Scrappy September

On a personal basis, September has been very kind to me.  However, I'm extremely disappointed at the Multi Ministry Task Force's unforgivable blunder which has lead to a sudden increase of COVID-19 case numbers in Singapore.  Hence... "scrappy".  I'm extremely flustered that despite their simulation showing that cases could hit 2000 a day, the task force did not put any restrictions to slow the spread when the number of daily cases was still quite low.  Instead, they tried to ramp up handling capabilities.  Did they not learn from Israel's experience?  We will go endemic, yes, that's an eventuality.  But going endemic right now, is still too early.  What about the over 60s with co-morbidities who have yet to get their booster shots?  What about children under 12 who cannot be vaccinated yet?  Not only the over 60s, even normal adults need booster shots too, to avoid vaccine breakthrough infections!  The task force has made a wrong judgement on the timing to open up and we are now paying a heavy price with restricted movements, daily reported deaths, messed up school exam schedules and businesses that suffer from spontaneous restrictions or even closures when infections hit one of their own.  At the same time, I can't help but worry for the kids who have yet to get their vaccines.  While so far there has been no reported deaths of children under 12 from COVID-19 in Singapore, I prefer to minimise the kids' risks of contracting COVID-19 as much as possible.  As I'm writing this entry now, the number of COVID-19 cases for children under 12 has hit 1266 just in September alone while in the past 7 days the number of cases in this age group is 677.  

Oh Yes, I'm Keeping Track of This Age Group - Just Excel

Mid-Autumn 2020 in Chinatown

Last Saturday I had a jalan jalan chance at Chinatown and enjoyed the sights of mid-autumn lanterns from the blue hour till about 8 plus.  The lantern installations this year....  are not as good as last year's.  I'm hoping I can still make a visit to Gardens by The Bay to catch their lantern installations, but Lincoln's oral exams are coming next week, so those will have to take first priority for now.  

My itinerary started from block 5 Banda Street from where I planned to capture the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple from the 10th floor.  Prior to going up the block, I stumbled upon this mural of Samsui Ladies by the side of a pedestrian's bridge.  

Samsui Ladies of Banda Street - Galaxy Note 9

Mid-Autumn at Gardens by The Bay

On my birthday last week, we visited Gardens by The Bay for a family dinner followed by a lovely stroll to enjoy the lantern installations.  We had our dinner at Bakerzin before finally making our way to the Super Tree Grove to enjoy the sights. 

Lantern Tunnet - A7RMk3 + FE16-35mm F2.8 GM

Hello End September

Been so long since I last made an entry in my blog - I got flu again, 2nd time in less than a month. Just plain amazing isn't it.... And by the way yes, I made another template change.  I'm still figuring out how to make the post date appear, the time stamp code is there but I don't understand why it won't appear.. /(>_<)\

Anyway, we celebrated mid-autumn festival this month on 15th Sept.  Chinatown is properly decorated as well with lots and lots of dazzling lanterns.  It was the right opportunity to test my recently acquired X-T2.  Oh yes I got my X-T2 already.  This camera is plain amazing.  I'll be writing about that separately.

Here are some snapshots of Chinatown in its full mid-autumn celebratory mood.

The main show piece in Chinatown - X-T2 + XF14mmF2.8R

Mid-Autumn Festival 2015

Just last Sunday on 27th September was the Mid-Autumn festival.  Families would gather to have moon cake, tea and lit some fireworks.  On Saturday which is 26th September, where else would we be if not at Gardens by The Bay looking at various lanterns and enjoying the festive atmosphere?

One of the lantern gates right before sunset