tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90525084053656632622024-03-14T04:24:56.126+08:00Scribbles by JoelleUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger212125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-61930480815083675322021-08-21T15:01:00.000+08:002021-08-21T15:01:39.358+08:00Wooden Toy Trains and RailwayThe very first railway set I bought for mini J was the <a href="https://www.hape.com/ca/en/toy/emergency-services-hq/E3736" target="_blank">Emergency Services HQ from Hape</a>, when Isetan was having a sale. Back then, mini J was only 14 months old, while the toy packaging says suitable for 3+ years old. I finally decided to opened it after mini J turned 18 months old. I was sure he would like it (because he loves anything transportation), but I wasn't sure if it would be age-appropriate, although I've kept away the small parts like the human figures and other small accessories. It seems to be a natural instinct that the vehicles should roll on the tracks. I didn't have to demonstrate and mini J figured this out immediately.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTU3KIJuf2o/YPUgtNbhykI/AAAAAAAA86Y/Fld99FhAjIYGFF2qVEorGWmx_1NSSPj6gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_1142.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ab7jOv_O7iQ/YPUg4tjl-1I/AAAAAAAA86k/5C5MdfQ6y9InHdiEKQp-aGDRF6UoAzZwQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_1141.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cheZx3ev2eM/YPUg4lDw4cI/AAAAAAAA86g/XmpytL0buoUgcN7QvmO0vxmvDrAXQdswQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1144.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nl7ZDmu5DLg/YPUg4d0Qu3I/AAAAAAAA86c/F3h-ccvvSCUsX_RFmsqZJ5Mx84K6GCDzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1143.jpg" /><br />
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Gradually, I added more trains, tracks and accessories from Ikea and Brio (as well as some items from China). I didn't expect mini J would be afraid of the battery-operated train moving on it own. Thankfully, he got over the fear when he was 21 months old. I was puzzled because before turning 1 year old, he was always disturbing the automated vacuum cleaner until it was damaged. We never took it out again after it returned from repair.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fda7ZfhdozE/YPjb8xfcSoI/AAAAAAAA8_4/xHaQLe44ahkaKLFNgjVy2NCt3IGNLdmLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210321_210856IG.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O14izvwgj7E/YPjb8xxYy6I/AAAAAAAA8_8/T4UeafXtuHQAVrGIvoLKum93NkHrKkA-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210321_210732IG.jpg" /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tkhHs814oP4/YPjb9PPvoEI/AAAAAAAA9AA/CyRnHEyp374ZtNGCsyPgRO04d5t_9KnKwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210321_210703IG.jpg" /><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cr4lONY98u0/YSCXMjqm2XI/AAAAAAAA-Rc/OuKfvRPdCA4Pwy3bDbMaOhta_hB77txugCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1624a.heic" /><br />
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When approaching 2 years old, he started joining the tracks and trains randomly. Currently at 2.5 years, his pretend play is limited to people getting up and down the transportation, vehicles going for car wash, and aeroplane flying in the sky. It hasn't evolve into elaborated stories yet, which is perhaps the other reason why theme-based railway sets are for 3+ years old kids.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M4HJkSR4Vm4/YSCkh6AKVwI/AAAAAAAA-So/CAJdPJWarCwjzvSwonuH6qFeC9gjYbr0ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_1626.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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There are some drawbacks when combining train tracks and accessories from different brands. For example, the human figures from Brio are slightly bigger than Hape's. Since Brio's are larger, the figures are too wide to pass through <a href="https://www.ikea.com/sg/en/p/lillabo-5-piece-train-bridge-set-90320064/" target="_blank">Ikea's orange bridge</a>. Also, the wagon and load for the cargo trains are of slightly different length for Brio and Hape.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H1FyhTXBcg4/YSCZlQIm7fI/AAAAAAAA-SQ/DQ29w335otMfXP-Ry50HhOIFDnyP6aqewCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1618a.heic" /><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iD3oaPPW30s/YSCZlc--YGI/AAAAAAAA-SM/Jc75KFpCC98Gg9EQWd4XDZ1mt9QeNRtQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1619a.heic" /><br />
<img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UX78T0sF5vY/YSCZlfjqKqI/AAAAAAAA-SI/blgK236A4tcfLGzItAHc9Ug5DhoU7-vqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1621a.heic" /><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-17956134939817267402021-07-19T14:12:00.002+08:002021-07-22T10:34:52.550+08:00Baby Books"Never Touch a Monster" was the first touch-and-feel book I bought for mini J when he was 8 months old. Since he liked it, I bought another two more in this series, "Never Touch a Dinosaur" and "Never Touch a Shark". The colourful rhyming sentences are always on the left page and the cute illustrations and textures on the right. There are many more in this series but I was afraid he might outgrow them too soon, so I limited my purchase to just three. Surprisingly, at 2.5 years old now, he would sometimes pick out these books from the bookshelf for bedtime story.<br />
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<img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EqNXj8eo1FY/YPTV9JZRspI/AAAAAAAA84s/2nzUS18U2tMo2K1K15l_P4ONqW00Alt9gCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_1092.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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I used to wonder how library books become so torn. Now that I have a destroyer at home, I witnessed for myself how a 1 year old took out a page from the spine of the board book. Gradually, the inside pages were detached from the covers.<br />
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<img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8wtrsA-7Ywc/YPTWLRdaYiI/AAAAAAAA84w/djltyXaz67461ZwW8zCVQClL8wnaNA8UgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_1093.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Another series that mini J enjoys a lot, is the shaped flip books from Milly & Flynn. While he generally do not get attracted to animal-themed books, he probably like these because of the "noisy, red tractor", "shiny, yellow submarine" and "dusty, orange truck". As with many children's books, the stories are predictable and similar to each other. Papa J joked that he could guess it's going to be ""Wait for me!" called Little Frog" in the last title we bought.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9uNUaPp-f_M/YPTVJsKrEpI/AAAAAAAA84k/P6kUQvm0izMqQgqX9XQ4NBOQD8PZ3FA7QCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_1134.PNG" width="640" /><br />
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My home library of baby books wouldn't be complete without some sound books. The first that I bought was "The Wheels on the Bus" from Igloo Books. I'm quite disappointed with this series because the electronic part spoiled so quickly. These books could have had a longer milestone if the music still plays.<br />
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<img border="0" height="512" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdw79HBNMEE/YPTioi9ytEI/AAAAAAAA848/HWx2FFQk2S0n4_ZtBKh_7AU7AmtSbRsVwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h512/IMG_1095.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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While trying to expand my collection of baby books, I wanted the books to be attractive enough for mini J, who was a very active baby (and still is a very active toddler now). So I thought slider books would be fun and I bought "I thought I Saw a Bear!" and "I thought I Saw a Penguin!". It's like the animals are playing play-a-boo. When the books were new, the slider don't work very well and mini J had difficulty moving them. Over time, the pages become seasoned, yet able to survive mini J's rough pulling.<br />
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<img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17FyqC5wFi0/YPTpBxZhinI/AAAAAAAA85M/JJNWyyVXdDItOf0u0vjKecMXfjyeSHQ5wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_1133.PNG" width="640" /><br /><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--EeGBl57UDI/YPTpB_ZnqxI/AAAAAAAA85I/lih3trE4UogIBUIqBZLvv4FCVgJdwo2YACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_1132.PNG" width="640" /><br />
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I've considered buying pop-up books, but I knew that mini J would quickly destroy them. True enough, I tested with a hand-me-down pop-up book and he tore almost every single pop-up.<br />
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Here are some Youtube links for some of the books listed above:<br />
- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwiv9Zlywbo" target="_blank">Never Touch a Monster by Let's Read Some Books</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-jRYzyKcDQ" target="_blank">Never Touch a Dinosaur by Read Aloud Books</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZQsblKp97A" target="_blank">Never Touch a Shark by Waternut</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-I4b23jtHE" target="_blank">Milly & Flynn Shaped Flip Books</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3Lw_zeQ3TE" target="_blank">The Wheels on the Bus by GJS Channel</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7SbZqrTc_Y" target="_blank">If You're Happy and You Know It by GJS Channel</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRgziY3mz_M" target="_blank">Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Inspiring Books</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeuV48TpARY" target="_blank">Old MacDonald Had a Farm by Inspiring Books</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suRLRz_G5PM" target="_blank">I thought I Saw a Bear by 키즈북세종kidsbooksejong</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptEzEzJttyw" target="_blank">I thought I Saw a Penguin by HPL Kids</a><br />
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These books (and much more) can be found from local online bookstores:<br />
- <a href="https://www.groovygiraffe.store/" target="_blank">Groovy Giraffe</a><br />
- <a href="https://www.owlreadersclub.sg/" target="_blank">Owl Readers Club</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-86697021815748842742021-04-04T16:06:00.139+08:002021-07-06T12:24:05.176+08:00Pan Pacific HotelOur original plan was to make use of the <a href="https://singaporediscovers.life.gov.sg/" target="_blank">SingapoRediscovers voucher</a>, but KB did some comparison and concluded that our cash output is less if we book directly through the hotel's website. Yes, direct booking is cheaper than using the authorised websites after deducting the $100 voucher.<br />
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This is the first time we went on a staycation without an occasion to celebrate. We chose Pan Pacific hotel because it is connected to Marina Square, where <a href="https://kiztopia.com/" target="_blank">Kiztopia</a> is located, because mini J wouldn't appreciate lazing in the hotel room all day.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hraKOio5FzI/YOLLjiDJfTI/AAAAAAAA8OE/sJKW0W1gSfERmUclMjtYXQmYrGMXVIAoQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20210401_153329a.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8M8sdaO98Ug/YOLLjklk5-I/AAAAAAAA8OI/EcsseloA6AM8vpxIbii8VpBic9jP9laQgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20210401_153301a.jpg" width="640" /><br />
It's always nicer when there's a Nespresso coffee machine in the room.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9xtHVxp9Ms/YOLMoPlr28I/AAAAAAAA8OU/uVPH-ni1iQ0UREM6pIhM-CRerhjhJJzmQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20210401_153837.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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KB likes having a separate living room because he could watch TV all night (and maybe sip some tea) while mini J and I were asleep.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Io4AKlO7N0/YOLOmYq1TbI/AAAAAAAA8Oc/cOiAZUo837Az14a9Tktwhm9nrJi9eBvSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20210401_213357.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JZ6p4b6-h_A/YOLOmrEn-oI/AAAAAAAA8Og/BboqsS8qvuwUGm_Bywp6g5FSP980DodwQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20210402_092418.jpg" width="640" /><br />
The beautiful night and day views of the city from our room on the 17th floor.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-88633715316839857772021-02-08T15:17:00.000+08:002021-02-08T15:17:56.347+08:00Once Upon a Time on The Orient ExpressTaking a short walk in history... onboard the original Orient Express train carriage.<br /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zICuorzFeIk/YCDkH1o4mLI/AAAAAAAAsBk/82vXRNEosXUQO4IvhGbAj4AOzNP5-Q1pgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201224_102458IG.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iJLYBk8NMC0/YCDkKcqHrkI/AAAAAAAAsBs/IdGAMYwnCcAwf6WUhrOUjBiD3u-SN8xcgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201224_102505IG.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AN2caIbHK3Y/YCDkKBzLQGI/AAAAAAAAsBo/xvpcadZ0myY3in1NbFRTRpuZCbCCvjnAwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201224_102704IG.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugnhtZk6P7w/YCDkKYYa1kI/AAAAAAAAsBw/ZJEps8CQOZk3VjUtCle3eNiM3Amm8gSrwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201224_102729.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--hQ14KpCdAg/YCDkK4mctBI/AAAAAAAAsB0/fHWFkXTzwVY3ZHv_hcO02mTdx5nRsQ2hQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201224_103101IG.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-snpwW4PfTbI/YCDkLE108SI/AAAAAAAAsB4/lz81imM_laonDj2E6L87lSDdz6m8gbyLwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201224_103454IG.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-6idk-eCyY/YCDk1-GRsWI/AAAAAAAAsCM/rTvMGlo708MLbrbJQLe1SZFq2ElQS6dlwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201224_104600IG.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NFteN4v6DDA/YCDk85uytiI/AAAAAAAAsCQ/9STuhE0yBsswfI7_0wef8ICTaFe17XmSwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201224_100410IG.jpg" width="640" /><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-53333768147164212282021-01-04T13:55:00.179+08:002021-02-08T14:52:10.498+08:00Shangri-La Hotel SingaporeThis is our staycation at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore. It's been a long while since KB and I last had a staycation, because I found it too troublesome to bring along all the baby stuff, plan his meals and milk feeds. Now that I'm more okay with feeding him outside food and he's drinking formula / packet milk, I'm less overwhelmed by the packing list. I chose Shangri-La because there's a really nice buds indoor playground and a newly built Splash Zone.<br /><br />On check-in day, we waited for little J to wake up from his nap before heading down to the hotel. Hence, by the time we reached, which is slightly pass 3pm, there was no crowd at the lobby; everyone else has already checked in! But being late also meant that most slots for buds and Splash Zone were already taken up, because we could only make our bookings after we got our room number.<br /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECOE87K6ZB8/YCDbGpd0dEI/AAAAAAAAsBI/PZJbc7VH3UQRB9yHHPK6UR-HOSWoDk9QgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201229_164024.jpg" width="640" /><br />Hotel lobby Christmas decorations<br /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S6sGzODAEt4/YCDV04LQyjI/AAAAAAAAsAg/P2Jh7cgBImgj2gPjw9ay0NzicFWEnytbgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201229_155107IG.jpg" width="640" /><br />Our room in Garden Wing<br /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OowFsvy_Jcw/YCDblbo-ToI/AAAAAAAAsBQ/ZoniRYo5E5c3KxkGlfLZaWuw1KmufEFRgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201230_104747.jpg" width="640" /><br />View of the pool from our room balcony
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mhJhkNR2DZk/YCDXG49HVqI/AAAAAAAAsAo/UXI8hZsszVEerSh1VjJoOsepo4nn10U8ACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201229_155454IG.jpg" width="640" /><br />Baby cot and kid's goodie bag
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZ_JvCjsy1Q/YCDaR54oGPI/AAAAAAAAsBA/VfMr2b_KgbYoCSsXFzWjqTznitFj25JYACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201229_162352IG.jpg" width="640" /><br />Yummy logcake and chocolate from the hotel<br /><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTN0kg4XRv0/YCDb-CsxRdI/AAAAAAAAsBY/FcaJchLRAsMLXgqMZD9-CeCwiPspcs0xACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/IMG_20201230_092223.jpg" width="640" />
<br />Toddler area within buds by Shangri-La at 9am<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-53755355843030285352020-12-21T10:48:00.157+08:002021-02-25T11:46:29.771+08:00Jurong Lake Gardens Festival of Lights<i> Organised as part of the President's Challenge, “A Better Tomorrow” Festival of Lights bring to light the unity, determination and resilience of Singaporeans.</i> (Source: <a href="https://www.nparks.gov.sg/activities/events-and-workshops/2020/12/jlg-festival-of-lights" target="_blank">NParks</a>)<br /><br />The displays are located in two areas of Jurong Lake Gardens, "It's a Small World" is near the North carpark and "Lucky Zodiac" is near the South carpark. At the North carpark, the traffic control officers were there, so were the safe distancing ambassadors. Thankfully, there's plenty of HDB carparks on the opposite side of the road. In contrast, there wasn't any restrictions at the South carpark.
