ในหลวงของแผ่นดิน 万王之王

I have finally found this song today - about five years after watching it in the hotel room while holidaying in Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.

I find the music very moving but I have no ways to search for it online since I could neither read nor write Thai.

Despite not understanding the lyrics, I could somehow associate it as a song about the Thai King judging from the images shown on TV.

Ah Hoe Mee Pok @ Blk 501 West Coast Drive

Ever since the new location of the old Bukit Purmei Lor Mee was discovered, I have gone to have my favorite bowl of Lor Mee (Braised Noodles) four times.

Each time while queuing for my Lor Mee, I cannot help but notice that the Bak Chor Mee (Minced Meat Noodles) stall next door is also doing a very brisk business. A quick google on the stall name Ah Hoe Mee Pok revealed that stall owner, Eric Chia made news recently by teaching a Japanese man the skills to cook his mee pok.

After learning from Eric for six months, the Japanese - Naoji-san - took over the stall at Blk 710 Clementi West Street 2 with his daughter to sell this dish. They had a second stall manned by his wife and son further away at Blk 713. According to their Facebook, they are currently looking for a third stall.

What happened to Eric then? Well, he moved to set up his stall at the current location at Blk 501 West Coast Drive.

Review: Hydra Nano Plus From Ocean Free

Thanks to Qian Hu Fish Farm, I received a Hydra Nano Plus and a hundred dollars worth of accessories vouchers from their FB contest. I collected my prize from the farm two weeks ago and was able to test out the very versatile Hydra Nano Plus.

Science Centre Singapore - Fire Tornado Demonstration

The most popular live demonstration at the SCS has got to be the Fire Tornado. It is located at the Courtyard where the rest of the fire exhibits are.

Walk through the Maxwell Auditorium and Mendel Auditorium from the Atrium and you will come to the Courtyard outside of the main building.

There is only one show available every Tuesday to Sunday at 3pm.

Science Centre Singapore - Animal Zone And Eco Garden

Just right beside Hall B, there is a animal zone with hatching chicks, leopard gecko, tortoise, gerbils and hissing cockroaches.

To be honest, the chicks are the only memory I have of the science centre from my primary school visits.

Science Centre Singapore - Hall G

Hall G

Hall G is located on the second level above the Atrium. You can take the lift or stairs at the entrance before entering the Atrium.

The exhibits in this hall are:

• Invent!
• Quirky
• Singapore Innovation

Invent!

Science Centre Singapore - Hall F

Hall F Tuning In: Brain & Body

Hall F is all about the complex brains and how it works.

Science Centre Singapore - Hall D & Hall E

Hall D Butterflies Up-Close

Hall D is home to the latest exhibition, Butterflies Up-Close - a collaboration between the SCS and Sentosa's Butterfly and Insect Kingdom. 

I am not too fond of caterpillar or insects in general so I gave it a miss. 

*Take note that this exhibit requires additional admittance fee.

Science Centre Singapore - Hall C

The entire Hall C is dedicated to the exhibition E3, or E-mmersive Experiential Environments. As I walk into the hall, I am instantly thrown into a virtual reality world as the walls around me came to life with jellyfish and other sea creatures.

Science Centre Singapore - Hall B

This exhibits in this hall are:

• Bioethics
• Climate Change - Climate Challenge
• Earth: Our Untamed Planet
• Human Body Experience
• Island Adventurer
• Marine Alcove

Science Centre Singapore - Hall A

After watching the electrifying Tesla Coil demonstration, I proceeded to Hall A.

There are several exhibits in this hall and they are:

• Defending Science 
• iZ Hero 
• Scientist For A Day 
• Uniquely You 
• Waterworks

Science Centre Singapore - The Atrium And The Tesla Coil Demonstration

The Atrium is where you catch the Tesla Coil Demonstration which is a live demo of high voltage electricity. Expect loud buzzing sounds and electrifying sparks!

The 10 minutes demonstration is on at 12pm from Monday to Sunday with additional 5pm shows during the weekends, school and public holidays.

Science Centre Singapore - The Mind's Eye

Come 2020, the Science Centre Singapore (SCS) will be relocating to it's new premises at the Jurong Lake area beside the Chinese Garden MRT Station. Since last April, the SCS has been offering Singaporeans and Permanent Residents free entry during off-peak hours.

I must have been living under a rock all this while because I only got to know about this a few days ago.

The SCS is a treasure trove of all things science and is a must-visit for science geeks. For better enjoyment, you should dedicate at least half a day to fully explore what the SCS has to offer. And do check out the various show timings so you do not miss out on any for the best experience.

I was there for four hours yet I am unable to cover everything (and I still have not gone to the second level!). Looks like I have to make a return trip for the second level another time! 

