Around town...

Seeing that this is probably our last few months here in Singapore, we asked a friend of ours who is a talented artist to paint a picture for us that will hang on our wall and remind us of our time here.  So, I've been trekking around the past few weeks taking pictures and trying to decide what to have her paint.  I thought I'd share a few of the pictures I've taken recently.

 

Singapore is known for it's shophouses.  Built during the colonial days, they generally where a shop or store on the ground floor with a living area above.  They are found throughout the older areas of the island.  Many of have been restored, and many could use a little TLC. Some are simple, others are very ornate.  I love the shophouses!  There is so much character and history in these buildings.

 You may notice from my other travel entries, but I love the colonial architecture - in Singapore and throughout southeast Asia.  The Fullerton Hotel (pictured above) is one of my favorite buildings - both inside and out.  It's located on the Singapore River in the old Colonial area and is surrounded by other fabulous similar buildings. 

I love this picture because it depicts well the old and the new of Singapore.  There is the colonial architecture with the Fullerton Hotel and Asian Civilizations Museum with the famous Marina Bay Sands in the background.  I love the chinese lantern hanging in the tree as the reminder that it's Asia.  This is the picture we are have choosen to have painted - with a little less emphasis on the tree (although it wouldn't be a picture of Singapore without lots of greenery).

 We are currently in the throws of Chinese New Year here, and throughout Asia.  Bryant and I spent a little time in Chinatown this last week enjoying all the decorations.  Chinese New Year is probably the biggest holiday they celebrate here.  I love all the lanterns used for holiday decor throughout the island.

Singapore is such a beauiful, diverse place - in terms of the people and the architecture.  As I have been working on this little project, I have realized how much I will miss it when it comes time to say farewell.