I visited Bangkok during the last December holidays but didn’t manage to post pictures up till tonight. My experience at Bangkok was superb! Compared to Singaporeans, they are much more courteous when it comes to sales-customer relationship. I loved the culture there till I ended up brining it back here to Singapore. Several weeks after my visit, I was still seen bowing everytime I said “Thank you”. LOL.

The picture above captures the old back alleys of Bangkok with the tall modern sky scrappers in the background. I find that this scene resembles a picture that I once took when I was in Kuala Lumpur last year. Old and dilapidated alleys in the foreground and tall and modern skyscrapers in the background.

Looking at Singapore, you may get the same effect if you happen to look down from a tall building in the direction of Boat Quay towards Shenton Way. Although I must stress that the buildings mentioned in the previous two countries are much worn out as compared to the re-furbished shop houses that lines the Singapore river.

Camera: Canon EOS 350D
IS0: 200
Shutter speed, AP value: 1/800, f12
Lens: Sigma 17-70mm @ 35mm

It has been a while since I posted. I’ve been stockpiling photographs from holidays and outings but I haven’t got the chance to really take a look at them. I did manage to scrummage through my collection to make the header banner though. Well, I’ll post soon enough I guess! Till next time!

I’m submitting two pictures in total. One is the Trikora beach photograph seen in this blog and I’m still picking my other picture. haha.. Wish me luck!

For those who want to join this photography competition, do send your photographs by 31 December. Closing time will be at 12 noon! Good luck to all!

Edited: Here’s the link to the contest page as requested.

C.H.I.J.M.E.S (pronounced as “chimes”) is one of Singapore’s unique historical building left behind after the colonial era. Presently, the compound of C.H.I.J.M.E.S itself is transformed into a bustling place of fine dining, bars and restaurants. The history of C.H.I.J.M.E.S dates way back to 1854.

Taken from the C.H.I.J.M.E.S website:

Chijmes was once the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ), established in 1854. The order of the Holy Infant Jesus was founded by a Frenchman, Father Nicholas Barre. Born in Amiens, France in 1621 and educated at a Jesuit college

in his hometown, Nicholas Barre decided to dedicate his life to God. He joined the Convent des Minimes, one of the strictest orders in the church and was appointed Professor of Theology. Despite his success, he was a man of humility and the idea of improving education in France struck him.

Young women volunteers of Rouen ran the first “Charitable Schools” in their town to teach the poor children. They went each morning to teach, gathering the children from home to home if necessary. Father Barre realized the need of spiritual bond among the sisters to counteract rising opposition from the other “writing masters” or teachers of that time. Thus, he began a new religious congregation. As membership increased, the schools multiplied. In Paris, he named his schools simply as “School of the Holy Infant Jesus”. In 1678, he founded a Novitiate for the Sisters on the Seine.

However, in May 1686, his health declined and on 24 May, Father Barre’s soul returned to the Maker. By the end of the century, less than 25 years after the opening of the Mother-House in Paris, Father Barre’s congregation was directing 80 establishments for free education and 40 boarding schools in the French provinces. The period of office of Rev Mother de Faudoas (1837-1877) saw a wonderful expansion in the Institute’s work. The Institute developed rapidly after official approval by the Holy See of Rome was given. It spread from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, to the Far East - from America to England, Spain, Malaya, Japan and even to Thailand.

The first missionary trip to the East was made in 1851 by five nuns but it was a failure. The Superior of the party died at sea, another caught brain-fever and a third left on reaching Singapore. Only two nuns were left and another party had to be sent. Sister Mathilde was chosen as the Superior of this new party of four Sisters who finally reached Penang on 28 October 1852 after a tiring journey of six months.

C.H.I.J.M.E.S is one of the many intricate colonial architecture preserved by the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore. Left standing at the heart of Singapore’s city centre, the C.H.I.J.M.E.S restaurant and bar is the “in” place to be for young party goers and especially for those who appreciate fine dining.

This picture is made up of 5 pieces of portrait shots stitched together piece by piece into a panoramic view from the Church’s main entrance.

Trikora Beach in one of Tanjung Pinang’s finest beaches. You guys might not have heard of Tanjung Pinang in Indonesia but you might have heard of Bintan (or Bintan Resort). Bintan is actually a part of the larger Indonesian island called Tanjung Pinang. The view of this beach was superb! Lighter blue waters separates the shallow beach waters from the deeper ocean.

Once, the beach was laid with fine white sand. River outlets that lead out to the sea carried clear waters, devoid of sand and silt. Back then, visitors were only amongst the natives of the island and a few travelers. Presently, the beach is slowly deteriorating. As more resorts are built near to this beach and more tourists flock to the area, the beach is slowly deteriorating, losing its natural beauty day by day. Inadequate dustbins and garbage disposal system is causing a strain in the beach’s beauty. Litters are strewn everywhere and rivers shows signs of pollution.

It is really sad to see such a beautiful place go to waste. Will all the natural wonders on earth face the selfish wrath of Man?

-firdooze-

Sincerely,
Firdaus.