Where's the Singapore Garden?

In my recent travel to Chiangmai and visit to the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, I was looking for the Singapore Garden in the International Garden zone. But... we did not participate in this expo. How come? I thought we're the Garden City? Hmm... Maybe we're more interested to be known as the 1st world city state now. It's funny... I was speaking with a nice Englishman while I was having a massage near my guesthouse in Chiangmai and he asked me this question: do u know Singapore is a 1st world country now? Yes, of course I know. We've been repeatedly told of this fact by our government.

Oops. Back to the garden. Well, I did miss that Singapore didn't participate in the expo. But guess what? This weekend (or strictly speaking it's last weekend), the Singapore Garden Festival just opened at Suntec! Wow! So very Singapore ah! Can go see the gardens in indoor air-con comfort!

Well, I haven't been to the Suntec show. Will probably be very different from the Chiangmai one. More on gardening I guess.

Singapore nightlife - Dull or happening?

Today, 6 new clubs/bars open in Singapore.
This was Reuters' headline:
New clubs set to fire up dull Singapore scene

Hmm... Wait a minute... Didn't Singapore recently get ranked 2nd in the world for nightlife and dining, in the annual Country Brand Index 2006? How could #2 in the world be dull? To be honest, I was surprised to see the #2 ranking. Of course, I attribute my ignorance to being out of the clubbing scene for a long time. Maybe with the Crazy Horse and Ministry of Sound, we're suddenly propelled to #2?

Even with the biggest names in clubs right here in Singapore, the local scene is still dull. Must be the party crowd's fault then. Yeah... that must be it. Singaporeans must learn to party more. Hey, even our new young leaders are leading the way and partying!

So party on dudes!

What?

I saw something this morning that can only be described as strange. Well, I heard it 1st. There was this metallic clanging sound that came from the road while I waited for my bus. At 1st I thought it was from the engine of the lorry. Nope. Then I saw a MPV, on 3 wheels! Actually, 3 wheels with tyres and 1 without. The front left wheel was completely stripped of any rubber and was grinding along the road. That was where the metallic clang came from. It was amazing, because if it had been a flat tyre, there should still be some tyre left on the wheel. But no. Either all the rubber had been left on the road after god knows how far the car had travelled, or the tyre was removed intentionally.

I was too intrigued by this sight that I forgot to take a photo. Had a look at the driver: a man in his 30s. The car just continued its laboured and noisy journey. Wonder where he was going. Can't imagine what kind of damage he was doing to the car and the road.

While searching for blown tyre pics on the internet that looks similar to what I saw (didn't find any!), I came across some amazing photos here. This was another case of blown tyre, but on a F18 Superhornet (Fighter jet)! U got to see it!

Clueless@SG

U know, I was really excited about Wireless@SG (the islandwide free WiFi). I signed up for an account with QMax (twice) and ICell. Got my funny looking free webcam from QMax too. But I've to say, I've been rather disappointed with Wireless@SG so far.

My friend and I were at Raffles City last weekend, trying out the free WiFi. 1st stop: BK at the basement. Very poor network, could hardly detect it. 2nd stop: Starbucks at the ground floor. Same story. We tried many times to login but keep ending up in Singtel's signup page. Finally, we decided to try the CitiLink and stopped by O'Briens. "Free Wireless!", beamed the signboard outside the cafe. Took out my huge & heavy Dell Inspiron 6000. Connecting to Wireless@SG... Nothing. Sianz. Then tried our luck with ICellNetwork... and it worked! Hey! I didn't even need my Wireless@SG account. I guess it wasn't totally useless. At least I got my free webcam. :P

The Xbox Car!

Here's THE car for all u Xbox fans!
Saw this on the roads recently and the 1st thought that came to mind was: is Microsoft Xbox now making cars too? Hmm... maybe it's a promotional gimmick for some new driving game. But wait! As the car passed me, I saw its rear: Toyota Mark X. Looks pretty cool huh?

Hotel, Guesthouse & Travel Tips for Chiang Mai

Like to share my favourite accommodations in Chiang Mai:
1. Night Bazaar Inn
Tel: 053-818096
Class: Business hotel
Cost: 700-800Baht
Review: Good location (near the Night Bazaar). Comfortable clean rooms with decent toilet & shower room. Satellite TV, fridge. Friendly staff.

2. Nice Apartment
Tel: 053-210552, 053-218290
Class: Guesthouse/apartment
Cost: 200-350Baht for air-con. The longer u stay, the cheaper it gets.
Review: My fav for budget stays. With this price, you get a clean air-con room with toilet & hot shower, fridge and satellite TV! Value for money. Good location too! Near Thapae gate. Only 1 complaint: the toilet/shower is a bit small and rundown.

Tips for transport:
1. Airport transfers
If like me, you're a budget traveller, then cheapest way is to take the public bus # 13. Goes to the city and it's 15 baht. Do ask 1st before u board, as the routes may change.
U can also take the red songthaews. Need to bargain though. On average, a trip to the city is 50baht.

2. Trips within the city
I usually take the red songthaews. Used to be 10baht minimum for tourists and even Bangkokians (Chiangmai locals pay less than 10!). While I was there last month, I had to pay 15baht minimum! Kill man set fire! (Chinese proverb) That's a 50% inflation! Red songthaews are like a bus and taxi combo. U can get on one at anywhere if the driver is going your way. He usually has other passengers though. And sometimes, a 10min trip may turn into 30min!

Flowers & Orchids of Royal Flora

This is my most flowery post. All u bees out there come and get all these nectar! :)

Ok, this last photo is not a flower. This expo was not just about horticulture. It was also about agriculture technology and even biofuels! Lots to see and learn here. At times, I felt like I was back in school on a field trip to the Science Centre or Botanic Gardens.