Saturday, June 29, 2013

This Alice is a real wonderland

My Paper, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, Page A16, Journey
Source Website:  
By Ana Ow, May 30, 2013, Australia

 
GREAT OUTDOORS: Be sure to catch the fun bird presentation at the Alice Springs Desert Park.PHOTO: GREAT OUTDOORS: Be sure to catch the fun bird presentation at the Alice Springs Desert Park.

 
STEPPING off the aeroplane, I was greeted by a wave of heat so intense, I swear I could hear my skin crackle.

As far as the eye could see was bushland, dotted with a smattering of low-rise buildings in the distance, with the Western MacDonnell Ranges dominating the landscape.

Welcome to Alice Springs. As the gateway town for pilgrims to Ayers Rock – Uluru is but an hour’s plane ride away – Alice Springs could be easily overlooked as a destination.

But there are a few reasons why you may want to stay longer in a town like Alice.


A CHANCE FOR GOOD
I’ve always been a huge fan of the kind of tourism where travellers gain an insight and are empowered to make choices that impact the immediate communities in the areas they visit.

In Alice Springs, there are two standout places of interest that give you these opportunities.


This tourism travellers gain an insight and are empowered to make choices that impact the immediate communities. You can also learn from the guides how the Aboriginals survived the harsh territory.
PHOTO: This tourism travellers gain an insight and are empowered to make choices that impact the immediate communities. You can also learn from the guides how the Aboriginals survived the harsh territory.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VjmX1MprUaVgE6DvQlyyHhCgz0yFDdsulm9FOWDS76VHKBKZky_q6t810XpooJ-NWzySXsZDz8kfXovMWW0k_vD1WkA-niKTzyO_h7Z0o-zY0P1UnfCSpAThMc_9bciNnofYB3METPpI/s1230/Alice+Spring+-+1.jpg
http://sgtravellers.com/travel-article/this-alice-is-a-real-wonderland/4410/1
My Paper, Wednesday, May 29, 2013, Page A16, Journey


The Alice Springs School of the Air (www.assoa.nt.edu.au) is not a place for would-be pilots, but an educational institution that broadcasts its lessons on radio. Or, at least, that’s what it used to do.

Now, this non-profit organisation makes use of Skype, e-mail, social media and home tutors to communicate with its 120 students, located in isolated parts of Central Australia – mostly on farms and sheep ranches.

Since 1951, the School of the Air has been serving these children by providing them with top-quality primary-school education, uniquely tailored to their native culture and environment.

Visitors to the school can help fund its work by sponsoring books for its mobile library and purchasing items from the gift shop. But perhaps the best contribution would be spreading awareness of its cause.

In a similar service, the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia (www.flyingdoctor.org.au) provides urgent medical help and emergency-evacuation services to outback residents in outlying areas where there are no immediate medical facilities. Tourists can also help to fund the work by donating or purchasing gift-shop items.

Its visitor’s centre is an interesting, well-designed museum and mini-theatre (which screens an informative documentary on the service), providing a very familyand child-friendly experience.

A bonus: The cafe on the premises serves a killer lamb burger.


EAT LIKE THE LOCALS
One of the more outstanding elements of the Northern Territory is the landscape, the terrain. But why stop at simply marvelling at the sights and sounds, when you can actually do more in the dark of the night – with dinner served?


Part-Aboriginal tour guide and chef will take you on a pre-dusk bush walk, pointing out edible fruit.
PHOTO: Part-Aboriginal tour guide and chef will take you on a pre-dusk bush walk, pointing out edible fruit.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JrCNmK5-dHFKBle9eQfqkx-ympMFZz4jEu0B7_ztDCW6m4OOkG7fn0y5X2x82h5GIPIfb1p7tBdjQdi-1vUUyfpmpDdy8oxWNziyLGRs-8NpUJbxaPWoKKv8weELaHo-ug5dpDOwHBdH/s678/alice-springs-desert-park-36598.jpg
http://cloud.pleasetakemeto.com/photos/ims-australia/a/alice-springs-desert-park/gallery_678/alice-springs-desert-park-36598.jpg
http://www.pleasetakemeto.com/australia/alice-springs-desert-park/information


The Mbantua Bush sunset dinner (http://rttoursaustralia.com.au/) caters to that latent Boy or Girl Scout within.

Part-Aboriginal tour guide and chef Bob Taylor will first take you on a pre-dusk bush walk, pointing out edible fruit, roots and even grubs that form the basis of the Aboriginal diet.


