Sunday, 19 November 2017

House Of Office 五谷轮回之所

China - Yunnan (Lijiang Ancient City)

中国 - 云南(丽江古城) 

Talk about the toilets in Asia, most if not all, will not have too good impression.

提起亚洲的厕所,大部分(如果不是全部的话)都不会有太好的印象。

What about toilets in China?

那中国的厕所呢?

What if I tell you the photo below is a toilet, will you believe me?

如果我告诉你下面的照片是厕所,你会相信我吗?


It was incredible when I first saw it.

当我第一次看到时也难以置信。


It is indeed very vintage!

也太古色古香了吧!


Female toilet is downstairs and male toilet is upstairs.

楼下是女厕,楼上是男厕。


The toilet is relatively clean and odourless.

厕所挺干净,也没异味。


World Toilet Day is the United Nations international observance day, celebrated on 19 November, to raise awareness of the global sanitation crisis.

世界厕所日是11月19日庆祝的联合国国际纪念日,旨在提高对全球卫生危机的认识。

World Toilet Day was established by the World Toilet Organization in 2001.

世界厕所日是由世界厕所组织于2001年设立的。


The World Toilet Organization was founded by Jack Sim, a Singaporean.


世界厕所组织由新加坡人沈锐华创立。


In 2013, the United Nations passed a resolution recognizing World Toilet Day as an official United Nations international day.


2013年,联合国通过决议,承认世界厕所日为联合国正式国际日。


P/S: House of office means toilet.

注:五谷轮回之所指的是厕所,其语出自小说《西游记》。

Tuesday, 7 November 2017

观音菩萨出家日

Singapore - Waterloo Road (Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple)

新加坡 - 小坡四马路观音堂佛祖庙) 

农历九月十九是观音菩萨的出家日。

在这天观音修成了菩萨,坐上了莲花台。

观世音菩萨以大悲为本顾,救苦救难为目的。

经中说:救度诸末法,观世音为最。

慈悲是拔除众生之苦,再施与众生快乐,解救众生於烦恼的苦海。

虔诚地念诵“南无大慈大悲观世音菩萨“。


四马路观音堂(观音堂佛祖庙),位於新加坡小坡四马路。

1884年佛教“南山上人”在此地弘扬佛法。

1885年农历五月清朝光绪十年由陈两成商号捐献土地建庙。

1895年农历三月曾有过一次重修。

观音堂至今巳超过100年历史。

不过,原有的建筑早已拆除。

现在所见到的观音堂是在1980至1984年重修扩建的。

重修扩建后的规模总面积达1500平方公尺,比原有面积增加了一倍。

整个工程耗资500多万元。

观音堂在二次世界大战期间,曾发生一件事。

1941年12月8日,太平洋战争爆发。

日本飞机空袭新加坡,四马路也挨了日军的炸弹。

当时观音堂隔邻的几间房屋都被炸毁,整条四马路几乎被炸为平地。

唯独观音堂有如神助,逃过大劫。

观音堂只被强烈的爆炸声波震动了一阵子,却没有中弹,庙堂的建筑物也没有被破坏。

因为这起事件,为该堂增添不少神秘的色彩。

Sunday, 29 October 2017

Passport Power Rank 最强护照排行榜

With the opening of Paraguay to Singapore citizens visa-free entry, Singapore passport  has become the world's powerful passport.

随着巴拉圭开放让新加坡公民免签证入境,新加坡护照跃升成为世界最强护照。

This is the first time ever an Asian country passport to become the world's powerful passport.

这是历来首次有亚洲国家护照成为世界最强护照。


Global Passport Ranking Top 5 / 全球护照排行榜前5名

1. Singapore / 新加坡(159)

2. Germany / 德国(158)

3. South Korea, Sweden / 韩国、瑞典(157)

4. Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, Norway, Spain, United Kingdom / 丹麦、芬兰、法国、意大利、日本、挪威、西班牙、英国(156)

5. Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland / 奥地利、比利时、卢森堡、荷兰、葡萄牙、瑞士(155)

Wednesday, 4 October 2017

Mid-Autumn Festival Trivia 中秋节冷知识

Singapore - Chinatown

新加坡 - 牛车水


How many nicknames are there for Mid-Autumn Festival?

