han cheng's travel/photography blog

Shanghai - 上海外滩的夜景

2011-12-07T21:02:00.006+08:00

Walking along the Shanghai Bund.

Shanghai - 上海城隍庙

2011-12-06T20:57:00.002+08:00

If you come here, you must try the famous Xiao Long Bao (小笼包).

Shanghai - Oriental Pearl TV Tower (东方明珠电视塔)

2011-12-05T23:17:00.001+08:00

For 180 CNY, you can go up the TV Tower to the 280m sphere. The view up there is fantastic.

From the tower, you can see the Shanghai Bunds.

You can walk on a see through glass floor where you can see the city below you. It is really scary!

Shanghai - Maglev (上海磁浮示范运营线)

2011-12-05T18:43:00.004+08:00

You can take the Maglev train from Pudong Airport to Longyang Station.

The train can go up to 330km/hr and it takes only 8 mins from Pudong Airport to Longyang Station.

Singapore - Christmas at Takashimaya

2011-12-04T00:35:00.000+08:00

Close up of the Christmas Tree at Takashimaya

Singapore - Christmas at Orchard Ion

2011-12-04T00:33:00.000+08:00

Close up of the Christmas Tree at Orchard Ion.

Maldives Featured on FoxNews

2011-10-23T14:33:00.004+08:00

I took this photo of Maldives during my honeymoon trip. It is featured on FoxNews!

Singapore Marina Bay Sands

2011-04-15T16:08:00.013+08:00

Chinese New Year @ Tampines One

2011-01-21T16:32:00.000+08:00

Singapore - Christmas at Orchard Ion

2010-12-23T13:53:00.000+08:00

Orchard Ion uses the same concept as last year. The Christmas tree is hollow and you can walk inside it to view the brightly lighted decorations.

Celebrating 110 Years of Timeless Elegance

2010-12-17T14:08:00.001+08:00

An icon on Scotts Road, Goodwood Park Hotel is housed in a uniquely designed building that datesback to 1900. A distinguished institution in hospitality circles, the hotel is one of the most reputablepioneers of the tourism industry. Much of her original beauty has been faithfully restored and hermajestic air artfully accentuated with fluted columns, delicate woodworks, decorative plasterwork andgraceful archways. Through the years, she has gained recognition for her exquisite elegance,legendary charm and tradition of excellence, with her Grand Tower gazetted a national monument in1989. On 21 September 2010, this grand dame will celebrate her 110th anniversary. The Hotel hasfive distinctive restaurants, each providing an exquisite dining experience, along with a deli and a bar.

Changi Christmas Fantasy

2010-12-16T10:08:00.000+08:00

The Christmas decoration at Singapore Changi Airport is like a wonderland!

Singapore - Christmas at Vivo City

2010-11-20T10:34:00.000+08:00

I like the Christmas lightings at Vivo City. The photos have a nice bokeh when taken with my Panasonic GF1 20mm pancake.

Singapore Orchard Central Sky Garden

2010-11-18T19:00:00.002+08:00

This is my first landscape shot with the Sigma 10-20mm mounted on the Nikon D7000. Beautiful city view from Orchard Central Sky Garden at the magical hour.

Singapore - Christmas at Takashimaya

2010-11-15T09:42:00.001+08:00

Officially, the lightings for Orchard Road will light up on 17 Nov 2010. But this week, you can already see many Christmas decorations and Christmas Trees up at shopping malls.

The Christmas decoration theme for Takashimaya is "Christmas Bears" again! This year, it is Pink, White and Orange bears!

Christmas Tree at Takashimaya.

Christmas Decorations closed up.

Singapore Marina Bay at Night

2010-11-15T09:32:00.000+08:00

Stitched 7 shots together to get this night view. The weather wasn't good this week. It was drizzling when I was taking this shot.

Singapore Textile Centre

2010-10-26T21:00:00.015+08:00

This shot was taken from the 25th storey of Singapore Textile Centre. As usual, I stitched 5 shots together with 40% overlap between each shot to get this panorama. Taken with Nikon D70s, Sigma 10-20mm at F22.

Singapore - Marina Bay Sands

2010-10-17T11:23:00.000+08:00

Stitched 5 shots together with 40% overlap between each shot to get this panorama. Taken with Nikon D70s, Sigma 10-20mm at F22.

