Singapore Flyer

We went on the Singapore Flyer Tuesday so the girls could see Singapore from a bird's eye view.  These are the cars we rode in; notice how big they are compared to the people in them:

Steve and I had gone to the Flyer the 26th of March 2009 and I could not believe the changes in 8.5 months:

March 2009:

December 2009:

And can someone tell me what those balls in the water are for?  We didn't get up high enough to see, but it sure looked like a design - like a flag or something.  Have you heard what it is?

Look on the very bottom left (just above the highway) of this picture taken March 2009 - see the beginnings of the casino?

Apparently I didn't think it was worthy of taking a better picture of it then...

Here it is Tuesday:

And more of a view of what is at the foot of the casino:

Here is a really good side perspective of the casino taken Tuesday:

Skinny and sleek isn't it?

This is a model of what it is supposed to look like when it is finished:

By the way, all those three towers are there - I just got it at an angle that you cannot see them.

And of course the workings of the flyer:

Hmmm, what happened with this picture?

Oh well, you can see it.

This is a cool one:

We had told before we arrived at the flyer Raelee that we would eat at Popeye's Fried Chicken (thank you Arthur Copeland for that yummy chicken) as they have one at the flyer.  From the minute she stepped onto the flyer, she wanted to get off - she was not one bit interested in looking at Singapore from above.  She was hungry.  We heard that over and over and she pouted the entire 30 minute ride.  She is a crab when she is hungry - now mind you she had eaten right before we got on the flyer.  Steph says she has not been able to keep enough food in her tummy for 6 months. She is indeed eating us out of house and home, but I think the 'idea' of Popeye's was simply stuck in her head.  Good Cajun cookin' could not come fast enough.  

I tried to get a good picture of her by this model:

Can you see it was a fake smile?

So we went to Popeye's.  Did I say thank you to Arthur?  YUMMM!  Ok, so she might have been a tad hungry:

Good thing she didn't like those mashed potatoes from Popeye's!

After the flyer, we went shopping at Vivo City.  Ok, so we tried, but again, we had  made the mistake of telling pR that she was going to be able to play in the water... and she did:

This play area is not a mud puddle on the roof of the mall, it is actually a treated water play are for the kids!

No, no, no, she was not the only one playing in the water:

Other crazy parents let their kids swim in the roof water as well - in the 90 degree heat.  Yeah, a regular Einstein idea this was for us.  Thankfully it was rather easy to get her out - the sun was just a tad bright.

Then she found some quality kid time on the toys on the roof:

Singapore is definitely an adventure waiting to happen - especially for young'ns.  We have found that you must always have a change of clothes for the kids - there will be a water feature for them around every corner.  The country is so kid friendly is amazing.  In all the malls, there are specific learning and hands on places for kids.  

Just like the story telling hour from yesterday, it is quite common for the kids to have activities to participate in at every shopping area.  Singapore is a learning place.  They want kids to learn and encourage it by providing for them.  There are some things that are just amazing here - and it being so kid oriented is one of those things.  I think Raelee is enjoying it too - if we can keep enough food in our backpacks to fend off the hunger pangs... lol...  off to pack yummies for today.  Little India, here we come.  I think.

Singapore Fishie Pedicure and Lip Threading

Today we were adventurous.  We didn't wake up ready to be that way, it just happened.  We were late getting up and around - I think our days are catching up with us... lol... and we didn't get Little India accomplished.  It is on our list for tomorrow.  Our list always seems to change though - so we will see... 

Since we were so late getting out, and I needed my face waxed (eewwweee!) we decided Holland Village would be our first stop.  Linda, the one that does my waxing, has been after me to try the threading.  I did.  

OUCH!  Ok, in all honestly, yes it was uncomfortable but not miserable - for Raelee anyway - she didn't have it done.  

Steph tried it as well:

Yeah, it was as painful as it looks.  Imagine someone yanking hair out of your face a couple of dozen at a time... lol... Anyway, that was my one, and probably only, experience threading.  

I didn't see that it made much of a difference and if I am going to be miserable, I will chose the lesser of the two evils; waxing thank-you-very-much.

After the torture chamber at Holland Village, we decided to go treat ourselves to the fishy pedicure.  Singapore is one of the places in the world that allow it.  We all dunked our feet into the 'vibrating' water and watched as the fish did the dirty work - gnaw on our callouses.  Steph seemed to enjoy this part of the day:

Just look at those fish...

And it got worse...

Oh wait!  Then we went to the large fish...

Yeah that was interesting...  Nibbles are ok, but chomps?  lol...

