Thursday, 2 July 2026

Ambience 氛围

Singapore - Kelantan Road

新加坡 — 吉兰丹路

Today, let's talk about ambience.

今天,来聊聊氛围。


Arrived at a trendy durian shop.

来到了一家时尚的榴莲店。


The venue is spacious and tranquil.

场地宽敞、清幽。


There is a durian-shaped chair outside the venue.

场馆外有一把榴莲形状的椅子。


The venue includes both indoor and outdoor areas.

该场地包含室内和室外区域。


Although the room is air-conditioned, there is no strong smell of durian.

室内虽是空调室,但并没有强烈的榴莲味。


There are also durian decorations inside the dining hall.

内也有榴莲装饰。


The counter was no different from those of other cafés.

柜台与其他咖啡馆的没什么两样。


Interestingly, this menu looks just like a stock market ticker display.

有趣的是,这份菜单看起来就像股市行情显示屏。


The durian is exquisitely arranged.

榴莲摆放得十分精致。


Nowadays, even the ambience has become important when eating durian.

如今,吃榴莲时,就连环境氛围也变得讲究起来。

Sunday, 28 June 2026

Since 1933 年以来

Singapore - Maude Road (Ming Chung Restaurant)

新加坡 —  茂德路(民众菜馆)

Today, I am introducing a restaurant specialising in traditional Heng Hwa cuisine.

今天,我要向大家介绍一家主打传统兴化菜的餐厅。


This Heng Hwa restaurant was established in 1933 and has a 93-year history.

这家兴化菜馆成立于1933年,拥有93年的历史。


Ming Chung Restaurant was the place where Heng Hwa folks used to gather back in the day to share meals and chat.

民众菜馆可是当年兴化老乡聚集吃饭、话家常的地方。

The restaurant is very unpretentious, with no lavish décor.

菜馆很朴实,没有华丽的装潢。

The food is nothing fancy—just simple, home-style dishes.

食物没什么花哨的——就是些简单的家常菜。


I highly recommend the Lor Mee (braised noodles), Fried Bee Hoon (stir-fried rice vermicelli), Cha Hoon (stew noodles), Trio Golden Platter (fried platter), Fried Batang Fish (pan-fried Spanish mackerel), Braised Bean Curd, and Seaweed Soup.

个人比较推荐的是卤面、炒米粉、擦粉、炸拼盘、煎马鲛鱼、焖豆腐、紫菜汤。


Ming Chung Restaurant Dining Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM

民众菜馆营业时间:周二至周日,下午12点至晚上10点

Friday, 19 June 2026

Double Fifth Festival 重五节

Singapore - Bugis

新加坡 — 武吉士

The Duanwu Festival is a traditional festival in the East Asian cultural sphere and one of the four major Chinese festivals, alongside the Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival.

端午节是东亚文化圈一个传统节日,华人四大节日之一,同春节、清明节、中秋节一样重要的传统节日。


The Duanwu Festival has many names, such as Dragon Boat Festival, Double Fifth Festival, Duanyang Festival, Duanwu Festival, Double Fifth Festival, Tianzhong Festival, Summer Festival, Mugwort Festival, Shangri Festival, May Festival, Calamus Festival, Heavenly Doctor Festival, Herbal Medicine Festival, Noon Festival, Earth Wax Festival, Zhengyang Festival, Dragon Day Festival, Dumpling Festival, Five Yellow Festival, Poet's Festival, Hiding from the Noon Festival, Unwrapping Dumpling Festival, Duanli Festival, etc.

端午节名称众多,如龙舟节、重午节、端阳节、端五节、重五节、当五汛、天中节、夏节、艾节、上日、五月节、菖蒲节、天医节、草药节、午日节、地腊节、正阳节、龙日节、粽子节、五黄节、诗人节、躲午节、解粽节、端礼节等等。

Wednesday, 10 June 2026

Longing For Mommy 想念妈咪

Singapore - Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium

新加坡 — 万礼火化场与骨灰瓮安置所

Today's visit to the columbarium is not on any special day of remembrance.

