Camo at ViVo!

Last Friday got to explore Jur0ng Isla*d abit after a trip to a customer's site. The reclaimed island seems like it expanded quite alot since I last went in. Still miss the days when one can just drive in without any checks or pass changes. That was before the 911 terrorist attack. I used to drive inside at night. The place was free for all to roam. You can hardly see anyone walking around. You can even ignore the traffic lights for all you care!

Nowadays more companies have moved in but there was still a whole lot of land area to be utilized. I drove around the portion of the Island where there are still land reserves. Even tried a few crazy maneuvers. I can't let this chance go by can't I? Wide roads, no one around.....

The unused piece of the island really does resemble the Arizona Desert road trails in the movies. Where the 2 lane road never ends and miles of sand and shrubs at your sides. Here's a few pics from my hp but they dun do the place justice in terms of vastness and harsh atmosphere:


Road to .....dunno where...


Endless roll of fuel containers....

Hope they dun mind me taking pics of this places...photography not allowed supposedly due to security reasons.. but I guess no one will bother to bomb these sand patches....

Sat: It was a day that was highly anticipated for an entire month. It was Njd's photoshoot day.
Was so worried about the weather turning foul and ruining the day's plannings. Someone up there must have heard our prayers. The morning will fairly sunny, giving us the light that was needed for the shoot. Rain only came when we were travelling to Punggol and stopped just before the outdoor dinner at Seletar's Sunset Grill and Pub.

Will post the photoshoot pics once they are edited....but for now:
Pics at the Seletar pub!
Gotta Love the 35mmf1.4 lens... damn sharp and it's a manual lens from the 70s!

Random non-aimed shot captured Xinyu's standard grin...


Signature dish of the pub: Buffalo Wings Level 2 (Lucky we did not order level 3!!)


Shipei takes her fish seriously


Bdae Girl and Boy



Cake Before and After. Whoever cut the cake should NOT aspire to be a surgeon. Ever.


Amin serves the cake while Joshua's face cramps.


Nice sunset in the background airfield. Lucky to have such weather.

Oh yeah.... before going to Seletar what did we do at Vivo? We are Ninjas right? Or Urban N1njas to be exact. So we must be adept at Shopping malls too since they are popping up everywhere.... Skill of the day? CAMOUFLAGE!! :


Joshua and me found a spot along the toilet corridor........

Can't see me...

Right outside the corridor toilet Hannah found her spot:


Can you spot her??


Xinyu wasted no time in blending in with the pillar....

As for Amin... he couldn't find a spot with the same colour......
then he found....
this lost bear who has all the basic colours but not B&W......
Amin will take care of that....


But in the end, he still found his spot



Here's one last pic, edited by Joshua into an "inspirational poster" with help from me to come up with the "inspirational" slogan.....

Random Sunday and a little read up on the area where I stay

Loooong boring post warning.
A piece by piece recall of what I did on Sunday 24th Aug 08 (For reminder purpose):

Intend to wake up early for photography-Overslept till 11am
Wolfed down my breakfast and planned my trips using a list of locations saved in my comp.
Rushed outta the house and noticed what a fine weather day for urban exploration and photography. Next time I shall not presume too much about the weather.

Went to Cable Road after being inspired by another Urban explorer/photographer's website. Seems like there is a couple of places there worth photo-archiving. They are those British colonial B&W buildings. Abandoned is what it seems on that site's photos. It'll be perfect if I can find them.
Found them I did without much effort. But both of them are under renovation. It seems I was too late yet again. Damn. These 2 places are actually quite aesthetically beautiful. Why can't I have gotten into this snapshot hobby like 5 or more years ago when most of the abandoned locations are still intact and relatively free from metal thieves, vandals and private developers?

Continued to ride around the neighborhood of Jervois, Nathan and Cable Road. Noticed that the land area and architecture of the area are not of ordinary salaried workers' means. Some of them even looked more complex(i.e expen$ive) than those of Nassim Road (minus Arwaa mansion of cos) or Queen Astrid Park. Probably one of the more impressive neighbourhoods in Singapore. And take it from me. I've been around much these few yrs. There are also some remnants of other old British style mansions.

Next, went for petrol. Been trying to test how far can my scooter go since thursday. Cost me $20.25, just about right for the minimum of $20 per redemption using the Shell Escape points.

Headed for Queensway library but detoured to Kay Siang to check out the estate there. Noticed the Queens' Driving Range is situated just right behind the Queenstown remand prison. Wonder if the inmates (esp a certain Mr Chee) past their time watching golf swings.

