Singapore Time Lapse and Pledge

The Lion City from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

Keith Loutit is a filmmaker who lives in Singapore. "The Lion City" features those crazy new sky trees at Gardens By the Bay near the Marina Bay Sands casino. It also dwells at length on the city's ubiquitous shophouses and HDB towers with real affection for MRT trains. The public spectacles come the most recent National Day celebrations in August. Use the links above to see more of his work.

Scenes from National Day show the arrival of dignitaries, the trooping of armed servicemen and civil guards, and a large display of the stage as citizens recite Singapore's National Pledge, which reads:

We, the citizens of Singapore
Pledge ourselves as one united people
Regardless of race, language, or religion
To build a democratic society on justice and equality
So as to achieve happiness, prosperity, and progress for our nation.

Singapore Grand Prix 2012: Friday Practice

The grandstand along the pit straight of the Marina Bay street circuit.

The Passengers were privileged to score tickets to the Formula One hullabaloo in Singapore last weekend. We only got the chance to see the Friday night practice sessions before Sebastian Vettel raced to victory on Sunday night. However, we did have a perch in the corporate hospitality Sky Suites along the pit straight.

Sebastian Vettel navigates the Marina Bay street circuit during Friday's first practice session.

Though not really relevant to Friday practice sessions our perch had a good look at the eventual finish line and podium. More interestingly, we sat directly opposite the garages for teams Red Bull, McLaren, and Scuderia Ferrari. We could watch the machinations of three of the best racing teams this year. We stayed late and did our best to soak up as much hospitality (read: alcohol) as we could.

Crew attend to Sebastian Vettel's car on Friday night.

Crew attend to Lewis Hamilton's car on Friday night.

 

 

Only the dedicated remain in the hospitality suite after the second Formula One practice session last Friday night in Singapore.

Healthy Signage

Here's a photo one of our mates snapped while walking by Freshness Burger on the ground floor of the Central mall at Clarke Quay here in Singapore. An establishment that promotes its "healthy meals" will sell you a "Butter & Sugar Burger" plus coffee for less than S$2 (1.63 USD/1.00 GBP).

This is the Singapore outlet of the Japanese burger chain that is currently promoting a vinegar drink. I will have to stop in and compare their wares with their Nipponese competitors Mos Burger. If I bring a ten-dollar note to Freshness, I might be able to sample breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Countdown to the Singapore Grand Prix 2012

The only nighttime race of the Formula 1 season returns to Singapore in less than two weeks. The SingTel Singapore Grand Prix will run on 23 September 2012. The circuit goes around the Marina Bay area, and the Passengers will undoubtedly be able to hear the scream of high-powered engines all weekend at our nearby gaffe in Club Street. For photos of the action in 2010 click here.

Singapore MRT etiquette: Don't be a hussy

This public awareness poster has appeared on the Northeast MRT line this year:

(Sustainable) Fishy Advice

Dining advice along the Atlantic seaboards.

Here's an amusing collection of silhouettes I received with my order from The Book Depository. Charming, informative, and green, the two bookmarks indicate fishes and marine life that should or should not be eaten according to the Marine Conservation Societies. Unsustainable fishing practices have threatened a number of species with extinction, but numerous tasty morsels still swim in our oceans or can be farmed. Bring on the mackerels and winkles. The Atlantic species are above (beware the Kraken!). The Pacific/Worldwide examples are below (beware the Kraken still!).

This is also my endorsement of the Book Depository, a great site for those looking to buy academic or literary material in Singapore. Free shipping.

What to eat when on the Pacific Rim.

Hong Kong: There Be Dragons

And now for some regional humor. Time Out Hong Kong recently created an insightful map of the Special Administrative Region (SAR). This should explain a little of what-happens-where in one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. Click to enlarge the image above.

The island at left, home of "Buddha, Buffalo and Boars" is Lantau, where a giant Buddha sculpture looks out from a hilltop. The Passengers visited in 2009. The island just above is the international airport. You get to the monastery and sculpture via a cable car that departs from the remote suburb of Tung Chung Town, the area of Lantau for "People Who Have Given up on Life."

Up north the Angry Villagers live next to the mainland boomtown of Shenzen. They are even further north than where more centrally located  Hong Kongers go to the racecourse – there be "Horses." For comparison, here's a map that's a little less atmospheric and names some actual districts. This comes from the local census department, where you can look up all sorts of other data and actual facts.