Piggy Bank

It's that time of the year again!

The time to 'break open' my SMILEY piggy bank and count how much I have saved this year. The money is to buy Christmas presents for my nephew n nieces.

This year is not too bad.....slightly more than last year.....

The problem is...how to change the coins into notes!!!!!!

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

Last Trip to JB for This Year....

Wanted to go to JB last weekend but unable due to bad weather and traffic. Yesterday, decided to go in even though the traffic was bad.

Was supposed to meet Alan at the SG custom but he overslept and could not make it! As usual, Raymond was late but...... at least he made it!

Initially we queued at the CW1/CW2 but then we noticed only the SBS buses were coming in. So, we decided to switch lane and then the CW1/CW2 buses started to appear with no SBS buses in sight! Just not our day!

Finally got onto the bus and glad to get a seat as we expected the bad traffic on the causeway would take a while. The bus got onto the causeway, moving slowly, and suddenly , the driver took a right lane and then drove up a lane next to all the trucks and made a left turn for bus only and soon we arrived at the Malaysia Immigration! Wow! We did not have to queue together with the cars! That was great!

We stopped at OLD TOWN for a coffee n snack before going over to take a look at the IPad store at City Square. The IPad is cheaper over here in Malaysia! Raymond was so tempted to buy.

Took a cab ride to our favourite lunch venue (near the STORE) - 顺发 Bak Kut Teh. As usual, I would order the same stuff and the waiter would look at me with disbelief! Sure you could finish the food?????!!!!!! As always, we finish everything!

Too full for massage, we went over to Leisuremall for Raymond to get his magazines/comic books! I always tease him on his 'Sailor Moon comics'! At the massage place, found that most of the masseurs were no longer working there. Decided to try a new Malay masseur and I have to admit that he was pretty skillful! Will definitely request for him again!

Went over to Sutera Mall,near 皇后 to wait for Jason. Have not caught up with him for many months and decided to stay back late to catch up dinner with him and James. While waiting, decided to get a hair cut. It was quite good - M$35 by senior.

Finally around 8:30pm, they came and took us to somewhere nearby for dinner. We went to a shop 家乡 for Chinese 煮炒. The dishes were delicious. We had 7 dishes and the billed came up to about M$105! That's very cheap! Definitely going back there again!

Jason gave us a lift to the immigration and though there was no queue at the immigration, the SBS bus 160 / 170 queue was terribly long! We decided to take another bus - 950 where the queue was short. The, the same thing happened, buses for the other queue started to come in, except ours. Finally the bus came and we managed to get on board with a seat. Even though it was already 11pm, the traffic going back was bad. The congestion started just when the bus leaves the building. I noticed that the F1 track is gone and the vehicles did not have to meander down the F1 track at all. Also, I found that we could skip all the queue and soon arrived back into the SG immigration.

By the time I got back, it was just before the clock struck 12! Hope the taxi did not turn into pumpkin and Raymond had to walk home.......


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20 Nov 2010

A week ago, Alan called and suggested meeting up for wine.... well, decided to gather for wine on Saturday, 20 Nov. Called a few people but most of them had to give it a miss last minute.

Anyway, Derrick and I met up in the afternoon as we were supposed to go and get some snacks for the wine session. We met up in Chinatown and he drove to Mandarin Gallery where we went to an interesting place - ARTEASTIQ (tea lounge by Marxx) on the 4th floor. The front was some exquisite furniture and you could see some people in the back sipping away. S$48++ high tea set for 2.

We managed to get seats and I have to admit...service was slow! It took quite a while before drinks were served. I ordered hot Pomelo tea and Derrick had hot Lycee tea. Mine tasted very good..... Derrick's was bland..... then, we found, he had to put brown sugar!

The tea set was simple, salmon roll, tuna on toast, wagyu wrap and shellfish salad..all in small portions.... yup! That's about it! Expensive, of course!!!!!!!!!! Guess what,. it was full house!

We went over to Taka to meet Alan and to buy some fusion bak kwa, some skewers from TORI, noodle in egg wrap and popiah before going over to Jones for the crackers, cheese and some dried fruits.

By the time we got to Wong's place, it was already past 7. Wasted no time to set up the snacks and also to chill the wines.

It was a small gathering this time but we had a great time watching TV programmes (爱; ICE AGE & VAMPIRE 'S DAIRY) and chatting away, with good wines, courtesy of Derrick. We also had snack from Japan, courtesy of Alan.

There was this special bottle that is only available from 18 Nov onwards (every year) and you would only keep it for 6 months.

Every party must come to an end , and so was our's. By the time I got home, it was just before my shoes changed to ........

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

Stephen's Trip to the Merlion City

10 Nov

Meeting after 6pm? Unable....had to go to the airport to welcome Stephen, arriving from Hong Kong. Raymond was kind enough to go with me. Arrived at Terminal 3 about 7pm (early) and decided to have something to eat at the arrival hall. Ordered a bowl of curry chicken at Killiney Kopitiam (freezer chicken).

Stephen was surprised and glad when he saw Raymond. He did not expect Raymond would come to the airport!

After some discussion, decided to go to Bugis for dinner. Went to the Fish restaurant ....was still crowded when we got there but managed to find seat. After a few bowls of soup noodle and fried chicken wings, we called it a night.

