Term 2 midpoint

Due to the absence of our usual walk leader I was tasked with leading this weeks evening walk...one I had not done before but which I was assured was impossible to get lost on. This proved to be correct as once we left Red Hill MRT and made our way to the river it was simply a matter of following the river to Boat Quay. There was a brief moment of consternation when we came to a sign that said 'no access...' but fortunately there was a set of temporary stairs so all was well.It was pleasant walking beside the water and after only 1 hour we had arrived at our destination before making our way to Lau Pa Sat for dinner.

On the way home we called in to Mustaphas to pick up a few items and found these pianos in the street. They are part of an art installation called 'Play Me, I’m Yours' by artist Luke Jerram. More than 1500 pianos have been installed in 50 cities across the globe, from London to Lima, bearing the simple invitation Play Me, I’m Yours. In Singapore 25 donated pianos, were decorated by local artists working with different Social Welfare Organisations, and then located in parks, housing estates and public spaces for ALL to play and enjoy. So Maria had a bit of a tinkle and we both recognised the music books as ones we had used in our early years!

On Tuesday I met up with Robert and Maria to Explore the Indian Heritage Centre in Little India. It is just about to celebrate its first birthday, having opened on 7th May 2015. We were lucky enough to arrive 10 minutes before a scheduled tour so we waited and joined in. After chatting with our very knowledgeable guide, Mai, she informed us she actually knew Morris Allen personally...luckily we hadn't made any unsuitable comments! The tour was excellent and it would certainly be worth going back to for another visit...especially as the cost is $2! 
Access between floors is via steps between the glass facade and a solid wall. The steps were inspired by the 'baoli' an indian stepwell. 

Top is the front of the building, left a baoli, right, on the steps.

There are five themes over the permanent galleries from the 1st century, to migration, up to Indians in Singapore today. We even got to try on some different styles of Indian hats...very glamorous!

As we made our way back to Farrer park we saw a colourful display of umbrellas in a back lane park. There was no explanation about it but it certainly brightened up a rather dreary area.

My fellow card players, June, Joy, Jo and Helen ( you could be excused for thinking your name has to start with J or H) came over for dinner on Tuesday night followed by a game of 5 Crowns which ended how it was supposed to...with me the victor! There was a lot of laughing as well.
After a couple of days of MAE work I caught up with Libby on Friday to walk Bidadari. The Smiths (and I occasionally) have enjoyed many bird sightings in this area but sadly it is going the way of much of Singapore's unstructured space. There are many metal fences being erected and roadways being prepared for the inevitable erection of housing. It is depressing to see the natural habit being destroyed as the area is a stopping point for many migratory birds, so next year they will have to fly elsewhere, probably somewhere in Malaysia or Indonesia. We were lucky enough to catch a new sighting, the blue-crowned hanging parrot which neither of us had seen previously.

blue crowned hanging parrot (from the internet), destruction of Bidadari, my pic