Alice Springs Desert Park Information - Maps, photos and things to do


He then drives you out into the wild and whips up the likes of kangaroo steak, outback beef hotpot and homemade dukka, among others, for your dining pleasure.

With 26 years of experience in the hospitality industry, chef Taylor brings his expertise to the exotic, barbecue-style, outdoor cooking of the three-course bush-tucker fare – trumping campfire marshmallow and hot chocolate any day.


WALK LIKE AN ABORIGINAL
If you have a couple of free hours, head to the Alice Springs Desert Park (www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au) to walk the trails.

Also catch the awesome bird presentation which introduces you to the kite, a native species of bird of prey.

Another interesting activity is to learn from the park guides how the Aboriginals survived the harsh territory by foraging for food and water.

What an eye-opener.

By Ana Ow, May 30, 2013, Australia



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Sunday, June 23, 2013

Fun despite the gloom

My Paper, Thursday, June 20, 2013, Page A4, News
Source Website:  

GHOST TOWN: This spoof plays on the town sign from the Silent Hill video game.
GHOST TOWN: This spoof plays on the town sign from the Silent Hill video game.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqpB0xB7X6-JTpcpa54isLI05O_M2g4QFugiRyiuyBsQOWaKwnLyEv0Qt0oBrRKinW9looK3YXsEwDYnIsfeA6Kad6bgvO-Usuq9KW3eFp2vfoBXAsQpcUyZUbGV9TemCJJL7l_zmvR5I/s1600/Fun+despite+the+gloom+-+1.jpg
http://staticc04.insing.com/images/62/e5/10/00/pc_600x450.jpg
My Paper, Thursday, June 20, 2013, Page A4, News


SINGAPORE - Singaporeans aren't letting the smoky air get them down. Instead, they're using humour to get through the situation.

Singapore's Pollutant Standards Index reached 290 at 9pm last night (June 19, 2013).


Survivor's guide to the Singapore haze
PHOTO: Survivor's guide to the Singapore haze
Just rename us The Little Grey not red Dot. This haze is not ending anytime soon, so here's how to beat it.

Shop online during the haze
Stay healthy during the haze by eating more fruits
Have food delivery on hazy days
Make your own family short films
50 beers to drink (and not to drink) at Beerfest
Revive and share your childhood games

Unless someone turns the Singapore Flyer into a giant fan, we can expect Singapore's worst haze in 16 years to remain for longer than a week. While we can't escape the haze, we can minimise our exposure to it and that means cutting down on outdoor activities. And this makes the second half of the June school holidays a stay-in one.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVprZCyBjKmQRQ-jnYg9VTLeX4atAv73YjDQb4byM8U7i2PvxA1V9jHx86k_U-X9Z11BbTR-F54L7jIQ0-NwIuARhy5UgWlhDYnACHte9YABf2Zf7VmQlg3TyXqeNutJI39sD9sKTDFGa/s1600/pc_406x305.jpg
http://static.insing.com/images/e0/e5/10/00/pc_406x305.jpg
http://www.insing.com/


Undercover: A man fashions a 'face mask' with tissue as the haze worsened here yesterday
PHOTO: Undercover: A man fashions a "face mask" with tissue as the haze worsened here yesterday
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My Paper, Thursday, June 20, 2013, Page A4, News


The Little Red Dot has become one big smoggy dot thanks to the highest haze levels in 16 years, peaking at 371 on 20 June 2013. The annual occurrence is caused by smoke from forest fires blown in from neighbouring Indonesia. 

Check out the smoky and sometimes comical pictures of the haze situation in Singapore posted online.


HAZY SINGAPORE: A spoof advertisement shows tourist destinations hidden by the haze.

PHOTO: SMOKE SCREEN: Playing on caper movie Now You See Me, this poster is for a "4-D movie" that you have to watch whether you want to or not.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqeLhKDsGEo0ZnALKmUv8GbpTEFPkuvTvZ-n3WUeoDKBrQxtO4d-r7IchMTVxMXgTHKsUGA24afcTzCPdkMhdImrBunbOxBNbi1D2Ml4KyyznEpbyHI0jXvB2NN6rjqiheHcbVrHhoURx/s1600/Fun+despite+the+gloom+-+3.jpg
My Paper, Thursday, June 20, 2013, Page A4, News


A wedding couple braves the haze to take their photos.
PHOTO: A wedding couple braves the haze to take their photos.
(Photo: Derrick Ong Photography Facebook page)
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http://news.insing.com/gallery/singapores-in-a-haze/id-da3b0400/525339#bd

 
 Maybe tourists won't be so upset if Gardens By The Bay was renamed as this.PHOTO: Maybe tourists won't be so upset if Gardens By The Bay was renamed as this.
(Photo: 9GAG Singapore Facebook page)
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http://news.insing.com/gallery/singapores-in-a-haze/id-da3b0400/525479#bd


Coming to a cinema near you...
 

