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Posts Tagged ‘asia’

What to do on a rainy Saturday in Singapore? Singapore Science Centre, I thought, hoping to catch the new Imax movie about the possibility of a massive hurricane in New Orleans (filmed three months before Katrina) and it’s post-Katrina follow-up. Since I was going all the way out there, I thought I’d go around the museum as well to see what was on offer.

The short answer was: not much, if you’re over nine years old. I was the only person there without small children in tow. The only exhibits that I found really interesting were the ones that were sponsored by corporate sponsors and clearly aimed at a different audience – I learned quite a lot about oil production from the exhibit sponsored by Shell, and even learned a lot about the work that my former company did to help them maximise their existing oil assets.

I also discovered the “Pharmacopeia Arts” exhibit, sponsored by GSK and Roche. It’s no wonder Aude went into pharmacy. When clever pharmaceutical companies can combine the wonders of chemical science with a little fashion, it becomes the obvious career choice for any teenage girl…

The “Pharmacopeia Arts” exhibit at the Singapore Science Centre

The “Pharmacopeia Arts” exhibit at the Singapore Science Centre

The CNS (Central Nervous System) Cowboy Hat!

The CNS (Central Nervous System) Cowboy Hat!

The CNS (Central Nervous System) Cowboy Hat!

The CNS (Central Nervous System) Cowboy Hat!

The Diabetes Spaghetti Strip

The Diabetes Spaghetti Strip

The Diabetes Spaghetti Strip

The Diabetes Spaghetti Strip

The Antibiotics Handbag

The Antibiotics Handbag (Prada it ain’t!)

The Antibiotics Handbag

The Antibiotics Handbag

Still, it was worth it all to catch the film – “Hurricane on the Bayou” – that was showing. It was absolutely amazing – both the breath-taking cinematography and the excellent documentary coverage of Katrina and her aftermath. The Imax experience really brought Katrina to life in a way that even visiting New Orleans in person couldn’t. If this movie comes to an Imax theatre near you, definitely catch the film.

I had my camera around my neck as I walked around Singapore… Here are a few more shots.

Merlion

The famous Singapore Merlion, shot from across the harbour outside my hotel

Singapore skyline at sunset

Singapore skyline at sunset

Singapore skyline at sunset

Singapore skyline at sunset

The Singapore Merlion

The Singapore Merlion

The Singapore Merlion by night

The Singapore Merlion by night

Streetlights

Streetlights

A few pictures of the faces of multicultural Singapore. Apologies for the blurriness of some of the photos — I was running out of light and shooting handheld. Turns out I can’t handhold steadily at 1/15 of a second!

Another early start today, as I wanted to get out to see the flea market at Clarke Quay which is held every Sunday. The quizzical look I got from the doorman when I asked for a taxi to Clarke Quay at 9am on a Sunday should have been my tip-off. “Why you want to go so early?” he asked.

Trusting my guidebook (thanks a lot, Neil!), we set off for the market despite the doorman’s warning. And when we arrived at Clarke Quay, it was totally empty and everything was closed. The only other people around were a handful of other tourists. I couldn’t see whether they were clutching the same guidebook as I was, but there was definitely no sign of a market.

All dressed up and nowhere to go! After a few minutes looking around the attractions of Clarke Quay (definitely a good place to come back to in the evening) we headed across the bridge to the Swisshotel and had a coffee.

Gina scopes out a few places around Clarke Quay that she'd like to return to later...

Gina scopes out a few places around Clarke Quay that she’d like to return to later…

There are nearly as many cats here as in Turkey.  This one was clearly pregnant...

There are nearly as many cats here as in Turkey. This one was clearly pregnant…

Around 10:30, we once again followed Gina’s hunger pangs. She’d been given the name of a good, authentic dim sum place. Given my previous experience with her “authentic” restaurants, I was a little dubious – particularly when I saw the sign for the place (and, inside the aging elevator, the “No urinating!” warning). But the food was good, and we ate like kings.

Gina only brings me to the classiest places.

Gina only brings me to the classiest places.

Happy as a pig in mud!

Happy as a pig in mud!

True to form, we spent the afternoon shopping on Orchard Road, then back to the hotel for a quick nap. I headed out a little later on to snap some more photos of Singapore – they’ll be up on here as soon as I get a chance to edit them.

Human placentas

It never fails to amaze me what you can buy in Asia. And yes, it does just what it says on the tin. If you don’t like human placenta, you can also buy sheep or goat placentas. Never let it be said that the customer isn’t king here!
Rice parcels

Rice parcels

A very satisfied Gina!

A very satisfied Gina!

Orchard Road

Orchard Road

After a relatively leisurely start to the day, sitting by the pool, Gina declared that it was time to go shopping on the Orchard Road. Clearly confronted with a professional shopper, I was in no position to argue.

We started off in the food court. Gina is on a mission to eat all of the foods that she misses from when she was growing up here in Singapore, and seems to be determined to eat them all within the first week. While I sensibly bought myself a plate of yaki udon, she managed to buy dinner for three – and then we hit the main food hall, where she proceeded to stock up with more goodies to bring back to the hotel.

I must admit, many of the foods that she raves over are a bit lost on me. More on that in another post…

I imagine they'll look a little less smiley after a drive through Singapore traffic!

I imagine they’ll look a little less smiley after a drive through Singapore traffic!

I knew we sold ourselves short with just a ribbon. His ‘n’ hers matching teddy bears on the front of the car are the only way to go!