JB with a Twist

30 Oct

Met up with Raymond and Small Ben at Kranji MRT. The queue was exceptionally long and as usual, the yellow bus took a very long time to come. When we cleared the SG immigration, the bus queue was not as bad as I thought. The worst came - the traffic jam......all the way to JB custom.

As expected, we made our way to our 1st stop - Bak Kut Teh lunch at our favourite, rundown, crowded and hot restaurant. The food was as always, simply delicious!

After lunch, we went over for our foot reflex. The 80mins session was very relaxing for me. Have always enjoyed the session.

Went over to Leisuremall for Raymond to buy his comic and we stopped over at a newly opened Kopitiam (just outside Leisuremall) - Chamek Kopitiam. We ordered some snacks and drink. Believe me, you would not want to go back there again! The food was below average.

We decided to have early dinner but we did not really ordered a lot.... the seafood was delicious but a bit pricey! The Balonglong drink was simply mind blowing, though!

City Square Mall had a Food Street in the atrium and it was rather interesting. While we were about to proceed to the JB immigration, we saw a counter selling train ticket. We found that there is train back to Singapore. As Raymond has never tried the train, we decided to try it out. Small Ben managed to buy the tickets off the counter though we were told that we could only buy 30 mins before the train departs. We waited eagerly at 7:30pm for 8pm departure. Then, it was 8pm and we were still waiting to go in. The clock was ticking but we were still waiting......we learned the train was delayed. Then, we were allowed to go in......we had to clear immigration....and then we had to wait again at the holding area. Finally, we managed to board the train - free seating.

The train left the station and slowly made its way to Singapore. I saw the traffic jam coming back to Singapore. Glad I was in the train instead. It came to a stop at the SG immigration and we all had to get off to clear immigration and custom. Then back to the train and finally arrived at Tanjong Pagar station.

It was an experience for Raymond....... however, I do not think I would not consider the train again (if it is always late!).

The train journey was about 1 hour (in total) and only cost M$5. So many trips to JB, 1st time taking the train back!


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Buffets

Having been passing by this new small Japanese buffet at the basement of 313. Really small spread.......but it stated QUALITY JAPANESE BUFFET...

TARAFUKU FISH MARKET & JAPANESE RESTUARANT - www.cfc.com.sg

Decided to try the [place out and we finally. Met up with Raymond and we decided to take a look at the mini spread. The catch was that they were serving unlimited serving of black pig meat for shabu shabu.

The waiter brought a small shabu shabu pot and our 1st plate of the black pig slices. It was delicious! The sashimi tasted good too, especially the sword fish slices that melted in the mouth! The ramen was very good as well!

Honestly, the spread was not extensive, like other places. However, there was more than enough to eat! When Raymond, reckoned that he had enough, he lamented that he had yet to try the chicken dishes. Though the desserts were very limited, they were rather tasty!

The charges were not expensive.....the spread was not extensive........however, the quality was there.....it is worth going back again!

Korean BBQ buffet at Tanjong Pagar....that was what the sms stated. Was it supposed to be Tanjong Katong, I wondered. Well, it was Tanjong Pagar. Derrick brought us to this small restaurant along Tanjong Pagar - 2D1N SOJU BANG. On the 2nd level of the small restaurant, it was serving BBQ buffet. We managed to get a table and soon after , the whole place was packed, on a Thursday night!

Compared to the restaurant at Katong, this place is centrally located but the spread was limited. We have some marinated pork and beef (not as extensive spread as Katong's) and lots of prawn. The meat were rather tasty and for the price we paid, it was worth the money.

Would we go back again? Certainly! next time, we will go with a empty stomach!

This place is a lot more accessible and also for the price we paid, certainly worth making more trips there!



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Catching Up

It started with a sms greeting to Mr Tan on his birthday. Also his wedding anniversary. A thank you reply and another sms about catching up for a meal/drink soon.

This afternoon, we finally met for lunch! After a very long time!

