#Singapore Harbour Board

[jeronimoloco]

A house on which Singapore's modern port was built

A house on which Singapore’s modern port was built

There is little doubt that Singapore’s port has been a key driver of its success. The roots of the port as we know of it today were really laid by commercial dock companies established in the mid-1800s, chief amongst which were the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company and the Patent Slip and Dock Company (later the New Harbour Dock Company). Their possession of wharfage originally put up to support repair…

[magicfootballstuff]

Finalist (alessia russo x reader)

Summary: World Cup fluff. Alessia has no idea you're on your way to Australia to surprise her before the final.

———

“Did you watch the game?” Alessia asks, calling you at the earliest opportunity after the semi final ends. You know she must still be at the stadium and you can hear the sounds of her teammates celebrating in the background.

“As if I’d miss a match as important as this one,” you reply. “Your goal, baby - that was something special.”

“Really?” Alessia asks, the giddiness apparent in her voice, even over the phone.

“Yeah, it was. It was incredible. You’re incredible.”

“I wish you could be here,” Alessia says.

You glance up at the departure board and read the words “Sydney - gate opens in 20 minutes” before you sigh and reply, “Yeah, so do I. I’m sorry.”

Because what Alessia doesn’t know is that you watched her semi final match from an airport lounge in Singapore, where you have a layover between flights on your way out to Sydney.

“Don’t apologise,” Alessia reassures you. “I know how hard it is for you to get time off work.”

It has been hard, you’ve been so busy at work recently that you were forced to stay in England while Alessia competes on the other side of the world. But after the Lionesses won their quarter final, you knew you had to fly out to Australia for Alessia’s final match, whether it was the final or the third place match, just to get the chance to see your girl play in a World Cup. And now that you know it’ll be a World Cup final that she’s playing in, you’re extremely glad that you managed to persuade your boss to let you have the time off.

“Anyway, it means a lot to know you’re supporting me, even from so far away,” Alessia continues.

It takes all the effort you can muster not to confess everything and tell her that you’re not as far away as she might think, but you’re determined to keep this a surprise.

“Always supporting you,” you promise her. “All the way to the World Cup final.”

You can practically hear her beaming down the phone, and you can picture the way her face scrunches up in delight as she replies, “It doesn’t feel real yet. I don’t think it’ll feel real until we actually step out on the pitch.”

“I’m so proud of you,” you tell Alessia.

You hear the opening bars of ABBA’s Mamma Mia followed by a shriek down the phone, then the distinctive sound of your girlfriend’s laughter.

“I’m sorry, baby,” Alessia apologises. “Ella wants me to dance. I’m gonna have to go. But I love you and miss you so much!”

“Love you too! See you soon!”

You only realise the slip of your tongue when Alessia has already hung up, by which time you can only hope that she’s too distracted by the dressing room celebrations to notice and ruin the surprise of your impending arrival in Australia.

———

For reasons you can’t explain, you’re nervous as you wait by the Sydney harbour, against the backdrop of the opera house and the famous bridge. You only landed in Australia this morning, and though it’s now early afternoon, it feels like the middle of the night to you. 

You’re about to see your girlfriend for the first time in six weeks and Alessia has no idea. Maybe that’s why you’re nervous, afraid that your sudden appearance on the other side of the world to where Alessia currently thinks you are will somehow distract her from her preparations for the biggest football game of her career. 

You check your phone for the millionth time in the last twenty minutes. Your most recent message is one from Luca, who is in on the surprise, telling you that Alessia insisted on stopping for coffee and that they’ll be with you in ten minutes. 

That was fourteen minutes ago.

You turn around, leaning back against the harbour railing, and glance down at the bouquet of flowers in your hand. What if this was a silly idea? What if your arrival in Australia two days before such an important game is a distraction for Alessia? What if she has other plans for her last day off before the tournament ends and you’re taking that away?

But then you glance up and you see her in the distance, walking towards you with her brothers on either side of her, laughing at something that one of them has just said, and your heart stops in your chest. She’s changed out of the England tracksuits you’ve become so accustomed to seeing pictures of her wearing and into a pair of dark trousers and a white crop top, a pair of sunglasses perched on the top of her head that pushes her blonde hair out of her face. Maybe it’s the sun kissed glow from spending more than a month in Australia, maybe it’s the fact that she looks so relaxed and happy, maybe it’s the fact that you haven’t seen her in person for so long, but she looks like a goddess as she strides obliviously towards you.