今天来骨灰瓮安置所不是什么特别的祭拜日。


 I just missed my mommy.

纯粹就想我妈咪了。


Although two months have passed, my longing for my mommy has not diminished in the slightest.

虽然两个月过去了,但我对妈咪的思念丝毫未减。

Although I came here to chat with my mommy, it was actually my mommy who was keeping me company.

虽然我来这里是为了和妈咪聊天,但实际上是妈咪陪着我。

Saturday, 6 June 2026

Four Sixes 四个六

Singapore

新加坡

Today is Saturday, June 6, 2026, making four sixes.

今天是2026年6月6日星期六,凑成四个六。


The last time four sixes appeared was in 1916, exactly 110 years ago.

上次出现四个六是1916年,相隔整整110年。

The next time four sixes appear will be in 2136, which is 110 years from now.

下一次再出现四个六要等到2136年,那是110年后的事。

On this once-in-a-lifetime occasion of four sixes, I wish everyone good luck and all the best.

在这人生仅有一次的四个六日子里,祝愿大家六六大顺。

Sunday, 31 May 2026

Simplified Version 简化版

Singapore - Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery

新加坡 — 光明山普觉禅寺

As usual, this year on Vesak Day, I go to Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery to participate in the three-steps-one-bow ceremony.

今年卫塞节,我照例前往光明山普觉禅寺参加三步一拜仪式

The difference is that my mommy just left us for the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

不同的是,我妈咪刚离开我们去了极乐净土。


Due to some construction projects, this year's three-steps-one-bow ceremony has been adjusted and simplified.

由于一些建筑工程,今年的三步一拜仪式进行了调整和简化。


Although the distance has been reduced, the devotees still perform the rituals with sincerity.

尽管距离缩短了,信徒们仍然虔诚地进行仪式。


The simplified ceremony is complete.

简化版的仪式完成。


Devotees lined up to prepare to bathe the Buddha.

信徒们排成一列,准备为佛像沐浴。

This is also a way to make merit for my mommy, who is in the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

这也是为我身处极乐净土的妈咪积德的一种方式。

Saturday, 30 May 2026

Curtain Call In Life 人生谢幕

Singapore

新加坡

Today I received heartbreaking news: my friend's father-in-law passed away due to a sudden heart attack.

今天我收到一个令人心碎的消息:我朋友的岳父因突发心脏病去世了。


According to Indian custom, a person's body is laid on the floor after death.

根据印度习俗,人死后遗体会被放置在地板上。

Indians will keep the remains of their deceased relatives in their homes.

印度人会把过世亲人的遗体放在自己家里。

In Indian custom, a person is either cremated or buried the day after death.

按照印度习俗,人死后第二天要么火葬,要么土葬。

In Indian custom, funerals are not held on Saturdays.

在印度习俗里,葬礼不在星期六举行。

However, if the next day falls on a Saturday, a chicken must be sacrificed to replace the descendant "eaten" by the ancestors; then the curtain calls in life on Sunday.

但是,如果第二天是星期六,就必须宰杀一只鸡来代替被祖先“吃掉”的后代;然后,生命在星期日落下帷幕。

Wednesday, 27 May 2026

Last Seventh Day 尾七

Singapore - Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium

新加坡 — 万礼火化场与骨灰瓮安置所

Today is the forty-ninth day (the last seventh day) since my mommy left us.

今天是我妈咪离开我们的第四十九天(尾七)。


According to Buddhism, a person's consciousness after death is called "bardo".

根据佛教的说法,人死后的神识,被称为“中阴身”

It will inevitably be reincarnated within forty-nine days and cannot linger in this world.

在七七四十九天内必定入轮回转世,不能逗留人世间。

Buddhism believes that within 49 days after death, the soul wanders between the past life and the next.

