Chinatown (Chinese New Year)

It is two weeks to Chinese New Year. The new year is no small matter to the Chinese. It means families getting together to have reunion dinner of the eve of the big day, it means paying visits to friends and relatives during the 15-day festival period. It means lots of preparation. Chinatown is always the most crowded during this period. Many Chinese will come to this place to buy goods needed for the celebration.

Look at the Chinese sausage and duck. Dried, preserved and tasty. Do you like them? This is a necessity for many Chinese. In the past in China, Chinese kept these preserved food for the new year; Winter was cold and they were not able to hunt for food.

Nowadays, we buy Pamelos and Pumpkins too. They symbolize good luck.

Look at the festive crowd! You will experience the most congestion if you are there on the eve of the Chinese New Year. All products have to be sold by the new year, and prices would be the most attractive that day.

Melon seeds, Peanuts, Dry Longans.. Yes, they are important and we need them.

It started to drizzle. This man was putting up a big umbrella. Hopefully the rain will not dampen the mood of the crowd.

Mandarin oranges, and some of the plants are not to be missed. Thats for a prosperous new year

Snacks! Maybe its time to take a break. "BAO" (Chinese buns) for you?

Good sense to bring home some Chinese calligraphy. Get a set of "Chun Lian" (words of auspiciousness) here!

Sweets and preserved fruits are needed. They meant a sweet and prosperous new year.

We were impressed by his paper cutting skills. Shall we bring some home for decorations?

This will definitely remind my grandparents of their younger days. This is a mini-cinema with "live" story telling. Audience pay a fee ($2) to peep into the screen.

Here are some home made cookies and pineapple tarts. Very tasty indeed. We are getting 2 boxes.

You can consider bringing home some cute Chinese Ink Painting.

Chinese always buy sets of new clothings for a New Year.

Once upon a time, a village in China was terrorized by a monster named Nian. The people later realised Nian was afraid of red colour. Soon, they began putting up red banners to fend off the monster. That was a legend. Red became an auspicious colour for the Chinese, and they would put up many decorations in their houses during the new year.

I found some of the displays very attractive.

The fruits stalls seem to be having good business.

Ok, this salesman was posing for my camera. "snap".

	Chinatown Address: Off South Bridge Road (Alight at Chinatown MRT Station) Have you been here? Please post your comment too. Let us know if you share the same feeling!

Ang Mo Kio 628 Pasar

It has been quite some time since I last visited a wet market ("Pasar" in Malay language). There are several markets in the neighbourhood. I joined my family this morning, we went to the market at Ang Mo Kio Block 628.

This is a temporary market. The actual market was down due to fire few months ago. The entire building was burnt down. For the time being, the stall owners are putting up at site nearby.

You can buy seafood, poultry, fruits, cooked food, dried goods in a Pasar.

Now, how do you know if a fish is fresh? The gills have to be sticky sticky, the eyes have to be bright, body colour has to be shiny.. Thats what Bulb mentioned. :)

Everyone always look busy in a Pasar. I noticed housewives do not bargain nowadays, unlike few years back.

Fresh seafood for steamboat tonight?

Toufu and fish balls to add to the soup.

Fish head and prawns will make the soup yummy.

The fish at this stall looks fresh and good.

Now.. where is Bulb?

This man is skillful with his knife.

Big eggs, medium eggs and small eggs... too many sizes to choose from...

All smiles... business must be good because of the coming Chinese New Year.

The granny, with her grandchildren, sells dried goods.

This uncle seems popular with the aunties.

We are done with the shopping, we are going for breakfast now. If you are new to Singapore, I encourage you to visit one of the Pasars in the morning. It can be a fun and different experience.

	628 Market and Food Centre Address: 628 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4 Singapore 560628

Singapore Zoo

I'm visiting the Zoo again. I like the place. In this post, I'll bring you round the Zoo. One day is reasonable time to spend for such a trip. I added some images I took few months ago for a more complete tour.

Get a map at the entrance, otherwise look out for the signboard if you are lost. Do note the feeding time of the animals. There are also shows at different time of the day, and they are entertaining.

Are the Zebras posing for me?

One thing I like about the Singapore Zoo is the open concept. The animals are kept in spacious landscaped enclosures. The environment looks nature, and most of the time you do not see any barriers between you and the animals.

Big breakfast..

This is Giraffe, the tallest animal species on Earth.

Ok.. what animal is this?

A close-up view...

The Zoo serves more than a million visitors each year, and is rated one of the World's Best Zoos by Forbes Traveller.com in 2007.

Did you see the Malayan Flying Fox, 2-Toed Sloth and Ring-Tailed Lemur?

You find many more species in this enclosure. This is set to a rainforest environment. Climb to the tree level, or at a ground level... you will feel close to the animals.

Seen the World's largest flower? I had thought this is some sculpture. But its real and living. The Rafflesia flower can grow to a diameter of 1.5 meters.

Be careful! The plants that eat animals!

Take a tram ride if you want to move quickly.

Chimpanzees?

Seems they are in deep thoughts...

Another wise old man? This is a Baboon in the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia. And you find many of them here!

Is that a goat?

The Seal is stilling the show here. Boy! Making friends? How is the kiss?

Thats the Splash Safari Show. Everyone enjoyed themselves. Be warned... you may get wet if you sit close to the front.

Education. Okay, See.. this is a Hippo. Hippo.

Its a leapord!

See the white Tigers at the Singapore Zoo!

We are at the end of the tour now. There are much more you can see in the Zoo. Btw, this is a Cotton-Top Tamarin.

Do you need some shopping or collectables?

Hope you will find the Singapore Zoo interesting! I enjoyed the trip.

	Singapore Zoo Address: 80 Mandai Lake Road Singapore 729826 Tel: 65-6296-3411 http://www.zoo.com.sg/ Enjoyable! Excellent for kids! What do you think?