Queenstown Library. Have not been inside this library since I moved away from Commonwealth Crescent. The exterior of the library hides the new interior which is a far cry of the old one. Headed straight for the reference section where I need to find the book: The Art of Living in Singapore. Can't find it and instead picked up: Black and White: The Singapore House 1898-1941. Has the information that I needed from the other book and then some. Also picked up: Bukit Merah: From a Hilly Kampong to a Modern Town.
Spent the next few hours stuck inside the library cos of the rain but at least I have good reads.

The first book was because I wanted to know more about the B&W houses that I have been to, or in the case of the locations this morning at Cable Road, know more about the places I missed out. Learnt that I have been visiting or hunting a Mr Regent Alfred John Bidwell's works alot.
Also found that one of the location that I photo-archived have been there since 1898!!!

As for the second book, it looks like an interesting insight on the neighbourhood I moved to for the past couple of years. I already own: 10 Stories, Queenstown Through the Years, which documented my childhood neighbourhood and I really enjoyed that book. This Bukit Merah book should be a companion book that I can look forward to.
Not as enjoyable as the Queenstown one, but it does contain lotsa historical facts which I heard from my parents like the Poh Lay Long (Glass Factory) in the area. But my favourite part are the early 90s pictures of the central cos I used to frequent that part with my grandparent who stayed in the area when I was still in primary sch. The images of the emporium, A&W, and various stores are still fresh in my mind so I had no problem recognising the pics and visualising the location. Truly nostalgic.

But as detailed as the book was of the area, they never mentioned the removal of the Tang Suah Kiong San Soh Hoo Chu Temple. They mentioned the Rubber factory which was beside it but not the temple itself. Maybe to the govt, that is a past best forgotten. Gotta check out more when I get home.

Inspired by the B&W housing book, went to check out the the neighbourhood beside Hort Park as half the book featured the houses in this area. Was really enjoying myself in there even though it was drizzling slightly and my camera equipment was starting to weight me down. The houses was still kept in prime condition. The environment was very refreshing with large open fields and views. One of those areas you would not think was inside Singapore. Even saw a rare Porsche GT2 and a yellow Ducati 916/996 series. Finally found Eton hall. Jaw dropped. Had to be seen to be believed. That place was still occupied but I still rode in for a round of look see.

Later had to take shelter in Hort park cos it suddenly POURED without warning. Totally drenched but was more concerned about the camera equipment. As usual, there was only like 5-6 bike parking space and it's located furthest from the entrance. Has to run uphill for around 50 metres lugging my equipment in the thunderstorm after I parked my bike before reaching the sheltered front entrance of Hort Park.

After i dried myself, proceeded to take pictures. Thought this might be the perfect opportunity to take a different view of Hort park instead of all the bright and cheerful greenery pics that were displayed at the gallery. Conditions were horrible. The strong wind blew in the rain and both my SLRs had a shower. Couldn't dry the lens as I din have a dry bit of cloth with me. Even my clothes are unusable as there were drenched. Ended up wiping them with the interior of the camera bag which are the only thing still dry. At one point, the security tried to remove my helmet and camera bag which I left on the floor as I went around taking pics. Lucky I returned in time to stop them. hah..

Storm subsided, sky turned bright so quickly rushed home. Even in that 3 min ride, the storm got heavy again!! What kinda weather is this? Had to wipe my bike like 5 times today! And I just washed and waxed it yesterday! Kaoz!

Got home. Checked out online archives if there is any reports of the Tang Suah Kiong San Soh Hoo Chu Temple mentioned earlier. It was supposedly the 2nd oldest temple at that time. Surprisingly found a few info. Found 2 Ministry of Natl Development records dated back to 1978 that reports the details of how the temple time and again resisted moving. Makes for interesting read. But as expected, there is no records of how the temple was removed.

For those who didn't know about this small part of history, the govt wanted the land that the temple was sitting on to built the now defunct Bukit Merah Swimming Complex. For some reason, the trustees refused to move the temple after repeated attempts by the govt to relocate them. Finally the govt removed them by force on 5th Sept 78.

Here's what was told to me by my father who was one of the on-lookers on the scene of the forced removal that very day:
There were lots of 'Ang Cheah' (riot police vehicles) on the scene and policemen trying to keep control of the area. Perhaps they were expecting supporters from secret societies who may try to prevent the takeover. After all, it was still the 70s are they were still quite rampant and are known to worship Guan Gong (there is a carved stone statue of Guan Gong on a horse in the temple). But the event proceeded without any incident. Bulldozers simply pushed soil onto the temple (it was located at the bottom of a valley) burying it whole.
Seems like a fast and efficient way for the govt to end all future issues. By 'covering up'!

