I have always had a great interest in the history of countries and nations especially my own, South Africa. There, I was part of the changes and the turmoil and what the county has become today. Since coming to Singapore I have not had the chance to really delve into the past but one questions has been with me all along. How did a small island nation become the economic powerhouse it is today and what made a country with a diverse population and background so patriotic.
I found the book I was looking for on Saturday called, "The History of Singapore" and did further research on Internet watching some historical videos to get my answers. The Discovery Channel did a program called "The History of Singapore" which is a short version of the book but a more interesting video called "The Accidental Nation" certainly answered my questions.
In the 14th century, The Island called "Temasek" was part of the Malay Kingdom. An island with no natural resources and infertile land and hardly any inhabitants. One man and his vision changed all that in 1819, when a maverick British pioneer, Sir Thomas Stanford Raffles established a small trading post on the island. He called it his "Little Child" and he wanted the change the world for the better. The problem he faced was how to attract people to his brainchild and the answer lies in two words, FREE TRADE. That is the founding principle that made Singapore what it is today.
The Island was part of the British Empire until 1963 when it merged with Malaya and became independent and part of Malaysia. It was annexed by the Japanese in 1941 till 1945 during the Second World War with a very dark few years. In 1965 the Malaysian Prime Minister broke the ties and Singapore became and independent country and nation. It would be led by a great leader, Lee Kuan Yew as the Prime Minister for the next 25 years to shape it to what it is today. A Testament to visionary and great leadership.
The country has seen it's fair share of turmoil, political change and struggling to find a identity but has emerged victoriously, forged by it's Part and Present existing together, with religious and cultural tolerance with massive economical success. Reminds me of the time in my own country when Nelson Mandela took the helm and an era of hope and prosperity looked like it would be the future.
I leave you with a light hearted video that summaries the Singapore Story.
PS. If you are interested in an unbiased and true account of South Africa's history you can read the book called "The Afrikaners - Biography of a People, by Herman Giliomee and off course, The Long Walk to Freedom - Nelson Mandela's Autobiography.
Friday Blues, "Making out on Stage" & Did you Know?
Woke up this morning with a soft drizzle and honestly believing it is Saturday. Made myself some coffee, back to bed watching some recorded TV Shows, not waking up Zelma as usual round 05h30 with coffee and thought about the nice day ahead. Then she surfaced at about 06h40, glanced at the clock and uttered the following words, "Hey!!, dis Vrydag en ek moet werk toe gaan". In English, "Hey!!, it's Friday and I must go to work".
Shit, bummer and there goes that nice feeling down the drain. Immediately got up and start a normal but now very rushed day. Dammit, how do I change my mindset now and face the day alone. Weather projections is a surge in the Monsoon with heavy downpours the next two to five days and possible flash floods. That means I am boxed in for the day unless I get a taxi.
There is only one thing that can help me face this day. Music! and talking to "My friends in the Computer", alla my Facebook. There, problem solved. So here goes.
First, the provocative and sexy video clip by Korean duo 4Minute’s HyunA and Beast’s Hyun Seung of their performance at the http://mama.mnet.com/en/winner2011_main.asp MAMA (MNET ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS Show that was held In Singapore on wednesday. They created quite a stir kissing on stage and basically "Making Out"
The full video was released yesterday and the song is catchy and the video still sexy.
Check it out here http://www.soompi.com/news/hyuna-and-hyun-seung-reveal-full-mv-for-trouble-maker.
British artist, James Morrison also released his new album "The Awakening" earlier this week. I like his voice although not all his songs are nice. Probably his most famous song is "Broken Strings" with Nelly Furtado. Here is a song from his new album. Nice video as well.
Going thru my music video clip collection trying to find a nice inspirational song for the day, I found this old one, "Pepper & Piano". Not sure what happened to them but their debut performance at the "Must be the Music Show" was awesome. A piano and a beautiful voice. Great.
I can do this all day but then the posting would be to long so here is the final song and a very old favourite, I'd Rather Go Blind. The song was originally sung by the amazing Etta James and performed by many artists over the years including Mick Jagger and Beyonce. The best performance must be by Chicken Shack in the 60's. Ah, the day is starting to look better.
