Tree In Lodge @ Singapore

Update December 2015: The hostel has relocated to a new location. Address below: 

Block 149, Silat Avenue, Unit No.#01-64
(Outram Park)
Singapore 160149

Tel: (+65) 66399641)

As a Eco-friendly backpacker hostel, Tree In Lodge is probably the only few that switch off the air-conditioning in the rooms during the afternoon.  The practice does make sense because most guests will be out exploring the city and will not be in the room during daytime. Thus, it helps save energy. 

If you choose to stay in, either to use the free laptop and wifi at the lounge, or to just sit and read, there are ceiling fans to cool you down at the area.

I found out about this place from the Net. I was intrigued so I chose to stay here when I went to see Snow Patrol in Singapore. It turned out to be fantastic, both the hostel and the gig. 

The photo above show the reception and the pantry area where guests can grab their toast, coffee and tea during breakfast. Filtered water is provided to encourage guests to refill water instead of buying bottled water.

The dorm

I didn't pre-booked but just walked in and asked about the availability. My first choice was an all-female dorm but on that day it was almost fully booked. The person at the reception asked if I would mind the mixed dorm as it'll be less crowded and more comfortable - what a thoughtful suggestion, I thought. So I chose to stay at the mixed dorm.

I love the curtains that are attached on the bed, provided for privacy purpose. New clean bed sheet is provided during check-in.  

Eco Sanitary Disposal

The woman-only bathroom is auto locked with an extra key that is only given to female guests so safety is assured. It was clean and tidy, just like the rest of the hostel. 

The hostel also has a 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) corner where guests can drop off unwanted items that can be re-used or recycle. 

I like this place. It takes determination and dedication to implement the green practices (particularly the no air-con in the afternoon) but I'm glad to see the owners making efforts toward something they believe in. They deserved all the good reviews at Trip Advisor. Well done!

Tree In Lodge
No. 2, Tan Quee Lan Street
Level 02, Unit No. 02-01
Singapore 188091

Tel: +(65) 68845512
Website: Treeinlode.com
Facebook: TreeInLodge

Nearest MRT: Bugis

5Footway Inn Project Sultan Mosque

When I went to Singapore to see Morrissey in concert in May, I stayed at the 5 Footway Inn. They are located in few places and I choose the one located in Aliwal Street, near Bugis.

At that time, the place was barely open for less than 3 months. Photos from the website and Facebook look good enough for me to give the place a try. Most importantly, it's very near the bus pickup point heading to or from Malaysia at Golden Mile Complex at Beach Road. 

The rooftop 

The room, a 6-bed dorm. 

This little box housed a night lamp and plug, use essentially I'm sure for charging mobile phone, just as I did.

Night

5footwayinn.com

10 Aliwal Street

Singapore 199901

FB: facebook.com/5footway

Snow Patrol Live in Singapore 2012

Priceless experience

Light light up, 

As if you have a choice,

Even if you cannot hear my voice,

I'll be right beside you dear

Run from Snow Patrol is my one of my favourite song. I always wish I can sing along to this song live at their gig. Thus, when I heard the news that they are coming to Singapore for a concert, I simply cannot miss it!   

                                         Gary Lightbody with Nathan Connolly on the left

They are fantastic live, even better than on recording. They played well together as a band, sound great and move from one song to another seamlessly. It also helps that they have a charming frontman. Gary is fun and funny. He knows how to get the crowd going, joking and getting them to sing along. I'm sure he has go through the same sing-along in other gigs especially for songs like Run and Chasing Car but his face still lights up when he heard the crowd sing - one can see that he is genuinely happy and appreciative.  

At one point during the chorus of In The Ends, he jumped off stage and went to the barricade in front and continue singing, so close to the crowd that they can actually touch him. After he went back on stage,  he thanked the crowd for not grabbing his bottom and now they have missed their chances. He dedicated the next songs to them: "This one goes out to all of you who didn't grab my bottom.That was your chance!" It was hilarious! 

