zingy streets of Singapore Unknown 2:46 PM

Today is the last day of the A-Z Challenge, and I'm glad it's finally over.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed every minute of it.. sharing my experiences abroad.  I knew choosing this theme would give me a hard time, but I had no any other option.  

And now that it's over, I can freely watch my favorite shows or movies at night without worrying about posting for the day; thinking of titles to fit the alphabet and topics and whatnot.  A lot of times I drooled in my keyboard.. that was really gross.

Now, it is going to be the first and last time that I will use this word.  Zingy.  It doesn't even sound appealing, but the streets of Singapore are.. especially that area where we waited for our bus going to Genting in Malaysia.

It rained that night.  It rained hard.  Each of us had umbrellas, but we had to walk a very long stretch of those streets I have no idea about under the rain.  I fucking hated it.  Then I learned that my brother hates rain as well, or maybe he just hated it because his socks were soaked, as well as their luggage.  They had one carrying around and his clothes were in there.

young and beautiful Unknown 12:13 AM

This young girl reminds me of some local celebrity.. a very young version of her.  I caught her running around our backs while we're resting from exploring the whole garden.. playing around.  Her dad was calling her while I was shooting her, so I backed away, but the little girl came back.  I think she liked being photographed. or maybe she just loves to play around.

Another young and beautiful is this young girl on her bike with her dad at her back keeping up with her.  I've shared this many times before but I just love this shot that much you might still find her in my future posts.

tunnel of bloom Unknown 3:16 PM

The tunnel of bloom is what I called this long walkway to the Gardens by the Bay.  It's a connection between the MRT and Gardens by the Bay.  You'll see a lot of flowers in there displayed on its wall lined with tall mirrors.  People started to pose in front of those wallpaper flowers and I can't resist shooting them as well, but I failed.

I continued to take their photos while walking; these people, they're just fascinating, and I was able to get a good shot of someone from my back.

My camera was processing the last shot it took, and a few seconds later, I saw my subject staring straight at my camera, or maybe at me for shooting her without permission.  She already had passed by me when I saw her face looking like I don't know if pissed.  But I seriously like this photo.

Petronas Towers Unknown 9:14 PM

You know what really caught my attention when we arrived in Kuala Lumpur was the sky.  It was super red.  That sky wasn't photoshopped.  It was actually reddish, and it kinda freaked me out, but they never seem to notice.  They're all busy taking pictures.  But, hey, it did add character to my photos.  I just don't know why it's red.

I took another shot from another angle.. it's really red.  It was both alarming and fascinating.  Is this how bad the pollution is in Malaysia? particularly in Kuala Lumpur? or I don't know, maybe it's just the lighting.

nearly missing the plane Unknown 6:51 PM

We had a few hours to spend scouring every stalls, every shops, every products they have before our flight.  I found the cutest vegetable magnets in a reasonable price.  I'm not a fan ref magnets, but how can you say no to a mushroom, tomatoes, and ginger which were beautifully crafted.. they looked real in my eyes.  I have no photos of them though, and two of them were already broken.. that's why I'm not a fan of ref magnets.

But I do have this shot which I wasn't able to share before.  I took it while we were waiting for the rain to stop, and while they're haggling for something.  I stood under this tent which I don't know if strong enough to handle the rain, but I had no any other option.

biker girl be like Unknown 9:09 PM

I caught her in one of the streets in Singapore.. seriously pedaling away from her dad.  You can see it on her face.  I'm not making this up.

I love every angle of this shot.  I'm super lucky to catch her in the middle.  Her dad looking a bit concerned that his girl was being shot by a stranger and/or she might leave him behind, and run away with Roman.  I love the passion being shown in here.

Her legs might be shorter than her dad's, but her eagerness to win this race and finally reach that street to blend in with the other bikers and hold hands with Roman is her ultimate goal.. even just for a few moments away from her dad and finally with her love.

one festive night at River Hongbao Unknown 9:07 PM

I am not familiar with this festivity, but I liked it, and kind of planned to go there when I saw it from afar.  We were walking through the bay area when those colorful things (I had no idea what they were) caught my attention.  We decided to go there after eating at Makansutra.

The crowd was doubled as soon as the moon got up at around 8 o'clock in the evening.  It was still very weird for me to see the sun at 7:30 pm although Singapore and the Philippines share the same time zone.  I think I got used to it at the third or fourth week of my stay.

it's the sign Unknown 9:39 PM

As much as I love the title, I also love how these Chinese vendors thought of attracting Filipino tourists.  