I went to the Casino at Marina Bay Sands earlier this year when here for a visit and had to hand in my passport and backpack upon entry. Did not understand why and here is the reason. Singaporean Citizens and Permanent Residents must pay a $100 entrance fee visiting any of the two Casino's here. Pretty stiff I think but it is meant to discourage locals from Gambling. The biggest current problem though is the foreign gamblers who loose all their money with no means to go home ending up in the streets.
Since coming to Singapore I have wondered where all the rubbish goes to. It's a "Small" Island so surely there is not much space for landfills and I certainly have not seen any to date in my travels. Found the answer watching my favourite photography show, Scene-City Singapore on Channel News Asia. It is shipped from the incineration plants on the mainland to an Island in the South, Pulau Semakau since 1999 when the last mainland landfill was exhausted. It will cater for Singapore's rubbish disposal needs until 2040. A visit to the Island is recommended and on my list.
http://www.wildsingapore.com/places/semakau.htm
If you are into photography watch the Scene-City Singapore show or get one of Tom Ang's books. He hosts the show and is a expert photographer. http://www.tomang.com/
The Japanese is in the forefront of technology innovation and they are developing the next generation Ultra High Definition Television (UHDTV). It will have 16 times more pixels than the current HDTV and close to what the IMAX format has. I still revel in the HDTV quality so imagine what that is going to be like. Awesome!!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_High_Definition_Television
One final song to mellow us into the weekend. Enjoy
Shit, bummer and there goes that nice feeling down the drain. Immediately got up and start a normal but now very rushed day. Dammit, how do I change my mindset now and face the day alone. Weather projections is a surge in the Monsoon with heavy downpours the next two to five days and possible flash floods. That means I am boxed in for the day unless I get a taxi.
There is only one thing that can help me face this day. Music! and talking to "My friends in the Computer", alla my Facebook. There, problem solved. So here goes.
First, the provocative and sexy video clip by Korean duo 4Minute’s HyunA and Beast’s Hyun Seung of their performance at the http://mama.mnet.com/en/winner2011_main.asp MAMA (MNET ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS Show that was held In Singapore on wednesday. They created quite a stir kissing on stage and basically "Making Out"
The full video was released yesterday and the song is catchy and the video still sexy.
Check it out here http://www.soompi.com/news/hyuna-and-hyun-seung-reveal-full-mv-for-trouble-maker.
British artist, James Morrison also released his new album "The Awakening" earlier this week. I like his voice although not all his songs are nice. Probably his most famous song is "Broken Strings" with Nelly Furtado. Here is a song from his new album. Nice video as well.
Going thru my music video clip collection trying to find a nice inspirational song for the day, I found this old one, "Pepper & Piano". Not sure what happened to them but their debut performance at the "Must be the Music Show" was awesome. A piano and a beautiful voice. Great.
I can do this all day but then the posting would be to long so here is the final song and a very old favourite, I'd Rather Go Blind. The song was originally sung by the amazing Etta James and performed by many artists over the years including Mick Jagger and Beyonce. The best performance must be by Chicken Shack in the 60's. Ah, the day is starting to look better.
I went to the Casino at Marina Bay Sands earlier this year when here for a visit and had to hand in my passport and backpack upon entry. Did not understand why and here is the reason. Singaporean Citizens and Permanent Residents must pay a $100 entrance fee visiting any of the two Casino's here. Pretty stiff I think but it is meant to discourage locals from Gambling. The biggest current problem though is the foreign gamblers who loose all their money with no means to go home ending up in the streets.