11 Nov

The morning started with heavy downpour. By the late morning, it started to clear up. It's Sentosa Day and we made our way by bus to Vivocity to catch the monorail (S$3 ride) across to Sentosa.

The waterfront station was an interesting place to start with. That's where the resorts, casino and Universal Studio were. We also went over to the beach to take a look. We got to try the sky ride and also the famous LUGE. It was really exciting!

Met up with Raymond at Chinatown for dinner. Went to the food court and had Fried Kway Teow, Chui Kway and satay. Obviously those were not enough and we moved to the restaurant opposite Central@ClarkeQuay for Bak Kut Teh. By the end of the meal, Stephen was too full for words but Raymond was only 3/4 full......

12 Nov

Had to work today. Unable take the day off...only 3 of us answering the hot line....very busy day. Derrick has been very kind to show Stephen around. Stephen came over top the office to drop off his backpack. Derrick and Albert came over to have lunch. Went to the Japanese restaurant opp the office. The rest of the afternoon.....(Derrick brought him to Bugis for desserts at Ah Chew, to see the Merlion and finally to Marina Bay Sands ...casino).

Met up with Stephen after work and we headed out to Grand Mercure Roxy for our 2N stay. Surprisingly, the room was rather spacious and cosy.

We then proceeded to Jang Shou Korean BBQ at Katong Village (just behind the hotel) where Gerald, Jay and Sam were alredy there waiting. Being a Friday night, it was quite busy with lost of patrons. The spread was very good and everyone was busy eating and eating away!. Lots of meats!

After dinner, we decided to try the Awfully Chocolate shop nearby. We managed to squeeze a treat out of Raymond. Ended up with a pint of chocolate ice cream, 1 slice of the Super stacked Chocolate cake and 1 slice of the White Chocolate Butterscotch block . I actually asked 'What flavour (ice cream) do you have' and the sales lady looked at me and said : Chocolate! ... but Of course!

The slices were good and the ice cream was awesome! The chocolate ice cream was AWFULLY GOOD!

13 Nov

Went over to Marine Parade for a look- see and breakfast (at the American Embassy) and then to Parkway Parade before going over to East Coast Park.



A short walk along the beach and soon we arrived at the Seafood International Market & Restaurant for lunch. Wong, Tony, Raymond, Sam, Alan and Derrick came to have lunch with us. The ala-carte buffet spread was quite good and we certainly had more than enough!


By the time we finished lunch, we was already after 2pm! As usual, a meal is not complete without dessert and we decided to go over to Awfully Chocolate shop again......and.......on Raymond! Everyone enjoyed the chocolate ice cream - AWFULLY DELICIOUS!



We went back to the hotel to rest and even by dinner time, we were too full to eat! Went for a stroll along East Coast road and also to Parkway Parade again. Had some light snacks before we went back to the hotel.

14 Nov

A very early to the airport for his departure back to Hong Kong.



The trip was long overdue but glad that he finally made it here.....



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Good Thing Happens Twice

6 Nov

A sms from Gerald regarding steamboat dinner at Tian Fu at 7pm. I was there for steambat dinner the night before! I replied....SURE!

Was to meet Jay and Edward (KL) at Paya Lebar MRT. Been a while since I last met up with Edward. Small Ben, Raymond and Sam were all invited as well.

Same stock base and same dishes over and over again...lots of pork, meat balls, wantons, bean curd skins, etc.......coupled with the wonderful chili...... we had many rounds....

After dinner, its dessert and the same ice cream Kafe..... again! They enjoyed the waffles!

2 steamboat dinners in 2 nights......in the same restaurant.....same food!


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

A Good Evening

4 Nov 2010

It's been a while since I went to Katong for my favourite steamboat...been a long while!

Last night, made reservation for dinner at Tian Fu. Managed to get seat....surprising! The reservation was for outside table but when I got there, they managed to get me an inside table (air con) provided I would leave before 9pm. I agreed.

The menu was new....I noticed the popular stock base has a price tag. Only the common stock comes free.....my favourite Satay stock and dry scallop stock are chargeable. The buffet spread is not huge (limited according to the table next to mine) but sufficient for me, though.

We ordered our faviourite items and tucked away happily........ We still reckon this is still the best steamboat as far as the stock base is concerned. Great chili too!

Dinner is never complete without desserts. We went over to Little Ice Cream Kafe (lick.com.sg) for homemade ice cream and waffle. Indeed, this place has very delicious waffle!

It was a very satisfying dinner........


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Charles & Diana

Charles & Diana is a loving couple who believes that each has found true love in each other. In their so-journ, they have met and spent their lives with others but those relationships did not last......... Finally, after many years of looking around they found each other. The only problem was they were miles apart.

Diana met Charles, by chance, when she was on a holiday. She had a wonderful time that few days.......she did not expect anything would flourish when she left. She was wrong........ Both continue to keep in touch and make effort to meet up and as time went by, the relationship developed.

Diana had a previous long distance relationship and for quite a long time, she was not in favour of it. She would discourage others when they seek her advice. Now, she is involved in another long distance relationship.......

Long distance relationship is never easy. A great deal of commitment is needed. Charles & Diana knew that each hasd to put in effort and even sacrifices to keep the relationship going. