Lunar Eclipse 4 Apr 15

Lunar Eclipse captured on 4 Apr 15

The news reported a total lunar eclipse in Singapore but I am only able to take a photo of the earth partial shadow on moon. The earth casts a shadow on the moon and when the earth shadow fully encapsulates the moon, a total lunar eclipse occurs.

The image quality is bad, probably due to wrong setting. ISO is set at 6400.

Quote of the Month

"You know the Singaporean. He is a hard-working, industrious, rugged individual. Or we would not have made the grade.

But let us also recognise that he is a champion grumbler"

                                                                                               ......................... Lee Kuan Yew (1923 - 2015)

Mr Lee Kuan Yew Passing Part 2

Queue at Parliament House, Singapore

"To the Family of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew;

Thank you and Mr Lee Kuan Yew for your guidance, passion, continuous efforts to make a successful and First World Singapore." ................ My words written on the condolence book for public.

29 March 2015 - Funeral of Mr Lee Kuan Yew

Mr Lee Kuan Yew Passing

Flag in Half Mast for Singapore Founding Father

The passing of the founding father of Singapore on 23 March 2015 at age 91.

A charismatic leader who lived by principles. Very few Asian would have such a good oral skill with robust convincing power. One who delivered results and brought Singapore from a third world to where Singapore is currently. Strong in mental strength against all his adversaries.

As it is commonly said, the right environment creates the right leader.

Rest in Peace, Sir.

SGD 1 Million

After working for 21 years, I have finally attained SGD$1 Million in asset excluding property value, money in Central Provident Fund (CPF) and monies in insurance.

This is done through hardwork, savings, some small returns on investments and the success of the Singapore system.

Aquarium & Fishes Part 2

2 lab cichlids with bright yellow scales

Zebra cichlid with a blue cobalt cichlid in the background

Astronomy Numbers

Some numbers in perspective

Age of the Universe : 13.8 billion years old
1 billion : 1,000,000,000    / 1 trillion : 1,000,000,000,000
Largest Galaxy : IC 1101, 6 million light years in diameter, distance is 1.04 billion light years away
Estimated number of Galaxy in Universe : 100 to 200 billion (highly inaccurate due to observable universe)
Each galaxy contains: between billions to 100 trillions stars

Milky Way: 100,000 light years in diameter
Milky Way Centre is about 25000 to 28000 light year from earth in the direction of Sagittarius
Centre of the Milky Way : Believe to be supermassive black hole
Estimated number of stars in Milky Way : 400 billion

Largest Star in Universe: VY Canis Majoris, diameter 1.975 billion km, distance is 4000 to 5000 light years away
Our Sun: diameter 1.391 Million km, about 8 minutes of light year away
Nearest Star : Alpha Centauri, about 4.4 light years away

Age of homosapien : About 400,000 years old

Hottest Planet: Venus 465 degree celsius due to greenhouse effect cause by massive atmosphere (93 bar) of carbon dioxide

Note 1: 20 Feb 15, I had watched 'Journey to Edge of the Universe' via youtube, a documentary first released in 2008.
Note 2: The Star Canopus is shining brightly when I sleep. It is the only visible stellar object from my window facing south. Location confirmed by Google Sky. Canopus is about 310 light years away
Note 3: Scientists are known to make mistake as seen from human history.

Chinese New Year 2015

Raw Fish Salad during Chinese New Year

One of the most significant Chinese New Year food that Singapore has created. The 发财鱼生 which is raw fish in a salad. Created by 4 chefs in Singapore back in the 1960s, it is a delicious dish with many good chinese idioms accompanying the ingredients. The action of tossing the salad is also unique in food culture.

Ingredients include: white radish, carrot, pomelo, ginger crackers, sesame seed, plum sauce, cooked oil, grinded peanuts, cinnamon powder and most importantly raw fish.

A great accomplishment by Singaporeans.

Electric Car in Singapore

Electric Car being charged.

Charging inlet instead of petrol

An electric car in Singapore being charged by electric charging station at ITE College West. The car is a converted Renault.

The body artwork says 100% Electric and zero emission directly from the car motor. However, it will still have carbon footprint because in Singapore, electricity is produced by burning fuel which power the generators.

The concern for electric cars is the lifespan of batteries. It is still rather expensive at this point in time but technologies will probably make it cheaper in the future. With the current oil price at around US$45 per barrel, it may be difficult to push for the agenda of green technology. Secondly, the charging stations are also not commonly found in carparks around the island.

Nonetheless, it is a good effort to maintain a social responsible green initiative of reducing carbon footprint.

Merry Christmas

A X'mas tree at Takashimaya 2014

Merry Christmas !!

Fury The Movie

Watched Fury today.

Watching Fury is like watching Rambo. 1 against the whole battalion of soldiers. Anti-tank weapons seem to be missing for the whole battalion of Germans which was highly unlikely.

Historian knew the kill ratio of the Germans Tiger tank and yet 4 Sherman tanks can beat a Tiger at close range.

And the enemy fire always misses the good guys in the first shot. While the good guys always kill with the first shot.

Moon & Jupiter

 

Moon & Jupiter

Moon and Jupiter observed on 12 Dec 14. Location of Jupiter was confirmed with Google Sky App. It is in the North East direction

Jupiter is just a speck of light. Without camera and view without optical assistance, Jupiter looks like a star.

Photos were taken using high ISO of 6400 and unedited. Lens used was Canon 70-200mm f4.

Cars - Interesting Observation

Audi A3, Mercedes W114, Honda Stream 1.7

Saw something interesting today in a carpark.

(1) My Audi.
(2) A Mercedes W114 which was around the period I was born, late 60s to early 70s. It is technically the S-class of the era. Coloured in beautiful red and looking stunning after more than 40 years. Even the wheel hub is painted in red. The driver must have the passion to own this.
(3) My previous car - Honda Stream 1.7 litre. This one has a spotlight added. My guess is this car is probably 2005 version.

Audi A6 2014

Audi A6 2014

Audi A6 Interior

I took the Audi A6 for a spin for 3 days as my A3 was in workshop for transmission repair.

The good points for Audi A6 are:-

(1) Bigger bootspace
(2) Wider body for more internal comfort
(3) More comfortable ride especially when cruising
(4) Internally, it has a push start/stop button and a keyless entry.

The minus ponts for the A6 are:-

(1) Bigger car means difficult to manoeuvre in a city. Parking also needs more space due to its length. It has both front and rear parking sensor to help driver in a tight situaton.
(2) Comparing with the A3, the A6 being a 2 litre turbo obviously has poorer fuel efficiency
(3) Turning radius appears to be bigger

The A6 while it is comparable to the BMW 5 series and the Mercedes E class has a identity problem. The front of the A6 is almost the same as as A3 and A4. There is no major distinguishable difference across its line. This makes buyer wonder why buy a A6 when A4 or A3 sedan are good enough.

The A6 is about S$50,000 more than the A3.

Kuching Sarawak Part 6 - Hawker Centre

 

A hawker centre at Kuching city. It is known as Song Kheng Hai Ground Food and Recreation Centre. The completion plaque shows  that it was opened on 26 Mar 1995. Interestingly there seems to be an exhaust duct for mechanical ventilation. Whether it was used was not known. The food section is located at the upper storey. The lower storey is empty.

There was also a hygiene grading system with a green sticker pasted at the signage above the stall. It appears that the stalls mainly have attained a 'A' grade.

Kuching Sarawak - Part 5 Orang Utan

The orang utan at Semenggoh Natural Reserve. A reserve that is about 45 mins from city centre. Here you can see orang utan in its natural habitat being fed by reserve ranger. Nothing special in my opinion as I could see them in zoo. While the feeding time is 9:00am, being in their natural habitat whether they take the bait is up to individual orang utan. Waited for about half an hour before 2 orang utan appear.

I did not have a zoom lens that makes photography rather challenging.

Kuching Sarawak - Part 4 Fairy Cave

Fairy Cave Entrance

Concrete Stairs Leading to Entrance

Fairy Cave

 

 

Wall and Green Vegetation

Old Stairs which are steep and narrow

Located on a turn off Jalan Bau, the fairy cave is close to Kuching.

There is an entrance fee of RM5 for foreign visitors. To reach the cave, a person has to climb a concrete flight of stairs. While climbing, you can see the old discarded flight of stairs which are steeper and narrower.

Upon reaching the entrance of the cave, you have to continue climbing within the cave. No lights are provided and it is quite dark inside. Fortunately I have a small touchlight with me. On certain parts of the climb, there are ropes and hand rails to hold onto to prevent fall. Just walk slowly and steadily when the visibility drops. There are water falling from the top of the cave. Towards the end of the climb, the cave opens up to a big limestone enclosure with an large opening for lights to penetrate and brighten the whole cave. Due to presence of light, plants grow well with the cave enclosure.