<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>It's a Small World</b> Lantern Displays</div><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GIo2JRXJyJc/YDcWNeO2pqI/AAAAAAAAsSk/roJws9tNdQ4X_tdcp1p7mvk4QTGp02JxACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20201219_193432a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bR-6D4WXcqc/YDcWNZxTEfI/AAAAAAAAsSg/wOjzqtR_z0sicciwfj3YfSkQ-tDfFLJQQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_20201219_193645a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oQJo2nB4IkQ/YDcWNR0anCI/AAAAAAAAsSo/wZUystNHWbQcOKHTIFuPtl_6EoWKHJhmQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_20201219_193959a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_G5NSCVLBuA/YDcWOIuHAjI/AAAAAAAAsSs/KXdhqb7Xn2seQSgRaHz3vjgrw6rLxg0BwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_20201219_194104a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cieOHUUvHTg/YDcWOj8W5LI/AAAAAAAAsS0/NFLlMiZ2f4oasSWfD1i3c-G31fqR1pRdwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_20201219_194423a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ychTnDyT9cM/YDcWOlfAWKI/AAAAAAAAsSw/bOH0svXoz7oTF464iShL-GLHv9dmzcjKACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_20201219_194533a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-05u9hafwPvs/YDcWO0bItkI/AAAAAAAAsS4/AAaX0YEb5XgpJtpsKgwX8G_XY8uWNo5rQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_20201219_194720a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTuIowrowKc/YDcWPpfe2QI/AAAAAAAAsS8/YEaggA9_jcUQf_GxhLzxCjGXfJwKKnutwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_20201219_195630a.jpg" width="640" />
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Lucky Zodiac</b> Lantern Displays</div><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkPIAEuQYmg/YDcZpTRXVzI/AAAAAAAAsTU/OXcZJMZICF0mwy3BHDXxs1NPWvaoJbzLgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20201220_191637a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQh2EJQ5ijs/YDcZpagr-HI/AAAAAAAAsTY/x9u5nEuyl5g2MkEsKfp7o2KDbRpAdxNrgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20201220_191657a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vbbbAR5RMfw/YDcZpFosRxI/AAAAAAAAsTQ/Kdr27ohJeswwq-asMRZdV2JgpiZbZw_QgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20201220_191747a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7L-kgFFOUNk/YDcZp02ApUI/AAAAAAAAsTc/by1Fv9PKedcNrPoH3JNt-51GOzNCF_kOwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20201220_191820a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SMJ1nmZK7Ow/YDcZqG-sTUI/AAAAAAAAsTg/KoEL_mooktABW5eARBNUbxU5abTzUsCyQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20201220_191856a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8p3v3ZbtCQE/YDcZqDRLMFI/AAAAAAAAsTk/j6kKOw1QuCwRapHZfuSq55hwd4DMal6vACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20201220_191918a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GqQbZ8vvQ0/YDcZq3BbmJI/AAAAAAAAsTo/hOUyWwxXNAYsyYysCeFb8cm10tcrgmLUQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20201220_192010a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-91ni9TRCKoo/YDcZrOacglI/AAAAAAAAsTs/OptHkw46vvkNMRY2M-h3R_3_-KHhoOABwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20201220_192032a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcnc2VNUUts/YDcZrOee2WI/AAAAAAAAsTw/fqS6AGg6zCAgqj4rTiakiSzBWnYhDudXQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20201220_192114a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRps9WPydKg/YDcZrkQKE6I/AAAAAAAAsT0/_w9hFjsKiE0f64KAOM8XJJgsaFQVW-FMgCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20201220_192209a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bos9CEfG62A/YDcZsDxqjqI/AAAAAAAAsT4/z0fHyvMANrQpXH7PzzywSYmPnJO6w-pQwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20201220_192241a.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-30DpaJOBaF8/YDcZsBgKj-I/AAAAAAAAsT8/dxk0rEheiyYHyIv6Jz38Mb7cceVgr1muACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20201220_192304a.jpg" width="640" />
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Since it's the Christmas season now, it wouldn't be complete without some Christmas theme light-up, isn't it.
<br /><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_5obg3AbfA/YDcbLXSR_zI/AAAAAAAAsUc/zEVrPP1HDxwjUWUztw6YEL9m-4XjqiOxACLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/IMG_20201220_192412a.jpg" width="640" /><br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-57823435358409540932019-12-30T14:50:00.043+08:002021-02-25T15:01:23.873+08:00Jurong Bird Park Lory LoftLory Loft is my favourite part of the Jurong Bird Park. It's a walk-in flight aviary where you can buy a small cup of liquid mix to feed the little cute and friendly birds.<br /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xi_dZ8c3nL8/YDdJw2i4G1I/AAAAAAAAsUk/6_J1Wq5ArzkR6xHxRSGiw8UzHCXeyPJwwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20191227_090332a.jpg" width="640" /><br />One cute little lory greeting us at the entrance.<br /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UOWgkMx0NTk/YDdJwwWsDvI/AAAAAAAAsUs/ke-6hVRWec4cHMSztEOoT9s-TmqZcBvSwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20191227_090625a.jpg" width="640" />
<br />Little green lory resting in it's hanging pavilion.<br /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rO_GPVZO2HA/YDdJw1xmWhI/AAAAAAAAsUo/cIeWZ69Ro5MLRIGo9bl2WfPqBgKltLIXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_20191227_090830a.jpg" width="640" /><br />Another visitor feeding birds, while we stood nearby to watch.<br /><br />I was kind of worried that the birds flying in the aviary might poo on us. Thankfully it don't happen.<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-78681640916674279572019-11-14T13:40:00.002+08:002019-11-14T13:40:37.221+08:00Disney: Magic of AnimationThis exhibition takes us through time, from the classic Mickey Mouse to the recent movies, showing how animation drawings were done in the past and how technology has evolved to what it is today.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cClZ6_FqkfM/XczLrPU9nAI/AAAAAAAAOpA/HPdcakwPB0MRWDLjwQ4FmC7tGeTJ2GTawCKgBGAsYHg/s400/DisneyASM%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yak6Cv2KQRI/XczLrC4WV3I/AAAAAAAAOpA/pXpWI8fjQuYz9kz8AEQy_J95Mz95fMaFACKgBGAsYHg/s400/DisneyASM%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="298" />
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Work desk of the past (left) vs present day (right)<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="1600" height="250" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PwC9fqBMJkk/XczLnnEyYuI/AAAAAAAAOo8/PArVPBnThIINybHjC1ViFL8KxrDtpMVMACKgBGAsYHg/s640/DisneyASM%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /><br />
Paper-pencil sketches of classic cartoons<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPpcXG7QzGQ/XczM6eFvPcI/AAAAAAAAOpM/6ZfgtvJ6T_YchY64gZjp5GbFiP-r6TIbgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/DisneyASM%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Storyboard of <i>One Hundred and One Dalmatians</i><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjvlzgmOQDM/XczN4txkfdI/AAAAAAAAOpY/WUf4zNOmUO8812GFXPw6ulPR39gFQN9ygCKgBGAsYHg/s640/DisneyASM%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Throughout the exhibition, there are write-ups of milestone animations to depict the changes in production methods.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Y0M-mQ_7SE/Xczl0cl7kbI/AAAAAAAAOpo/3fbIzIqyI3wp7iipOBdstyd2yGgqjQLlACKgBGAsYHg/s640/DisneyASM%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<i>Big Hero 6</i><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DdKiVcuxVs8/Xczl9282UJI/AAAAAAAAOps/cD6LmvcjPXUW2yo6FK7WsdnRySbQsu-qgCKgBGAsYHg/s640/DisneyASM%2B%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<i>Moana
</i><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="1600" height="357" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gttEiN-0JEc/Xczm_rEhUAI/AAAAAAAAOp0/ofUfuD_5nRMfJLwwrxyI_R9jTJ2tfQS0ACKgBGAsYHg/s400/DisneyASM%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="400" />
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Olaf, Anna and Elsa from <i>Frozen</i><br />
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See my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/scribblesbyjoelle" target="_blank">Instagram</a> story highlight for more photos and videos.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-45850854462506768052019-10-07T09:29:00.000+08:002021-02-08T13:59:35.206+08:00The Joy of Toys<a href="http://joyoftoys.com.sg/" target="_blank">The Joy of Toys</a> is currently my favourite hangout place with Little J. This is one of the very few indoor playgrounds suitable for my little crawling baby.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dbp1FDa3l38/XZqP6uDFsnI/AAAAAAAAOkk/buzDZXBud9cosUGAYN4inALSPzPDDrgEACEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20190920_100703.jpg" width="640" />
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The whole floor is covered with cushion playmat.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eb9wGI0PBA4/XZqQ7mYPruI/AAAAAAAAOks/vnqNz62dtycMnKRplMNSLLrvYLkAgpSKACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20190925_100359.jpg" width="640" />
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Kitchen corner. Little J can't play with this yet because he still cannot stand unsupported on his own.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tFtV9ikC9Vw/XZqRJY688uI/AAAAAAAAOkw/ZA8SFLSwSkcbRXeNpVg-BnwmNvhDkbyFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20190925_100325.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aAhAKyzurVE/XZqRuqdMZJI/AAAAAAAAOk8/yFLnK96Q9g0oEw3PhICtHkI58FpntGHvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20190925_100727.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9ao_sLzbxRU/XZqR1O4bWwI/AAAAAAAAOlE/F9Bbg0C8YgEqPc3ghhve0ewJbFscfsy-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20190925_100435.jpg" width="640" />
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Plenty of good quality wooden toys! Puzzles, sorters, musical, stackers, pull-along...<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk0V4bskRsM/XZqR1IxOiSI/AAAAAAAAOlA/lBBNe1WarOIAwbLUkzjmHZnOTGGCAE3LwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_20190925_100513.jpg" width="640" />
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This is just the toddler play space. For the older kids, there is another separate main play area, which I have not visited.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-72331006029746591942017-08-31T14:58:00.000+08:002017-08-31T14:58:12.797+08:00Changi Airport Terminal 4 Open HouseThe construction of the new <a href="http://t4.changiairport.com/en" target="_blank">Terminal 4</a> began shortly after the <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/work-starts-on-changi-airports-t4-which-is-slated-to-open-in-2017" target="_blank">ground-breaking ceremony</a> on 5 November 2013. Although it has not yet started operations, the registered public had a chance for a walk-through during the <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/registration-for-changi-airport-terminal-4-open-house-begins-on-july-5" target="_blank">Open House from 7 August to 20 August 2017</a>.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KQrbWVpD8r0/Wad7QAfldDI/AAAAAAAANlY/pfoUlNx_M1w8SP3C-RY_KgrQ2EjPxOlvwCLcBGAs/s640/ChangiT4%2B%25281.1%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--LUIKwrerok/WaeZ_DifuhI/AAAAAAAANlo/7Wx_icO5xRI7pWcZ_YY2-Kc740ZPDd0QACLcBGAs/s640/ChangiT4%2B%25282.1%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Our "boarding passes" for the Open House.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7ATEVaSpq9I/WaecHiK3TTI/AAAAAAAANl0/8OJyoAN0-Bcp6ECowdmeaR5_lzYMKUDZQCLcBGAs/s640/ChangiT4%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JaIIKjDWgNU/Waec0PdwIjI/AAAAAAAANmA/AN-a4p5RkBQ9PzymGrl0-QMY7VjegmPDACLcBGAs/s640/ChangiT4%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjMxBlG8jXc/WaectYkNPHI/AAAAAAAANl8/UgDe5KWgDJYCLb9zq0FJ6spPhFM9e1O2wCEwYBhgL/s640/ChangiT4%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Changi Airport Terminal 4 boast it's <a href="http://t4.changiairport.com/en/fast" target="_blank">Fast & Seamless Travel (FAST)</a> in the effort to increase productivity.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XGXRGHia-LY/WaefEDTdOrI/AAAAAAAANmU/p46gN4ft6awf2Rh7mbvG9OLC82g8CjtdwCLcBGAs/s640/ChangiT4%2B%252818%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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FAST departure step 1: Automated Check-in Kiosk where passengers collect their boarding pass and check-in luggage tag.