Around Braddell

...with a 14-24mm! (In other words, I'm trying to tame the lens and get to know it better.)

Erection!

Blackhead Bread

Earlier in the day, some friends and I had gone to visit Lionel at his resting place. Thereafter, a bunch of us left for their destinations while Zengrong and I went to visit Wei Jeah's new place around Kim Keat for an informal house warming. On our way back to the main road, we came across an old bakery run by some middle-aged to old men. I was thoroughly fascinated by their products. With the camera in hand, these are some of the snapshots of what I saw.

I seem to be always attracted to the old, disused, forgotten things around us. I think these things give a certain life, character and identity to the place they are found. I probably caught on this fascination when Zengrong brought me to the old ST James Power Station before it was refurbished into what you will see today. Above all, it is literally a refreshing sight from the usual Orchard Road.

As for the bread from this traditional bakery, what attracted me first were the loaves of "blackhead bread" stacked on the racks to cool down. Not to mention I love the colours too.

Of course, we also wanted to have a taste of the freshly baked "blackhead bread", so we shared to buy a loaf, which was only $2.20.

Then, I gave it a try... And it was the most wonderful plain bread I had tasted! The bread was moist, soft but firm on the bite. It didn't dissolve into a mess in the mouth and you can savour every bite you take slowly. It is no wonder the bakery still stands today.

Anyway, besides the "blackhead bread", the colourful trays which they use also caught my eye.

Vibrant colours.

Really glad we made the trip to Wei Jeah's place, otherwise I would have missed out such a lovely place in the equally lovely area.

Wandering around town

I was wandering around town the previous weekend with my camera along.

First came along this architectural monster that was supposed to fly. But I cannot imagine how the Singapore Flyer might fly, perhaps the flyer it was referring to was the paper kind that can float away with a gust of wind.

Then came another thing that is called a flyover, which really meant that whatever that goes on it has a mild illusion that it is flying upon it.

Next I saw the Central Rat Race District from afar, where I hear that men wear a short variant of a leash and women don warpaint on their faces.

I also came across a nearly forgotten monument that commemorates people who fought for the freedom of this land.

Then I came across a sign that keeps me away from danger and perhaps a loophole in my insurance coverage. I ask myself if that was fair, only to stumble upon a symbol of justice, eyes closed like it didn't want to see and so far away that makes me a little skeptical.

I run to a grand church, finding a sense of peace. I turn around to leave, and found that it had to make a little leeway for underground development.

I looked across the street, but "Capitol" didn't call out for me. So I looked to the right and saw "Eden" beckoning.

I crossed the road and got closer, but then I realize it is but an illusion of Eden, made with non-biodegradable plastics no less.

Can't help but ponder, "Gee, I am amazed I can actually crap with such continuity." :p

The Local Countryside

I can't say I particularly enjoy walking down Orchard Road to City Hall. While it is a great walk for people watching and spotting marketing gimmicks (which usually involve PVC and/or short skirts), it gets pretty dreary once you keep going at it. So it is really nice to find somewhere less crowded and with less exhaust fumes.

Figs on a tree

A while ago the girlfriend and I took a ride on the Kranji Express to the Lim Chu Kang countryside, took a walk at Sungei Buloh, crossed paths with a 2-metre long monitor lizard and had some snacks at Poison Ivy. It simply left me pining for more of the area.

The Local Countryside - Hay Dairies Goat Farm

It was a weekday when my parents and I visited the area, so we were a little disappointed when we found out that Green Circle wasn't ready for business. We then moved off to Hay Dairies Goat Farm for a look-see and some goat's milk. We had missed the milking session, so we had to settle for the meet-the-goats session.

A hungry goat expecting to be fed.

Pregnant nanny goats

You can see some of their bellies move from the kicking kids inside. Fascinating.

The "stud" sniffing a nanny goats... Nuff said...

So a bit of reality check here: the goats don't really frolic in the vast grass patches as you see in the Flash animation on the web site. (If you sense I'm a little peeved by this, it is only because you got to watch The Meatrix)

So after the meet-the-goats session, we bought a few bottles of fresh goat's milk, chocolate and original flavours.
Advice: I prefer the original flavour to the chocolate one. So skip the chocolate, because it doesn't really taste fantastic. But of course, it is a matter of personal preference. Try at your own risk.

The Dragonfruit Farm

We then adjourned to the dragonfruit farm just next door. For the uninitiated, dragonfruit, or pitaya grows from a family of cacti that looks just the picture above. They come in 3 varieties, red skin with white flesh, red skin with red flesh and yellow skin and white flesh. The farm only sells the first two varieties along with other products that are derived from the fruit, like fruit enzymes and canned dragonfruit juice (either red or white).

Flower of the Dragonfruit plant

My parents and I definitely didn't just want to settle with buying the dragonfruits, so we toured the plantation.

Dragonfruit

Flower of the Dragonfruit plant

Flower of the Dragonfruit plant

Flower of the Dragonfruit plant

A cute little thing

Of course, it is my duty to inform readers that there are thorns, and should proceed with a level of caution. Especially when you see plants growing so close together...

Be careful of thorns

Besides the main function of growing dragonfruits, the farm also has some sidelines for variety, probably catered to pique the visitors' interest.

Aquatic plants

Wine gourds

Just before leaving, we chanced upon a koi pond. So I stepped closer to the edge and the next thing I knew, the kois swarmed towards me and surfaced as if in a feeding frenzy.

Koi

It turns out that the kois were constantly fed by visitors and apparently they expected feed the moment someone steps near the edge of the pond! Damn smart lor!

Think I will plan another trip to the local countryside soon. :)