Fai Quan
formerly known as "Prosaic Traveller"
Bangkok (2) – Chatuchak Weekend Market
As mentioned in a previous post, we like to explore an area outside a station that is the furthest point on a transit line. In Bangkok, the “Mo Chit” station is located on the northern point of the Sukhumvit Line. Here we find the Chatuchak Market, considered the largest weekend market in Thailand. It covers over 35 acres and contains upwards of 5,000 stalls. It was a quiet day when we visited as it was a weekday.
The garden centre of the market, for all you gardening lovers (especially to you, Joani)
A few of the stalls were open to allow me to capture some of the merchandise being sold.
Bangkok (1) – Chinatown
Between the Wat Pho Buddhist Temple and the Hua Lamphong station is Chinatown. This area is full of character and culture. Vendors took up most of the sidewalks and passageways, allowing single-file walking only. The short walk was double in time due to many stops to capture the moment.
Decorations festooned the streets for the Chinese New Year’s Eve that had just passed.
A congested side street
Bagging the fruit
Juicy fresh pineapple to help quench the thirst under 30C temperatures.
Teacups and Teapots
Roasting hazelnuts
I don’t remember if these fellows were reconing speakers or rewiring transformers
These drum masters were taking a break before their performance.
Whatever he was cooking, it smelled delicious.
Lots of different dried fish and seafood
Singapore (8) – Skylines at night
The Singapore skyline at night is too mesmerizing to describe.
Marina Bay Sands Hotel to the left and the ArtScience Museum to the right (flower shaped building)
The pedway crossing over the Kallang River.
Downtown
The Esplanade
The Marina Bay Sands Hotel in background, the mall in the foreground. Running along the top of the three tower hotel is their swimming pool.
Louis Vuitton
Singapore (7) – Marina Bay Sands Light and Water Show
Wonder Full – an amazing convergence of light, music and sound. The thirteen minute show is produced twice every night, weather permitting. The 9:30 show caught us completely by surprise as we had just finished a great meal at an outdoor restaurant located right beside the marina.
A light rainfall brought out the umbrellas but didn’t prevent the spectators from coming out.
The downtown lights is a great backdrop.
Title of the show is clearly displayed, “Wonder Full”
The song “It’s a Wonderful World” was coming through crystal clear over an incredible sound system.
The grand finale. A burst of smoke and bubbles flow through the whole area.
Singapore (6) – The Flyer
Photos taken at and from the Singapore Flyer. The 30 minute ride gave us an opportunity to see city views in a bit of daylight (the sun was just setting) and at night.
This 165m high structure is the world’s largest Giant Observation Wheel. You have an option of booking one of the capsules for a private large group gathering with appetizers and drinks or a 4-course meal for two.
With the Marina Bay Sands in the background
You can get an idea of the size of the capsule. You can fit up to 28 people comfortably with room to move around.
Esplanade Theatre
Gardens by the Bay
Fullerton Hotel
Marina Bay Sands Hotel (left) and Mall (right)
Downtown
Singapore (5) – Punggol
For exploration reasons, one of the things we like to do is to take the LRT/MRT to one of the furthest stations on a line. We decided on Punggol station as it had a small loop line at the end of it. This station is located on the northern part of Singapore Island. This is what we found.
Punggol Station. You can see the above-ground line to the right.
A view outside of Punggol station. The purple building is a school.
Bikes inside the terminal. A different type of park and ride.
The extended loop attached to the station. This is what you see throughout the whole loop. Eight stops along the way allows passengers get to their nearest apartment.
The colourless environment is emphasized by an overcast day.
Singapore (4) – Cable Cars
The Singapore Cable Car provides an aerial link from the main island of Singapore to the resort island of Sentosa. The huge line-up prevented us from taking this journey. These photos were taken from outside the Singapore Cruise Centre.
Riding over the harbour
Reflections on the windows of the HarbourFront Tower. The tower is the access point to get on board.
Coming out of HarbourFront Tower
Decorative cable cars
Going over the cruise ship that was ready to disembark.
Singapore (3) – Chinese Lunar New Year 2013
We were fortunate to witness the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year 2013 in Singapore. The week-long event-filled festivities ends with a big bash and fireworks at the Kallang River.
Colorful decorations filled with lights illuminate the huge area set aside for this event.
Playtime area. Rides for the kids and games for anyone wishing to test their skills.
The main stage
A trio showcases their talents at a smaller stage nearby.
Midnight strikes and the Fireworks begins.
Singapore (2) – Raffles Hotel
We happened by accident to come across “Raffles Hotel” on your way to the City Hall MRT station from our hotel. Located on the corner of Beach Road and Bra Basah Road, this extravagant hotel first opened in 1887. It has held its’ glory and beauty through these years.
A quick tour inside the courtyard area, we told ourselves we would be back for a more in-depth look. We never made it back. Therefore, the photos on this post are very limited to what I believe would have been a magnificent building to see.
Along Bras Basah Road
Singapore (1) – Chinatown
A visit to Chinatown on the eve of the Chinese New Year’s was quite overwhelming. The throngs of people, the decorations, the food and the excitement was an experience unique in its’ own way.
As soon as you ascend the stairway of the Chinatown MRT Station, this is what you encounter, the heart of Chinatown.
Decorations surrounding the stage on New Bridge Road
Decorations hanging over New Bridge Road
Incense burn from many shops in the area. I loved it. The smell was intoxicating.
Colourful kid’s chopsticks. 4 for $10 HKD runs about $1.30 CAD.
Dried fruit. As a child, I was hooked on salted dried plums.
Fai Quan 