Singapore - Raffles City Area

2010-10-12T22:49:00.000+08:00

Taken at Bras Basah 24th storey at 7.29pm.Nikon D70s, Sigma 10-20mm, F22

Singapore - City Hall

2010-10-09T09:22:00.003+08:00

City Hall (HDR)

Camera Settings/Gear

Nikon D70s
Sigma 10-20mm
F8

Singapore - Marina Bay Sands

2010-10-09T09:12:00.002+08:00


Marina Bay Sands (HDR)

Camera Settings/Gear
Nikon D70s
Sigma 10-20mm
F11

Singapore Garden Festival 2010

2010-07-18T20:00:00.023+08:00

"The Singapore Garden Festival returns from 15 to 22 July 2010 for the third time to charm visitors with dazzling show garden and floral displays. Award-winning garden & floral designers from 17 countries have transformed Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre into a veritable feast for the eyes. The Festival is the only garden show in the world to bring together award-winning gardening luminaries from all around the globe under one roof."

Shantou (汕头)

2010-05-08T21:56:00.005+08:00

The city view of Shantou.

Singapore - Raffles City Area

2010-04-24T12:07:00.002+08:00

Night scenery of Singapore Raffles City Area. This was taken with Panasonic Lumix GF1.

Singapore Parliament House

2010-04-18T23:14:00.001+08:00

The Singapore Parliament House.

Singapore Little India - Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple

2010-04-18T23:09:00.001+08:00

Went for a photography outing with my friend Gwee at Singapore Little India. We passed by Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple and decided to go in take a few shots. Here are some photos I liked.

Shantou (汕头) 2010

2010-02-15T22:45:00.008+08:00

It was a rainy season in Shantou this Chinese New Year. The sea view seems to remain the same as 2009.

Singapore - I love Christmas at Forum

2009-12-06T21:35:00.002+08:00

I love Christmas at Forum

Singapore - Christmas at Changi Aiport T3

2009-12-05T22:02:00.007+08:00

At Singapore Changi Airport this year, they have this Big Red Christmas Bubble that opens every half an hour. Colored ping pong balls will drop out and you can grab them to exchange for prizes.

Singapore - Christmas Decorations

2009-11-29T15:03:00.010+08:00

Singapore - Christmas at Orchard Ion

2009-11-27T22:08:00.004+08:00

The Christmas Tree at Orchard Ion is really beautiful. This time, I brought my son. He really liked the sparkling Christmas Bubbles and lights inside the Christmas Tree!!

Singapore - Christmas at Takashimaya

2009-11-17T22:11:00.003+08:00

The theme is "Christmas Bears" again! This year, Takashimya has decided to use brown and pink bears instead of the red, white and green bears last year.

Singapore - Christmas at Orchard Ion

2009-11-15T22:12:00.003+08:00

Orchard Ion is a new shopping mall that open this year. As expected, they have a big beautiful Christmas tree. It is one of the beautiful Christmas trees at Orchard this year.

You can walk into the Christmas tree and inside is simply beautiful with all the sparkling lights!

Singapore - Christmas at Suntec City

2009-11-13T22:41:00.006+08:00

The theme for Suntec City this Christmas seems to be stars. You will see silver and gold stars hanging from from the ceilings of Suntec City Mall. I feel that the Christmas decorations at Suntec is always too plain.

Taken with Panasonic Lumix GF1

Taken with Panasonic Lumix GF1

Singapore Esplanade Theatre

2009-08-24T20:25:00.002+08:00

Singapore Merlion Park

2009-08-21T22:00:00.000+08:00

Singapore Merlion Park

Sungei Lembing - Rainbow Waterfall

2009-03-15T23:00:00.000+08:00

Today, we are going to the Rainbow Waterfall! We have to take the jeep for 1 hour...

and then another 1 hour by foot across rivers and forest vegetation!

This the the Rainbow Waterfall! But it is a rainy day and there is no sun and thus there is no rainbow.

Sungei Lembing (Bukit Paranoma) (林明山)

2009-03-14T23:00:00.000+08:00

It took 45mins to climb the flight of stairs. This is the kind of wonderful view you get.

