Pic of the week; The Astor St Kilda

Rumored to be closing early this year, this Pic of the Week comes from the beautiful art deco Astor Theatre build right on our doorstep in St Kilda in 1936. Turns out Melbourne is a master of grand heritage theaters. In the last fortnight I’ve also nestled into the cosy seats of Classic Cinema Elsternwick (it offers healthy miso soup and edamame beans as alternative snacks!) and bohemian Cameo Cinema Belgrave. I only wish I’d visited the Astor before the passing of Marzipan – their resident cat.

Georgetown, Penang

Penang is a bit like Malacca’s bigger brother, only with less pavements and more traffic. Once a mainstay of the backpacker trail, in recent years it’s been bumped off for nearby Langkawi, the Perhentians and Thailand.

However it’s amazing how a tourist board can turn that around; step 1) Embrace street art, 2) Get imaginative with wrought iron and 3) Create the mother of all scavenger hunts around Georgetown’s alleyways to tick them all off your list!

Extra pub quiz fact; Shoe fasionista Jimmy Choo was born here. His first small factory is on Lebuh Leith.

Jacki Chan Ninja Cat

Jimmy Choo Homage

Old Motocycle

Street Smarts

The famous Love Lane

Getting There: Singapore to Penang $60 with Jetstar.

Where I Stayed: The lovely Ryokan Hostel, Lebuh Muntri, 30RM dorm inc breakfast.

50 Greatest Photos: National Geographic

 

 

50 Greatest Photography of National Geographic
17th August to 27th October 2013
ArtScience Museum
$15 SGD or $13 with a Singapore EP

This showcase of Nat Geo’s stunning 125 year history has to be THE definition of inspiration. Their ‘Behind the photograph’ placards tell the incredible tales that you’d never normally get to hear… A journalists who camped out in the African wilderness for days (with his 4 yr old daughter!) to get that one glimpse of a Tanzanian lioness. Another who drove miles to rescue the stranded Iranian lady (above in blue) from childbirth in the desert.  There are stories of good fortune, spectacular timing, fluke, gut feeling or sometimes pure passion; like the team who returned to Afghanistan 30 years later to re-shoot their iconic green eyed beauty.

“Photography helps people to see” Berenice Abbott, Photographer.

Pic of the week: Smashing good art.

Luminous Depths

Handle with care! The sensation of smashing ceramics off a 4th floor balcony to classical music. The best way to de-stress with a trip to Lee Minkwei’s exhibition at the Peranakan Museum, Armenian Street. http://instagram.com/p/b8SVYnuoFS/

Pic of the week: Thrills in Manils…

A guy in Starbucks making dreamcatchers on road named Jupitor Street. Cosmic. In Makati City, Manila.