Since coming to Singapore I have wondered where all the rubbish goes to. It's a "Small" Island so surely there is not much space for landfills and I certainly have not seen any to date in my travels. Found the answer watching my favourite photography show, Scene-City Singapore on Channel News Asia. It is shipped from the incineration plants on the mainland to an Island in the South, Pulau Semakau since 1999 when the last mainland landfill was exhausted. It will cater for Singapore's rubbish disposal needs until 2040. A visit to the Island is recommended and on my list.
http://www.wildsingapore.com/places/semakau.htm
If you are into photography watch the Scene-City Singapore show or get one of Tom Ang's books. He hosts the show and is a expert photographer. http://www.tomang.com/
The Japanese is in the forefront of technology innovation and they are developing the next generation Ultra High Definition Television (UHDTV). It will have 16 times more pixels than the current HDTV and close to what the IMAX format has. I still revel in the HDTV quality so imagine what that is going to be like. Awesome!!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_High_Definition_Television
One final song to mellow us into the weekend. Enjoy
Eviltwin & Harley Davidson
I have ridden Super Bikes all my life and by 2001 living in Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal, I was ready to full fill one of my dreams, owning a Harley Davidson. By that time I had taught my wife to ride her own bike and after visiting a bike show where we both saw the bikes we wanted and could afford it, we purchased our Harley's. Mine, a Dyna Wide Glide Custom and Zelma's a Sportster 883 done in a one of a kind Denim paint job. If I had one dollar for everybody who touched the bike to "feel" if the Denim was real I would be a millionaire today.
We became official members of the Durban Chapter and spend every weekend riding and attended the official rally once a year. South Africa and Kwa Zulu Natal in specific has some of the most awesome roads if this is your passion. In the process we went to many destinations, to many to mention and then came the chance of a lifetime. Harley Davidson was turning 100 years old with a special anniversary rally in Cape Town for three days. The club decided to put together a group and ship the bikes down by truck with us flying down the next day. And then the ride back home. A seven day, 1800 kilometre ride, of the beaten track, from Cape Town back to Durban. We were definitely not going to miss it.
We met the truck in Cape Town, offloaded the bikes (26 in total) and spent the next 3 days taking part in all the festivities and rides in Cape Town. Mixed weather with loads of parties and mass rides with the biggest group of Harleys ever gathered in South Africa. A awesome sight and sound thru the streets of Cape Town.
The Route
The trip back started on a very wet, windy and cold Monday morning in Cape Town with the first stop Hermanus (125 km), the famous land based Whale Watching Town in the World and the shortest ride of the trip. Arrived in the wet and everybody had to buy new shoes as the old ones were soaked. Warmed up with some Jack Daniels and had a group supper. Sort of a quite evening drying clothes after spending the day drenched while riding. The first two days followed the famous South African Route 62. Route 62
Woke up the next morning with the sun showing some promise, dried the bikes and headed inland for Oudtshoorn (360 km), the ostrich capital of South Africa. Stopped for lunch at the famous Ronnies Sex Shop and cruised thru majestic mountains, towering cliffs and the wine country on the way to Outdshoorn . Had fabulous evening eating out as a group.
A casual ride and some beautiful mountain passes to the Oyster Capital of South Africa, Knysna (124 km), Pearl of the Garden Route. Walked the streets and visited the food markets and had a group supper. Got some much needed catch up sleep to be ready for the next few day's rides which was going to be a tough.
Had a nice breakfast and headed towards Cape St Francis (209 km). The team captain, John owned a house there and arranged for some additional houses to accommodate all. The place and the view is out of this world.
Day five and we were on our way to East London (408 km) with a lunch stopover at Port Alfred (255 km). Tired of eating out the group decided that the girls would shop and the boys would cook. Oh my Lord. The best food and a impromptu show put together by some of the boys that was absolutely hilarious. Never laughed so much in one evening.
Day six and the ass now beginning to show signs of wear and the trip to Port St Johns (323 km), the Gateway to the Wild coast. We stayed in bungalow style houses on the beach and spent the evening in the pub where we met a famous South African Actor, Ben Dekker (Die Wild Temmer) from the 80's. He was now a beach bum, living with three African wife's in a make shift bush house on the beach and a local "celebrity". Ben
Day seven, leaving the Eastern Cape and into Kwa Zulu Natal and the final leg of a fantastic but gruelling trip back to Durban (347 km), Kingdom of the Zulu and a awesome ride along the Wild Coast. Home Sweet Home. To many late nights and parties has taken its toll and the distance covered on the bike now seriously having its effects.