My First Nano Tank With "Observation Tower"

I have always been mesmerized by those beautiful nano tanks I see but the thought of setting one up is enough to deter me because I know nothing about aquatic plants and even much less about the installation of CO2 to keep them alive and flourished.

However, the urge to do one is getting increasingly stronger by the day. Since I have a 2 gallon nano tank lying around, I thought why not just give it a try? 

Singapore Zoo 新加坡动物园 2016

What a bright and cheery morning. The time is 8am and there is barely anyone else here at the Singapore Zoo entrance (ticketing opens at 8.30am). Yay to free wifi at the zoo entrance!

It is my annual trip to the Singapore Zoo and you know what that means? It is my birthday again. I have said it before and I am saying it again: Singaporeans and PRs gain free entry to the WRS parks (Singapore Zoo, River Safari, Night Safari, Singapore Bird Park) on their birthdays! Isn't that neat?

McDonald's Food Icons X Nanoblock With Purchase Of EVM!

Scream, Nanoblock fans!

After Hong Kong and Malaysia, the McDonald's Food Icons X Nanoblock is finally coming to Singapore!

The Nanoblock will be made available in stores every Monday from 22 February 2016 at 11am and each collectible is available for sale with purchase of any EVM (Extra Value Meal). 

The Nanoblock are released as follow:

McDonald's Food Icons X Nanoblock Sneak Preview At Bugis Junction Atrium!

After Hong Kong and Malaysia, Singapore is the third Asian country to launch the McDonald's Food Icons X Nanoblock!

The promotion will be launched next week (22 February 2016) but there will be a sneak preview this coming Wednesday (17 February 2016).

McDonald's will be setting up their smallest store in the world at Bugis Junction Atrium (outside Bossini) and the first 100 customers can order one of the following items: Big Mac, French Fries (M), McFlurry Oreo, Apple Pie, McCafe Premium Roast Coffee or a Coca Cola (S).

Each customer will receive their order free of charge along with one matching McDonald's  Food Icons X Nanoblock.

The restaurant will operate from 12pm and orders are limited to one menu item per customer.

This is a ONE day only event so do not miss it!

On 17 February 2016, we launched the World’s Smallest McDonald’s® for one day only. For those who missed it, get our exclusive McDonald’s® Food Icons x Nanoblocks® Collector’s Kit in stores from 22 February, 11am onwards. While stocks last! For more information, visit https://goo.gl/cduKGG
Posted by McDonald's on Sunday, 21 February 2016

More details on the promotion will be shared soon. 

Current promotion page: https://www.mcdonalds.com.sg/nanoblock

McDonald's Website: https://www.mcdonalds.com.sg

McDonald's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mcdsg

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Total Defence Day - There's A Part For Everyone

The British army surrendered Singapore to the Japanese forces at the Ford Factory in Bukit Timah on 15 February 1942.

The annual Total Defence Day is picked on this date to remind Singaporeans of the sufferings of our forefathers during World War II and what we stand to lose if we are unable to defend ourselves.

The sirens on the Public Warning System (PWS) will also go off for a minute at 6.20pm - the historical time that the British surrendered to the Japanese.

Total Defence is the name of Singapore's comprehensive defence strategy, based on the understanding that besides military action, aggressors can also attack the country by wrecking its economic systems, tearing its social fabric apart, targeting Singaporeans' beliefs and commitment to defence, and its ability to recover from disasters, both natural and man-made.

The Total Defence concept encompasses five key aspects – military, civil, economic, social and psychological defence – and focuses on the need for each Singaporean to play his or her part to defend the nation.

River Hong Bao 2016

Marina Bay Sands and Artscience Museum

On the third day of the lunar new year, the folks wanted to visit River Hong Bao so I brought them there via the new Downtown Line which is much more convenient and faster compared to the East West Line. The public transport infrastructure is so well connected now there is no need to own a car in Singapore. 

We alighted at Bayfront Station and exited through Marina Bay Sands.

Movie Review: Long Long Time Ago《我们的故事》

Cast: Mark Lee, Aileen Tan, Wang Lei, Suhaimi Yusof 

Director: Jack Neo 

Genre: Period Comedy

Language: Hokkien and Malay with Mandarin, English and Malay Subtitles 

Release Date: 5 February 2016 

Distributor: Golden Village Pictures, Shaw, MM2 Entertainment
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*Spoilers ahead*

We all know Aileen Tan can act and she did not disappoint in her role as the ill-fated Zhao Di in Jack Neo's latest movie. In an era where boys are favoured over girls, returning home with three daughters in tow may not be a easy thing especially with a superstitious father like "Si Cek" (Wang Lei).

Met with one misfortune after another, her tenacity and perseverance pulled her through all of life's odds against her.