Latagaw Diaries: Haw Par Villa, Singapore

How far is Haw Par Villa? It is not that far! It is just at the doorstep of Haw Par MRT Station. It opens from 9am to 7pm. But it would really be scary to visit at night.

The Haw Par Villa is owned by the brothers who created the Tiger Balm. (Yes, those minty balms sold in ubiquitous red tin embossed with a tiger.) It was built in 1937.

If you are interested in a free theme park to roam the whole morning (or afternoon) in Singapore or if you areinterested in Chinese folklore, this is definitely the place to go. (Or if you want to give your children a lesson they won't forget complete with nightmares...)

This place was pretty popular a decade ago. Families would usually flock in on weekends. Eventually, its novelty wore off and it was closed to the public. It waas recently renovated and opened to the public again.

Only a few Singaporeans know of this place and those who know are usually the older generations. They recall going here as a child to be indoctrinated and scared by their parents on moral values.However, these days, this is slowly becoming a tourist spot again.

There are over a thousand statues in tableaus that are littered all over the place and perhaps the most famous attraction is the Ten Courts of Hell.

This place is huge. It is divided into the following areas:

• Gods of Happiness, Wealth and Longevity
• Eight Immortals
• Virtues and Vices
• Saga of the Immortals
• Pavilion and Pagoda
• Pond of Legacy
• Hua Song Museum
• Madam White Snake
• Journey to the West
• Ten Courts of Hell
• Aw Family Memorials
• Haw Par House

Remember to have a lot of space in your camera as there are a lot of interesting things to capture. Bring water and snacks too because when we went there the canteen was closed. And if you are a Filipina like me, slather on sunblock (as we do not want those whitening creams and soaps to go to waste) and bring an umbrella to protect yourself from the heat of the sun. Wear comfortable shoes as well as there is a lot of walking to do.

Let me take you on a photo journey of this place.

1. The Tale of Madam White Snake

2. The Monkey Gods Fruit Flower Kingdom

3. Confucius

4. Spider Women Trap Tripitaka

5. The Magic Cypress Grove

6. Tripitaka's Magical Horse

7. Tripitaka's Third Disciple, Sandy

8. Tripitaka's Second Disciple, Pigsy

 9. Journey to the West

10. Friendship and Loyalty

11. Grateful Tortoise

12. Religious Piety

13. Tang Dynasty Buddha

14. Saga of the Immortals

15. Pond of Legacy

16. The Crab Boy

Laughing at this riot!

Bonding with my family:

Jumping with the kangaroos:

Scared at violent dramas

Diorama's where I had the chance to earn(or lose) money:

Or drink with the men:

Or some dancing:

The Legend of Su Qin

Or tomfoolery:

The Legend of Kang Xi

Or some sumo wrestling on the side:

A small altar:

On exhibit is one of the famous Tiger Balm jeeps.

And seemingly lost in the middle of this oriental story land is the Statue of Liberty

Vamoose! Until next time...Pagod na ang dyosa.

Money spent on this amusement park is zero Singaporean dollar.

Ephemeral Limerence

It was perhaps the hottest day that summer and I badly needed to cool off and feel the soothing saltwater on my sweaty skin. So I held out my hand and beckoned you to come and go with me for a swim. Frolicking in the waters is more fun with someone...special. Just imagine staring into the infinite edges of the ocean alone. Marooned… That is probably the loneliest thing anyone can do on a beach.

You did hold my hand. It was calloused and warm and I took you on a rendezvous to where the sun, sand and sky meet.

And in that small patch of paradise, I found shade and comfort in your looming shadow. We played tag with the ebb and flow of the tides, but we soon got tired of this game and instead went for a dip in the cool waters. What was deep for me was shallow for you. You wanted to explore the reef and chase the fishes, but I was afraid of not touching the ground and killing the corals. So, I just stayed by the shoal, watching your body outline the blue waters in the distance. Occasionally, you would pop out and beckon me to join you. I wish I did, but I'm a coward. I only swim in pools. I like things that are concrete. I know their limits. They are not as mysterious as the deep ocean and you.

I see the sun set slowly unfold its beauty, painting the sky in rich hues. The water has gone down now and the full length of the sandbar that juts out from the tip of the island has surfaced.

I held my hand out to you again and beckoned you to walk with me to the edge. We tried. But I got tired midway and so we sat down on the wet sand and dazed at the dramatic sunset draping the seascape, giving a golden patina to everything in sight.

"Did you notice that?" you said as I was busily poking out pukka shells in the powdery white sand.  "What was it?" I slowly answered. "Don't tell me you missed it.”, you replied in disbelief. “Did you see the green flash as the sun was slowly hiding in the horizon?” you continued.  "I missed it.", I said in remorse. “That’s the very last beam of sunlight. If the horizon is clear and the air is pure, the sunsets color is not red, but green. It is just like a flash. It happened in a fraction of a second just before the sun slowly disappears. It is nice to see."