You push yourself off the railing and try to straighten up your own appearance, fully aware that spending thirty hours on planes and in airports and your current state of jetlag probably means you resemble a zombie more than your normal human self, certainly not somebody worthy of Alessia, but you can only hope that doesn’t matter.

She continues to come closer, still unaware that she’s walking towards you, until she’s close enough that you can hear the familiar laughter as she jokes around with her brothers. 

And then her blue eyes find yours and being the clumsy girl that she is, she actually stumbles slightly when she sees you, doing a double take as she recognises you.

“Oh my god,” Alessia says, and then she’s running towards you.

You hold your arms out wide as Alessia launches herself at you, knocking you slightly off balance as she wraps her arms tightly around you and buries her face into your neck. It feels so strange, yet so familiar to have Alessia in your arms after so long apart, and you’re never going to take spending time with her for granted again.

“But … but you’re in England?” she says, her voice muffled by your hair.

“I’m pretty sure this is Australia,” you reply lightheartedly, squeezing her tighter.

“What are you doing here?” Alessia asks, pulling back and cupping your head with a hand on each side of your jaw, staring at you in disbelief, as if she still isn’t completely sure that you’re not a figment of her own imagination.

“Sightseeing,” you tease her. “No, I’m here to see you, silly. My girl’s playing in a World Cup final on Sunday - do you really think I’d miss the chance to see that live?”

“But we talked yesterday,” Alessia says, her face scrunching up in a cute frown. “You were at home.”

“I lied, I was in an airport in Singapore,” you confess.

Alessia’s eyes widen in surprise, then she says, “You sneaky little… I can’t believe you’re actually here.”

“These are for you, by the way,” you say, untangling your arms from around Alessia so you can present her with the bouquet of flowers you bought - red and white for England, obviously - before they get too squashed.

“They’re beautiful,” Alessia says, as she accepts the gift and admires the flowers.

“Beautiful flowers for my beautiful girl,” you say cheesily. “I’ve got something else for you too.”

“Yeah?”

“Uh huh,” you nod, as you place your hands on Alessia’s hips and pull her closer, pushing yourself up on your tiptoes to close the height difference and press your lips against hers.

Alessia’s lips are exactly as soft as you remember them and she gasps at the contact, before pulling you in even closer with her free hand. You try to savour the moment, enjoying the way that Alessia’s aura surrounds every part of you, her lips pliant beneath yours as you fit together like it hasn’t been over a month since you last got to kiss her.

It’s a special kiss, one that you wish could last forever, but a kiss that is ultimately ruined by a raucous wolf whistle followed by fake retching noises from Alessia’s brothers nearby.

Alessia pulls back with a groan, then turns to her brothers to scold them.

“Okay, you two can get lost now. I want to spend my day off with my girlfriend.”

You turn to Luca and Giorgio and give them an apologetic shrug.

“Sorry guys, Lessi makes the rules.”

You endure a bit more teasing, Luca continuing to gag while Giorgio makes a comment about you being whipped, but that’s quickly forgotten as Alessia pulls you in for another kiss, and by the time you break apart again, the Russo brothers have got the message and left you alone with your girlfriend.

“This is the best day ever,” Alessia says, reaching for your hand and threading her fingers through yours as you start to walk side by side towards the Sydney Opera House. 

“Are you sure about that?” you tease her. “I mean, you scored a goal that helped your team get through to their first ever World Cup final yesterday. That sounds like a pretty hard day to beat.”

“That was good but this is better,” Alessia answers without hesitating. “I might have to reconsider on Sunday though. You know, if we…”

Alessia trails off without saying the word win, and you know probably still can’t quite get her head around the fact that winning the World Cup is a possibility.

“Whatever the result, I’m so glad I can be here to support you,” you tell her, bringing your joined hands to your lips and pressing a kiss to the back of her fingers. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

You’ve travelled halfway around the world for Alessia, and you’d do the same journey a hundred times over, just to see the smile that spreads across her face at your words.

