Changes to the 'Red Fence'

Simon & Garfunkel once sang "changes upon changes, we're more or less the same". Changes are taking place all over the tiny island we call home, and iconic landmarks are making way for spanking new complexes that purportedly draw in more dollars for the building owners.

Meanwhile, we're left holding onto yellowing and fading photos of our childhood environ, or in this age, digital memories of what used to be. Take Serangoon Gardens, aka the 'Red Fence' in dialect. One of its iconic landmarks, which used to house a movie theatre, and then was remade into a series of restaurants and banks, is now going to make way for a new shopping complex - this was a building that has been around since the 1970s (or even older).

Many memories were formed around the places we used to hang out at, and these will be gone in a flash - in the name of capitalism. The dreamy, village feel of the place will be replaced by the crass materialism of shoppers. The 'real' locals have to find another niche to call their own.

Here's a photo of the building - for old times' sake.

San Francisco revisited (pt.III)

And some pics of the Chihuly exhibits at the De Young Museum in the Golden Gate Park. The last pic from the top of the De Young tower. Nice stuff.

San Francisco revisited (pt.II)

Here're more pics from the trip - all sorts, randomly taken, from different spots in the city.

San Francisco revisited (pt.I)

Took a sojourn to the west coast of the USA - Frisco - last week and came away with wonderful memories of the holiday.

The last time I saw SF was at least four years ago, and while it hasn't changed much (how much can you rebuild on 43 hills?), there are some new owners of buildings or shops from then. This time, I explored districts that were left off the agenda from previous visits, namely - the Castro, Mission, Japan town, Golden Gate Park, Nob Hill, and revisited North Beach for Cafe Triste (coffee to die for!) as well as Sushi on North Beach (an affordable and tasty Japanese joint, great sashimi!). Had a stroll around Haight Street too.

Of course, a jaunt around Union Square's shops was obligatory (the Apple store was a pilgrimage I had to make). Friends and relatives had to be accounted for where gifts were concerned.

Guess I still have a soft spot for Frisco after all these years.