2001, Since 1988 when flying to and from Australia I am having a stopover for some days in Hongkong or Singapur. A 24-hour-flight with a few hours stop at an airport would be unbearable for me.
When arriving at Singapore airport you have a good feeling, no stress and you find yourself in the green, even in the baggage claim area. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, The staff of my favourite airline is ready to help passengers at the baggage belt. That is not self-evident for other airlines. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, After a night to recover I stroll around in Singapore, even though I already know the citystate quite well. For example here at the hindu temple in "Little India". - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Some coloured figures on the roof of the hindu temple have a big belly, like some people in Europe! Does this represent god or a man? Does the big belly have a symbolic meaning? Wealth? In China the symbol for prosperity and contentment is a golden fish! - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, In front of the gate to the temple the leaves of two bananatrees have been tyed together to an arch. You can see that those trees nearly wither away. It hurts when I see that! - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, An indian flower shop with floral necklaces used as a sacrificial offering to god or a welcome. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, In the middle of a commercial quarter there is a place with a dancing water fountain. That attracts not only kids, but also grown-ups . . . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . . and the tourists too cannot simply walk past it. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, From the dancing fountains emerge very many interesting forms made of water . . . . . . . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . . some times straight lines, then arches, and then just drops . . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . . . . . . . then in the shape of a disk. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, The children are having fun catching the water . . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . . . . . . . . but they do not always succeed. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A shower made of four waterfountains! - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Sometimes it looks like a lotusleaf. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Nightly view from my hotelroom onto the silent field of the Singapore Cricket Club. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Sentosa Island is a green island, lying in front of the gates of the citystate Singapur. You can reach it via a bridge. Looking at the entrancegate you can see that it is a very green island. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, The island can also be reached by a ropeway. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A rare palm, which can normally only be seen in China. A fan palm, chinese farmers use it to produce fans. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A long alley, in the centre of it a long artisitic fountain.- Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, The water continues to dance in that fountain along the whole alley . . . . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . back and forth between the single forms decorated with mosaics. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Singapore is a small state, but nevertheless has left some areas purely natural. Here the nature walk, where you can experience something new. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, I see the mating of butterflies in the nature for the first time. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Here on this island not only this butterfly is beautiful . . . . . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . . . but also this blue one . . . . . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . and that one too. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Again another pair of butterflies mating. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, This tropical flower seems to be very popular with butterflies. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Exotic plant on the island. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A motive for chinese porcelain!? - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, I saw this exotic beauty in the greenhouse of the island. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, There are not only exotic plants and beautiful insects, but also poisonous arachnids . . . . . . . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . . which are used as a food product in some countries. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A life is finished . . . . . and nobody is watching anymore. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A spectacular laser-show with light and music projected on the surface of a giant water fountain enthuses the visitors of the island. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Agile characters shaped by light arise from the water up to 30 m high. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A lightfigure, representing an indian woman . . . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . . dancing in the rhythm of indian music. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, The color-mood of the lightshow is constantly changing. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, This lightfigure is also fascinating, the portrayal of an asian dancer playing with the planets. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Eating is very versatile in Singapore, there is chinese, indian, malaysian and european cuisine, from low prices in the food-centre or the openair green area up to expensive in a luxurious restaurant. I certainly prefer chinese, cantonese or chaozhounese cuisine served in a restaurant. The malaysian food is delicacy for me too.
Today I discovered this Food-Mall. The hall is designed very modern creative and there is such a wide variety of food. There are about twenty food-stands here. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, I take a menu with cantonese grilled duck with rice, vegetable and soup. This is very affordable for visitors, but for many residents too. They prefer to go out for a meal rather than having to cook after work. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, After lunch I visit the "Asian Civilisation Museum". They have a spectacular exhibition of the Peranakan-culture (former chinese businessmen, who settled down in Melaka, Java, Sumatra, Penang, Trengganu and later in Singapore). A table decoration with pearl embroidery. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, From a close range you can see the fine craftwork with two phoenixes in a circle, surrounded by symbols of luck and wealth. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, This table decoration was embroidered with golden yarn. In the middle is a dragon surrounded by "Qi Lin", a deer, flowers, fruits, the symbols of wealth and a long life. "Qi Lin" - one of China's holy animals. One of its tasks is to bring children to man, similar to the stork in Germany.- Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A pillowcase with a "Qi Lin" in the centre, beneath it a "Buddhas hand"-fruit and other positive symbolic plants. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A bed of a wealthy Peranakan-chinese with carved, gold lacquered wooden frame, many embroideries and decorations of gold.- Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Scentpouch and decorative flowerbaskets are hanging in front of the bed. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Precious silver tea set of the affluent merchants on a tray made with ivory and mother of pearl. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, The ceremonial items on the ancestors altar are made of pure gold and silver. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A flower basket is a popular decoration for many chinese. Here is one from wealthy people made of pure gold. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A golden necklace with a dragonmotive. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A hairpin made of gold and pearls. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Chinese calligraphy from the Ming-dynasty. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Chinese drinking and cooking pots from the chinese bronzeage (21. - 3. bef.Chr.). - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Womens clothing of wealthy chinese at the end of the Qing-dynasty (Qing-dynasty 1616-1911). - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Collar with embroidered golden dragonmotives. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A bridal couple in their wedding dresses in the Qing-dynasty. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A bridal couple in their wedding dresses during the time of the republic of China (1912-1949). - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A bridal couple in their wedding dresses having in mind the western style (from approximately 1949). - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, On Singapore River, my favourite place in the city centre of world metropolis Singapore it is nearly always deserted. During the day the inhabitants are in their high-riser offices. The tourists usually have only some nights for a stopover and are in a tourbus during the day.
