Singapore Arts, Beauty and Inspirations Male Blogger

 

Cheers to the load of great fun and new experiences as I joined the Migme team on the 25th Oct with a group of overseas bloggers from Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines. Among us was a young Indonesian celebrity, Anisa Rahma and her lucky fan whom she picked to join her for this trip to Singapore!

 

I started off my fun filled day with a spread of seafood from Crab in Da Bag! They were the FIRST in Singapore to serve the 'Caboodle Boil' - their very own Southern Louisiana Seafood Boil Specialty.

The staffs brought out metal buckets containing a mixture of seafood, corn, sausages and potatoes, pouring them onto the table itself. Cameras were already taking aim like sniper rifles, ready to capture the best pouring shots.   

 

Armed with a bib and nutcrackers (optional) to disarm these crustaceans, everyone began dissecting these red creatures. Mollusks such as the mussels and clams were not their priority but still being attacked after their larger relatives were de-shelled.

 

Sad for me, due to being allergic to crustaceans and with their sweet reactive juices coating everything in there, I could only manage to eat 3 sausages and a corn before my allergic reaction got worst. It was great to watch the others really enjoying themselves, savouring the freshness of the sea while biting into the hidden flesh of these shelled creatures. Even though I could not enjoy eating them, I still fed my camera with photos!     



 

 

 

 

 

Finally it was time to head over to the Racquet Club. The building's interior was furnished like a hotel lobby and the staffs provided excellent customer service. There were cluster of different rooms and we were led into the one called 'Chris Evert Suite'.

 

Dinner was a buffet spread with my choice of wine, champagne or orange juice. I almost thought that I was in a hotel as the food tasted really awesome, with the wok fried wagyu beef in black pepper sauce, garlic flakes and pepper confit being my top favourite dish that day. 

 

After 2 rounds of serving, it was time to rush into the stadium to watch the WTA Finals 2015!  

 

It was a thrilling experience to step into the indoor stadium to watch a live tennis match! I have never had the chance to watch a live match till now, especially when my seat was considered premium which meant that it was closer to the court!

 

The finals have finally began! I had a clear view of Maria Sharapove VS Agnieszka Radwanska that night. I witnessed the 2 beautiful sporty ladies displaying their shift moves, high stamina and strength as they played throughout the match! The cooperation, applause and the constant cheers from the audience displayed the support people show to their tennis idols! 

 

In between the matches, I went for a toilet break and visiting the lounge since I was around that vicinity. There were cocktails, champagnes as well as wines available. I went towards the Nespresso counter since I spotted a crowd watching the barista preparing some fanciful looking beverage. Without thought, I had the mango cream with espresso without realising that I just had caffeine. There goes my sleep that night...   

 

After my potent stay-awake concoction and chatting with the staff a little, I headed back to my seat to catch the final moments of the match! The situation was rather tense, my eyes locked onto the ball each time as it flew across the net. The cheers grew louder each time and the final roar of cheers boomed as Agnieszka Radwanska's final ball hit the net. Victory goes to Maria Sharapove as she shrugged her shoulders and smiled in bewilderment.

 

Cameras were once again snapping in unity as many stood up to continue cheering for her victory. A speech was made and people could be seen clustering nearby, holding on to their large tennis balls, waiting for her signature.

 

Congratulations to Maria Sharapove as she scored a victory. Agnieszka Radwanska also did her best at the court to strike back. I had a great time watching the match, enjoying the yummy food, as well as getting to know other bloggers.

 

Thank you Migme for the invite! 

Lim rose to fame for his Chinese ink artworks of Chinatown and the Singapore River in the early 1980s. Since I am a 1990s' baby, his works helped me to visualise the urban landmarks, developments and scenes during that era. I appreciate such form of retrospect which I would never have a chance to witness and experience.

Since I am a foodie, I am particularly attracted to paintings that usually showcase the bustling marketplace, food streets or even stalls. Take the 'Duck Rice Stall' below for example. A simple scene with shophouses in the backdrop that once existed from the past and lost in the present. It portrays a simple makeshift-looking stall with patchwork shelters and people whose livelihood depended on it. As I looked closer, I see minimal outline of stocks and utensils needed to run the stall. The image lured me closer to observe each little details, yet the dull historic tones acts like a barrier, reminding me that it was all in the past. From a kampong village to a first-world country.

 ''When I write, impressions of paintings form in my mind'' - Lim Tze Peng

People might be stunned by some of his painting styles which has multiple Chinese characters seen overlapping each other. Lim prefer to emphasise on the expressiveness and elegance of strokes rather than the meanings of these characters. It is his stylistic breakthrough of abstract calligraphy which I myself heard for the first time, also known as 糊塗字.

