Singapore 2017
We visited Singapore in 7-15 November 2017, to visit tourist attractions and also catch up with my school friends and family.
Travels Through A Lens
Trips Around the World
2017
Singapore 2017 Day 7: Orchard Road
Last day in Singapore! It was raining very heavily, so we decided to take the MRT and visit Orchard Road, the famous shopping district.
Singapore 2017 Day 6: Trick Eye Museum and Dinner
Trick Eye Museum Singapore, is a 3D optical art museum originally from Korea, where one can pose in front of the art and take photos.
Singapore 2017 Day 6: Resorts World
We headed back to Resorts World via the Sentosa Express monorail, to take some photos around the Bull Ring and the Lake of Dreams.
Singapore 2017 Day 6: Little India
Little India was originally an enclave designated by the British for Indian immigrants, and the main thoroughfare is Serangoon Road.
Singapore 2017 Day 6: Suntec City
Suntec City is one of Singapore’s largest malls and shopping destination nestled in the heart of the bustling Marina Bay precinct.
Singapore 2017 Day 5: Family Dinner
For our family dinner, we went to the Racines restaurant at the brand new Sofitel Singapore City Centre, a French-Asian fusion restaurant.
Singapore 2017 Day 5: Fort Siloso
The final attraction at Sentosa that we visited was Fort Siloso, built in the late 19th century and stands a historical site today.
Singapore 2017 Day 5: Sentosa Merlion
We entered the statue of the Sentosa Merlion, which is a mythical creature with a lion’s head and a fish’s body.
Singapore 2017 Day 5: Sentosa Island
Sentosa Island was called "Pulau Belakang Mati", fortified during the British occupation, and is now a holiday resort.
Singapore 2017 Day 5: Sentosa Cable Car
After lunch we took a taxi to Mt Faber to catch the Sentosa Cable Car to Sentosa Island (less busy than the main station).
Singapore 2017 Day 5: Family Lunch
We waited for Lyn's parents to arrive, then had a family lunch at the Xperience restaurant at the So Sofitel.
Singapore 2017 Day 5: Marina Bay
We woke up early and took a stroll from our hotel to Marina Bay. We walked towards The Promontory, then Clifford Pier towards Merlion Park.
Singapore 2017 Day 4: Orchard Road Christmas
We spent the evening exploring the Christmas Lights at Orchard Road with Christmas decorations and pop up stores.
Singapore 2017 Day 4: Universal Studios
Today we are focused on visiting Universal Studios Singapore, located on Sentosa Island in an area called Resorts Worlds.
Singapore 2017 Day 3: Flower Field
Our final stop in the Flower Dome is the Flower Field - which has many Christmas decorations and displays.
Singapore 2017 Day 3: Continental Gardens
We explored the Continental gardens including Australian, South African, South American, Mediterranean, Californian and the Olive Grove.
Singapore 2017 Day 3: Flower Dome
Flower Dome is supposedly the largest glass greenhouse in the world. It showcases plants and flowers from five continents in nine gardens.
Singapore 2017 Day 3: Secret Garden
The final part of the Cloud Forest attraction is the Secret Garden, featuring an underwater pool with stalactites and stalagmites.
Singapore 2017 Day 3: Treetop Walk
Below the heart of Crystal Mountain in the Cloud Forest, we walked on the Treetop Walk which leads into the Secret Garden.
Singapore 2017 Day 3: Crystal Mountain
Descending the Cloud Walk in the Cloud Forest, we passed through Crystal Mountain where there were many crystals on display.
Singapore 2017 Day 3: Cloud Walk
From the Lost World in the Cloud Forest, we walked down the Cloud Walk which provided fantastic views around the dome.
Singapore 2017 Day 3: Lost World
In the Cloud Forest, we took an elevator to the highest point of the mountain, entitled "Lost World," with LEGO sculptures in a pond setting.
Singapore 2017 Day 3: Cloud Forest
Cloud Forest is a fake mountain enclosed in a glass dome complete with waterfalls and treetop (and mountaintop) boardwalks.
Singapore 2017 Day 3: Botanic Gardens
We took a taxi to our cousin's home and spent a nice morning exploring the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Singapore 2017 Day 2: Singapore at Night
After dinner my cousin and her husband drove us back to the heart of Singapore where we walked around at night taking photos of the various buildings.
Singapore 2017 Day 2: Dinner with Cousin
At night my cousin Qui Yin and her husband Gordon picked us up from our hotel and took us to New Ubin Seafood restaurant for dinner.
Singapore 2017 Day 2: Catching up with friends
We caught up with two friends from school today. I haven't met them in over 30 years so I was excited and nervous.
Singapore 2017 Day 1: LEGOLAND Malaysia
In 2012, the 1st LEGOLAND in Asia opened, LEGOLAND Malaysia, taking visitors across Asia on a “brick-tastic” journey of LEGO adventures.
Singapore 2017 Day 1: Singapore Flyer
We explore the base of the observation wheel, which is a rainforest garden occupying the entire central atrium of the main Terminal Building. The "rainforest" contains tropical trees and shrubs, cascading water displays, streams, and rocky outcrops beneath the Flyer wheel.
Singapore 2017 Day 0: Journey to Singapore
Well this is it! Our journey to Singapore after 5 years! We arrived in the afternoon and checked into So Sofitel Hotel.
MyAuckland 2017
I was privileged to be part of Lesley Whyte Photography's #MyAuckland VIP Day Tour on Saturday 30 September 2017.