We were in Bugis, our last stop in Singapore, and stopping by Bugis is a must.  

I never knew about this.  It was my friend who discovered it.  She did a lot of research, like how awesomely she does everything on our every tour, which is uh-mazing!

So we were in Bugis, and we only had a few minutes to explore and finally to decide what to bring home (gifts for family and friends and for ourselves, of course).  But I think we did stay for about an hour; scouring every stalls, marking those who give discounts, and finally those which have unique designs.  There was a lot of things to consider.

But I was fascinated by this stall which was owned by a Chinese man who was so friendly and very welcoming.  He let me take a picture of these signs.

pg m-m-m-moments Unknown 1:58 PM

It was Christmas day.  Everyone's busy preparing for the party (our annual party), and since they've got everything under control, and since our baby Erin was crying nonstop, I decided to take her to the playground.  Thankfully there's one in the area we're at.

It wasn't occupied when we got there, except for the cutest baby on the swing and her mother, or maybe that's her tita with her and we joined them.  Erin became the happiest, cutest, little runner in the playground.  I had to chase her all over.

She went from the swing, to that little horse on a spring, to the slide.. I joined her on the slide.  I had to, even if I looked ridiculous.  Maybe I was being over protective of her, but she is so fragile! and so clumsy like her little tita.

chilling in Esplanade Unknown 11:14 PM

My friends kinda know me for saying that this guy or that girl looks like that celebrity or the person we know, because people do have look-a-likes.

I actually have a doppelganger, who I met in elementary.  I'm 2 years older than her.  She was my brother's classmate.  She transferred in our school during my last year, and followed me in high school which caught a lot of attention when she performed in a stage for a school event.  But I never talked to her.. never even tried to be friends with her, and she never bothered me, so that's cool, she understood.

She's taller.. actually, she's tall.  We have the same complexion.  I do think we have the same eyes, which was really scary when I see her face, and she also have dimples; both cheeks.  We can really be mistaken as twins, except that, I'm way shorter.

Her name is Catherine, by the way.  If you see someone who looks like me, call her Catherine, and ask her side of story.

PS.

I asked my friend where Chito Miranda was during that time and I showed this photo to her, she confirmed it's not him (the guy in sunglasses).. but look at that girl beside him.  She's kinda like Neri from afar.  :>

McDonald's at the City Centre Unknown 8:50 PM

We're not hiding it, we do love McDonald's.  It's our favorite meeting place.  It's my coffee shop.  I love their fries.  Their breakfast is nice.  They're everywhere.  They're located where we're always at.. so it's more like they know how to find us.

I can't think of a story between this two because you might think/say I'm a racist.

Now, if you're going to ask me, how was it?  the food?  Is it pricey?  How the people were?  Do they serve rice?  No, they don't.  No rice at all.  But their normal servings is twice as big as our normal servings here in the Philippines.  We converted it to Philippine Peso, it's a little cheaper.  The people are fine.  Everyone treat everyone well.  It's nice meeting the Malaysian Mcdo.

the street bartender Unknown 7:44 PM

We were walking towards the Marina Bay in the wrong direction.  But I'm actually glad we walked to the wrong direction because we could not have witnessed this artist and his juggling skills.  

We were heading deep the business center which streets were decorated by artsy installations.  I tried not to understand what those mean, but they're catchy.. they're huge and tall.  We asked for direction when we noticed we're not on the right path.. and the guy said, Marina Bay's over there.. pointing where we came.

manong, the bird feeder Unknown 9:44 PM

This one was taken at the Batu Cave in Kuala Lumpur, and I'd like to admit I haven't seen these birds too many in a single spot.  

There's a few drops of rain when we got there, and when I saw these birds, I already thought it wasn't the rain.  They're on every electric lines and they've decorated the ground well enough for me not to think they're not showering us.

There were no much people, but there were lot of monkeys.  That I will share next.  ;)

two birds, one stone Unknown 7:54 PM

I wanted to tell a story about this whole KL-SG trip but it might ignite something that I might not be able to control, so, I just thought of creating a story behind each photos I took instead.  I don't know though if I can do it, but I'm always up for the challenge.  I haven't posted on this damn blog in ages, anyway, and I owe this one at least 3 posts in a week.  I'd really try to come out with a story (interesting or not) for each photos I made for this whole trip.

