Robots!!!

Wow, today we had chance to talk to the team who are building robots to build skyscrapers. Super cool!

Robots building skyscrapers

Bukit Brown Cemetery Tour

On Sunday we had an amazing tour by the local guide Raymond to Bukit Brown Cemetery. The cemetery has just recently been rediscovered and currently being restored by dedicated volunteers. However, its existence is being threatened by the proposed 4 lane road which will eminently disrupt this tranquil place.

I think it is one of the most emotionally, spiritually and historically charged places in Singapore I have visited so far. Despite Singapore’s beautiful architecture, aspiring people and diverse culture it is eminent for such young country to embrace its heritage with most respect and pride. The cemetery is not only historical artifact; Its richness stems from the context in which cemetery was originally embedded in by the Fathers of the Nation. Moreover, its benefits to future generations are complimented by the surrounding green space much appreciated by the residents of the heavily urbanized Nation-State. I hope this authentic place will not compromised by the road project that threatens to destroy such an important part of Singapore’s culture and history.

You can find out more information about this amazing place at http://bukitbrown.org

Photo credit goes to my lovely companion from UCB- Annaleigh! 

Bukit Brown

Bukit Brown

Bukit Brown Cemetery

Singapore’s Built Environment

During our first official guided tour we had a chance to visit Singapore’s Public Housing Authority also known as Housing and Development Board (HDB). It is one of the largest and claimed the most “successful” public housing projects in the world. According to the “official” government statistics over 80% of Singapore’s population lives in government housing. It has very peculiar policy with quite stringent regulations that has both pros and cons.

Summary of regulations

1. Only married couples can apply for a government flat. Once you apply, you have to wait approx. 3 years for the unit to get built.

2. Unmarried individuals have to wait till they turn 35 years old to apply for housing.

3. There are 5 basic flat models available to choose from, however new designs are starting to appear.

BENEFITS of the program:

1. Houses large part of Nation’s population and increases national living standards.

2. Effectively implemented energy efficiency upgrades, relatively clean and well maintained.

3. Provides pride of ownership. (relative)

4. Various subsides are available for lowest bracket  income groups.

ISSUES:

1. Unclear ownership structure. Government owns 99 year lease on all flats.

2. Rigid, sanitized and brutal modernist architecture.

3. Social engineering and control of society through housing.

4. Skews private housing market.

5. The system ignores large informal worker sector and other residents that do not qualify as applicants.

 

In conclusion the jury is out to see if this works in the long term as the program is only 60 years old.

Singapore “To Do List”

Although Singapore is tiny, just over 700 sq.km, this City State has a lot to offer. My favorite picks on the to do list so far has been (not necessarily in this order):

1. Try Durian Fruit- also known as king of fruits. Apparently it has such an extremely pungent smell that its is prohibited to eat in public places. But locals like it…

Try as many Hawker food center vendors as I can. Hawker food is a street vendor food that blends many asian cuisines. Therefore they make amazing duck, pork, chicken rice, noodles and other nam nams…

3. Visit Gardens By the Bay. An amazing horticultural center, with famous architectural details.

Singapore

4. Singapore Botanical Gardens. Apparently the garden has over 60K plants and orchards.

Botanical Gardens

5. Jurong Bird Park. Home to 5000 birds from over 380 species the place must be loud!

Jurong Bird Park

6. Singapore Zoo. Although I am not big fan of Zoos, locals encouraged to do night safari, since you can see nocturnal animals that are usually hiding during the day.

 

Night Safari at the Zoo

7. Trip to Malaysia. I think it will either have to be Pulau Tioman, island known for its white sand beaches and amazing diving, or Colonial city Melaka, UNESCO heritage city.

Pulau Tioman

 

Melaka

Lets get to it!

Japan!

Oh yeah, and quick update from a layover in JAPAN! – The land of origami, spontanious karaoke and seafood frenzy…

Even though, my stay there lasted very short I still experienced a pleasant cultural shock. People are so nice and helpful. Check out these cute origami that Japanese lady taught me to make. I was blown away…

Once I got to Tokyo, I immediately started to look for an authentic seafood place, and I found one. Open 24 hours, amazing menu, spontaneous karaoke appearances and friendly crowd. 

Check out that giant squid with its guts I ate, gross!

Lastly, I had time to briefly explore the Forbidden City parks. The lawn is perfect, isn’t?

I love Japan, I need to go back! There is so much more to see there…

Welcome to sweat and smoke shop!

Singapore welcomed me with heat and haze in the air. Forest fires in nearby Indonesia, started by farmers, have caused hazardous health conditions throughout the islands. Today, they say, it is not as bad as it was yesterday; At least you can see buildings outside, but you can still feel awful smell in the air.

At the breakfast table with new mates we have discussed what has happened: It appears to be coming from Indonesia where forest burning is used to clear land for palm tree farming. Planting palm trees to make palm oil is apparently a big business: Many big Malaysian, Indonesian and Singaporean companies are involved in this environmental disaster.  How do you make palm oil, or what part of palm tree is used to make palm oil, is still to be investigated by yours truly…

In the mean time, on scale 0-400 the air monitoring system is showing 100, which means its only slightly unhealthy to stay outside…

So lets explore the city!!!