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NqtsttIUpEg/WaedSxi2iUI/AAAAAAAANmI/i_3D0LevxlQqStYsJTdZDFW95ji6Bb5sgCLcBGAs/s640/ChangiT4%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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FAST departure step 2: Automated Bag-Drop Machine<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mxTD28yeaw8/WaelTHjL3II/AAAAAAAANmk/fSnGi4UCYq8MLbeJrshCS7NcY6JQLhzZwCLcBGAs/s640/ChangiT4%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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FAST departure step 3: Automated Immigration Gate (upgraded version from the predecessor in T1, T2 and T3)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/46JWN9vJDWI" width="640"></iframe>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yNw5YVlJQIs/WaeqOO2vIuI/AAAAAAAANm8/6GVUFZwIqlsiN1xuwk7tuN5Ln3vsZBAXQCLcBGAs/s640/ChangiT4%2B%25289.1%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Bright red and purple seats for the waiting passengers<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="640" height="384" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cYPtHOcXpoQ/WaeqeLiPVSI/AAAAAAAANnA/nQVhUdPzWWMLKn5JbaguYwjbYNK_P3AIQCLcBGAs/s640/ChangiT4%2B%252810%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Balloon sculpture of Air Asia, which is one of the airlines that T4 will be serving when it opens.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhYIQQjUT5A/WaerK23riyI/AAAAAAAANnI/P7J2jDulriYVysiiZVen5UHPx1t2TjEJACLcBGAs/s640/ChangiT4%2B%252811%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e2lPCaDhnos/WaerNGppTUI/AAAAAAAANnM/7021TI9zah0S8ptoPBsrLNEpKeisc2ZRgCLcBGAs/s640/ChangiT4%2B%252812%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Running low on battery? There are charging points at almost every seat.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1NNQkW4Yqs/Waer5HwW2LI/AAAAAAAANnc/vE1IUpDYxqghojn55JVdagIgCqJHodE3ACLcBGAs/s640/ChangiT4%2B%252813.1%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ToFvXh_DVEI/Waer48WRKhI/AAAAAAAANnU/6BZMzAWumjE9I5kRnz0hOSMlxXJBPWK5QCLcBGAs/s640/ChangiT4%2B%252814.1%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TRxWmcdgl1A/Waer5ARIhsI/AAAAAAAANnY/dPFtsB0aQuEbIg7pcXHQuXTmBrirgknCACLcBGAs/s640/ChangiT4%2B%252815.1%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Heritage Zone<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XAsnhhsBJ2Q/WaesMbaip2I/AAAAAAAANno/qGmx47XJgtUupU0XdVo-v9dkGE2alDJcwCEwYBhgL/s640/ChangiT4%2B%252817%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Boarding area<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BTKaGXmGNvw/WaesMQ9-XzI/AAAAAAAANng/b4tvBnVWwhcGFFsK_HxwRh99prJWFa25wCEwYBhgL/s640/ChangiT4%2B%252819%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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FAST departure step 4: Automated Boarding Gate that has facial authentication ability.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IqgEeZaSwVM/WaesMUB09aI/AAAAAAAANns/tJvSRaWD4fUEKQ50n4Zp7RSpGNk_iA0bgCEwYBhgL/s640/ChangiT4%2B%252816.2%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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It's always nice to watch the planes taking off and landing on the runway.<br />
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<br />
<u>T4 Fact Sheet</u><br />
- Ground-breaking on 5 November 2013<br />
- Construction commenced in February 2014<br />
- Construction completed in December 2016<br />
- Annual handling capacity of 16 million passengers<br />
- Total gross floor area of 225,000 Sqm<br />
- 2 Multi-storey carparks with 1,700 parking spaces<br />
- Coach bay with 38 parking spaces and 4 public bus bay<br />
- Taxi deck for more than 300 taxis in-waiting<br />
- 21 aircraft stands with aerobridge<br />
- Provide direct links to more than 20 destinations<br />
- Operate close to 800 flights a week<br />
- Serve approximately 8 million passengers movements per annum<br />
- 160 Fig trees along the boarding corridor<br />
- 582,000 plants, trees and shurbs from 340 species (more than T1, T2 and T3 combined)<br />
- 10-metre tall giant Chinese Fragrant Aralia trees along Arrival Hall<br />
- 30-metre facade green wall leading to Departure Hall<br />
- 90-metre Rock garden at Baggage Claim Hall<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-52759257291655774702017-06-14T14:55:00.002+08:002017-06-14T15:52:49.031+08:00Quilting ProjectAfter Christmas last year, 4 girls decided that we wanted to make our own quilt. And so, we went to book some lessons and bought some clothes. Thankfully, 4 of us can form a class and we don't have to follow a fixed schedule. Initially, the teacher estimated that we would need 5 lessons, but we ended up finishing our quilt after 7 lessons.<br />
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Even before our first lesson, we had homework to do, which was to wash all the cloth and iron them. We need to pre-wash the cloth before cutting and sewing them. This is to prevent them from getting out of shape after piecing them together.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHBilq1CXGU/WUCivJD7svI/AAAAAAAANfQ/jfY-XEZjVBAuzn8ZzFOCbqNTWsk9rL3EQCKgBGAs/s640/quilting%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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For the design we plan to make, we need 1 yard of white cotton cloth and 9 pieces of fat/long quarters (cotton).<br />
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<b>Lesson 1 - Cutting</b><br />
We were taught how to measure and cut the clothes into stripes. And that's all we managed to achieve after 2.5 hours (super not efficient at all).<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvMaPrTrW-0/WUCkmmc-jTI/AAAAAAAANfg/9MNX_Fnzq2Qdnl82Dvxv_inl3MDr1W1-ACKgBGAs/s640/quilting%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<b>Lessons 2 & 3 - Patchwork</b><br />
Next, we sew together the stripes of different lengths. The short ends are joined together first, forming the long horizontal stripes, which should (theoretically) be of the same length. But as you can see from the picture below, they are not. Thus, when we pin the long sides before sewing, we need to pin the most right and most left ends first, then work towards the center. And when we sew the long stripes together, we should sew rows 1 and 2 together (let's call this piece A), then sew rows 3 and 4 (B), then rows 5 and 6 (C), then rows 7 and 8 (D) and so on until we reach the last row at the bottom. After that, we sew pieces A and B together, and pieces C and D together, etc. We do this until all the stripes are sewn together.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GOpPfEwEz2c/WUCk9xKzaJI/AAAAAAAANfo/33CDMgyyviIyLo-xPcnVJFR8_3whsCElwCKgBGAs/s640/quilting%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Homework: Trace the applique outline on the freezer paper and prepare the cloth for the applique (see picture below). Our applique design have stripes of different fabric prints.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1600" height="356" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHJlMZOXAOU/WUCrW9CIcOI/AAAAAAAANf4/9MWiR6AZBWY2DgR2A3CJmMkxbHljpG64wCKgBGAs/s640/quilting%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<b>Lesson 4 - Applique</b><br />
Iron the freezer paper cut-out onto the back of the applique cloth. Cut the cloth along the edge of the freezer paper, leaving a small allowance. Fold and iron down the cloth edges, then use big stitches to keep them in position. Pin and sew the applique to the main patchwork. As you can see from the rightmost photo, we were told to start sewing from the curve of the applique. When we are almost back at the start point, we remove the big stitches (that were meant to hold the edges folded in). Then we remove the freezer paper through the small opening. Finally, we close up the opening, which in our case is between the two pins at the right-bottom of the balloon. It's easier to sew up the opening along this straight part of the balloon. The applique would easily go out of shape if we try to sew the last part along the curve. We repeat the same steps for the brown basket.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hXHVs5vw-hA/WUCsCyKgDiI/AAAAAAAANf8/FejqtIa2s70NebQYxZPFviXlDzYdpb89ACKgBGAs/s200/quilting%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="200" /><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BLTkLpN_JDc/WUCsC2GTNeI/AAAAAAAANf8/p8JGJUdzuPYsuqT76muhlbqfd0a7OEKawCKgBGAs/s200/quilting%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="200" />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-msA1v4d2d84/WUCsYipxVMI/AAAAAAAANgA/xiwY018D7aY1ywX7rqY926L_w6L1ttBRQCKgBGAs/s200/quilting%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="200" />
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<b>Lesson 5 - Basting</b><br />
The ropes of the hot air balloons were sewn with two strands of cross-stitch threads. As for the technique, I've already forgotten how it should be done already. Once all the appliques are attached, we can go on to do basting. We lay the patchwork (facing up) on top of the minky (facing down) and we use safety pins to keep the two layers in place.<br />
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<b>Lesson 6 - Quilting</b><br />
We did machine quilting by sewing along the ditch where fabric pieces are joined (only the ditch on the two sides, not those between the white pieces). We also did quilting along the outline of the applique and some clouds on the remaining white spaces.<br />
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<b>Lesson 7 - Binding</b><br />
The very last step in this project is to make the bias tape and bind it on the perimeter of the quilt. With the quilt lay open on the table, ensuring that the corners are right angle, we cut off the extra cloth and minky on the sides. My bias tape was made from 1/2 yard of grey cloth, but again, I totally cannot recall the steps on how to do it now. But there are plenty of tutorials and videos to re-learn if I want to do another one. The bias tape is machine sewn on the front of the quilt, while hand-sewn on the back.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v9FRmJ3jzPs/WUDVrrOhhFI/AAAAAAAANgQ/TBS7YHv0br0w4nczaK6ZtkOMOnMMJmjcgCKgBGAs/s640/quilting%2B%25289%2529.jpg" width="480" />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
My final product!</div>
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This is just a sketchy overview of "how to make a quilt". There are definitely many details and tips that I've missed out here. From our first lesson to my very last stitch, I took 2.5 months to complete this project. Quilting is not just time-consuming, the tools are quite costly too. Definitely going to work on a simpler quilting project next time!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-88122135377557587522017-06-12T14:31:00.004+08:002017-06-12T14:35:16.417+08:00HUMAN+The <a href="http://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/human-plus.html" target="_blank">HUMAN+ The Future of Our Species</a> exhibition is held at the ArtScience Museum. I was expecting a more scientific kind of exhibition, but there are a number of artworks showing what it could be like for the future of mankind.<br />
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<u>Chapter 1: Augmented Ability</u><br />
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The exhibition starts with the showcase of prosthetics, which is something that is familiar to us and we see them very often in our everyday lives, even if we are not a user of one.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pp_ZRVfmgxM/WT37aXBoIGI/AAAAAAAANaE/gVJbiOO0vjAQvWCYNNWJWYh3V9nN42kFgCKgB/s640/HumanPlus%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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In the next room, artworks of overlaid photos were put up on the wall and they give me a headache when I looked at them. Then, there's also a series of scary photos (behind the orange panels) showing <a href="http://stelarc.org/?catID=20242" target="_blank">Stelarc' surgery</a>, where a "ear" is constructed onto his forearm. Next, we move into a dark room and videos of Stelarc's works with robotics are screened on the walls. In fact, right at the entrance to this exhibition, there is another video showing him strapped to a robot arm. There's also a video about the <a href="http://www.stillliving.symbiotica.uwa.edu.au/pages/artists/orlan.htm" target="_blank">Harlequin’s Coat</a> that consist living cells taken from different species. These are not quite the kind of artwork I know how to appreciate even though they are very much technology-based.<br />
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The sculptures of the Sonochromatic Head and Seismic Arm bring us back to a more real application of technology. Neil Harbisson is recognised as the world's first cyborg because of the implanted antenna in his skull that helps him "see" colours.<br />
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<u>Chapter 2: Encountering Others</u><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ibZ96Gdn6Dk/WT4FSEcmsAI/AAAAAAAANaU/avNOSqA4trsYdfrNJwLPr-RqzEhUkfwqQCKgB/s640/HumanPlus%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Those rows of eyeballs on the right (in the picture) are designed to follow the visitors who walk pass. And in the background, you can tickle the "feet" or squeeze the "hand" to get a "response" from the guy in the screen.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hRRIEL9yWyM/WT4pWYYu7LI/AAAAAAAANak/778lS5EtOXs_qL55CfV4yjNSGrFF9K3EQCKgB/s640/HumanPlus%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Would any parent like to have this robot arm rock their baby in this crib?<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d2ndPkrW5AE/WT4qBDkB8tI/AAAAAAAANao/VLyRzuByYcwkgRf2afttJqW9XHTV8_jGgCKgB/s640/HumanPlus%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Human Version - photographic works of Yves Gellie<br />