[bellaella]

Our guide from @sentosa_island , Saifullah Kamaludin, was fantastic. Interesting and knowledgeable, with a passion for his job as co-lead of the Culture and Heritage initiatives under the Sustainable Sentosa programme. We literally Lara Craft Tomb Raider through the wilderness of Sentosa's forests this morning to find the remains of World War II. And yes, the area is out of bounds, only opened during this organised visits cos its a safety hazard without proper guides, the safety ropes, and paramedics and ambulance on standby. Wear proper hiking boots, lots of mozzie repellant and be prepared to climb and feel like you're "jungle-ing" your way through roots, leaves, branches and more. Thank you @nhb_sg! The Fall of Singapore, also known as the Battle of Singapore, took place in the South–East Asian theatre of the Pacific War. The Japanese Empire captured the British stronghold of Singapore, with fighting lasting from 8 to 15 February 1942. To mark the 81st anniversary of the Fall of Singapore, the National Heritage Board (NHB) returns with its annual Battle for Singapore initiative with a series of special guided tours, talks, exhibitions and film screenings documenting the event. For more details, visit https://go.gov.sg/bsg2023 Registration opens on 8 February 2023, 10am at https://bsg2023.peatix.com. From 10 February to 5 March 2023, Battle for Singapore 2023 will take participants on a journey to trace the roots of Singapore’s wartime past, and uncover the hidden stories about various World War II (WWII) sites. This year, participants will get a chance to explore the grounds of Fort Connaught through a special access tour, which is the first-ever public tour since the fort’s construction in 1878. Built for the defence of Keppel Harbour, a crucial ship-building and repair facility in Singapore, Fort Connaught was armed with 9.2-inch guns – these were the largest on Sentosa, and were used to engage invading Japanese troops during the Battle for Singapore. The tour will give participants a glimpse into the abandoned Fort’s history, construction and its role in Singapore’s defence during the Japanese invasion of WWII. (at Sentosa) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoXfYSQyf1r/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[tripcabinet]

Singapore Escapade: Your Perfect Tour from Delhi

Introduction

Often referred to as the “Lion City”, Singapore is a vibrant and exciting place that offers the perfect blend of modernity and tradition. From stunning skyscrapers to lush gardens, delicious street food to fine dining, diverse cultures and world-class entertainment, Singapore has something to offer every traveler If you are in Delhi and riding a trip to remember dream of a trip to this Southeast Asian gem, look no further than Singapore tour package from Delhi. In this blog, we’ll take you on a virtual tour of what to expect from this amazing adventure.

Day 1: Arrival in Singapore

Your journey begins at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, where you will board the flight to Singapore. With a luxury flight, you will arrive at Singapore Changi Airport, one of the best airports in the world, known for its efficiency and amenities Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your tour guide who will turn around you’ve gone to your hotel. Check in and relax after your trip or venture out to explore the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Day 2: Discover the sights of Singapore

On day two in Singapore, get ready to explore some of the city’s most spectacular sights. Your itinerary may include the following:

Merlion Park: Start the day at Merlion Park, where you’ll see the stunning Merlion sculpture spilling into the harbour. The location offers breathtaking views of the city skyline.

Marina Bay Sands: Visit the stunning Marina Bay Sands Resort and enjoy breathtaking views from the Skypark Observation Deck. You can also explore the upscale shopping, entertainment and restaurants in the complex.

Bayside Gardens: Soak in the beauty of the gardens along the bay, featuring an otherworldly Supertree Grove, stunning Flower Dome and Cloud Forest

Chinatown and Little India: Explore the vibrant cultural districts of Chinatown and Little India, where you can sample delicious street food and shop for unique souvenirsz

Day 3: Sentosa Island Adventure

Dedicate your third day to Sentosa Island, a resort island that offers a wide range of sights and sports. Here are some highlights:

Universal Studios Singapore: Enjoy an afternoon of thrills and enjoyment at Universal Studios, with severa rides, indicates, and movie-themed points of interest.

S.E.A. Aquarium: Dive into the depths of the ocean on the S.E.A. Aquarium, domestic to thousands of marine species.

Adventure Cove Waterpark: Cool off and have a blast at Adventure Cove Waterpark, offering water slides, a lazy river, and snorkeling studies.

Sentosa Beaches: Unwind at the sandy beaches of Sentosa, in which you may relax and soak within the solar.

Day 4: Sentosa Fun Continues

Your Singapore excursion bundle from Delhi ensures which you make the maximum of Sentosa Island. Explore extra points of interest like:

Sentosa Merlion: Climb to the pinnacle of the Sentosa Merlion for panoramic views of the island and the city.

Madame Tussauds Singapore: Get up near along with your favorite celebrities at Madame Tussauds, and take memorable photographs with lifelike wax figures.

Wings of Time: End your day with the enchanting Wings of Time show, a captivating show of lights, water, and sound.

