My Old Singapore Sceneries

I was interested in photography as young as 13 of age. At the age of 14, I managed to save up and bought a China made Seagull twin lens box camera, and started to capture the scenery around me. These are the photographs that I found in my oldest black and white album. I decided to post them here to share with my generation as well as the younger ones. With friends around my age, I believe some of the scenes captured here would stir up lots of old memories of your own.

For the younger generation, I believe you would never see this building, as it was demolished in the early 70s. This is the Van Cleef Aquarium, one of the biggest aquarium in Singapore at that time. It collected most of the South East Asia fish species, big and small. It is also one of the famous past time location for Singaporeans.

Victoria Memorial Hall. This was the place for main stream Art Exhibitions. It was also the centre of the performing arts at our time, before National Theatre was built.

National Theatre. It was built to be one of the largest open air theatre in this region. Lots of great performance were presented there. Unfortunately, it was demolished due to structural failure. It was one of the landmarks in Singapore.

This was the taken at Fort Canning Park in the late 60s. The back ground was Tank Road, you still see the low building these days, it is the Teo Chew Hui Guan (Clan Association). The tall building behind was demolished, and turned into Emperor Hotel, but was demolished and rebuilt into service apartment. The young fellow in front is me at my 18s.

Clifford Pier at the old days, you see the water boat anchor there.

This was the famous General Post Office Head Office, now turn into one of the world class hotel and named as 'Fullerton One'.

Most of these photographs were taken between 1963 to 1969. The actual dates were unable to located.

The followings were taken sometimes in the mid 70s. At that time, Shears Bridge was built, as you can see it from a distance from this photo.

Taken this shot from Columbo Court top floor.


Sungei Kudut was a beautiful place then, look at this photo, the scene was so calm and peaceful.

The Principle

When I was young, my dear teacher taught me: As a person, we must do things with a principle. From there onwards, I stick to this simple rule: I will do things with my principle. My principle is very simple, do things with my conscience and do not harm others. If better, bring happiness to everyone around you.

As I grew older, I have noticed that most of the people around me do not value 'Conscience' at all. They will only abide to the benefits they could get. With benefits they gotten, they could sell away their friendships, their trust and themselves. When a society developed to such a stage, it is really sad!

If you asked me who they are, then I should ask you to look around; especially read the newspaper. You will not hard to figure out, who are these people. If we have conscience, we should not allow old folks die in their flats and get rotten. If we are caring, we should not see so many young and middle age people committing suicide.

We are named as developed nation, if we have conscience, we should have all these unhappy incidents erased from our life!

Poem

My Long Lost Memories

By chance or accident, I flipped through my bookshelves, and found two aged-old postcards. One of which is a photograph of Katong Beach, the other is the Bedok Simpan Beach.

I believed these photographs were taken in the late sixties. At that time, I was a secondary school student then. I still can remember on every Saturday afternoon, after my school curriculum time (We had lessons on Saturday's morning!), I used to go out with a group of school mates and roam these areas.

To what I could recall, the company were Paul Ho, Young Y. L., Chu Y.K. and Lau H.C. We used to go to Katong Beach, strolled along the sandy beach, ate Ice Kachang in the shades of the coconut trees, then went for a Chinese Movie at Roxy Theatre 乐斯戏院 or New Palace Theatre 丽宫戏院 (May be the name is not correct!).

Otherwise, we would take a short trip by bus to Simpan Bedok Beach (Where SAF 3rd Guards Camp is now), and waited for the tide to subside, then walked around the stretch of long, flat beach and picked up shells along the way. We used to capture blue sky, white cloud and warm breeze in the late afternoon. With the coconut farms around, it was almost the same scenery as in Hawaii beach, but of course, without the high rise hotels.

As time goes by, the nation developed into a metropolitan; all these lovely scenes were replaced by man-made concrete jungles. Our younger generations lost all these luxuries of enjoyment. There goes my Bedok and Katong sweet memories, as well as songs from Connie Francis, Elvis Presley and Cliff Richards. Most of all, my youth!

独立桥上的石狮子


璧浩兄在他的博客中，怀疑馬里士他路小販中心的两头石狮子，可能是独立桥上的那一对。我看了他所刊載的照片，左看右看，都觉得不像。便上網去寻找有关的旧照。结果给我找到了这两張。仔细比較一番，你便會看到他们之间的差异。

馬里士他路的一对座該是仿造的吧！

微观世界

很多时候，我们总是粗心大意的去看我们的周圍世物，很多时候我们都忽略一切美好的身邊事物。其实，如果我们只要稍为用心观察，不难觉察到，我们四周都充满着令人驚讶的美事。

今早见阳光普照，随手提起摄影器材，往飞禽公園直去。花了一个早晨的汗水，遂捕捉到这些令人心醉的细小景物。若您能靜下匆忙的心态，用心仔细的看看这些景物，或許您的心境遂变得更加安祥，世界看来会更加美好。

The Macro World

Many times we tend to look at the world at a glance, therefore, we missed lots of beautiful things that are around us. We use to look but no see, hear but not listen. In fact, if we would spend some time and use our mind or heart to look at the world around us, we will be surprise by those little beautiful things around us.

This morning, the weather was extremely good, it inspired me to take my photographic tools and rushed straight to the Bird Park. I spent the whole morning and captured these beautiful scenes. Some of the photos surprised me, as a took a closer look at them. If we could really stop down at some point of our life, and take a good look at our surroundings, we may see lots of beautiful things happening around us silently, we might get inspired and may see the world in another positive perspectives; life could be less miserable and dreadful.

