Thaipusam Experience 2013

Last month I was able to experience, Thaipusam, this is a very unique and important festival to the Hindu community in Singapore.  The name comes from, “Thai” which is the first month of the Tamil calendar, and “Pusam” is a constellation that happens around the first full moon of the year.  There are only a few places in the world that celebrate this festival.  Singapore and Malaysia happen to be two countries that allow this celebration to take place.  India does not acknowledge this festival due to restrictions in the country.  Thaipusam gives the Hindu worshipers a chance to show their devotion and penance.  They do this by carrying a burden, known as a kavadi, four and a half kilometers, from Sri Srinivasa Perumal temple to Sri Thendayuthapani Temple.  Thaipusam is most popular for the burdens that the devotees choose to wear and endure.  Most worshipers will pierce their body with skewers that support large alters, decorated with peacock feathers.  A few will actually attach hooks to their backs and pull chariots.  Men might also wear shoes that have nails sticking straight up into their foot.  Some of these kavadis can weigh up to 100 pounds and normally it would only take 45 minutes to complete this trip.  The participants carrying the kavadis will take 4-5 hours to complete this walk to show their ultimate devotion.  They stop along the route and jiggle their kavadis which puts even more pressure on their bodies.  This is referred to as “the dance of the peacock.”  The women will carry milk jugs due to the association with the sacred cow.  Some men will even pierce their back and chest with hooks and carry numerous milk jugs.  

Seeing this festival first-hand was pretty spectacular.  It is unlike anything you will see in your whole life.  These men go to great lengths both physically and mentally to complete this procession.  When they near the end of the journey, the line is very long to enter the temple.  They have to wait even longer to remove their kavadis.  It was a very hot day too so that just added on to all the hardships the worshipers encounter to show their ultimate devotion.

 

 

Here is a video of the "Peacock Dance."  Lots of people made it hard to get a good view.

 

 

 

Here are some of the good pictures I was able to get admist all the crowds.

 

 

 

Devotee getting pierced

Here is a shot of the shoes with nails sticking up (right)
Milk jugs that will hang from piercings (left)

Kavadi

Preparations and offerings being made for the procession

Here is a shot of milk jugs that participants carry.  They hang from hooks that are pierced in the skin.

Woman carrying milk jug

 

Sri Thendayuthapani Temple.  Ending point of procession.

This is a good shot that shows piercings in the skin

Very tall kavadi

Joys of Spring-Sentosa Flowers

What better way to usher in the Chinese New Year with the 2013 Sentosa flower exhibition in Singapore.  First started in 2005 it is know as 'Chun Jie' or 'Life Flourishes in the Spring.'  This festival is a great way to begin an auspicious New Year!  Bring on 2013, year of the snake!

Can you see the snake?!

Connor wanted to pose with the bird

Glittering Sandy Snake
Made from Sentosa's own beaches
Longest snake sculpture in Singapore's Book of Records

Four Seasons of love garden
There are poinsettia and hydrangeas (my favorite)

Connor with the Rainbow Snake

Connor running  through the giant floral carpet
Holds 30,000 real flowers

 

I wish I knew about Kopi and Kaya Toast Before Moving to Singapore!