I can rest here and relax for either the continuing flight to Australia or the next flight back to Europe. Here I often have inspirations for my artistic work. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, At the foot of the skyscrapers next to Singapore river you can find the chinese business quarter . . . . . . . . . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . . these chinese houses in colonial style are presumably landmarked and have been carefully rehabilitated. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Situated on the Singapore River, a high pedestal, on it a man with a proud attitude . . . . . . . . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . Ah! . . . one of the english colonial sovereigns Sir Stamford Raffles. Next to him a beautiful bananatree, a traveller's palm . . . . . very nice! - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A reminder of former times when children bathed in the river. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, I walk along the river promenade . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . a colourful Singapore! - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, On the left and right outer faces of this new bridge there are wide pedestrian ways, which are separated from the roadway by plants. In the evening when it is cooler and fewer cars drive, this is a meeting point for strollers. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, The Merlion is the emblem of the southeastasian metropolis Singapore.- Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, This is my favourite quarter where I prefer to go out in the evening too. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, In the early evening the chinese shops already open . . . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . . . When the lights are turned on many visitors are already there. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, I go to a chinese seafood restaurant here. The Singapore seafood restaurants are like in China and Hongkong: There is always a corner with some fishtanks where you can select some fresh fish for consumption. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, I prefer a table on the river and just enjoy the evening. Therefore eating is heaven. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Although it is late I would like to go for a walk, because the weather is so nice. I want to changeover to the other side of the street via an underpass, but I get lost and . . . . . . find myself in a hospital? . . . No, this is the underpass, which leads to the other side of the street, but it is nearly aseptic clean. No graffitis, no urin stench, no pavement pizza, no chewing gum stains, no cigarette butts, no trash! - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, I reach the other side of the river. Here also many people are still on their way and party peacefully under open sky. Nightly Singapore is vivid.- Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, I am having a relaxing walk in green surrounding with fresh air, strolling along some waterchannels and around some islands and at the same time watching many animals. That is not anywhere but in the Singapore Zoo, which is one of the best animal welfares in the world. Of course, in my opinion animals should preferably live in their natural habitat.
I come here to see the birds of paradise. They are located in a giant, very natural aviary with densely planted trees. Like on my last visit the birds are sitting on the upper branches behind some lush leaves. They jump back and forth and sing. Behind the moving leaves you can only see the birds partially, even though I am waiting very patiently. But the chants alone are worthwhile waiting. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, I am more lucky with the langurs. Instead of waiting for more than one hour, which I did on my last visit, they suddenly appear at the corner of the langur-island . . . . . . . . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . . and remain sitting a short time for the observer. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, In this natural compound live some wild cats which can withdraw into the green if they do not want to contact other creatures. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Some apish animals live on this bamboo-island and freely jump around back and forth, as if they want to provoke the visitors. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, There are also exotic tropical plants in the zoo. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, In a valley one can see many kinds of butterflies and birds. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Food for the animals is shared out on the upper branches. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Birds and insects peacefully live together in this valley. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, You can see the enthusiasm in the faces of the pupils when visiting the zoo together. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, An aquarium is of course also available in the Singapore Zoo. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, This polar bear permanently swims back and forth in front of my camera. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, At this place of the zoo wild living birds are being fed.
A visitor tells me that birds come from all directions and are used to contact with man. She also tells me, that she arrives for feeding time early in the morning just because of this experience and showed me some wonderful photos of it. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A bridge in Singapore Zoo leading across the area which is kept in a natural state. You can watch many animals from up here . . . . . . - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, . . . . . . . . like for example this pheasant, which I can observe perfectly from the bridge. There is much more to discover in Singapore Zoo, for example many animal species, which are portrayed in giant bronze statues in a natural position. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, Today I am going to fly back to germany late in the evening. The opportunity to experience the more unknown sides of the city-state Singapore for a last time. In this residential area the chinese inhabitants just host a ceremony for the deceased: "Qing Ming", the feast of death. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, A thousand lights and flowers in the cermonial tent to honour buddha. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, With this festivity the "Dizang Wang Pusa" may not be missed out. In buddhism the sinners will be sent to hell, but the "Dizang Wang Pusa" helps and rescues the people from this miserable hell. The holy "Dizang Wang Pusa" doesn't want to go to nirvana as a buddha yet, whilst mankind sins and has to suffer misery in hell. This buddhistic theory has confused me since my adolescence: So, I should not be sinning, but if I do, I then can be rescued from the calamity of hell. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, I have plenty of time yet until departure. I induldge in a teabreak in Raffles Hotel. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, After relaxing with tea and pastry I see over the famous hotel. It is elegant and luxurious all-over in an english colonial style. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)

2001, In the entrance hall many people are waiting for their transfer to the airport. In some hours I travel back to Germany too. This time again I have very, very many things in my luggage that I take back home. Luckily my airline is very generous.
But the most important and profound piece of luggage I will carry home in my thoughts: That is all the learned experiences with nature and people, which will stay in my memory forever. - Chau Tran (Qing Lian)