中秋节有多少个昵称?

At least 10.

至少10个。

Mid-Autumn Festival is named after the Chinese lunar calendar, the lunar year is divided into four seasons.

中秋节的命名来源于中国的农历,农历中一年分为四季。

Each quarter is divided into "Meng", "Zhong", "Ji" three parts, so the Mid-Autumn Festival also known as "Zhongqiu".

每季又分为孟、仲、季三个部分,因而中秋也称“仲秋”。

Other names for Mid-Autumn Festival / 中秋节的其他别称:

Eighth Month Festival / 八月节

Eighth Month Half / 八月半

Moon Dusk / 月夕

Autumn Festival / 秋节

Zhongqiu Festival / 仲秋节

Eighth Month Gathering / 八月会

Chasing Moon Festival / 追月节

Playing Moon Festival / 玩月节

Praying Moon Festival / 拜月节

Reunion Festival / 团圆节


The origins of the Mid-Autumn Festival is related to the imperial examination!

中秋的起源和考试有关!

Mid-Autumn Festival has become a major festival in the year, it had a subtle relationship with the ancient imperial examination.

中秋节成为一年之中的重大节日,与古代科举考试有着微妙的关系。

The three-year once imperial examination was scheduled to be held in eighth month.

三年一次的秋闱大比,恰好安排在八月里举行。

People who passed the examination were called "Yue Zhong Zhe Gui".

人们便将应试高中者,誉为月中折桂之人。

Every Mid-Autumn Festival, a grand celebration was held and it had become an important custom.

每到中秋,进行隆重庆贺,并成为重要风俗。


Moon cake is named by Concubine Yang?

月饼是杨贵妃命名?

Historical records, the originator of the moon cake can be traced back to the Han Dynasty.

史料记载,月饼的鼻祖可以追溯到汉代。

At that time, Zhang Qian was sent to the western regions, brought back flax from abroad.

当时,张骞通西域,从国外带回来胡麻。

The locals used the walnuts stuffing to make a round cake called "Hubing".

当地人用胡桃仁做馅,做出一种圆形饼叫“胡饼”。

In fact, moon cake had already appeared in Tang Dynasty, during Song Dynasty it had other varieties like lotus leaf, golden flower, hibiscus and so on.

实际上,唐代就出现了月饼,宋时已有荷叶、金花、芙蓉等品种。

Poet Su Dongpo had a poem "Small cake such as chewing moon, there are crisp and jelly" that praise moon cake.

诗人苏东坡曾以“小饼如嚼月,中有酥和饴”的诗句赞誉月饼。

One Mid-Autumn Festival, Tang Xuanzong and Yang Guifei were in the Daming Palace  beside Penglai pool admiring the full moon.

某年中秋夜,唐玄宗和杨贵妃在大明宫的蓬莱池畔赏月。

A servant presented a plate of "Hubing", Tang Xuanzong was displeasure with the name of the cake.

有人把一盘“胡饼”送上来,唐玄宗不悦觉得名字太俗不好听。

The emperor was not happy, so Yang Guifei became anxious.

皇帝不高兴,身边的杨贵妃急了。

She was a very talented person, picked up the round cake and casually said: His Majesty do eat the moon cake.

她本来就是一个很有才情的人,拿起一枚圆饼随口说:请陛下吃月饼。

Heard the word "moon cake", Tang Xuanzong was very pleased; from then "Hubing" was called "moon cake".

听到“月饼”二字,唐玄宗龙颜大悦,从此“胡饼”就改叫“月饼”了。


Moon cake to cut by the number of family members!

月饼要按家庭人数切!

In accordance with traditional customs, the moon cake which symbolise full moon should be cut by the number of family members, one per person.

按照传统习俗,要将象征圆月的月饼按家庭人数切,每人一份。

Those who did not return home in time, parents should keep their portions until they return to eat, then it is considered complete.

来不及回家来的家人,家长要把属于他们的那份保留起来,待他们回来品尝,才算圆满。

Gentle reminder: moon cake is rich in fat and sugar, do not eat more than one moon cake per day, so as not to cause indigestion and surge in blood sugar.