In the cave, you can hear bats sharp pitch notes as they use echo to determine distance from wall. Due to presence of water, the humidity within the cave is quite high.

If you have not been to cave, it is interesting to take a look at how nature creates limestone,

Kuching Sarawak - Part 3 Food

Food I have eaten in Kuching

Crayfish in black pepper sauce

Comments: Not bad but the best one I ever had was in South Africa (RM14 for 3 crayfish) 

Steam Fish

Comments: Sauce is not as strong as in Singapore but is good enough, but it is still delicous. Fish meat is fresh (RM26) 

Chilli Crab

Comments: Sauce is not as good as Singapore. But at this price, taste is reasonable. (RM30). All seafood shown here is from Top Spot (a Seafood centre with a few stalls at Jalan Green Hill)



Kor Lor mee for RM 3. Kuching signature dish. Simple and nice.



Duck Rice with Char Siew for RM8. Can't find this price in Singapore. The roast pork and char siew are actually quite good and tastefully roasted in the city areas.



Kuching Rojak in a Song Kheng Hai Food Centre. Too little tau pok, too much cucumber. RM4.

Overall, I think Kuching is a good place to enjoy food at a much lower cost than Singapore. The locals would probably find even cheaper food outlets in Kuching that could offer a much lower cost, especially at the outskirt. 

Kuching Sarawak - Part 2

Parking Charges in Kuching

To live in Kuching, many local residents drive as the taxi is quite expensive and the bus is quite rarely seen. However, the issue is insufficient parking in the city. In the city, there was parking charges and drivers who did not display their coupons were fined.

Parking charges in the city are shown above.

I saw a second hand Proton Persona for sale at 20,000 RM.

Kuching Sarawak - Part 1

St Joseph's Church. Kuching

Another view St Joseph's Church

Kuching - View from Hotel

I was at Kuching Sarawak, East Malaysia from 23 to 26 Nov 14.  This was my third time in Kuching, a place near the birthplace of my mum in Bintulu. I was told that my grandfather used to operate a pepper farm before immigrating to Singapore. In those days (probably in the late 1940s and early 1950s), people were free to travel and select their place of residence. That of course changed the fate of subsequenty generations.

The first time I was in Kuching was in Primary 3 (9 years old). The second time was in 2009. The taxi driver who drove me around said that there is little change in Kuching and it was the same many years ago.

When I was 9 years old, I remember visiting St Joseph's Church. In the church, My sister and I were chased around by a dog. My mum was visiting the grave of my grand mother who was buried behind the church. The church internal finishing was what I had recalled more than 35 years ago.

My grand mother had passed on in the year 1939 and it was 75 years since and nothing had changed. This would be almost impossible in Singapore due to city development.

I remember visiting a food centre which is still located at Jalan Khoo Hun Yeang in Kuching centre. I remember there were beggars looking for leftover food. At 9 years old, that left me a deep impression as I wonder why there are people eating leftover food.

I also remember visiting a river and was told there was crocodile in the river. I suspect that the river was Sungai Sarawak as it was within walking distance from the food centre. The river was a region for trade and commerce with the rest of the world as back then majority of the goods were transported by ships.

Altum Angelfish



6 pairs of Altum Angelfish

Nice altum Angelfish in possibly a 5 ft tank in a local fish shop. The temperature in the tank is regulated by a heater.

The photo doesn't really show the beauty of this simple setup.

Tiong Bahru Hawker Centre

Jian Bo Chwee Kueh in Tiong Bahru

Tiong Bahru Market - I went to try the Jian Bo Chwee Kueh. It was comparable to Blk 207 New Upper Changi in that it gives quite a huge serving of preserved raddish. The raddish seems to be diced in  bigger pieces. The photo doesn't give justice to the good quality as the stall assistant wrapped the paper before giving to customer which mixes the raddish. They were quite fast in serving but expect a queue during peak hours. Only 1 negative point, instead of sticks which although were the traditional means of picking up the Kueh, it would be good if they can give chop sticks or spoons. Otherwise it would be quite difficult to scope up the raddish.

The other dish I tried was the Teochew fish ball noodle. A simple dish at $3, but it was good. The quality of the noodle was different from conventional.The fish balls were meaty and made from quality fish as compared to factory manufactured fish balls.  There will be a queue during peak hour.

