Local Expert
Peter Dorney
English-born Peter Dorney has lived and worked on most
Continents over many years
… and has been based in tropical Singapore for the
last two decades.
As an ‘Asia Hand’ (and feet) he touches the grass
English-born Peter Dorney has lived and worked on most
Continents over many years
… and has been based in tropical Singapore for the
last two decades.
As an ‘Asia Hand’ (and feet) he touches the grass
roots of Singapore life and reaches out to all facets
of this multi-cultural society with enquiring interest.
He feels the pulse of Singapore’s fast-moving
Corporate and Tourism worlds … as the likes of
the Singapore Flyer (the world’s largest Observation Wheel),
Formula 1 Grand Prix motor racing, Integrated Resorts
Development all take their places on the Starting Grid.
The author of three humourous novels - two of
them set in Singapore – and a long-time contributor to
Travel Magazines Peter Dorney has a basic love
for the written word … and looks forward to
sharing this affection with PlanetEye readers.
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After a year and a half of repair-work the Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall has reopened.
Located in the outer suburb of Balestier the house-cum-museum was closed in May 2007 to allow repairs to walls and foundations. The building was in danger of sinking despite a SIN$7.5 million facelift in 2001 when the two-storey building changed its name from Bin Chan House.
Owned by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce the Hall is a showcase of Sun Yat Sen's activities in South East Asia before he ended 267 years of Qing Dynasty rule and founded the Chinese Republic in 1911.
Afficianados of Chinese culture and history can visit the Hall any day of the week - except Monday - when it opens from 9am to 5pm.
The 'New & Improved' exhibits in the six galleries in the building combine with previous items to make a visit to this historical structure quite an experience.
A seven-member panel came together with objectives such as making this house-cum-museum where Dr Sun Yat Sen once lived when in Singapore during the early 1900's an in-depth example of his contribution to revolution in China.
Wax figures of Dr Sun and members of his Revolutionary team are seen in a meeting while a 6metre x 3 metre oil painting shows him speaking to rubber plantation workers.
Singapore's Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry are seeking a Director for the Museum ... anyone interested can write to 12 Tai Gin Road, Balestier, Singapore.
Others can just come along and pay their SIN$4 for adults and SIN$3 for children, students and seniors and take a good look at this Chinese revolutionary.
The other day I read that the definition of Carefulness is looking both ways when crossing a one-way street.
Actually it would be the wise thing to do in Singapore as cyclists here have little or no regard for traffic rules and come at you from all sides.
It is the usual state of play, rather than the rule, to encounter cyclists on the pavement instead of on the road. Those on the road are usually travelling the wrong way down a one-way street ...or on the wrong side heading in the opposite direction to the traffic flow.
All of which causes chaos for the well-meaning pedestrian (like me) who is getting fed up of the ongoing bicycle bell ringing as one peacefully strolls the pavement presenting no ill to anyone.
On the one hand there are those who would say this against-the-flow cycling format is perfectly logical as far as survival is concerned, given the standards of most driver here.
On the other hand there are thousands of pedestrians who are becoming increasing concerned about their overall welfare and general survival as they are increasingly threatened by approaching bikes of all shapes and sizes.
One Singapore district is about to make cycling on the pavement legal (it's supposedly not ... though 95% of bike owners do it) as they have widened pathways to accommodate both bikes and people. Other areas though are still vulnerable.
I mention all this as while Scary Cyclists have so far been found mainly in the suburbs they are now encroaching into city centers and tourist areas. So, for your own survival it would be wise to watch (and listen) out for cyclists who could easily cause damage if you don't take evasive steps.
Proceed with caution!
If you want to get the 'Inside Story' on food in Singapore check out the website SoShiok.com. The word 'shiok' is a Malay expression for delightful, delicious, delovely ... and all that kind of thing.
This hot and happening website gives chilli level ratings in areas such as 'Hot Restaurants' 'Foodie Features' and 'Cheers' (bars)...all up-to-date and all covering both Singapore and Malaysia.
Just 6 months after it was launched SoShiok has become the most popular food website in Singapore. Singaporeans love their food so if it's rating is Number 1 the site must be good.
It ranked ahead of similar sites such as Foodbuzz, Makansutra and Chubby Hubby....which you can also check.
The SoShiok site features a map so readers can quickly find the location of a restaurant or bar that appeals ...or they can choose a district and seek out eateries and water-holes in this particular locale. Either way the reader wins and can select their watering hole and dining venue before heading off.
Readers Comments feature throughout the site...all worth reading and digesting (sorry - couldn't resist) as the punter knows best in these parts.
Recipes and drink mixes are also shown and the current site features the 'Best carrot cake' outlets in Singapore and Malaysia. As a great fan of the product I am now planning a tour of all of them ... and hang the diet for a week or so. Weak ...so weak...
