Heartland Rainfall

As promised in a previous posting I have been meticulously recording the rainfall at our house since my friend Gatoe brought me a rain meter during their visit in December. It's something I have been doing for years and find it quite interesting. Obviously this does not reflect the rainfall island wide but is a true reflection of the actual rain in the Bishan area close to Junction8 where we live.

According to official websites, Singapore gets rain on average 222 days per year. My data reflects the period January 2012 - June 2012 with February and March having the least rain as well as days rained. Highest recorded is March with 340 millimetres and 17 days rained. May is interesting as the days rained was only 9 but the total rain the second highest for the six month period.

The data is for my personal use and in no means trying to re-invent the wheel. It often rains at home while down in the City there is no rain and vice verso.

Their are very comprehensive statistics available which can be viewed at the National Environment Agency

Sure the posting won't break reader records but then I have been surprised before.

Have a great week.

Net Doomsday

The FBI will shutdown their servers that has been blocking a malware virus tagged, "Internet Doomsday" since it was identified in November last year. FBI predictions are that some 64,000 computers in the US could still be at risk of loosing connection to the Internet as a result of the nasty virus. Worldwide several hundred thousand computers can be at risk.

Check your computer at DNS OK. Green means your computer is not affected. If your machine is infected go to http://www.dcwg.org/fix/ to read on how to clean your computer.

Read more here

Kampong Glam Explored

Joined Avalone from NCompass Mobility for  a Kampong Glam guided walk on the weekend. I have been to this area before and did two postings called Arab Street and Leaning Tower but the fact that this was with a guide sounded interesting with the oppertunity to learn more about the "Village".

We met at the NCompass offices and the group of eight departed via bus to Victoria Street to commence the walk. My first bus ride since arriving in Singapore as I never had the need to use it before. You can read the previous postings on the already covered stuff with this posting focus on the new and strange things I came across.

Stocked up on some water, got a briefing from the guide and started the walk from the Golden Landmark Shopping Complex. The walk took about two hours and we visited two Mosque's, perfume shops, textile shops, eateries, curio shops, carpet shops, art galleries and saw some pretty amasing stuff in the process.

The Malay Heritage Center. (Currently closed for restoration but according to the notice at the gate due to open June 2012. Watch out for this one.

The official photographer was missing in action so I was given the task of taking photos and did I have fun.

Here are some of my favourites captured during the walk. The Three Wise Men, Telephone Booth, No Alchohol, Cheap Haircut, Extreme Paintjob and Mini Couch.

While the group visited the inside of the Sultan Mosque (I did not feel like taking my shoes off again), I did my own little exploration down the street and found this little gem, Children Little Museum. It's more than a museum and you can buy toys and other stuff downstairs. They also have a retro booth with items from the 50's and 60's. The shop has some outrages retro toys on display that  brings back fond memories.

Finished the walking trip of with a seriously delicious lunch at the the Zam Zam restaurant. (Best Muslim Food in Town), established since 1908. Avalone ordered a group meal that consisted of Chicken Murtabak, Nasi Goreng and Chop Mutton. Super tasty and highly recommended.

Met some very nice people and had a blast. NCompass Mobility does weekly tours and I can recommend it to both Expats and Singaporeans. Very informative and cost effective. Their offices in Riverwalk is also a hub for information and things to do in Singapore.