Day 234 of 365 Day Challenge

So where am I today...SINGAPORE! This is another place I would have loved my husband to be stationed. I know some people think it's a bit sterile but actually on a day-to-day basis that can be quite reassuring. It's also much easier for English speaking people. Finally, there is a lot more here than people realise. For example, the last time we were here we visited the wetlands and if you are into nature this is a very tranquil and relaxing place to go. The only downside about Singapore is perhaps the constant heat and humidity all year round.

So I worked out that I was last here in 2012 and I have noticed quite a few changes. On this last visit we went up to the top of the Marina Bay Sands and I saw these funny looking spiky things being built on a derelict piece of land. Well, this time I found out what they were for - The Gardens in the Bay! It's a pity I don't have my photos from this visit with me because it would have been interesting to post the before and after.

Oh my goodness! What an attraction the Gardens by the Bay are. An absolute must do if you are here. Apart from the lovely tranquil gardens, there are three major attractions - four if you have children. The Supertrees, the Flower Dome and the Forest Dome. If you have kids there is the Children's Garden - a whole area of spurting water jets under which they can play so bring towels and a change of clothes!

Where do I start? Which is going to be my photo of the day? So many choices. One of the flowers, cacti or driftwood sculptures from the Flower Dome? The amazing Forest Dome? Actually photos just don't do it justice. The scale and intricacy of this massive, almost steampunk type garden structure was incredible. Well it just has to be the Supertrees lighted up at night. Don't miss the light show in the evening. I shall have to give you a taste of the rest.

Apps: Hipstamatic, Camera+, Snapseed, Marksa

Day 233 of 365 Day Challenge

Another one of the little creatures found along my road.

Apps: Hipstamatic, Olloclip macro lens, Snapseed, iColorama, SketchClub, Repix, Aerograph, Marksa

Day 232 of 365 Day Challenge

I went with a friend of mine to Repulse Bay today to walk her dog and have a cuppa. I had no idea that at the end of the beach there is a temple with dozens of statues. Wow. I wanted to go bananas and take loads of photos but just took a few and loaded it into my memory bank as a place to return to to have a good photo session.

However, there was one female statue that really resonated with me. Peaceful and graceful. So I took a photo and when I got home I decided to make it look like an old vintage photograph. I used an app for this called My Sketch which I don't often use because it insists on resizing your photo which makes it frustrating to blend back with other versions of the photo. I must find a good sketch app that I like which enables the use of a square photo. I'm beginning to think the best way to do it is to blend a photo with a sketchy texture. Anyhow, I managed it and loved the result.

Apps: Hipstamatic, Snapseed, iColorama, My Sketch, PaintCan, Marksta

Day 231 of 365 Day Challenge

I have two parks that I walk through on my various journeys around Hong Kong and it is a while since I walked through the Botanical Gardens. Lots of greenery but not a lot of flowers that I haven't already photographed. However, there were some pretty red flowers that the sun was shining on so took a couple of pics and messed around with one of them while I drank my coffee at the peaceful Fringe Club.

Apps: Hipstamatic, Snapseed, iColorama, Enlighten 

Day 230 of 365 Day Challenge

Today I only came back with a photo of the inside of one of my regular coffee shops and frankly it wasn't very good so I had to do something to spice it up a bit so I cropped the photo into pieces, and applied grunge on them and then took them into a slightly annoying (because of the ads) but useful app 'Shake ur Life' and created a collage.

Apps: Snapseed, Shake ur Life

Original Photo

Day 229 of 365 Day Challenge

What can you do with just a couple of leaves on the ground?

Apps: Hipstamatic, Snapseed, iColorama, Retouch 

Original photo: