The Esplanade and The Merlion....The Esplanade is the name of the theater in Singapore. It is a huge architectural structure with two main domes which are covered in tiny little spikes. The domes are said to resemble Durian, a fruit native to southeast asia which has characteristic spikes on its outer shell. It was built to be energy effecient in terms of lighting and air conditioning. It sits right on the water. The Esplanade from my hotel.

Standing in front of the Esplanade...

The Merlion. I am in love with the Merlion because of what it stands for. The Merlion has the head of a lion and the body of a fish. They name comes from mermaid and lion.

My favorite part of the poem....

"I have sailed many waters,
Skirted islands of fire......."

"...travelled, travelled and travelled,
Suffering much,enjoying a little;
Met strange people singing
New myths; made myths myself..."

"Nothing, nothing in my days
Foreshadowed this
Half-beast,half-fish
This powerful creature of land and sea.

Peoples settled here,
Brought to this Island
The bounty of the seas,
Built towers topless as llium's.

They make, they serve,
They buy, they sell,
Despite unequal ways,
Together they mutate,
Explore the edges of harmony,
Search for a centre;
Have changed their Gods,
Kept some memory of their race
In prayer, laughter, the way
Their women dress and greet.
They hold the bright, the beautiful,
Good ancestral dreams
Within new visions,
So shining, urgent,
Full of what is now."

by Edwin Thumboo