Day five: Departure from Singapore

On your final day in Singapore, you could squeeze in a few ultimate-minute purchasing or discover any locations you might have missed. Your tour manual will make sure you reach the airport in time on your flight back to Delhi.

Conclusion

A Singapore Tour package from Delhi offers an incredible possibility to explore the Lion City’s various cultures, present-day attractions, and herbal splendor. From iconic landmarks to thrilling subject parks and colorful neighborhoods, Singapore has all of it. Plan your trip from Delhi, and you’ll go back with unforgettable recollections of this dynamic metropolis. So, pack your bags, e-book your tour package deal, and get prepared for the journey of a lifetime in Singapore!

[legislative-assembly-sg]

HARBOUR COMPANIES JOIN THE FIGHT!

Fearing further industrial action, Harbour companies have collectively enacted policies similar to that of the bus companies. Harbour workers are going on strikes, as a result. In the long term, this would end up increasing delays in the transport system as goods from the Harbour would not be quickly unloaded and transported into the mainland. Lim Cher Keng joined the protests himself outside of the Singapore Harbour Board, gaining the support of workers. 

Meanwhile, members Ibrahim and Lim Chin Siong have obtained funds from a mysterious source to upgrade the Keppel Shipyard and the Ford Factory

In other areas, fights are erupting between unknown figures and striking workers. The unknown figures are saying nothing, except for s*ck deep, which has been disregarded as lewd comments.

[comparativetarot]

Temperance. Art by Paris Maitreya Lim, from The Southeast Asian Myths & Stories Tarot.

Merlion

Half lion which symbolise singa which the singapore and half fish which symbolise temasek which is sea town.

The symbol was designed by Alec Fraser-Brunner, a member of the Souvenir Committee and curator of the Van Kleef Aquarium, for the logo of the Singapore Tourism Board.

The Merlion is on top of the Dragon's Teeth Gate, is the name Chinese explorer Wang Dayuan recorded for Batu Belayar, a craggy granite outcrop that formerly stood at the gateway to Keppel Harbour.

It greets visitors coming to singapore.

The background is an ancient 15th century map charting the route from China

Lastly the wind and the sun the symbols of weather tries to control the Merlion.

In a contest to see whether the Merlion would favor the warmth of the sun or bow to the intensity of the wind.

Merlion remains strong in itself regardless the weather conditions. A master of fire; wind; water and earth.

[fy-skz]

[TRANS] Stray Kids, Enter American Billboard ‘Artist 100’ for the First Time..“Global Growth Clear”

Boy group Stray Kids entered the American Billboard ‘Artist 100’ chart for the first time together and made excellent records with the release of their new album, signaling their clear global growth.

Following the chart released on Billboard’s official homepage, Stray Kids entered the ‘Artist 100’ chart at 90th and let their presence shine amongst famous foreign artists.

Besides this, Stray Kids have placed their name high on other Billboard charts, proving their popularity. Mini album ‘Clé 1 : MIROH’, released on the 25th of last month, ranked 3rd on their ‘WORLD ALBUMS’ chart.

Stray Kids gained attention with their rankings of 4th on ‘SOCIAL 50’, and 5th on ‘EMERGING ARTISTS’.

Before this, ahead of their debut, Billboard chose Stray Kids as 1st on their list of ‘K-Pop Artists to Watch in 2018’ and continued to focus a spotlight upon them.

Befit with Billboard’s interest, Stray Kids achieved the title of ‘Rookie Award 8-Crown King’ in 2018 and while receiving strong support from fans abroad as well, they are shifting towards the status of ‘2019’s best rookie’ as well.

Stray Kids, who released their album ‘Clé 1 : MIROH’ and title track ‘MIROH’ on the 25th of last month, ranked 1st on the iTunes album charts and iTunes world wide album charts of a total of 15 countries including the ‘home of pop’ America, Mexico, Peru, Finland, Russia, Singapore, etc., and in 32 foreign countries they entered the iTunes Album Chart TOP10.

The ‘MIROH’ music video, released at 12AM of the 25th, passed 28.2M views on the morning of the 4th and is now heading towards 30M views.

Stray Kids are showing their charms off stage as well and are communicating with ‘STAY’ (fandom name). Episode 3 of Stray Kids’ first solo reality program, Mnet’s ‘Finding Stray Kids’, broadcasted this past 3rd, paid homage to tvN’s ‘Youth over Flowers’ and showed the charms of the Stray Kids members on their trip to Australia.