As the setting sun coruscates on the waters, you broke the silence saying, “The Little Prince said, "You know, one loves the sunset when one is so sad..." Your voice echoed in the deepest chambers of my heart.  "Yes. Sunsets hurt. Endings hurt. Farewells hurt...The most beautiful things in life hurt."

I just slowly shut my eyes, enfolded myself in darkness and said, "Never mind, there will be 43 more sunsets to see." "I will be gone tomorrow." you slowly whispered. My eyes fluttered open as my heart missed its tattoo. I draw a deep breath and withdraw to my own exclusive shell. You and I understood each other’s thoughts best in silence.

I heard you once say that the night comes fast in the tropics and tonight it did. But you promised to show me the stars and moon and I hold on to your promises. "Show me the stars", I said in my raspy voice.

This time around I see you offer your hand and you pulled me along with you as we followed the fireflies to a clearing where no skyscraping coconut tree grew. We lied down on the fine powdery white sand and together, we raised our eyes up to look at the universe.

"You see the Southern Cross? See the four stars there in the horizon?" but your words got cut off by a shooting star, its tail blazing with fire. I made a wish. The same wish I made when I offered a bouquet of wild flowers to the volcano a month ago. Did you? Did you make a wish too?

The god's must want us to be happy that night that they entertained us by pelting the heavens with stars that left a trail of glitters in the sky...a meteor shower. You said it is the Aquarids, I say the universe conspired to make this night last in our memory forever.

You hoped the clouds will not come. I'm crossing my fingers that they won't. But if they do, I wish that they bring rain too. So you won't see my tear drops slowly fall cry when it is time for you to go.

But then I felt your hand slowly lose its hold on me, "Sorry, my borrowed time has now come to an end. It is time for me to go..."And with those last words, the floodgates of heaven opened and torrential rains suddenly fell around us. I was drowning in memories of you.

I weakly held out my hand and said, "Dance with me." Only the waves replied in the darkness of the night by crashing on the rocky shore.

Best Gifts from Vanuatu

A vacation is never complete without buying a souvenir. These little trinkets are our tickets back to memory lane. It mostly reminds us of the sweet memories we've had of our brief stay in a locale.

The capital of Vanuatu, Port Villa is like a small resort town with tiny boutiques. Take advantage of shopping and stocking up what you need here for there are only a few essential items sold in the outlying islands.

There is not a lot of choice when it comes to souvenir shopping so I've rounded up the possible souvenirs that might interest you while visiting its gorgeous islands and beaches.

1. Vanuatu Map Wrap Around (Sarong)

This is sold everywhere. Even the men and women would use it as a wrap around. You can use it as a beach towel, dry yourself after a swim or hang it on a wall to remind you of Vanuatu. Or if you are like me, I used it as a skirt.

2. Flower Hair Clips

These flower hairclips made of foam are so detailed they almost look real. The popular ones are frangipani's or plumeria's. Even the flight stewardess on Air Vanuatu use it. I know that in some Pacific islands, wearing the flower on the right means you are married while wearing it on the left means you are single, available and ready to mingle, I often don't follow the protocol.

3. Colorful plumes

Dr. Alicia, Dominik (a teacher the local school) and I 

These plumes are special to Tanna and come in the colors of the rainbow. You then put this on your hair.

The ni-Van (locals) often give this as a gift which they encase in a slim bamboo tube similar to the one I'm holding below.

4. Fans

The women here make beautiful hand weaved fans in different designs. Some are trimmed with yarns and the really special ones with feathers

5. Bags

Like the bag I am using in this photo...

You can also get personalized bags like this which are again weaved by the locals. You can ask them to write your name or something on it.

6. Vanuatu Money

There is a good exchange rate here even for me who comes from a third world country so you can get smaller bills or coins and give it away as souvenirs. I know I do. Especially that only a few people ever manage to find their way to Vanuatu.

7. Letter

Probably one of the best would be getting a volcanic ash covered letter sent from the foot of Yasur Volcano! And the real stamps you get with the letter is just pure love.

8. Pictures

My personal favorite is the once in a lifetime experience of dressing like a Tanna Woman. My face got painted with colorful powders and I get to wear a grass skirt. And since I am conservative, I wore a scarf to cover my hoo-has instead of going bare-breasted.

9. Vanuatu Dolls

Wouldn't it be lovely to get one of these dolls? It is rare to find dolls in dark skin tone as everyone desires to have the western standard of beauty-fair skin and straight hair.

What's your favorite Vanuatu souvenir?