Sunday, 28 February 2010

Busy Weekend!

An irresistible offer......and a last minute decision........it's off to Hong Kong!


26 Feb


Booked Tiger Airways to Hong Kong at less than S$200! With a average on schedule % of 86%, it was no surprise when the flight was delayed for 1 hour, due to engine problem. 3 1/2 hours' flight and I arrived into HKG about 9:15pm. When I finally came out into the arrival hall, Stephen was already there waiting for me.


Took the airport express to Hong Kong station and then followed by MTR to North Point Station. Ibis North Point is just near to the MTR entrance. Checked in into the hotel and to my surprise, the room was very small! I expected the room to be small but not that small.... Anyway, too late to cancel.



Went out for supper....most places were closed. Managed to find one shop near by and had wanton noodle..... had a few mouthful and that was it! Really no standard! Maybe to the residents, that was good enough......



27th Feb

Went to the nearby restaurant for tim sum....ordered about 9 dishes. Stephen was surprised...afraid that we ordered too much. Er...9 dishes not really too much ... I usually have more, especially when with Raymond! Hahahahaha! Anyway, we finished the food!

Supposed to go to the factory outlets near airport but decided to have an easy day instead. Strolled from North Point to Causeway Bay. IT was a good walk...lots of shops to see along the way. Stop at a famous wanton noodle shop but it was just average for me. The soya milk drink was good, though.

Took a bus ride over to Central and then walked to Derrick's (Stephen's friend) shop. He was supposed to travel to Korea in the night. Managed to catch up with him before he leaves.

Decided to watch a movie at IFC but it was so crowded. Went over to Pacific Place and managed to get seats for the show ' Precious' As usual, fell asleep a few times in the middle of the show! Back to the hotel to wash up and get ready for dinner.

Went over to Fortress Hill MTR to meet up with Wallace. Took us to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. 3rd Uncle was there as well. Dinner was good...... we had some Cantonese dishes. Can go back there again!

After dinner, we went over to Wallace's new place. It was near to the restaurant. The place was bigger than the one at Taikoo - very cosy. We had tea and fruits...... Frankie came back from a birthday party and it was good to catch up with him again.

Then, suddenly Wallace emerged from the kitchen with a cake! We were surprised! It was Stephen's birthday on 26th Feb and Wallace/Frankie had bought a cake to surprise him. Stephen was so happy and touched by their kind gestures. The night ended well....

28th Feb

It was quite a sight this morning when I looked out to the window. Beautiful....... and also so many people were running on the highway/expressway. It was the marathon!

Checked out of the hotel and off to the airport to catch the flight. Stephen was kind to accompany me to the airport.

Though it was a very short trip....arrived on Friday night and departed on Sunday morning, it was very memorable. I flew in to celebrate Stephen's birthday and I made it there! I did not bring any gift but I believe my presence was already the best gift possible!


Happy Birthday, Stephen! Wishing you Good Health and lots of Happiness! Hugs!



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Monday, 22 February 2010

KL Escapade


20 Feb - 21 Feb

Flew in into KL's LCCT around 12:30pm. Air Asia was on time! Only problem was....the luggage took SO LONG to come out!
Nelson and Alwin came to pick me up from the airport. Took about 1 hour to get to the hotel - Novotel KL. Supposed to stay ion Executive floor but there was some problem with the system. My reservation reflectd as deluxe room. Showed them the printout and the room was finally sorted out..... nice room!

Went to Pavilion to have late lunch at Sake Sushi. Alwin ordered a Lo Hei and that' s the 1st time I had it in Malaysia! Went to the money changer - 2.39 exchange rate. Not too bad..... Bought some stuff at the supermarket and then went back to the hotel to rest. Gave each of them an ang pow for health and happiness.

Ben came over and we went to Pavilion for dinner at Peppers n Lunch. The meal was average for me... After dinner, we headed out to the airport to fetch Raymond. We arrived late, thanks to the confusing signboards! The signboards are really bad in KL! The flight was delayed and by the time Raymond came out, it was already past midnight!

