Lai Wah Restaurant - Tucked Away Traditional Cantonese Cuisine

Bendemeer
North-East, Singapore
May 2015

In the corner of the quiet enclave called Bendemeer, just minutes away from the scenic Kallang River and the nearby new flats and spanking multi-storey carpark, lies a quiet restaurant tucked away in the throes of time.

External facade of restaurant with its white fluorescent tube lights...

The waitresses here are mostly in their 50s, if not 60s or even older. To them, all the temp staff are usually "Ah Boy", " Xiao Di", "Ah Girl" or "Xiao Mei". Service here is basic, unless you're a regular, that is when they will talk to you mostly non-stop in Cantonese.

Old-style interior with cushioned chairs and curtains with drapes...

The dishes here are traditional Cantonese. Quite a few dishes have since been replicated by other restaurants all over Singapore.

Lai Wah's traditional Roast Chicken recipe since 1963. 
For best taste, dip it in a little of the sea salt provided...

Who says these golden brown mantou can only be eaten with thick crab gravy? 
By themselves, they are freshly fragrant and crispy to the bite. One is definitely not enough...

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Sunset At The Kolam Ayer Waterfront

Kolam Ayer Waterfront, Kallang
East, Singapore
12 May 2013

The Kallang River (加冷河) flows for 10 kilometres from the Lower Peirce Reservoir to the coast at Nicoll Highway, making it the longest river in Singapore. The river mouth was traditionally at Kallang Basin, although extensive land reclamation around the area meant the river only flows into the open sea via the Marina Channel between Marina Centre and Marina East.

A pleasant stroll along the River at sunset - Enjoy time relaxing with your loved ones or chatting with the seniors and families gathered there...

In the fading sunlight, a flock of birds fly homeward...

Residents jogging in the paths lining such clean waters, lush greenery and fresh air...

In April 2006, the Singapore government announced plans to give a 200-metre stretch of the Kallang River at Kolam Ayer a S$2.5 million facelift. The project by the National Parks Board (NParks) and the Public Utilities Board (PUB) is part of the Active, Beautiful and Clean Waters Programme to transform rivers and reservoirs into vibrant community hubs, and to get Singaporeans to cherish and take care of their waterways. 

By August 2007, the Kolam Ayer stretch of the river was transformed to include more greenery, floating decks, pathways and boardwalks for recreational activities. A water wheel was introduced as the centrepiece of the project. The water level will be kept at a constant level - 3 metres deep - making activities such as kayaking and dragon boating possible. 

Fun equipment built for residents to exercise include the Archimedes Screw...

 

And the Water Wheel...

 

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More photos are available on Merlion Wayfarer's Picasa at :
Places - Reservoirs

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 Sources

• "Kallang River". Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kallang_River (22 October 2013).

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Duran Duran 2012 - "All You Need Is Now" World Tour

Duran Duran "All You Need Is Now" World Tour
Singapore Indoor Stadium

10 March 2012

Duran Duran is an English rock band, formed in Birmingham in 1978. The group was formed by Nick Rhodes, John Taylor and Stephen Duffy, with the later addition of Roger Taylor and, after numerous personnel changes, Andy Taylor and Simon Le Bon. The group has never disbanded, but the lineup has changed to include guitarist Warren Cuccurullo from 1989 to 2001 and drummer Sterling Campbell from 1989 to 1991. 



They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s and a leading band in the MTV-driven "Second British Invasion" of the United States. Since the 1980s, they have placed 14 singles in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart and 21 in the Billboard Hot 100 and have, according to the Sunday Mercury, sold more than 100 million records.



While they were generally considered part of the New Romantic scene along with bands such as Spandau Ballet when they first emerged, they later shed this image. The band worked with fashion designers to build a sharp and elegant image that earned them the nickname "the prettiest boys in rock."

The band's controversial videos, which included partial nudity and suggestions of sexuality, became popular in the early 1980s on the then-new music video channel MTV. Duran Duran were among the first bands to have their videos shot by professional directors with 35 mm film movie cameras, which gave their videos a much more polished look. In 1984, the band were early innovators with video technology in their live stadium shows.

 

The reunion of the original five members in the early 2000s created a stir among the band's fans and music media.

  

All You Need Is Now Tour is an ongoing worldwide concert tour in support of the group's 13th studio album, All You Need Is Now, which was released exclusively on iTunes on 21 December 2010. The expanded physical album and various format special packages was released in 22 March 2011. There was a warm up show in London and it officially started on 16 March 2011 in Austin, Texas.
 

The stage before it all started...

 Evergreen hits like Notorious, Hungry Like The Wolf, Come Undone were belted out, much to the delight of the audience  of mostly expatriates and locals in the 30s and 40s. It was a back-in-time feeling!

 

 

"Ordinary World" was dedicated to the people of Syria...

 Fascinating videos were projected from the huge screens for every song played...

 Simon ended the evening with an individual thank-you to each and every member of his band...

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More photos are available on Merlion Wayfarer's Picasa at :
Entertainment - Music

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Sources

• "Duran Duran" (11 March 2012). Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duran_Duran.
• "All You Need Is Now Tour" (11 March 2012). Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_You_Need_Is_Now_Tour.
        

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