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<u>Chapter 3: Authoring Environment</u><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXM8OvkJos0/WT4yczen5eI/AAAAAAAANcE/PkDlJQq96hIApd_tm2L4hbYc2ZQH6W6jgCKgB/s640/HumanPlus%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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The Human Pollination Project - An artist's solution to the decreasing honeybee population.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejWzbtBaiwM/WT4tgI5nqYI/AAAAAAAANbQ/tnvC-8h8bSkGgLUC8Z7Xrl7bw_1oA4P-ACKgB/s640/HumanPlus%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-95s-gcMwyr4/WT4tlVK3JAI/AAAAAAAANbU/9lwEH5ge-PYVxDvmnY2ZgmEbucNi3o0eQCKgB/s640/HumanPlus%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Pick up the phone and it will read to you the story of the specimen, otherwise, you can read the card yourself.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_6y93OvL3g/WT4uRlYxHmI/AAAAAAAANbc/9uxBJoE6O0AplapitaDgWpWZ4pGJV40TQCKgB/s640/HumanPlus%2B%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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The genetic design of the fictional Beamer Bees.<br />
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<u>Chapter 4: Life At The Edges</u><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6uhy5EhNVcU/WT4v0x_WfRI/AAAAAAAANbs/ppYrA6Lrr0ITsk38hx5fmkWAJV4KdVqowCKgB/s640/HumanPlus%2B%252810%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Sculptures of babies, each with a modification to deal with potential future problem, such as global warming.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_rC6Hg79moY/WT4yMfp9_KI/AAAAAAAANcA/9QNhasD_55gTd9IC5ozLDIPV68TVrHgMwCKgB/s640/HumanPlus%2B%25289%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Semi-Loving Worry Dolls - an art in tissue culture.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LApQQXXjGVA/WT4xhnQw_aI/AAAAAAAANb0/k6LhGg6dvsARA4gJ_sE2zbSx06g5qFLlwCKgB/s640/HumanPlus%2B%252811%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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The magnified photos of the worry dolls.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nvch7UJPjWQ/WT4ylDl3umI/AAAAAAAANcI/HDOYPqkSlEIj1dzB4QamEteVjzPOWJaVACKgB/s640/HumanPlus%2B%252813%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Nadine the female humanoid social robot. I watched some visitors speaking with her through the mic and I think it's more fun talking to Siri.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-itXvSNQ6CHg/WT4zThXJ4nI/AAAAAAAANcQ/jN3XQTUhmNgL8CXjUQcDCNQkbVEa1WPMQCKgB/s640/HumanPlus%2B%252812%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Soon, a second humanoid social robot named Charlie will be created.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-24700704644032229802017-05-18T10:16:00.000+08:002017-06-01T11:14:10.802+08:00PARKROYAL on Beach RoadWe're back in another PARKROYAL hotel again. KB and I just had our wedding anniversary <a href="http://scribblesbyjoelle.blogspot.sg/2017/01/parkroyal-on-pickering.html" target="_blank">staycation in PARKROYAL on Pickering</a> just few months back. This time, we're here at <a href="https://www.parkroyalhotels.com/en/hotels-resorts/singapore/beach-road.html" target="_blank">PARKROYAL on Beach Road</a> for KB's cousin's wedding lunch and the family and relatives decided to enjoy a hotel stay for the night. (Don't have to worry about drinking too much alcohol during the banquet.) In all, we occupied 9 rooms excluding the bridal suite.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VA-O50RjM5M/WS98aUSM7uI/AAAAAAAANXs/VgWuuYeeT2IwBVdamsbfRPX0pH8Z3hYfgCEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%25280%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Hotel lobby<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FfeY3frQ55E/WS98ymhVK6I/AAAAAAAANXs/dg8IBF5Jy0IjM1bVVp0DRkbUHxPdHgmzACEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%252810%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Sitting are at the lift lobby on the 7th floor<br />
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This is how our Orchid Club Premier Room look like:<br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oxQ2TMa0wTk/WS98yuNb4jI/AAAAAAAANXs/xZ0q56z5rHk2R7UxZUAh4_rloHSGRKW6gCEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbxVzevj0Ss/WS98zjzicFI/AAAAAAAANXs/3EkYfkduW1AdpzeELYLixWjuQ-4mSI2gQCEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fUtg9OnVf58/WS980NrypSI/AAAAAAAANXs/3bEeMK8e49UGDctsfg10rcXdWx5PJ21DgCEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3o2MN5uI4lE/WS980EoRZjI/AAAAAAAANXs/ZzVRA3lKByYOsYvdfQGnWRbzt11stp6MQCEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Wn0xYj9UYQ/WS980Lk-eyI/AAAAAAAANXs/vnG4TEP_w2wTeDNtBPiJbUj0UK0ozKCeACEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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Toiletries from St Gregory Spa<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHUiA9p9TvI/WS981C7aNkI/AAAAAAAANXs/fhOWuW9m7L0oJ9a-a1pwiL9iHygi5GquQCEw/s320/parkroyalBR%2B%25286%2529.jpg" width="300" />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5TXbK5AjAnU/WS980we77FI/AAAAAAAANXs/LjCOVCj7RT0ZjwuA4DQvB8_AFkNisES6ACEw/s320/parkroyalBR%2B%25287%2529.jpg" width="300" />
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Mini bar<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_77VPgoz5D0/WS981PyV91I/AAAAAAAANXs/yqVqhqGAS4MyVO4NChTt5EO3nrc8z1WeQCEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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The Singapore Flyer can be seen from our room.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXzPTuPn7nI/WS981jf-MEI/AAAAAAAANXs/hxGBtPU-deADGPPCRMROBGnCZlV4i_DJACEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%25289%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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How about chillaxing at the balcony?<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A6Gfgbm7uc4/WS98zWyrf2I/AAAAAAAANXs/2vPHGGcp5rY3q3X1YpfU2ADeFLFzkKyfgCEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%252813%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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The gym here is much bigger than the one at Pickering.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3EkfDSPKjPw/WS-DTpd1rJI/AAAAAAAANYA/xtn509iMWaEfmXAcXX7oAUtVhHo4y6IZwCEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%252814%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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The swimming pool, which never fails to keep the kids occupied.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M7S5mhXrTsU/WS98ygAIzpI/AAAAAAAANXs/rY5V0MChu-0mk5SRiZZ5iO86pTzPG-c7gCEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%252811%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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The Orchid Club Lounge serves coffee, tea and cookie all day, breakfast from 7 to 10 am and evening cocktail from 6 to 8 pm. I wonder why they do not serve afternoon tea like the one at PARKROYAL at Pickering.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFMBTaPDaZU/WS-DTkjD7CI/AAAAAAAANYQ/q-koU-fZr9g12z1BKakmC-jyMFCwA_smgCEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%252815%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7libXXh-2y4/WS-DTg1RpvI/AAAAAAAANYQ/d2fbkQAt0v0w18WpD3nCe084xYRwDEPPwCEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%252816%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nMN980jxN8s/WS-DUSJMcHI/AAAAAAAANYQ/CQdhErpcsioDqPw-cyZq10aVZo0OQ8h1QCEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%252818%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1OWXd2KmaLg/WS-DUDosDKI/AAAAAAAANYQ/4oI96s5rltc-sK_AbES1sq4evLTbRnKeQCEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%252817%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sn37H-hJ4yM/WS-DUdG2W1I/AAAAAAAANYQ/9V-JL8rUZ6Ai6xtyF-BU3HsWvLcYBQhvACEw/s640/parkroyalBR%2B%252819%2529.jpg" width="640" />
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This kind of spread could have been our dinner, but we ended up eating at Golden Mile Food Centre instead (because the majority didn't take the Orchid Club rooms). Sigh, what a waste.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-7546570636666539822017-02-15T10:57:00.000+08:002019-07-23T15:54:37.509+08:00Houtong Cat VillageWho else is a cat-lover? I love cats even though they don't seem to like me very much. Oh, don't run away please. They don't seem to want my cuddle. Sad.<br />
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So, how can I not include this cat village in my itinerary, right? If not for the cats, there would probably be hardly any tourists in this little quiet town. The cat population here is not overwhelming, just more than the usual as compared to other towns or cities. I think there's still more human than cats.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yR6HyVCN3HA/XTa3B3goiwI/AAAAAAAAOb4/6fggsd5WFGYLov7p5PDMKHsGEIct9AQRACLcBGAs/s640/DSC01492.JPG" width="640" />
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Papa (or Mama?) cat with his little kittens. (Spot a real kitty crossing the field in the background.)<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R1TRVyxco-o/XTa43H4R4LI/AAAAAAAAOcE/kAn7DMNaIQgQLLNQhJRbI7zA-gtxk8M8wCLcBGAs/s640/DSC01507.JPG" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_C5y1-exVQs/XTa43CTfehI/AAAAAAAAOcI/8VCccj1t2jcOlNskxbyPlx9Cd_HC81oQgCLcBGAs/s640/DSC01513.JPG" width="640" />
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Some of the non-living kitties around the town.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8cGlJHhs-28/XTa5xS3JrOI/AAAAAAAAOcU/4bOEOa73T4w_1vlCS5HnRigZTKfa14AgwCLcBGAs/s640/DSC01502.JPG" width="640" />
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Yawn! They must be "suffering" from food coma all day because some tourists came with cat food. Why didn't I think of that? They seem so well-fed that some are not even interested and continue to nap on the motorcycles or any corner along the street.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fVtorfKj4i8/XTa6pmCXOiI/AAAAAAAAOcg/mjkzUYE90dA0fvRhd1qVtN37kCOxyauIQCLcBGAs/s640/DSC01528.JPG" width="640" />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1064" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2nBU3GqaXzo/XTa6p2dSBbI/AAAAAAAAOck/822TSoQeyHUzcAs88Yby8OkyKxgtfmotQCLcBGAs/s640/DSC01551.JPG" width="424" />
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KB and I took a break at this cat cafe. And the whole time I was hoping the owner's cat will wake up. No, it didn't, but thankfully this ginger cat came back and jump right on the empty table. It wasn't scared when the cafe diners came near and took photos of it and with it.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-64760610141893019572017-01-15T13:22:00.000+08:002017-02-15T15:09:14.056+08:00PARKROYAL on PickeringThis was where we had our Anniversary staycation, at <a href="https://www.parkroyalhotels.com/en/hotels-resorts/singapore/pickering.html" target="_blank">PARKROYAL on Pickering</a>! It's conveniently located near Chinatown MRT station, but we still drove there since there's complimentary parking anyway.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-julal-IVZ44/WKPnmlEgTUI/AAAAAAAANOg/A-X4xdZGF-MUdC4v8PFetjnMBNbRp1qnQCK4B/s640/parkroyal-01.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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While waiting to check-in, we were served icy cold lime juice.</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VKpyppN88AA/WKPtlYBrXOI/AAAAAAAANPY/v5XdKCMgdxkxRt12RcybcM6JLxj3-DdmgCK4B/s640/parkroyal-11.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Walkway to the rooms on the 15th floor</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FwtpUwCFII/WKPp0qOJbwI/AAAAAAAANOs/XT8WmB8d1ioDyJRz6G23jayePpjV1zHbwCK4B/s640/parkroyal-02.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Our room with king-size bed</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_6oFq1aAF6E/WKPqZi2jyhI/AAAAAAAANO4/dYWZLYPMNd8ubF7Me8L9q5FRxO8dX_kCgCK4B/s640/parkroyal-03.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Bathroom with the most-squarish bathtub I ever seen</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jBjIHSU9SxE/WKPquHSDcPI/AAAAAAAANPA/bDUSx8hAOjQcseo3u0WEcd-9kVnN9vCCQCK4B/s640/parkroyal-04.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Toilet and shower area</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2TuFBgVl2sI/WKPtGg0cGuI/AAAAAAAANPQ/n8xnPzmkkPs0UInBGXlZt03zftLKIOvIQCK4B/s640/parkroyal-06.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Complimentary drinking water and toiletries</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqXD6DoED0Y/WKPuE3cIq1I/AAAAAAAANPk/rfaI9ppWvoc0tzSLQNkV3HDDYx2pX5VWgCK4B/s640/parkroyal-08.jpg" width="480" /><br />
