Blogging using iPhone.. No keyboard at the free text box!!!???

PSP!!!

Yeah! James got me a PSP and I'm spending any possible free time playing with it.

I finally met the ultimate game fanatic… he has xbox, playstation, Wii, PSP… you name it, he has it… at home.

What I have been occupied with lately?

1. Company annual charity festival.
Finally it has come to an end. For the past couple of weeks, I have been lunching in and staying late to help pack, consolidate the pre-sales orders of cakes, achar, curry puffs, muffins, jewellery…, pluck 6 kg of dao ge (yes… bean sprouts) and cracking my head on our stall decor cos I’m the designated creative director.

We came in top again, bringing in $16K++. Somehow I feel that everyone have their own personal agenda, it’s a competition to outshine each other, to show off what you can do, to satisfy one’s ego and to save face. These are carefully and beautifully camouflaged under 2 powerful words – Teamwork & Charity.

Of cos there will always be some background helpers who do not mind chipping in but more importantly; have no choice. Through this event, I got to know some people better and also see the true colours of others.


2. Roller Blading
Yes! I’ve finally gotten my own pair of blades & protective gears, put them on and made that first step.

I thought it would be difficult and ending up with bruises all over, but thanks to my “blade nanny”, I am able to stand, walk and slowly glide under an hour.

It was fun but not when SGNs half your age, with much less protective gear, fly past you with laughter. Kids….don’t know how to protect themselves. Tsk tsk….

Taiwan - Day 7 (20 Sep 08)

To be updated...

Taroko Gorge

Part 1:

Taiwan - Day 6 (19 Sep 08)

To be updated...

To Su Ao - Cold Spring & Hualien

Part 1:


Part 2:

Taiwan - Day 5 (18 Sep 08)

To be updated...

To Taipei Zoo, Mao Kong & Shilin Night Market

Part 1:


Part 2:

Taiwan - Day 4 (17 Sep 08)

To be updated...

To Taipei, Wu Fen Pu & Raohe St Night Market

Taiwan - Day 3 (16 Sep 08)

To be updated...

To Cijin Coastline Park
- Cross the TRA platform (TWD 6)

Part 1:


Part 2:


Event of the day:
Lehman Brothers bankrupt and Merrill Lynch bought over by BOA

Taiwan - Day 2 (15 Sep 08)

To Fo Guang Shan (Light of Buddha Mountain)
- Cross the TRA platform (TWD 6)
- Walk towards the Kaohsiung old Station (museum) to the Kaohsiung Bus station
- Purchase bus ticket to Fo Guang Shan (TWD 77)





The driver was very patient with the elderly and local folks carrying bulky items but he was not as tolerant with us, tourist. He got impatient when we took about 1 min to search for the tickets that we were supposed to hand over to him upon alighting. We really didn’t know cos someone has already checked our tickets when we boarded the bus at the station. But he was quick to divert his attention to a very young and sexy mother with her son.



Foguangshan is one of the world's most important Buddhist centers. The 40m high golden Buddha is surrounded by 480 smaller Buddha, all replicas of the Great Buddha.

The huge Buddha can be seen from afar and it’s also an indication to alight. The bus stop is at a shop house in a little village at the foot of Foguangshan.

Foguangshan monastery is the largest Buddhist monastery in Taiwan. We manage to cover most of the sites under the ridiculous hot water except for the Buddha Tooth Relic Shrine cos it’s closed to the public on Monday!

One of the must visit site is definitely the Pure Land Cave. This tacky place is like our Haw Par Villa except instead of the eighteen hells, they built the excellence and beauty of the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss which is a Cave of great Bodhisattvas of the Land of Ultimate Bliss, as well as the great Arhats, the Buddha’s ten great disciples, and others. Whether it’s the eighteen hells or the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, it has the same effect of frightening people so that we will not dare to do evil deeds.