The poignant moment during the encore where he dedicated the song, Lifening to his dad, calling his dad the greatest man that he'd ever known.

The incredible crowd at Fort Canning Gate! Photo was taken by Gary with his iPhone and posted in his twitter account. 

The setlist

1. Berlin (Instrumental)

2. Hands Open
3. Take Back The City
4. Crack The Shutters
5. This Isn’t Everything You Are
6. Run
7. In The End
8. New York
9. Set The Fire To The Third Bar
10. Make This Go On Forever
11. Shut Your Eyes
12. Chasing Cars
13. Chocolate
14.Called Out In The Dark
15. Fallen Empires
16. Open Your Eyes
17. You’re All I Have

Encore:

1. Lifening
2. Just Say Yes

Who will win Euro 2012?

This is the tip 'box' at the WHISK Espresso Bar / Bake Shop in Empire Shopping Gallery. I took this image few months ago while I was at the cafe.

Manchester City vs Manchester United. Well, those who follow the English Premier League know who win in the last game that they played against each other - Man City won 1-0.

Since Euro 2012 is ongoing now, I reckon this is a good idea for tip box for any shop. Just display different teams' names daily, according to who are playing on that day.

Or they could ask, "Who will win the Euro 2012?' and put up a couple of jars/boxes with different teams' name. Cheeky ideas to get more tips!

So, where will your money be?

Morrissey Live in Singapore 2012

It's over still I cling......

Morrissey came on to the stage at 9pm, an hour late. No opening band but we were treated to videos on screen, showing some of his favourite artists - Nico, Shocking Blue, Sparks, Francoises Hardy, Brigitte Bardot, New York Dolls. The 'opening' videos were entertaining and made the waiting bearable. The final clip was of Lypsinka; and as she screams, bell chimes were heard and finally, Morrissey appeared! Bowing slightly, he then addressed the crowd, "Singapore City, this is your life!" before launching into the opening Smiths' track, How Soon is Now.

Boz Boorer was in drag while the rest of the band were topless. The drums were emblazoned with Singapore's flag. With an image of Oscar Wilde and a caption of Who is Morrissey?, the backdrop was amazing, creating a great background for photo opportunity.  

Image from Aloysius Lim/LAMC Production 

"If there were a time to lose your head, it is now," he said before the second song, You Have Killed Me.

I also remembered that he said something like these in between songs:

"Do you actually wonder why you are here? Well, you might, give it time"

"I have this idea that I'll come here to a beautiful opera house or symphony hall, with people in the balcony wearing wigs, jewellery, fake grandparent and here I am... well here I am."

Meat is Murder was accompanied by images of animal being slaughtered shown on screen, adding a certain dramatic effect to the song. When the song finished, he went off to change shirt. He changed about 3 or 4 time that night.

Perhaps the reason for that particular shirt change was that he planned to throw it to the crowd in the next song! He chosen just the right moment to do it, as he sang the line, "And then you open your eyes, you see someone you physically despite" (Let Me Kissed You). In one deft motion, his flung open his shirt and the crowd went wild! 

The setlist. 

                               

He included quite a number of songs from his recent albums rather than his old stuff. There were not many Smiths tracks which may disappointed some fans but it should be expected - it's a Morrissey's Greatest Hits Tour not The Smiths. I'm glad he included I Know It's Over and Please Let Me Get What I Want. I bet many, me included were hoping for There is a Light That Never Goes Out, a well-loved track among Smiths' fan; it would be a great choice for encore, sealing a memorable night.  

The song for the encore was Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me. Before he went off, he shook hand with the fans standing in front and accepted their gifts. Then he left, leaving us wanting more. I still stood there for a while, hoping he'll be back for another song. It felt like the show ended too soon, too fast.

His parting words, "Wherever you go, I'll be close behind", a line that no doubt fans will take to their hearts as his songs will always be with them. 