I have become a bit of a coffee junkie since moving to Singapore.  I don't know what it is about this place but I want coffee 24/7.  It might be because they have coffee shops everywhere and you can sit outside and have your latte while enjoying the year round beautiful sunny weather.  Sounds like heaven right?  I've talked to a couple people to justify this indulgence which I call my new addiction.  I have come to the conclusion that I actually have more time now to enjoy this treat and not feel guilty about doing something else or being somewhere else.  I always had my Keurig at home in the US that I absolutely loved and now miss dearly but my coffee drinks were always thrown in to-go cups being sipped during my hour long commute to work.  I totally missed out on the big part of drinking a coffee which is to relax and enjoy!  There was no relaxation or enjoyment while drinking coffee on my way to work on the DC beltway during rush hour.  When moving to Singapore we had to splurge on a coffee machine that is similar to the Keurig but just not the same.  I still need to have my caffeine fix when I am out and about with some time to spare which happens often when you don't have a car.  The only problem is that with everything in Singapore, it ain't cheap!  Starbucks and other chains like Coffee Bean and Spinelli cost anywhere from $6-9 for a drink.  It adds up fast especially over the past 8 months!  Luckily my hubby turned me on to the local coffee about a month ago and I'm hooked!  Plus it's so much more affordable.  We could have saved so much money if we knew about Kopi months ago.  You can get coffee and kaya toast which is toasted bread, spread with coconut butter, and soft boiled eggs, for $3-4 a set.  Can't beat it!  Should I tell you that it's brewed in a sock?  Yeah, try not to think about that one.  Just be sure you know how to order your Kopi so the lady behind the counter doesn't get annoyed with you, ha!  It can be a little intimidating.  There are several different variations and I'm still learning them all!  And if you want a skinny latte, they have signs in one local shop that say to drink half the cup.  Love it!  I am anxiously looking forward to the day when I can have my Kopi served in a bag just like the locals!  I will definitely post pictures when that does happen.

Here is a helpful article if you want to learn how to order your next cup of Kopi!  Shiokalicous!

http://comesingapore.com/travel-guide/article/366/kopi-or-coffee

 

 

New Breakfast of Champions! 
Kopi O, Kaya Toast, Soft Boiled Eggs with Soy Sauce

Gardens By The Bay Photos

I finally was able to load pictures to my blog so these correspond to my previous entry-Gardens by the Bay!  I took over a hundred photos but these are my favorite.

 

 

 

Marina Bay Sands-view from the Gardens

Supertrees, Singapore Flyer, and Conservatory in the distance

Supertrees up close

Cactus in the flower dome

Flower dome conservatory

Little piece of Fall in Singapore- November

Love  these colors together

Experimenting with macro-photgraphy

Waterfall in the Cloud Forest

Walkway in the Cloud Forest

Orchid

I have this plant in my home.  Can't remember the name.  Thanks Ikea!

More Macro-photography

Interesting Orchid Plant

Gardens by the Bay...A place worth visiting!

Late last year I was able to explore a new attraction in Singapore, Gardens by the Bay.  I actually just learned that it has now been ranked as the 4^th most-shared attraction in the world, next to the Eiffel Tower, The Colosseum, and Central Park.  I have been anxiously waiting to visit this park since it opened to the public, June 29, 2012, which was right about the time we arrived in Singapore.  I was happy to come across a tour being offered by the group I belong to, the American Women’s Association, so I quickly signed up.  I was the youngest in the group but ready to bear the heat with my camera in hand. 

Gardens by the Bay was first announced in 2005 on National Day by the Prime Minister.  The project officially broke ground in 2007.  This place was created in hopes to become an outdoor recreational area in Singapore and national icon.  I was even able to attend J Lo’s concert here!  This development also plays a vital role in the government trying to transform Singapore from a ‘Garden City’ to a ‘City in a Garden’.  It is conveniently located right by an MRT station so getting there is very easy and affordable.

The tour first stopped through the Heritage Gardens which displays how plants from Singapore’s main ethnic groups (Chinese, Indian, and Malay) play a part in the different cultures.  We did get to see the Supertrees from a distance.  You can’t really miss them standing at a whopping 82-160 feet.  The Supertrees hold a variety of functions such as planting, shading, and working as an environmental backbone for the gardens.  I learned they are more than just tall structures that look pretty at night.  They have technology that replicates the function of trees.  They use solar energy for lighting and collect rainwater for use in irrigation and fountain displays.  The Supertrees also assist in cooling the conservatories.  Pretty neat!  There is even a skywalk through the two larger Supertrees that provide amazing views of the Gardens.  We did not spend too much time amongst the Supertrees because it was getting very hot.  Next on the trip were the cooled conservatories. 

The first conservatory we visited was the Flower Dome which is 3 acres in size.  It mimics cool dry conditions and offers a variety of plants found in the Mediterranean and subtropical regions.  There is even an area in this conservatory that offers seasonal displays.  I was actually able to see pumpkins, scarecrows, and mums.  Now I know where to go next year to get fall seasonal pictures similar to being at a pumpkin patch!  They did a very nice job! 