I start to imagine myself looking at a painting instead of Chinese characters. Art has no right or wrong to me, just how each of us interpret each painting individually. My first image that materialized was a plantation. It might be due to greenish brown background. I see crops semi harvested, some left to decay as they were left alone. Towards the right middle of the painting, I must have spotted a house...

How about you? 





I was staring at one of the largest and most eye catching painting in the gallery. The light brownish tones produced the same historic feeling that was felt across most of his paintings. The feeling of wanting to be there, strolling across the same river which our forefathers had once walked through. That feeling was surreal.  

Feel free to visit IMPRESSIONS (墨韵) by Lim Tze Peng Exhibition. It would be great to view some historical moments as well as modern calligraphy.

Date: 13 Oct - 30 Nov 2015

Time: 11am - 9pm (Sun - Thur) ; 12 noon - 10pm (Fri - Sat)

Venue: Ode to Art Raffles City Gallery

Free Entry  

 

While making my way to Barnacles By The Sea after being wowed by the architectural design of the resort, I met a 3-foot long monitor lizard which I later learned from the chefs that it was a regular customer of this place. Don't be afraid, it is harmless.

 

As I entered the spacious restaurant, my eyes were already darting towards the buffet spread. I caught sight of the fresh seafood section, attention seeking reddish hues from their shells as well as a containment of juicy-big shucked oysters on ice. Needless to say, this section was definitely the most popular among us!

 

As for me, I was quite inclined and impressed with the garde manger (cold dishes) section. The variety and quality of ingredients used was quite impressive I would say. Sushi, poached eggs with runny yolk, white/green asparagus with feta cheese, mozzarella cheese with tomatoes, sweet melon wrapped with parma ham, chilled crab meat, cold cuts, cold tomato soup and raw salmon related dishes. (Just some of the dishes that I actually remembered.) Of course not forgetting the salad section that contributed to the vibrant colours. 

 

 

After a few rounds of garde manger, I finally decided to explore the other stations. Surprisingly there was a children's section where they had pasta, fried finger food as well as broccoli cupcakes?? An interesting way to get kids to have their greens! I almost laugh out loud (LOL).  

 I spotted the coffee and tea section as well! Biscotti and cookies available to go with your drinks? Anyway, I was satisfied with my glass of freshly squeezed orange juice while the rest had their alcoholic fill of white wine.

The mains were stationed outdoors but I was almost full from all the appetisers. Go ahead to try the Indian spread if you were more adventurous than me since I usually stick to my preference or comfort food. I tried the Peking duck, roast chicken, beef steak (well done by default) as well as lamb (medium rare by default). Ala minute pasta as well as soup of the day available too!

 

 

After stuffing myself silly with food and getting a little full, taking a walk around the place would definitely be a good idea, especially when the surrounding is greenery and seaside. Just outside the restaurant there would be a magic show going on, with the magician performing enthustically in front of a group of kids. 

 

Balloon sculpting session is also available for kids! Check out the reaction of happy kids with balloons shaped like dogs or flowers. Also not forgetting the 3-men team of musicians performing in house while I enjoyed my meal.

 

 

The dessert section consisted of cut fruits, a 4-tier chocolate fondue, whole cakes, kuehs, macarons as well as mousse in petite cups. Yup, I tried everything as usual, including 5 scopes of ice cream from 'Gelato' brand (5 out of 8 types of flavours). Vanilla, raspberry cheesecake, cotton candy, pandan and passion fruit. For pandan, I felt that the taste was too overwhelming and artificial while the 'passion fruit' was actually pink guava dominant. The rest fared quite decent.

 

 

 

 

The buffet is every Sunday from 12 noon to 3pm and free parking on a first come first serve basic. Why not just take a stroll along the coastal line right outside Barnacles itself and not fret over your parking fees. Nice scenery, great place for a selfie/ootd as well as a great way to allow your food to slowly digest in your tummy after your buffet!

 

The Sunday Garden Party at Barnacles By The Sea is available at S$138++ per adult.

One child below 12 years dines free with every paying adult and additional S$28++ applies for each additional child (including free flow soft drinks and juices). (Include pool access.)

This offer ends at 15 Dec 2015.

 

For reservation or enquiries, please call (65) 6371 1966.

 

 

Thank you Hungrygowhere via Alvin Tan for the tasting invite as well as Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort and Spa for the hosting.