Nespresso coffee machine and TWG tea bags provided</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iwfVPAU84P4/WKP2dqt4-xI/AAAAAAAANSM/OnnSc-OLuVsf2mS0oRJT4ezfV3K-fHHPQCK4B/s640/parkroyal-05a.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Complimentary red velvet cake</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SPW2RIzTj4I/WKPvWlB64BI/AAAAAAAANQI/Y6oQWqHgjigcGyXWMY_ntBck3WeZIawvACK4B/s640/parkroyal-12.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Orchid Club Lounge on the 16th floor serves afternoon tea from 2pm to 4pm</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7vSEuzwkvmY/WKPwtqUxLgI/AAAAAAAANQY/0ymoH-n2ey8chEFD792ZkvB6X2S9s0x1gCK4B/s640/parkroyal-14.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Coffee, tea or juice?</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uJOQM1GPEGA/WKPxmgBPZcI/AAAAAAAANQs/jRW_0AX3puQ9bV2DhTVpXU-D3BDuli11ACK4B/s640/parkroyal-13.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eQZ7yeRD-8w/WKPxvJ0wrgI/AAAAAAAANQ0/jshfm4GEPPAKZOaFWLSxTHIUc_tJqLIhwCK4B/s640/parkroyal-17.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TB9HukqNZt0/WKPx1fPffGI/AAAAAAAANRA/eUQQW89x9YMe0yAs0oLEbGMJA3DuVa3_QCK4B/s640/parkroyal-19.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kH-O8tnC8TU/WKPyMHZcz7I/AAAAAAAANRM/CUP8Cxq6J_MBF_Kb2Fct4d35CO2q6_dqgCK4B/s1600/parkroyal-15.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kH-O8tnC8TU/WKPyMHZcz7I/AAAAAAAANRM/CUP8Cxq6J_MBF_Kb2Fct4d35CO2q6_dqgCK4B/s640/parkroyal-15.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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View from the Orchid Club Lounge on 16th floor. We have the same view from our room which is only one floor below the club.</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WGCX05J8Eiw/WKPy2aeDV0I/AAAAAAAANRY/goNQkjAfu2kJhe94Z8VmvzahgM6Zo1wngCK4B/s640/parkroyal-24.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Outdoor rooftop terraces on 16th floor</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDOlWDsypkU/WKP02mtmWzI/AAAAAAAANRo/G--yXqOzAcEVLKtlOZ2Z35TiqKddTyd8QCK4B/s640/parkroyal-36.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Gym on 5th floor</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TrhVU1ii5wM/WKP15gJ0u1I/AAAAAAAANSA/0jvd4rx3mQY0Lp5cLoOn_aTN64mExyxiwCK4B/s640/parkroyal-35.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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The always-very-crowded infinity swimming pool (also on 5th floor)</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhZPLMqoGEs/WKP2zoW4RXI/AAAAAAAANSY/FIwAx1oxg2UCzts6e8VhOImRQMuS67KsgCK4B/s1600/parkroyal-30.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhZPLMqoGEs/WKP2zoW4RXI/AAAAAAAANSY/FIwAx1oxg2UCzts6e8VhOImRQMuS67KsgCK4B/s640/parkroyal-30.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The quiet side of the 5th floor</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L5F3NRU7hsk/WKP3hlMGpyI/AAAAAAAANSk/9wRYmUq9vcIuY7KwkFRk-Wmm9TI4X3FDQCK4B/s640/parkroyal-25.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TMUzT74oFNI/WKP3iQzlYtI/AAAAAAAANSs/7FrsFnPvj1QCLdpfZC7MJCc_fQoreHBdgCK4B/s640/parkroyal-26.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Cabana for chilling out</div>
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After exploring the hotel, we decided to get changed and hit the gym. We would love to enjoy a dip in the pool, but it was crowded and all the pool-side loungers were occupied! Then, we showered and head down to the ground floor for dinner at Lime restaurant. Before calling it a day, we went back to the club lounge for another drink and to enjoy the night view of the city.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3TSMsr2Wnoo/WKP36dQjrII/AAAAAAAANS4/f5kxsFhqeJobvYxaJ3E2wmRmw3pX88K0gCK4B/s640/parkroyal-40.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Enjoying a glass a champagne after breakfast</div>
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Champagne breakfast is served in the Orchid Club Lounge from 6:30am to 10:30am. But we chose to dine at the common breakfast area in Lime, where there's definitely a lot more food variety than in the club lounge.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-29745054140478550042017-01-03T16:22:00.001+08:002021-04-19T10:33:09.258+08:00Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. ExhibitionSo, I brought my "big boy" KB to the <a href="http://stationexhibit.sg/" target="_blank">Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. Exhibition</a> in Science Centre Singapore during the December "holiday" (both of us were clearing our annual leave). Since it was still school vacation, the place was crowded as expected. We queued to buy the tickets (brought our ICs to get citizen price), queued to get our tickets scanned and our arms stamped with UV ink, led into a "briefing room" where we waited and watched a short video-clip, then finally allowed into the exhibition hall.<br /><br />
<img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owBj_WNArKY/YHzoDxCkSlI/AAAAAAAAuBg/fh6FV8HA1sQJjgSzQ9JhDpXUPgfADfdxQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01382.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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The queue and our tickets</div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RLdD_fh5og/YHzoDyyWV-I/AAAAAAAAuBg/wpwrDPnMmUUP9JKveiHvQ9Q7Q64e37MJACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01385.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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After the staff check our tickets, there's instructions on setting up the app.</div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bP1i9IYpoXk/YHzoD9wpYMI/AAAAAAAAuBg/bF9ceC0UN4E40ZtP0dKljyZ5dHpOJB7XwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01386.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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The Briefing Room</div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZvHlIhbkqI/YHzoD21EouI/AAAAAAAAuBg/Lo_-F4EgmIIvVui62mY0N4cCJLLU35J9wCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01391.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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The first zone - Captain America</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3084" data-original-width="4641" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-isYS9vijzFU/YHzoDzdHhVI/AAAAAAAAuBg/ozn7APSY4Ks035tvmNjwXjF5JUzCbSFXACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01396.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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Second zone - Hulk</div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tabvj1DJBz0/YHzoDzfTULI/AAAAAAAAuBg/_kxn4nE72xoUJnTioumErKJZpSyNNx2tQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01397.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--NhICTmBHYI/YHzoD62GVvI/AAAAAAAAuBg/s19G8WdNl5M2YFpsDvIVrcJusu9pnpOyQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01403.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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Interactive screens of Dr Banner's vs Hulk's brains</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="2945" data-original-width="3926" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KsngZq_3t54/YHzoD1qM4ZI/AAAAAAAAuBg/wiLqePuojdI2c-G3pD3AdTGGMA585sWBQCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01412.JPG" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="2751" data-original-width="3668" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-deaj8hpMNBg/YHzoD-AGTeI/AAAAAAAAuBg/E2YQE_nrSyUsvwOPpMrpazO8bcYBOrq9wCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01413.JPG" width="320" /><br />
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Information boards of Hawkeye and Black Widow</div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXY9yJDTLAM/YHzoD3zIDdI/AAAAAAAAuBg/Ehrse3HxVvEIsRQe4DefInJVf4yzYf_XQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01430.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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Thor (and his hammer), Loki and the universe</div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyEFR88i9jg/YHzoD-M9DnI/AAAAAAAAuBg/fGnxueLwyY0NqfdpWUCuY8_nxswbKKuiQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01433.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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To the left of the picture, are game stations. But we got no patience to wait in the queue.</div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mpPwqz7Ls48/YHzoD6MVt1I/AAAAAAAAuBg/PcjUfGYfev47JGzD1vaEhDhyc9jL7NKgQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01438.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The different Iron Man suit</div>
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<img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lQ6nMyHS0tA/YHzoDybvjCI/AAAAAAAAuBg/TxjUoT7ex-MPAPtHgoYYZVe8xOq0BOCMACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01442.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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Final game before exiting the exhibit. Before entering the game zone, there are staffs stationed outside to help you get your app ready for the game. The teams are randomly assigned by the software.</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9xJdVYf2vLA/YHzoD4l36MI/AAAAAAAAuBg/yBZE_4R2zr0p1rwO3zpdzH_otiot5AW1gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01446.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The game is not difficult, just keep throwing your weapon at the enemies. Before you know it, the game is over (and you won of course).</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-21546896089860016752016-11-10T22:59:00.000+08:002016-11-10T22:59:44.215+08:00US Election 2016<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/election/us2016/results"><img border="0" height="598" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LrB2dRNAbEM/WCPdONOrnXI/AAAAAAAANEc/7jjuRwP_NF0npPpUFOttdQfuYISamOUFQCLcB/s640/BBC%2Bstates.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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[Click on picture to go to BBC website and their <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/live/election-us-2016-37899679" target="_blank">live coverage</a> on the election.]</div>
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Yesterday, the social media was flooded with posts about the US Election - posts reporting on the vote counting progress, posts reporting the final result and posts about the analysis of the result. Many expressed that they cannot believe the jaw-dropping outcome. Yap, me too. I hardly see any positive comments, except for those that try to make sense of all this by suggesting that the angry working class had voted in hope for a change.<br />
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For months, the media featured the outrageous things that he said during his campaigns and portrayed him as a lunatic. I still think he is crazy to be so extreme and demeaning in his speeches. And I don't like the way he said <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/countries-like-spore-stealing-us-jobs-trump" target="_blank">Singapore (and some other countries) are stealing their jobs</a>. Come on, we are all trying to survive as a Nation and it is seriously not very nice to label others as "thieves"!<br />
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In the early part of the vote counting, he was already in the lead. Even before the winner was confirm, <a href="https://www.google.com.sg/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiR59nblZ3QAhVGRo8KHYtyBsAQFggpMAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Fcanadian-immigration-site-crash-election-2016-11&usg=AFQjCNFNJq3DNqzIdyJu38KWBfjGsGoVLQ&sig2=2lXK5TAHbmMkqb6x4sR8xg" target="_blank">Canada’s immigration website crashed</a>. It was later suggested that it could purely be coincidental, but well... we'll never know. And now, <a href="http://metro.co.uk/2016/11/09/calexit-california-want-to-leave-the-us-after-donald-trumps-election-win-6245665/" target="_blank">California wants to leave the US</a> (#Calexit) and they could potentially become the <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/calexit-could-make-california-the-worlds-sixth-largest-economy-will-it-happen-2016-11-09" target="_blank">world's sixth-largest economy</a>.<br />
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Although his victory caught everyone by surprise, there are people who think that he would actually win this election. One of them is Hollywood director <a href="http://michaelmoore.com/trumpwillwin/" target="_blank">Michael Moore who listed 5 reasons</a> for his prediction in July.<br />
