Happy National Day Singapore!

No plans for this long weekend unfortunately. I am always too late when it comes to planning for long weekends. Will have to do better so that the next time there is a nice loong weekend, I can scoot off somewhere for a short getaway! So plan for the weekend would be to try and do some work that has been overdue long time ago. Wish me luck...

Anyways, several weeks ago, I decided to commit one charm bracelet and do a Singapore theme for that bracelet and went on a hunt on ebay as well as shops in Singapore to find charms that would fit that theme. And the last one came yesterday and made it on time for my National Day tribute to Singapore.

If you're thinking that I am very patriotic, I see it more of a good reason to *drum roll* SHOP!!! Anyways, am happy with this bracelet and looking forward to finding more pieces to put on this bracelet.

Some of the charms are uniquely Singapore but the others are more Asian items which could be found not only in Singapore but in our other neighbouring countries. So take a look at what I have so far ...

Starting from the right to the left, the first charm is a crab. Now if you're wondering how Singaporean is that? Well, let me explain. It symbolises one of our famous and favourite dishes - Chilli Crab!!! How can I not have a food item on my bracelet? That would be so un-Singaporean! Following that is the Changi Airport Control Tower and I had a good look and compared it with the real thing and it's confirmed!

Next to that is really interesting though a little small. It's a typical kampung house on silts that we use to have heaps in the past. My parents grew up in such houses and they made good sense. With our heavy and frequent rainfall, it prevented the houses from getting too wet when the water levels were too high. Plus at night with the wild animals roaming about, doubt you will have any climbing up the stairs. And there's also the issue of heat radiating from the ground so by allowing air to flow beneath, it helps to keep the temperature cooler in the house. Plus, it's great for the children and chicken to run about *laughs*

Below you get a better view of the kampung house. And next to that you have a hawker seller carrying two baskets on a pole on his shoulder. That's how they use to sell their wares or food by going around. Pretty hard work!

Following the hawker seller, you have a sampan that use to be a common mode of transportation for people in the past plus Singapore being a fishing village at one time, am sure that was used by the fishermen too. Nowadays, you can still find the sampan or bumboats along the Singapore River but it's more of a touristy thing now.

After the sampan, you have a Snake Charmer that originated from India. Being an immigrant society, the immigrants brought to Singapore their traditions and customs that we are so familiar with today. Unfortunately, it's quite difficult to find these Snake Charmers these days.

Following that is a bullock cart that used to be another common mode of transportation for people and goods. Might still be able to find them in the rural parts of Malaysia and Indonesia but unfortunately, not anymore in Singapore.

And the last two charms - a rickshaw puller, a popular way to travel around in the past but a lot of hard work for the puller! Last but not least, is an orchid to represent Singapore's National Flower - Vanda Miss Joaquim.

Am looking forward to finding more charms to add on to my bracelet and if you spot any good ones, do let me know :o) To fellow Singaporeans, Happy National Day and hope you have a restful weekend!