The Cloud Forest is the second conservatory and is 2 acres.  It replicates the cool moist tropical mountain regions between 3,300 ft. and 9088 ft. about sea level.  It also showcases a ‘Cloud Mountain’ where you can follow a circular path all the way down to the bottom.  There is even a 115 ft. man-made waterfall.

Overall my experience here was very interesting and informative.  I wish to go back at night and tour the grounds as everything is pretty spectacular with all the lights and color displays.  Well done Singapore!  You never cease to amaze me!  I forgot to mention as with anything in Singapore there are numerous dining options as well.    

I took over 100 pictures but have been having trouble uploading them to blogger for over a week now.  I am not sure what is going on but I will post the pictures when I can figure everything out.  Sorry!

 

I Wish I Knew About....Before Moving to Singapore!

Birthday Blog!

I Wish I Knew About (insert strange and unusual occurrences/encounters here) Before Moving to Singapore.

I was not going to write on my big ‘31’ birthday but I feel inspired to introduce some latest news about my blog as I listen to Christmas music and stare out at palm trees in 88 degree weather!  Sorry to rub it in for those back home in the cold.  This is truly a first in my lifetime so this calls for some fun blog time!  I am launching a new series of topics that will all follow under, I Wish I Knew About…Before Moving to Singapore.  I plan to periodically update this series throughout the course of my blog, so stay tuned people. 

Drum roll please! 

First on the list…

I wish I knew about the (Squatting Seat) before moving to Singapore.

When we first made our grand arrival to Singapore I started jotting down some notes that would seem like worthy blog entries.  First on my list, ‘Watch your Step’! 

I get off the plane after travelling halfway across the world and of course need to use the bathroom.  I never seem to time it right to go in the plane right before descent.  Something that needs to be worked on for sure especially if you find yourself amongst a long line (queue for my Singapore friends) in the first bathroom you spot in the airport.  As I tried to fight a girl to get in line first she happened to squeeze in front of me and the only stall left had a sign on the door that read, Watch Your Step.  Cool, I thought!  There are steps in the bathroom.  Little did I know!  That is your huge warning ladies and gents and yes, men, there are these ‘special’ kinds of stalls in your bathroom.  You don’t get exempt from this too!  So I enter this ‘cool’ bathroom stall and to my surprise there is no toilet, only a hole in the ground.  Hmm, this is strange.  I have never seen one of ‘these’.  I later find out ‘these’ are called squatting seats.  They aren’t pleasant either.  Talk about unhygienic.  I will let your mind wander as to how disgusting this could be.  I decline to provide details on this one.  This also explains why there are photos in the regular stalls with toilets that show a picture of someone squatting on the toilet saying 'no squatting'.  Who would ever do that?  Now I know why! I always thought someone might squat on the toilet for sanitation purposes, ha!  I had no idea that people actually squatted over a hole in the ground, ha!  This now becomes topic of conversations with new expat friends.  What’s up with the gross squatting seats in the bathrooms around here?  Answers thrown out have been pretty unhelpful.  I thought maybe for religious reasons.  For some reason last week I remembered to do some research on this and what a perfect question for Google!  Revelation!  Turns out there are also health advantages and benefits to the squatting seat.  See websites below.  Who would have thought? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squat_toilet

Those of you who can handle to read a more detailed description on the comparison between the toilet and squatting seat…read on!  The wording in the link may be enough to stop you from going further, ha!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_defecation_postures

My lesson has been learned.  The last time I used the bathroom with a squatting seat I let the lady behind me go ahead and use it.  I will wait for the next one please!  Do not go in the stall that warns you to ‘Watch your Step.’  More like ‘Watch out, you are about to experience something nasty’!  I wish I knew about the squatting seat before moving to Singapore so that I would have avoided the entire experience in the first place!

 

 

Little India Wet Market Experience (Beginner Level!)