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<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/10/simpsons-predicted-president-trump-back-to-the-future"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1kZzTakyP0/WCPbjM9_txI/AAAAAAAANEA/VCOU5F1OwLw6BAavVo31gIe4owN4SypNACLcB/s640/Simpsons%2Bprediction.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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[Click on picture to go to article.]</div>
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Now that he is the US president, let's take a look at his to-do list <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37862521" target="_blank">by BBC</a> and <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-elections-donald-trumps-to-do-list-as-president" target="_blank">by Straits Times</a>, compiled based on his campaign speeches. There seems to be a depression forecast of what is to come in the next 4 years. Looks like this super-power is not going to care about the well-being of the rest of the world. So really, what exactly is the change that the Americans are expecting?<br />
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<a href="https://medium.com/@theonlytoby/history-tells-us-what-will-happen-next-with-brexit-trump-a3fefd154714#.l2eo4jjvi"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x3H6gVvuiDg/WCPb3lRyFaI/AAAAAAAANEE/jD6u4s5mGZY9D0TGKMrYK28y3QhZyRCHwCLcB/s640/history%2Bpredicts.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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[Click on picture to go to article.]</div>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="664" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FChannelNewsAsia%2Fposts%2F10154075934432934&width=500" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="500"></iframe>
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I must say that I am extremely glad that I am not doing my internship in US in this era. The situation now is just way too unpredictable.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-15421672047567795282016-10-24T22:45:00.001+08:002021-04-19T10:56:40.221+08:00Escher's World of WonderThere was a period of time when his optical illusion artworks were shared by many on Facebook. Most of us would have been fascinated by his drawings but may not know the artist behind those images. Scroll down below and you would find some familiar art pieces. The man who drew them was Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898 - 1972). To showcase his many amazing creations, ArtScience Museum has put together an exhibition: <a href="http://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/mcescher.html" target="_blank">Journey to Infinity: Escher’s World of Wonder</a>.<br />
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<u>Early Works: Art Nouveau and Nature</u><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cx9_jXiujt4/YHzs482uv2I/AAAAAAAAuCA/YPQml1LjKRECLiNli90b5gAHhFjzH2WlwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01326.JPG" width="640" /><br />
Significant moments in the life of Escher<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GZa4zygtVpA/YHztLivaA5I/AAAAAAAAuCI/ApT90Z73UIU2c0zUbPTlBzYT2njM5fESQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01333.JPG" width="640" /><br />
Visitors gathering around to admire Escher's early works<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySi4c5WgMe8/YHztLuK_99I/AAAAAAAAuCI/Z-HTmxOzgRoNuBALsws-_sk3qCW6UkMVACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01334.JPG" width="640" /><br />
A closer look at some of his drawings<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dAo6kag2k9k/YHztmO-S8TI/AAAAAAAAuCQ/CuTmc-3d6p8mL4zw1WJtrxVbBQqTa80MgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01324.JPG" width="640" /><br />
Escher's landscape drawings<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fkMyHsHq_f4/YHzt6kwq2NI/AAAAAAAAuCY/dmB0Ab6K6-s7orXr2D-x18tUdhEAzXl6QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01331.JPG" width="640" /><br />
Lithograph (1931) of <b>Atrani (Coast of Amalfi)</b> - the place he met his wife<br />
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<u>Tessellation</u><br />
Escher made used of repeated geometrical shapes to create tessellation prints.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FaE9lMsPj7w/YHzt6nocyBI/AAAAAAAAuCY/cgPbz5NqjWw3VSZsaD-WIU8olo9XNlHfgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01337.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<b>Regular Division of the Plane with Birds, No. 95</b> (Watercolour and ink, 1955)<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RdoeBGaOEw/YHzt6nNphfI/AAAAAAAAuCY/GH8hkI8JG1YWaK3ltlTzMXiZ8CwecvzmQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01339.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<b>Regular Division of the Plane I</b> (Woodcut, 1957)<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tFjBXS5KL98/YHzuYYnjoqI/AAAAAAAAuCk/b8_JhWFl1_4d0EhZmxIrtxGn1soUngWcwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01336.JPG" width="640" /><br />
Tessellation Puzzle Activity located at the back of the exhibition hall<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Metamorphosis</u><br />
Gradual transformation of tessellation from one shape to another.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="2763" data-original-width="4912" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wsAn_Z4tE_Q/YHzuYThoneI/AAAAAAAAuCk/0wsryk75IzMRmCmvPaBalKPrvsZeSI8NQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h360/DSC01343.JPG" width="640" /><br />
A section of <b>Metamorphosis II</b> (Woodcut, 1939 - 1940)<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZbadDxqYkWA/YHzuyoZiLzI/AAAAAAAAuCs/55IZgGvn8JYtmjhnmEe-3-X41vudZ1dJQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01341.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<b>Day and Night</b> (Woodcut, 1938)<br />
<br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-an3y3YzYUpg/YHzuyrH7LhI/AAAAAAAAuCs/4qxBd4-hE9gv5UD3p_c1BxA9gq7DkWL8gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01345.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<b>Hand with Reflecting Sphere</b> (Lithograph, 1935)<br />
Is he holding the glass sphere with his left hand (foreground) or right hand (reflection)?<br />
<br />
<br />
<u>Commercial Works</u><br />
Escher's commissioned artworks include postage stamps, concert programme cover and even a icosahedron tin box.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mdX2ssn3cfM/YHzuyumBBTI/AAAAAAAAuCs/t8-JKLsjpMsxy7kPNYiBp-H_mn9zwGtUgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01351.JPG" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zlQFhbqAXpk/YHzuyjaUfxI/AAAAAAAAuCs/ozFPcU4cFXs8ktJuisFHW8JjM7KkFXfzwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01352.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<br /><br />
<u>Exploring the Infinity</u><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WDAMB5yGE1A/YHzuyriPCBI/AAAAAAAAuCs/6V78UwXcLSsad8YnJIWyrQvvKSj_NoTcgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01373.JPG" width="640" /><br />
"Are you sure that a floor can't also be a ceiling?"<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="3264" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vjYKOkq-i2U/YHzvf-nSZ1I/AAAAAAAAuC0/7bKa8upP1Y0LvWDiQsHsmRRG3PC1a9mWwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01358.JPG" /></td>
<td><b>Möbius Strip II</b> (Woodcut, 1963)<br />
The ants can never fall off the paper as they crawl along an infinite loop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1uA4Wef1dLw/YHzv85fNy_I/AAAAAAAAuDA/Q0hEsIiUXN44ms48n5fPc16RB3GPMOq1gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01356.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<b>Ascending and Descending</b> (Lithograph, 1960)<br />
People walking in an endless looping stairs, not actually making progress up/down. Perhaps, this is the depressing reality that sometimes life is as such.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EqZ2wvx5bJY/YHzv838U4OI/AAAAAAAAuDA/qI0CdFnVJ_4IPK0bdOniH-zKdb37tST8QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01371.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<b>Tetrahedral Planetoid</b> (Woodcut, 1954)<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3100" data-original-width="3100" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-23bkAhvY_Mk/YHzwgEi6SMI/AAAAAAAAuDI/n-UoVRMOz_MdoBKUJU2nurce5NQOadxpgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01366.JPG" /><img border="0" data-original-height="2891" data-original-width="2891" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r9k4UzdkHms/YHzwgFV5B8I/AAAAAAAAuDI/4kqUJzHThAcwfl242d6ajjGYUC4q6tDngCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01367.JPG" /><br />
<b>Print Gallery</b>. Left: Lithograph (1956). Right: Digital Print (2003)<br />
Escher left it blank in the center of his art piece (left picture).<br />
It took a team of mathematicians to fill in the blank (right picture).<br />
<br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="2908" data-original-width="4377" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8V4tBPEpFh4/YHzwgI5drrI/AAAAAAAAuDI/UUaawDw8llkGnnMrRysVDwqQbt_LUrv0gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01374.JPG" width="640" /><br />
Escher's final piece of artwork - <b>Snakes</b> (Woodcut, 1969)<br />
The art piece starts with small rings in the center, building up to big rings outward, then back to small rings along the circumference. "...earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust..."<br />
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<br />
<u>Escher Mania</u><br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3104" data-original-width="3104" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAebajx1KJM/YHzwgNMmQDI/AAAAAAAAuDI/rfqpUJxLhEsTvGlBbj-4G42dr0AScATEgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01376.JPG" /><img border="0" data-original-height="3123" data-original-width="3123" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yGeK7VbUvrQ/YHzwgDIU0JI/AAAAAAAAuDI/MAVYckHDovMQXhoEHa2qWnJq3t-EYNGygCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01378.JPG" /><br />
LP record covers<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="2842" data-original-width="4277" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--2QicIAK3iI/YHzwgFeOqVI/AAAAAAAAuDI/mlAsLAUGid0zl0LjdjaN6eHW5HNlMg_PwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01380.JPG" width="640" /><br />
Comics covers<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-55055156850758749352016-08-16T17:00:00.000+08:002016-08-24T08:10:55.906+08:00The Pokémon Madness On 06 August 2016, I woke up to WhatsApp messages from a few groups of friends about the release of Pokémon GO in Singapore. We can finally play the game here! Even though, the world is already familiar with reports about crazy things that people did while playing the game, the majority still looking forward to the availability of this game in the region they live in.<br />
<br />
KB and I wasted no time and downloaded the game immediately, while having our breakfast. After catching our first Pokémon on our dining table, we waited eagerly for the next one to appear. It was only later in the day then we realise that there is <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/tech/games-apps/pokemon-go-how-to-get-pikachu-from-the-start-and-7-other-things-you-should-know" target="_blank">a way to catch Pikachu as the first Pokémon</a>!<br />
<br />
We are lucky enough to be able to reach a PokéStop without leaving our house. Even our workplaces are planted with several PokéStop and Gyms.<br />
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<img border="0" height="160" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uCzv-FXDU4I/V7KvwTWwFHI/AAAAAAAAM1M/7u8K_nmQCbQOiaCePBY2ClVkx_P7XLIQwCLcB/s640/Pok%25C3%25A9mon%2B%25281%2529.png" width="640" />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Some of the first few Pokémon I catch at my desk</div>
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Over the second weekend since the launch of the game, we decided to drop-by at the famous <a href="http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/police-issue-road-safety-reminder-as-pokemon-go-madness-descends-on-hougang" target="_blank">401 Hougang Avenue 10</a>. Indeed, the playground in the center of HDB blocks has been conquered by Pokémon trainers, even on a hot (fortunately cloudy) afternoon. In just that few minutes there, KB and I caught quite a number of Magikarp, although still not enough to collect that 400 candies required for the evolution into the very-much-sought-after Gyarados.<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7duQBrkEcY8/V7K39NQcmDI/AAAAAAAAM1g/DZXHLkNZuLIYfgA2zliEAvaj3ufKaHOWwCLcB/s400/Pok%25C3%25A9mon%2B%25282%2529.png" width="300" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ROM_fue1hlQ/V7K38HSy0II/AAAAAAAAM1c/UmOgqzOY_4YKs34pbP-xxyCKADB76lzZQCLcB/s400/Pok%25C3%25A9mon%2B%25283%2529.png" width="298" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
At the playground of 401 Hougang Avenue 10</div>
