Van Gogh Expo In Singapore

 

The Van Gogh experience exhibition in Singapore is on Sentosa island.

You might want to wear something suitable.

See post 526 about Sylvia's black and white outfit from Light in the box.

The Van Gogh museum has a huge range of nifty socks. I liked the Sunflower socks, bright yellow.

If you wear Crocs or sandals and feel that plain white or black socks make you look like a child in school uniform, then these sophisticated socks could be the answer to upgrade your outfit.

The museum also sells sunglasses, silk scarves, and kimonos and clutch bags.  I found sunflower brooches and pendants. Bum bags. And a wheelie suitcase with a yellow sunflower pattern.

Kimono from Van Gogh Museum.

Sunflower umbrella just over 20 Euros.

Samsonite four wheel spinner suitcase.

Useful Websites

https://www.vangoghmuseumshop.com/en/all-fashion-accessories?gclid=Cj0KCQjwgLOiBhC7ARIsAIeetVDmF4uNTh49thgS-bFx12QEHQSVico-O1Pl0ymptj2ZVbTYW5dgQkAaAviwEALw_wcB

https://vangoghexpo.com/singapore/?utm_source=Facebook_Desktop_Feed&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=119247_sin&ad_id=23853757745700713&fbclid=IwAR1__mv16qe5IiIsf9H59Q4ubIUhQ1oQrpMJEDf9ZH44vaGtVz5BbQnYem0

Children's Activites At Changi Airport

 

Children's Area in award-winning Changi airport, Singapore, in April 2023. Photo by Trevor Sharot. copyright.

Other free attractions for children in the airport are

The butterfly area

The giant waterfall in Jewel

How anyone (including YOU) can read German

A handy guide to reading German. And beautifully pronounced English.

I am  learning German using Duolingo.

Useful Websites

www.duolingo.com

https://wikitravel.org/en/German_phrasebook

THE ALPHABET EXPLAINED: The origin of every letter, and which countries will help you to be bilingual

I knew some of this about the origin of language. Very effectively presented. The presenter has a lovely, attractive English accent with perfect pronunciation. A pleasure to listen to him.

I have been studying Chinese (Mandarin). Chinese combines the earliest form of writing, pictograms. diagrams of natural objects, with signs representing sounds.

He shows how the modern Roman alphabet was derived over time. 

What he does not explain is how the Cyrillic alphabet was constructed at one point in time by Cyril and his borther. Just like Korean was invented by one person.

He has another video exaplining how German is easy to read if you can see how some letters in German are equivalent to others in English. 

Useing the existing Roman alphabet, the language Esperanto was devised to help Europeans who spoke several langagues, to speak to each other in a commong language which combines parts of each of the main languages, but kept to a regular structure with only 14 rules, quick to learn. 

If you are interested in languages you might be interested in these places:

SINGAPORE

In Singapore the four major official langauges and English Chinese (Mandarin), Malay (which is mostly the same as Indonesian) and Tamil.

Go on the MRT (underground railway) and you will hear announcements in four languages and see signs in four languages.

CANADA

You will hear English in Toronto and French in Montreal but in the capital all government empolyees are required to speak both languages. Most hotel and restaurant staff are also bilingual.

BELGIUM

You will see signs in two languages, French and Flemish (Dutch).

SWITZERLAND

A chance to practice three languages, French, German and Italian.

Folding bike on a train

Seen in Singapore

Folding bike on the MRT, Singapore. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

Of course I had heard of folding bikes. But I was astonished to see how small they can be and that they are light enough to carry. They can be taken on a train, not just put in the luggage compartment of  an intercity train, but carried with you on a surburban or city center underground..

Useful Websites

https://www.bikeradar.com/advice/buyers-guides/best-folding-bikes/

Secrets of Sake - the advantages, the best temperature, and matching food

Sake  contains no sulphites.

Sake to match with Peking duck - Muriko No Sake Tokubetsu.

At the ProWine show at Expo in Singapore a Masterclass enabled us to try three flavours of Sake and to learn about Sake. I loved the Sake, all three of them. Yes, I like Sake.

I wasn't just saying I liked them because I got a free drink or because I was inebriated. I really liked them. One of them was 14% alcohol and one was 16%.  I don't like spirits, and whisky is not my thing, I like sweet sherry such as Harveys Bristol Cream, well, I would, because I am British, but I love sake. I am not Japanese, but I love sake. 

