Singapore, May 2018

Wednesday, 13th May 2018

Taken by Royden, during a guided walking tour of Singapore’s Little India.

Tony touching a carved stone column with a dragon's head outside the entrance to Thian Hock Keng temple. The temple is both Taoist and Buddhist. It was built starting in 1842 by Chinese immigrants in honour of the sea goddess Mazu.Tony touching a carved stone column with a dragon’s head outside the entrance to Thian Hock Keng temple. The temple is both Taoist and Buddhist. It was built starting in 1842 by Chinese immigrants in honour of the sea goddess Mazu.

Tony in front of a brightly coloured wall mural. It includes a pink cow riding a bicycle! There is fruit in the bicycle's basket. There is also a blue bull. This might be near the former cattle market. The mural is called Cattleland 2 by Eunice Lim. Located on a wall on Kerbau Road, Little India.Tony in front of a brightly coloured wall mural. It includes a pink cow riding a bicycle! There is fruit in the bicycle’s basket. There is also a blue bull. This might be near the former cattle market. The mural is called Cattleland 2 by Eunice Lim. Located on a wall on Kerbau Road, Little India.

Tony and Royden with colonial era two-storey buildings in the background. One is brightly painted with a balcony. Along one of the main streets of Little India.Tony and Royden with colonial era two-storey buildings in the background. One is brightly painted with a balcony. Along one of the main streets of Little India.

Tony inside the Sri Veeramakaliamman temple standing in front of an altar. The altar includes many idols, all brightly painted. One of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples, the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, dedicated to the goddess and destroyer of evil, Sri Veeramakaliamman or Kali.Tony inside the Sri Veeramakaliamman temple standing in front of an altar. The altar includes many idols, all brightly painted. One of Singapore’s oldest Hindu temples, the Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple, dedicated to the goddess and destroyer of evil, Sri Veeramakaliamman or Kali.

Tony touching an elaborately embossed metal pillar featuring the elephant God Ganesha. Inside Sri Veeramakaliamman temple. The Hindu deities Ganesha, is widely revered as the remover of obstacles.Tony touching an elaborately embossed metal pillar featuring the elephant God Ganesha. Inside Sri Veeramakaliamman temple. The Hindu deities Ganesha, is widely revered as the remover of obstacles.

Tony eating at a hawker centre, central Little India. Plastic plates and cutlery are visible. Typical local eatery in Singapore, often very crowded, busy and atmospheric. They offer a variety of Asian dishes, are cheap and are very popular. Tables are shared between customers and the round stools for seating are fixed to the ground!Tony eating at a hawker centre, central Little India. Plastic plates and cutlery are visible. Typical local eatery in Singapore, often very crowded, busy and atmospheric. They offer a variety of Asian dishes, are cheap and are very popular. Tables are shared between customers and the round stools for seating are fixed to the ground!

Another shot of Tony eating.Another shot of Tony eating.

Tony at a market stall selling household items. Little India.Tony at a market stall selling household items. Little India.

Tony sniffing a large sack containing some sort of spice. At a food shop, along a narrow street containing typical food stores in Little India. Various spices and herbs are sold.Tony sniffing a large sack probably containing some sort of spice. At a food shop, along a narrow street containing typical food stores in Little India. Various spices and herbs are sold.

Another colourful street mural. This one depicts a traditionally dressed female Indian dancer. It is called Alive @ CLIVE and is by Traseone. Located on the junction of Dunlop Street and Clive Street in Little India.Another colourful street mural. This one depicts a traditionally dressed female Indian dancer. It is called Alive @ CLIVE and is by Traseone. Located on the junction of Dunlop Street and Clive Street in Little India.

Sitting at a table in another café. A colourful dessert in a bowl. This is a shaved ice dessert called Ice Kachang. Cold and sweet with a jelly substance in the middle.Sitting at a table in another café. A colourful dessert in a bowl. This is a shaved ice dessert called Ice Kachang. Cold and sweet with a jelly substance in the middle.