At the hotel, we sat down and chatted over a bottle of Bailey's. It was good catching up with him again! By the time we turned in, it was about 2+!

Got up at about 7:30am....and went to the lounge for breakfast. Poor Raymond, deprived of sleep to have breakfast with me! Hahahahaha! After breakfast, we went to KTM Terminal to meet up with Kent, who was going back to Penang. When we found out the coach ride was delayed for an hour, we decided to go to Pavilion for breakfast (again!). Half way through breakfast, Kent got a call that the coach ride would be departing as per schedule. No choice ... Kent had to quickly make his way back to the KTM Terminal. Still, glad to have met him in KL.

Went to the supermarket to buy some gifts before meeting up with Nelson. Raymond decided to put on his CNY's outfit....... Nelson drove us to his new apartment in Puchong. The apartment was nice and spacious. Then, we went to the nearby Leong Tau Foo place for lunch. So much LTF!


Had to rush back to pack and check out ... and then waited for Ben to come and pick us up to visit his place - not bad too! We had lo hei with Mel at their place.


One more stop to go - Mid Valley. Met up with Joi and SP over coffee. It was great catching up with them again!
Then it's off to the airport to catch the flight back to Singapore. After a short delay, we landed safely at Changi Airport.

The short trip to KL has been fun! Managed to catch up with my 2 God-Brothers. Seeing them getting on well with their lives, I am very happy for them. Had a lot of fun along the way, especially for Raymond....lots of laughter from him! Glad to have him on this short trip!




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

Friday, 19 February 2010

Land of the Thousand Smile

16 Feb

Sawadee! Welcome to Bangkok,Thailand!

Flew in on Tiger Airways, arriving just after 7pm. Immigration & custom clearance were smooth and soon I was on the way to the Hotel - Malaysia Hotel.

Stephen was at the lobby waiting for me. He arrived from Hong Kong a couple of hours earlier.

Went to meet up with Albert, Wong & Tony who were also in Bangkok. Went to a Thai restaurant at Silom for dinner. The food was quite good.

The night ended early.....

17 Feb

Stephen's friend, Gary, came over and we had buffet lunch at Ibis Hotel. Gary spends his retirement years between Bangkok and New York It was catching up for Stephen and Gary. After lunch, we went over to MBK for shopping. Also visited Siam Discovery Centre, Siam Centre and also Siam Paragon. So many shops..so many bargains!

Met up with Pobe for dinner - steamboat at Coca (a high class Coca restaurant, not the usual one). The food was average. Then, went over to Siam Paragon and had coffee with Daddy, who happened to have some time to share. It was great catching up with him!

18 Feb
Decided to go over to Siam Discovery Centre for buffet lunch at Oishii Grand. The food was delicious! Have been there before on the past, so has Stephen! I guess when you get older, you eat less.... so quickly and we were full! Then, walked over to CentreWorld & Big C for some shopping. Managed to get some shorts and a sling bag at Big C while Stephen managed to get a jacket at a bargain! Also, went to Silom to look for Robinson but the department store was no longer there. Stephen was already tired out with all the walking!

Daddy came over to pick us up for dinner. The traffic was TERRIBLE! Was trying to get to the Daddy's condo but decided to have dinner first, due to the bad traffic. Dinner was good and we finally got over to Daddy's Condo - The Met. The place was simply beautiful!

A last minute look around at Suan Lum Night Bazaar before heading back to hotel for 2-hour Thai Massage. It was good.....I fell asleep ....zzzzzzzz.

19 Feb

Decided to check out another Robinson near Thailand Cultural Centre. Still did not manage to get anything. Then, went back to Siam Paragon to try and catch a movie. Manged to catch a movie....as usual, fell asleep at the beginning..... Went to the food court for KFC and then to MBK (Tokyu) for some final shopping. Managed to get some jeans (finally!) and also a pair of sport shoe at good prices. Some local snacks for souvenirs and then to meet up with Daddy for dinner. Steamboat again but at MK Gold (high class version of MK Suki). The meal was not too bad...we ended up at Swenson's for dessert!

