Enjoyable Weekend

28th Nov (Friday)

On leave today but had to go back office to ensure some urgent matters were settled.

Left for the airport and reached about 12:40pm. CX717 finally arrived........ hmm....most people are out but I still have not seen him.. did he get on the flight? Then, he appeared and straightaway, we recognised each other.


Went a cab ride to Hotel - Golden Landmark. After checking in, brough him out for lunch at Bugis. Walked around the shops and also the Kuan Yin Temple. Had Mee siam at QiJi. Then, off to Orchard Road to see the place, stopping over at Takashimaya and also Centrepoint.

Met up wth Gerald for dinner at Race Course Road. Had Samy's Curry Fishhead! Guess what, Ming does not eat Fish! Well, we had chicken and mutton as well.

Went to Clarke Quay to take a look at the place and then to Chinatown for dessert. So much for the day!


29 Nov (Saturday)

A busy day.......


Started with Merlion Park, showing him the Merlion, Ferris Wheel and also the Esplanade. Then, walked through Fullerton Hotel to Raffles Place MRT. Visit Far East Square before going over to Katong. Caught up with Wong & Tony and had laksa together. After lunch, stop over at Suntec, walked the underground shopping mall, brief stop at Raffles City Shopping Centre, before heading out to Toa Payoh.


Gerald has a road show at Toa Payoh. Showed him around the place (and he bought a stone bowl at Cash Converter!) before Gerald drove us (Terence joined us) for some sightseeing. Went to Guang Ming Shan to see the biggest temple in Singapore.


Dinner is the favourite steamboat at Katong. Albert, Alan and Tony came to join us. Dinner was great (as usual) and the company was fun! We wanted to have durian for desserts but when we got to Chinatown, they finished selling. What a pity! We then decided to stop at a pub for a drink.




Before turing in for the night, Gerald drove into Orchard Road to see the Christmas lights. The traffic jam was terrible, even after 11pm!


30 Nov (Sunday)


Bak Kut Teh breakfast to start the day! Too heavy, he said! Stopped over at Ya Kun for coffee/tea and kaya toast as well. Then, visited the flea market at China square and Ming (after considering over and over again) decided to buy a small antique electri fan. For S$30, not testing; for S$40 they owner will test for us. Well, he paid S$30.


One final stop before going back to hotel to pack. Visited Vivocity and showed him Sentosa. We stopped over at Daiso, the S$2 shop and he bought something interesting!


Back to the hotel, check out and went for lunch nearby. Had Hainanese chicken rice, chwee kueh and also fried carrot cake! So much for lunch!


Guess what? The electric fan does work! Hahahahahaha


Safe trip, Ming! Thanks for visiting Singapore!






----------- Sawbear Travel -----------

My Amazing Race

Tuesday (25 Nov)

Waiting ..........6pm....quickly tidy the table, off the computer and off I went!

What's the hurry? Had to meet the group at Lakeside MRT and it's a distance from Somerset to Lakeside. Finally arrived at Lakeside...still early....

Simon drove and picked me up at the MRT, Gerald was already in the car. Went to pick up Albert. Wong and Tony were also coming along!

Mission - to go across the 2nd Link to a small town, Gelang Patah for dinner and back!

We arrived at the restaurant - different from the one that most of them went to. Never mind....just the food...... we ordered steamed fish, snails, vege, noodle, chicken wings, fried omelette and crabs! Verdict - so so...... not very tasty.

Then, we decided to go over to the restaurant that served very delicious Hor Fun. And....it was delicious! We could not eat much as we ate a lot earlier! We reckoned we would be back!

On the way to the restaurant, saw pasar malam...looked interesting. Must come and see the next time...

By the time we cleared and back in Singapore, I reached home just after 10:30pm. Tony was kind enough to give me a lift.

It was rather tiring getting in and out within 1 night......but I will do it again!


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Farewell Dinner for Jessica

Dinner at Kublai Khan Mongolian BBQ at Park Mall..... last person to leave office pays for all! Lusy did not dare to go to the washroom, for fear that everyone will leave and she would be the last!

Was supposed to have steamboat dinner but it's individual pot...and not many is keen..... so chanced upon the advert for Kublai Khan and after a sure-win vote, we dropped steamboat!

The restaurant has been around for many years but none of us have actually been there. There was quite a good spread of food. The colleagues were busy eating away, trying different food.

Other than food, free flow of soft drinks and hot drinks....

The highlight of the dinner was the crabs. We had plates and plates of them! It was certainly worth the price!

In general, the food was average but for the price, it's money worth!

Purpose of dinner - bid farewell to Jessica. She is moving on!

------------- Sawbear Travel ------------

So Silly

Yesterday, received a sms from Gerald asking me if I were at the food expo. I was on my way there....

When I arrived, I sms him to ask his location. He mentioned he was at the Bak Kua stall. I went all over the place but could not see any Bak Kua stall. Later he mentioned he was at the entrance. There were 2 entrances. I asked him whether he was at 403 or 404. He had no idea....just at the extreme left were the floats were. Huh? There were no floats! Then I asked.... Suntec or Expo.... I was at Suntec and he was at Expo! No wonder!

Such silly blunder!



-------- Sawbear Travel ------------

Day Trip to Johore

Have always wanted to visit the Desaru Fruit Farm and finally...

