BIGBert's Fotoblog

180112 Syonan Shinto Shrine Macritchie Reservoir

Gilbert — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:43:07 +0000

The burning sensation on the wounds started to manifest on day 2 with some swelling…

Date 180112, Bobby and me met up at Macritchie reservoir with a adventurer’s mindset – Explore Syonan Shinto shrine made by British POW and Japanese Army in WWII to commemorate those Japanese soldiers that died in war.

The only preparation we did the night before was to search for a possible map, basic landmarks to watch out for and ration (water and choc).

To be frank, It was quite mad to go there with such minimal preparation, especially without compass or gps. We walked from Venus drive all the way to Terentang trail (the entrance is before ranger station from this direction) where we stumble upon the infamous 3 large stones.

Our journey begins.

We started trekking based on estimation of the path most taken. We followed some markers placed by others who were here before but until some point we got misled. We were supposed to reach to the water tank area but we ended in a wrong direction. What was before us, were purely entangled branches and bushes to bash through without any parang… We used our hands and legs to carve a way through the dense forest.

To some point, I felt pretty desperate… Bobby suggested me to use my iPhone compass to navigate and veer ourselves to the location. It was then that we realized we were heading directly towards the shrine! We persevered and just went for the direction towards the water bank where we can reach the pathway leading to the shrine.

After 1/2 hour of intense bashing through the thick undergrowth (including the thorny branch that slashed my forehead), we finally reached the water bank.

I felt a huge sense of relief when we reached a proper pathway. Following the compass on my iPhone, we stumbled upon the steps of the shrine within 5 minutes.

There was a sudden rush of ecstasy as though a explorer unraveled a hidden treasure!

We spent the next 20 minutes exploring the remains of the shrine, checking out the purification basins and the round stones, which akins to the pillar structure of that area.

After that, we started to make our way back to our start point, this time, following the “official” route before it gets too late.

It took us an about 1/2 to an hour to get out of this forest.

Tips (not in order):

1) Trust the pink or striped red-white markers only! Backtrack if you cannot see it unless you are willing to bash through, like us. =D

2) Bring a proper compass

3) Bring parang or at least a pocket knife

4) Bring a map of the place

5)Wear proper trekking shoes (Thorns may pierce through shoes. A thorn pierced through my trekking shoes so imagine what it can do to your running shoes)

6) Wear a pair of glasses (Be it you are 6/6 in vision as some thorns may swing backwards on your face unknowingly)

More information about Shinto Shrine:

http://infopedia.nl.sg/articles/SIP_236_2004-12-24.html
http://www.spi.com.sg/spi_files/shinto_shrine/shinto_shrine_close_up.htm

Enjoy my simple pictures!

261111 Rochor Centre

Gilbert — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:28:34 +0000

Backlog of an outing to Rochor Centre with CK and Jed to capture the essence of Rochor Centre before it gives way to the NorthSouth Highway (“WOW”…) in a few years time.

These blocks of flats are iconic and a unique sight of Singapore, making up of the 4 primary colors (Red, Green, Blue and Yellow).

It is best to be captured now while the locals are still around and the flavor is still there.

Lastly, I wish I would had shot this in vain (and that the government decided not to tear down this piece of unique icon.. please please please…)

161211 – 191211 Bangkok with Mum

Gilbert — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:35:42 +0000

This is another one of my small trips to Bangkok, Thailand.

However, this time after the flooding and with the ladies.

Everything seemed to be fine and is in good shape currently. The only worrying thing was that my grandma called mum to tell her that 6 bombs were found in KhaoSan and that put me away from there totally.

I scoured the usual city area as well as ChaktuChak for good buys. The ladies bought loads and loads of clothing while I only came back with several t-shirts and bermudas. It was good enough, seriously.

We also spent 1/3 the time eating… both in restaurants and along the road side. =D

Another bit of our time during the night was at the massage parlors… I had Thai massage by a transvestite on the 2nd night, which made me felt so uneasy for that bloody 2 hours. I should have just requested for a lady to massage me but I just didn’t want to hurt his/her feelings u see. =.=”

I have arranged the images in a certain sequence for easier viewing: General, Street, Mannequins, Food, Shopping and signages (this are all of the signages hung above our heads in ChaktuChak). So just enjoy it please!

General

Street

Guy at the hotel lobby trying to sell us tickets to the ah gua (or carabet) show…

While waiting for my massage, I noticed a guy sitting at the corner playing with his iPad. This shot just looks errie to me. =D

I can tell she enjoyed massaging for me. hehe!

Bangkok never failed to fascinate me with the number of colorful vehicles on the road. Just makes the city more vibrant!

It gets really packed on the trains on weekends while going ChaktuChak

This man makes ornaments out of crocodile skins it seems… or some other leather products.

We all know he loves Elvis.

The blinds in Bangkok sings with a very emotional and soulful voice. We could simply hear her grieves while she sang and walked by…

I bought like many many many photo frames from her. Its cheap and cool (not in the picture)

Getting out of the sun under umbrellas placed at certain locations in ChaktuChak

3 minutes to get your portraits!!

Praying at the famous 4-faced buddha at Bangkok

Buy birds to set free? It may do me good but not her definately as she needs to cage the birds up first.

Taking my picture?

Act cute. =D

Angry birds, mickey mouse, ultraman, hello kitty etc Name it, U get it.

Clearing the rubbish on the steets at night.

Riding his bike amist the crowd in lanes where shops exist on both sides. Very cramp man.

Tired? take a nap. Read on. There are more sleeping shots. =D

A basic tool needed for the retail business in Bangkok. Break your back if you dont own it!

Sleeping well in Bangkok is such a feat

Cycling in Bangkok is scary to be frank. You do not know where vehicles are coming from at times.

Mannequins

Food

This is the infamous Erawan Tea Room I was highly recommended to go for! It’s good but way too sinful for me!

Seafood restaurant: Grilled fish with Salt

Seafood restaurant: kangkong

Seafood restaurant: Fried Chicken with garlic

Seafood restaurant: Mango Salad with Fried salmon (see below for the fried salmon)

Seafood restaurant: Tom Yum Soup

Seafood restaurant: Grilled Sotong

Shopping!!!

Signages in ChaktuChak – They are all so eyecatching!

Thanks for viewing!!!

071212 Supreme Court at Cityhall

Gilbert — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:52:03 +0000

I took some photos while on my way to Cityhall to send my grandpa’s old Yashica for repair. This is the Supreme Court in Cityhall, which is currently undergoing renovation.

It was quite an unusual scene to see cranes poking out of the Supreme Court so I just took some random pictures of it. =D

031211 Coolest indian barber in Singapore

Gilbert — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 05:16:05 +0000

I met this cool barber who was invited by National Heritage Board for the Launch-Old-Street-Trades-exhibition, to cut hair for others at a low price of 50cts! Location: Stamford Art Centre.

He is one such jovial character, which made me want to talk to him more and despite my usually less open persona, I was chatting up with him within minutes!

If you have noticed, his hairstyle is very interesting and unique! He intentionally shaved his top, while retaining the sides and the fringe (not forgetting the neverending beard he owns). I asked him why did he do that and his reply to it was, “Save oil and hair dye!”. MIND that he is not even balding okay! I think he created a style of his own!

I love his thick and neverending beard with the superman fringe, which curls down his forehead. Ohh man~! What a character! =D

It was a short chat but I enjoyed the interaction with him and as usual, I promised to give him the images I took of him. I took pictures for my personal enjoyment but I also wish to share the output back with them. =D

There are also these 2 fortune tellers at this location, one doing palm reading and the other doing her predictions with a Chinese Alamac

Thanks for viewing! Hope you enjoyed it!!!

261111 A morning at Tanjong Rhu’s Bay East Gardens

Gilbert — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:39:58 +0000

This was an outing with CK & Jed to Tanjong Rhu’s Bay East Gardens. It was one of the earliest day in so many months to come that I woke up for a photoshoot like this.

It was worth it.

We explored this new part of Tanjong Rhu this Saturday morning to capture a beautiful scene of the city. Lovely! =D

After the landscape shots, I proceeded back to the pathway to capture the scenes with passerbys (be it student, runners, cyclists or even dogs etc)

Enjoy! I hope this post will make your day and wanting to go for this walk!

061111 Visit to Sembawang Hot Spring

Gilbert — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:08:46 +0000

This was a visit to the Sembawang Hot Spring, which is along Gambas Avenue.
The Hot Spring was within a camp, with specially created area for nthe public that opens only from 7am to 7pm (opened and closed by military personnel).