Dawn, but it was cloudy and we cannot see the sun rise.

Bukit Paranoma.

At the foot of Bukit Paranoma, there is a shop that sells the famous and delicious "Egg Chee Cheong Fun".

At the market, you can also try the Special Sungei Lembing noodles (林明面)

Shantou (汕头)

2009-01-26T21:45:00.000+08:00

Beautiful Scenery Contest

2009-01-25T18:28:00.000+08:00

Dear friend,I am participating in a photo competition hosted by www.competico.com, where I can win great CASH PRIZES! In order to increase my chances of winning, I need to have as many people vote for my photos as possible... Please help me win by voting for my photos using the following links: http://www.competico.com/come-vote-for-me/c4daea558df8cdffe07522346fbce723?contest=cpt9500

Registration to Competico.com is FREE and only takes a few moments. Thank you for voting for my photo and increasing my chances of winning!

Maldives (Club Med Kani) - Day Two

2008-12-16T15:36:00.000+08:00

We spent first half of the day taking pictures.

Club Med Kani is full packed with activities. While we are at the jetty waiting for our plane, we met a couple that just came back from deep sea fishing. Look at what they caught!

Our sea plane is finally here and we are off for a ride around Maldives in the air!

Look at the beautiful sea!

Our day ended with fine dining for two at the beach. How romantic!

Maldives (Club Med Kani) - Day One

2008-12-15T12:53:00.000+08:00

We woke up at 5.30am in the morning to catch the sunrise.

Then we walked around to take some pictures

Lunch is international buffet style

We spent the afternoon busking in the sun and playing in the water.

At night, we walked around and got involve in some activities organized by Club Med.

Maldives (Club Med Kani) - Arrival

2008-12-14T12:35:00.000+08:00

This is my honeymoon trip to the Maldives. We arrived at Male International Airport in the middle of the night.

Outside the airport are several booths belonging to different holiday resorts. We are going to Kani, where Club Med resort reside.

We have to take a speed boat to Kani, one of the islands in the Maldives.

Singapore - Christmas at Wheelock Place

2008-12-07T16:58:00.000+08:00

Zen Christmas at Wheelock Place!

Singapore - Christmas at Takashimaya

2008-12-06T23:00:00.000+08:00

Have a beary Christmas at Takashimaya!

Singapore - Christmas at Forum

2008-12-06T22:50:00.001+08:00

Christmas Tree at Forum The Shopping Mall

Singapore - Christmas at Plaza Singapura

2008-12-06T22:32:00.001+08:00

Angels fly at Plaza Singapura!

Singapore - Christmas at Tampines Mall

2008-11-30T22:38:00.001+08:00

Christmas decorations at Tampines Mall.

The Christmas tree was well decorated. It is one of the beautiful ones I have seen so far.

Beautiful decorations close up.

Singapore - Christmas Fireworks at Vivo City

2008-11-30T00:16:00.000+08:00

Enjoy Christmas Fireworks at Vivo City!

Part 1

Part 2

Singapore - Christmas at Orchard Road

2008-11-12T13:02:00.000+08:00

Christmas is coming and you can see decorations being set up at Orchard Road.

This Christmas tree stands outside Paragon Shopping Centre.

Singapore Flyer

2008-10-12T22:33:00.000+08:00

This is Singapore Flyer. A ferris wheel that moves slowly.

Singapore National Museum

2008-08-09T12:15:00.000+08:00

On Singapore's National Day, I visited the Singapore National Museum. The museum has recently been renovated.

Here is the new look:

Inside the Singapore National museum, you can find many articles, photographs, artifacts that depicts how Singapore has evolved over the years.

This is Roxy Square.

This is Happy World. Happy World has been demolished and it no longer exists. I used to remember nearby Happy World, there are many good food hunts.

The old look of Odeon Tower.

This old look of Shaw House.

Chicago - Giordano's Pizza

2008-06-29T08:13:00.000+08:00

This is Chicago's famous stuff pizza. The pizza is at least 1 inch thick! And last, wait 45 mins for the pizza to be freshly made!

Chicago - Cheesecake Factory

2008-06-28T11:03:00.001+08:00

Heard from a friend that Cheesecake Factory make great cheesecake so this is a must try before I head back to Singapore tomorrow.

