Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Escape your no(i)sy relatives this Chinese New Year!

Source Website: http://events.insing.com/feature/escape-your-no-i-sy-relatives-this-chinese-new-year/id-97263f00
By I-S Magazine, inSing.com



PHOTO: You don’t have to adopt drastic measures if you know where to disappear this festive season.
By istockphoto.
http://staticc01.insing.com/images/10/6d/0f/00/pc_600x450.jpg (staticc01.jpg)
http://events.insing.com/feature/escape-your-no-i-sy-relatives-this-chinese-new-year/id-97263f00


For some, the approaching CNY holidays mean the chance to maximize your leave dates and take a break from all the drama in the office.

For others, the clashing cymbals and familiar refrain of “dong dong dong chiang” have a far less auspicious significance. Family reunions with relatives whom you would rather consign to perdition (a state of final spiritual ruin; loss of the soul; damnation), and for those without a wedding band around their finger; the very tedious Singleton Inquisition.


Singleton Inquisition - ROMANCE WITHOUT WORDS
http://i34.servimg.com/u/f34/11/75/18/15/26364110.jpg
http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=1261&u=11751815


Also, let’s not forget all those mahjong and karaoke marathons. Seriously, it’s enough to make anyone wish they were marooned on a deserted island. Fortunately, you don’t have to adopt such drastic measures if you know where to disappear this festive season.


Places where people are guaranteed to leave you alone.


PHOTO: Kranji War Memorial (Image courtesy of the Singapore Tourism Board).
http://img.insing.com/events/images/2012/escape-from-madding-crowd-2-kranji.jpg
http://events.insing.com/feature/escape-your-no-i-sy-relatives-this-chinese-new-year/id-97263f00


Kranji Memorial: This serene and verdant tribute to the allied service men and women who lost their lives during the Second World War is a great place to be when you’re in an introspective mood. Also, considering that it’s bad luck to talk about death during Chinese New Year, you’ll no doubt have all the peace and quiet you want here.



PHOTO: Bollywood Veggies @ Lim Chu Kang. (Image courtesy of the Singapore Tourism Board)
http://img.insing.com/events/images/2012/escape-from-madding-crowd-3-bollywood.jpg
http://events.insing.com/feature/escape-your-no-i-sy-relatives-this-chinese-new-year/id-97263f00


Lim Chu Kang: One of the few places left where you’ll find a vast, unruly expanse of green dotted with various farms, including Ivy Singh-Lim’s Bollywood Veggies and Singapore’s first goat farm. There’s only one bus (975, if you want to know) servicing the entire area and it’s best not to rely on it arriving on time. Also, not many taxi drivers like driving to Lim Chu Kang, given that it’s such a long way from civilization and all, so if you’re planning on enjoying this rare patch of rusticity (rural, typical of country life), make sure you drive or go with someone who does.


Places where you can be at one with nature
It’s the de facto (reality, facts) complaint among locals and expats here: Singapore’s all concrete and skyscrapers blah blah blah. Well, this much is true if your geographical knowledge of the country is limited to the CBD, Orchard Road and Marina Bay.

If you’re not going anywhere this CNY, instead of staying home and griping that all the shops are closed and that there’s nothing to watch on TV, how about spending some time at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and getting to know more about the plants and wildlife there?

So you might be thinking: What is there to know? How diverse can the ecosystem there be given that it’s so small? Well, you’ll be surprised to know that not only does the reserve have more species of trees than Canada and the United States put together, it’s also remained untouched since the time of Sir Stamford Raffles.



PHOTO: Sungei Buloh. (Image courtesy of the Singapore Tourism Board)
http://img.insing.com/events/images/2012/escape-from-madding-crowd-buloh-1.jpg
http://events.insing.com/feature/escape-your-no-i-sy-relatives-this-chinese-new-year/id-97263f00


Tweet tweet: It may not be obvious to those of us who spend all our time indoors, but this island is actually home to more than 350 species of birds. If you’re an avid birdwatcher, head to Pulau Semakau, Sungei Buloh and the Kranji marshes, otherwise known as ground zero for migratory species such as the Asian Brown Flycatcher and Arctic Warbler. Want to learn more about the behavior of these birds instead of wasting your time wandering around aimlessly with your binoculars? The Nature Society Singapore (www.nss.org.sg) organizes regular walks and rambles to these nesting spots every month.


Places to spend quality time with your Significant Other
If money is not an issue: Rent a villa at the gazillion-star, super chic Capella Singapore. The only noise you’ll be hearing is the gentle lapping of waves, and the occasional mews from the peacocks wandering about its grounds. Prices for a one bedroom villa start from $1,000 per night.



PHOTO: View from Hoefer's yacht. (Image: www.hoefernet.com)
http://img.insing.com/events/images/2012/escape-from-madding-crowd-4-cruise.jpg
http://events.insing.com/feature/escape-your-no-i-sy-relatives-this-chinese-new-year/id-97263f00


If for x number of reasons, all the places above fail to provide you with the peace and quiet that you seek, you can always seek solace (comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness) by returning to your office. You can be sure it’ll be empty and work is always a good excuse to get out of social engagements you’d rather not attend.

Have a good one!




PHOTO: Journey 2 - The Mysterious Island
By Zul Andra, inSing.com, Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros
http://staticc04.insing.com/images/fe/71/0f/00/pc_600x450.jpg (staticc04.jpg)
http://movies.insing.com/feature/journey-2-the-mysterious-island/id-372a3f00



PHOTO: Journey 2 - The Mysterious Island
By Zul Andra, inSing.com, Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros
http://staticc05.insing.com/images/97/71/0f/00/pc_600x450.jpg (staticc05.jpg)
http://movies.insing.com/gallery/journey-2-the-mysterious-island/id-5aa60300/415024#bd


Quantum of Solace - Camille Rivera Montes (actress: Olga Kurylenko)
PHOTO: Quantum of Solace - Camille Rivera Montes (actress: Olga Kurylenko)
Olga Kurylenko wearing the Prada dress in Quantum of Solace. With the dress, Camille wears Gina shoes, style 'Paris' (not available anymore). The shoes can clearly be spotted in the desert scene, where Camille takes off the high-heeled shoes to continue barefoot.
http://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/images/products/bg015-prada-dress-olga-kurylenko-quantum-solace-2.jpg
http://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/index_bondgirls.php?m=bg&g=bg015



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