Must go in Shanghai

If you go to Shanghai, you cannot miss going to the Hyatt Hotel. I think its on the 50+ storey. Its a lounge with live music. The scene is fabulous, nothing can beat it. With the background music, a drink on hand, eyes on the bund... beautiful neon lights.... what can i say?

Friends from Bangkok

My father's long time friends from Bangkok are coming over for holidays on 1st May. They will only be here for 3 days. Looking forward to see them. Uncle & Auntie Chatree are really nice people and very hospitable especially when our family go over to Bangkok or anywhere else in Thailand.

They take care of all our needs no matter whether its shopping for the ladies or golf for the guys or massage for both!

So whenever they come to Singapore, we will also do our best to make them relax and enjoy.

Short 3 days. My father is planning to bring them for a show in Sentosa. I think its the one with fireworks and water effects. He has also made reservations at Paramount Tong Le for dinner. He must be excited also.

6 KM Walk

My company organising some events for its anniversary. First one is the charity walk on 5th May. Of course I am not in the competitive category as all my friends know me. I Hate the Sun!

However I thought it would be fun to join the "UNcompetitive" team. Just walk and talk for the 6km.

2 weeks ago, i was still looking forward to that day. But as the date draws nearer, i become worried that i cant complete the 6km. It seems like a long distance now. Maybe i should have some contingency plans... like have enough money to call a cab, or ask someone to stand by the car etc.

Worrying is one thing. I still believe we will have alot of fun that day.

Taipei

Never had intention to go taiwan since young. Always prefered HK. Maybe felt taiwan lacks of fashion, infrastructure... So no urge to go. In the end.... i visited Taipei 3 times, all with Huiping. once a year since 2004. Mainly due to the variety show- "Shi zi lu kou" hosted by Jacky Wu. They featured so many nice snacks at the night markets. Also the entertainment industry has matured to be on par with HK's one.

First time i went was when my childhood friend, Jeanne went over to Taipei to lecture at the University after her graduation, we went over to look for her and stayed at her apartment. Second time also stayed there. After which, she moved to HK.

What i really like is the vibrancy of the city and young people, & of course the snacks at the night market.

The first time i went, Jeanne informed us that she experienced earthquakes quite a few times since she was there. And it made me real uneasy. Cant sleep soundly at night, worrying that anytime in the night, there will be trembles.

BUT we are lucky. Nothing happened. *cross fingers*

Sometimes I still long to go there. I missed the "bubble tea", "bbq corn", "zai ji pai", "ma la hot pot", "mushroom pot".

Might have a chance to go next month perhaps. For duty travel.

Some photos to share from the 3 trips.

Yummy yummy on "Japan Hour"

Food!!

Events in Fukuoka

March 2007-

First overseas trip with my primary school friend, Ting. We have known each other since Primary 3, i think? So its a long time already.

Finally got the chance to see Cherry Blossoms.. so pretty and in full bloom. Esp nice along the streets. And alot of japanese enjoy their picnic under the trees and in cool weather (abt 10-15 c). Even saw a group of office executives enjoying "picnic" in their shirts and ties. Interesting.

Bad thing i fell sick. First was lau sai. Then sore throat followed by cough. Become very weak on the 5th day. But still insist going for "Onsen". Nearly fainted after 15 mins inside hot spring.

Also had a "memorable" experience this trip. What happened was we were at Nakasaki (atomic bomb site) which is abt 2 hours away from Fukuoka. On our way to a famous shrine, this middle aged man wearing a grey suit came from behind us and asked for our passport, saying that he is a policeman. Of course we didnt believe and refused to show him our passports. We said we dont have it with us and we are rushing to take a train back to Fukuoka. Then he kept following us and worst of all he cant speak english well. So after 15 mins of chicken and duck talk, we said we will go to the police station. So if he is a fake, then he wont go.

He said he will call a police car to pick us up. We tell him NO, we will walk there. Safer so when anything happen, we can still run away. So we started walking and he led us to a small lane, away from the main road. As we walked, i was feeling uneasy. And he kept looking back. Halfway down the lane, a MPV stopped beside the road and 4 other men, also wearing suits came down. The guy with us acknowledged them and then the five of them wanted to get us into the car. At this point, my legs really went weak, believing they are some mafia group trying to kidnapped us. And the most senior guy really had a bad guy look with a terrible cheeky face.

We started to run and managed to stop a car, inside a female driver. Unfortunately she cant speak english too. And we kept asking for help, asked her to drive us to the police station. She refused, maybe didnt understand us. But she should have seen the fear in our faces.

Stuck with the situation, one of the man said we cant leave and that we are "under arrest".
Then I saw an empty cab behind the lady's car. So i said we will take a cab to the Police station, thinking no matter what, it is better than taking their car. The first guy wanted to take the same cab as us. And before he gets into the cab, we tell him NO, we are not going to take the cab with him inside. In the end, he left with no choice but to leave the two of us to take the cab.

Inside the cab, we kept telling the driver to take us to the police. Obviously he cant understand what we are saying as he keep refering to other things. Anyway he finally stopped infront of a 4 sty building with a chinese sign that says "Police". I was still skeptical. And the five men did not follow us. So we thought should we run away now?

Almost immediately another man came out of the building and asked us to go inside. Thereafter the five guys arrived. I was trying to look out for any person in police uniform or at least a lady but did not see any during the first five mins there.