Lee Know, Hyunjin, and HAN, who when on a city tour, were flustered by the unexpectedly cloudy weather but were amazed by the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. The members of the desert tour, Woojin, Changbin, and Felix, tried out new experiences like sand boarding at Sydney’s representative sight-seeing spot ‘Port Stephens’. The beach tour members Bang Chan, Seungmin, and I.N were caught off-guard by the rain but made viewers laugh with their insistence on creating a picnic mood.

On episode 4 of the ‘Journey to JYP' to be broadcasted at 8PM on the coming 10th, Stray Kids’ images filled with mischief has been previewed, raising curiosities and expectations.

Stray Kids is showing the powerful performance of their title track ‘MIROH’ through various music shows and are leaving a strong impression on viewers. Source: OSEN Translation: Candace @ FY!SKZ ; take out with full credit

[jeronimoloco]

Deporting the port

Change often seems the only constant in Singapore. Its relentless pace has altered its face, so much so that many in my generation feel that home is foreign place. Nothing seems sacred, places that we have grown accustomed to and build ties with can disappear in the blink in an eye.

Vanishing scenes at Tanjong Pagar.

One change Singapore is in the midst of, the redevelopment of the Greater…

[theseaeaglelives]

Round 18

THE SEA EAGLE

MAKING RUGBY LEAGUE GREAT AGAIN!!!

Round 18 

Manly Sea Eagles 36

Defeated   

Parramatta Eels   24

A sunny Sunday afternoon, a packed Brookie up against the old enemy, the despised Eels and a victory. The only missing ingredient of a perfect afternoon being the absence of the dulcet tones of Rex “the Moose” Mossop calling the action.   

There were however some ominous signs for Manly though when it was reported that Brad Parker had been recalled into the team as a late replacement for an injured Cade Cust.   

Notwithstanding the inclusion of Parker, Manly opened the scoring after 5 minutes when improving winger Rueben Garrick crossed in the corner. Garrick then duly converted his own try. Young Garrick is but another example of a player improving in season 2019 as compared to last year, with the Sea Eagle still somewhat dumfounded as to the reason for this repeated and strange phenomenon. . The Sea Eagle vows to get to the bottom of this and seek a rational explanation.

The Eels then hit back with two tries of their own, the first as a result of a Horhay Torfua howler. Young Horhay has the turning circle and mobility of a Mk1 Abrams tank and the sooner he is moved into the forwards the better for all concerned.

Defence then took a back seat for the remainder of the half, particularly from the Eels and Manly ran in four tries including a screamer from Tommy Turbo. Even the much-maligned Brad Parker managed to cross for a try as Manly held a 26-12 lead at the break.   

The second half was less than inspiring with plenty of mistakes from both teams. Manly took their foot off the accelerator but made less mistakes than the Eels running in a further two tries with Rueben Garrick chalking up his first career hat-trick.   

Two late tries to the Eels added some respectability however the final 36-24 scoreline did not justify the commanding nature of the Manly victory.

What a hapless mob the Eels are, and it was interesting to note the prevalence of Manly discards (David Gower, Shaun Lane, Clint Gutherson, Coach Brad Arthur etc.) within their ranks, indeed further proof positive that no-one goes better when they leave the nest.

The win not only consolidates Manly within the top 8, but provides some hope for even better things to come as they now knock on the door of the top 4. Next week against the filthy wrestling, cheating rorters from Melbourne will provide a more accurate gauge on where Manly sit in season 2019.   

More Embarrassment for the NRL- Mark Coyne   

Since the off-season from hell the NRL has done a fair job in improving player behaviour however, the latest in a long stream of embarrassments comes directly from head office.   Proving that you can take the man out of the NRL, but you can never take the NRL out of the man, former Dragon and now NRL Commissioner, Mark Coyne has found himself in hot water and on the wrong side of the Singaporean legal system.

It has been reported in the press that Mr Coyne has unleashed an expletive laden tirade along the lines of "you are a f---ing stupid idiot", a "f---ing dickhead" and a "cock", "f---ing cock" and "f---ing dog", he also threatened to "sue you through your f---ing arse" and adding "if some f---ing stupid c--- sues me, I don’t f---ing care. Especially you". And then finally "you are f---ing crazy", "you must be f---ing embarrassed" and "you must be so f---ing proud of yourself"   

Such a tirade could have been excused and even justified had it taken place at an NRL Board meeting (and merely represented a rehash of the minutes of said meeting), or perhaps having been directed at incumbent NRL Chairman, Peter Beattie (given his many public statements in the past have only but confirmed his mastery of embarrassment).   