Actually come to think of it. If this anecdote was true to the dot, it's actually quite cool! Imagine that if someone was to dig up the Bukit Merah Swimming Complex, you can still find a whole complete temple housing a life-sized stone statue of Guan Gong on a horse among other things. History preserved under the soil!
Or you can also imagine further and link the closure of the Swimming Complex to this incident. But that will be thinking too much.

And I have posted too much in a single non-pictorial post. Time to sleep. Monday coming. Sianz.

Nua-ing at Pasir Ris..while at work!

Was passing by Elias Road area the other day on my way to a customer's location and since I was abit early, decided to swoop by Pasir Ris Park for a quick peek.

Was one of my more frequented areas back in a more leisure period of Poly to NS days. Ironically I was living at Teck Whye on the other side of the island at that time. But then again if you lived in East Coast area you wouldn't want to stay at the ECP chalet rite? It's all about getting away from the norm... Until the whole of Singapore is my norm now....kaoz....
It's been awhile since I stepped into the park. No dramatic changes to the place. Maybe except the playground area. A whole slew of playground contraptions have been added.

And guess what? The new playgorund additions actually look fun! The only thing that is stopping me from joining in with the other kids and make myself look silly is that I'm still in office wear and with a meeting to attend in a short while. Will be back another day to terrorize the kiddos...Heheh...
Too bad though.. I doubt alot of kids will get to enjoy the thrill of running around and playing 'physical' games anymore. Most will be prob stuff at home exercising their fingers.


Unfortunately this old 'spider-web' is deemed unsafe for use anymore and is barricaded up. One of my fav in the past. Most distinct memory of it was during the 03 wushu chalet with Eric, half drunk with Baron's Strong brew, racing me and the rest up the web. Not to mention all the random che4 kong1 fan1 he did on the way there....
Fortunately still have my hp camera with me. It could be gone the next time I'm back. Low res is better than no res.

Had a walk by the beach too. Some kids are still playing in the water despite the warning sign put up by NEA regarding the water bacteria issue. The mother who was on the shore didn't seem to care too.

The conditions at that time was just so perfect. Sunny and breezy. The clouds was nice too as can be seen in the pic, forming a pincer shape. Almost forgot it was still working hours. Just wanna take off shirt, relax and tan on the sand.. haizz.... Not much time liao. Back to reality, back to work. Why does the best of conditions always falls on a weekday?

Logging in the Disappearance of old abandoned places

As mentioned in a previous post, Singapore's land is getting scarce by the day and with prices plummeting through the roof. Developers are grabbing whateva they can get their bangalah manipulating gloves on.

Therefore here is a list of places that was left alone for quite some time, forgotten by all but by photographers, urban explorers, metal thieves, escaped terrorist...... and maybe some bo liao chalet goers. Now they are either gone or inaccessible without incurring the wrath of the law.
Some were untouched for as long as a couple of decades which is quite impressive a stretch of time in Singapore standards.

1) The former ruins of Punggol's Singapore Zoo of the 70s has been recently cleared. Even the secondary forest around it were cleared.

2) Former High commission of India, has been demolished and a new one is being built in it's premises.

3) Former View Road Hospital, a popular urban explorer's spot, now bought over and renovating.

4) Keramat Road's (just opposite View Road) S'pore Children Society Convalescent Home and Sch and another abandoned building further up the road. These 2 have been bought over by the same owner and now renovating. I have been to the Children's home and helped cleaned it twice so that place does hold some memories for me. Now it will be a bangladesh's quarters.

5) Woodneuk at Tyersall has been burnt down a few years back and now construction work is being done in the premises. I doubt we will ever see that Mansion ever again. A shame. It is one of the most beautiful and complete mansion that was left behind since maybe the 60s, or even earlier? Mainly cos it stood on Malaysia grounds and it belonged to one of Johore's royalties that it managed to survived that long.

6) The legendary "matilda house" (dunno why people call it that) at punggol is now fenced up nicely with cameras.

7) Malayan Cement, The impressive looking cement mill area was a prize find as it had a huge compound and had structures that no other abandoned building had. Was demolised last year to make space for new industrial buildings.

8) An unnamed factory and warehouse at the junction of Tanjong Kling and Liu Fang Road. Demolised since 2 yrs back to make way for the changes in road direction. Multiple storeys with roof access for a nice view.

9) Former Tang Dynasty City. Demolition work started just recently. One of my favourites. Big land area, a whole neighourhood of 'China' for you to explore. Not to mention the rear area with the scenic trees. All will be gone.

10) Neo Tiew Neighbourhood. From a remote HDB neighnourhood to a ghost town to a bangalah town. And it's latest incarnation is Army fibua training area.