On our way out of Foguangshan, we stopped by a convenient store to buy drinks. James took out a 100 dollar note which was refused by the cashier. It took us a while to realize that we have given a 100 dollar Thai baht! Haha… other than the picture of country’s president, both 100 dollar currency notes looked identical.

We had initially wanted to proceed to Cishan of sweet treats and Old Street but the next bus is scheduled to come an hour later. Having nothing much to do at the quiet little village, we decided to head back to Kaohsiung main station but the next bus to arrive was also an hour later. We were stranded. Lesson learnt: check the bus schedule!



After some wasted hours, we were back at Kaohsiung bus station. Our next stop is Dream Mall, a landmark in Taiwan and the first mega-shopping center in Asia.

Took MRT to Kaisyuan station (TWD 25) and catch the shutter bus to Dream Mall.

We had the most satisfying Jap meal (just TWD 550) and took the Hello Kitty Ferris wheel.















MRT to Famosa Boulevard station



Liuho night market




More Pictures - Part 1:


Part 2:


Part 3:


Event of the day:
Nantou Lushan Kirei Hot Spring Hotel (綺麗大飯店) collapsed.

Taiwan - Day 1 (14 Sep 08)

SATS called us last night to inform that our delayed flight has been scheduled to 10am but when we arrived at 8am, they were not ready for check-in. We have to continue waiting…

It was in the news that Taoyuan International Airport announces all domestic flights canceled, as well as most of the scheduled international flights until 12 noon. All other airlines to Taipei have also been ‘delayed’ indefinitely.

We went over to T3, Wang Jiao for breakfast while waiting… waiting for SATS or Jetstar to call us.

Aiyo, the coffee & tea at Wang Jiao was so diluted. So disappointing. Next to us was Pan Ying, one of the Xinyao pioneers who sang Rang Ye Qing Qing Luo Xia (Let Night Fall Gently) having breakfast with her family.

About 10am, James suddenly decided to check the flight information display board and to our horror, it’s boarding!!!

We rushed to take the skytrain to T1 and ran to the check in counter. A couple of pple are stilling checking in. We than rushed to the gate which is right at the extreme end (you got to walk being cheapo… I mean budget). Most of the pple are already there. How the hell they knew the boarding time.

Granted that poor service is expected from the budget carrier but this is too much, it is their obligation to inform passengers of the “unconfirmed’ flight status. We were this close to miss our flight.

About 11am, we took off for Taiwan. The 4 hr flight was rather bumpy with plenty of clouds and rain near landing.





We decided to head south to Kaohsiung straightaway, staying away from Sinlaku.

Ubus to HSR Taoyuan Station
- Coming out terminal 1, turn left and walk to the end
- Buy bus ticket (TWD 30) at the counter
- Locate the bus at the bus platform
- Journey about 30 mins
HSR to Zuoying Station
- Purchase standard class tickets (TWD 1330) at the counter
- Journey about 2 hours

7-11 at the HSR Taoyuan Station is a must visit. They have such a wide range of yummy healthy products. The burgers are so much nicer than MacDonalds. We bought some snacks from 7-11 although food and drinks can be purchased on board the HSR.





From HSR Zuoying station, take Kaohsiung MRT to Kaohsiung Main Station. It was raining and it took us a while to find out where is King’s Hotel. Apparently it’s at the opposite side of the railway track and we have to pay TRA (TWD 6) to cross the platform.

After settling down, we went to the nearby night market. It was miserable. Probably due to the rain, there were only a few stalls opened and few pple loitering at the short street.





I glued my eyes on the TV and hands on the remote for the rest of the night. 100 channels of program to watch… madness!

More pictures...



Event of the day:
Hou-feng Bridge collapsed

Complain to Delifrance – Follow-up

The manager of Delifrance called up the next day after I complained; to find out more about the incident. I asked him to call me again after I’m back to the country i.e. 1 week later… and he did!

He investigated and the staff admitted to her poor attitude and lack of customer service. She however tendered resignation. It was never my intention to make her out of job. I felt bad but what’s done is done. Wish her all the best.

Delifrance could have transferred her to another branch, provided training, give her another chance and not just let her go unless of cos she insisted.

Anyway, to encourage my continuous support and patronize Delifrance, they are giving me vouchers!

News from Taiwan

2am at Taipei Ximenting internet cafe...

This trip has been full of unexpected happenings. All our planning was twisted by the typhoon but we still manage to cover all the sites we wanted to go.

Today - Hot spring at Beitou!!!

Complain to Delifrance

I just made a complain to Delifrance...

13 Sep 2008, 12pm.
The ONLY staff at Delifrance Terminal 1 Transit Mall West, Level 3 (near Cactus Garden) was horribly rude. She was on her mobile phone talking non stop throughout the process of serving me.

When I approached the counter to order, she looked at me while continue talking on her mobile. I ordered an egg mayonnaise croissant set when she looked at me and gave me that “Ya?” look. She than proceed to the other side of the counter (not sure for what) and came back. She prepared the croissant, put in the veg and asked me “what filling you wan?”, with the mobile phone clamped between the neck and shoulder.

The only consolation, she had gloves on one of the hand.

I keep staring at her. When she got my set ready, she didn’t ask if I wanted pepper on my sandwich, didn’t give me serviette, didn’t give me a receipt and didn’t thank me for patronizing. She was all the while busy talking on her mobile phone.

This happened to another tourist that followed.

I tried to take a picture of her but she was quick to turn and hide.

Such service standard at the World Class Airport is a disgrace to Singapore and Delifrance.

Panic Panic!!! Typhoon Sinlaku!

This is better than striking 4D. Our flight to Taiwan was cancelled due to bad weather (thanks to Sinlaku)... and the announcement was made when it was OUR turn to clear for boarding after security checks.

Taiwan has been really nice to us... when we visited her last year; she treated us with the hottest summer in decades and now with typhoon.

Actually, we were kind of prepared for it. We were laughing at each other when the cancellation was announced at our face. This has been James's favourite site since yesterday.

Everyone paniced esp foreigners who have no where to go.

The flight is scheduled to fly tomorrow morning. The staff of Jetstar made arrangements for the passengers to claim our luggage and gave us the Jetstar hotline to enquire or rather confirm the flight schedule.

The tricky part was... their call centre is not 24x7 (closes at 8pm) and we are expected to arrive at the airport for check in at 7am. We dun wan to waste another trip down to the airport and than later informed that flight is not confirmed... which is very likely cos Sinlaku is expected to move away only after Sun or Mon.

SATS & Jetstar promised to give us a call to update... let's see if they really do.

Lucky we bought insurance.

At the immigration, the officers were definitely not ready for our immediate arrival. It was rather chaotic much to my surprise. I was pretty confident that they have SOP for such situations but...

The officers let us out from a well hidden side glass door. I can only hope that my status is back in Singapore and not currently out of country.

Dilemma... it is not ideal to be going up mountains. Are we to skip Taroko and venture other areas or postpone the trip or go Hong Kong instead?

Sleep first and think later...





Butterfly Garden at Terminal 3

Welcome 2 Taiwan!

Yes! We are going to Taiwan again.

We were supposed to be heading for US but had to be postponed cos I dun have sufficient annual leave!

Anyhow, Taiwan is still as exciting. The highlight of the trip will be Taroko Gorge, Cingjing Farm, Yeliou Scenic Area at Keelung, hot spring in Beitou ... hanging out at Hualien, Kaohsiung,Tai Chung, Taipei...

This month is really shiok, barely worked for a week after extensive mc due to wisdom tooth surgery and long vacation... haha...

Collected our Taiwan Gift Coupon... check out their website

Xing Chen Pork Ribs Soup @ VivoCity Food Republic

I make sure I had a sumptous lunch before going for my wisdom tooth surgery.
Went down to Vivo to meet JT for lunch at Food Republic. The bak kut teh is actually not bad if soup can be slightly more peppery.