温馨提醒:月饼富含脂肪及糖,一天不要超过一个月饼,以免消化不良、血糖飙升。

Saturday, 30 September 2017

Royal Cremation Ceremony 皇室火化大典

Thailand - Bangkok

泰国 - 曼谷

Thailand's late King Bhumibol Adulyadej will be cremated on October 26, 2017.

泰国已故国王蒲眉蓬圣体将于2017年10月26日火化。

The state funeral will be held for five days from October 25.

国葬将从10月25日起一连举行五天。

Millions of grieving Thais will bid a final farewell to their beloved late king during the Royal Cremation Ceremony.

百万悲伤的泰国人将在皇家火葬仪式期间向他们心爱的已故国王进行最后的告别。

King Bhumibol died in October 2016 at the age of 88 following a perennial illness.

国王蒲眉蓬因常年卧病于2016年10月驾崩,享年88岁。

His death ended a seven-decade reign.

他的逝世也结束了在位最久(70年)的君王。

A huge cremation complex is being constructed on a parade ground specially reserved for royal funerals outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

一座庞大的火葬场正在曼谷大皇宫外专门为皇室葬礼而准备的地点兴建。

The complex includes towering pavilions and hundreds of statues of gods and mythical beasts.

这个座庞大的火葬场包括高耸的亭子和数百个神和神兽的雕像。

It represents Mount Meru – the allegorical centre of the universe in Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cosmology where Thais traditionally believe King Bhumibol’s spirit will return.

代表了梅鲁山 – 佛教、兴都教和耆那教宇宙学的寓言中心,泰国人传统上认为是国王蒲眉蓬的圣灵回归处。








For the preparations of the state funeral, from October 1 to October 29, Grand Palace and  Wat Phra Kaew will be closed.

为了筹备国葬,10月1日至29日期间,大皇宫与玉佛寺将暂停对外开放。

In addition, October 7, 15 and 21, rehearsal for the Royal Cremation Ceremony will be held at the above mentioned location.

此外,10月7日、15日和21日,圣体火化大典游行仪式彩排将于上述地点举行。

The Thai government has called on foreign tourists to avoid travelling to Bangkok in late October.

泰国政府已经呼吁外国游客避免在10月下旬到曼谷旅行。

Wednesday, 13 September 2017

Female President 女总统

Singapore

新加坡

Singapore welcomes her eighth President.

新加坡迎来第八任总统。

She is President Halimah Yacob.

她是总统哈莉玛雅阁。

The new president is of great significance to Singapore; she is Singapore's first female President.

新任总统对新加坡别具意义;她是新加坡首位女总统。


The previous 7 Presidents / 前7任总统:

Presidents appointed by Parliament / 国会任命的总统:

Yusof Ishak / 尤索夫·伊萨 (9/8/1965 - 23/11/1970)

Benjamin Henry Sheares / 本杰明·亨利·薛尔思 (2/1/1971 - 12/5/1981)

Chengara Veetil Devan Nair / 琴加拉·维蒂尔·蒂凡·奈尔 (24/10/1981 - 28/3/1985)

Wee Kim Wee / 黄金辉 (2/9/1985 - 1/9/1993)

Elected Presidents / 民选总统:

Ong Teng Cheong / 王鼎昌 (1/9/1993 - 31/8/1999)

Sellapan Ramanathan / 塞拉潘·拉玛纳丹 (1/9/1999 - 31/8/2011)

Tony Tan Keng Yam / 陈庆炎 (1/9/2011 - 31/8/2017)

Sunday, 27 August 2017

Nanyang Breakfast 南洋早餐

Singapore

新加坡

Introducing the traditional breakfast of the Nanyang people.

介绍南洋人的传统早餐。

The Nanyang people in this article refers to Singaporeans and Malaysians.

本文南洋人指的是新加坡人及马来西亚人。

Typical Nanyang breakfast includes toast (spread of kaya plus a small piece of butter), soft-boiled eggs, coffee or tea.

典型南洋早餐包括烤面包(搽一层咖椰再夹一小片牛油)、半生熟鸡蛋、咖啡或茶。

Puzzled why the Nanyang traditional breakfast has toast since bread has never been the staple food of the Chinese?

困惑吧,面包从来都不是华人的主食;那为什么南洋人的传统早餐里又有面包呢?

Early Hainanese immigrants from China moved southward to earn a living as waiter on board or chef for Westerners or Westernised Paranakan families.

