Singapore Botanical Garden (SBG)

Posted on March 3rd, 2005 by seaciel.
Categories: Singapore.

“How can you be lost in Singapore when her size is as big as Metro Manila?“.

That was my ‘konsensya’ delivering her sermon.

The first time I went to Singapore Botanical Garden, I got lost. Unfortunately, I missed the gates. But it didn’t hinder me to try and find it again, that’s just part of my adventure and it’s all worth it.

My second attempt was a success. As I entered the gates of SBG, I knew in my heart that this is going to be my place of solitude in Singapore.

Crickets were singing in unison as I was walking over a rocky path towards the lagoon.

Alongside the lagoon I saw an empty bench beneath a big tree. I marked (in my mind) the spot as Seaciel’s Bench. So everytime I go to SBG to reflect, relax, exercise, take photos, etc, I have my throne there waiting for me. :)

Getting there:

By Foot:
Entrance to the Gardens is easy through the Gardens’ major entrances: Tanglin Gate, Minden Gate, Burkill Gate, Nassim Gate and Cluny Park Gate, and through the Bukit Timah Entrance.

By Bus:
Get to the Gardens by Public Bus
via Holland Road or Bukit Timah Road.

Via Holland Road
SBS Transit 7, 105, 123, 174
SMRT 75, 77, 106

Via Bukit Timah Road
SBS Transit 66, 151, 153, 154
SMRT 67, 171

By Taxi:
There is a Taxi Drop-Off and Pick-Up point at the Visitor Centre along Cluny Road.

By Car:
Car Parking Facilities are available at the Singapore Botanic Gardens’ Visitor Centre, Bukit Timah Carpark at Bukit Timah Core, Tanglin Core Carpark, and Public Parking along Tyersall Avenue.

By Coach:
a) Coach Drop-off Point is located at the Singapore
Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre and the Ginger Garden Coach Drop-off Point

b) Coach Parking is available at the Singapore Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre and Tyersall Avenue Public Coach Park


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Oh, Holy Cow!

Posted on December 17th, 2004 by seaciel.
Categories: Singapore.

I remember when my group in creative photography class headed down to Little India to take  photos of this interesting Indian community in Singapore.

As we were strolling along the stretch of Little India, we saw this Hindu temple across the street. Photo opportunities inside, someone said and everybody agreed to go inside. I’ve never been inside a Hindu temple, I was quite hesitant to join them for some reasons. First, there might be some rules that we need to follow, like not to take any photos, which was our sole purpose. Second, there were lots of worshippers that day, our presence might become a disturbance. Third, they might shoo us away because we’re not properly dressed. And fourth, if they find us pointing and clicking, they might confiscate our cam.

Those thoughts wont get me anywhere, and so I find myself removing my shoes at the gates and followed them inside. Some eyes turned toward us, some were chanting prayers, some were facing the altar waiting for the white curtain to be opened. I wonder what’s behind that curtain. I waited at the corner.

The temple is bursting with photographic possibilities, you just have to mix in with the crowd. While standing at the corner facing the altar, I looked around. My viewfinder was able to capture the following scenes.


On my left was an old man praying.
Behind him is a 4armed Vishnu, a Hindu god
Other intricate sculptures of a
Vishnu.

Worshippers waiting for the curtain to be opened
When the altar was opened, I bursted silently “Holy Cow!”

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Little India

Posted on December 16th, 2004 by seaciel.
Categories: Singapore.

If you want to soak up the Indian culture I suggest you take a leisurely stroll in one of Singapore’s most colourful and vibrant ethnic districts, Little India.

Along the road of Serangoon, from which numerous little streets branch out, offers an insight into Indian arts, culture and cuisine. The spice-scented streets of this place are packed with interesting things to see like prominent buildings, Hindu and Buddhist temples, textile and jewelry shops. Be amused and discover how touchy Indian men are with each other. You’ll see them holding hands or with their elbows on the next guy’s shoulder. :)

If you like shopping, there’s one called Mustafa Center where you can find practically anything at affordable price. Here where I bought some Christmas gifts for family and friends like singing Elvis Prestley telephone, Sony pocket radio, souvenirs, chocolates, etc. This mall is popular with tourists and locals looking for the best bargains.

Little India is somewhere in the northern part of the central city of Singapore so it is close to anywhere in downtown Singapore like Bugis Village , City Hall, and Orchard Rd.


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