MyAuckland 2017: Day 3
On my last day in Auckland (Day 3), I wandered around High St and Queen St. Sad to be flying back later in the day!
MyAuckland 2017: City at Night
Auckland at night is a strange city at night full of wondrous visions that I never encounter during the day.
MyAuckland 2017: Mt Wellington
Sunset over the volcanic peak of Mt Wellington, overlooking the suburb of Stonefields built on the site of an old quarry.
MyAuckland 2017: Mission Bay
Mission Bay is a seaside suburb on Tamaki Drive with a nice fountain and some shops. Nearby is Bastion Point.
MyAuckland 2017: Wynyard Quarter
Located just to the west of Viaduct Harbour, Wynyard Quarter has been progressively converted for residential apartments.
MyAuckland 2017: Devonport
Devonport is a harbourside suburb on the North Shore of Auckland, and hosts the Naval Base. It has great views of the harbour into the city.
MyAuckland 2017: Riverhead
Had lunch at a place called The Landing at Riverhead, where Lesley spent her childhood. Best steak I have ever eaten - perfectly cooked.
MyAuckland 2017: Muriwai Beach
Muriwai Beach featuring black sand and a gannet colony on a large rock. We were there at low tide and the weather was overcast and rainy.
MyAuckland 2017: Auckland City
From Albert Park, I explored Auckland City, starting from Khartoum Place where there is a memorial to the Women's Suffrage movement.
MyAuckland 2017: Auckland University
Auckland University is located next to Albert Park. It is the largest, most comprehensive and highest-ranked university in New Zealand.
MyAuckland 2017: Albert Park and Art Gallery
Landed in Auckland last night. I had the morning to myself, so decided to explore Albert Park and the Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.
Japan 2017
We returned to Japan in 2017 and visited Tokyo, then headed down south to Okayama and Hiroshima, returning via Osaka and Kyoto.
Japan 2017 Day 10: Tokyo (Haneda Airport)
We arrived at Haneda airport, and wandered around the airport shopping area. There were lots of fake cherry blossom trees.
Japan 2017 Day 10: Tokyo (Shinjuku evening)
We spend the rest of evening walking back from the Tokyo Metropolitan Goverment building along the subways and streets of Shinjuku.
Japan 2017 Day 10: Tokyo (Metropolitan Government Building)
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (東京都庁舎) is the tallest city hall in the world, with observation decks proving amazing views.
Japan 2017 Day 10: Tokyo (Shinjuku)
Shinjuku (新宿区) has been a major secondary center of Tokyo and a commercial hub full of skyscrapers and retail shops.
Japan 2017 Day 10: Tokyo (Shinjuku Gyoen)
Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) is a large park and garden. It was originally a residence of the Naitō family, then became an Imperial Park.
Japan 2017 Day 9: Tokyo (Character Street)
Character Street is a row of shops selling toys based on various character themes, located underground in Tokyo Station.
Japan 2017 Day 9: Tokyo (Imperial Palace East Garden)
The Imperial Palace East Gardens encompasses the former Honmaru and Ninomaru areas of Edo Castle and the Imperial Tokagakudo Music Hall.
Japan 2017 Day 8: Kyoto (evening)
We walked back to Kyoto station as buses were full, crossed the bridge at Shichijo and saw a lovely sunset.
Japan 2017 Day 8: Kyoto (Kiyomizu-dera)
Otowa-san Kiyomizu-dera (音羽山清水寺), is a Buddhist temple and part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site.
Japan 2017 Day 8: Kyoto (Higashiyama)
We walked along the stone-paved roads in Higashiyama (Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka) that lead up to the Kiyomizu Temple.
Japan 2017 Day 8: Kyoto (Chion-in)
Chion-in is a Pure Land Buddhism temple consisting of a colossal main gate (Sanmon), a huge temple building and Japan’s largest temple bell.
Japan 2017 Day 8: Kyoto (Otani Sobyo Hondo)
Otani Sobyo Mausoleum is the grave of Shinran, the founder of the Shinshu sect Otani school (Higashi Hongan-ji Temple).
Japan 2017 Day 8: Kyoto (Yasaka-jinja)
Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社), once called Gion Shrine (祇園神社), is a Shinto shrine in the Gion District of Kyoto, with bright red gates.
Japan 2017 Day 8: Kyoto (Honen-in)
Honen-in ((法然院)) is a nice quiet reflective temple on Kyoto's Philosopher's Path. There is an amazing statue of Buddha here.
Japan 2017 Day 8: Kyoto (Ginkaku-Ji)
Ginkaku-ji (銀閣寺), or Temple of the Silver Pavilion, is officially named Jishō-ji (慈照寺) and built for a Shogun who became a Buddhist monk.
Japan 2017 Day 8: Kyoto (morning)
Today we traveled from Osaka to Kyoto and arrived in the morning. Along the way we passed through some interesting sculpture street art.
Japan 2017 Day 7: Osaka (USJ)
Today we visited Universal Studios Japan (or USJ as its more popularly known as). We are excited to see the new Harry Potter attractions!
Japan 2017 Day 6: Osaka
We travelled from Hiroshima to Osaka and arrived around 3pm. We checked into the Ritz Carlton and spent the afternoon exploring the area.
Japan 2017 Day 6: Fukuyama
On the way back to Fukuyama station, I saw a rose trellis in honour of Hugh Jackman - I took a picture there.
Japan 2017 Day 6: Tomonoura
Tomonoura is a small fishing village famous as the location for several films: notably Miyazaki's Ponyo and Wolverine.