They asked us to take a lift up to the 4th sty, to "their" office. We again refused, dunno what they will do to us. We tell them to talk at the lobby. And asked them what exactly they want. We asked if we show them our passports, will we be allowed to leave? They were extremely surprised to know that we are actually have passports. They must have thought we are illegal immigrants all along (Fukuoka is very near China and Korea).

Abt this time, i finally saw an uniformed policeman and began to accept that this is a REAL police station. They tell us that the police in Japan has a right to ask for any form of identification. But we argued that the police usually dont do that in our country. And no matter what, they should get a female police to come along.

The whole ordeal lasted abt an hour. Never ever experienced this type of situation before. And when i came back and relate the story to my family, my granny said that me falling sick must be caused by the fright. Then i realised that i started to lau sai that immediate night. So it must be that.

You might think this is really Drama but it is TRUE. Truer than true. But i was thinking, if we gave him the passport in the first place, all these wouldnt happened. What can he do? At most he run away with the passports. But at least we are safe.

If only.....

Shopping in Fukuoka

Sharing my beauty and victory buys in Japan(went in March 07). Tell you abt the trip next time.

India- Kolkata

August 2006. First time in India. Really. Never in my life stepped into India before. Never thought of going there for holidays. And furthermore its my first duty travel. Nervous. Worried i might mess up the project.

So before i went, did alot of background study. Make sure i understand the project fully.

Anyway, i didnt realised i need a visa until less than 1 week before the departure date. Had to rush down to the High Comm. They dont accept nets or cc. And worst of all they dont have ATM machines. And the queue is terrible. Worst of all, i cant collect the visa until tomorrow. All in all, i made 3 trips in total just to get a travel visa.

Finally visa obtained and all ready to go. Reached there very late, think 11pm. Fortunately the manager stationed there is taking the same flight with me. So at least someone from Singapore.

His driver, Raj was already there. So back to the hotel to rest (very nice hotel!). Along the way, the mgr tell me to expect to hear alot of car honks. They honk every other minute even for nothing. And its very true as i realised for the next 2 days.

The next 2 days were all abt work and staying in the office because it was not safe for us to walk on the streets or on our own. Alas when i couldnt take it, the manager's secretary brought me out for a while to get some indian sweets for my office colleagues. As we walked on the street, really a once in a lifetime experience for me. Very crowded with people, noise and air pollution from the cars. Basically quite a messy scene.

Initially thought there might be a chance to do some sightseeing. I heard there is a famous Mother Theresa memorial place. Also heard there is a interesting "building" that looks like a church, temple and mosque together. But didnt visit anywhere, no time!!

My stomach was weak when i was there. So although personally i like Indian cuisine, i couldnt enjoy the food. They add more spices in their food and also the spices are stronger in flavor.

The way to the airport to catch the flight back was abit daunting. I was alone as the other colleague who went with me had to stay for 2 more days. So i took the hotel "limousine"which is just a nicer looking vehicle. For the journey there, the car had to pass through quiet streets, almost deserted at certain points.

So i keep looking out for signs which says "Airport"to ensure that we are on the right way. When we finally reached, so relieved that i gave him the remaining rupees.

Enjoyed my first duty travel cos everyone was nice to me. Treated almost like an "indian" princess :) Pulled seats for me, open car doors, ladies first for everything...

First duty travel, first time to India. first time taking business class .....

My Sydney "duty" trip

Mar07-Happy to know that i am going Sydney for duty travel। Although there are alot of preparation before going (eg applying travel visa and realised i am in the wrong queue after its my turn) and reports to complete when back. Cos i have not been there and also i get to travel first class and get served like a Q. (But only when going).




Finished work at abt 5pm , first day. Colleague said he's going to rest for the rest of the day (Cos ours is night flight and we start work immediately upon landing). For me, after short rest at hotel, i proceed to the streets. Not too familiar with the city but cant give up on shopping so die die have to go out. Especially so when its thursday late night shopping. Walk up and down Pitt Street. Interesting shops, saw all the Australian brands like sussan, sportsgirl, Witchery and Myers. Also surfer brand Roxy, Billabong.. etc. I should have bought something, cant remember what.


Hungry jacks for dinner. Their equivalent of Burger King, so i understand.


Second day after the closing meeting, had almost half a day to explore places of attraction. Went to Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Tower, Opera House. Also took a cruise around the Harbour. But weather was so sunny that i constantly had to find something to cover my face. And of course cant missed the shops along George Street and The Rocks and QVB.

Their supermarkets are interesting too- Woolworths. Fruits look so yummy. And saw an "irresistable" APPLE. Bought to try but disappointed. Not crunchy at all!!

Then back to the hotel for a short rest, abt 6pm. Heard shops closed early. Didnt believe so went out again at 7. Unfortunately its true. So SAD! Boring. where do all these people spend their nights?? Oh heard they go drinking... Soooo i had to turn back to hotel room. And did i say that the TV programs are also not that fantastic.. Good thing that night they are showing I-robot. At least a decent movie so can last me till at least 10.

Next morning, went to Chinatown for "Yum cha". So expensive. 3 persons costs AUD60. And its not alot of dishes, mind you. Also had the chance to go Darling Harbour. Saw alot of yachts and nice restaurants.

I need to leave hotel at abt 2pm to catch the plane back. Drag the heavy luggage all the way from hotel to train station (cheaper at AUD13 than taking cab). No lifts at train station, all stairs! When reached airport, they tell me i am on standby for upgrade. In the end i had to be contented with my economy seat cos the flight is so full.... where are all these people from?