Also managed to catch up with Pobe for drinks near the hotel before going back to pack...... catching the flight the following morning.

20 Feb
Morning flight to Kuala Lumpur to meet up with my god brothers and friends. Stephen was kind enough to accompany me to the airport. He would be flying back to Hong Kong on 22 Feb.

The trip to Bangkok was great! We did not do any sightseeing...we just spent time catching up with each other. The time spent was priceless!



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Sunday, 14 February 2010

14 Feb

It's Valentine's Day!


To that someone special ... Happy Valentine's Day, my Dear!




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Reunion Dinner

Reunion dinner has always been special and fun! This year is no exception!

Every family has a part to play..... I was to get the meat & quail eggs. We bought about 100 of the eggs! Crazy, my brother exclaimed! So high cholesterol!

The eve of CNY fell on a Saturday! So good! No need to work! Had to attend my 2nd aunt' s funeral - she died of breast cancer, though.

The evening drew near and we had to set up for the dinner. Yanti prepared the stock for the steamboat.Every year, since I could remember, we always have steamboat for reunion dinner, without fail. Soon, Beng Kiong and family arrived with Vege and wantons. Took out the abalone cans and Beng Kiong started to slice the abalone. The rest came with prawns, fish balls and other stuff.

As we sat together and put the food into the steamboat, we realised something was missing....seemed less ingredients...Yes, we forgot about mushrooms and tofu! No one bought them! Never mind.....

It's a battle at the dinner table Everyone has the ladle ready..to grab as many pieces of the abalone as possible! You would see everyone trying to get the abalone slices , even to the extent of trying to 'steal' from the person next to him/her! It was really fun. After so many years, we are still doing it!

Dinner was delicious, with plenty to eat! It was time to give out ang pows and my brothers still gave me! Good brothers! Hahahahahaha!

The night ended well...we finished all the quail eggs.....


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

Monday, 8 February 2010

Pearl Of The Orient - Hong Kong


05 Feb

Woke up at 5am....to get to the airport to catch the flight to Hong Kong. The flight was smooth and after 3.5 hour's flight, I arrived safely into Hong Kong. Took the airport Express Train and then the free shuttle to the hotel - Butterfly on Prat. The location of the hotel is great! The room is not very big but comfortable enough for 1 person. The hotel is pretty new and modern. The strange thing is that you can see into the bathroom/toilet. It's not covered! I had to ask the hotel to put up papers!

Went out to have my favourite food - 龙记招牌云吞面!Always love the wanton! Then, went to catch up with Stephen near the Tsui Sha Tsui MTR station. Had a drink at nearby Mirama Plaza's starbuck. Had a wonderful time chatting away!
Dinner was with 3rd Uncle Raymond. It was great catching up with him again. We had steamboat dinner and Ming came to join us! So much to catch up! Jack and Joseph arrived to Langham Hotel and I had to go over to meet up with them. We went to the nearby cafe for supper and drinks. Wallace and Frankie came as well. Finally, we caught up with each other again! Stephen to come and join us as well!

6 Feb

Early morning as I had to travel to ShenZhen, Took the train at Hong Hum station and about 50 mins arrived to Luo Hu station. Had agreed to meet up a new friend, Wei Jian, who is from Hokkien province but working in ShenZhen. Went to the nearby Shangri-La for tim sum breakfast...78RMB per person....buffet.....very cheap!



Then, we went to window-shop at some shopping mall. Went to the huge MIXC. Very modern shopping mall with many branded shops and the prices were not cheap! Went to 会展中心 and then to 东门. Many things were certainly not cheap as expected. We decided to have late lunch near the station...steamed fish for only 28RMB! After the meal, I had to go back to Hong Kong.

On the train, I met Stephen who was planning to actually travel to my hotel to meet up with me! Such a coincidence!

