Singapore National Day Parade 2011

Although a bit late, but good photos are worth to share :D

For the first time, went for Singapore's National Day Parade (NDP in short) to witness it LIVE, on the final rehearsal at The Merlion as well as the actual day at Marina Boulevard, after considering this place has a better view for fireworks.

Here are some photos taken during the final rehearsal and the actual parade day. Comments and feedback are welcomed!

Red Lions Parachuting Team. A total of 6 members jumped from the sky - 10,000 feet above us

The Seahawk Helicopter

The Chinook Helicopter

See the Naval Divers jump into the water?

The Apache Helicopter

Seems like in blockbuster movie series?

Aha...it's The National Flag Flypast

F-15SG Jets Fly Pass the Moon

The crowds at the The Float@Marina Bay

Not to forget, the Fireworks! 

Need to improve on the exposure time as plenty of my shots were overexposed, way too bright.

Beautiful Singapore night cityscape

Throughout the NDP 2011, my favourite shot would be this one...the 21 Cannon Salute

Already made it as my laptop wallpaper :)

Good Morning Nanyang Cafe 南洋早安！

Headed down to Good Morning Nanyang Cafe on the morning of Hari Raya holiday last week. Tired of having normal traditional kaya toast roti (bread) with kopi and eggs? Perhaps you will like the breakfast here: combination of East and West makan style.

Credits to Leslie Tay's popular food blog ieatishootipost and his Facebook Fan Page, got to know that there's 50% discount on all set meals on the morning of that day. Chee Seong's (my uni buddy) vote of confidence on the food here raised my level of interest to come here to savor its set meals.

When you arrive at Chinatown Point Level 3 via escalator, Good Morning Nanyang Cafe will be at your left

lim (drink in Hokkien) Kopi...a must for me when having breakfast in my hometown Ipoh. Sweet and smooth with minor bitter aftertaste, not bad!

This is what I called East meet West: Orange Ciabatta Toast with homemade Kaya. Ciabatta is an Italian white bread made with wheat flour and yeast. Soft but crispy, total different feel from normal kaya roti toast! Signature meal of the cafe, must try! 

Chee Seong mentioned to me that I should also try their Thick Toast, which is equally good. Hence, during the weekend, went down there with Chee Seong and Siew Hong for evening tea time there again. Not many people at the mall, but it was full house inside the cafe.

Different from what I thought, the thick toast here is covered with a thick layer of kaya spread instead with peanut butter and honey that I eat normally. 正!

Met ieat's Leslie and Nanyang's boss Byron! Have a great time chit chat with both of them :)

As Chinatown Point is going to have major renovations from October 2011, Byron mentioned that he needs to source for alternative location after the lease ends on 30th September 2011. Any places to recommend? Hope to be somewhere Central or along MRT lines, as can serve as a gathering place for makan kakis from North South East West, aha!

Good Morning Nanyang Cafe 南洋早安 

133 New Bridge Road, #03-01

Opening Hours (till 30 September 2011):

Monday - Friday: 8.00am - 6.15pm

Saturday: 10.30am - 6.00pm

Sunday: Closed

Night Photography around Raffles Place

After having dinner with Di Ming and De Zien yesterday night at Bukit Batok, while the night is still young, grabbed my gadgets out from the house to have some night photoshoots around Raffles Place.

Starting the journey around Fullerton Hotel - Maybank area. As usual, Friday night is happening there. Live band from Timbre @ The Arts House can be heard across the river, yeah can listen songs while taking photos, ahaa...

 f/22, 30s, ISO 100. A boat travelled across the river below, forming a long yellow light line. Photo not sharply focused enough.

 Anderson Bridge, vehicles passing through the bridge, pedestrians walking across the street. Testing using f/29, 30 sec, ISO 100

The iconic Singapore Merlion and Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort

The Merlion is kinda...overexposed right? Should use smaller aperture.

Very grand

Have some lightning and defocusing effects

This one even more

The Durian of Singapore (Esplanade Theatre)

City Hall area

Haha...Water means Fortune and Wealthy!!!

Constructive Feedback and Comments are welcomed!

Tanjong Pagar Railway Station: The Finale

30th June 2011, Thursday, a normal working day.

But at a place in Tanjong Pagar, people flocking into Tanjong Pagar KTM Railway Station to witness the historic moment: its last day of operation. The station has been permanently ceased from 01st July 2011 and no KTM services into Singapore anymore in the future. As the last passenger train was scheduled to leave at 10pm & Sultan of Johor will drive very last train from Tanjong Pagar at 11pm, people of all ages, reporters and photographers gathered here since early evening time.

I think Tanjong Pagar has not been so crowded before, at least for a decade.

Tanjong Pagar Railway Station at Night. The four statues symbolize Malayan and Singapore economy: Agriculture, Commerce, Transports and Industry

FMSR - Federated Malay Straits Railways

The Central Waiting Hall with beautiful art murals and architectures, with traditional scenes like padi (paddy) planting, rubber tapping and traditional papan house.

The station's food court is also famous for delicious Malay food, but all already shifted out days or weeks ago.

"Buka dari 4pm - 4am?"
"Bang, sudah tak da..."

Tutup

Visitors gathered around to reminisce past old days of the station

Platform and rail tracks

Met this uncle, En. Jumadi. Talked to him a while. He self-made a board to wish goodbye to KTM's Singapore last train service. He used to take trains often in the past and will miss it very much.

Here comes the passenger train from Malaysia

Photographers are everywhere, from DSLRs to handphone cameras

Sultan of Johor arrives

Here comes the final train of the night! Sultan of Johor will drive this train back to Malaysia later

Train number 6543 and staffs-in-charge suddenly became Stars-of-the-Night!

Memang syiok when being interviewed and photoshot-ed by hundreds of people

Visitors took photos inside and outside the train for everlasting memories

The very last train at Tanjong Pagar

Selamat Jalan (Happy Journey) KTM!

Tanjong Pagar KTM Railway Station. 1932 - 2011