Bridges...

This post is inspired by GF.

At the previous event, his baby debuntate, he mentioned about bridges. No no! not the game.

When come to bridges, i'm pretty loads of people would think of London bridge, why? cos everyone can sing the bloody nursery rhyme and got it etched into our mind since young.

yeah yeah...it's falling so? wat can a baby do to help? seriously... my fair lady.

So when everyone go to london, they want to see london bridge. Little did they know, it look like this.

yeah...this is london bridge. (pic)

the often mistaken as london bridge is next to it,

its actually called Tower bridge. (pic)

others would think of:

Golden Gate in San Francisco.(pic)

or

Harbour Bridge in Sydney. (pci)

Speaking of which, everyone keep on saying, ooo you got to climb the bridge when you are in Sydney. yeah yeah! fine...but what they did not say is it cost from A$179 to A$295 depending on the type of 'climb' you want.

For me to pay that much to climb 'physically' i expect more than just complimentary climber certificate and group photo hor. Wat view? fine fine... u get to see Sydney high up and let the wind brush across your face and blah di blah. I rather book myself a room in one of the top hotel which that money. At least i get to spend a night not just a few hours.

For that amount, i expect they have an escalator or automatic track, so i can just stand there to absorb the view with maybe some drinks and canapes. Yes, call me lazy. wateva.

At least with London eye, starting from 15.50 quid to 25 quid (fast track) i get to enjoy the view and they do the work.

Or for 33 quid i get a glass of champagne while enjoying the hmm...grey sky - depending on the weather. (pic)

If London is too far,

the copycat one in Singapore is the next best thing - 30mins ride for $29.50, or $69 which some cocktail. (pic)

ooo its the world's biggest ferris wheel at the moment,

before the one in Beijing pop up. (pci)

anyway, disgressing...back to my story

GF asked,"Do you think it is possible to build a (carriage) bridge from BSB to Temburong?" Being an engineer himself, i think he well know that at this age of time, anything is possible. If man can go to the moon, or if a man can give birth? i say yes!

Well, of course there is the issue of cost. How much will it cost? I'm not gonna duel on that as i heard... building 2 walk bridges in the recreation park cost B$300K. Simple one some more. So let's no go into that. Cos if we do, then there won't be bridges like these. (some of my favourite ones which popped into my mind at that moment)

First impression counts and that impression does not comes cheap. Otherwise, ladies & some guys wont buy so many makeup/facial & hair product to look good.

ok digressing again....

So don't blink! and i meant it.

Newscastle - the city you can either love it or loathe it, but they have one of the most fascinating bridge ever built by Wilkinson Eyre.

Simply called the 'Blinking-eye' bridge aka Gateshead's Millennium Bridge.

What's so special? you say,

well, let the picture demonstrate. just like an eye...

down: for foot & cyclist...

up: for boats & cruise to pass

down again

cool huh. more info click here. (pic1-3, 4)

Wilkinson did loads of interesting bridges besides the above, such as Butterfly bridge, South Quay Bridge, Floral Street Bridge, and many more. ooo...i met Mr Wilkinson, actually he granted me an interview during my third year for one of my project. Man! He is one cool chap i tell you. Genius.

Being a student, i got to meet and ask him a few questions, he even gave me a tour of his office in London. Unfortunately, i'm not good enough for his practice when i apply for a placement work in my year-out. ;(

Another genius/architect/sculptor is Santiago Calatrava. Trust me, his works whether buildings, or bridges or furniture are pieces of art by itself.

Alamillo Bridge in Seville, Spain (pic)

art or architecture?

Cuidad de las Artes y las Ciencias, City of the Arts and Science (pic 1, 2)

Seriously, i would love to post ALL of Calatrava works here, cos too many interesting buildings. His work is AMAZING, often imitated, never duplicated. I have yet to visit any of his building, one day...

I really think architecture: be it building or monument or bridges are tourist attractions, and most importantly, grab people attention and conversations starters-good or bad is another thing as preference or like are personal views ie. objective.

I can't help but wonder, where they get all the dosh to build such masterpieces? Over here, creativity i'm sure we have, it's just show me the money. Even then we have the mentality of some who still prefer traditional type, just look at the finishes in some really expensive building in town.

Over here, some clients want maintenance-free building. tell me, is that possible? maintenance FREE? wat is free? which product does not need maintenance? it's a catch-22 situation.

We can propose products which don't need much maintenance but it will cost them a bit more, but eventually they opted for the cheaper option. And who to blame later? Com'on. U buy a car, u also got to give it some TLC lah. Let alone a building, which contains loads of component.

its a looong post, i know...cos i have been adding salt & vinegar, as this post has been in my draft for a while.

fact: wondering which & where can u find the longest bridge in the world? click here for top 10.

music that i know/heard off: london bridge is falling down, bridge over troubled water, my london, london bridge.

Have a nice weekend.