Sake, naturally goes with Japanese food, if you eat a meal in a Japanese restaurant. I had not of having Sake to go with Sushi which is widely available from the Sushi counter at Fairprice supermarket in Singapore  much more sushi than at Tesco in London.  

Our educator also recommended sake to be drunk with, matched with, Indian food.

What did I learn about Sake?

1 Sake has three ingredients. The main two are rice and water.  We watched a video of the rice being prepared. The rice is polished. More polishing means a different flavour. 

What do you say when you raise a glass of sake to your host or guest at dinner? You say, 'Kampai!' That means cheers. Literally, dry cup. In effect, empty the cup. 

That's not hard to do, because Sake cups are small.

Secrets of Japanese beer

The Busy 'Stand With Ukraine' Stand Showing Ukrainians wines - then off for Cheese

Stand with Ukraine, stand at ProWine show at Expo in Singapore in 2023. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

The Stand with Ukraine stand was busy all day. It wasn't just sympathy or curiosity. They had loads of wines to try. You want to try red, white, sweet, sparkling. You name it, they had it. And the owner was interesting and full of fun facts. He said he employs large numbers of women. His area is on the west, far away from the fighting. However, flying back was a problem. He had to take a long complicated journey. Flying to another country. Then a long road journey.

They say, buy on an apple, sell on a cheese. I went off to the Cheese area and found Cheese. See later post on cheese.

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Blending Sake by best seĺling Author François Chartier

It was a surprise and a joy to find that a presenter at the ProWine Masterclasses was the best selling author, François Chartier of  books about what wines and foods have in common which makes some good matches for the other.

There is a popular saying what grows together goes together.

It is not just a theory. He works in a lab where he conducts hundreds of experiments matching different foods and drinks and analysing them to see how well they match and enhance each other. What is the point, apart from satisfying curiosity - and who would finance or recompense  the analyst? This has many marketing advantages. Increase customer satisfaction in a product. Sell item one to go with item two. Then item three to go with item one, or with both one and two. market an item which is not selling at all. Create a new dish combining two flavours, not just alongside each other but a new dish. i am thinking of  peanut butter, nut chocolate, banoffee pie (banana and toffee).

Useful Websites

https://www.amazon.com/Taste-Buds-Molecules-Science-Food/dp/0771022530

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The Most Exciting Story At ProWine

It is already in hotels and supermarkets in Singapore for Sprits and for wine in Australia. When will it be used  for Champagne, Prosecco and sparkling drinks? When technology can deal with bubbles and the sellers of the product realise they are saving money and consumers love the idea that the company toting the idea of Totes will plant trees and send you pictures of your tree and the farmet.

Christmas cookies and memories from O and T gourmet treats in Malaysia, fond memories

Senza Parole sparkling white wines from Sicily and Southern Italy

Can't go wrong, learning Italian from Italian Wine bottles

Italian - English

Senza - without

Parole - words

English - Italian

Without - senza

Words - Parole (like the French word parler, meaning to speak)

To learn Italian for your next trip to Italy, use the free app Duolingo daily. Or just look at the labels of your favourite Italian wine bottles.

Dutch cheese so popular that it sold out at Fairprice Finest supermarket in Singapore, but returning soon

Back in 2 months time , cheese with truffle or cheese with walnuts and other unusual varieties. Let the food travel to you.

Chinese bottled fruit to buy in Korean supermarket Emart

Where to get Peanut Butter Tequila

The world's only peanut butter tequila

Tequila and Mescal

2001 brands of tequila and Mescal. 75 tequilas are certified additive free so less likely to give you hangovers. No sugars, perfumes added. Tequila must be made from blue agave.

New Zealand's Broken Heart Spirits - mending a broken heart

 Broken heart leaflet and the products. Photo by Angela Lansbury. copyright.

A dramatic sad story, but with a kind of happy ending. Two men in New Zealand had plans for a business. They were full of excitement and happiness. Then one of them died suddenly, totally unexpectedly.

The surviving partner was so upset that he closed down the business, abandoned the plan, and left the area. Time passed. 

Then one day. He decided to go back. He went back and decided to re-start the business, in honour of his former business partner. His symbol on the label was a heart, in two colours, red and white, like the two colours of wine. He was determined to do everything he could to make the venture a success to honour his former partner.

