Humbled

Perhaps this belongs in my tech blog? But quite frankly, after seeing this, I can only say that my photos are sh*t.

Is it a mall? Is it a metro station? Is it a dome?

I’m not sure if another mall was necessary, but I have to agree the architecture is indeed very cool. I can’t think of any place in the US or in Europe (with few exceptions, London, perhaps Berlin and Barcelona) where they are still building futuristic stuff like here (and Dubai, before the crash).

Welcome to a domed construction thing

Singapore hip hotels

Not only Bangkok, but Singapore too has its hip hotels. Perhaps fewer for a city of its stature, but…

• New Majestic Hotel in Chinatown (uhh name)
• Gallery Hotel somewhere near Boat Quay I seem to recall
• as to Re!, it’s about as hip as Pod Hotel in NY, which is to say, it’s trying hard and somewhat achieving, but there are limitations as to how much you can remake a rather bland building. Similar to grandkemang, too.

Why a ’style’ tag by the way? Well I’m not into clothing – design, architecture, and cool hotels are about as close to ’style’ I will ever get.

Reaffirmations

Who doesn't like a song and dance?

Whatever illusions we have that are debunked, some happinesses are constant – such as the Thai Disco’s.

Some things are best left uncommented

Nothing to add

Almost a music post

Thai Disco na kha

Along with the ubiquitous Thai restaurants, another Thai import seems to have made its way to East/South East Asia (for now): the Thai disco. I first encountered it somewhere on the outskirts of Bangkok – a place called ABC or something like that, which had pretties singing on stage backed by a band, to a large audience that seemed focused (mostly) on the music. The same concept is repeated here, although I have to doubt the value Chinese speakers derive out of Thai lyrics. Perhaps the singers are the main attraction, and I understand that many an uncle bequeathed his CPF savings to the singing sirens’ sick Issan buffaloes.
Why, one asks?
Whatever the case, Thai discos are here to stay, a reminder of the Land of Smiles in the Land of the Clean and Efficient.

Hard Rock Cafe, the sign of the times

I’ve only been to 2 HRC’s where I had a really good time: Bangkok, and Bali (well, technically it’s the Centerstage @ Hard Rock Hotel in Bali). The bands I saw there were every time spectacular. The others, from Jakarta to Kuala Lumpur to Minneapolis to London were yawn: OKish, but nothing too exciting.

How about better bands?

Seen in the city

Two images that caught my attention last night:

Educating the citizenry

A very de Chirico-esque Duxton street

Rainy days

…and nothing interesting to say. Finished reading the (very dry) Southeast Asian Urbanism. An exciting premise, and exactly what I was looking for in some ways, but the German academic writing at its most ponderous makes it a tough going. For improved readability, they could have illustrated the book with pics such as this one:

No red light in sight

Old Asia hands will recognize this as Geylang, one of Singapore’s red light districts. I was there a few days ago and did not notice anything untowards. Perhaps the action is on one of the side lorongs?

And now, working my way through Javanese Lives. Sociological research, but much more readable. Makes me wonder how priyayi is W.

The Dubliner

The Singapore instance of one of my favorite pubs in Bangkok, (now mentioned on Werewolf’s blog, I wonder why it does not get more coverage on the BKK-oriented blogs and websites?). I haven’t been there yet but will check it out soon. (June update) I did go there, it’s quite different from the BKK version; lots of people eating, music, … just another Irish bar but looking less Irish than, say, Molly Malone’s in Singapore, and less Irish than the BKK Dubliner. Location is a bit awkward too.

Good times were had at the Dubliner by me & C, circa January 2007. And, I met (ex-Dubliner waitress) Meaw last weekend.

Incidentally, this photo is in Singapore – Haji Lane, yesterday evening.