佛教认为人死后四十九天内,灵魂会在前世与来生之间徘徊。

The 49th day is the last day of the forty-nine-day memorial service, meaning the deceased will complete the judgment of the six realms of reincarnation on this day and decide where to be reborn.

第49天是七七祭祀的最后一天,意味着亡灵将在这一天完成六道轮回的审判,决定投生去处。

May mommy follow Amitabha Buddha to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss and become an angel.

愿妈咪跟随阿弥陀佛去极乐净土成为天使。

P/S: "bardo" (Tibetan word meaning "intermediate state")

注:中阴身”(藏语,意为“中间状态”)

Thursday, 21 May 2026

Ending 60-day Visa-Free Entry 结束60天免签入境

Thailand

泰国

The Thai Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that Thailand is ending its 60-day visa-free entry programme for travellers from 93 countries and territories.

泰国外交部周二表示,泰国将结束对来自93个国家和地区的旅客实行的60天免签入境计划。


The following 5 countries have a bilateral 90-day visa exemption:

以下5个国家双边互免90天:

Argentina                        阿根廷
Brazil                              巴西
Chile                               智利
Peru                                秘鲁
South Korea                    韩国

The following 54 countries/territories enjoy unconditional 30-day visa-free entry:

以下54个国家/地区享有30天无条件免签入境:

Australia                          澳大利亚
Austria                             奥地利
Bahrain                            巴林 
Belgium                           比利时
Bhutan                            不丹
Brunei                             文莱
Canada                           加拿大
Czechia                           捷克
Denmark                         丹麦
Estonia                            爱沙尼亚
Fiji                                    斐济
Finland                            芬兰
France                             法国
Georgia                           格鲁吉亚
Germany                         德国
Greece                            希腊
Hungary                          匈牙利
Iceland                            冰岛
Indonesia                        印度尼西亚
Ireland                             爱尔兰
Israel                               以色列 
Italy                                 意大利
Japan                              日本
Jordan                             约旦
Kuwait                             科威特
Kyrgyzstan                      吉尔吉斯斯坦
Latvia                              拉脱维亚
Liechtenstein                  列支敦士登
Lithuania                         立陶宛
Luxembourg                    卢森堡
Malaysia                          马来西亚
Netherlands                     荷兰
New Zealand                   新西兰
Norway                            挪威
Oman                               阿曼
Philippines                        菲律宾
Poland                              波兰
Portugal                            葡萄牙
Qatar                                卡塔尔
Romania                            罗马尼亚
Saudi Arabia                      沙特阿拉伯
Singapore                          新加坡
Slovakia                             斯洛伐克 
Slovenia                             斯洛文尼亚
South Africa                       南非
Spain                                  西班牙
Sweden                              瑞典
Switzerland                         瑞士
Taiwan                                 台湾
Türkiye                                土耳其
Ukraine                               乌克兰
United Arab Emirates          阿拉伯联合酋长国阿联酋
United Kingdom                  英国
United States of America    美国

The following 9 countries/territories enjoy bilateral 30-day visa-free entry:

以下9个国家/地区享有双边30天免签入境待遇:

China                                    中国
Hong Kong                            香港
Kazakhstan                            哈萨克斯坦
Laos                                       老挝
Macao                                    澳门
Mongolia                                蒙古
Russia                                    俄罗斯
Timor-Leste                            东帝汶
Vietnam                                  越南

The following 3 countries enjoy unconditional 15-day visa-free entry:

以下三个国家享有15天无条件免签入境:

Maldives                                马尔代夫
Mauritius                                毛里求斯
Seychelles                             塞舌尔

The following 2 countries enjoy a bilateral 14-day visa-free entry:

以下2个国家享有双边14天免签入境:

Cambodia                            柬埔寨
Myanmar                              缅甸

The following 4 countries enjoy a 7-day to 15-day visa on arrival:

以下4个国家享有7至15天落地签:

Azerbaijan                            阿塞拜疆
Belarus                                 白俄罗斯
India                                      印度 
Serbia                                   塞尔维亚

Wednesday, 20 May 2026

Give Love 献爱

Singapore - HSA

新加坡 — 卫生科学局

Today marks my 86th blood donation.