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xDRkhRizKvQ/V7K5x9ZqLgI/AAAAAAAAM1s/VnjDt4nbfVwVyJqYADVtnldj1yM21AxCgCLcB/s400/Pok%25C3%25A9mon%2B%25284%2529.png" width="298" /></td>
<td valign="top"><br />
After Hougang, we went over to ION Orchard, where KB's friends were "hunting" at, because the mall management had <a href="http://www.todayonline.com/tech/hundreds-pokemon-go-lures-be-released-ion-orchard" target="_blank">announced that they are releasing lures</a>. Well, I didn't manage to add any new Pokémon to my Pokédex.<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After 7 days, I accumulated plenty of Pokémon and candies to do many evolves. As evolving Pokémon gives the most XP (500 XP per evolve), I opt to activate my Lucky Egg and use the 30 minutes to do as many evolves as I can. The result: I managed to evolve 54 Pokémon, out of which 13 new ones are registered to my Pokédex. Each new Pokémon gives another 500 XP. The math: (500 XP * 54 evolves + 500 XP * 13 new Pokémon) * 2 = 67,000 XP. Tip from me: I kept quite a number of Caterpie, Weedle, Pidgey and Rattata to evolve because they appear everywhere and only required small amount of candies.<br />
<br />
The most exciting evolution at this point in my game is the evolving of cute Eevee. I reserved the highest CP Eevee for Vaporeon as it is <a href="https://rankedboost.com/pokemon-go/tier-list/" target="_blank">deemed as the most powerful of the three</a>. Although I've read about <a href="https://pokeassistant.com/main/ivcalculator" target="_blank">IV (individual values)</a>, it is way too complicated for me, so I'm sticking to just keeping the one with the highest CP. IV basically suggest that highest CP does not mean that it is the best Pokémon for battle (comparing between the same type of Pokémon).<br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EZFxP7wAc8k/V7LRECGgTBI/AAAAAAAAM2A/j4aYptmirbQRdQrQ71Dhe2COJGOn0LEVgCLcB/s320/Pok%25C3%25A9mon%2B%25285%2529.png" width="287" /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbaxCFiRpxE/V7LREAdjMNI/AAAAAAAAM18/p4_VHvcxYbkRPOqAjKMSITJGJMij8boggCLcB/s320/Pok%25C3%25A9mon%2B%25288%2529.png" width="287" />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Rename to "Rainer" to get Vaporeon</div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EA3LRe4yUGY/V7LR0GDdy-I/AAAAAAAAM2I/IzOkU19jgGYILYgIBIo9Y7kWk16ZSyf8ACLcB/s320/Pok%25C3%25A9mon%2B%25286%2529.png" width="287" /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6IVbBSp07hM/V7LR0DoH4sI/AAAAAAAAM2M/mLcsDPzhtBUaBk4RAK6xZT8zIvQktfXVwCLcB/s320/Pok%25C3%25A9mon%2B%25289%2529.png" width="287" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rename to "Pyro" to get Flareon</div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BSSygTiZSQ0/V7LSIcPwUSI/AAAAAAAAM2U/QcocUPopn0ou8Is86XWgo-NCJ280c-TmgCLcB/s320/Pok%25C3%25A9mon%2B%25287%2529.png" width="287" /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5-IVqEBu238/V7LSIdM5wTI/AAAAAAAAM2Q/zeEP0u3eR8AUd02w7i46HlRc0TfyQ27ggCLcB/s320/Pok%25C3%25A9mon%2B%252810%2529.png" width="287" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rename to "Sparky" to get Jolteon</div>
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KB and I also visited Chinese Garden to try to catch some rare Pokémon. We expected that there will be people there, but didn't think that it was be so crowded that even the road-side parking will be full.<br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8qmSgLvncDo/V7LbS49uzyI/AAAAAAAAM2o/4dk264iw4hAedfhSUtkAG9mdFE4dfOFMACLcB/s400/Pok%25C3%25A9mon%2B%252812%2529.png" width="300" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bl4mmKWqdck/V7LbS0Qug0I/AAAAAAAAM2s/K4VweHj3fuYkb5RzlOODig4-lsaXUT2ZACLcB/s400/Pok%25C3%25A9mon%2B%252811%2529.png" width="300" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Plenty of lures in Chinese Garden</div>
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<img border="0" height="160" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZN-ZR2ef4-c/V7Lbx0cu5lI/AAAAAAAAM2w/bwM8FJxEALYKfs6pz2A5wBjNWvWsuxg6wCLcB/s640/Pok%25C3%25A9mon%2B%252813%2529.png" width="640" />
<br />
Towards the end, I got quite bored of catching the same Pokémon, I started taking photos of them instead. Still no luck for me.<br />
<br />
And for the record, I have yet to catch any Pikachu.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-64968852590160134972016-08-06T21:29:00.000+08:002016-08-19T12:01:18.333+08:00PaperMarket SG51 Paper Terrarium Workshop<img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NLogV0-Y4pE/V7aBD-eT65I/AAAAAAAAM3g/eHmmc5XNT5APJ5DXZw04L6BF2UeWml6zgCLcB/s640/papermarket1.jpg" width="640" />
<br />
<br />
This is how KB and I spent our Saturday afternoon to celebrate SG51 National Day - at <a href="http://www.papermarket.com.sg/blog/sg51-terrarium-project-sign-up-now/" target="_blank">PaperMarket's 'This is Home' workshop</a>.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuqlwEAT5T8/V7aCgyxx4UI/AAAAAAAAM3s/Uawlk3AM1R4xZ6Q8_DKSUdDnUCaY1zMuACLcB/s640/papermarket2.jpg" width="640" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Items provided at the workshop</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dTHVx9LFUMs/V7aCxxS-X4I/AAAAAAAAM3w/yPUbMstt-0EGSycOrEaSSwTdJDi82o57wCLcB/s640/papermarket3.jpg" width="640" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We started with a lot of cutting</div>
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u0fz9k5ePAE/V7aDMhIp1rI/AAAAAAAAM30/DDSzwLuac5MwGQC849J6MjE9Mb4VhvTIQCLcB/s640/papermarket4.jpg" width="640" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the center-piece which is to be folded and glued into a 3D HDB block.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e8kP1tz6zWk/V7aDp8hX-kI/AAAAAAAAM4A/bS8wM1-0k5MYmRW4L4r1bvIkMFsimKGDQCLcB/s400/papermarket5.jpg" width="300" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dzerxED8xQA/V7aDp-QnAwI/AAAAAAAAM38/hGkS_laqF-sdr5v1NzYDJo0bdKW5q9XzQCLcB/s400/papermarket6.jpg" width="300" />
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The final step is to assemble and glue all the pieces together.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-flCrTHPobQE/V7aDpxpqf6I/AAAAAAAAM4E/EXNmsFRzVEYVCOU87VzfK-Jqql8TcaDJwCEw/s640/papermarket7.jpg" width="480" />
<br />
My final product</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-56177560672958853642016-07-31T15:14:00.000+08:002016-07-31T15:14:56.339+08:00Quilling Workshop<img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G4dtnOXswLI/V52a3a615aI/AAAAAAAAMy4/4lYQmnM2Up8-jANyr9WMLErAGEY8ds2zwCLcB/s640/quilling1.jpg" width="640" />
<br />
<br />
The first time I encountered paper quilling was through a post on Facebook that introduced <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sabeenu/" target="_blank">Sabeena's paperart on Instagram</a>. It seems like quilling art had been around for a very long time, and it's gaining popularity in recent years.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RMGHOLxh_DA/V52eT6VHwfI/AAAAAAAAMzI/yT_qj7cAChQbR3D0Yhu_cjnSdIN_CJrzwCLcB/s640/quilling2.jpg" width="640" />
<br />
My first quilling workshop (beginner class) was taught by <a href="http://justlovecrafts.blogspot.sg/" target="_blank">Priyanka</a>. All these materials were provided and the tools (slotted tool and circle stencil) have to be returned at the end of the lesson.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u5FWoRk_PrY/V52eTvw9eWI/AAAAAAAAMzE/BTDHbWXg0GEyY8N86KE-0CKbntLYqKuTACLcB/s640/quilling3.jpg" width="640" />
<br />
These quilling papers were provided.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Jozspx_nHM/V52iOYuFmTI/AAAAAAAAMzU/Af0KRa9pWp8FznZjl8RF0wKLfsghuLEPgCLcB/s640/quilling4.jpg" width="640" /><br />
First, tear the long strip of paper into half. Then, use the slotted tool to roll the paper. Place the rolled paper into the circle stencil to achieve the correct diameter, so that all the flower petals will be of a consistent size. Finally, glue the end of the paper strip and pinch it to get a teardrop shape.<br />
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<img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z56fC9ArfTE/V52iOc4VzxI/AAAAAAAAMzY/cDzWVBrP8Sg-bgJTpDS8wXI2Rg-GRfGZACLcB/s640/quilling5.jpg" width="640" />
<br />
Assemble six petals and we get a flower.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xDJjuqs8Hck/V52kVXmJIfI/AAAAAAAAMzk/KvnTqLR3vkIErzT94SXwt7zmy9DyGtsAQCLcB/s640/quilling6.jpg" width="480" /><br />
My quilling photo frame (which took me almost 2 hours to make)</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-60513749002108312852016-07-01T07:47:00.002+08:002021-04-19T11:20:28.451+08:00Kaohsiung Airport<b>Arrival</b><br />
<br />
We flew on <a href="http://www.flyscoot.com/" target="_blank">Scoot</a> and landed in Kaohsiung in the late morning. After going through the custom and collecting our luggages, KB wasted no time to get his hands on a pre-paid data sim card.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="4067" data-original-width="3050" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-BgcTzj-Gk/YHz1xUKI_uI/AAAAAAAAuEA/maLoP58InwA-Bh6JUW5YjPXgCCDRozNHgCPcBGAsYHg/w240-h320/DSC01122.JPG" width="225" /><img border="0" data-original-height="2395" data-original-width="3193" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYJn6cHr_8U/YHz1xTrE-tI/AAAAAAAAuEA/qFbpsLlD-ZUha-c3CrYsJu60oorVX5D8ACPcBGAsYHg/w400-h300/DSC01125.JPG" width="400" /><br />
There's two telecom booths at the airport, both offering the similar packages.<br />
<br />
Since we flew on budget and we didn't order a meal on this red-eye flight, we were starving by the time we landed. I was hoping we would find McDonald's or at least some local eateries in the airport, but there's only Starbucks, which I'm not complaining. Fortunately, the menu is in both English and Chinese.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="2862" data-original-width="4293" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ru3rkkAPq0/YHz2aVv2IjI/AAAAAAAAuEI/5opA6PNsQXo7gOsnovZkhTCU-0-A_tOugCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01124.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yyUdu3ENO9Y/YHz2aRqklxI/AAAAAAAAuEI/C6KsB0g-eiIJcw7MlwOkZNuLiyYUPjMoACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01128.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My caramel macchiato and sandwich</div>
<br />
After our brunch, full and satisfied, we finally set off to our <a href="http://scribblesbyjoelle.blogspot.sg/2016/06/hotel-dua.html" target="_blank">hotel</a> via the <a href="http://www.krtco.com.tw/en/index.aspx" target="_blank">Kaohsiung Rapid Transit (高雄捷運)</a>. We bought the iPass at the station service counter. Each card cost NT$100, which does not include any useable value, so we top up another NT$100 on each card as a start.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OU_jJqPZ2IQ/YHz2aVshqdI/AAAAAAAAuEI/RwTnX3DAv5oybHk-PQ5ILG-2_sN9lNUnQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01129.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
iPasses with cartoon designs to choose from</div>
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<br />
<b>Departure</b><br />
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After checking our luggages, we had plenty of time to kill. Fortunately, KB's priority pass entitles us entrance to More Premium Lounge. The lounge isn't big but comfortable enough. There's also 2 massage chairs by the window (hidden behind the divider wall).<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LaBv33jqFII/YHz2ac-Qd1I/AAAAAAAAuEI/AyXDDtAV3js-QEbjQKvieLIUh7VzSMCqQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_9674.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5HlAEWLnFE4/YHz2aebWrlI/AAAAAAAAuEI/Pg4c-tWK5cI9iIjjVVw2daDxA3fEBY3sACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h480/IMG_9675.jpg" width="640" /><br />
<br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-67182095975714393602016-06-27T09:43:00.003+08:002021-04-19T14:09:11.309+08:00Takao Railway Museum + Hamasen Railway Cultural Park + The Pier-2 Art CenterAfter spending the morning in Cijin Island, we took the ferry back, had lunch and headed towards <b>Takao Railway Museum (打狗鐵道故事館)</b>, located near Sizihwan (西子灣) metro station.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K6WaoNAVIhE/YH0Zx0EZcqI/AAAAAAAAuGw/l37Hl_5Hvwwsb8XhBNu_M3LjLb1zqQ4zACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01259.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Entrance to Takao Railway Museum</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pepPMglf4h8/YH0Zx_Jlu8I/AAAAAAAAuGw/slXARHXY6-ESrzkwXiVveLF7CAp4hunogCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01261.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Old trains which visitors are not allowed to climb onto</div>
<br />
