Helen Tan - photoblog

Man at rest

Helen Tan — 2008-04-01

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Barberini Suppliant

Helen Tan — 2008-03-19

]]> Seated woman known as the 'Barberini Suppliant', circa 420 BCE by Deinomenes of Argos, Pentelic marble. The pose of this young women baffled experts for a long time. Her peculiar pose, the curious shape of the moulded base, and her solitary sandal all added to the intrigue. The sensuality of the figure's bare left shoulder and breast, and the direction of her longing gaze are more like that of someone awaiting a lover. More exhibits on Greek Masterpieces from the Louvre can be viewed at my flickr photoalbum at : http://www.flickr.com/photos/destiny_photoalbum/sets/72157604122644617/

Enchanting Prague

Helen Tan — 2008-01-19

]]> I was inside this miniature train on a night tour of Prague, Czech Republic and feeling quite disheartened as it was raining outside and I'm feeling cold and wet inside... until I saw this enchanting view through the glass panel of the train. Don't know what's the name of this building. Perhaps someone can enlighten me.

Majestic Strength

Helen Tan — 2008-01-10

]]> One of the statues inside a fountain outside the Parliament House, Vienna, Austria.

Christmas Joy

Helen Tan — 2007-12-28

]]> Darren looking very pleased with himself posing between his 2 lovely cousins. Christmas is always celebrated with family members at home. It is a time of giving and receiving. This photo was snapped using a Sony Ericsson handphone.

Sweet Little Girl from Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia

Helen Tan — 2007-11-05

]]> One of my favourite photos from the Tonle Sap Lake selections. Wonder what she does with all these mineral bottles, some empty, some half full?

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Helen Tan — 2007-10-07

]]> The Hindu temple of Angkor Wat was constructed during the first half of the twelfth century.

Merlion at Night

Helen Tan — 2007-09-08

]]> One evening after dinner with an overseas friend, we went to the Esplanade and Merlion Park to take in the local sight and saw this beautiful view. I didn't have my camera with me at that moment and took this pic with my Nokia 73 instead.

Cannonball Tree

Helen Tan — 2007-08-12

]]> I saw this unique flower of the Cannonball Tree during an evening walk to The Esplanade. The botanical name is called Couroupita guianensis and it originates from Northern Regions of South America. Some background info: This is a fast-growing tree with a narrow crown. It can grow to about 10 - 20 metres high. The leaves are simple, light green and have a life span of about 6 months after which they are shed rapidly so that the crown is bare for a day or two. The trunk is massive and thickly set with long woody twigs which bear the large flowers. Flowers are fleshy, pinkish yellow and very fragrant. The fruits are large, round, greyish-brown and hard, very much like cannon-balls. On ripening, the fruit disintegrates and the seeds are dispersed. The fragrant flowers are used for worshipping by Hindus. The tissue of the flower when broken is white but turns blue. Narration taken from National Parks Board at http://www.nparks.gov.sg/Trees.aspx

Giraffes?

Helen Tan — 2007-08-07

]]> Don't they looked like giraffes? I took this picture from the Monorail going towards Sentosa Island. Had to whiten the sky to get rid of reflections.

Nine White Stupas, Jiuzhaigou

Helen Tan — 2007-07-13

]]> Stupa (Chorten in Tibetan) is an important religious monument in Tibet . This unique religious architectural form expresses significant religious symbolism and presents Buddha's physical presence. It generally consists of three parts; a whitewashed base, a whitewashed cylinder and a crowning steeple or shaft. The square base foundation, representing the Buddha's lotus throne, symbolizes earth, the state of solidity and five forces (faith, concentration, mindfulness, perseverance and wisdom). Stupas always house items that Buddhists hold sacred. Sutra scripts, Buddha statues, Tsa-Tsas, hair clippings, fingernails, relics and cremation ashes of saints are usually enshrined in stupas along with jewels, herbs and other objects. They are sometimes used as tombs in which mummified bodies of high lamas are buried. Stupas may also be built in commemoration of high Lamas as a sign of merit accumulation, or for their funerals. Building a stupa and any other work done on it are considered of work of the highest purity and merit. Buddhists always show their devotion by circling the stupa clockwise. Doing this can also accumulate merit. The size and style of stupa may vary, from the large stupas commonly seen in monasteries and on road passes, to portable ones many Tibetan people carry with them as sacred objects and amulets. The nine white stupas in Shuzheng village symbolize the nine villages in the Jiuzhaigou Valley. They are located at the entrance to the Village.

Sunset from Top of the M #2

Helen Tan — 2007-07-08

]]> I snap this shot from where I was sitting inside the restaurant..