This scene taken at Florence Resort Villa 佛羅倫斯渡假山莊 in Cingjing 清境 reminds me of a fairytale, complete with castles, cottages and a cheery sun. Now I just need my fairy godmother to send a Prince Charming, and the picture is complete :)
Singapore’s city roads were converted into a street circuit once again for the Formula One Grand Prix. This was the first year Singapore Airlines was going to be the title sponsor of the night race, so I was quite excited to be in the thick of the action. And oh boy, what a fab view I had :)
Let the races begin!
You could see how excited I was about the races this year, cos’ I reached the venue at 3.30pm to be in time for the first race. So why not pop by the Singapore Airlines booth while waiting for the race to start?
Another reason to excited – I am going to see Robbie Williams! Woot woot!
Fate would have it rain lions and tigers (worse than cats and dogs) just when the concert was about to start that night. Robbie, ever the true star, went on performing as if the rain didn’t exist. I didn’t manage to get any photos of oh-so-cute Robbie, but I will never forget that night where he shone like a shimmering star amidst the rain. I would have thrown my underwear up if I were anywhere near the stage :p
Yet another reason for my excitement – it’s the first time I brought a 300mm f2.8 lens to shoot the races and practice some sports photography :)
Earl Bamber from LKM Racing, winner of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia
And the last reason for the excitement – I get to watch the race from the Club Suites :)
I must say sipping champagne while watching the races is quite addictive :p
Quite an adrenalin rush to see the drivers and the team in action
Fernando Alonso getting ready
This driver is amazing – he can still manage to raise a hand to wave at the crowd!
Trying panning action…one advantage about shooting from the Club Suite – it’s comfy and you do not need to squeeze on an open viewing platform with many sweaty bodies. The disadvantage – no matter how big your lens aperture is, the fencing just refuses to disappear cos’ you are too far away. Duh.
Formula One Group CEO Bernie Ecclestone and President Tony Tan
President Tony Tan flagged away a troupe of 25 Ferrari road cars in the President’s Challenge, a series of parade laps by Ferrari owners who each made a contribution to the President’s Charity in return for the thrill of driving on the F1 track. Anybody needs a partner?
Apart from the races, there were some cool entertainment acts to be caught at the various zones.
Guess who we were catching at the Village Stage?
Pet Shop Boys! My friend remarked that the average age of the audience was about 40, so I am going to pretend “Huh, who are they? I don’t know them!” LOL :p (Btw, I am not that old okay haha)
I may not own a Ferrari, but we got to walk on the race track after the races ended. :)
I had a fab time! Looking forward to be back next year! :)
One of the places where you can get a glimpse of Kinmen 金門 during its military period is at Yang Zhai Old Street 陽翟老街. This was once a bustling street built in 1958 after the 823 Artillery Bombardment when 100,000 soldiers were stationed in Kinmen. After the army left, it was left derelict with only a few stores continuing to operate. Acclaimed Taiwanese director brought new life to this place by choosing it as one of the key scenes for his movie Paradise in Service軍中樂園, sprucing it up and returning it to its past glory. Plus – it’s an awesome place for photo-taking :)
A lot of effort went into 鈕承澤 Doze Niu’s latest movie – he spent 8 years conceptualizing the movie, 2 years preparing and 1 year filming it. Not to mention re-creating an entire street for the movie.Set in the island Kinmen, often seen as the most dangerous military base due to its geographical proximity to China, Paradise in Service follows the adventure of a boy who serves his military service in Unit 831 from 1969 to 1972, in preparation for a war that could erupt anytime. Through an unlucky lottery draw result, Pao (Ethan Ruan 阮經天), a twenty-something young man from Southern Taiwan has to serve the military in the remote and perilous Kinmen. Moreover, he is assigned to the Sea Dragon, a unit noted for the toughest physical training. It never occurs to Pao, however, that the greatest challenge in his military service lies not in the Sea Dragon but in Unit 831, a special task he is later appointed to… In this peculiar assignment, Pao vows to keep his virginity against all odds.
Image: Paradise in Service Facebook page
Yang Zhai Old Street was re-stored to its former glory for the movie
Image: Paradise in Service Facebook page
The lonely and rundown street before restoration
Image: Paradise in Service Facebook page
The street after its facelift. Storefronts and shop signages were re-created, retro advertisements painted on walls, and the craziest of them all – the original cement flooring re-paved just for the movie, and removed after filming was completed.
The man who made it all happen Doze Niu Cheng-Tse 鈕承澤
Image: Paradise in Service Facebook page
If the compelling storyline nor the director’s credentials didn’t motivate me enough to watch the movie – this scene from the movie certainly did…look at those pecs! :p
Image: Paradise in Service Facebook page
金东电影院 Jindong Cinema
This cinema was built in 1960 as a leisure venue for the military stationed there. The calligraphy of the signage comes with much heritage too – they were written by Yu Youren 于右任, a scholar of calligraphy and highly regarded as one China’s modern masters. The building has been gazetted as a heritage building.
This Military Post Office was created for the movie. The original location of this post office was further away.
One of the few shops still in operation. I am so digging the retro signboard!
Fancy taking a photo at this photography studio?
This iced dessert shop 冰果室was really nicely done up. I can imagine the soldiers coming here to have an iced dessert to escape the blistering Kinmen heat.
Interior of the iced dessert shop
Image: Paradise in Service Facebook page
Main actors Ethan Ruan 阮經天 and Ivy Chen 陳意涵 running down the street in the movie. Don’t they look hot? :)
Image: Paradise in Service Facebook page
The interior of the shops were all decorated as close to the original back then, complete with Taiwan flags proudly flown.
Image: Paradise in Service Facebook page
Image: Paradise in Service Facebook page
As Kinmen was a military base, a number of shops sold military supplies like this one in the movie.
Image: Paradise in Service Facebook page
One of Kinmen’s iconic trades, mee sua making, re-created for the movie.
Image: Paradise in Service Facebook page
Bookstore
Image: Paradise in Service Facebook page
Long Ling Public Bath 龍陵浴室 was where the soldiers would come to take a hot bath in the past. Being at war, getting a nice bath was a luxury – which we have since taken for granted.
I think I just spotted one of the actors in the movie, hello doggy! :D
The hairdressing and barber shops is an awesome place for taking photos. Kai shows us his moves here :D
Interior of the hairdressing salon. Have you been to one like this before?
Image: Paradise in Service Facebook page
Soft drinks were very expensive in those days, and you only got to have one (or shared with other kids) during festive seasons. I bet the kids must have leapt for joy like I did!
Military-inspired murals and slogans painted on the walls
The slogan “Long live President Chiang” was re-created on the front of this Minnan-style residence
The movie has done something good for Yang Zhai Old Street – it has become a spot for visitors to take photos. The Kinmen county has also recently announced that 17 of the shops will be rented out for businesses to re-create the boisterousness of this street.
Awesome backdrop for a Look of the Day :)
Good job, Sir!
Bookstore inspired by Chang Chun Bookstore 长春书局
The owner of Chang Chun Bookstore Chen Chang Du has written a number of books about Kinmen during the military period, and also played a part in the setting up of a 特约茶室 museum.
Hungry? You can try Qun Ying Lou 群英樓, a traditional Kinmenese reataurant just nearby.
Come by to visit when you are in Kinmen, and don’t forget to watch the movie! :)
陽翟老街 Yang Zhai Old Street
Tel: (082) 324 174
Address: 金門縣金沙鎮光前里陽翟1 號
Getting There
By Bus – Take Bus No. 18 or 31 from Sha Mei Bus Station 沙美车站. Alight at Yang Zhai 陽翟车站stop .
By Car
1) Jin Sha Station 金沙车站 -> Huan Dao Dong Lu 环岛东路 -> Yan Zhai Gong Che Ting 陽翟公车亭 -> Make a left turn and you are there
2) Jin Cheng Shi Qu 金城市区 -> Huan Dao Bei Lu 环岛北路 -> Gao Keng 高坑 -> Turn right into Gao Yang Lu 高阳路 -> Turn right at Huan Dao Dong Lu Yi Duan环岛东路一段 into Yang Zhai Gong Che Ting陽翟公车亭 -> Make a left turn and you are there
軍中樂園Paradise in Service
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/paradiseinservice
Website: http://www.paradiseinservice.com/
It was a day of seeing my fave kpop stars at the YG Family Galaxy World Tour, so I had to come in something swagalicious to support my most beloved of them all. No guesses who that would be ;) I must admit it took a bit of courage stepping out of the house, but once out I didn’t feel anything much except for some muffled whispers “tiger head, tiger head!” Yes it is, and it’s staring back at you. :)
YG Family, here I come! :)
Lace Jersey Top – From Bangkok
Star Tights – Pyrex Vision
Shoes – Rick Owens x Chrome Hearts
Tiger Head Haversack – From the Land of the Kitschy, Japan!
I thought the clouds on that sunny day looked so nice and fluffy. Then I reviewed my photos and thought it looked like something more intimate. Hmmm…interesting sky *wild thoughts* :)
Taken at 湖井頭 Hujingtou Battle Museum, 金門 Kinmen
spunktitud3 