早期从中国南下讨生活的海南移民,因为“跑船”在船上当侍应生或在洋人和西化的土生华人家庭当厨师。

They modified the Western-style food into Nanyang taste.

他们将西式的饮食料理改良成南洋口味。

Through the Hainanese coffee shop, they convert the Western breakfast into Chinese style and popularised it.

他们通过海南咖啡店将洋人的早餐转型为中式料理并加以普及化。

The Hainanese coffee shops were originated in the last century 20's to 30's.

海南咖啡店起源于上世纪20至30年代。

After the end of World War II, some coffee shop owners gave up their businesses and went back China.

二战结束后,好些咖啡店业主放弃业务回去家乡。

In the end, the Hainanese coffee shops were gradually replaced by the Fuzhou people.

最后,那些海南咖啡店才逐渐由福州人取代。


For newcomers, here is how you eat the traditional Nanyang breakfast.

新客们,教你们怎么吃南洋传统早餐。

Put the soft-boiled eggs into the plate then add black soy sauce and pepper to season.

半生熟鸡蛋打开放进碟子里,再以黑酱油和胡椒粉来调味。

As for the toast, you can eat it with coffee or tea and with the soft-boiled eggs.

至于烤面包,你可以一口烤面包,一口咖啡或茶再一口半生熟鸡蛋。

Or dip the toast either into the soft-boiled eggs or coffee or tea.

或将烤面包沾点半生熟鸡蛋或咖啡或茶来吃。

Or dip the toast into the soft-boiled eggs and mix with coffee or tea.

或将烤面包沾点半生熟鸡蛋和咖啡或茶混着来吃。

Because the eggs are soft-boiled, so strictly speaking it should be "drink" eggs rather than "eat" eggs.

因为鸡蛋是半生熟,严格来说应该是“喝”鸡蛋多过“吃”鸡蛋。

After "drinking" the eggs, pour coffee or tea into the plate; it is to cool the drinks and not to miss the residual stain of the eggs.

“喝”鸡蛋后,把咖啡或茶倒在盛半生熟蛋的碟中;一来容易散热,二来连鸡蛋的残渍都不错过。

Reason being that in the olden days, life was hard and egg was considered as tonic, so of course not to waste even the slightest residual stain.

原因是旧时候生活困苦,鸡蛋被当成是补品所以当然不能浪费,一定要吸个精光。

Having said that, the taste of the mixture of soft-boiled eggs and coffee or tea is indeed a great enjoyment of life.

话说回来,那半生熟鸡蛋的余香和咖啡或茶一起喝进肚子里也是人生一大享受。

Remember when stirring the coffee or tea, be sure to use the teaspoon to lightly "hit" against the cup to make that "tinkling" sound; it will make it more nostalgic.

记得在搅拌咖啡或茶时,一定要用茶匙轻“撞击”杯子并发出“叮叮叮”的声响;这样才够古早味。

After breakfast, let's learn how the Nanyang people use their local language to order coffee or tea:

吃完早餐,大家来学习南洋人是怎么用本土语言来点咖啡或茶

Coffee with milk / 咖啡加奶:Kopi                                         Tea with milk / 茶加奶:Teh

Coffee with sugar / 咖啡加糖:Kopi-O                                   Tea with sugar / 茶加糖:Teh-O

Thick coffee with sugar / 浓咖啡加糖:Kopi-O-Gao               Thick tea with sugar / 加糖:Teh-O-Gao

Coffee with less sugar / 咖啡加少糖:Kopi-O-Xiu-Dai            Tea with less sugar / 加少糖:Teh-O-Xiu-Dai

Coffee with more sugar / 咖啡加多糖:Kopi-O-Ka-Dai           Tea with more sugar / 加多糖:Teh-O-Ka-Dai

Coffee with evaporated milk / 咖啡加淡奶:Kopi-C                Tea with evaporated milk / 加淡奶:Teh-C

Black Coffee / 咖啡不加奶和糖:Kopi-O-Kosong                    Black Tea / 不加奶和糖:Teh-O-Kosong

Remember the next time you visit Singapore or Malaysia, must try the Nanyang taste.

记得下次来新加坡或马来西亚时,一定要尝一下南洋滋味。