However poor old Mr Coyne made the fatal mistake of directing it towards a police officer in Singapore. Whilst the Australian judicial system seems to tolerate verbal and physical abuse directed towards the constabulary, such is not the case in Singapore and Mr Coyne was duly arrested, his passport confiscated and then detained in Singapore for seven weeks. 

The Sea Eagle can report that Mr Coyne got off lightly and was very fortunate not to have been sentenced to the traditional Singaporean punishment for such an indiscretion. 

Compounding this indiscretion, Mr Coyne then thought it would be acceptable to withhold informing the NRL of his misdemeanour, allegedly suggesting something about an ear infection which prevented him from returning from Singapore. Mr Coyne also pulled out that old and well used NRL chestnut, claiming that he was too intoxicated to remember the incident and that his behaviour was completely out of character (aren’t they all!!).  

It has since been reported in various outlets that Mr Coyne is a “good bloke and irreplaceable on the NRL Commission”. Be that as it may, and the Sea Eagle does not doubt it for one moment, with the power of an NRL independent Commissioner comes great responsibility. The first is not to embarrass oneself or the code (Mr Peter Beattie not knowing who the Sharks were is but one example of this), and the second it would seem, is not to go on drunken tirades in foreign lands and abuse the local police. Such things never end well.

The Sea Eagle notes that it has also been reported that Israel Folau is a “good bloke” but the NRL won’t allow him within a bull’s roar of participating in the greatest game of all.   

 As far as the Sea Eagle is concerned and bearing in mind that Clubs are required to immediately self-report any incident involving players/officials, in the interest of consistency (particularly given the Dylan Walker banning despite being found ultimately NOT GUILTY), the NRL, must enact its no-fault policy and Mr Coyne should be sacked from the Commission.

In the words of the great man President Trump, Mark Coyne “You’re Fired”.  

The Sea Eagle’s only other comment on this unmitigated debacle, is to urge those that actually control the independent commission of the NRL, to resist the temptation (largely from the News Limited and Fairfax media) to appoint someone on the commission who has a so called rugby league background. 

Everybody knows that sooner or later anyone with a significant rugby league background is more  likely than not going to have some sort of unsavoury incident surface. This is due basically to the rugby league  DNA factor .   Regrettably only those who are regular participants in rugby league seem to fully understand and appreciate how to control and limit  the impacts of this DNA chromosome mismatch, but as everybody knows, despite the best efforts all concerned, sooner or later the rugby league gene will kick in, and create embarrassment for all and sundry.  

It can't be stopped, it can only be managed.   This is not a criticism , as no other code on the planet seems to have this ability to recover from such significant embarrassment on a regular basis. But to put it as simply as one can, it is the reason why rugby league  is the greatest game of all and not the game they play in heaven (rugby union ). 

Trent Barrett

The Sun Herald reported that on Saturday 19 July 2019, Trent Barrett’s coaching tenure at Manly officially came to an end. The same publication also reported said Mr. Barrett has somehow managed to land a gig as part of the All Blacks support crew. The Sea Eagle is not in a position to verify the accuracy of this allegation but if it is true you can expect that the All Blacks will not win the 2019 World Cup.  

Moreover, if indeed it is true, the mind boggles at who actually thought this was a good thing to do in New Zealand rugby. For a nation who on any objective basis is by far and away the best managed and performing rugby union outfit on the planet, it beggars belief that they thought they even need to go anywhere near the former Shark/Dragon playing, DFI infected, ex-Manly coach. A quick review of his coaching record and the fact that he's never won a premiership as a player or as a coach only confirms the folly of such a decision (if indeed it has been made).  

Erskineville Toxic Waste Real Estate Developments   

We have all read about the recent debacle that is new home unit construction in Sydney and Melbourne but in particular in the area starting from South of the Harbour Bridge heading towards Botany and Mascot.

The latest in this sad and sorry saga is a revelation that a block of units in Erskineville will not be approved by the Council as fit for human habitation, because it has not complied with environmental rules. That is to say it was built on a toxic waste dump much in the same way that the Sydney Olympic Stadium was built on a toxic waste dump in Homebush.   

Seemingly it is not acceptable for a few 100 people to live in a block of units on a toxic waste dump in Erskineville but it is perfectly reasonable to put 80,000 people on a regular basis into a stadium in Homebush with possibly even more alarming environmental issues underneath it.   

The poor old punters who have bought these units off the plan can rightly feel that they have been Piss&d on from a great height.   Given the developer is an entity known as Golden Rain Development Pty Limited (apparently a Chinese backed real estate development firm), the Sea Eagle can confirm that the Director of Controversy is currently looking into whether or not a new name would be more appropriate. 

Something in the order of Golden Shower Development Pty Limited. But at this stage that is mere conjecture.

THE SEA EAGLE

[airmanisr]

Supermarine Seafire LF.IIIc ‘PP972 / 11-5 / N’ (G-BUAR) by Alan Wilson Via Flickr: c/n [unknown] Royal Navy serial ‘PP972’ Aeronavale serial ‘PP972’, coded ‘12F2’ later ‘1F9’. Now wears the markings of 880sqn Royal Navy, when based on HMS Implacable. It is based at Bentwaters and is seen here making it’s UK debut at 2015 Flying Legends Airshow. Duxford, Cambridgeshire, UK. 12-7-2015 The following info is from the Flying Legends website:- “Seafire MK III PP972 was one of 250 Type 358 Seafire L.F.III aircraft ordered from Westland Aircraft in July 1943. It left the works during September 1944. The aircraft was transferred to 809 Squadron Fleet Air Arm in November 1944 serving on HMS Stalker and then on HMS Attacker. PP972 then re-joined HMS Stalker in March 1945. HMS Stalker, with PP972 on board, left Gibraltar on the 7th of March 1945 for Trincomalee, Ceylon, with the 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, arriving on the 20th of March. This then became part of the East Indies Fleet consisting of six CVE’s sent to re-occupy Singapore. During its time in Ceylon, operating from both HMS Stalker and from RNAS Trincomalee, PP972 was involved in numerous operations as part of Operation Tiderace, the British plan to retake Singapore. Operation “Dracula”; providing air cover to support landings in Rangoon in May 1945, operation “Bishop”; a series of attacks on Japanese coastal bases, operation “Balsam”; offensive sweeps of Japanese airbases June 1945, operation “Collie”; providing air cover over the Malayan coast July 1945, operation “Zipper”; providing air cover for landings in Southern Malaya August 1945 and operation “Jurist”; providing air cover during landings at Port Swettenham on the 9th of September, and entering Singapore harbour on the 10th of September to support the Japanese surrender of Singapore back to British Colonial rule. During this significant period PP972 wore the codes “D-6M”. PP972 then sailed aboard HMS Stalker back to the UK arriving in October 1945 and then returned to RNAS Nutts Corner, Northern Ireland. Following the disbandment of 809 Sqdn in January 1946 it was taken by 767 Sqdn in May, initially at Easthaven, and eventually at Lossiemouth and Milltown where it received the Milltown code of 120/MV. The aircraft was then transferred to the French Aeronavale with code No. 12F2 then later to 1F9 when it was operated from the carrier “Arromanches” in Indo China. It was retired for instructional purposes in 1949. After it was retired from technical training it was placed in storage at Hyéres and eventually ended up in a wired off compound at Base Aeronavale 83 Gavres, near Loirent. It was privately purchased in 1970 and moved to the aerodrome at Vannes-Meucon. There the aircraft was restored to static condition and exhibited at the Resistance Museum at St Marcel from 1982. The aircraft was acquired by a new owner in 1987 and moved back to the UK.”

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5 things families must do in Australia's Gold Coast

Whether you're into nature and wildlife, amusement parks, or just relaxing on the beach, Australia's playground is the place to make memories that last a lifetime.

1st day? Straight to the sand and waves, of course!

The Gold Coast has almost 60km of beautiful white beaches. Top picks for a family trip are Broadbeach, and Burleigh Heads. Both are great for picnicking and barbecuing, and are good spots to swim or take your very first surfing lesson – they’re quieter, and the water is calm.

Immerse yourself in the rainforest the whole of Day 2

Lamington National Park is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, the most extensive subtropical rainforest in the world. It's an incredible place to experience nature and trek, with more than 160km of trails. To really get up close to the rainforest, try the O' Reilly's Treetop Walk, a network of suspension bridges 15-metres high that takes you through the cool canopy of flowering and fruiting trees.

