Waffle Craving

I have been craving fresh, hot, delicious waffles for a few weeks now, and since we did not have the foresight to bring our Belgian waffle iron to Singapore, I have had my eyes peeled for a good breakfast place here.  Imagine my surprise when we were strolling down Chinatown Food Street one night and saw a sign for a restaurant called The Loft.  It wasn't the warm lighting cascading from a second floor window that caught my eye,  it was the words below the name,

"Pancakes & Waffles."

The following Sunday morning, I woke up early with visions of warm waffles, melted butter and syrup dancing in my head.  We took a bus to Chinatown, crossed the street via the overhead bridge, walked four blocks, turned left on Smith Street, and finally made it to the

orange building!

It was closed for renovation.

Happy Birthday to Me!

To celebrate my birthday, we spent the day at the ArtScience Museum:

"Designed as a symbolic gesture of welcome to guests from across the globe, the lotus-inspired ArtScience Museum at Marina Bay Sands is the premier museum destination in Singapore for major international touring exhibitions from the most renowned collections in the world."

We visited the museum on the last day of the Vincent van Gogh exhibition, a multi-media presentation that I had wanted to see since arriving in Singapore.  A variety of van Gogh paintings and rare photographs were projected simultaneously on the giant gallery walls while sweeping, hi-definition music added to the whole experience, which was a treat for the senses.  We were not allowed to take any photos, but you can click here to get a sample.

 After van Gogh, we went to level three to see the Salvador Dalí exhibit.  They showed us a film about Dalí's life highlighting his fascination with mathematics, science, Freud, and religion.  Dalí was quite eccentric, and the following quote sums up his personality pretty well:

"Each morning when I awake, I experience again a supreme pleasure - 
that of being Salvador Dalí."

One of the more unique displays was a room featuring many of Dalí's furniture pieces.  Tables, chairs, and lamps were affixed to a sloping wall of the gallery above our heads.

At the end of the exhibit, there was a variety of carnival mirrors that transformed our bodies emphasizing the idea that Dalí's artwork was a distortion of reality.  Although Dalí would probably disagree:

"One day it will have to be officially admitted that what we have christened reality is an even greater illusion than the world of dreams."

Spending the day at the ArtScience Museum was a great way to celebrate my birthday!  

Which one is reality?

Monkey or Bird?

When we moved into our apartment in Singapore, we were very happy to have a modern place to live with lots of amenities like a swimming pool, jacuzzi, tennis courts, etc.  Before long, we realized that our new apartment also came with a unique "neighbor".  At first we thought it was a monkey, but then we realized it had to be a bird (although we've never actually seen it).  

It took us a couple months to get its voice on tape.  When you listen to the video below, you will hear a bird call out in the distance, then the louder response from our "monkey-bird".

Singapore Flyer

In travel brochures, the Singapore Flyer is described like this:

Standing at a stunning 165m, Singapore Flyer is the height of a 42-storey building – that’s some 30 metres taller than the famed London Eye. Taking a flight on this S$240 million wheel is a one-of-a-kind experience you wouldn’t want to miss.

It usually costs 39 Singapore dollars ($29.81 US) for a half hour ride, but during the month of September it was free for educators, so we gave it a try.

We went after school on a weeknight, which turned out to be a perfect time because we saw the Singapore cityscape as it transitioned from day to night.

After the ride ended, a nice employee snapped our photo beside one of the cabins.  The cabins are large, holding about 30 people in each one.  You can make reservations to have a romantic dinner in a private cabin or celebrate a special event with friends and family.

It was a fun night with a beautiful view of Singapore.  We have now officially been on the tallest Ferris wheel in the world!

Living in a Big, Tropical Garden

Every time we go outside, it's like being in a giant garden.  There are bountiful Rain Trees and a variety of Plumeria with colorful flowers. 

 We're used to all-concrete highways in Los Angeles, but here the cities and highways all have loads of foliage all around. 

Yummy Prata

Prata is a restaurant that cooks up handmade Indian food right before your eyes!

Here's a close up of their "mascot" in case you missed him in the previous photo.

We were mesmerized watching these masters make various dishes for their hungry customers.

The naan (bread) is so fresh and delicious that you just can't stop eating it!

Hamster Tales

Every day on our way home from school, we pass a pet store with hamsters in the window.  Most of the time they are taking naps all huddled on top of each other.  Once we even saw a hamster trying to run on his exercise wheel while his fellow hamster was trying to take a nap on the very same wheel.  Of course, it was only a matter of time before the sleeping hamster was spun off the wheel by his persistent roommate.  His body actually rolled completely around before he was flung off the wheel.  That was one of the many times we wish we had our video camera with us.  Although the picture below is not as amusing as the hamster wheel incident, it will have to suffice for now.