Evening of Wednesday, 13th May

Tony and Johnny holding a sky lantern with a small motor and propeller attached. Taken in the evening along the 'Riverside' in central Singapore. Johnny is also blind and is originally from Vietnam.Tony and Johnny holding a sky lantern with a small motor and propeller attached. Taken in the evening along the ‘Riverside’ in central Singapore. Johnny is also blind and is originally from Vietnam.

Tony and Johnny listening to a female busker playing a guitar, outside on one of the bridges that crosses the Singapore River.Tony and Johnny listening to a female busker playing a guitar, outside on one of the bridges that crosses the Singapore River.

Tony, Johnny,  Ken from Singapore, who Tony met on the internet, and a female friend of Ken. A bus passing by in the background.Tony, Johnny, Ken from Singapore, who Tony met on the internet, and a female friend of Ken. A bus passing by in the background.

Close-up of Tony, Johnny, Ken and local girl.Close-up of Tony, Johnny, Ken and local girl.

Tony and Johnny by a large statue of Sir Stamford Raffles (1781-1826), who established a British trading post in Singapore in 1819.Tony and Johnny by a large statue of Sir Stamford Raffles (1781-1826), who established a British trading post in Singapore in 1819. Located next to the Singapore River at Raffles Landing Site where Raffles is believed to have first set foot on the island in 1819. On the far side of the river, skyscrapers of Singapore’s Central Business District can be seen lit up.

Tony and Johnny in front of the Victoria Memorial Hall at Empress Place. This theatre and concert hall was built between 1855 and 1909 in neoclassical style. The central clock tower is in view. A Sir Stamford Raffles statue stands in front. This is the same as the statue at Raffles Landing Site, with this being the original in bronze. It was unveiled in 1887.Tony and Johnny in front of the Victoria Memorial Hall at Empress Place. This theatre and concert hall was built between 1855 and 1909 in neoclassical style. The central clock tower is in view. A Sir Stamford Raffles statue stands in front. This is the same as the statue at Raffles Landing Site, with this being the original in bronze. It was unveiled in 1887.

Photo of the Durian! An odd-shaped building on the Esplanade in the shape of a durian (jack fruit). It is a concert and theatre building.Photo of the Durian! An odd-shaped building on the Esplanade in the shape of a durian (jack fruit). It is a concert and theatre building.

Tony and Johnny on a viewing deck next to the Singapore River.Tony and Johnny on a viewing deck next to the Singapore River.

Tony and Johnny in front of the water spouting Merlion. This is the official mascot of Singapore, depicted as a mythical creature with a lion's head and the body of a fish.Tony and Johnny in front of the water spouting Merlion. This is the official mascot of Singapore, depicted as a mythical creature with a lion’s head and the body of a fish. It is located at Merlion Park that fronts Marina Bay where it stands on a newly reclaimed promontory in front of the Fullerton Hotel. It is 8.6 metres in height and weighs 70 tons.

View of water spouting from the Merlion's mouth.View of water spouting from the Merlion’s mouth.

Friday, 15th June 2018

Tony and Juvena standing in the grounds of the Istana, which is the official residence and office of the President of Singapore.Tony and Juvena standing in the grounds of the Istana, which is the official residence and office of the President of Singapore. The Istana, which means palace in Malay, can be seen in the background. Juvena is from Singapore and has travelled by motorbike from Singapore to the Czech Republic during one single trip, crossing a large part of Asia. They met during a video shoot for an advertising campaign for a local Singapore air company.

Tony with Juvena and Ken, both from Singapore, in the grounds of the Istana.Tony with Juvena and Ken, both from Singapore, in the grounds of the Istana.

Tony in front of a formal pond with fountains in the Istana grounds.Tony in front of a formal pond with fountains in the Istana grounds.

Tony again, with Juvena and Ken.Tony again, with Juvena and Ken.

Tony outside the Istana.Tony outside the Istana.

Tony standing alongside a ceremonial guard on sentry duty at the entrance to the Istana. The guard is holding a rifle with attached bayonet.Tony standing alongside a ceremonial guard on sentry duty at the entrance to the Istana. The guard is holding a rifle with attached bayonet.