Nature
Spring Blossom in Japan
20/08/12
Although visiting Japan had been in my mind for
sometime, it was quite an impromptu decision when I
booked the return flights from Singapore (SIN) to
Osaka (KIX) with AirAsiaX via Kuala Lumpur (KUL). The
promotional airfare by the low cost carrier was
SGD396.40 (~GBP200) and the ~6hour flight between
KUL-KIX was a breeze despite the no-frill service. My
first visit to Japan was an intense cultural
experience that covered four cities in the Kansai
area, namely Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto and Nara in four full
days. It was also perfectly timed with the full bloom
of cherry blossom in spring (満開日), best experienced
at the Philosopher's Walk (哲学の道) in Kyoto
and Osaka Castle (大阪城).
Philosopher's walk (哲学の道) in spring
(04/2012)
Osaka Castle (大阪城) from
Nishinomaru Garden (西の丸庭園)
(04/2012)
Sunset at Kuta Beach, Bali
06/11/10
A short weekend break with my labmates brought me
south, across the Equator for the first time, to the
Island of Bali in Indonesia. All in all, Bali
certainly did not disappoint, albeit the inevitable
commercialism and tourism. The exotic Balinese
culture has spectacular nature to match and the
locals are generally friendly and courteous too. We
had great time there and concluded our trip by a
visit to Kuta Beach for sunset and dinner before
flying back to Singapore the next morning.
Forest Research Institute Malaysia
15/06/10
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM) is a good
place to go if you are already bored with the twin
towers and shopping malls in Kuala Lumpur (KL).
Located in Kepong, a suburb north of KL,
FRIM offers a unique tropical rainforest
experience within 1 hr of car drive from the
hectic city centre. One of the popular
attractions in FRIM is the 200 m long canopy
walkway, which can be an interesting way of
admiring nature as long as you do not mind
walking 30 m above ground level on the planks!
TL:
tall trees; TR:
forest path; BL:
wild life; BR:
city view
Related link:
Spring Blossom
30/04/08
New evidence to support the arrival of spring, just
outside the window!
Blossoming tree at Andrew Ure Hall (29/04/2008)
Click HERE for more images from the University of Strathclyde
Related links
Blossoming tree at Andrew Ure Hall (29/04/2008)
Click HERE for more images from the University of Strathclyde
Related links
A Host of Golden Daffodils
07/04/08
Spending a few years in the "temperate
climate" of Scotland teaches me sight of golden
daffodils signifies the arrival of spring (ignoring
the occasional hail and snow that we still get these
days). Of course, who can forget the beautiful
"Daffodil poem" that we recited
back in school. It was in the tropics then and
none in the class had seen the flower before!
Daffodils in Glasgow Green (21/03/2008)
Daffodils in Glasgow Green (21/03/2008)
Busy Like a Bee
25/01/08
If I am ever going to start a mood updater in this
website (as the one in facebook), I'd begin by
updating from THE PREVIOUS
MOOD to THIS
CURRENT ONE. Inspired by Bee Movie? Maybe...BuZzzzzz
Taken in Tøyen museum park, Oslo (07/2006)
Taken in Tøyen museum park, Oslo (07/2006)
In Search of Ice
23/11/07
A cold day at Lillehammer when liquid turned solid,
cool!
Maihaugen of Lillehammer, Norway (11/2007)
Maihaugen of Lillehammer, Norway (11/2007)
What Animal Are You?
08/11/07
I got this interesting question the other day, "What
animal are you?". Eagle, the king
of the sky , always sounds like a good
answer...but at the moment, I think something else
fits me better :-P
A slug, Isle of Mull, Scotland (04/2007)
A slug, Isle of Mull, Scotland (04/2007)
Two More Animal Facts Learnt
03/11/07
A brown bear can climb a tree and a
grey squirrel can climb a wall!!!
Brown bears in the Skansen zoo, Stockholm (04/2006)
Video: Grey squirrel outside the SIBS building, Glasgow (10/2006)
Brown bears in the Skansen zoo, Stockholm (04/2006)
Video: Grey squirrel outside the SIBS building, Glasgow (10/2006)
Shades of Autumn at Strathclyde
25/10/07
It's that time of the year again when the campus is
decorated with colours of autumn...time to abandon my
usual tropical outfit :-P
Library, University of Strathclyde,
Glasgow (24/10/2007)
Click HERE for more images from the university
The Other Side of the Fence
03/09/07
Is the grass greener on the other side of the fence?
A hill, somewhere on the Isle of Mull, Scotland (04/2007)
A hill, somewhere on the Isle of Mull, Scotland (04/2007)
Sunrise
26/08/07
Sunrise delights me and it's even more so when
performed live by Norah Jones :-)
Sunrise, as seen en route from LHR to PEN (01/2006)
Sunrise, as seen en route from LHR to PEN (01/2006)
Marine Botany
17/08/07
Never knew that a seemingly lifeless rocky beach
could offer such a myriad of colours and diversity of
lives, therefore, I have to agree that nature is the
best classroom to learn...marine botany (+ zoology,
to include the red stuff between rocks)!
Snapshots taken at a beach on Isle of Mull, Scotland (04/2007)
Snapshots taken at a beach on Isle of Mull, Scotland (04/2007)