Goat Xi Fa Cai @ Tiong Bahru

Tiong Bahru Market

2016 is the year of the monkey and more than half a year has passed so why am I still in the year of the goat? That is because, the following murals of goats were intended for the year 2015. My last visit to Tiong Bahru was two years ago, seemingly  after some chicken murals installed by the same artist Ernest Goh.  

A total of three goats can be found in and around the marketplace.

The Invasion Of Local Flavors At McDonald's Singapore!

McDonald's Singapore has just "zhng-ed" their menu with local flavors, giving a new twist to old favorites such as the Salted Egg Yolk Chicken Burger, Twist & Shaker Fries with Salt & Pepper Crab flavored Shaker, and Gula Melaka McFlurry with Layer Cake Bites.

Review: Nano Space 2 From Ocean Free

I have been using the Nano Space 2 from OF (Ocean Free) for about two weeks now and it is time for me to share my thoughts on this nano tank.

I must say that I really like the simplicity and overall look of the nano tank. With the built-in filter, there is no need for a filter to take up extra space within the tank. The pump is really quiet and the strength of the flow is adjustable. A plus point is that this tank consumes very little power and water change is a breeze with a siphon.

Unboxing: Nano Space 2 From Ocean Free

While visiting Qianhu Fish Farm a week ago, I bought this Nano Space 2 fish tank from OF (Ocean Free) which is one of Qianhu's many own in-house brand. I have been eyeing this range of nano tanks displayed at their retail store for quite a while now but have been indecisive due to the pricing. 

Initially, I was looking at the 16 litres tank priced at $98 but after much consideration, I decided to get the slightly bigger 24 litres tank for $10 more.

Boon Kee Wanton Mee @ Clementi Central

My last plate of Boon Kee Wanton Mee at Clementi Food Centre was four years ago. I actually stopped patronizing them because my last plate was a letdown.

Earlier this week, I accompanied Dad to the dentist nearby and while waiting for him, I ventured over to the food centre and decided to order myself a plate of Wanton Mee. I suppose it is about time to lift the ban to give them a chance to redeem themselves.

I requested for no char siew but they got my order wrong anyway.

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

Follow/Like

twitter: dead_cockroach

instagram: thedeadcockroach

fb page: the dead cockroach

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
Facebook

*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. 

The Old Bukit Purmei Lor Mee Lost And Found! Reopened @ West Coast Drive!

Update: Bukit Purmei Lor Mee has permanently closed.

By now, you might have already heard about the old Bukit Purmei Lor Mee reopening for business at Blk 501 West Coast Drive.

I was taken aback when I heard the news a year ago that the stall at Bukit Purmei had closed down due to Uncle Teo suffering from a heart attack. However, I am glad that he is back in action again after a year of recuperation.

The current hawker taking over his stall at Blk 109 Bukit Purmei (also selling lor mee) is in no way affiliated with him, as clarified on their FB page. I guess the clarification came about because some customers who did not know about the change of hands thought uncle's lor mee standard has dropped - quite drastically!

One Day Tour To Rustic Kluang, Johor, Malaysia

Wanton Mee RM 5

Last Saturday, I went on a one day trip to Kluang, Johor, Malaysia with my folks. The trip was organised by Dad's friend, the same uncle whom we went to Malacca with two years ago.

Just like the previous time, we dropped by Gelang Patah for breakfast. There were several coffeeshops here and we chose the one furthest away located under Hotel Linkway.

I ordered Wanton Mee but it was no where in sight after 20 minutes despite not being very crowded. I was just this close to beating up the hawker when I found out that his helper is serving those who ordered after me first. Well, I have a coach to catch and we only had 40 minutes for breakfast.

When my order finally came, what struck me first was the small bowl and its even smaller contents. Next would be the mee pok. Isn't Wanton Mee usually mee kia by default?

Nonetheless, the sauce coating the noodle is pleasant - the kind that I like, although the puny wantons and char siew are quite generic.

In Memorium: David Bowie The Goblin King 1947 - 2016

David Bowie
8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016

David Bowie losses his battle with cancer two days ago.

I will not pretend that I am a very big fan of his or marvel what a musical genius he is. Sure, I have heard of his name but I know nothing about this man or the songs he sing.

The one thing I do know (apart from the fact he is a rock singer) is that he plays Jareth, the Goblin King from the movie "Labyrinth" which I never fail to watch whenever it airs on TV.

I loved that movie so much I once recorded it on VHS and now owns it on VCD (bought it from HMV  before it moves out of Singapore).