Time with Grandkids in Singapore - Part 2

During the brief stay in Singapore after our Korea trip, we did manage to have an outing with Sam's family to the Mandai Bird Paradise.

One of the key features which is commendable is that visitors are able to see the birds at close range. This is made possible by having the numerous feeding stations built just by the side of the elevated walkways.

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We had lunch at the Crimson Restaurant. The restaurant is set against the backdrop of a man-made waterfall and with clear sight of flocks of American Flamingo.

Literally, everything one sees in the restaurant reminds the customers of the American Flamingo, even the dessert served at the end of the meal!

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The kids had a fun time at the wetland. Unfortunately, the outing had to be cut short because of an unexpected heavy downpour!

On the Mandai Bird Paradise, it is indeed incredible that Singapore, being a small island city state is able to create such impressive park for birds of many species for all to enjoy!

Time with Grandkids in Singapore - Part 1

After our holidays in South Korea, we stopped at Singapore on 7 May 2023 for a couple of days before flying back to KK. We spent a few days with our son's families. Our grandkids whom we saw just four months ago have grown more both physically and behaviorally (Read here) and (Read here). 

Grandchildren, such a blessing in every way,

Sparking life and joy each and every day.

Much laughter and joy to have them around,

Our youth from the past we think we've found.

Time spent with our grandchildren is always too short,

Except on days that are filled with sports.

Memories made of days gone by come back alive,

So much love is shown when grandkids arrive.

~Catherine Pulsifer~

Family reunion dinner at Haidilao Hot Pot at Paya Lebar Quarter.

Both girls love reading.

Maddie, a very adorable girl!

Livvie is particularly fond of drawing.

Livvie's drawing skill has improved further since we last saw her!

Bonding time between granddad and the grandchildren.

Van Gogh: Immersive Experience, Singapore

Besides Vincent Van Gogh, I can't think of any other artist who is talented yet lived a very tragic life. His tragic life in a way is summed up in one of my favorite songs, "Starry, Starry Night" written by Don McLean and released in 1971. Don Mclean got the inspiration to write the song after reading a book about Van Gogh and studying a print of the painting "Stary Night".

Starry, starry night 
Paint your palette blue and gray
Look out on a summer's day
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hill
Sketch the trees and the daffodils
Catch the breeze and the winter chills
In colours on the snowy linen land
Now I understand
What you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they did not know how
Perhaps they'll listen now........

We were fortunate to be in Singapore when "Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience" was on at the Sentosa Gateway. We spent almost 3 hours on 12 May 2023 immersing ourselves in this unique experience.

Unlike the conventional art exhibition, this exhibition allows visitors to see Van Gogh's art works being transformed into multi-sensory art pieces. It was indeed an excellent and unconventional way to see and appreciate his artworks and paintings and to learn about his life.

Van Gogh lived a short life of only 37 years. Yet he managed to produce a massive amount of works - 2,100 artworks including 860 oil paintings. At his peak when he was confined to a psychiatric asylum in his later years, it was reported that he produced on average an art piece every 38 hours.

The most expensive Van Gogh's painting sold is "Dr. Paul Gachet" at US$83 million in 1990. But in Van Gogh's life time, he was commercially unsuccessful. He only became famous after his suicide.

It was said that Van Gogh could not afford to get people or models to pose for him to paint. That's the reason why there are so many self portraits of himself in many of his paintings.

A replica of the painting of Dr. Paul Gachet at the right on display.

The numerous version of sunflowers he painted.

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Non-stop moving paintings displayed on all four sides of the wall in a huge hall is probably the best and the most unconventional way of presenting Van Gogh's arts. One could literally lie on the floor, sit on chairs or couch on bean bag cushions for hours to be mesmerized by scenes after scenes of moving pictures and music.

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A room is created with furniture and decoration that replicate 

"The Bedroom", a painting he did in 1889.