Coming Trip to Hong Kong

Will be flying off this Friday to Hong Kong. Will be meeting up with my families from Taipei, Bangkok and Hong Kong!

This trip was planned a few months ago with the original intention to meet in Phuket. After some considerations, we decided to meet in Hong Kong.

With the recent H1N1 virus, I was not sure if we would still go ahead with the trip. Chartchai and Win had already booked the flight and would go ahead even we change our mind. Glad to know that the virus is 'under control' and I managed to book my flight and hotel. Jack and Joseph cam back from USA and also booked their Hong Kong trip!

Last year, we meet up in Bangkok. We will be meeting up in Hong Kong this year! Looking forward!


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John's Visit

John Dam finally got back into the Travel industry after a 3-year ban. He sold his shares of the company to his partners and was not allow to work in any travel company for 3 years. In March this year, he is back is his passion.

John flew in from Bangkok on Thursday night (21 May). On Friday, he went to visit some agents and we were to meet up for dinner. I met his business partner, Stephen and also Steve Fung, the famous Blue-Eye boy of Mr Chan (Ananda Travel)! Sheila drove and we (myself, John and Stephen) went to Chinatown for dinner. Phang was already there and we ordered Clay pot chicken rice, satay, grilled bean curd + cuttlefish. After dinner, we went to Marina Barrage for a walk. The view there was really nice!

We ended the night with a drink + dessert at Clarke Quay.....very crowded place on Friday night.

Saturday was early morning for me....my eyes were still 'asleep'. Had to be at the hotel at 8:30am. Breakfast with John, Shaun and Phang. Went to Rangoon Road for the famous Bak Kut Teh. Very peppery but delicious. Braised pig throttle not as delicious as the one in JB though! After breakfast, we went to Ah Koon Kopitiam for coffee and bread!

They continued after coffee without me....... on the way back, I passed by a bakery opposite Hong Lim market. There was only 1 item but it was running out fast. the queue was there and everyone seemed to be buying the same bun. Being a typical Singaporean, I went to queue and bought the bun! It was delicious but I have no idea what bun it was!

John flew back to New Zealand on Saturday night.


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Once a Malaysian?

Nick commented recently that I was once Malaysian. I refused to accept that comment!

Well, I went to check and found out that in 1963, Singapore, Malaya, Brunei cam together to form the Federation and called Malaysia. In 1965, Malaya 'kicked' Singapore out of the Federation and we became Independent the same year! So, for those who were born in the period of the Federation, were they supposed to be Malaysian?

I went to take a look at my Birth Certificate. It stated there Country of Birth - Singapore. Nationality - Singapore Citizen.

So....... Were I a Malaysian? The answer is ..............NO!


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Old Age

Was chatting with a friend last week. People like me..spend my life pursuing my dream.... achieving my dream and then.....what? When I grow old, who would be by my side? Haven't I thought about it? The truth is ..... I have, many times!

When I was in my travel days, I was working almost every day! I remember I dated someone who gave up on me because I simply did not have time for her!

All these years, I have had the opportunities to meet people from all over the world, and their friendship has sustained me till now.

But, who will be by my side when I grow old ..........


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My Previous Company

Met up with an ex-colleague for dinner. As usual, talked about work and honestly, I am really glad I left that place!

Things obviously have not gotten better. In fact, it has worsen! Well, I could be bias...but I had lunch with an ex colleague and I am sure I am definitely not!

To me , the Company was fine and in fact, there's great potential. The problem lies with the management....1 person. After some of us left, there was great shift in manpower...... the 'problematic' person was finally being removed to do something else! In fact, during my exit interview, the HR told me that they would take serious action and I am glad they did! If only they could also do something to that person who is the management!

Travel business is really not doing well. Heard that some big boys have started implementing pay cut and compulsory no pay leave. This is really not a good sign. SARs was the same ..but this seems worst.

The forecast is not good. With the H1N1 virus...it is not helping.......


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Last Sunday.....

A friend wanted to go in JB to pump petrol and I gladly went along. Was supposed to leave at 9am....... 9:10 and still no sms.. sms him and he only just got up! Anyway, it was about 10 and he finally came and off we went. Took the wrong turn and ended up seeing more of Singapore before we reached the custom. Then, the thing that worried me happened - jam!!!!!!!! Started to jam from the custom...... slowly we edged towards JB and finally after 1 hour, we finally cleared through JB custom! Hopefully they improve the situation .... going in could really be a bad experience!

1st stop was to give the car a good wash - M$8...quite a good price to have some people washed and wipe clean the car. Then, off to the famous Bak Kut Teh shop near Taman Garden. It was delicious! Shopping came next and we went to Leisuredrome and I managed to buy a present for Bennett's house warming.

A few hours across the causeway and enough to do what I wanted to....eat and shop!

Had to go over to Bennett's place for house warming. Managed to locate the place ..... cosy. A lot of guests were invited. Then, after food, they started to play game...... Uncle Ben is too old for party game..... managed to find excuse and left the place!

weekend come and go very fast! Have a week ahead before weekend again...... haiz......


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It's Friday again!

Not a busy week...... business has been slow......still need to meet the weekly target......so few calls......Help! Help!

Today's is Wong's and Alvin's Birthday!