Last month I had the opportunity to tour one of Singapore’s best wet markets.  You are probably wondering what exactly a ‘wet’ market is because if you are like me you may have only heard of farmers markets.  They are similar since both sell fresh fruits and vegetables but wet markets also contain shellfish, seafood, and meat.  The term ‘wet’ comes from all the water that is used to keep the floors clean and all the foods fresh.  You do not want to go barefoot and I was so glad that I obediently followed the tour guides instructions to wear closed toed shoes.  It is a very interesting place to explore and discover if you ever get a chance to visit a wet market.  My research tells me that they are mostly found in Asian countries.  Go with an open mind and I assure you that your senses will probably be on overload with all the sights, smells, and sounds.  The smell is not very pleasant actually especially around all the seafood and dried fish stalls.  As soon as we walked in I wanted to leave right away since it smelled so awful.  I ended up managing somehow throughout the two hour tour.  I just tried to keep an open mind throughout the entire experience. 

Our local Singaporean tour guide took us throughout the seafood and shellfish stalls first.  I looked down and what do I see?  A huge sting-ray then some squid and even a shark!  This was more than I signed up for.  Then there were rows and rows of fish and shrimp including the heads.  The tour guide was busily moving us through the crowds, telling us what was what and how to look for freshness.  The information was a little overwhelming and went in one ear and out the other.  I don't even know how to cook fish but maybe now I will try to learn something new.  What really motivated me to do the tour in the first place was to learn about all the new fruits and vegetables that you can find in Singapore.  My goal was to learn what to buy and how to eat them.  If you see a picture of a dragon fruit, lychee, or mango stein you know exactly where I am coming from. 

Sting-Ray for sale

Squid

Jaws

Pick a fish any fish

Shrimp

I knew the wet market had fish and meat but I had no idea to what extent.  I looked to my left and one man is chopping up a huge fish.  Blood and guts are splattering all over the place.  At this point I wish our tour guide had told us to wear a full wetsuit, including a mask.  This is not a sanitary place whatsoever.  I even hated dropping my lens cap on the floor.  Fish heads were just hanging out on silver dishes ready to be bought.  I look to my right and another man is chopping off a chicken head with parts flying everywhere.  Then I wonder if that stand he is using to cut the chicken has actually ever been cleaned.  Seems like a salmonella outbreak waiting to happen.  This was like actually living in a real horror film.  The thought even crossed my mind to become a vegetarian as soon as I got home.  My head started to spin.  I tried to take it all in positively but these sights are a rarity if you come from my suburban town back in the United States.  The grocery store has a very small selection of seafood and it rarely smells.  Also, the meat is always nice and packaged like a pretty Tiffany’s box wrapped in a bow ready to take home.  Who would have thought these places actually existed?

Fish heads on a silver platter

 

I think my camera lens needed to be cleaned after this shot

 

Where is the anti-bacterial spray?

 

 

Normal sights to see in Singapore

 

Meat carcass chilling on the ancient old never been cleaned stand

 

Beef it's what's for dinner

 

Are these Chesapeake blue Maryland crabs?!  Hmmm...

 

 

Crabs used in the famous Singaporean dish 'Chili Crab'

 

Pre-cooked noddle Shop

 

Dried fish

 

I was really glad to move away from all the seafood and meat to the pretty colorful fruits and vegetables.  The smell of the sweet fruits was heavenly.  The displays were so colorful and beautiful too.  Finally I did not feel so out of place until the tour guide went on and on about the different fruits and vegetables.  I had another bout of sensory overload.  This tour needed to come with a handout and pictures explaining everything or maybe I should have taken better notes.  It was a great experience all in all and I feel a little more confident to visit my local wet market down the street that might not be as intimidating.  I think I’ll just be staying in the fruit and veggie isles for now though.  I do not want to re-live the seafood and poultry stalls nightmare.  Maybe one day!  You always have to keep an open mind when living abroad in a foreign place.

 

Lychee fruit-native to southern China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia

Dragonfruit-originally comes from Central America and is grown  today in Vietnam and China

Large mystery fruit, better note-taking would have benefited here

Get your freshly shredded coconut here