Just beside Takao Railway Museum is the <b>Hamasen Railway Cultural Park (哈瑪星鐵道文化園區)</b>. On the day we visited, there was a group of graduates taking photos in their graduation gown in this area... reminds me of my younger days so many years ago.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mHTExlTlDpo/YH0Zx_zC0gI/AAAAAAAAuGw/E7WF7rewok0scXZ_1wObARww7MvN7F5NQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01264.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Art sculptures scattered among the old railway tracks</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oxUKjVcY7GA/YH0ZxzkjtNI/AAAAAAAAuGw/a696th-ZkGUkwJcETclTRbBIptLKodt2ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01266.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YvQBMvW01kI/YH0Zx3AMY0I/AAAAAAAAuGw/c5lNUtvXUBg1tt1G7PIBkrIk1fItN3ttACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01268.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Giant dressing table and sofa art sculptures</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p0usitRsP3w/YH0Zx2CfS4I/AAAAAAAAuGw/CmMXh3m3jvs18WyS55O7A48fWUqS4UwSQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01270.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Giant musical instrument art sculpture</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6zuFq9WvJ0/YH0ZxyVY16I/AAAAAAAAuGw/hWtZQ6pj9UEdoEV4dpfOqadhzoroVA2fgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01273.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Giant luggage art sculpture</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-moUiBelZTKg/YH0Zx4SrP6I/AAAAAAAAuGw/HIOcaZbDUR83ed2KBqcPAtjvityWiQQtACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01274.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Resting area under the tree</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E3JU1S0IhaA/YH0Zxya6f7I/AAAAAAAAuGw/C6fwmpOvKZQEUef8uQ1v-olGyZyPsNhDQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01275.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHfyAGAZ7Ts/YH0Zx1IRD0I/AAAAAAAAuGw/yy_qxMiSsrkhpyn67iYONou6dbhDqkUqACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01277.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fancy a ride on this mini train?</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7BlBhRuHAE/YH0Zx6WNQRI/AAAAAAAAuGw/LiCoaSeA4u8ffRw2uL7RhhOqhwdCJuNFgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01281.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mini train taking its passengers around the cultural park</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WWBhbZFYswI/YH0Zx3c-c5I/AAAAAAAAuGw/WTBhOD5GsUA3dchNrQky70GbNN1bDYFQgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01284.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AYARNvwS0lE/YH0Zxw5gbdI/AAAAAAAAuGw/SSql67IMtHErP57CEen4b_prirQKPYXkwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01283.JPG" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iOzvB9BpBgs/YH0Zx5wHPTI/AAAAAAAAuGw/1jFbLxmpVaQ34d0FIdzNo0U0onsGn2SfgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01285.JPG" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k3R9npCfN40/YH0Zx5u1JfI/AAAAAAAAuGw/RZWOG45zFNMbzpN-xnYpRZL9IQsepRQKwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01287.JPG" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2aLpriXI6Y/YH0Zxyen8QI/AAAAAAAAuGw/Lu0Cw4xDtycFFpaE8ROD6t7lA7K8nfTpgCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01289.JPG" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-ES7-OlrLw/YH0Zx88NzPI/AAAAAAAAuGw/qJa7RLutd-MsgLVoLSDZlg8tiJykFXqtwCPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01290.JPG" width="320" /><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LTKxvKCbd5s/YH0ZxwLTTGI/AAAAAAAAuGw/AlhjjSbQAOAkD5QHtP_91wYDb6XUlEw_ACPcBGAsYHg/s320/DSC01292.JPG" width="320" /><br />
These <i>Labor and Fishwoman</i> 「工人及漁婦」art pieces are found around <b>The Pier-2 Art Center (駁二藝術特區)</b>. They are symbols of the important industrial and maritime workforce of Kaohsiung.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9fV44wPtVF4/YH0dwqs33-I/AAAAAAAAuHA/f5nTnyJLsB4SkxRsqpS9i0Tgw1puOdZsQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01286.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pier2 Train Station wall mural 「車站壁畫」</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QaOk2vCb_R8/YH0dwvC54mI/AAAAAAAAuHA/oATs-53NoXYHMElGTEZK88Jcf47uAykBwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01288.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bumblebee?</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-20641079320809019422016-06-24T11:14:00.001+08:002021-04-19T13:46:33.399+08:00Cijin Shell Museum (旗津貝殼博物館)On Day 2 of our Kaohsiung trip, we started the day at Cijin Island (旗津島). We took the train on the orange line to Sizihwan (西子灣) station and walked to Gushan Ferry Pier (鼓山輪渡站).<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XmW__6jsjPA/YH0X2RUdNLI/AAAAAAAAuGc/G6Rawb44FG0I-eSoPWqjJoI1wW8JqOvvQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01216.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gushan Ferry Pier</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4660" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjiL_CM7DRM/YH0X2dQT6MI/AAAAAAAAuGc/5ef8yoFCdxUCvrBigs3irTQOw73aZ4J5QCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01217.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
One lane for pedestrians (on the right) and one lane for those with motorbikes (on the left)</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-adSrdgQaEmA/YH0X2XKNggI/AAAAAAAAuGc/HlbgaRNj_wYUsgfizr4fqIJDcf36TtxFACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01220.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Boarding the ferry</div>
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It doesn't take long for us to reach the island. I had initially wanted to rent a bicycle to ride around the island, but the weather forecast suggested that it was going to rain. Thus, we took the mini bus instead. It goes around the island in one direction. Before we reach our stop at Cijin Shell Museum (旗津貝殼博物館), the bus made a short rest stop at a market, where there is a beach on the opposite side of the street.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="8192" height="144" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-38Nv5ZKdl2I/YH0X2bCF_3I/AAAAAAAAuGc/mpKlcmkcnGUK0iMkw6fSAI8oiS_gmADIACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h144/DSC01227.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cijin Island beach with greyish sand</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XWf1DvnVjDg/YH0X2bcy_5I/AAAAAAAAuGc/dMRDfysyHQ0lSW3OyfcDwkRYmDwBh2KqgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01252.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Finally arriving at the Shell Museum</div>
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The museum showcases an individual's personal collection of seashells from all over the world. I never knew that seashells come in so many different shapes and sizes.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A4dRTOma-KI/YH0X2YkW_FI/AAAAAAAAuGc/G-fOE-dKsTcRyFA3fS2A5BcQbxO3iDeRQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01232.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfDDkSoNtTo/YH0X2f8z7HI/AAAAAAAAuGc/8A4cIybmptE1A0NBp2mSumO_JcCo49HIwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01236.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H_KE5e0d1b0/YH0X2Uma5NI/AAAAAAAAuGc/qDRfk6QIWTkQki9p6OORxvf07MaKB6MKQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01239.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W-CD9GTuXvo/YH0X2c0mUKI/AAAAAAAAuGc/TykrZxSvc6Eo_4ePU8MDkl5rreugLMD4gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01251.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l1T96ry648o/YH0X2USJLNI/AAAAAAAAuGc/7FV5QbiIvJAKtuaGX-uKPZuKXym4nuZYgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01248.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5G-nkqWsLvE/YH0X2YdwAJI/AAAAAAAAuGc/hdILvwDsaXY5JzNQgKtEuHbljCeFEXzNACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01241.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0GDPRfMAn8/YH0X2Rn3heI/AAAAAAAAuGc/n-Rsxe1K5MUjiny1luw3Flowxjpuva_2gCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01244.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xxeIMQKlvGs/YH0X2Z4FazI/AAAAAAAAuGc/LyjMsItRePk2TgzpmsvqwqaMCQZ5P73uQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01234.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--F9jOUzo6a4/YH0X2anSz4I/AAAAAAAAuGc/eIu35h95fhI5oNytPpYmMqfGB9QNOmUxQCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01237.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4fDUmLZn_k/YH0X2VCQuDI/AAAAAAAAuGc/InhX3IvCpIAIlg4tfrGIyWGehRVIG7hhACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01242.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pjUWaYIo4A0/YH0X2VH3ekI/AAAAAAAAuGc/850eTVwaYAkiX2aoJXAkoNNCnpD3miqdwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01249.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="2974" data-original-width="4477" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PDOKKap9SLA/YH0X2TikVlI/AAAAAAAAuGc/wkUBgU2j_X0YYeKnchf-J-tKFMazNl-jwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01250.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="4912" data-original-width="3264" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yUhM7BmHHD4/YH0X2YL5SOI/AAAAAAAAuGc/EInuJ2M7Imsz5_NLUP16m7kQFeiWBjCJgCPcBGAsYHg/w426-h640/DSC01247.JPG" width="426" />
</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052508405365663262.post-29071413715735414962016-06-23T14:58:00.004+08:002021-04-19T13:21:30.254+08:00Kaohsiung Night MarketsWe started with <b>Nanhua Night Market (南華夜市)</b> because it is nearest to our <a href="http://scribblesbyjoelle.blogspot.sg/2016/06/hotel-dua.html" target="_blank">hotel</a>. The stretch of shops along the sheltered road are mostly selling clothes and shoes (which I find are not very fashionable). I thought that I could settle my dinner here, but there was only a few roadside food stalls at the end of the street. As you can see from the photos below, there wasn't any crowd at all and the road was shared between the pedestrian and the motorcycles.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YIVWaIbIp-E/YHz48XwOWGI/AAAAAAAAuE0/UU_VMXj7w0sdOU49uHxPVm5aforwtXMNACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01191.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PqWwK6PQME0/YHz48TdzL0I/AAAAAAAAuE0/GUnEfePEFmErO18q-I293onsY0ZieyuQACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01193.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HOhE86L6IMQ/YHz48ZYFLzI/AAAAAAAAuE0/DibmOK_NqtcZ2k4PuN_Ttro5gNqqTCzLACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01195.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Food stalls at one end of Nanhua Night Market</div>
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In no time, we were out of there and we headed for <b>Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市)</b>, which was a lot more interesting for me because there were more food varieties. There were also more visitors here at Liuhe than Nanhua, but the crowd certainly cannot compare with the amount of humans in <a href="http://scribblesbyjoelle.blogspot.sg/2013/01/taipei-night-markets.html" target="_blank">Taipei night markets</a>.<br />
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e7CUkgEL_pk/YHz48UPtVaI/AAAAAAAAuE0/BqrkqXvC58IkHpA_CNQ_GXw5rfC3J28AACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01199.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mdl87TFw0dk/YHz48cwsZSI/AAAAAAAAuE0/hOQ2W6g1hb4uOyIFRO0fElM-qNOrAJOBwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01198.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Different flavours of milk candies</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6f_6fw-RjHo/YHz48eEkboI/AAAAAAAAuE0/8d7puoFJ_8Y9QiU7TdwQ46W4uT6ES1LdgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01200.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MBeejd2QIHE/YHz48eQynGI/AAAAAAAAuE0/WTTasTM-Ut4ILKQNKZfYXo-G5z0V6FDbACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01202.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Barbecued over charcoal</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bf0K8bDhFEA/YHz48ZU1RKI/AAAAAAAAuE0/Zw7uAsspDCUdR3p3ZGS_lKb61PUbl3x-ACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01204.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pick your fresh seafood and proceed to the dining area behind</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vA0ROaSZr4Q/YHz48aM2QQI/AAAAAAAAuE0/kEKinAQosCwOmVT7pbe2z0CUnOw_k0BIwCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01205.JPG" width="640" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fresh squid (on the left) vs fried squid (on the right)</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NumG6sf1Yf0/YHz48StaX5I/AAAAAAAAuE0/hTuUEt9jgCsivWavwxMnPwHMP7XX59bqgCPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01206.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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Another seafood stall</div>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="4912" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mLNIztjQhl4/YHz48Won-UI/AAAAAAAAuE0/08nBUi8bDUgcJNFI3zjY8fvnR6kbTIASACPcBGAsYHg/w640-h426/DSC01211.JPG" width="640" /><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0