The Bucket List

After watching the film 'The Bucket List', beside admire Jack Nicholas and Morgan Freeman acting skills; the contents of this film really touched me.
If everybody really lives as if you only have half a year of life; then you would see Life in another perspectives. As Nicholas said in the show: Do you want to live a life as everyone does? With the end coming near, just waiting for it to come, waiting the offspring to tear, going through the hospital scenario and get laid or cremate. Why not go and do something meaningful to yourself and die happily?

At the age of 61, I could not agree better! This is why I have chosen to retire early than what I should be, and enjoy what I am doing at the moment. I am the boss of my life. I have broken free from all the hustles and restrictions. I could not stand those old folks sitting at the void deck everyday, posing that miserable postures and let time pass by. My former boss Mrs Kee said: Must make yourself feel valuable to the organization / family. I further developed this concept: Must make yourself valuable to yourself; life would be much more beautiful and meaningful.
Yes, today I am one year nearer to the other end, but I feel much more delightful than the past. It is my perception contribute to this mood. My psychology tutor said: Our daily thoughts 80% are negative. I asked him why, he said it may be the world is not perfect. But could it be ourself caused it? If you do not value your life, who will?

Suicide Attempt

This evening, a youth suddenly appeared on the rooftop of my neighbouring block. He was sitting on the edge of the rooftop, looked very depressed and confused. The block of building is 14 storey high. Soon after, the police, fire department officers and vehicles, ambulance arrived at the scene. In less than 10 minutes, the rescue air cushions were set up on the ground of that building. Police and Fire fighting officers rushed to the roof top try to talk to him. It took these officers almost one and a half hour to snatch him from the edge of the roof, while he was distracted by the audience on the ground.
The drama finally ended with no life costs.

But to me there is a basic question: Why must someone tries to terminate his own life? Especially he is young! He should try to explore life, enjoy life. I believe this young man must be troubled by emotional problems; may be boy-girl relation that sort. If it is true, then would be most silly to attempt committing suicide. Love needs to parties to work with, if one party lost interest, then should start another journey, especially you are young.

No matter what happen, life is precious. If you yourself do not treasure it, who will?

Free Tibet?

Recently riots broke out in several parts of western China. Tibetans seen as rioters on TV news as well as newspaper publications. Western countries openly urging China to restrain their acts on the rioters. The Chinese Authority make public statement to stress that they could not tolerate unlawful behavior in the country. Tibet rioting became the headline on news media last week. Personally, I believe every act must have a cause. So as the Tibetan actions. But are these actions genuine or with hidden agenda? This is something we should look into. Dalai Lama has stated that he would not encourage violence. He appealed to the Tibetans to use peaceful ways of protest. At the same time, we saw protesters outside of China carrying banner stating 'Free Tibet'! This is another issue to be addressed. I believe the Chinese are most unhappy with this sort of agenda. Not only Chinese, anyone who has the proper concept of 'Nation' will not buy such concept. Where on earth you like to see your own country split into two?! In the history of Asia, where is the evidence that Tibet had been a nation by itself? People who wish to see Tibet break away from China, personally I believed there must be an ultimate motive behind it. This is the same with Taiwan issue! If we Asians are going to prove to the world, we have 5000 years of culture and wisdom, we better use our brains and do our parts. Blindly following foreign philosophy and ways of life would only lead us to doom!

逃狱

一日,动物园内的一隻黑豹,从栏栅的缝隙逃逸.数小时后,采访记者问动物园园长:黑豹是一种极其凶猛和危险的动物,为何您要沉默数小时才公诸于世?园长施里慢条的说:我们觉得这头黑豹己没有什么危险,对大家是无害的.采访人员便现场把实况播了出去.

那厢不远的森林中的各种动物,一接到黑豹脱困的消息,立刻引起巨大的反应.野兔说:这是什么人话!呆会儿我要是一不留神,岂不成了它的囊中之物!连庞然大物的象大哥也插嘴说:可不是,它那尖锐的爪牙,就像锋利的刀刃一般,只要给它咬上一口,我可要痛入心脾了!品种最接近人类的红毛猿说:呵呀!诸位,您们又何必如此操心,园长的话并无差错呵!现在我们这儿有谁受了伤害啦?众兽听毕,一时为之语塞.

钝牛还是按不住他的脾气:难道要发生了灾难,才算是危险吗?受害者的仓痛又有何人来承受!森林内嘩声四起。

另一厢,多营军警出动,真枪实弹在四处围捕那头’不会造成大害‘的黑豹。一隻恰巧路过的飞鹰目睹发生的一切,不禁大摇其头:真是一场丢人现眼的閙剧!

生老病死,仍人生之必经之路.但从电视萤光幕上看到沈殿雫的死讥,心中还是起了波澜.一个终日在银幕上大声豪笑的巨星,还是无法抗拒岁月侵蚀,黯然隐去.

其实,不是巨星的我们何尝不像她一般呢?总在人前装笑,整日笑脸迎人.为的只是要搞好公关,稳住饭碗,撑住一个家.夜深人静时,才脱下脸具,一面苍伤,对镜独饮凄凉.

想来肥肥必尽全心全力的过完她的一生,圆满的走完她的一生!

Feast of Floral

We do not have four seasons, as we are a tropical nation. But Sentosa has provided us the spring atmosphere when she has her annual flower show. This year without failed, she has another grand show at the little island, thousands of floral and fauna were displayed during the Lunar New Year festive season, we have a big feast of colors and scent.

These are the photographs taken at Sentosa, hope you could enjoy the feast of colors too!

年的感覚


一翻
竟把一年翻了过去
回首
能细数的又有几人?
跨栏般的人生
色彩愈跨愈淡时
苦涩就日渐浓郁
仰眼眺望
落日与枯枝相扶
夕日里
斯人孤影益发修长

（二零零八年二月五日初稿）