Starting with "postcard from Singapore"

He's been working his ass in this wonderful city.. leaving his family behind.  He's from China, I think.  Working in a Singaporean kitchen isn't easy.  No, he's not a dishwasher, he's a chef.. a very good one, for almost 3 years.  I found him by the bay, passing the time, and I thought maybe this guy would make a good pose, and he did.  He didn't mind.  He's a celebrity.  He's used to paparazzi.

The title has nothing to do with the content, yes.. and uh.. well.

down the alley Unknown 10:02 PM

I was so curious about this street, this alley, but I never had the courage to use it, to pass through it.  I always use the main road.  It's not only that I'm not familiar, but people also know that I was a stranger, and I was reminded by the guard (of that compound) to be careful on using those alleys.  But I do want to give this alley a chance to be explored.. so maybe next time I will.

      

the grandest fireworks display which i almost missed Unknown 11:08 PM

Everybody was at the field, at Melvin Jones field, waiting for the main event of Panagbenga's closing ceremony.  I went there for that very reason; the fireworks display which they said would be the grandest you'll ever experience.. for FREE!  It was massive, colorful, and lasted for about 30 minutes.. or less, no, I think it was more than 30 minutes.  It was quite long, and I almost missed it.

But I was at the park first.  I was actually everywhere.  I was at the Session Road.  I was at the market.  I was at 711 for more than 2 hours, charging my Coby player and I was quite happy one of the cords matched mine because I would literally cry if I wasn't able to charge it. 

After 711, I braced the heat of the afternoon.. scoured every stalls which I've scoured the day before because I had nothing to do anyway.  There I found the cutest puffer fish I've seen! and he's the first puffer fish I've seen! I had to take him with me, and I did, and he's now hanging nicely in my room, together with Owly and Woodcat (I thought of Woodcat's name just now).  He's a cute addition.

After shopping, I went back to the house, because it was really hot and I thought I'd go back to the park at around 5pm.  I had dinner at 5pm, at this restaurant I found at Burnham, but I can't remember the name.  The food was nice and quite affordable.  The coffee's nice too.  I tried to read there, but it felt wrong to read at the restaurant, but they didn't disturb me.  I left after a few pages, and went back to strolling/window shopping while looking for a vacant seat; a bench, a rock, grass, whatever, and I found a very nice spot at the lake, facing the people happily paddling together.. making memories.

So how did I almost miss the grand fireworks display?

streets' got the most interesting people to shoot Unknown 9:51 PM

If only I could shoot every people I find interesting enough to be in my collection, I would.. shoot them one by one with a huge smile on my face.  But most of the time I feel like I must not, and I'm scared that these wonderful people would snatch out my camera and break it in front of me for intruding their privacy.  But the truth is, I'm just kind of ashamed of what I have.. also, my camera is a little slow.  I really need to save for a better one.  But how?

Anyways, here's a few of my favorites:

for the love of flowers Unknown 8:37 PM

I love flowers..  I love their colors.  I love their smell.  But I appreciate them more in the garden or in some pretty pots, or of them beautifully hanging on the walls.  Seeing them in fancy vases make me think of their short lives.. or maybe it's just me.

But I admit, I used to pick some other people's flowers.. snatching them out of their owner's gardens, or pots to lay them in my notebooks or books and let them dry.  I learned that from my sister.  It was a pretty nice collection, but I can't remember what happened to them.

Now I'm happy taking pictures of their beauty.

every shoot, score! Unknown 7:41 PM

I'm not a fan of basketball, but when I saw this kid doing a record of earning a lot of points in a minute, and seeing his every moves and faces.. I didn't think twice.  I've got to shoot him!

He was really fun to watch and I saw how good he was on that game.  I think he won the prize; a brand new cellphone!

be with my bike Unknown 7:00 PM

Aside from failing from learning roller blades and cursing its existence, I also tried learning to how to ride a bike.  But as I remember, it was my cousin and my brother who forced me to learn it because almost everyone in town knows how to and I don't!  Well, I think my mom can't.  I haven't seen her ride a bike before.  Also, I kinda run fast when I was younger... sooo it wasn't of any use to me and I was really bad at balancing and it was really kinda scary.

So when I fell and got bruises and scratches, I got mad at my cousin and my brother and told them not to show me that damn bike ever!

But this wasn't that bike.

I caught this in the entrance of a small resort in Bataan.

There's nothing much I can say about the bike and the dog though, except for they look so cute together; the guard and the owner's bike.

PS.

I do ride bikes now, but with a sidecar. hihi 

(don't judge me)