We went over to Hong Kong Island for some window shopping before meeting up with the others for Japanese Buffet dinner at KumaTei. The food was great! Must go back again! Stephen and I went night shopping at Temple Street.

7 Feb

Went over to Wanchai to meet up with Ming. The weather was not very good.. we took a bus to Stanley Market to buy my favorite T-Shirt - 2 for HK$120! Did some window shopping there before heading back to Wanchai area for quick lunch before meeting up with Frankie for drinks near SOGO. Had to rush back to meet up with Jack for dinner. Joseph had to fly back in the afternoon. We went to the nearby 糖朝 for dinner. The food was not bad... we had porridge and some tim sum. Cakes & tea/coffee for dessert at nearby cafe and then some window shopping (again!) before heading back to the hotel. It has been raining the whole day and thus we decided to have an early evening.

08 Feb

Went over to have breakfast with Jack at MacDonald's while waiting for Gloria to arrive from Brussels. She finally arrived and both of them went to Shenzhen for massage. I went to post the red packets to Keiko. Bought a lot of beautiful red packets....really a lot!
Caught up with Frankie for Japanese lunch at K11...new shopping Mall before heading back to hotel to pick up the luggage to go to the airport. 4pm flight back to Singapore.
The Hong Kong Trip was really wonderful!This trip, I met someone very, very special.... someone who gave me a special feeling that I thought was not possible anymore..... We got to spend time together... wonderful time ....... Thank you!


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

Thursday, 4 February 2010

My Mind Needs A Break

Christine commented that I seemed not myself the last few days...maybe she was right.

A lot of things were in my mind.... especially when I plan to move on this year... my family, my friends,....

Maybe this trip will help to 'distract' my thoughts......I really hope so....


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Flying Tomorrow

Flying Off tomorrow morning to Hong Kong......finally!


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Tuesday, 2 February 2010

Don’t Give Excuses….

Recently, I had coffee session with a friend. The friend was sharing his ‘problem’ with me and I realized that the ‘problem’ was self -created. He created his own problem!

Yes, all of us have problems in our lives….. but some problems are unnecessary and we do not have to live with them! Don’t create your own problems and then find excuses to live with them.

We are not born with complicated lifestyle or background. In the course of living, we are faced with different challenges. We need to learn how to manage our lives and it is up to us how to want our lives to be! Remember, you run your own life! No one should run your life for you and therefore, it is up to you!

I also have my fair share of problems…but instead of letting them control me, I make a point to control them! I would reason with myself and when I cannot find any excuse anymore, I stop giving any excuse and do something to end the problem.

I am also human….but I want to live a happy life. Don’t you?

Don’t give excuses…..



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Monday, 1 February 2010

The More I love, the More I would Let Go....

The more you love someone, the more you need to let go....

How true.... I always say this to friends and I know that it is very true. When we meet someone we like, there is always this selfish thought of possessing that person. Make that person mine! Well, it's human! There is no right or wrong!

What happens when the person you love, no longer feels the same for you? Do you cling on to that one-sided love and refuse to give it up because you feel 'cheated'?

The truth is....do you really love that person? Are you more concerned about your own happiness? If you cannot have that person, no one else could? No one could love that person more than you?

If you really love that person, all you would ask for is to see that person live happily. It is not about having that person for yourself, its about letting that person live the life he/she wants. You may feel that you could provide happiness to that person but does the other person feel the same?

There are few that I love very much. I would give anything to see them live happily. I would love to be a part of their lives...they have certainly been a big part of my life......

The more I love them, the more I tell myself that I need to let them go...as long as they are happy with their lives, whatever I do for them..would be worth it.....

Love is sacrificial.....is yours?


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

Same Feeling Again

In every trip, I always have this problem....

I would plan the trip and book the flight and accommodation.... and then maybe a week before the trip, I just feel like cancelling it. Just do not feel like travelling. This feeling always come around the week before every trip! Why? I really do not know!

Of course, I would still go ahead with the trip....... I would still be leaving for Hong Kong this Friday,.....

I just have to go through the same feeling again......


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