Pork Rib Soup @ $6 (Premium @ $7.50)
Tau Pok/egg @ $2.50
Braised Peanut @ $1.50
Rice @ $0.70
They forgot to charge us for yu tiao... hee...

328 Katong Laksa & Mary's Corner Tau Kwa Pau

I have been dying to try the famous katong laksa but turns out to be such a disappointment. The gravy is so so only, not aromatic at all and the piece of cockles shell almost broke my tooth.

I still prefer Sungei Road Laksa @ 27 Jalan Berseh #01-100. They are closed on first Wednesday of the month.

Togi Korean Restaurant again

Went to Togi Korean Restaurant again, this time with piggy.

I had Bi Bim Bab & piggy had seafood ramen. Total $24.

泳兒 - 花無雪

Hand In Hand Beijin Restaurant

141 - 143 Jalan Besar Singapore 208859
Open Daily11:00am - 11:30pm

River South (Hoe Nam) Prawn Noodles

River South prawn noodles stall is at Siang Kuang Ave, a small lane along the previous Jackson Centre and opp Siemens Centre. Haven't had such decent prawn noodles for a long time.

Do note that stall will be closed for a day once a month. You will know which day on the sign board.

Togi Korean Restaurant @ Mosque Street

This Korean Restaurant is always packed with people whenever I happen to walk pass Mosque St. Feeling Korean today, we pop in to have some BBQ and spicy kimchi.

While we were browsing through the menu, this tiny eye Korean guy came over and asked if we wanted drinks. Korean Plum Juice and Korean Pear Juice sound interesting and so we ordered even though they cost $4 each... thinking it must be something authentic, something Korean.

Nah... what a great disappointment, they tasted like syrup water and the very least they can do to justify for $4 is to give me a bigger cup.

It was only later that we realised that they serve tea... that 咪咪眼 should have told us.

Overall the food was good. A little too ex... a bowl of white rice @ $1.50, brown rice @ $2.

Shall go back for pork belly and squid BBQ... yum yum.


Note: Credit card payment for spending of $50 and above.

2008 National Day Decor @ Hougang

揾到食 @ Sims Ave

After the NDP'08 preview, we head down to Sims Ave for dim sum @ 揾到食.

Everest Kitchen @ Macpherson

Went back to Everest Kitchen for more yummy food.

Bosses Restaurant "黑社會" @ VivoCity

08.08.08 - To commemorate such a special day, we went to Bosses for dinner.

NDP'08 Preview

More pictures...NDP’08 Preview

Singapore Flyer... A great way to "Fly"

It has been more than 3 months since I bought the tickets to the Singapore Flyer and finally we were there. We have some time after BIL's ROM to spare before James has to rush off to catch his flight to BKK.

Shuttle bus to Singapore Flyer. Schedule.




We need to validate our "open" tickets at the ticketing counter




First check point.




Second check point - wanna take a photo?




Our capsule


Plenty of time for you to hop on to the capsule


And off we go...


The next 30 mins was actually rather boring. You get to listen to some music throughout the ride and be "interrupted" only 3 times - to welcome u when u first step into the capsule, when u are at the top of the island and when u are about to disembark.

Born and raised in Singapore, I had problem identifying some of the buildings and places, I wonder how the tourists are enjoying it.

I think it is best to ride the Singapore Flyer during sunset.

Benjamin Sheares Bridge


Portion of the Singapore Formula 1 track


Esplanade Waterfront


Capsule behind us




Marina Bay Sands under construction




Empty capsule. Behind is the Art Park.


Marina Barrage


Floating Stadium at the Esplanade Waterfront



















Reaching the top








One of Singapore's most expensive golf course


Descending


F1 pit stop




The "soon to be demolished" National Stadium and Oasis








F1 pit stop






Singapore Flyer Gifts