Pitfall at the Commonwealth MRT station

A nice path ahead?
Nearer and nearer to a pitfall.
It looks flat and innocuous enough. or is it?
The shot of the terrain from the other side. Notice there is an abrupt step merging with a slope.
The overall shot shows the pitfall where a wheelchair cannot move in a straight or slant angle due to its undulating surface.
Onward to the journey to the Commonwealth MRT station.
Reaching the destination at last - the Commonwealth MRT Station. A pleasant ride except for the dangerous pitfall.

A pitfall is an euphemism for dangers lurking for the wheelchair traveller. It can mean a sudden slope, blind spots, steps, holes, cracks or any impediments that can pose danger for wheelchair travellers.

A dream wish for any wheelchair warrior - the IBOT 4000

Let the video do its demo on the iBOT.

Outside Fu Lu Shou

Buy a lottery ticket from him and you can be rich!
Ice cream is a welcome treat on a tropical hot weather.
The hot season sees the bountiful harvest of durians which are available almost in every part of Singapore. Together with rambutans and mangoes, they are available for about a month during mid-May to June period.
A mountain of juicy rambutans.

Aims of this blog

It aims to be a photoblog about my country as seen through my wheels and eyes. I call my motorised wheelchair 'the ferrari' as I can feel the rush of the wind when I zoom around on a windy day! What to expect in this blog?

1. The best food places accessible to wheelchairs.
2. Personal ranking of the most wheelchair-friendly toilets.
3. A glimpse of the less threaded parts of Singapore.

I travel incognito. At least in this blog, my nickname is kruba. Kruba is a term used in northern Thailand for a monk. Like kruba or a mendicant monk who travels alone in his search for reality, my travels as seen through my wheels hope to share some facets of the uniqueness of ordinary life in Singapore. My trusty wheelchair and I have shared many a journey and we seem to communicate telepathically. On a few occasions, it warned me of the lurking dangers on time such as the pitfalls I mentioned below.

If you do have photos or feedback on the above, do share them here. Thanks!

Two thumbs up! for Bugis Junction Handicap Room

Ma, I don't need two hands for this!

Toilet Verdict: 4 Wheels This handicap room (rather than 'toilet') as named by the owners' building is a refreshing welcome to any wheelchair warrior after a hard day's journey. I mean you are looking forward to relieve yourself and for most handicap toilets, you are faced with a formidable obstacle first before you can get inside - the huge door which requires some strength to open with two hands in addition to taking care of your wheelchair. So a 4-wheels award for this toilet which has an automated door and a huge space for maneuverability inside - just the boost you need as you about to refresh yourself. Kudos to the building management - you made our lives different :)

Legend:
4 wheels: Hotel standard. Clean, good space maneuverability, smells nice and has extra features like automated door, clean towels, toiletries, ambience lighting etc.

3 wheels: Hospital standard. Clean,good space maneuverability, smells nice.

2 wheels: Home standard. Clean and basic.

1 wheel: Hell Hole! Go only during emergency and get out fast!

Tango in Bugis

This lovely facade of windows at Bugis Junction had a long history. The verandah on the second floor was the place for the infamous "girlie" bars and saucy parades in the 1960s which were popular with locals as well as British sailors then.
Natural light streams into this airconditioned section which makes it a cool and comfortable place to enjoy your favourite drink and watch the world passes by.
This is a super fresh pure mango puree with chunks of sweet fragrant mangoes. I must have it whenever I am at Bugis Junction. This heavenly concoction "Mango Tango" is from an eatery called Rockery. A decent-sized cup for $3.50. Shiok!

*shiok is a local Singapore slang which means "delicious"!

Danger lurks for the wheelchair traveller at Bugis MRT street exit

This path looks apparently barrier-free and safe. This path is the exit point from the MRT wheelchair lift.
On nearer inspection, there is danger here!
There is a huge sudden step at the adjacent path.

A pitfall is an euphemism for dangers lurking for the wheelchair traveller. It can mean a sudden slope, blind spots, steps, holes, cracks or any impediments that can pose danger for wheelchair travellers.

A tribute to late Ah Meng, icon of Singapore Zoological Gardens

In the shade.
The beautiful orange flowers with my safety flag matched nicely.
His Highness looking contented.
Signing the Condolences Book.

This is my new blog on my photojournal of places in Singapore, travelling in my ferrari. Here is my ferrari aka my motorised wheelchair.

These photos are dedicated to Ah Meng, the orangutan who was the icon of Singapore Zoological Gardens. Her burial took place on 10 February 2008 on a nice hilly top which saw thousands of people, who had fond memories of her, came to pay their last respect.

Thanks for visiting!