Snow Patrol - Fallen Empire

                          


I was driving when I first heard the first single, Called out in the dark. I recognised the voice to be Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol but the song.... it's not Snow Patrol, not their usual style anywhere. There is an upbeat tempo to it, like a dance tune. I was left guessing because there was no mention of the band's name on the radio.

But yes it's them.

For its sixth album, the band change its musical direction by adding new elements to their sound. The first track, I'll Never Let Go will jolt fan off a bit; so is the frantic Fallen Empire which I found to be very 'chaotic'. I'm not too fond of both tracks.

Called Out in The Dark is the only song with the new 'element' that I like.

Go past the first few tracks and the album settled back to the familiar Snow Patrol's style. It's back to the guitar, piano, melodic ballad, heartfelt lyrics and the wonderful yearning voice of Gary. They shine at these songs and these are what they do best.

But of course, this is a biased opinion - I'm fan.

And I'm so happy to see them Live in Singapore!

Kenneth O'Halloran's Fair Trade

                             

Don’t you think they look so adorable?

I saw this image at the World Press Exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre last month and it's my favourite.

The images on display have been selected by the World Press Photos as the winning photos for 2011. Most of them are sad and depressing, a testament to the disasters, wars and generally gloomy atmosphere of 2011.

It was a welcome sight to see this. Despite the odd facial expression, to me it's a happy image. I think they are smiling there, even if only a bit. I guess they must be delighted to have their photos taken.

*Photography by Kenneth O’Halloran for his Fair Trade series which was awarded third prize under the category of Portrait Stories by the World Press Photo.

"Fairs in Ireland are more than places of trade, often forming an important social and cultural event in the county calendar. Women regard them as occasions worth dressing up for. Many fairs focus on house-trading carried out to a large extent by traveling people, who belong to an ancient Gaelic nomadic tradition. Some fairs have histories dating back for centuries."

Never Let You Go

Marcos, 89 and Monica, 87, have been married and living in their apartment in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for 65 years. In 2007, Monica was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Since that moment, her husband devoted all his time to take care of her. 

Love... 

Will you and your partner get old together and still care for each other like this?

Will the two of you still be there for each other, when either of you are sick and bedridden?

* Photography by Alejandro Kirchuk in Never Let You Go, which documented the old age in one of its conditions, the Alzheimer's disease. Awarded the first prize winner in the category of Daily Life by World Press Photo.

Ferns and OJ Law

A double albums launch by Ferns and OJ Law at The Bee, Publika.They were joined by their friends and local favourites such as Impatient Sisters, Liyana Fizi, Love/Comes and DJ Ribut 10.49.

OJ Law was launching his third album, Yesterday is a Distant Dream. He's quite good on stage with good rapports with the other acts - he invited the Impatient Sisters to join him in one song, and Liyana Fizi in another (she was the guest singer in the album).

As for Ferns, I felt that they could do better in a live performance, more enthusiastic perhaps? A friend mentioned that they sound better in their recordings. They were launching their second album, Fairweather Friends. This is definitely a band to watch out for - recommended by Rolling Stones as the Top 25 bands in Myspace.

Check them out at
OJ Law at ojlaw.co
Ferns at ferns.bandcamp.com

The Year of the Dragon

Happy Chinese Dragon New Year!

Today is the first day of Chinese New Year. According to Chinese calendar and Zodiac, this is the Dragon year.

                                       
                                       

When Christmas comes, one will have the Christmas tree. For Chinese New Year, one will have the pussy willow. It's a popular plant for Chinese New Year. Just like Christmas tree, you can decorate it with various decorative items. It's very popular during Chinese New Year. My mom bought these from IKEA. (Yes, from a Swedish company who probably does not sell it in its own country).

This is the fluffy furry bud. When you touch it, it feels soft and er, fluffy.

                                       

My mom added the fake flower to the tip of the branches.

                                     

 Wishing everyone a prosperous year! Gong Xi Fa Chai!