Orchard Road Light Up

Orchard Road, often known colloquially as Orchard, is a major 2.5 km long road in the central area of Singapore.

In the 19 century, there were many fruit orchards and plantations in this area. The road leading to these plantations was thus called Orchard Road. And that was how the now famous Orchard Road got its name.

The orchards and plantations were long gone. Through development through the years, the place is now an upscale shopping area of Singapore, with numerous internationally renowned department stores, restaurants and coffeehouses located in its vicinity.

For a time, it was the place to see and be seen for the locals. As time goes by and other areas in town were being developed, Orchard Road lost some of it’s shine with the locals. However, it is still a popular tourist attraction.

The busiest time of the year for Orchard Road is the year end festive season. Christmas decorations and lightings were put up along the length of the road. Shopping centres and malls compete to be the best decorated.

Shops do brisk business as people shop for Christmas gifts. In the evenings, people turn up in doves to have a look at the lights and to take photos of the lights. So, Orchard Road during this time of the year was busy, busy, busy. You could really feel the festive mood.

This year is a bit different – for the obvious reason. There is a pandemic on. Orchard road is still lighted, but not as lavish. Decors in shops are simple and muted. Businesses are not doing too well. There are not as many people out and about.

But, that is life. And we all know, come shine or rain, good times or bad times, Life goes on!

Here are some of the pictures I snapped when I went to Orchard Road to have a look at the lights the other day. They are not very good quality. Mobile phone camera has its limits. Having said that, I think they turned out better than I expected.

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Humorous Quips

Don’t take life too seriously. Relax, have fun and most importantly laugh as often as you can. Life is too short to waste it worrying about things you have no control over. So, laugh as heartily as you can, as often as you can. A hearty laugh will overcome more difficulties and dissipates more dark clouds than any other one thing.

Enjoy this selection of quips. They are funny but at the same time, there is a lot of truth in some of these quips. May your weekend be filled with laughter.

A committee can make a decision that is dumber than any of its members. - David Coblitz

I am in favour of cutting taxes under any circumstances and for any excuse, for any reason, whenever it's possible. - Milton Friedman

Lawyers are fleas on the hide of human nature. - Stephen King

It is easier to make a glass tube pliable than to convince an obstinate woman she is in fault. - William Scott Downey

You know you’re getting old when the candles cost more than the cake. - Bob Hope

The best beer in the world is the open bottle in your hand! - Danny Jansen

Listen to your elders’ advice. Not because they are always right but because they have more experience of being wrong. - Unknown

How we all want so badly to divorce reality, but that bitch just won’t sign the papers. - Christopher Poindexter

Look about, my son, and see how little wisdom it takes to govern the world. - Axel Oxenstierna

Strength is the capacity to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands – and then eat just one of the pieces. - Judith Viorst

Success didn’t spoil me, I’ve always been insufferable. - Fran Lebowitz

Never trust a husband too far or a bachelor too near. - Helen Rowland

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Robinsons Singapore

Another one bites the dust. Another victim of circumstances and of the times.

Robinsons Singapore, the oldest retail shop in Singapore is closing. They have around for 162 years. The decision came on the back of changing retail buying patterns, and weak demand, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Subject to confirmation, the liquidators are hoping the stores will remain open for the coming weeks to facilitate final sales for customers before they are shuttered."

I guess times are different now, and retailers need to move away from traditional business models to survive.

A few days ago, I was in the mall where Robinsons was the anchor tenant. So, I popped into Robinsons to have a look at what's left. It was a weekday, so there were not many people about. I think the main rush for the clearance sale is over. In days gone by, their annual sales is known by all as "The sale worth waiting for." That bit is history now. Kind of sad.

Anyway, since I was in the mall, I had a wander around and snapped some pictures.

Glass roof looking out.

Part of Robinsons floor tiles design.

Part of their wall designs.

P S Cafe. This was where I once had a double chocolate cake, with chocolate sauce. The memory is still fresh in my mind because the cake was so big, I couldn't finished it - despite my love for chocolate and cake.

Wine connection. A F&B chain that has wines at reasonable prices.

Sweets. Doughnuts, shortcakes and meringues.

Couldn't resist snapping at these beautiful orchids.

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Nuggets of Gold

A Maxim is a short, easily remembered expression of a basic principle, general truth or rule of conduct. Maxims are universal and testify to the commonality of human existence. Because maxims touch upon universal truths about life, they are looked upon as apparent wisdom, and they win ready assent from the audience. Some people call them nuggets of gold.

One eyewitness is better than ten hear sayers. - Titus Maccius Plautus

The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining. - John F Kennedy

Piety requires us to honor truth above our friends. - Aristotle

It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in an argument. - Unknown

The dog that trots about finds a bone. - Golda Meir

Solitary trees, if they grow at all, grow strong. - Sir Winston Churchill

Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes. - Sara Teasdale

Our necessities are few but our wants are endless. - Josh Billings

The system will work, if you work the system. - Unknown

He who begins many things finishes but a few. - Unknown

Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves. - English Proverb

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going. - Beverly Sills

Add little to little and there will be a big pile. - Ovid

Patience is the strong armour. Wisdom is the sharp weapon. - Unknown

Little strokes fell great oaks. - Benjamin Franklin

The greatest masterpieces were once only pigments on a palette. - Henry S. Hoskins

A fearless man thrives on far horizons. - Unknown

He that climbs the tall tree has won right to the fruit. - Sir Walter Scott

There are no speed limits on the road to excellence. - David W. Johnson

Everything in moderation – including moderation. - Harvey Steiman

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Out and About

I went to town to meet up with a friend yesterday. I took the opportunity to have a walk, and a look around the area. I don’t go out very often. And it is common knowledge among my friends that my foreigner friends know Singapore better than I do. Go figure.

Anyway, the last time I was here in Bugis Street / Waterloo Street, (must have been August this year), the place was practically deserted because we were still in the early stages of phase II of the ‘Circuit Breaker’ lock down because of the Covid-19 virus.

Now that we are in the later part of the Phase II, things are starting to go back to some sense of normalcy. Shops have reopened, and there are more people about. These roadside stalls are seeing more life.

This is the Trishaw Office – where you book your trishaw rides. The customers are mostly tourists and there are usually more demands for the rides in the evenings. But since the pandemic, there has been no tourists arrivals, so the trishaw riders’ trade have suffered badly.

This is the vehicle sitting two passengers.

The following are some buildings in the area.

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Caesalpinia Pulcherrima

Caesalpinia pulcherrima is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family, Fabaceae. They are native to the tropics and subtropics. Common names for this species include peacock flower, red bird of paradise, Mexican bird of paradise, and pride of Barbados.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima is the most widely cultivated species in the genus Caesalpinia. It is a striking ornamental plant, widely grown in domestic and public gardens in warm climates, and has a beautiful inflorescence in yellow, red, and orange. Its small size and the fact that it tolerates pruning well allows it to be planted in groups to form a hedgerow.

All seeds of Caesalpinia are poisonous. However, the seeds of some species are edible before they reach maturity (e.g. immature seeds of Caesalpinia pulcherrima) or after treatment (e.g. Caesalpinia bonduc after roasting).

They look like snow peas, don't they?

Some interesting trivia about this flower-bearing plant.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima is the national flower of the Caribbean island of Barbados.

The leaves, flower, bark, and seeds of Caesalpinia pulcherrima were also used by American Indians in traditional medicine as abortifacients and for suicide by enslaved peoples.

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