Met up with Alan over in JB custom. Was to meet at SG immigration but there were many people and not taking the risk to be stuck at JB custom, better meet over in JB. From the custom, we walked over to KotoRaya Mall.... wrong meeting place. Was to meet Benjy at the KotoRaya Bus Terminal. Anyway, he came over to meet us...so kind!

Off we went ... to Desaru Fruit Farm. We have been there before and we had to rely on GPS to get us there! So excited! Looking forward to a big feast of local produce!

It was a great disappointment! There was nothing! The tour would bring you to see the many fruit trees, but no plucking allowed. Fruit trees..... I grew up with them! M$18 to see the fruit trees..well...not for me! Benjy went up to ask about paying a price and eat the fruits to your heart's content and was told that they did not have enough time to prepare due to the large turnout of visitors! Obviously those pictures on the web were not true!

We travelled all the way there and had to make our way back to JB again!

Decided to go to opposite Angsana for lunch. Tucked in to Steamed Fish, steamed vege, tofu with minced meat, braised pig throttle and Bak Kut Teh! Good meal! Been there many times and still enjoy going there.

Danga Bay Mall was next. The old Ganga Bay seemed to be under renovation. The mall was and really nothing much to shop. The ice kacang advertisement looked good but do not be deceived. It's definitely not worth the money! We tried!

After all the walking around, we needed to pamper our feet. Went for foot reflex near Pelangi. Bumped into Gerald and gang at the foot reflex place. Did an hour's reflex ....so relaxing...... great !

Stopped over at Pelangi Mall.... bought some bread at Lavendar.... surprised to see Bamboo Charcoal bread.... so black..... but taste good!

Final stop is dinner! Went to Taman Gardens. So many choices.....finally decided on seafood. We had stingray, fish, kind prawn, vege and even carrot cake! Most importantly, I had my huge glass of Balonglong juice! Alan had 2 huge glasses of that! Satisfying meal!

Then, it's off to the causeway.... thank goodness, there was no jam. Very quickly, we arrived back into Singapore.

A long day....but enjoyable......

------------------- Sawbear Travel ------------------

Wine Tasting

Finally! Our 1st wine tasting session!

Been trying to get the session in place but due to busy schedule, we had to postpone. Finally, Derrick reckoned that we could have it on Saturday (yesterday) and we quickly got it organised!

The venue was at Gerald's place but he had a road show that night. So, I had to be the host before he returned.

Derrick and Alan started the session going. We started with the wine from Australia. It was very acidic. Then we moved on to Chilean Wine - Pinot Noire. Good wine!

Gerald was delayed but finally made it back! Then, we started to try the other wines... we had terrible Shiraz from Thailand, good white wine from Chile and then South African wine from Stellenbosch - simonsig.

Other than wine, we had snack, fruit, pizzas, cream cheese with crackers, etc...

Simon, Tony, Justin, Kelvin & Datuk came to soak in the atmosphere.

By the time we left, it was already after 1am....

It was a great night.....

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Birthday Greetings

Today is an important day! 2 special friends' Birthday!

I met Eric in 1992 and we clicked rather well. Due to his job, he went to Papau New Guinea to work and though he was posted to other country, he is finally back at PNG again! His family is in Singapore while he is away in PNG. Eric, Happy Birthday to you and after all these years, you are still a friend, close to heart!

I met Michael also in 1992. His family went over to NZ not too long and they bought over Kiwifruit Country. John for Ashburton brought him over to Singapore to introduce to Travel Agents. Over the years, I had many customer who visited his attractions and I had the privileged to stay at his place a few times. When my father passed away in 2001, he invited me over to stay with him for a while. I am always grateful to him and his family. Coincidentally, his children share the same birthday as mine!

Michael has sold off the attractions a few years back and moved to Hamilton. His children are studying in the uni (Auckalnd and NSW).

Happy Birthday, my dear Friend!


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Happy Birthday, Frankie

It's Frankie's Birthday! Happy Birthday!

I met Frankie in Singapore in 2003 and we hit off very well, like old friends. Over the years , we have stayed in touch and visited each other many times! We became very close friends and I have stayed at his place a few times!

The last 2 years, I managed to celebrate his birthday with him. This year, I am unable. Still, my heart is with you, my dear friend, my family!

--------- Sawbear Travel -----------

Close Shave

On Friday evening, cus called to postpone NRS (NUMBER RETENTION SERVICE). Sent an email to the parties to get it changed. Thought everything was in order until Han called. He complained about the last minute job and that no one was around to assist to do it. I understood his frustration but I could not tell cus that we could not do it. Finally, he agreed to get Chong to help.

On Saturday morning, Han called again. Andy, who raised the work order, raised for the wrong company! Put on conference call with Network people. Informed them about the correct job request, and then rush back to office to send emails to relevant parties to put the work orders correct. After a few phone calls, everything was settled correctly.

Phew! what a morning! Glad we put everything correctly. Otherwise, customer Will be calling in to complain!

This morning (Sunday), felt that something was not right. SF Consulting was supposed to have NRS on 03 Nov but due to no resources at new premises, the NRS cannot take place. Not sure if I cancel the NRS request. Better go back to office to check.

GBS has raised order for 03 Nov! Quickly sent email to the relevant parties to cancel the request and followed by a few phone calls to 1608, Exchange, OCN.

Phew! Another close shave!
I am getting too old! Have to be careful.....


--------------- Sawbear Travel -------------