita to Shinjuku. The cabin crew served supper quickly and efficiently, and I managed a good three hours of sleep.

    CX524 landed in Narita a little ahead of schedule. On approach, I could see the outline of Mt Fuji through the haze, which is pretty rare for Narita. I was really looking forward to cooler temperatures and cleaner air after the smog and humidity in Singapore.    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    The festivities at the Zenkokuji Temple.
    The festival brochure showed in clear detail where and when the activities would take place.Bake Neko Festival.The Akagi Shrine near Kagurazaka Station.The Akagi Shrine near Kagurazaka Station.The Akagi Shrine near Kagurazaka Station.Bake Neko festivities at Shirogane Park.Bake Neko festivities at Shirogane Park.Bake Neko festivities at Shirogane Park.There were hand decorated cat themed recycle and trash bins throughout the festival area.There were hand decorated cat themed recycle and trash bins throughout the festival area.There were hand decorated cat themed recycle and trash bins throughout the festival area.There were hand decorated cat themed recycle and trash bins throughout the festival area.The festivities at the Zenkokuji Temple.The festivities at the Zenkokuji Temple.The festivities at the Zenkokuji Temple.The festivities at the Zenkokuji Temple.The festivities at the Zenkokuji Temple.The festivities at the Zenkokuji Temple.Random characters I saw at the festivities.Random characters I saw at the festivities.Random characters I saw at the festivities.Mr. Replica, one of the official street performers I saw at the festivities.Scarecrow Moheji, one of the official street performers I saw at the festivities.Random characters I saw at the festivities.Random characters I saw at the festivities.Random characters I saw at the festivities.Random characters I saw at the festivities.Random characters I saw at the festivities.Random characters I saw at the festivities.Random characters I saw at the festivities.This is Mutako, one of the official street performers I saw at the festivities.Random characters I saw at the festivities.Random sights at the festivities.Some of the real cats I saw at the festivities.Some of the real cats I saw at the festivities.Some of the real cats I saw at the festivities.Some of the real cats I saw at the festivities.Alfie, a Scottish fold I met at the festivities.This dog really liked me and he kissed me.Some of the real cats I saw at the festivities.Some of the real cats I saw at the festivities.Some of the real cats I saw at the festivities.Some of the real cats I saw at the festivities.

    Bake Neko Festival

    11 oktober, Japan ☀️ 24 °C

    I planned this trip and this layover to coincide with the Bake Neko Festival. This festival is inspired by supernatural monster cats from Japanese folklore and novelist Natsume Soseki's classic I Am a Cat which was written while he lived in Kagurazaka. I first heard about this event in a Time Out article, and I have wanted to experience since reading about it. It was also featured in the film Rental Family, which I highly recommend.

    After clearing immigration and customs at Narita, I purchased a ticket on the Narita Express and waited about 30 minutes for the 7.40am train. The train I took made four extra stops and that prolonged the journey into Tokyo. I arrived at Shinjuku Station at 9.20am and made my way to Pod Select Hotel in Shinjuku Nichome.

    I stayed at this facility three times in the past when it was called City Hotel Lonestar. Jeff and I have many fond memories of the hotel, in particular the free breakfast nook on the ground floor which provided us a prime viewing spot of people doing the walk of shame after having been out all night. A few things have changed since our last stay here in 2018: breakfast is no longer offered, and the hotel is now staffed by people who spoke to one another in Mandarin. When I arrived, it was too early to check in, so I left my bag at the hotel and made my way to the Kagurazaka neighborhood where Bake Neko is held.

    I had little information about the festival program other than it started at 10am. When I arrived at Kagurazaka Station, I saw a few people in costume, but there was little evidence to suggest that there would be a festival in the vicinity. I first went to the nearby Akagi Shrine, and then I followed a few costumed people over to the Shirogane Park, where there were a couple of booths and people handing out pamphlets. The pamphlets provided a wealth of information about the timing of the activities, and where they were held along Kagurazaka-Dori which runs between Kagurazaka and Iidabashi Stations. I was very pleased to have this information because it helped me figure out in advance which spots to stake out. This is in stark contrast to other Japanese festivals I have been to, in particular the Sanja Matsuri in 2014 and last year's Narita Gion, where I basically ran to wherever I heard noises. But these festivals were less foreigner inclusive, so I can understand why there was a lack of information for non-Japanese.

    Some friends have asked me why I didn't participate in the parades. Well, I didn't want to carry a costume as I travel light and I am very disciplined about that. I also dislike attention. But, the key reason why I chose to be a spectator was because I would only see the people around me if I participated in the parade, whereas as a spectator I would see many more revellers in their costumed best.

    Anyway, the first parade was at 12.20pm, so I wandered the streets a little, ducked into a small sushi restaurant for lunch, after which I had a lovely strawberry soft serve, and then I made my way to the route of the first parade. I later discovered that there were two Atlas Obscura sites just off the parade routes. I would have checked those out if I had researched them ahead of time. Apart from Shirogane Park, the main hub of activity was at Zenkokuji Temple along the parade route.

    The photos in this entry are of various sights, characters, and animals I saw during the festival. I have created seperate entries for each of the three parades and the cat awa dance in order to circumvent the video limits for each entry.    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    The brass band parade at Bake Neko.
    The brass band parade at Bake Neko.The festival brochure explained the parade sequence.The brass band parade at Bake Neko.The brass band parade at Bake Neko.The brass band parade at Bake Neko.The brass band parade at Bake Neko.The brass band parade at Bake Neko.The brass band parade at Bake Neko.The brass band parade at Bake Neko.The brass band parade at Bake Neko.The brass band parade at Bake Neko.The brass band parade at Bake Neko.The brass band parade at Bake Neko.The brass band parade at Bake Neko.

    Bake Neko: Brass Band Parade

    11 oktober, Japan ☀️ 26 °C

    The brass band parade, led by the Euro Brass Band, was the first of the three parades I viewed. It started at the Kagurazuka Station, went down a short way, and then it doubled back. The festival brochure provided information on the makeup of the parade: leading the parade were costumed characters carrying a banner, followed by royal cats (these are people who paid 5,000 yen to participate, followed by the band, then by the noble cats (1,000 yen fee). A portable cat shrine - a clear spoof of portable shrines carried at religious festivals in Japan - followed the noble cats. Bringing up the rear were the citizen cats, who paid 500 yen to participate.

    After I left the parade, I noticed on the pamphlet that there had been a oni kenbai (demon sword dance) at 1pm. My brain was so focused on the parades that I completely overlooked that event!    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    The samba parade at Bake Neko.
    The samba parade at Bake Neko. Jack Sparrow the cat is about 20s into the video.The samba parade at Bake Neko. There is a woman wearign a cone of shame about 2:45 in.The samba parade at Bake Neko.The samba parade at Bake Neko.The samba parade at Bake Neko including a veterinary team dangling cat teasers at the audience.The samba parade at Bake Neko.The samba parade at Bake Neko.Jack Sparrow the pirate cat at the samba parade at Bake Neko.The samba parade at Bake Neko.I spotted the Natakatoquio samba band before their performance in the parade.I spotted the Natakatoquio samba band before their performance in the parade.

    Bake Neko: Samba Parade

    11 oktober, Japan ☀️ 27 °C

    In addition to wanting to get away from the heat, I also left the cat awa dance early to get a good vantage point for the samba parade. This parade was livelier than the brass band parade and I saw more interesting characters, including a cat named Jack Sparrow (he was dressed in a pirate outfit) and a parade participant wearing a cone of shame. The samba drum band performing was called Natakatoquio.Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    The Giant 3D Cat next to Shinjuku Station.
    The Giant 3D Cat next to Shinjuku Station.The Giant 3D Cat next to Shinjuku Station.The Giant 3D Cat next to Shinjuku Station.Part of my tempura dinner at Tempura Funabashiya.

    Giant 3D Cat

    11 oktober, Japan 🌙 23 °C

    After leaving the Bake Neko Festival, I made my way back to Pod Select Hotel and had a much needed shower. After my shower, I got a second wind. Unlike other Japanese festivals I have attended, Bake Neko did not have street food vendors, so I did not graze on street nibbles like I have done at other events. So, I was ready for food after my shower. I googled tempura restaurants and found a highly rated one - Tempura Funabashiya - a short walk away. Although it was pricey at 3,000 yen for seven pieces of tempura, it was so good. The exterior of the restaurant only had Japanese script which may put some tourists off, but they had an English menu inside, and the staff did a great job of communicating.

    After dinner, I walked to the nearby giant 3D cat. I had seen this display in daylight before, but I couldn't get good videos then. This time round, I got much better videos since it was dark.    Läs mer

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  • SiewchSingapore & Tokyo | 2026Resenär
    The last part of the first Godzilla video I saw at the Tokyo Metropolitan Building.
    The last part of the first Godzilla video I saw at the Tokyo Metropolitan Building.One of the earlier videos I saw at the Tokyo Metropolitan Building.Tokyo night lights as viewed from the observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.Tokyo night lights as viewed from the observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.Tokyo night lights as viewed from the observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.Tokyo night lights as viewed from the observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.Tokyo night lights as viewed from the observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.Tokyo night lights as viewed from the observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.Tokyo night lights as viewed from the observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.Tokyo night lights as viewed from the observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.

    Tokyo Metropolitan Building

    11 oktober, Japan 🌙 22 °C

    The Tokyo Metropolitan Building boasts the world's largest permanent architectural projection display. According to information I found online, the show starts at 6pm in October, runs for about 15 minutes, and repeats itself every half hour. The program apparently includes Godzilla... who wouldn't want to see a giant kaiju projected onto a giant building?

    Read the Atlas Obscura entry here: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/tokyo-night…

    I arrived just before 6pm and found a nice little spot to view the show. I watched four shows, but no Godzilla. Dejected, I walked away and decided to go up to the free observatory as I hadn't been to any of the Tokyo observatories at night. I queued for about half an hour, saw the night lights, and came down just after 7.30pm to hear loud roars. This certainly wasn't want I saw at 6pm. So, I made my way to the Citizens' Plaza and saw the tail end of a Godzilla show. A second, different Godzilla show ran after that; this second one was less interesting. The show ended at this point. I debated staying to watch the 8pm show, but I was fading fast and I beat a retreat to my hotel. I made a quick pitstop at the Family Mart next to my hotel for some midnight snacks and for breakfast foods before showering and falling into a deep sleep.

    The videos in this entry are what I saw of the first Godzilla video, plus one anime-inspired video from my earlier viewing.    Läs mer

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