No Durians to Metro

It was finally time to go to my Visa extension trip to Singapore. There in the middle of China Town a camera shop seller made an offer I couldn't resist : "You're my last customer for the evening so I'll make an special offer". With more experienced Camera shopper, Veera, I was able to calculate that the offer was indeed a good one. So I left that shop as an owner of a beautiful SLR camera. Finally I was again able to capture moments, images and feelings with a natural extension of my self: my own camera.

The next day we headed up to the Singapore Zoo which might just be the coolest Zoo I've ever visited (I'm sorry Korkeasaari - the Helsinki Zoo! I like you as well but it is hard to compete with Orangutans and Polar bears). The animals looked relaxed and happy and the overall design for the people's gages was very enjoyable. The park was built like a theme park with lots of jungle and greenery.

The polar bear youngster Inuka is a genuine Singapore Zoo native.

Orangutan family.

"Pylly vasten pyllyä/ Pum pum"

Sleeping kitty.

Don't get too close to the animals!

But I guess wooden ones are ok.

Serious fish.

Baboons.

In the Zoo even this flower looked animal-like. Do you see a cat face?

More baboons.

Tapir.

Back to the human Zoo meaning the city itself. Near the Marina people had a handy way of drying their clothes.

The paradise view from the beach.

Mitsubishi transportation in the Little India.

The big Indian festival Deepavali is coming up. It's on the 17th of October. That's why the Little India is decorated with colorful lightings and decorations.

Here is the awesome people experiencing the Singaporian city night with me: Veera from Finland, Helena from Canada and Bryan from Singapore.

Little kittens made cute appearances everywhere. This fellow we met on our way back to the hostel.

Singapore is a fine city. This is the legendary country where for example eating gum is prohibited. But don't either bike trough this tunnel!

Skyscrapers.

They keep on expanding the city even though the limits of the nation have already been fully reached. Luckily the sky is sky high. Singapore is also building land on top of the sea to push the borders further.

Even when the famous Opera House has been inspired by the shape of durian...

...no durians are allowed to the neat and handy metro system of Singapore.

Temples of Penang

Habitants, details and other views of Penang temples from the trip we did last week.

These are the last pictures taken with my lovely Vivitar camera. I'd like to dedicate a silent moment for my ex-camera. You were a good companion 2006-2009 from the wine yards of Argentina, to the top of New York and beaches of California until the butterflies and temples of Malaysia. You captured beautiful smiles of friends and made my unique memories ever-lasting. Thank you! Rest In Peace dear Vivi.

Holy turtles

Roof view

Weekend Getaway From The City

We did a weekend getaway to the rainforest resort in Gopeng with the force of four girls and delusional GPS.

Riina was our designated driver while Guat Hong (as the only local from the group) was our co-driver and translator. Bettina was the medicine cabinet and also in charge of our entertainment: a round of Uno or Rummy is the perfect way of spending the last hours of the day. In this division of labor I think I was mostly the mascot... Here are all four of us sipping fresh coconut juice in the town of Gopeng.

Gopeng is quite small but very picturesque town two hours from KL. There is lot of beautiful old wooden buildings. And pigeons, cats, dogs, chickens etc.

While I was taking the photo below an old man stepped out from the gate. I was spooked (under the influence of the endless amount of ghost stories my Malaysian friends keep telling me)!

We stop by the local food market to get some delicious fresh fruits for snacks. 

Like miniature bananas. Aren't they cute?!

After the lunch break in town we continued our journey to Gopeng Rainforest Resort. Janice (lady in a red shirt) welcomed us by showing a slideshow movie of the french school class trip to the resort with Queen songs as the soundtrack.

Still further away, deeper to the forest, with a private transportation in a minibus, we reach our final destination. Little village in heart of the rainforest. Here we pose with our local guides who showed us the forest's treasures and picked out the leeches from our legs.

The trekking began!

Our guru told that the butterflies like especially this plant and it's not surprising with its butterfly-wing-shaped leaves.

After another adventurous trek in a pouring rain we reached this little piece of paradise. It was lovely for a little swim (I'll save the bikini photos later).

This tree looks like a rope.

The bud in this photo is of the famous parasitic flower Rafflesia which was the original reason for our trip. For our disappointment none of them were yet blooming. We should have waited approximately for another week but even the guides can't know for sure. Even the buds were impressive but I can just imagine the effect of the actual flower. It is supposed to stink a lot as well.

Sticks.

No! Look again. If you really look carefully the photos above you can find the little white eyes in the sticks. Introducing to you the brown and green Stick Insect. Quite a good disguise, don't you think!?

Looking for baby butterflies. 

We saw thousands of these beauties and it was an impressive sight. One butterfly landed on my nose and I've heard it means good luck :)

The giggling children of the village were super cute. When our trip reached it's end and we were leaving many tiny hands waved for us goodbye!

Weekend well spent! 

<3