11) Seletar West farmway neighbourhood. Somewhat like Neo Tiew but bigger and more interesting. Now the entire place turned into a official Blangadesh lodging neighbourhood. It was eerie before. Now it's just plain scary.

12) Kwang Xiao San and Bukit Brown Cemeteries. Rich in Chinese History and local heritage. The former was moved cos it was in the way of LTA's plans. Part of Bukit Brown(connecting to onraet road) was removed due to circle line. Cemetery seems like boring places until you take a closer look at these places. One cannot appreciate how much information about the past has been dug and and thrown away for good.

13) Old Changi Hospital/ Old Commando Barracks/etc- One of my least favourite places to go. Maybe cos it's so filled with stupid kids looking for some supernatural thrills. But those abandoned buildings in the area still hold a part of our past. Some more than half a century old. But they wun be there for long. SLA has plans to lease these buildings out.

These are only the main few places that has some historical/heritage or exploration value that we lost. Luckily I managed to photo archive some them before they are gone. But that will be for future postings.

Weekly Photo-Archive: Clementi's Cinemas- Clementi/C'wealth Cine Snapshots

Continued from previosu post:
Now for pics of Clementi/Commonwealth Cinema
The former cinema building. One of the few surviving old styled cinemas. No longer there anymore. In it's place is a construction site for a new shopping complex. Got abit lucky, for they have not locked out the site yet. So let's see.....

The Staircase area. Still retains the flavour of the late 80s-early 90s with tiling on the floor and steps. Behind the Stairs is also an altar of worship.

Ripped up toilet.

The cinema area. Was converted into a arcade/pool centre with the screen projecting various sports channel like soccer for all the ah bengs to enjoy. The area was not really this bright. This was taken with a 15second exposure. Not a very long time but standing still alone in the dark with the deafening vaccum can play tricks on your mind. Not to mention I had to take several long exposure to get a better shot. And a certain terrorist had just escaped a couple of days before.......



Armageddon of Party World. All ripped up and gone. Nope, not the work of Kbox either.
Almost forgot that KTVs are mostly lightproof from the outside world. Once the door closes behind me, it was pitch black! Almost tripped if not for my trusty keychain backup light!

Found this door on the highest level of Party World. It actually leads straight out for a spectacular view. Meant for throwing out customers who cannot foot the bill after a K-ing session?

Yes, the door actually leads to the crevice in the centre of the pic.....
Used for changing the poster of the movie shown at the cinema when it was still operational. NOT for the purpose mentioned earlier.



Closure of a well loved Mac Outlet.

Special Thanks to Jet and Lei for providing these 2 pics which were taken on the last few hours of the outlet's operation.

And there goes yet another building that has been there since our childhood times for more than 2 decades. I wonder how the view of the area will be like. Esp from the MRT station with the new building in the not so long future?

Weekly Photo-Archive: Clementi's Cinemas- Empress Cine Snapshots

Ok here's a first of many photo-archives of local places with some bit of history. Whether to local Singaporeans or just simply with sentimental values to myself.

Clementi Central is currently upgrading to become a much more modern hub of activity. Too bad I missed out on photographing the fountain just in front of the former Macdonalds. It seems to be there even before I was born. Surviving all the way until sometime last year. It was a nice place for relaxing and somehow adds to the identity of the Central.
Now it's just a hole in the ground along with Commonwealth/Clementi Cinema, making way for the new shopping complex.
I believe the next to go will probably be Empress Cinema, just a short walk away, facing the sports complex. All its' tenants have already long vacated the building awaiting the same fate.
This somehow reminds me of the nearby Queenstown, or more appropriately Margaret Drive in the 80s. Two of the original cinemas, Venus and Golden City was removed. But the original buildings are still here today as Churches.

Empress Cinema 1, 2 and 3. I do not remember having been to this cinema for a movie. But then again.. how could that be?
Elevated view from opposite carpark
Even though vacated, it still serve a very impt task of sheltering the KFC delivery motorcycles.
Yet another view, this time from the sports complex side
The KFC that was at it's first storey is now relocated to the opposite shopping centre.
The only photo I know to have taken inside this KFC. Was directly after the NUS Wushu camp back in 2003.
One of the tenants was this 2 storey arcade which I used to patronize back in Secondary/poly days. The controls of the machines was abused and lousy.. but hey I had fun! Now all that is left is the metal spiral staircase at the left of the pic.
Corridor between KFC and the Cinema. Movie promo posters along the wall.

Final screenings: Pirate of the Carribean 2, Dragon Tiger Gate, Nachos Libre, Fast and the Furious Tokyo Drift and Lady in the Water.

TBC Next post: Commonwealth and Clememti Cinema