Mini Travel Log: Dubai, UAE
Monday, November 23, 2009
Dubai is the Shanghai of Middle East. With its massive oil revenue, it managed to transform into a modern metropolitan city which hosts the world's tallest building (Burj Dubai) and other amazing man-made structures like the Palm and World Islands. It is the most liberal city among the conservative Arab nations; therefore able to attract many businesses and tourists. However, due to the recent economic meltdown, the city is now struggling to keep alive amid the slump in property and investment market. Now, there are too many unoccupied mega skyscrapers in the desert, making it look like a ghost town that has just emerged from a nuclear apocalypse.
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Posted by :hoongji at 10:17 PM 0 comments
Labels: dubai, mini travel log, UAE
Yuna Ito - Gate (OST)
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
I wanna share this wonderful song with everyone.
"YUNA ITO x TAKESHI KOBAYASHI x MIKHAIL PLETNEV (U.S. / Japan / Russia) come together to record "GATE". For the movie "GATE" and SOUNDTRACK. All volunteered, and All proceeds go toward dismantling nuclear weapons. www.GNDFund.org"
"Almost 60 years ago a flame was kindled from the embers of the City of Hiroshima after the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped on a civilian population in hopes of ending World War II. Three days later, a second Atomic Bomb was dropped on the civilian population of the only Christian City in Japan, Nagasaki. The flame still burns today and has become a symbol of hope for peace and a reminder that nuclear weapons must never again be used on civilian populations.
For decades Buddhist Monks have walked endlessly between Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the belief that their selfless sacrifice and prayers for peace will make Nagasaki the last city in the world ever to know the horrors of Nuclear War.This time they were joined by Native Americans, Veterans, and peace groups of all faiths for their final 1600 mile journey across deserts, over mountain ranges and through more than 250 communities as they walked from San Francisco to the Trinity Test Site in New Mexico, location of the first Atomic Bomb detonation. Once returned to its origin, the flame that has been kept for 60 years was extinguished. A docudrama is now being made to commemorate these important events."
Posted by :hoongji at 10:36 AM 0 comments
Mini Travel Log: Melbourne, Australia
Want to experience four seasons in one day? Melbourne is the place. A day can start off with a wonderful hot summer day, but a sweeping cold front from the southern ocean brings down the temperature close to winter while bringing in heavy rains, gale, thunderstorms and even hail. I under-estimated the weather and was caught off guard on the day of arrival. It was a freezing cold night.
Weather was not really good the next day either. It was a morning of fog and cloudy day. Nevertheless I managed to explore the great city. Many buildings have heavy Victorian architecture influence. To my surprise, there is no bus service at the heart of the city itself. It is served by the world's largest tram network instead. The heritage trams are an iconic sight. South of the city across Yarra river houses new urban buildings like the Eureka Tower, hotels, entertainment and casino places. Further south is Albert Park where the annual Melbourne F1 race is held.
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Posted by :hoongji at 9:33 AM 0 comments
Labels: Australia, melbourne, mini travel log
Mini Travel Log: New Delhi, India
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Namaskar, welcome to India, land of many spices. New Delhi is the capital of India. People here are generally courteous and friendly. However, pollution has taken its toll on the city and litters are everywhere. Gone were the days of clear blue skies. Everyday, the air is choked with haze and smoke. The streets of India are NOISY!!! All drivers have their hands glued to the car horn. They abused the horn like nobody's business. I think driving while honking is a requirement to pass a driving test in India.
I made a very quick visit to the India Gate which was built to honor the 90,000 Indian soldiers killed in WW1. Wow, I didn't know India was so much involved in the war which was so far away in Europe. A walk up to the west along the wide boulevard brought me to Rashtrapati Bhawan, official residence of the President of India. The parliament (Sansad Bhawan) and goverment buildings are in the vicinity. Time was not on my side as I had to leave early. The markets, slums and Taj Mahal will be in my itinerary on my next visit. Byebye India.
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Posted by :hoongji at 11:16 PM 0 comments
Labels: india, mini travel log, new delhi
"BOOMZ"...and up in flames
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
First there was smoke, then "BOOMZ", a loud explosion and the building was up in flames. Sirens were heard wailing from the distance. By the time the firefighters arrived, the mosque was already engulfed in an intense fire. There was no way the building can be saved. After an hour of blaze, part of the roof collapsed.
This was what happened to Siglap Mosque. Arson? Act of terrorism? Or just an unfortunate misfortune? Read the news in the papers tomorrow.
Updates: A boy has been charged by the court for torching the mosque.
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Posted by :hoongji at 8:09 PM 1 comments
Labels: fire, siglap mosque
Sentosa
Thursday, September 10, 2009
When I visited Sentosa during my childhood, all I remember is there's only the musical fountain, Underwater World and some resort overlooking the main city island. Fast forward, the island has turned into one giant tourist trap with so many new attractions. Now there's a Siloso beach with Cafe del Mar popular for its beach and foam party. There's also a giant integrated casino and resort coming up to cash in on those gambler uncle and aunties' savings. To the east of the island, new residential areas are popping up for the rich and famous. Every lawn is never short of exotic cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini. Get the best deal in town if you're a Singaporean or PR by getting the discounted package ticket that allows you to visit and play in a number of attractions. If you're a foreigner visiting with some Singaporean friends, chances are the cashier will just close one eye and sell you the same package. Give it a try. On the island, I highly recommend you to play the Luge; a free-wheeling cart going downhill at insane speed.
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Posted by :hoongji at 6:51 PM 0 comments
Waterspout
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Waterspout is a very common phenomenon in the tropics, and especially in Singapore. Yet I have never seen one in my whole life until one fine afternoon when the sky suddenly turned dark and the heaven opened its floodgate. Right before the rain pours, a giant waterspout was seen weaving its way over the ships anchored off the shore. A free cleaning service courtesy from mother nature. An aircraft was seen taking off from the airport nearby and headed straight into the funnel. What an amazing sight.
Posted by :hoongji at 8:48 PM 0 comments
Labels: waterspout
It was a "Hort" day
Sunday, August 09, 2009
The Indonesian haze is back and shrouding the whole Singapore with toxic fumes. The weather is already hot, and now the haze is creating a greenhouse effect by trapping all the heat. It was certainly hot during my photography outing with my friends to Hort Park and few other places last weekend. Not contempt with the previous outing at Henderson Waves, we made another trip to the same place. This time we explored even further to the Alexandra Arch and Hort Park. The arch resembles a leaf. Hort Park is a great place for flower lovers. At night, we strolled down Boat Quay for yet another round of night photography. At this rate, I think we will run out of places to take pictures in Singapore soon.
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Posted by :hoongji at 10:57 PM 0 comments
Labels: alexandra arch, hort park, singapore