Raelee had a time sticking her feet in it - but she was very excited at the THOUGHT of doing it.  Here she is just dipping her (and Ruthie's) feet in:

And see the toes curl?

She really didn't know what to think about it.  It took her a bit to even get to the point of dipping her feet in, however, she finally did and would not even think about going to the big fishy side.

She stayed on the little fishy side and was perfectly content thank-you-very-much:

After leaving the fishy spa, we were dismayed to see it was pouring buckets (raining) outside.  So we did the normal Orchard Road stuff - we went to shop.

Except we got sidetracked.  Raelee found a story telling hour in a mall.   It was really a great show - actors acting out a children's book by an Australian author.  They had different things to make the sounds and Raelee got to learn about that.  She watched from above - out of the crowd area and in good view of what all was going on.  When it was over, she said she really needed that book - and don't you know she got it!

Here is the view she had:

And this is what I love about her mommy, always patient and teaching her new things.

Finally, the rain beat us down.  We decided to head home.  Raelee was perfectly content to play with my coasters... errr... rugs for her Littlest Pet Shop critters:

They were my finds from yesterday's trip to Arab Quarters  :-)  

Who woulda thought they sold rugs for critters on Arab Street?

Hold your breath for Little India  ;-)

Tay Guan Heng Manufacturers - Much More Interesting Than It Sounds :-)

My friend Debbi took me to a tiny little shop where she had found...  something wonderful...

Tucked away in Singapore's Industrial District is a shop packed with treasures unique to the city, and maybe even to the world.  It charms many people to come to its doors, yet it seems to be a dying art - on the endangered species list even.  Mr Tay thinks he might even be the only maker of his kind in Singapore - if not on the planet.  What is it that Mr Tay and his craftsmen make?

The Tay Brothers make cinnamon wood figurines and joss sticks.  Figurines as intricate as the one above - my new nativity scene!  This wood does not smell sweet like cinnamon does, in fact, it comes from a sister to the cinnamon tree.  The figurines and joss sticks are made from a fine cinnamon tree saw dust mixed with water.  It is as simple as that - or is it?

Not so simple... you see the Tay Brother's make it all by hand.  They mix the wood clay and model the figurines with their hands!  Big ones, small ones all mixed and shaped by a few pairs of human hands and sculptured into fascinating pieces of art.  

Tay Yong Poh, Amos' father was the one who conceived the idea of crafting these figurines while making traditional dragon joss sticks at Chinese festivals.  Amos and his brothers have continued this family traditon, which goes back 4 generations.  

Amos is passionate about his art.  He shares the entire process with anyone who is interested, taking you step by step through the entire process.  Look at his face please?  

Tell me he does not love his work  :-)

He makes many different type of figurines including replicas of heroes and heroines from Chinese operas, mythology and folk art.  

And he makes modern pieces as well as Christian pieces:

Then they are sun dried in the most modern way:

I love his work!  Just look at the detail:

All of the designs are made with simple tools like fingernails, scissors, Popsicle sticks, pens, cookie cutters, sticks, paper clips, and knives.  

Nothing fancy exists in this shop:

Yep, I borrowed my daughter's photo, but I couldn't find mine.  However, I want you to see how modern this  shop is (tongue in cheek) as it is a very modest garage type of shop, no fancy machines and only a handful of guys (maybe 4?) working in it.   

He was even kind enough to show Raelee how to make a few ornaments:

The hanger for her ornaments?  A paper clip  :-)

And he has had many magazine and newspaper articles written about him:

Finally, his art is not inexpensive, but it is well worth every penny spent.   After you chat with him for a bit and admire his handy work, you will think it is a mere drop in the bucket for his art.


When you go in, he does have a few things made and displayed, but for the most part you order from him and return to pick it up in a few weeks.  It is made specifically for you and each piece is a one of a kind.  It might look like others, but upon closer examination, it is indeed unique.

My nativity scene cost about S $110.00 - and worth every penny.  Some things you just cannot put a price on and this is set is so special to Steve and I.  How many places like this exist?  They are getting fewer and fewer as time goes on.  Would you like to have something of Mr Tay's?  

Here is where to find him:

Tay Guan Heng Manufacturers 

Block 4001

Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park

(off of Ang Mo Kio Ave 10)

Singapore

Open from 10:30am -6:30pm

Mon - Sat

Tel 6454-1252


It is in a small line of garages, on the left about 3/4's of the way down the driveway.  It is in a very mechanical looking home for such a special shop.  You would never believe it if I hadn't told you.


Please - go share his pleasure.  His enthusiasm with inspire you  :-)