There are still narrow streets in Singapore

The fact that F1 will be held in Singapore shows that we have high quality roads and highly efficient road construction technology and maintenance. We can reassure the F1 drivers on that, but what we cannot promise them is the weather. We can have unpredictable very heavy rain, or we can have haze from forest fire next door. So our weather wizard must be on their toe all time to foresee in their weather gadgets to see the surroundings environment.

Despite that we still have norrow roads and streets in other parts of developed Singapore.

This one here is Jln Uji. Jln is an acronym for Jalan which means Road in English. Apparently, these road names shown above is Malay names. Uji means test. Therefore, Jln Uji would means "Test Road".

If fits the name, because for new drivers, you will face the challenge to adjust your gears, brakes and accelerator as you try to climb up the hilly road.

Anyhow, it is still manageable, until you reach to the end of Jln Uji, as shown by the next picture.

This above picture shows the condition of a road named Lorong Chamar. This is again a Malay name. Lorong means 'Lane' and Chamar is a name of a bird. A resident of that area came to meet me while I was on my tour of duty, sometime in August 2008.

He was reporting to me that, the residents there had approached the Member of Parliament to consider improvement of this particular road but no improvement had been done. I could only nodded my head with occasional, "yes you are right", because I am not in-charge of road improvement or management.

To be franked, I had detour my actual tour of duty, just curious to see how does the area of Jln Uji is all about. I have seen these names in my street directory but have never been there. So, since I am already nearby why not pop in to appreciate the ambience of nature life in this foothills of the highest hill of Singapore, that is, Bukit Timah Hill Nature Reserve area. Bukit means 'hill' and Timah means 'tin'. So its 'Tin Hill isn't it..!!!

Some months before this, i.e. in February 2008, I came by another narrow road of Singapore, Jln Gaharu.

Gaharu means 'sandalwood'. So this is 'Sandalwood Road'. I even have a video recording of this stretch of road. I try to include it here if possible, because I am not well-verse with such editing in the blog.

Was I driving in the wrong direction of a one way road?

Wow so lucky I was not, as the word 'HUMP' is facing me. But this is very narrow. What happen if another vehicle come from the opposite direction. By the way, I am not a new driver to be afraid of on-coming vehicle, but just curious that there are still narrow streets in Siangapore.

Yes there are in fact still many narrows roads and streets in developed unique Singapore. See next picture below.

This one is Smith Street in the middle of the hustle and bustle of busy Chinatown area in Singapore. This is a scene in the early morning on 28 August 2008. I can't imagine how bad it would be during peak hours where there are many vehicle plying around these narrow street.

I had to drive very slowly to avoid knocking down the lady on my right. And if front of her there are even more pedestrians.

I had to stop because the lorry on my left seems to be reversing.

Ahhh at last I made it through but now another hazard infront of me along the same Smith Street at 8:05 am. Alorry is coming from the wrong direction on my right. On my left is a stationary lorry parked for loading and umloading within a yellow box area. In front of the stationary lorry is a car parked on a double-yellow line. Next to the car is another car who had to stop to give way to pedestrian.

On that fateful day I reported half-an-late to work, because after this incidents at Smith Street I had to endure another traffic jam at Cecil Street where constructions are in progress to built the new MRT tunnel and a viaduct to cater for the flow of people and traffic towards Marina business area and the Intergrated Resort area at marina Bay.

Well....there is no use in complaining but it was just an observation. The rest I leave to GOD to fix up all loose things in life. I pray that GOD will educate people to behave in a manner that will not cuase inconveniences and dangers to others.

2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix

2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix Circuit Map

The 2008 FORMULA 1™ SingTel Singapore Grand Prix street circuit

has received in-principle approval by the

Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA),

via the Singapore Motor Sports Association.

Finally...with a click of a button I found this circuit map in the internet. I know it is not clear. Well you can go the internet ypourself to find out the detail route.

F1 in Unique Singapore

F1 in Unique Singapore ! ! !

Unique because it will be at night. The poster above shows how the heat is burning in every hearts of proud Singaporean. They even have a theme for their Annual Company Dinner that is related to the high profile International event.

Posters are already up since amonth ago, to discourage other motorist from using the busy roads leading to the event site.


The posters are all over in the busiest Central Business District (CBD) of Singapore, that is, Robinson and Shenton Road area. 4 new road pricing gantries are already in operation in the evening to give a better effect than just the posters. Passing these gantries will cost from S$1.00 onwards, depending on class of vehicles and the timing. Heavy vehicles will have to pay more. During peak hours the charges will be increased and will recede gradually after the peak hours are over.

This is a view from Robinson Road heading towards Collyer Quay where the event site is located.

Above is the preparation of the stage for spectators opposite of The Esplanade. Take note also of the temporary pillars for the additional lightings which compliment the already bright streets lamps.

See how busy is the roads infront of The Esplanade on weekdays. In the background was what used to be the world's tallest hotel, Westin Stamford Hotel, but now knowned as Swissotel The Stamford.

This is how the seats are arranged. It is only partially ready. This photo was taken on the 4 September 2008.

The above view is looking back to the area infront of The Esplanade, just before the bridge that crosses Singapore River. This is a new bridge called Esplanade Drive. It now connects Collyer Quay directly to Nicoll Highway. This used to be the sea, but the long years of land reclamation project has made it possible for the shorter direct connection from the eastern part of Singapore to the City Centre.

This is the Espalnade Drive which is a bridge. The bridge ends and is connected to the Fullertonn Building which was used to be the General Post Office of Singapore, located infront of Clifford Pier. The staging are used for erecting the pillars and the additional street lightings.

The above picture shows The Fullerton Building which is now known as One Fullerton and is a hotel. Saturday's newspaper expressed the worries of one of the would be F1 drivers, who made comparison of Singapore F1 and Valencia, where weather in Singqapore is always wet.

Driving at wet night is dangerous, because of the reflections from the streets. Especially, when there are hundreds of strong spot light along the streets. Drivers can be blinded but the glare. However, ultra-violet visor can help to reduce the glare.

From the Fullerton the F! loop to the right towards an old historical bridge, The Anderson Bridge. This is a very sharp turn. I cannot imagine how the drivers are going to go thru this during a night with heavy downpour. Good Luck youn guys MacClarenese.


From then bridge the tracks runs up infront of Singapore Cricket Club and then infront of the Supreme Court. The above pictures is taken on 4 Sep at Supreme Court. It shows how the barriers are been staged up. I have not figured out the complete extent of the track, but I think from Supreme Court it turns to the right into Stamford Road and then into Nicoll Highway, then into Raffles Boulevard, Republic Boulevard and back to the Esplanade via Raffles Avenue.

As shown above, from Beach Road view of the Suntec City and The Singapore Flyer, the track will go into the Marina Area towards the Singapore Flyer.