今天是我第86次捐血。

Today also marks the 42nd day since my mommy passed away.

今天也是我妈咪去世的第42天。


The blood flowing in my body is given to me by my mommy.

我身上流的血是我妈咪赐予的

Today, I am representing my mommy to offer her final gift of love to this world.

今天,我代表我的妈咪,将她留给这个世界的最后一份爱的礼物献上。


May mommy be a happy little angel in heaven.

妈咪在天堂成为一位快乐的小天使。

Wednesday, 13 May 2026

Fifth Seventh Day 五七

Singapore - Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium

新加坡 — 万礼火化场与骨灰瓮安置所

Today is the thirty-fifth day (the fifth seventh day) since my mommy left us.

今天是我妈咪离开我们的第三十五天(五七)。


I bought my mommy the chicken rice that she loved most when she was alive from Sam Leong Street.

我从三龙街给我妈咪买了她生前最爱吃的鸡腿饭。


According to folk belief, the deceased may not know they have died from the first to the fifth seventh day.

民间认为,在头七到五七之前,亡者可能不知自己已故,直到五七才真正知道。


Therefore, on the fifth seventh night, the spirit of the deceased will return home to bid a final farewell to their family.

因此,五七夜里亡灵会归家与家人做最后告别。

Sunday, 10 May 2026

Without You 没有您

Singapore - Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium

新加坡 — 万礼火化场与骨灰瓮安置所

Today is Mother's Day, but my mommy has been gone for thirty-two days.

今天是母亲节,但我妈咪已经离开三十二天。


Every year on this day, I buy my mommy her favourite food.

每年的今天,我都会给妈咪买她最爱吃的食物。

Today, I bought braised pig's trotters rice and tea as usual.

今天,我像往常一样买了卤猪蹄饭和茶。


No matter how delicious the food is, I wonder if my mommy can actually eat it?

再多的美食也不知道妈咪是否真的能吃得到?

From today forward, Mother's Day will never be a day of celebration.

从今天起,母亲节将永远不再是庆祝的日子。

Wednesday, 29 April 2026

Third Seventh Day 三七

Singapore - Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium

新加坡 — 万礼火化场与骨灰瓮安置所

Today is the twenty-first day (the third seventh day) since my mommy left us.

今天是我妈咪离开我们的第二十一天(三七)。


Today's offering is "Yongxiangxing" stuffed tofu, which my mommy loved to eat when she was alive.

今天的拜祭品是妈咪生前爱吃的“永祥兴”酿豆腐。


I miss my mommy so much.

好想我的妈咪。

Wednesday, 15 April 2026

First Seventh Day 头七

Singapore - Mandai Crematorium and Columbarium

新加坡 — 万礼火化场与骨灰瓮安置所

Today marks the seventh day since my mommy left us.

今天是我妈咪离开我们的头七。


Since it coincides with the Qingming Festival, you need to make an appointment to drive to the columbarium.

由于正值清明节,前往骨灰瓮安置所需要提前预约才能开车去。


I am surprisingly calm when I visit my mommy today.

今天来看妈咪时竟然出奇的平静。


The first thing to do when worshipping mommy is to worship the Earth God.

拜祭妈咪的第一件事是拜拜土地公。


Bought the vegetarian food and tea that my mother liked when she was alive, hoping she could "eat" them.

买了妈咪生前喜欢吃的素食和茶,希望她能“吃”到。


After the worship ceremony, the offerings were moved downstairs.

拜祭完毕后,就把供品移到楼下。


Finally, burn the paper money, gold and silver joss paper for my mommy.

最后,烧掉给妈妈的纸钱、金银冥纸。