Looking back, I knew Chong Huat somewhere in 1991 when I about about to leave Chan Brothers for New Zealand. I offered some travel advice on Japan and he was grateful and asked for my contact. Since then, we kept in touch and even when I got back and went to a few agencies, he and his family let me handled all their travels.

Even when I was no longer in travel, I was still helping them. Ban Ser (his wife) would contact me for advice.

It was great catching up with him. Happy to know that his career is doing well, his wife and children are doing well too!

Chong Huat is a very busy man but he made the effort to catch up lunch with me. I am very touched by his friendship and I am glad to know that he appreciates mine as well.

Take care, my friend! May good health and happiness be with you for many more years to come!

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TEAMBUILDING...22 Oct

1st time ....the hot line is closed on a weekday! No work! Hooray!

Assembled at the main lobby for the transfer into Sentosa for our team building event - The whole Business Sales was involved.

The event was handled by FOCUS ADVENTURE (www.FOCUSAdventure.com). The session started with going through the objective of the event and then followed by some 'games'. There were lots of laughter's and fun.....

We were splits into 16 groups and my group started off looking for some required information on the GPS. We had to find the spot X to get the 1st task. The 1st task was to try the luge ride. It was really fun! Brought back memories.... I used to play the Luge rides up on Mount Ngongotaha at Rotorua, new Zealand, many times!

It was quite challenging trying to find the required information and then making back to the 'campsite' on time for lunch.

After lunch, some of the colleagues got to try more challenging tasks - climbing up poles and walk on tight ropes, etc.....it looked scary!

Then, we were given some pictures to find the words that were blank out. We had to travel to waterfront station on the monorail and then into the resorts to look for the necessary words. It was kind of interesting as I did not realise that that were so much 'to do and see''!

We ended at the beach where we had to build sand castle. So many funny looking models!

To round up the session, we were shown a video of the event - so many candid moments throughout the day and we had so much laughter's looking through it!

It was a very tiring but fun day! I got to see Sentosa that I never knew before! So much has developed and changed and I did not finish exploring the whole place! Definitely would be going back again.......

www.sentosa.com.sg

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HONG KONG AGAIN .......

14 Oct

Soon we will be arriving into Hong Kong international airport (again)...kindly fasten your seat belt, put your seat upright and tray table stow away . We thank you for flying with CX......

Clearing immigration was a breeze but waiting for luggage needed a lot of 'patience'! Took a while before I finally saw my luggage on the belt!

Stephen was already waiting for me at the arriving hall, wondering what happened. Took the airport express to Hong Kong station and then the free shuttle to City Garden Hotel before making our way to South China Hotel in Northpoint.

Left the hotel to go over to Tai Po to visit Stephen's Dad in the hospital. We took the MRT ride to Yau Tong and changed to Wong Tai Sin and then took a cab ride to the hotel. It was my 1st time meeting the parents and I had a good time chatting with his Dad.

We left the hospital and proceeded back to the hotel to have dinner with Derrick. Original wanted to have Chinese but settled for Japanese (Wada Japanese Restaurant) on the 2nd level of the hotel. The restaurant has a stagger charge for meals and on weekday after 9pm, it was at HK$148+

The dinner buffet was surprisingly good, better than expected. We had fair share of sashimi, sushi, etc,..... it was good and better still, Derrick treated us!

The night ended well......

15 Oct

Breakfast at the hotel.... at the Japanese restaurant (make into breakfast venue in the morning). The breakfast was rather pathetic....but as it was included in the room rate, cannot complain....hahahahaha!

After breakfast, we checked out and proceeded over to Tsimshatsui to check in to the other hotel - Bauhinia Hotel at Observatory Court (http://www.thebauhinia.com.hk/). Initially we had some problem locating the hotel but finally found it up the slope from Empire Kowloon Hotel and opposite of Standford Hillview. The hotel's lobby is on the 19th floor. As it was too early to check in, we left our stuff at the hotel and went off for movie at MongKok - The girl with the dragon tattoo, a foreign language movie. It was a challenge sitting through the movie! Hahahaha! There was a choice between 3D and non 3D but patrons either bring their own or buy disposable 3D glasses (HK$6). Back home, the glasses are handled out free!

