Local art

 Whilst walking back from the shops recently I took a different route home and tried to find a shortcut  through an HDB block. As usual I spotted bamboo poles sticking out of many of the local apartments with the days washing hanging out to dry 

and in the communal space at the base of the tower blocks was an area designed for recreation and relaxation with a 'garden' area, seating and children's play equipment, some communal spaces also have fitness stations specially designed for the elderly to use

as I walked underneath one of the towers I came across a Pop Art Gallery

Different walls had different art work influenced by a particular artist's style

I love the humour in this piece; a pile of foul smelling durian fruit enclosed in a warning triangle!!

 several of the pieces have a 'Singaporean' twist

 and some often heard phrases; Aiyoo is used as an exclamation of shock or surprise

 I wondered if this one refers to the insecticide sprays needed to keep mozzies and other nasty insects at bay?

 and "sedap" means tasty or delicious, here the girl is eating a colourful Kueh, a sweet snack/cake found all over SE Asia

 Singapore continues to offer surprises and this unexpected art 'gallery' really brightened up my day and I imagine does exactly the same for the local residents.

Christmas in UK, New Year in Singapore!

I flew back to the UK for a few days over the Christmas holidays.

It was wonderful to celebrate with nearly the whole family and enjoy a traditional Christmas meal with roast turkey, crackers and a beautiful poem written by my talented niece LN to celebrate the special occasion. 

Followed by afternoon games including the usual charades and then by popular demand this year; arm wrestling! Who would have predicted that the family women's arm wrestling champion for 2015 would be my unexpectedly strong daughter BT? 

Before return to Singapore I made sure I took advantage of the local countryside and had several lovely walks. I was hoping for dry, sunny and frosty weather whilst in the UK but instead it was unusually warm and as often happens over Christmas often overcast and drizzly but the sun did come out a few times and I had some great views 

I arrived back in Singapore in the evening of New Years eve and Papa T and I had intended on going  to watch the firework display at Marina Bay but as it was a wet evening ( still Monsoon season) and the long flight and 36 hours of being awake had caught up with me so by 10.30 pm I was tucked up in bed! I think this is the first year since childhood that I've not stayed up to "see the NewYear in"

                                                    --------------------

It was still pretty grey but not actually raining the following day and I was keen to play with my Christmas present; a new camera, so Papa T and I visited the Botanic Gardens for a stroll and to experiment with the camera's bewildering array of functions, below are a few of the pictures. 

 We were lucky enough to watch this Stork Billed Kingfisher for several minutes as he watched over the pond waiting to catch his dinner and then this Myna bird looking very curious

Not all perfect photos but I'm looking forward to practising and I'm sure there will be plenty of opportunities over the next year as I continue to explore Singapore and Asia