Intelligent Shika at Nara Deer Park

In Nara, one will find thousand of deers surrounding Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, the gardens, and the hillside.

In the past they were regarded as messengers of God.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBg-MrPUVEE&feature=related

The deers are wild ones but quite tame actually.
In every October there is ceremony to cut their horns by the priests.

The deer will bow to visitors when it asks for feeding.
There is a biscuit called "Shika Sembei" which is meant to feed them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgdviZbszKs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hT6WUv_Z41E&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dam15ywnQ1w&feature=related

Here is the view of Nara Deer Park
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfXqcOKg0Xo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpwHGmrYnms&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kKbGHLa4J8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrXnWwKdjNE&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEHZriXttfw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPPiTK1oLUY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrGRZQXIEro&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYAZrhteG3k&feature=related (Kasuga Taisha)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fcXckckPhY&feature=related (Nigatsudo)

Here is the catch, the deer is intelligent that they could even cross the road at the zebra cross.
These videos in youtube taken by various persons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iClXNpiutT4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tu6WoHJlPk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X11Bi20ddwQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJqUte4qCU8&feature=related


Fyi, Todaiji has been rebuilt, and it was downsized 30% of its original size.
The great Buddha statue is located at Daibutsuden.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b0Ok2Mamd0&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROtGHT3A1sg&feature=related
Tōdai-ji (東大寺 Tōdai-ji or Eastern Great Temple), is a Buddhist temple located in the city of Nara, Japan. Its Great Buddha Hall (大仏殿 Daibutsuden) is the largest wooden building in the world, and houses Japan's largest statue of the Buddha Vairocana, known in Japanese simply as Daibutsu (大仏) or Big Buddha.
Inside there, you could buy a roof tile and written your name. The stall keeper informed me that is meant for the renovation purpose.

For the sunset view, it is best to view from the balcony of Nigatsudo. And you could view the Nara city from there.


I am really impressed with the magnificent Todaiji, the beautiful Nigatsudo, and its tamed deers.
I put them in my painting which I painted on Christmas Day 2011.

Due to the time limit, I did not tour the rest of Nara Deer Park (Nara Museum, Isuien Garden, Horyuji Temple, Kasuga Taisha) as well as the city area.
I do hope I could visit Japan again

The memory of the Beloved goes to the Rainbow Bridge

I happened to find these videos in youtube.
Could not hold my tears when i saw these videos.

It reminded me of my deceased pets which gone to the Rainbow Bridge many years ago...
They were unique with their specific characters.
Each dog was not the same.

I did not stay in my hometown when they passed away. Mostly due to their old ages and diseases like tumor, cancer. Some met traffic accidents or being kidnapped then sold for their meats.


It is sad to read the words presented by the dog owner who put it down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-jGRi8eacs&feature=related


This owner even cooked something to eat for his dog while crying.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tzQ1V0S5fE&feature=related


A memory of a pet in Mandarin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqhlLoJpZPk&feature=related


This one when the owners walked the dog then sent him to sleep.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doEE_y4gm9w&feature=related


A memory of a pet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxjF19BIOWw&feature=related


The professional video with interview and narration when a teary tattooed guy put his pet down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOAcRKZxjy4&feature=related


A tribute to Hachiko
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yM5b2LEg_w&feature=fvwrel


A sad story for dogs left behind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXR-4Ib23Ic&feature=related


Sad....
but in this world, not only animals were being mistreated...people even left to die in hunger or being tortured ...

Finding a decent meal in Singapore

It is all about FOOD!

This char kway teow stall featured in the article below is my favorite.
It is manned by an enderly gentleman and an elderly lady.
http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/fab-four-amoy-street-food-centre-094028927.html
Kway Teow is a kind of rice vermicelli which is made flattened and bigger.
Char means stir fry
Char Kway Teow is the name of the dish, that is, stir fry kway teow topped with eggs, chinese sausage, cockels, and added with lime zest and chillies. It uses pork lards, so it is not halal.


Cheers!

Merry Christmas 2011

Merry Christmas!