After the movie, we went for dim sum lunch at 稻香(Mongkok). As usual, I would call that 'few' dishes......the food was good. While having lunch, Omori called. They had arrived and was on the airport express to Kowloon station.

Was to meet him at his hotel - Nathan Hotel around 4pm. Went over and finally met him and his wife....... after 7 years! It was great seeing both of them again! All these years, I have been constantly in touch with them but the last time we met was in Osaka in 2003! We went over to Starbucks , next to the hotel, for a

drink. So much to talk about!

Then, we arranged to meet again for dinner at 7pm. Stephen and I went back to the hotel where we freshened up for the evening. When we got back, we were prepared to find a very small room, similar to Largos or smaller. To our Big Surprise, the room we had was VERY NICE! It had a view of the harbour, on the 22nd floor! Everything looked new and there was even free Internet!

Met with Omori & wife again at the lobby and proceed to the Star Ferry to see the daily laser show. Showed them the esplanade with the avenue of stars as well. The laser show was interesting with the whole esplanade packed with tourists!

Then, we slowly made our way to the restaurant, stopped at a few sights along the way. Dinner was at 稻香, our favourite steamboat venue. We ordered 烧鹅and烧腊 for them to try and followed with steamboat. The restaurant was extremely crowded! Stephen managed to get a table with his connection......great to have such friend around! hahahahaha!

We had a lot of fun chatting and eating and by the time we finished, we have added on a few more kg!

16 Oct

A last minute decision to go to Shenzhen for the day and we stopped over at my favourite American Embassy for breakfast before meeting with with the Omoris. We took the train ride from Jordan station over to MongKok ( Think)... and changed MRT to Kowloon Tong and then to the rail towards Lo Wu (Shenzhen).

It happen to be 重阳节 and many people were heading towards Shenzhen. After some time clearing immigration, we were finally in Shenzhen!

We went to the nearby shopping complex and Mrs Omori managed to get some real bargains on sandal, wig, doll and dress! Thanks to Stephen who bargained like a pro! Stephen also brought them to a stall that was selling jade and they managed to buy real jade at a steal! Mr Omori was very pleased with his buy!

Next in the program was lunch and we went over to Shangri La Hotel for the famous dim sum buffet. We had to wait a while as the restaurant was full. We ordered a spread of many dim sum dishes and it was a feast! There was lots to eat (great to have buffets) and by the time we finished (2 hours later), we were very sleepy!

Back to another building where we went for foot reflex/ massage. Originally we though it would cost RMB100 per person for the reflex/massage but it turned out it only cost RMB20 per hour. Both Japanese seemed to enjoy the massage, while occasionally you could hear Stephen 'groaning in pain'. For me, it was more like massage rather than reflex.

By the time we finished, it was almost evening and we decided to head back to Hong Kong. Stephen left half way to visit his father in the hospital while we proceeded to MongKok where we went for a walk at the Ladies' Street. They managed to do some shopping on their own as I had to leave them for my own appointment.

Met up with Wallace & Frankie at The Kumatei Japanese Restaurant over at Central. This is one of my favourite restaurants. As usual, we will order lots of food and eat till we could barely move! It was great catching up with both of them.

Caught up with Mr Omori again for a drink at MacDonald's before heading back to hotel to rest. Our friendship goes back to 1982/83 and all these years we have kept in touch! I have stayed with the family many times in Osaka and they have already become a part of my family.

Slept in this morning and only checked out after 11am. Went to look for my favourite Wanton noodle shop for lunch. Did not really enjoy the meal....soup was bland, wantons were bland and noodle was tasteless! utterly disappointment! Used to be very good!

Took a cab ride to Kowloon station and checked in the luggage before proceeding to Starbucks for a drink. Soon, had to go to the airport to catch the flight back to Singapore..........

The trip has been very good....Not only I managed to meet up with my Japanese friends, I also got to meet Stephen's parents. being able to be there for him also mean a lot for me.

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