Look at the variety of cheesecakes they have!

Tiramisu Cheesecake

Peanut Butter Cheesecake (This is my favorite!)

Godiva Cheesecake (Super rich chocolate!)

Chicago - Museum of Science and Industry

2008-06-22T09:32:00.000+08:00

Watch the graviton making process!

Chicago - Museum of Science and Industry

2008-06-22T08:45:00.000+08:00

Today is free admission day to the Museum of Science and Industry. The best thing about museums in Chicago is that you can spend the whole day in it and still cannot finish viewing all the exhibits. It is simply too big!

This is Toymaker 3000. I made my own Graviton for 5 USD.

Apollo 8 Command Module

New York - Marine Corps

2008-06-16T13:04:00.000+08:00

These are walls that are engraved with names of marine corps that gave up their lives in war.

New York - Statue of Liberty

2008-06-16T00:30:00.000+08:00

This is my favorite picture for this New York trip. The Statue of Liberty!

The Statue of Liberty right behind me!

New York - Wall Street

2008-06-16T00:14:00.000+08:00

Behind me is the Wall Street Stock Exchange!

Niagara Falls Videos

2008-06-15T06:15:00.000+08:00

Watch the Niagara Falls in action!

Niagara Falls - Maid of the Mist

2008-06-15T05:45:00.000+08:00

We are going for a boat ride into the Horseshoe Falls!

Approaching the falls.

Nearer...

Into the falls!

Niagara Falls - Cave of the Winds

2008-06-15T01:26:00.000+08:00

This is called "Cave of the Winds" where we can walk down to the American Falls.

A picture taken below the American Falls.

The American Falls right behind me!

Beautiful splashes!

Niagara Falls

2008-06-14T20:44:00.000+08:00

Our journey begins from Chicago to the Niagara Falls.

We reached Niagara in the morning around 4.30am. You can see that the sky was still a bit dark. Furthermore, it seems like it was going to rain.

So, here I am, at Niagara Falls!

Behind me is the American Falls, one of the great falls that make up the Niagara Falls.

The gushing waters of the American Falls.

I am crossing over to Canada to get a better view.

The American Falls seen from the bridge linking Canada and the states.

On the bridge.

Taken on the bridge

The American Falls seen from the Canada side.

American Falls and Horseshoe Falls

The beautiful Horseshoe Falls!

Behind me is the Horseshoe Falls. This was taken at the Canada side.

Indiana Dunes State Park

2008-06-09T10:54:00.000+08:00

We decided to do something different today. We are going to drive to the Beach! It was located in Indiana. A 2 hours drive to get us there from Chicago.

The park consists of 2,182 acres of primitive, beautiful, historical, and amazingly unique Hoosier landscape. It lies in Porter County and includes more than three miles of Lake Michigan's south shore, all of which provides a magnificent beach. Eighteen hundred acres are wooded and contain the most diversified flora and fauna of the Midwest. Other areas made up of drifting sand hills, peculiar to the dunes region. A pavilion on the beach provides shelter, bathhouses and a complete snack bar during the summer season.

Aurora - Chicago Premium Outlets

2008-06-07T21:11:00.000+08:00

Another shopping weekend. We went to Aurora Chicago Premium Outlets today.

Chicago - Chicago Botanical Gardens

2008-06-01T04:32:00.000+08:00

The Chicago Botanic Garden is 385 acres of incomparably beautiful display gardens, lakes, woods and prairies ...

Squirrels can be found all over the garden.

Deerfield - Jewett Park

2008-05-27T03:19:00.001+08:00

"Today is Memorial Day. I am out to play at Jewett Park."

"Wait, someone is photographing me. Let me pose for him."

"All that posing, I am so tired and sleepy. That guy with the Nikon D70s, how many more shots is he taking?"

"Let me do a lazy stretch."

"Bye, I am going to take a nap."

"Zzzzzzzzz....."

Wisconsin - Prime Outlets

2008-05-26T10:58:00.000+08:00

We went Prime Outlets today. Another place to shop until we drop!