The spring water was piping hot there! People were seen soaking their legs, washing or even bathing there. some were even washing their clothes and cooking eggs too.

Hidden behind the brick walls was the well that housed the water but was now locked up and restricted access to anyone. I heard from a friend that it will bricked up after someone fell in and drown in the 60s or 70s. Can anyone verify that?

Surrounding the brick walls are 3 washing area with pipes (2 at extreme corners and 1 in front of the brick wall. Note: The central tap where we took our water for mini Spa was the hottest!

There was a caretaker who will be there daily from 7am to 7pm, and stays in the small shelter. Surrounding the shelter, were signs to warn people of no entry etc… On the 2nd last picture, there was some writings on the brick wall, which is actually CURSings. It warned people from damaging the well else the offender will get some serious retributions from it.

Go and take a look if you can spare the time! Note that the place is less friendly for cars so park near the HDBs in that area and take a walk there. Remember to bring your towels!

3 shots on film that I took for fun.

011011 Brenda and Ivan Wedding

Gilbert — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:24:03 +0000

This was a wedding of Brenda and Ivan and also one of the best couples I have ever shot with YC. They are a very natural couple, who built the wedding mood and blended their joys into it as well.

Brenda’s wide smiles and grins totally made the whole wedding pop! & Ivan’s quiet persona was a hoax! He took a while to warm up but as soon as he did, he created a perfect wedding tag team with Brenda.

What I enjoyed in this wedding was also the kinship between the families. I decided not to show some of the emotional scenes of Brenda and her mum in case Aunty feels embarrassed about it. =D

It was an honor to shoot for this beautiful couple at Raffles Country Club, Singapore.

I hope they liked the images we have captured for them.

This was intentionally converted to B&W for upload as this would remove the distraction of color. I wanted to try if this help viewers in looking at the pictures we have created. Do like it if you enjoyed the album!

Thanks for viewing!

081011 Taoism prayers at Zion Road

Gilbert — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:30:16 +0000

This is the last Taoism prayer session that will be held at Zion Road as my grandmother’s current flat will be enbloc soon and relocated to Havelock Road.

To give a brief overview of this ceremony, it was due to my great grandmother who used to be a medium in the old days and the tradition continues even though she have passed on where followers will join in this activity annually. I do notice a “SAN TAI TZE” deity on the sedan and I wonder what is it about too (Even my mum doesn’t understand the significance of this ceremony so I guess it’s only my Grandmother who knew but I did not have a chance to ask her yet) – Will update this blog when I get answers!

This is the last year, where such tentage will be set up along Zion Road, where my grand mother will cease cooking the food behind the block (where the car repair shop is) and also the last year where the sedan with the deities will rock around the front of the block.

Since it is the last in this location, I took my X100 to document down the ritual. Enjoy the pictures!

180911 Old Jurong Line Walk (Green Corridor event)

Gilbert — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:02:54 +0000

This was a walk organised by Green Corridor again, which consisted of guides from the Nature Society Singapore as well.I enjoyed the walk through the tunnel the most!

Well I shot these pictures with my Fuji X100 on that day! Lightweigh cameras just made me enjoy the walk more. =D

I am lacking of words to type, do see the description of the walk from Green Corridor below.

(The Jurong Line, completed in 1965, served as an extension into the then newly constructed Jurong Industrial Estate. It failed to generate adequate traffic and was closed in the early 1990s. It has since been partially dismantled.

Description:
Join us for this walk and explore natural reforestation, spontaneous gardens and small scale farming, and walk in a dark underpass. Mr Wong Kum Seng from the Nature Society (Singapore) will lead this walk. Be prepared to get your shoes wet and muddy. This walk is not suitable for small kids.

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!

My previous KTM Railway postings:

http://bigbert.wordpress.com/2011/06/30/260611-bukit-panjang-railway-green-corridor-event/

http://bigbert.wordpress.com/2011/06/21/180611-bukit-timah-railway-visit-2/

http://bigbert.wordpress.com/2011/06/12/110611-bukit-timah-railway-green-corridor-event/

http://bigbert.wordpress.com/2010/06/13/day-out-the-keppel-train-station/

http://bigbert.wordpress.com/2010/01/03/030110-abandoned-railway-track-sunset-way/