Christmas theme decor from Tampines One

Christmas theme decor from Tampines One

"Rudolph" the reindeer from my dentist office

Terminal 2 Departure Hall, Changi Airport

Terminal 2 Departure Hall, Changi Airport

Terminal 2 Departure Hall, Changi Airport

Terminal 3 Departure Hall, Changi Airport

Terminal 1 Departure Hall, Changi Airport

Terminal 1 Departure Hall, Changi Airport

Takashimaya

Tampines Mall

Carolling at Orchard Central (Mall)

Christmas Tree above th gazebo where they sang the carols

Christmas Shopping Display, OC

Giant watch frame, OC

Gingerbread House, OC

Living Hall, OC

Postcard OC

Reindeer, OC

Giant Photo Framce, OC

The Stage, OC

The Stage, OC

Hershey's Store at Tampines Mall

Fairmont Hotel

Robinsons at Raffles City

Santa Claus, Harborfront Centre

Atrium, Paragon

Paragon

Takashimaya B1

Rilakkuma, Takashimaya

Metro, Paragon

Metro, Paragon

Christmas Lights Up at Orhard Road

Worst week in Singapore subway history

Last week commuters experienced the worst week of trains disruption of services in Singapore.
I decided not to do Christmas shopping in Orchard Road due to that reason. I do not want to end up as trapped passenger or squeezed myself in a crowded bus

The Chronology
On 14 Dec 2011 the Circle Line broke down in the morning. I experienced myself when I was waiting at the platform in Payalebar station.
http://sg.finance.yahoo.com/news/-Train-disruptions-yahoofinancesgwp-4224888186.html?x=0

On 15 Dec 2011 it was the worst incident in the history of SMRT.
It was the North South Line took turn to break down.

The commuters even broke the window since there was no air in the train and few passengers had fainted. Some were forced to walk on the tracks.
Many people were stranded in MRT stations. They could not board taxies which were fully booked, traffic jams, and the buses deployed were not enough to accomodate these stranded passengers.
http://www.smrt.com.sg/main/news_details.asp
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/train-faults-on-north-south-line-between-bishan-and-marina-bay-stations.html

On 17 Dec 2011, again the North-South line was broken down and only up after 1.30pm although it was announced in the previous night news it would resume at 10am.

Again on 18 Dec 2011 the train services East-West Line, North-South Line were halted until 11.30am.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-rattled-week-subway-breakdowns-083516296.html
Though this time they offered free shuttle services to passengers in some affected areas.
It is somewhat became agenda in the politics arena in Singapore
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/workers--party--deeply-concerned--over-train-disruptions.html
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/full-inspection-will-delay-train-service-on-sunday.html;_ylt=AsTAE6FMuGBDcUT3JMrgPr0BV8d_;_ylu=X3oDMTR0NW91N3JvBGNjb2RlA2N0LmMEbWl0A01vc3QgUG9wdWxhciBBcnRpY2xlcwRwa2cDMTUwNDFlYjktMjFhMi0zNWY3LWIxYmEtMTcxMDQ2YTUyNjdjBHBvcwMzBHNlYwNNZWRpYUJMaXN0TWl4ZWRNb3N0UG9wdWxhckNBBHZlcgM0MmNiYmU5YS0yOTUwLTExZTEtYmI5YS1hYjlmNjQ4YjdiN2E-;_ylg=X3oDMTMyM2xqc2E5BGludGwDc2cEbGFuZwNlbi1zZwRwc3RhaWQDZDFjMGU5N2ItNjQ0Zi0zZTg2LWI0ZTItOGI3MGZkNzUwODM5BHBzdGNhdANzaW5nYXBvcmUEcHQDc3RvcnlwYWdlBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/clamour-grows-for-smrt-ceo-to-step-down.html


Today SMRT shares traded at SGX (Singapore Exchange) drops to 1.755, and at 11.35am it is traded at 1.77.
http://www.sgx.com/


Now it is festive period when Orchard Road and malls in the city district are filled with shoppers.
I wonder how much "loss" the shops endured during those breakdown period.
Should SMRT held responsible? I believe SMRT should have their own KPIs in justifying their performances including the remuneration package if its highly paid CEO?
These recent incidents would only feed the sentiment of the growing numbers of grumbling passengers.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/blame-smrt-corporate-culture-lta-lack-oversight-100328677.html

Looking back....
The MRT often broke down in the morning rush hour in recent months.
Just before the Singapore F1 GP in September 2011 there were a number of broke down in the Circle Line. In the past two years I commuted from Payalebar to Jurong East, I experienced many delays of trains eventhough just for a couple of minutes, and sometimes the train halted half way at the tracks between Buona Vista to Queenstown, and from Lavender to Cityhall.