Prime Outlets – Pleasant Prairie is an outdoor shopping center conveniently located midway between Chicago, Ill., and Milwaukee, Wis.
More than 90 brand-name stores include Restoration Hardware, COACH Factory, Coldwater Creek Outlet, Old Navy, adidas, and Eddie Bauer® Outlet. The center boasts a Pavilion Building featuring a state-of-the-art Guest Services Center, Guest Lounge and family restrooms! Dine at the Eatery, featuring China Max, Sbarro Italian Eatery, Border Crossing Hot Dogs, Japan Cafe and MORE!

My colleague and I are crazy about this brand of chocolate. The chocolate is very rich.

Gurnee - Gurnee Mills

2008-05-25T09:37:00.000+08:00

It is another shopping trip! This time to Gurnee Mills! Gurnee Mills is a super big mall and we spent more than 8 hours here!

Know this shop called Bath & Body Works? The things they sell simply smell too nice to resist! I bought a dozen of bath gels, soaps, splashes from this shop.

It is time to shop, so no more pictures.

Chicago - Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain

2008-05-23T09:03:00.000+08:00

Buckingham Fountain. This time with water.

Look at how high the water jets up!

Chicago - John G. Shedd Aquarium

2008-05-19T13:08:00.000+08:00

Weather is fine today. This is the famous big fish sculpture outside John G. Shedd aquarium.

Chicago - Soldier Field

2008-05-19T12:02:00.001+08:00

This is soldier field stadium. It is the home of the Chicago Bears Football Team.

The stadium is huge.

A big stone ball sculpture outside the stadium. I am trying to lift it!

Chicago - Lake Michigan

2008-05-18T10:50:00.001+08:00

When it is no longer so cold anymore and the sun has came out, a lot of yachts can be seen in Lake Michigan.

Even the policeman has came out to patrol the coast of Lake Michigan.

Chicago - Navy Pier

2008-05-18T10:05:00.001+08:00

I have been busy with work for the past 3 weeks and cannot afford the time to visit town. The weather is good today so I went to Navy Pier again with some colleagues.

Deerfield - Spring Flowers - 04 May 08

2008-05-05T09:25:00.000+08:00

I think it is Spring. The sun is out and it is not as cold anymore. I see tulips everywhere. They are beautiful!

Even the goose family has came out to swim and look for food.

Deerfield - Sunset - 03 May 08

2008-05-04T09:49:00.000+08:00

It was a rainy day and I had to stay indoors. The rain stopped in the evening. I always wanted to practice how to shoot sunsets so I went nearby where I can catch the sun setting.

The sun beginning to set.

The sun sets.

Michigan City - Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets

2008-04-27T03:28:00.000+08:00

It is time I do some shopping so I decided to head down to Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets.

I had to take a train from Chicago called the South Shore line to reach Michigan City.

Finally after 1 hour 30 mins of train ride, I reached Lighthouse Place.

There are a lot of shops here. Brands range from Timberland, Nautica, Guess, Polo Ralph Lauren, Liz Clairborne, Gap etc...

Time to start shopping..

Both of my hands were full after I came out of Timberland, Nautica and Banana Republic

Ha Ha... so not much pictures this weekend.

Chicago - Lincoln Park Zoo

2008-04-20T20:35:00.000+08:00

Today is Earth Day. I decided to visit the Lincoln Park Zoo today because I knew there will be full of fun packed activities going on.

Celebrate Earth Day!

As you can see, they have a big outdoor performance going on.

And there are many stalls promoting Eco, and Go Green! Free green apples for everyone!

Of course Starbucks can't miss the show! They are promoting their new coffee, "Pike Place Roast".

Me, with the flamingos.

A huge and nice pond.

I can't resists taking pictures of the flowers lying all over the grass patches here. They are so bright and colorful. You can't find these in Singapore.

Chicago - Chinatown

2008-04-20T11:41:00.000+08:00

The weather was as bad. As you can see, it was going to rain when I reached Chinatown. To get to Chinatown, you have to take the south bound cta train and alight at Cemak Chinatown station. I did not stay long. After Chinatown, I went back to Deerfield immediately before the rain gets heavier.

If you are Asian and probably not used to American food, you can find and buy Asian food here.

This is the famous "Nine Dragon" wall in Chicago's Chinatown.

Chinatown

Dim Sum can be found here.

