Shiny Red Balloon.

Singapore, November 2012

Maybe its not true
Love on the tv
Just like we imagine it
And it's so hard to do
When there's always some distraction
A shiny red balloon
That spoils everything

Gillman Barracks

Back in the 1930s, Gillman Barracks was established in Singapore to accomodate the expanding stronghold of the British Military. It first housed the First Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment followed by the Singapore Armed Forces in 1971, when the British Military handed the barracks to the SAF as a part of withdrawal from the country.
The SAF abandoned the barracks in the 90s, leaving it for commercial purposes and was later named as Gillman Village in 1996.
The Gillman Barracks is now known as the British colonial themed hub for the local contemporary art scene.

I didn't really spend much time looking around the art galleries. I thought I wasn't dressed fancy enough for the liking of such contemporarily artistic scene. In the first place, I didn't really intend to give the place a visit on that day. I was just happily skating around:)

Haze-stricken Singapore

For almost a week, the tiny little island of Singapore was shrouded by severe haze. This was due to the massive forest fires happening in the Sumatran region of Indonesia. The first few days was alright but as the days go by, the air pollution level increased drastically; from PSI (Pollution Standard Index) level of 100 which then soared to the hazardous level of 300, then to 400 last Friday, a record high in the Singapore history.  Due to the hazardous air quality, the demand for face masks (N95) and air purifiers ridiculously soared. Face masks especially went out of stock in every stores nationwide.

Hazy afternoon in Singapore River

Within a day, everyone wanted to have one, a quality face mask for themselves. The face mask craze did not only leave every shops' counter with list after lists of face mask reservation but also gave those opportunistic individuals to put up marked–up priced face masks up on sale online. 

The craze came and went. Everything's back to normal now. 

St. Jerome's Laneway Festival 2013 (Singapore)

Laneway Festival 2013, which originated in Australia (I got no idea why Singapore's included) was indeed amazing. Well except the god damned heat from the scorching sun. Luckily I came prepared with Sun Block and all.

Band Lineup
Kings of Convenience
Polica
Cloud Nothings
Divine Fits
Of Monsters and Men
Japandroids
Nicolas Jaar
Kimbra
Real Estate
ALT-J
Yeasayer
Bat For Lashes
Tame Impala
Gotye


People hiding away from the scorching sun!

First act: Kings of Convenience




Favourite Band: Of Monsters and Men!





Alt J


Bat for Lashes

Tame Impala (here's the time when people got crazy)

with Erlend Øye

One of my best-est friend was working at the Gardens By The Bay and she got me a free visitor pass (label 001 haha!) so I kinda left laneway for awhile and missed acts by Japandroids, Nicholas Jaar and Kimbra. My friends and I left before Gotye (last act) too so I'm not really sure if the S$126 tix was that worth it. They should have let Of Monsters and Men play their whole album! then I'll feel its worth!

26 January 2013
Gardens by the Bay, Marina Bay

Sungei Road, November 2012

Flight to Denpasar

Rurounin Kenshin In-flight? wasn't even showing back in Singapore yet!


Shows just how tact sharp Olympus mju-II is





Shuttle Bus from the Tarmac to the airport lobby

Changi International Airport (Singapore) to Ngura Rai International Airport (Denpasar, Bali),
November 2012

escapdes of a local sightseer #7 (part II): Sentosa Island, Jungle Trails

Before the start of Imbiah trail, there were signages and posters stating that the Imbiah trail is closed due to renovation works. It was weird though since no blockages were put up. I then continued...





And so the signages wasn't put up before the start of the trail for no reason. Part of the trail was indeed under construction. I then walked aimlessly around Sentosa looking for other jungle trail entrances/exits whatsover...



These tram rails were no longer in use. It was cut at some parts. Funny how they never removed the trails. The last time I rode the tram was back when I was in 3rd grade.


Old, abandoned cottages



At first, I was a lil' bit hesitant to go deep inside. It seemed like ages since the trail tracks encountered visitors. I went deep in nonetheless. At this point of time and place, if anything happens to me, no one will find out. But what bothered me most was snakes jumping right in front of my face. But wait, Are there still snakes or wild animals of some sort around Sentosa? an Island too civilized and reconstructed? Oh well, I didn't encountered any. Oh yea, except Peacocks who can't be bothered, playful squirrels jumping around and hordes of mosquito like insects biting me (bit exaggerated I know).



Then I saw a random side exit, a cycling path beside the coast.



In the end, I didn't get to cover the whole Sentosa jungle trail. Some parts were closed for construction and some parts were just lost (or was I lost?). I never bother to look at the map. I didn't even have a map. I followed my feet. Time was an issue as well.

It seemed like the jungle trails of Sentosa are now long forgotten. Throughout the whole trek, I've only encountered less than a handful souls. Everyone tend to flock and get stuck at the Universal Studios and Resort World Sentosa. Modernity has gotten the island visitors too focused on the man made entertainment sites and branded leisure spots that they forget the stress-free environment friendly regions of the island.

where should I go next?!