A day for the kids with cuddly koalas and more

Give your kids the quintessential Australian experience on Day 3! The Currumbin  Wildlife Sanctuary, a 10-minute drive from Gold Coast, is  home to all the species of Australian wildlife you might dream of. Residents include koalas, kangaroos, platypuses, wallabies, Tasmanian devils and red pandas. While you’re there, you can meet Kangaroos, cuddle Koala’s and take a tour of the wildlife hospital.  Little booklovers will also love the Gruffalo Trail, a walk inspired by The Gruffalo, British writer Julia Donaldson’s most famous work. With the onset of the whale-watching season in June stretching to November each year, hop on a whale-watching cruise from Surfers Paradise to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

Visit a theme park... or four

Dreamworld is Australia's largest amusement park. With rollercoasters, water rides, a 75km/h swing and the world's tallest free-fall, it's the perfect spot for thrill-seekers. Even the littlest ones can enjoy family thrill rides such as Escape from Madagascar and the Sky Voyager, a new virtual-reality ride that takes you on a journey over iconic spots like the Great Barrier Reef and Sydney Harbour.  There's also plenty to do for those who like to keep their feet firmly on the ground, including animal encounters and a DreamWorks experience where kids can get close to Shrek, Po, and the Madagascar Crew. The Gold Coast has many other theme parks and experiences, including SeaWorld and Warner Bros. Movie World. Warning, you may need more than two days to cover all these theme parks, so you can plan to visit them on Day 4, 5 or more!

Tour the city of Gold Coast in a fire truck

Hop on the coolest ride in Australia for a tour of Gold Coast. Board your Fire Truck at Surfers Paradise for your adventure that starts with siren sounds as you depart for an exciting ride to the Spit via Surfers Paradise, along the beachfront / Esplanade, via Narrow Neck, and past Sea World. Plenty of smiles, laughs and waving to everybody to be enjoyed as you ride aboard a real Fire Truck! At the Spit you will be able to experience operation of a fully functional fire hose & pose for photographs holding the nozzle & wearing authentic Fire Helmets! Kids love the chance to sit in the drivers seat for a steering photo and an up close view of the Fire Engine! Then it’s time for an introduction to the workings of the truck & pump, followed by another fun Fire Truck ride with the music on for the return journey to Surfers Paradise!

Experience the food throughout the trip

Forget taking your itinerary day-by-day! Relish every moment, AND food, for every palate and preference is catered for here, plus there's a thriving vegetarian scene. The glorious weather and fresh, clean air mean most restaurants have outdoor dining areas where you can look out on jaw-dropping scenery. A must-visit is Northcliffe Surf Club, which has gorgeous views of the coastline and a family-friendly menu with classic Aussie food. If you are craving Indian food by the end of your visit then head to Kokum by Michelin star chef Mural at Main Beach Embracing traditional Indian techniques and featuring handpicked local Australian ingredients. For the best breakfast or brunch scenes must do is Paddock Bakery in Miami, Bam Bam Bakehouse in Burgeligh or Cardamom Pod in South Port.

You can connect to Gold Coast from India via Singapore, from these cities; Amritsar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Lucknow, Tiruchirappalli, Trivandrum, Coimbatore, and Vishakhapatnam. If you are planning to catch one of Scoot’s three-times-weekly flights to the Gold Coast via Singapore, head over here flyscoot.com/in-goldcoast to check out the deals!

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Thick smoke billows from the Singapore-flagged container ship MV X-Press Pearl that has been burning for the 6th consecutive day, in the sea off Sri Lanka's Colombo Harbour, Tuesday, May 25. 2021 Rescuers have evacuated all crew from a container ship off the coast of Sri Lanka as a fire on board intensified and two people were injured, a spokesman for the Sri Lankan Navy said on Tuesday. An explosion was reported from within the vessel, Navy spokesman Indika De Silva said, adding that an air force helicopter was using dry chemical powder to douse the fire. The MV X-Press Pearl, a container ship sailing with a Singaporean flag and carrying cosmetics and chemicals including 25 tons of nitric acid, was anchored off Colombo when a container caught fire on Friday, officials said. The vessel had left the Hazira port in India on May 15 and was on its way to Singapore via Colombo. Sri Lankan authorities said experts from the Netherlands and Belgium were surveying the ship, while neighbor India had promised to send vessels and an aircraft to help fight the fire. #followforfollowback #follow4followback #follow #follow4followback #followtrain #followｍe #follo #followus #fotografie #container #business #paris #france #germany (at Singapore) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPUy_axNu98/?utm_medium=tumblr