Chinese American Veterans Memorial

This colorful mosaic is called the "muran".

Read more about the "muran".

Chicago - Water Tower Place

2008-04-14T08:52:00.000+08:00

This is Water Tower Place. I heard it is Chicago's first vertical shopping mall.

Special water effects while you ride the escalator up.

Chicago - 900 Michigan Shops

2008-04-14T08:40:00.000+08:00

It stopped raining and snowing and the sun was out. However, the wind was strong and I was trembling from the cold when I walked on the streets. It was a long walk but I still managed to make it to the 900 Michigan Shops located at Magnificent Mile.

Look at the directory. All the branded stuffs...

Bloomingdale's

Banana Republic

where is Timberland?....

Chicago - John G. Shedd Aquarium

2008-04-13T11:43:00.000+08:00

"The John G.Shedd Aquarium houses nearly 22,000 aquatic animals representing 1,500 species of fishes, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and mammals from waters around the world."

By the time I came out of the Field Museum, my camera's battery was almost flat. So I do not have much pictures to share for Shedd Aquarium. However, here are some of my favourite shots.

My favourite shot. "The Gecko"

Another species. Its not green.

Chicago - Field Museum

2008-04-13T09:59:00.000+08:00

The weather was bad today. It rained almost the whole day. However I still made it to the field museum.

This is the field museum. Chicago's field museum is one of the world's great museum of science, environment, and culture.

Look at how big the museum is.

There are 4 silent guardians of this museum.

Dissemination of Knowledge

Dissemination of Science

The woman holding a magnifying glass represents Research.

The woman holds a quill and paper. She represents Record.

The T. Rex fossil behind me is named Sue. She is the biggest and most complete T. Rex ever found. She is one of the most popular exhibits in this museum.

T. Rex named "Sue"

A huge Totem

The museum keeps a wide range of insect specimens.

This is one I liked. It is called the Morpho butterfly. Its found in Columbia.

Now, I come to the art gallery. This gorilla painting is my favourite. Does it remind you of a movie?

They have artifacts from China too. This is the head of "Laozi".

A desk screen made of Jade.

Chicago - Chicago Board of Trade

2008-04-08T08:52:00.000+08:00

The two statues behind me, one symbolizes agriculture, the other symbolizes industry.

Chicago - Clarence Buckingham Memorial Fountain

2008-04-08T08:24:00.000+08:00

The four sea horses on the sides of the fountain represent the four states that touch Lake Michigan: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

There is no water from the fountain. I wonder why?

Chicago - Sears Tower Skydeck

2008-04-07T09:27:00.000+08:00

I am going to explore Chicago's tallest tower today. That is Sears Tower!

The view from the Skydeck on the 103rd floor of the Sears Tower is amazing!

Chicago - Millennium Park

2008-04-06T20:59:00.003+08:00

Located in downtown Chicago on Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Monroe Streets, the 24.5-acre park is an unprecedented center for world-class art, music, architecture and landscape design, where you can experience everything from interactive public art and ice skating to al fresco dining and free classical music presentations by the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus. Among the park’s prominent features is the dazzling Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the most sophisticated outdoor concert venue of its kind in the United States, designed by Frank Gehry, one of the world’s greatest living architects.

You find this strange big orb in Millennium Park.

A newly wed couple taking their photos here.

Chicago - Navy Pier

2008-04-06T20:59:00.001+08:00

This is Navy Pier. It is a theme park along Lake Michigan.

Did you see that? They have a Ferris wheel.

Amusement rides.

They have a indoor sort of garden.

A huge fan in the indoor garden.

This is Shakespear gallery. You can watch movies inside. There are also some cafes.

I walked to the end of Navy Pier. You can see a lighthouse far away.

If you look backwards, you can see the Chicago city at the end of Navy Pier.

Chicago - Lake Michigan

2008-04-06T09:58:00.000+08:00

Lake Michigan is Chicago's famous lake. It is located at Lake Shore Drive.

Look at how blue the water is.

Floats along the coast.

Yachts.

These are where the yacht and small boats dock. The weather is fine and everyone has gone out to sea.

Water ducks again! I fed it with bread.

Chicago - Abraham Lincoln Monument

2008-04-06T09:52:00.000+08:00

This is the sculpture of America's sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln. It is located in Lincoln Park.

