Powered By Blogger

Saturday, February 23, 2013

The 10-22mm Series (Part 1: Singapore River)

I'm now back in Perth - and have been here for a week already.  Can't believe how far I have come - to finally pursue the subject matter I truly love - clinical psychology.  Apart from getting my accreditations and stuff like that, here's to a new year of more exploration and more photo opportunitites!

Before we start off with Perth pictures, I should clear the Singapore pictures first!  Here's part 1 of the 10-22mm series!  I called this the "10-22mm series" as most of the pictures were taken using my new 10-22mm wide-angle lens.  My old wide-angle lens has officially died...and it's time for it to R.I.P.  Pretty sad...but I had been using it for over 2 years now and it has been pretty well-used!

When I got the 10-22mm lens, I went on three main trips - the first one was along Singapore River, the second one to Bishan Park 2 (just across Bishan Park 1), and the third one was to the famous Raffles Hotel. I'll start off with the trip along Singapore River.  

But first - test shot of Marina Bay Sands!!




Chinese New Year decorations hanging from the glass ceiling of the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.  Speaking of that - I actually didn't walk around the Shoppes much this time!




Walked out and was greeted with gorgeous blue skies dotted with small fluffs of clouds.  The two crystal pavilions (one featured below) looked really good amidst the blue sky!  One crystal pavilion houses the popular nightclub Avalon, while the other houses a Louis Vuitton store.  I'd like to go to Avalon someday - out of curiosity of course.





Gallery along the river, with an interactive feature of Singapore.  I've been there before, and it's really cool!  This was taken just as I was approaching the gallery - hence the edgy look.  To be honest I like this look!  It makes the gallery look very different.




Approaching the Marina promenade - located near the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.








Noticed these reflections on one of the buildings...so I decided to have a bit of fun!  The effects turned out pretty decent!





The old Clifford Pier - converted into a retail/leisure/food/entertainment complex.  Clifford Pier was built in 1933 and was a landing point for immigrants and those coming in from the sea, but was later converted for tourists going to and from Kusu Island.  It ceased operations in 2006 - right now the Marina South Pier is the main pier along this area.  Oh - and Clifford Pier used to be dubbed "Red Light Pier" because of a red oil lamp that was used to guide seafarers.

Check out the distinctive roof of the pier!  Before it was converted, the whole area here was empty.








The Fullerton Pavilion, with a restaurant on the ground floor and a viewing deck on the 2nd floor.  The Fullerton area is really up and coming now!  I don't remember it being so upbeat...maybe it's all the renovations and upgrading that makes it look more modern and up-to-date.






The good thing about this area is that landmarks were all connected to each other.  I found myself walking towards the famous Merlion - where many, many tourists were already gathered.  There're a number of Merlions around Singapore - there's one giant one in Sentosa, and 2 here.  And I have 2 soft toy Merlions.

In the first pic - the guy with the umbrella looks as if he is trying to shield himself from the water...pretty hilarious!  I deliberately waited for him to pose that way.






Headed to Anderson Bridge.  Anderson Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in Singapore, and was opened in 1910.  It was named after Sir John Anderson - the then Governor for the Straits Settlements and the High Commissioner for the Federated Malay States.  Ox carts and heavy vehicles used to go across this bridge, and now tourist buses go across it.  This area is very popular amongst tourists.









The Fullerton Hotel - as seen from Anderson Bridge's "neighbour" - Cavenagh Bridge.  I did a post on Cavenagh Bridge, Fullerton Bridge and this region here.





Took me quite a while - but I FINALLY managed to get a picture of this old roadsign!  I had to wait for people to clear the area before getting a decent picture.




A family of cats at the edge - just near Cavenagh Bridge.  These cats are Singapuras.  Really appropriate since we're in Singapore!







Sir Stamford Raffles - standing like a boss in front of the Central Business District!




Went further, and ended up at the Parliament House.  The Supreme Court and other government centres are also around this area.




Elgin Bridge - named after Lord Elgin - the Governor-General of India between 1862 to 1863.  Initially there was a wooden footbridge right here, but this was replaced by a narrow wooden footbridge in 1822.  The wooden footbridge then made way for an iron bridge in 1862.  The current bridge I was standing on was presumably completed in 1929.  The cast iron lamps on either side of the bridge was designed by Italian sculptor Cavaliere Rudolfo Nolli.

Like Cavenagh Bridge and Anderson Bridge, Elgin Bridge is a famous and important landmark in Singapore.  It has been heritage listed and conserved.




Walked through a couple of underpasses with lots of gorgeous wall art...





And ended up right in front of another sculpture!  This one depicted a boy - presumably a labourer or a migrant worker - sitting along the river with his companion.




The first thing I spotted when I entered Clarke Quay - a restaurant named after my favourite hangout spot in Perth!!  Yay for Fremantle!!  I did a really major Fremantle trip back in 2012 before I moved back to Singapore.  I anticipate that I'll be going to Fremantle very often in the upcoming 4 years.






The colourful buildings of Clarke Quay.  They come alive at night.  Not literally.  But there're lots of clubs and restaurants in Clarke Quay which open only towards the evening.  It's really crowded but full of life, and the lighting is really awesome at night!






After crossing the river, I ended up on the opposite side, and decided to take a break.  After all, I had been walking non-stop for over 2 hours (nearly 3 hours in fact!), and I just had a wonderful trip along the Singapore River!







So I bought a drink and relaxed for a while before I headed off to Little India for the annual Thaipusam.  More to that later on.




And that concludes the first post of the 10-22mm series!  I'll be putting up the Bishan Park and Raffles Hotel ones soon!