Little India
Can you tell that this is the entrance to the Little India district of Singapore?
Radio Visual
On September 7th I went off for a radio interview to promote the festival. Both my Book Council contact and the young lady who picked me up reminded me that it was a radio interview and that I did not need bring to bring Groark. I insisted. “It will help me get in character.” I explained.
Good Thing! The radio hostess, Kate Reyes, was blown away by Groark! She said, “I never bring a camera to work. I don’t ever take pictures here, no matter who I am interviewing. They are all the same. But do you have a camera? I want a picture with Groark!” When I offered to e-mail her a copy she became very excited! “I have never done this before, but this is so different! I want a copy of the picture!” She mentioned this several times, even on the radio. As the studio was in a shopping mall, several people stopped by outside to see what was going on. Groark would wave! She mentioned that on the radio too! She couldn’t get over how expressive his eyes were. She was really quite taken with Groark. Woo hoo! Good publicity!
For the Birds!
Birds have always fascinated me! I have always enjoyed learning about them. So this time I felt that I had to get to the Jurong Bird Park in Singapore.
You’ve heard the expression, “A little bird told me!” Well, it’s true and here is the proof.
This ostrich had a comment on the weather – “Humid!”
If only all pigeons looked like these Victoria Crown Pigeons they might have a better reputation.
However, I am glad these turkey-sized birds can’t fly over my head.
Randel’s Ramblings
I had sinus and chest congestion hit me soon after I returned from Manila, which tended to limit my ability to get out and about, but I was able to see some of the fascinating sights of Singapore. A walk in any direction was always a journey of discovery. Here are some photos of me in Singapore.
I call this “Blue on Blue”! It is almost hard to tell where the Sri Krishnan temple ends and I begin since we are almost the same color of blue.
Stamford Raffles was the enterprising and visionary young Englishman that transformed a little fishing village into the world famous shipping and business center of S.E. Asia. It is reported that he landed on the island at this spot. Here I am trying to emulate Raffles in hopes that some of his success will happen to me. ;o)
A view across the River Singapura at Raffles’ Landing shows the amazing blend of the ultra modern and the classic colonial styles of Singapore today.
The Flora of Singapora
For such a large and populated, bustling city as Singapore, the city planners have made a great effort to beautify their city with landscapes and plants. Everywhere are planted medians in the roads, small parks and landscaped walkways between buildings and streets. Tropical flowers bloom everywhere! Here are a few snap shots of the flowers of Singapore.
This was a weird tree with strange flowers and fruit(?)!
These vine blossoms are about 5 inches across, so the bee (?) is huge! It was about 2 1/2 – 3 inches long! Yikes!