Deerfield - Waukegan

2008-04-05T09:08:00.000+08:00

It is finally Friday. After work, I decided to walk north and explore further.

The sun was setting fast...

On the way, I passed by a restaurant that sell pies.

A village music store?

Peace, Love, Charity. Guess what place is it?

Finally, I found a small town. Waukegan!

They have a grocery store here too!

Grocery store

I helped myself to some samples inside the grocery store. hehe...

Look, they have a restaurant that sell pizzas!

More restaurant

A sandwich shop

I didn't come home empty handed. By the time I blog this entry, I have already cooked the Ramen I bought at Waukegan. Yum.. Yum ...

Deerfield - Blue Sky & Nice Birds

2008-04-03T10:30:00.001+08:00

As the weather gets better, I start to see a less washed out sky. They sky is so blue here in Deerfield which I will never get to see in Singapore.

Look, a robin on a tree outside my room.

Deerfield - Jewel Osco - 30th Mar 08

2008-03-31T12:23:00.000+08:00

These are groceries I bought from Jewel Osco.

The yogurt was 5 for $4.50.
Orange juice was 2 for $7.00.
Fresh milk was $2.28.

Ben & Jerry's ice-cream! 2 for $7.00

The day ended with dinner from Dunkin Donuts.

Deerfield - Shopping - 30th Mar 08

2008-03-31T11:08:00.000+08:00

Will I shop till I drop? Let me show you around Deerfield.

This is Borders Books & Music. Big right?

Dunkin Donuts

Dunkin Donuts menu

The Tile Shop. The shop sells ceramic tiles.

Back alley of the The Tile Shop

The Home Depot. They sell everything that relates to household.

Look at the variety of lights The Home Depot has.

They even have their own nursery...

and you can bring home an apple or cherry tree to grow. Amazing ...

This is Metra station. It is the railway station where we can take a train down to Chicago.

Railway

and more railway...

Newspaper and magazine dispensers found at the railway station.

Zippy. I guess it is another restaurant. It is not open in the daytime so I have no idea.

Amcore Bank.

Bennigan's. Clubbing area I guess.

Multiplex Fitness Club.

and last but not least, Jewel Osco. It is a gigantic supermarket. I am going to do my groceries here.

Deerfield - Walk Around - 30th Mar 08

2008-03-31T10:44:00.000+08:00

It was dark last night so I could not capture the surroundings. I spent some time after breakfast to explore and take some pictures. It is freezing out there but I still decided not to let the day wasted.

Here is the hotel.

The hotel suite. Cool isn't it? I love cottage-style houses.

You can find acorn trees everywhere. Look, I found one acorn.

My office is right at the end of this row of buildings.

Look! A wild geese in the business park. It flew away later with a "quack!", "quack!", ... sound

Water ducks? I like the green head and orange feet they have.

The long winding road into the business park.

Deerfield - Arrival - 29th Mar 08

2008-03-30T14:35:00.000+08:00

I am on a business trip to Deerfield, Illinois. I finally arrived at Marriott Residence Inn in the middle of the night after a long 24 hours of flight.

It is exciting because I can see piles of snow everywhere. It is cold here.

My bedroom

The kitchen and study area

The toilet

Taipei - Ximending (西门町)

2005-05-02T12:00:00.000+08:00

This is Taipei's Ximending. It is almost equivalent to Singapore's Bugis Street. It is a great hangout place for teenagers.

There are many bubble tea houses like this on the streets of Ximending. They are trendy, cool and look more like a pub than a bubble tea house.

The benches are swings!

A huge glass of "Purple Fantasy" bubble tea.

Taipei - Rosemary Hotel

2005-04-30T06:00:00.000+08:00

We stayed in a 3 star hotel in Taipei. In Taipei, there are many hotels like this. It isn't too bad, the condition of the rooms are quite good. They serve good home made taiwan style breakfast too!

Rosemary hotel is found in a small street like this.

Taipei

2005-01-05T23:37:00.000+08:00

The streets of Taipei

It is nice to enjoy a bowl of red bean ice dessert.

Toy catching machines are a common sight

Theatres

Behind me is Taipei 101. There are 101 storeys!!