An Events section gives details of up and coming F&B
activities ...such as the Amazing Waiter Race for teams.
It was held on November 15 at Expo Hall5 in Singapore..ans was great. Expo is the first stop from Changi Airport on the MRT.
It's all there on SoShiok.com ... check it out soon.
Most people think of Singapore and imagine a concrete jungle awash with towering sky-scrapers and traffic jams.
They are in fact correct - in part - but there is more to this tropical island as far as nature is concerned than one might expect.
In the north of the island - with views of Malaysia across the Johor Straits - stands the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve.
This 87 hectares of wetlands was designated a nature part a decade or so ago and has since been recognised as an important stopover point for migratory birds. Sungei Buloh became Singapore's first Asean heritage park in 2003.
Expansion of the area to some 130 hectares was recently announced with work slated for next year on two new sections - one designated an 'Outdoor Classroom' the other Restricted to visits with guides.
The current area offers a wetland-themed play zone. A Floating Boardwalk, Viewing Platform and Kranji Nature Trail. The new plans aim 'To integrate surrounding areas so visitors can enjoy the facilities from Kranji to Sungei Buloh'.
Of special appeal to visitors are ... The Prawn Watch --- where traditional methods of prawn catching are demonstrated.
The Wireless Learning Trail --- using webcams visitors are able to access information on the Reserve by scanning 2-D barcodes located along the wireless learning trail. There are 20 Barcode locations along the Kranji boardwalk which can take 2 hours to complete.
Visitors are advised to take precautions against mosquitos. One should cover up as much as possible and spray exposed skin with anti-mosquito repellant. Do it - I was badly bitten there once and suffered terribly!
For bird lovers they should check the website for information on likely types of birds to be seen at any particular time.
The easiest way of getting to Sungei Buloh would be by taxi. Or...take the MRT train to Kranji Station and hop on the Kranji Express bus transfer which operates 0900 - 1700 hours daily.
Check out the website ...
www.sbwr.org.sg/ for full information.
First we had the Formula 1 Grand Prix motor race, then the first MotoGP motorbike race was announced...and now it looks like the 'Formula1 of the Skies' - the Red Bull Air Race - will take place in Singapore 2010.
The Singapore event is being lined up as one of the eight race Air Race Calendar which takes place over eight months --- the local leg being pencilled in for between April and June 2010.
The Red Bull Air Race takes daredevil flying to the extreme as pilots manoeuvre single-engine smoke-trailing aircraft between pylons and props positioned in a 1200metre and 800metre course that covers both land and water.
Marina Bay is slated as the venue and would make a great course, with downtown Singapore as an imposing backdrop.
Red Bull Air Races take place in the likes of Abu Dhabi, San Diego, Detroit, London, Rotterdam, Porto, Budapest and Perth --- which attracted 50,000 spectators a few weeks ago.
The Director of International Relations for Red Bull Air Race GmbH recently said that discussions between the event organisers and the Singapore Tourism Board were 'ongoing' as well as 'promising'.
Location and safety factors are now being 'ironed out'...after which concrete plans can start being put together.
Competing planes can reach speeds of 370kph while carrying out heart-stopping moves and aerobatics down the course. A dozen or so planes usually take part in the events.
Team support numbers would be in the region of 350 carrying 400 tonnes of equipment for the vintage aircraft on display. Television coverage reaches 115 countries and an audience of 500 million.
Standby for take-off...daredevils on parade!
For over a thousand years the Chinese art of Calligraphy has evolved into five forms - seal : clerical : standard : semi-cursive and cursive script. Using the written form of Chuan Shu scholars made use of some 3000 characters throughout the great Chinese Dynasties.
All forms of Calligraphy are alive and well in Singapore.
So much so that the Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore offers over 50 classes in the art at any one time. Focus of which is on classes offering Chinese Calligraphy for both Adults and Children - at various levels.
Should visitors not have enough time to take a 10 lesson course but would like to see more of this art-form, the Singapore Calligraphy Centre at 48 Waterloo Street (MRT - Dhoby Ghaut Station) is the place to head for.
Calligraphy classes, exhibitions and demonstrations take place here on a regular basis ... check out the website www.ccss.org.sg
or call (65) 6337 7756 for full details...especially upcoming events.
The Asian Civilisations Museum in Armenian Street also runs classes in 'Standard Script' (Kai Shu) Calligraphy ... but one needs a few weeks to complete the course.
For Calligraphy fans seeking a quality exhibit of the work there are a number of art shops specialising in such offerings. Check out the Singapore Museum Shop for some truly stunning items...especially their Art section.
Try to find time to visit the Singapore Art Gallery at www.fill-your-walls.com
or at #04-21 21 Tanjong Pagar, Singapore. Offering a wide range of art by local artists (including Calligraphy) it's well worth a visit given the variety on display.
Get yourself a piece of Calligraphy ... history in the form of beautiful brush strokes.