Mushrooms

Mushroom spores lay dormant in the ground hiding in the soil, or bark mulch waiting for conditions that are just right. One of the conditions is lots of water. That is why they sprout up overnight after a heavy rainfall. They need a lot of water to sprout and grow.

I am always amazed and amused to find mushrooms along my walk route. There were none there one day and the next day there were clusters of them. How fast they grew overnight.

As children, we like to go about plucking them – not realizing that they are poisonous. The spores that stuck to our hands could have gotten into our body, and we could have fallen sick. Luckily, nothing serious ever came out of our innocently playing with them.

Mushrooms are sometimes called toadstools. Although there are differences between mushrooms and toadstools, the terms are often used interchangeably.

If you wish to know about the differences between mushrooms and toadstools, you can have a look at this site 👉 HERE

Here are some pictures of mushrooms along my walk route. I think these are at lease a day old.

These are probably a couple of days old.

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Most Expensive City In The World

A recent survey by the Worldwide Cost of Living (WCOL) index from the London based Economic Intelligence Unit (EUI) puts Singapore together with New York as the most expensive city in the world.

I find it hard to believe, especially when I have friends come back from their travels complaining about how expensive things were, where they had been, compared to prices in Singapore. We all know that there is quite a difference between what a tourist spent to that of a local. If you are a local, you would know where to eat, and shop cheaply.

Housing and cars are very expensive here. That’s a well-known fact. However, Singapore, an Island CityState has a world class transport system which is very reasonably priced. One does not really need a car. And public housing is heavily subsidized by the government. With a well designed loan/mortgage program, most people are able to own homes. So, if you take out these two items from the survey, Singapore can’t be the most expensive city.

As with any survey, I guess it depends on who is doing the survey, who you ask, how the questions are phrased, and what is included in the survey. Generally, I take surveys with a pinch of salt. Singapore is expensive, I agree. But the most expensive, I very much doubt so.

It is true that things are getting more expensive here. But, in the current economic situation, the whole world is feeling the inflation due largely to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the senseless war that is going on. I don’t think anyone, anywhere is spared. The increases in prices here are expected and within reason.

Anyway, just out of curiosity, have a look at the following meals and see if you think they are expensive.

An ice lemon tea and a bowl of fish vermicelli soup for just under $10 SGD (roughly, about $7.30 USD). This is in the heart of the city. In the heartlands, this would cost me $6 SGD (about $4.50 USD)

Meatball Cognee from a food court in the Botanical gardens. I don’t think business is very good for them. They were quite tucked away. And given that they are located in a tourist attraction, I guess the price, just under $10 SGD – although a bit high is understandable. But I do take to heart the quality of the cognee. It is just too watery. And the meatballs – I think there were five of them were not that great either.

Anyway, what do you think? Is Singapore expensive? Of course, one can’t really have a clear picture of the situation based on the two examples above. But, what I am trying to say is that if you live a simple lifestyle, Singapore is not expensive at all. But if you chase after the ‘Five Cs’, (condo, credit card, car, country club membership and cash), then yes, Singapore will be expensive for you.

NB. The ‘Five Cs’ of Singapore is a phrase coined in the 1990s. It was used to describe people who aspire to obtain material possession in an effort to impress others. That might be a bit out of date now, since a credit card is a necessity for everyone in this age of IT.

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Love The Clouds

The sky – a limitless canvas. The wind is the artist, and the clouds are the paint. The artist is always at work, painting beautiful pictures in the sky. Blink and the picture is changed.

I never get tired of watching the artist at work. Never a dull moment. In fact, it is such a pleasure watching what was going on that it lifts me out of whatever bad moods I happened to be in – every time.

The following is my observation of the artist at work on a late afternoon – another masterpiece, no less.

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Lights Up On Orchard Road

As I mentioned yesterday, I will be posting photographs of the Christmas lights and decors on Orchard Road today.

Orchard road was once the heartbeat of Singapore and a popular shopping belt for both locals and tourists. You can find all the big brand names here. Nowadays, although it is still a popular shopping belt, the ‘heartbeat’ has moved a bit downtown to the Marina Bay area.

Four roads end and/or begin at this cross junction. There is Patterson Road, Scotts Road Tanglin Road and Orchard Road. Scotts road and Patterson form one criss of the cross road while Tanglin road and Orchard Road the other. The picture above showed the beginning of Orchard Road.

This is the facade of the ION shopping mall. You will see some of the big brand names prominently displayed.

A colourful Christmas tree with a difference.

Christmas lights forming an arch over the road. I think this year’s lights are an improvement over last year’s. I snapped a quick picture while crossing the road. I imagined all the drivers rolling eyes.

The sidewalks/pavements on Orchard road. They were a lot more people out and about this year.

A video of the street that evening – street performers and crowds of people stopping to watch the street performance while taking in the lights. I stumbled upon Victoria’s secret on Orchard Road. No, I didn't go in to check it out.

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Christmas Decors

This is an archway to the entrance to the Tanglin mall. Every year, the décors and lights at the entrance were quite elaborate.

And so, another year is coming to an end. Again, it is that time of the year – the year-end festive season. Time to put up the Christmas decor and lights.

After two years of muted celebrations due to the pandemic, things are now getting back to the pre-pandemic level. Shopping malls are again decked up in decorations, hoping to attract shoppers and passersby.

Orchard road, once the heartbeat of Singapore is again brightly lit with lights and decorations. The crowds are back to view the lights and to take pictures. I was among the crowd last Friday.

I started at the end of Tanglin road, and walked down to Orchard road. A bit quiet on the Tanglin road section, except where the Tanglin mall is.

Today, I will show some of the shots taken of the Tanglin Road section.

I will do the Orchard Road section tomorrow. Do come back to have a look if you are curious to see what sort of decorations are up on Orchard Road.

A huge Christmas Tree in front of the mall.

Lights and decors along Tanglin Road.

This is Wheelock Place - a shopping mall with its distinctive conical glass structure. The mall is home to retail shops, food outlets, and lifestyle brands, many of which are homegrown brands.

Wheelock Place marks the end of Tanglin road. From here onward, it’s Orchard Road. Come back tomorrow to have a look at the lights on Orchard Road.

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'Sky Mirror'

This art installation resembles a traffic mirror. But, it is actually a sculpture of stainless steel called ‘Sky Mirror’ by British-Indian sculptor Anish Mikhail Kapoor. It is installed in a lotus pond outside the ArtScience museum, along the Marina Bay Waterfront.

The image of the ‘Sky Mirror’ is reflected in the pond, and at the same time, part of the pond and its surroundings are reflected on the ‘Sky Mirror’.

Depending on where you stand and the angle you are at, you are able to see different views/reflections in the mirror. It is kind of interesting.

I was too self conscious to be seen fixated on the ‘Sky Mirror’. There are always quite a few people around in the area. I was on my way to meet my friends anyway. So, I took a few hurried shots and went on my way.

Reflections of the top of the Art Sceince Museum.

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