Electric Blue Balloon Ram Part 2

I have 2 electric blue ballon ram. They belong to the cichlid family of fish and are naturally aggressive in nature. One of the ram is bigger than the other by a few of millimeters and is the dominant ram in the tank (called Ram 1). The other ram has smaller dorsal fins (called Ram 2). Ram 1 being the dominant ram bullys Ram 2 by chasing it around the tank. Ram 2 has to go into hiding among the aquatic plants so that there is no direct eye contact with Ram 1. I sometimes feel sorry for Ram 2 because of the bullying. Ram 1 has dorsal fins that are outlined in black strip that makes it looks aggressive, however, there is minimal bullying of other fishes in the tank.

However, Ram 1 becomes sick with effects such as no appetite for food and lower activity in the tank. But being the dominant fish, it will still create the effect of chasing Ram 2 for a short distant.  In order to treat the fish, I have placed Ram 1 in a separate tank for medication. After Ram 1 is placed in a seperate tank, there is no more stress on Ram 2 and it becomes the only cichlid in the tank and its inherent aggressiveness begins to surface. Ram 2 starts to swim freely in the tank and starts to bully other fishes even thought they are bigger in size. It has started to develop dorsal fins that has black strip. I can't wait for Ram 1 to be cured of its sickness and return to the main tank for peace and order to be maintained.

The observation shows that balance of power is important not only in a tank but also in the world of international politics.

Fishes Asset
2 Electric Blue Balloon Rams
4 yellow Mollys
2 Dwarf Gourami
1 Marble Angelfish
1 Swordtail
1 Platy with black tail
1 Albino Cory
1 red Betta fish

Rest In Peace
2 Guppies

Electric Blue Balloon Ram

Electric Blue Balloon Ram

I bought this ram fish this morning. It was S$2.50 each and I bought a pair. I am pleased with the blue colouration and its black lined fin. The fish also has a pair of red eyes.

I read that the fish requires some skills to maintain. It is a slow fish and does not rush around as compared to my gourami, molly and guppy. Feeding is a problem because it does not rush for food and the food is usually eaten by others. Hopefully the pair of ram can survive long.

Blk 69 Geylang Bahru Porridge

 

A decent bowl of porridge with centuary egg and pork. Cost S$3 without egg. More expensive than Blk 89 Circuit Road Market porridge. Operated by a senior couple.

 

 

 

  

I have a special feeling towards Blk 69 Geylang Bahru hawker centre because when I was a secondary school boy in the 1980s, I used to work for my father, a electrician. His factory was located in Kallang Bahru Industrial Park, which to my surprise and sadness, was demolished. The factory was close to Geylang Bahru hawker centre and we used to eat at the hawker centre.

Aquarium & Fishes

Guppy and 2 gold dust guppy at the background

The second Guppy which has yellow body

I bought a new 2 feet aquarium recently. In the aquarium, I placed 2 aquatic plants, 4 molly fishes and 2 guppies.

Supporting the aquarium are fish food, anti-chlorine, Qian Hu Supper Battle Bacteria 8000, 1 filter air pump, LED lights, 1 fish net, gravel and some pails.

My decision on the type of fishes were simple (i) must be hardy (ii) must be compatible with other fishes in the community (iii) should not easily jump out of aquarium (iv) must have some colours. I have wanted to buy the red swordtail fish as the colour was vibrant but the fish has a tendency to jump out of water. I may consider this choice if my aquarium has a cover.

The molly fish gave birth to 3 fry in the tank. It was pregnant prior to my purchase. The fry need to protect themselves by hiding in the crevices among the garvel. Both molly and guppies are livebearer. Generally, molly fishes swim in a group most of the time and they are quite active. The ones I have are orange in colour or some say gold dust. They are inexpensive and cost about S$1.50 each.

The science of rearing aquarium fishes includes bacteria that can convert ammonium (from waste of fishes) to nitrates that are less harmful to fishes. The frequency of water changes must also be considered and also the need to provide oxygen to the plants and fishes.

When I was a young boy, I had opportunity to keep a small aquarium with gold fishes, tiger barbs and guppies. They were not long lasting and died pretty fast.  I lost interest after fishes died.

Lamborghini Series - Aventador Spyder

Lamborghini Aventador Spyder

 

Nice colour - Metalic Silverish Grey