Translated by MDBG Chinese-English Dictionary, www.mdbg.net, and Google Translate
 

Silent Hill

Posted by crazyrave2kill on Jan 21, 2013
From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ0wZRPyqK8


The Noose Saputra Whyoudono, Weather Report (Haze)

Posted by Suhaimi Yusof on Jun 17, 2013
From: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHp4ABTXKP8


Put your complaints about haze aside and help
by Gregory Leow, inSing.com - 21 June 2013 5:23 PM | Updated 5:31 PM


Volunteers from Facebook group “SG Haze Rescue” going door-to-door to give out N95 masks to those in need
PHOTO: Volunteers from Facebook group SG Haze Rescue going door-to-door to give out N95 masks to those in need 
 

Chinese philosopher Confucius said: "Consideration for others is the basis of a good life, a good society."

"Love your neighbour as yourself," Jesus Christ said.

Prophet Muhammad has been quoted as saying, "Woe to those... who, when they have to receive by measure from men, they demand exact full measure, but when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due."

I could go on, but every religion has a form of saying that basically points to the ethic of reciprocity, where one should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.

The problem is, when we look through the newspapers, the websites and blogs, and even while we are walking on the street, there is a lack of consideration for others and it is magnified many times in critical times like these.

The haze in Singapore and parts of Malaysia and Indonesia has been intolerable over the past few days, and the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reached an incredible record of 401 at noon on Friday 21 June 2013.

There are some encouraging silver linings.

A nod of respect to Facebook group, SG Haze Rescue, which was set up 19 June 2013, to encourage those who want to offer their air-conditioned rooms at home to those in need. It also petitions for contributions of N95 masks.

In less than three days, the group has seen more than 3,000 likes.

Now the snowball of good is starting to get bigger.

There is an online crowd-sourcing Google document where people put up information on where they have found stocks of N95 masks.

Public Garden, a Singapore flea market of independent retailers, have decided to sell their masks at cost price ($0.20 a piece) and not make any profit.

Just today, ChannelNewsAsia published a picture of a Singaporean who decided to give out his box of masks to people around him.


It's already hazy, try to look clearly
PHOTO: It's already hazy, try to look clearly
By Celine Asril, inSing.com - 21 June 2013 5:02 PM | Updated 11:42 PM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7jrdr1eP_7sVNc79Jgro-TKSjA0JLnlVbVh-xGApZwxwNuEMtsCbEwtLILqGz9xvS81ibcAOYPRl67HioDB9s_Uvhr_v8BW6LnKw0VzYl7n4PChWEJGH4SjVFROpbaxpRR0fU_AUqldm/s1600/pc_600x450+-+Love+your+Neighbour.jpg
http://staticc05.insing.com/images/69/e6/10/00/pc_600x450.jpg
http://news.insing.com/tabloid/its-already-hazy-try-to-look-clearly/id-f0763f00


LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR
PM Lee also reminded that we ought to remain calm and look out for one another, to watch out for neighbours, especially those who are sickly, older people and young children.

Former Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong posted a message on Facebook in response, essentially saying we have to be nice to our neighbourly countries, and it is inevitable the Singapore Child will scream (we are truly a child in his eyes, yes?), but as of now, the Singapore Child better learn to survive the tortuous smog and haze, alluding to the need for us to be resilient, which is a trait commonly found in the older generation for sure.

How we behave and react in a national crisis shows our true colours as a society and it doesn't matter whether you're a Singaporean, new citizen, permanent resident or expatriate. We are all breathing the same haze.

The question now that will determine what we are as a society is what your next action will be after reading this article.


When the haze overloads the smoke detector (PSI > 400), People of Singapore Insist that:<br>By right PSI stand for Pollutant Standard Index. By left PSI is Please Stay Indoor. By middle PSI means Please Stop Indonesia. Of course to no avail ..... and millions of People Suffer Injustice.
PHOTO: Luis Royo Wallpaper 1280x800 Luis, Royo, Illustrations, Artwork
Posted by Go Go Pics - 2012
When the haze overloads the smoke detector (PSI > 400), People of Singapore Insist that:
By right PSI stand for Pollutant Standard Index. By left PSI is Please Stay Indoor. By middle PSI means Please Stop Indonesia. Of course to no avail ..... and millions of People Suffer Injustice.

To some, we are still young noisy "children" of Singapore and should learn to accept "nature". So sad but challenging. Ah boy and ah girl, we will try to make it together. Lau Pa and Lau Ma will get the milk powder. The journey will be tough but our feet will stamp out a path and brave the uneven road. When you grow up, be kind to those who are suffering and needs help. Lets make the world a more harmonious place to live in.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-ZWdopQjrH8Xhru4HkX9MxZa22zYx4ZzMCq3VxM5zO1FlGD1Hx89cPpf6I7oftUxlZRnkZFHu34jH4ozqhyphenhyphendjVsdbdaTTvdA3IimMxpZZ3Qy1yLE6CajlMvxKkY-N3b2U_8er2fHbLsE/s1600/wallpapers_dead-moon-8.jpg
http://data0.eklablog.com/coups-de-coeur/perso/wallpapers_dead-moon-8.jpg
http://gogo.webhop.net/luis-royo/



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Sunday, June 16, 2013

Have a Shark Encounter... safely

My Paper, Friday, June 14, 2013, Page A6, News
By Felicia Choo, feliciac@sph.com.sg, My Paper, Friday, Jun 14, 2013
 

Up close and pesonal: The writer (right) admires a hammerhead shark at Marine Park's Shark Encounter, which will allow visitors to spend 15 minutes underwater gawking at ocean predators.
PHOTO: Up close and pesonal: The writer (right) admires a hammerhead shark at Marine Park's Shark Encounter, which will allow visitors to spend 15 minutes underwater gawking at ocean predators.
Photo by Ong Wee Jin / My Paper
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My Paper, Friday, June 14, 2013, Page A6, News


Inches away from my face, a hammerhead shark bared its rows of menacing teeth and tore away at a hapless fish.

I remained unharmed in those few moments, peering from the safety of an acrylic enclosure underwater, where I was given a 360-degree view some 200 sharks of 10 species.

The media was yesterday given a preview of what visitors can expect at the Marine Life Park's newest attraction, Shark Encounter, which opens to the public tomorrow.

For $88, visitors aged 12 and above can spend 15 minutes underwater up close and personal with ocean predators, such as hammerhead sharks, nurse sharks and black-tip sharks. A maximum of two participants is allowed in each session.


For $88, visitors aged 12 and above can spend 15 minutes underwater up close and personal with ocean predators, such as hammerhead sharks, nurse sharks and black-tip sharks.
PHOTO: For $88, visitors aged 12 and above can spend 15 minutes underwater up close and personal with ocean predators, such as hammerhead sharks, nurse sharks and black-tip sharks.
Photo by Ong Wee Jin / My Paper
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My Paper, Friday, June 14, 2013, Page A6, News


Another attraction at the park, called Sea Trek Adventure, will be opened to the public on June 30. It will see visitors don air-filled helmets and wetsuits before they descend 3m into the 18.2-million-litre aquarium.

Once on the aquarium floor, they can walk about and be treated to a panoramic view of 50,000 fishes of more than 80 species.

It will cost each participant $238 for a 20-minute underwater session, with a maximum of five participants allowed per session.

But, unlike Shark Encounter, visitors do not need to know how to swim to experience the Sea Trek Adventure.


Visitors need to know how to swim to experience the Shark Fantasy
Visitors need to know how to swim to experience the Shark Fantasy
PHOTO: Visitors need to know how to swim to experience the Shark Fantasy
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http://electroshadow.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/sharknight-2.jpg
http://euesports.com/forum/index.php?threads/sharks-avatar-and-sig.41756/


The Marine Life Park at Resorts World Sentosa opened its gates to visitors last November.

Its oceanarium is billed as the world's largest, with 100,000 animals spread over 8ha.

Visitors can look forward to even more sharks in the future, said the park's senior curator, Mr Grant Willis, 41.

He said: "We do have a lot of sharks that are breeding already (and) we have eggs that are hatching...

"What we're looking at now is to get pairs (of male and female sharks) and we are looking at having breeding groups of all the different species."

By Felicia Choo, feliciac@sph.com.sg, My Paper, Friday, Jun 14, 2013

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