A trip of a lifetime with treasured memories and experiences never to be repeated. And for the people who believe the myth that Harley's are unreliable here is a fact to remember. Only one puncture and no breakdowns for the whole trip. In fact, I travelled a total of 16000 km with my bike without ever having any breakdowns. Sadly we had to sell the bikes when we came to Singapore which ended an era of fun and excitement.
This is obviously a condensed version of the story as all the details would be far too long to read as a posting.
Here is the photos if you are interested.
In true Harley Davidson spirit,
Ride to live, Live to Ride.
We became official members of the Durban Chapter and spend every weekend riding and attended the official rally once a year. South Africa and Kwa Zulu Natal in specific has some of the most awesome roads if this is your passion. In the process we went to many destinations, to many to mention and then came the chance of a lifetime. Harley Davidson was turning 100 years old with a special anniversary rally in Cape Town for three days. The club decided to put together a group and ship the bikes down by truck with us flying down the next day. And then the ride back home. A seven day, 1800 kilometre ride, of the beaten track, from Cape Town back to Durban. We were definitely not going to miss it.
We met the truck in Cape Town, offloaded the bikes (26 in total) and spent the next 3 days taking part in all the festivities and rides in Cape Town. Mixed weather with loads of parties and mass rides with the biggest group of Harleys ever gathered in South Africa. A awesome sight and sound thru the streets of Cape Town.
The Route
The trip back started on a very wet, windy and cold Monday morning in Cape Town with the first stop Hermanus (125 km), the famous land based Whale Watching Town in the World and the shortest ride of the trip. Arrived in the wet and everybody had to buy new shoes as the old ones were soaked. Warmed up with some Jack Daniels and had a group supper. Sort of a quite evening drying clothes after spending the day drenched while riding. The first two days followed the famous South African Route 62. Route 62
Woke up the next morning with the sun showing some promise, dried the bikes and headed inland for Oudtshoorn (360 km), the ostrich capital of South Africa. Stopped for lunch at the famous Ronnies Sex Shop and cruised thru majestic mountains, towering cliffs and the wine country on the way to Outdshoorn . Had fabulous evening eating out as a group.
A casual ride and some beautiful mountain passes to the Oyster Capital of South Africa, Knysna (124 km), Pearl of the Garden Route. Walked the streets and visited the food markets and had a group supper. Got some much needed catch up sleep to be ready for the next few day's rides which was going to be a tough.
Had a nice breakfast and headed towards Cape St Francis (209 km). The team captain, John owned a house there and arranged for some additional houses to accommodate all. The place and the view is out of this world.
Day five and we were on our way to East London (408 km) with a lunch stopover at Port Alfred (255 km). Tired of eating out the group decided that the girls would shop and the boys would cook. Oh my Lord. The best food and a impromptu show put together by some of the boys that was absolutely hilarious. Never laughed so much in one evening.
Day six and the ass now beginning to show signs of wear and the trip to Port St Johns (323 km), the Gateway to the Wild coast. We stayed in bungalow style houses on the beach and spent the evening in the pub where we met a famous South African Actor, Ben Dekker (Die Wild Temmer) from the 80's. He was now a beach bum, living with three African wife's in a make shift bush house on the beach and a local "celebrity". Ben
Day seven, leaving the Eastern Cape and into Kwa Zulu Natal and the final leg of a fantastic but gruelling trip back to Durban (347 km), Kingdom of the Zulu and a awesome ride along the Wild Coast. Home Sweet Home. To many late nights and parties has taken its toll and the distance covered on the bike now seriously having its effects.
A trip of a lifetime with treasured memories and experiences never to be repeated. And for the people who believe the myth that Harley's are unreliable here is a fact to remember. Only one puncture and no breakdowns for the whole trip. In fact, I travelled a total of 16000 km with my bike without ever having any breakdowns. Sadly we had to sell the bikes when we came to Singapore which ended an era of fun and excitement.
This is obviously a condensed version of the story as all the details would be far too long to read as a posting.
Here is the photos if you are interested.
In true Harley Davidson spirit,
Ride to live, Live to Ride.
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