Sights of old Beijing, or not

Beijing, that old city of the Emperors. Such are the lanterns and lights that grace the night.


The houses are dilapidated, although caged birds continue to adorn the windows.


Common folks eke out a living, selling hot and spicy Beijing food.


Tourists are a common sight these days, not in the days of the dynasty, when the red devils are shunned and vilified.


But hold on, they sell Rojak in Beijing. Since when? Nope this is not old Beijing. Where is this then?

Tampines 1

Here are a couple of pictures of the newest new thing in Tampines - the Tampines 1 mall. I snapped these with my mobile camera, so you will understand that they are not my best work.

The Barrage

There is really a new place to go to in Singapore. The Marina Barrage. I thought it was just a dam. It is that and more. Its a place, where, if you want to, you can have a picnic with your family or your significant other while you admire the Singapore Flyer, which is the tallest structure of its kind in the world. Of course, on a rainy day, the view becomes hazy, as in these photos, but the view is still expansive. Besides the huge circular arc that leads up to the park, there is the gallery which features several rooms full of pictures, decor, etc. that tells about water and the related technologies that the barrage is an example of. There is also a scale model of the barrage mechanism that lets the water flow out to the sea in case the water on the side of the Singapore River gets too full during a huge storm. You are allowed to take photos in the gallery, but video is not allowed.

The only problem with this place is that there is no public transport there, and even if you take a taxi, there may not be any to take you out, unless, by chance, one comes in. And I am not too sure that any taxi will want to respond to a booking as there isn't any surcharge that the cabby can earn, unlike going to Singapore Expo or Changi Airport.

But if you own a set of wheels, it is really a place worth visiting. Plan your journey ahead because this barrage is in the midst of the huge construction going on to built Singapore's first Integrated Resort.