Travel Packing Tips

I usually pack those necessities like medicine (paracetamol, diarrhoea, ointment) in my backpack together with a bottle of water, foldable umbrella, energy bars, sunblock, and a cap.
Passport, monies, credit card, identification card will be slotted in a travel wallet.
All these will be stuffed in the largest compartment.

My mobile iphone will be stored in my PDA leather wallet and placed in the second compartment.

While the front compartment will contain wet tissue, candies, some coins and notes, mini map, hotel address, and candies.

Carry a mini strap bag to stuff it with some spare changes and notes of the country i am visiting besides train/bus card for comfy purpose.


Always remember to separate some monies in wallet, bag, and probably keep a secret pouch in clothes you wear for the day just in case of theft or being careless.


I often bring along a bigger luggage.
This is one thing I need to work it out since the airlines charge for overweight baggage since I am often bringing too many clothes when traveling.

Usually I fold my clothes in ziplock bags, not rolling it, to prevent more creases.
Pack undergarments in a box made of material similar to my backpack albeit in softer material.
Chargers are packed separately and ensure the cables are not entangled with others.
Cosmetics, cotton, cotton buds, shower items (all in travel size) are packed in smaller ziplock bags


Here are some readings on travel tips

Roll your clothes to save a space
http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/packing-and-accessories/packing-tips


Samsonite's article
http://www.samsonite.com.sg/tip-packing.html


21 Tips to Help You Pack for a Trip
http://www.travellerspoint.com/packing-tips.cfm


Pack different clothes for meeting up with different people
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/business/06PACK.html


Leave the sink at home...
http://www.webwombat.com.au/travel/articles/pack.htm


6 Tips for Wrinkle-Free Packing
http://www.fodors.com/news/story_1449.html


Packing Lists and Packing Tips
http://www.travelsense.org/tips/packingtips.cfm


happy packing...

Transportation modes in Singapore

Most people commute using public transport on their daily lives.
There are two major modes - subway and bus services.

SBS Transit is the major public bus line.
http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/

This is the journey planner
http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/journeyplan/step1.aspx

SMRT is another operator of bus services particularly in north west and north east area besides taxi services. It is a listed company in SGX.
http://www.smrtbuses.com.sg/ebusguide/busguide.asp


The subway in Singapore is called MRT (Mass Rapid Train)
This is the current subway network
http://www.smrt.com.sg/trains/network_map.asp

From Changi Airport passenger could be able to board it to the other part of Singapore by alighting in Tanah Merah interchange and board the West bound train (denotes with green line) if commuting to the North, South, Central, and West area.

The North South line is denoted in red line, while the North East line is denoted in purple line, and the latest Circle Line connecting East, Central to the Southwest part of Singapore.

The major interchange stations are Dhoby Ghaut, Raffles Place, Cityhall, Serangoon, Outram Park, and Payalebar.

 The timeliness of trains and buses in Singapore could not be compared with those in Japan

This is the future plan of Singapore subway network









Below is the link of taxi companies in Singapore
http://www.taxisingapore.com/

For those willing to pay here here are more fancy taxies
http://www.limousinecab.com/

Below is the link - I really have no idea how accurate it is since ComfortDelgro just announced to increase its taxi fares
http://www.worldtaximeter.com/singapore
http://www.cdgtaxi.com.sg/news_current_year.mvn?year=2011&cid=2444701

Personally I feel that hiring a cab in Singapore is not that costly if compares it with other developed nations such as Japan and Australia.

One good thing is CDG keeps up with technology i.e passenger could use Iphone Apps to book a cab (provided I know the full address of the building and the pick up area) instead of jamming the operator line desperately looking for a cab during a rainy day or a peak hour.

Happy commuting!