Last Visit to the Botanic Gardens

What a treat!  I visited the Botanic Gardens twice during our visit to Singapore - the last visit was quite hot.  I tried to draw a bit, but when you are constantly fighting with the humidity, it's a bit too much effort.  I did get some great photos that I look forward to drawing later.

There was an area of the Gardens that was just Hibiscus - quite close to another Lily Pad pond.

There are a number of different Dragonflies - my favorite!  Here is a red one - I've never seen that before...

Another interesting thing about the Gardens is that they have a few "Heritage Trees" - other plants grow up within them.

 

Here are a few other trees of interest...

The tree I liked the most was the most difficult to photograph - see below.  The sun was quite vicious that day and the tree is in the midst of other trees, so you can't really get the shape, but it's extraordinary.  The day I was there it was dropping its leaves...it's a "Sea Almond or Indian Almond."

The Gardens attract all types, tourists like myself, but the locals quite like the place too. Many walkers and runners but also the Tai Chi ladies (I saw them both times I went).

The other locals are the brides and grooms-to-be!  It's a mecca for wedding photographs.  I snuck a few pictures, I couldn't resist.  The brides in Singapore are soooooo beautiful!

I was sad to go but glad for the opportunity.  The Gardens always give me peace and a sense of wanderlust!

Steamy Buns!

Y was very gracious and took me to Din Tai Fung last Tuesday - I love that place.  She thinks it quite odd that as a Westerner that I like it so much, especially the Red Bean Paste Buns - ha!  Paul doesn't really like those but tolerates it when I have the craving.  I think I like the combination of the Ginger and Vinegar (that's what you dip the buns and dumplings into).  Y really wants to take me to some of her favorite places in Hong Kong.  Wouldn't that be wonderful!!

But, it's always a treat at this restaurant, which originated in Taiwan.  And, I got to go twice while we were here.  Unfortunately, this was about it for us - we had to head home the next morning to our pups and more work on the house.  

Making Cards and Being Creative

We're just chillin' and enjoying the hospitality of friends!

Here are some more samples of what I'm working on...I have a very good teacher!  She's already working on Christmas cards!! 

p.s. we went to PS Cafe

Y&D took us to a wonderful place called PS Cafe.  I had been there before and have posted some pictures from there - they do flowers beautifully! Wouldn't you think I would mention their food, first! Ha! Today was all lilies and as Y and I were saying, the fragrance can get quite strong and bothersome to the senses, but they are soooo beautiful.  

These have always been one of my favorites.  As Drew Barrymore says in "50 First Dates," "I'm a sucker for lilies."

Other yummies at PS Cafe - we didn't have these but the brunch was wonderful and I enjoyed my Blueberry Pancakes!

Paul loved this tree - very delicate but tall!

Shabu Hana - Shabu Shabu!

We had the wonderful opportunity to have dinner at Shabu Hana last night with Y & D (we are so glad to see you!!)  Very good and such a great experience.

Here are just a few shots of the experience.  We also enjoy going there and hopefully it will become a tradition (meaning we'll get to come back more, I hope...).

Sweet Potato Tempura - super yummy!

Aubergine & Pork Belly

Spinach & Ginger

Shabu Hana

The Perfect Brow

Did you know?  I think it's an interesting phenomenon in Singapore, but things we may take for granted in the U.S. - things we don't think need specialization are absolutely necessary here.  Case in point, "Brow Expert."  Paul was quite taken with it and wanted to get a photo.  He thought it interesting - "what if your brows don't grow that way at all?"  I told him that's why some women have their brows tweezed within an inch of their lives :-)


Actually, we should have asked but the service might have actually been a type of permanent makeup, so you could have some of your own hair and complimented with that or they just tweeze or thread it.


But, we liked the aspect of the photo that exhibited what you should not do - some of the faces look evil. ;-)

Pool & Swaadhisht??

We had a very relaxing day on Friday - enjoying some much needed time at the pool.  No pictures for you there ;-)


But, for our evening we met up with Suriani and Dave at a lovely little Southern Indian place in Little India - Swaadhisht.  The food was wonderful and the company even better.  We ended the evening at a quaint rooftop tapas bar just down the street.  Very "posh" for the middle of Little India.  Have you ever had Kingfisher Beer mixed with Sprite??  Quite good actually...

Serangoon Road - Deepavali - the start of the Hindu New Year, literally translates to "Row of Lights."  It is a celebration of Good or Evil and Light or Dark.  We all need a little of that right now.  The recognized Holiday by the Ministry of Manpower is not until Oct 26. 

Various Veggies on Banana Leaf. You ate with your fingers - I've been told by Samia that there is quite a technique to it, but I'm still learning...

The fish was nicely prepared but quite spicy.  Of course, we REALLY enjoyed the Naan.