The business flourished. They now have two wineries, one in Queenstown. They sell alcohol and Riedel glasses on the website.

Useful Websites

https://thewineryonline.co.nz/wine-glasses/

https://thewineryonline.co.nz/tastings/

International Wine Challenge, UK

https://www.internationalwinechallenge.com//filestore/pdf/IWC%202022/Merchant%20Awards%202022%20release%20Final.pdf

https://distilledspiritsaotearoa.org.nz/nz-spirits-trail/

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The Reversing Falls in St Johns, Canada + Hula Mural - update from tourist board

New Brunswick, Canada. Photo from Wikipedia

Hula Mural at Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. Photo courtesy of Discover Saint John. Notice Hula standing painting.

Problem
Can you or can't you see the amazing Hula mural of the girls head and shoulders rising out of the water as the tide rises in 24 hours and falls four storeys! (Americans spell it stories, which to Brits means only levels on a skyscraper, history, plots or myths.) From which restaurants can you see the tide, high or low, or if you have time and money, sit and watch and drink and eat all day?

See my previous blog post

Answer
I wrote to the tourist board for the latest and this is what they replied.

(The people who brought HULA to town!  They worked alongside One Princess in this venture, who do carry unique items to Saint John under the Canada Strong and Free brand.  They are located on Water Street, directly across from where the mural was painted, and they also offer beautiful suites to rent short term.

The Reversing Falls Restaurant and Skywalk is located on West side of our City at 200 Bridge Road.  It is still currently under renovations but slated to hopefully open soon.  In the meantime, we have 5 great restaurants on our Boardwalk, with view of the Harbour as well as over 70 different restaurants and pubs alone in our Uptown core.  All are local establishments. 

There are many options for fun and unique souvenir types items for Saint John sold in a variety of places.  Barbour’s General Store, which houses a Visitor Centre, the Saint John Tour Desk and a retail area, carries locally printed t-shirts, and a variety of products from Saint John and NB.  Our Saint John City Market is the one of the oldest running indoor markets, established in the late 1870’s. It carries everything local and has many great gift ideas.  As well as a number of our galleries. The Reversing Falls Restaurant will have a gift shop as well.

See my previous blog posts.
http://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/a-temporary-mural-revealed-by-tide-and.html
http://travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/whats-weird-and-wonderful-to-eat-drink.html

Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. I have many more blog posts on the amusing and amazing things to see and do and buy around the world. Please share links to your favourite posts.

King Charles Coronation

 King Charles III Coronation Day. Prepare.

Will you make the egg tart? Or something else?

The marvellous, magical day is Monday May 8th, 2023. 

Charles will be crowned.

Camilla will be beside him.

Kate and William will be there.

Harry will spare time to visit briefly, before flying home, his new home, to the USA, for his son's fourth birthday party.

Meghan will not be there.

Prowine for fun wine and food at Expo - innovation, low waste replacing bottles, no and low alcohol, and the broken heart brand

 

Who would be interested in Prowine, which is a trade show for food and wine? The exhibitors looking for people to represent them, to sell their products in Singapore and around the world. restauranteurs looking for equipment, chefs looking for equipment and food, shopkeepers looking for new products to stock. Organizers of wine events, such as wine clubs and large clubs. On the fringes are journalists, bloggers, entrepreneurs looking for products, services and ideas, and people who want to invest in buying wine.

If you have a chance to go, do so. Sign up online. If you don't qualify, or don't have time, I can tell you what I learned at the masterclsses on day one and what I saw around the show.

The Masterclasses

Day 1 Tuesday

Leading Ladies from the World of Wines & Spirits

Burgundy

Getting to Grips with Generation Z and their values

Demystifying The Malaysian Wine market

The Growing demand for non-alcoholic spirits

Day 2 Wednesday

Sherry

Sake can it be aged

Broken Heart Spirits - Award Winning Brand from New Zealand

New World Wines

Tequila and Mezqual

Day 3 Thursday

Online wine booming in SE Asia and how you can be part of it

B2B cream liqueurs

Ecospirits low waste distribution

Sake blending

The rise of marselan in China

Day 4 Friday

Yebisu Draft Beer (and beer glass offer

Sakes harmonised with local food

Whisky blending

Secrets of blogging and photographing food

St George's Day - And Shakespeare's Birthday

St George's Cake, in Barcelona, Spain. St George is celebrated in many countries. In Spain with bread, and the four red strips of the Catalan flag. This recipe is a recent invention by a prominent baker who shared his recipe with all the other bakers and the public.