Last Saturday we celebrated Wong's birthday. Went to the steamboat at Katong. Great meal! Went over to Wong's work place for drinks & snacks/desserts. That night was fun !

Also celebrated Nick's birthday. Went to Penang Place Restaurant at The International Business Park for Penang food. The food was ok..... just Gerald, myself and Nick.

Hmm....what about Alvin? Err..........


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The 'Better' Half.....

During lunch today, some colleagues were going through a colleague's wedding photos. They were chatting about one of the photos where they remarked that the guy inside would have been a better husband! Huh? What???????

She met this guy after her Haj but at that time. she already knew the current husband-to-be. The guy's father was her god-father... and he was interested to match-make them. She remarked that perhaps she should have gone for that guy instead!

The current husband is a much older guy. When I looked at the photos, it reminded me of the famous singer from Malaysia who married a rich older guy! For my colleague, the husband is not rich...just older! Hahahahahaha! They had quite a lot of disputes on where to go for honeymoon and what hotel to stay in, etc. Finally, they went to Gentings......she was not impressed...... she wanted to go overseas....take plane........stay in nice hotel....romantic honeymoon....

The colleagues reckoned that she did not make the right choice ... and she agreed! Terrible! Anyway, she is resigned to her fate!

Everyone wants a rich boyfriend/husband...... everyone hopes to be pampered and not have to work after marriage. A close friend of mine always dreams of having a rich husband, even after she got married! The husband is not rich but does pamper her once a while, though! Another friend has a rich boyfriend who buys her many presents....she loves to be pampered.....

If you have a choice.... would you prefer a rich boyfriend as well? If I have a rich girlfriend, I would........


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'Foodful' Week.......

This week has been pretty good....


Business, in general, has slowed down a lot but still managed to meet target for the week..... not sure about the following few weeks........ (must think positive) The management has been kind enough to reduce the target a little ...not much but better than nothing!


Caught up with a good friend on Monday for dinner; and then with some friends for dinner on Wednesday..... and celebrated a belated birthday dinner with my best friend on Friday and finally an advanced birthday dinner with friends yesterday! Eat! Eat! Eat! On Monday, it was Cafe Cartel, famous for its pork ribs; Wednesday was Zi Char.... Teochew style, famous for its fried rice, fried sambal sweet potato leaves. steamed fish, etc. With my best friend, we went for the Japanese buffet at Safra Mount Faber and last night, it was at out all time favourite steamboat! Sometime I learned last night....... blend small bitter gourd with green apple (and add Yogurt) and drink every night.....cleanse the body, lower cholesterol, etc........





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Still in KL...

02 May

Went to catch up with Sam for lunch and movie at Pavilion.... was there early and saw LiJin Chinese Restaurant having Dim Sum Buffet......M$20++. Hmm.... that only S$XX! Very worth it! Must try! Called Nelson and learned that he was also at Pavilion. When he heard that, he wanted in! Booked for another 3 more people! The spread was not too bad, especially at that price! Also ordered Peking Duck. A friends of mine has eaten Peking Duck at this shop for a couple of times...only M$38! It was a good meal!

Show started at 2:30pm...Wolverine. The theatre was crowded. The movie was ok. I would not say very fantastic, though.

Thought bought some stuff at Pavilion and then back to hotel to rest before dinner.

Dinner was at a Malay Buffet (again!) restaurant, opened by the Malay astronaut. SP has invited me for dinner and there were many guest...from Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand. The spread was good but I guess I was not a keen supporter of Malay cuisine.

After dinner, we went over to Fai's condo for more drinks and dessert. Joe gave me a ride back to the hotel. Tiring day!

03 May

Check out day. Went to get some stuff at Sungei Wang before Nelson came and fetch me to the airport....Jetstar back to Singapore.


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In Kuala Lumpur ....

Half day on Thursday and then rushed off to buy some stuff before going home to collect the bag and then to the bus Terminal at Lavender.

As usual, the bus was full. Soon, I was on my way to KL. The good thing about leaving in the afternoon is that you could avoid any traffic congestion, especially with Friday being a public holiday. During one of the comfort stops, the police stopped the coach and did some check. Some passengers had to produce documents. The police was very slow and totally not efficient. Wasted a lot of time before we were on our way.

Nelson came to fetch me to Radius International and we had dinner at Jalan Ah Lor....my favourite place!Hahahahaha! Always brought back memories! Also, caught up with Ben for drink/dessert.

Got up early on Friday but very tired....why? Slept at about 5 in the morning! Went to catch up with a friend in another hotel. Heard he was in town and had not seen him for ages! SP came and we went for breakfast. Went to the same market ...hot and stuffy.....but very crowded! Had some local dishes and then off to Chinatown for a stroll, before heading back to hotel. Nelson came and drove me to Mid Valley for lunch. Met up with some of his friends there.
Dinner was Korean Buffet BBQ at Bangsar. Went there for lunch before. There were 9 of us and the food was great and the company was crazy! I had a great time! The buffet spread was not bad! There were the appetisers, the meat, vege, pancakes and soups.... follow by ice cream! For about M$50 per person, its a steal for Singaporean after the currency conversion! Would I go there again? Of course!
Supposed to head to our regular joint for drinks but it was not opened. Went to another but did not enjoy the ambiance. Went back to hotel early......early night.........z.z.z.z.z.z.z.z.


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