Leaving Singapore

Last night in this country and I feel I'll miss this place a lot. The past 7 months have taken me to places I never even knew existed and now I'm going back to India to journey back to the US. It pains me to say I do not look forward to that trip at all. Why?

1. Because I cant walk to a Kopitiam or 7 eleven and munch on something whenever I want.
2. The public transport in chapel hill is literally non existant.
3. No more curry chicken, pepper crab, chicken rice and ice coffe. No more spices!!!!
4. No more badminton and soccer.
5. I'll have to start looking for a job real seriously! :-)

Veeramaakaliamman Temple - Singapore

The first Hindu Temple that was built by the Indian Labourers in Singapore. Interestingly this was built by bengali convict-coolies who were brought to Singapore as cheap labour after being tried for their mutiny in 1857. Therefore the main deity is Durga. However the temple absorbed the Tamil influence over the centuries and now the bengali influence is hardly discernable.


The gopuram as you step into the temple. Typical Tamil Architecture.


Well I am from Madurai after all!


Devotees lining up to get the Dharisanam! This could be any temple in Tamil Nadu.

National Museum of Singapore

To understand the History of Singapore one has definitely got to visit the national museum of Singapore. How a land of coconut trees, marshes and natives full of villas surrounded by thick foliage has transformed into this bustling megapolis. The one reminder of those times (though fast disappearing) are the majestic trees that you find in Singapore.


The National Museum of Singapore, located right next to the Orchard multiplex in Dobhy Ghaut is just a short walk from City Hall MRT.


Where time stood still. The albums in the round tea tables contain some of the most wonderful pictures of early Singapore and Singaporean life.


And while at the National Museum be prepared to run into wedding shoots like this one. I think the dome makes for great diffused light and its a photographers treat (at least thats my completely baseless theory). I think this couple is Malay. I put the picture up in sepia because somehow i feel weddings should be timeless and colour brings a certain reality to the picture that diminishes that quality.

Little India Singapore

Little India is the Tamil concentrated area in Singapore. It is in direct contrast to the rest of the city, where traffic and pedestrian thoroughfare is very organized. Step into Little India and you get a taste of what we Indians can do to trafiic rules. Also located here is the famous Mustafa Center. A behemoth shopping center crammed with almost everything under the world. Watchout for the crowds during weekends though.



Shakuntalas in Serangoon Road on a cloudy day.

The Attack of The Machines

And as the unsuspecting human prey jaunts down the lane, to my horror, the bright yellow metallic fingers close in menacingly......


The brass flower. It has no fragrance.

The Grand Palace - Thailand

The grand palace in Thailand was a great experience for me. Anyone who loves the Ramayana should visit this palace. The murals that adorn the walls literally speak volumes through its pictures. Statues of Ravana(Totsakan in Thai), Hanuman and Garuda look down at the visitors from their man made perches.


Just in case you do go there, the one method that you can distinguish between the Vanaras and the Asuras is that the former do not wear shoes.

Phang Nga

The town of Phang Nga. Where time stopped. I am lazing out with the words. Its the best place to be in the world. Take me back there any time and I'll jump at the opportunity.


The famous Phang Nga Bay. This is the bay from where boats take you into the magical Andaman Ocean. Crystal Clear waters and limestone rocks. And a surreal(though slightly commercialized) village on stilts in the middle of the ocean.


The Thai Muang Beach Stretch. The nesting grounds for endangered turtles. The sandy beach stretches for miles and miles.


Suwanna Kuha (The Golden Cave)A cavernous temple with Budha statues. Very calm and quiet place to be.


The small town of Takua Pa is the closest town to Kao Lak. This town has chinese history dating back centuries from their trade relations with the Sino people.

Botanical Gardens

The botanical gardens of Singapore grow some of the most amazing plants from around the world. The orchids, a staple of the tropical countries, are a feast to the eyes. And if you go on weekends the whole atmosphere is amazing. People walking their dogs, kids playing and fitness freaks jogging their way to healthy living. A really awesome place to visit in Singapore.


A sweeping view of the garden.


Looks like Japan?


The famous orchids.

Singapore Jurong Bird Park

The famous Jurong bird park. The second time and the experience was better because I had a camera :-). Be careful! These birds bite.


I wonder why the birds dont fly away and they all stick to their own designated territories. Weird!!


This is sure to cause atleast one heart attack a day. And it was just a couple of feet above my head.


Banana Bird!

Those Singapore Days

Nothing captures my days in Singapore more than these picture. Sitting by the river, glory days with an uncertain future sitting alone on the river side, watching the sun set on the busy asian super city. Singapore certainly has set the standards on public safety and government credibility.