 The red is from cured meat, pork, or halal beef in Moslem Algeria, and paprika. The spice and salt and pepper on the end of the sausage protected it from insects.

In the UK with cake!

Parade in Manchester, in the north of England.

Memorial to Shakespeare. England

The globe theatre, London, England, on the river Thames.

Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford upon Avon, England.

Yesterday was St George's Day. It came and went so fast that I blinked and missed it. Until I saw people on Facebook asking why we should celebrate somebody who had no connection with the England or anywhere in the UK and fought a mythical beast which never existed in England.

I agree that St George has no connection with England and nor do dragons. But I like the red England flag. Simple, and easily recognizable. 

And I approve of celebrating the English language on April 23 which is more or less Shakespeare's birthday.

You could argue that Shakespeare's exact birthday date is uncertain, and even that a person of that name never existed. You could say the same about Jesus and Dec 25th. Especially as the Eastern Orthodox church celebrates on January 6th .

Shakespeare statue, Chicago, USA

But both men left us great stories, traditional stories, and words and phrases which are now translated into modern English.And everybody likes a celebration, parades, banners, and fun food.

What's more, I am heavily into language learning.

 I completed the April challenge on Duolingo they say. I can't remember what this was. It must have been German. Then I felt tired. Korean was too challenging. I went back to the simplest language. Esperanto. A language without a country. Unless you count Zoom as a worldwide country and copy Gandhi in calling yourself a citizen of the world. At least the English speaking world.

But, English is the most widely spoken language in the world if you count those who speak it as a second language.

You cannot forget Shakespeare. You use his phrases every day.

Shakespeare's sayings

1 Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.

2 Methinks she doth protest too much. (about Lady Macbeth.)

3 Out damned spot. (Lady Macbeth.)

4 Once more into the breach, dear friends.

5 Now is the winter of our discontent. (King Henry.)

6 A woe is me for I am undone.

7 When shall we three meet again ..? (Macbeth, the three witches.)

8 Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo? (Romeo and Juliet.)

9 Neither a borrower nor a lender be. (Hamlet.)

10 The world's a stage ... they have their entrances and exits

11 Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears (Julius Caesar)

Those are just the says which immediately spring to mind.

St George's cake, Barcelona, Spain. Wikipedia. (Diada de Sant Jordi.)

I was wondering what one could or should eat to celebrate. 

A St George's Day Battenberg cake is a two colour cake with a marzipan covering. The latest version I have seen from Borough market has vanilla, and the red velvet part is chocolate flavour with red colouring. I pefer red colouring to mean red flavour, so I would add raspberry juice. For St George's Day it is suitable to have it red and white rather than chocolate brown and vanilla.

Battenberg cake.

Battenberg cake.

Photos from Wikipedia.

In London I could buy a Batternberg cake from Tesco Express.

Useful Websites

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare

https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_Shakespeare

//boroughmarket.org.uk/recipes/st-georges-day-battenberg-cake/

Tesco Batterberg

https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/300454999

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Easy Esperanto

 I completed the April challenge on Duolingo they say. I can't remember what this was. It must have been German.

 Then I felt tired. Korean was too challenging. Which easy language could I practise for five minutes?

 I went back to the simplest language. Esperanto. A language without a country.

But isn't Zoom a worldwide country?

Zamenhof

I made a point of visiting Zamenhof's grave in the Jewish cemetery. when I was in Poland. I could not get a good photo because the grave was covered in snow and I was knee deep in snow. Photo from Wikipedia. 

Zamenhof day is the 15th of December.

Blue box recycling - free recycling box - in Singapore, Canada and the UK

In Singapore a free foldable blue box is available to households, collectable from community centres, this month, April 2023.

We have blue boxes or rather bins in London.

Apparently the blue box system started a while ago in Canada.

Useful Websites

SINGAPORE

 https://www.gowhere.gov.sg/bloobox

CANADA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_box_recycling_system

Blue boxes around the world.

Pictures from Wikipedia.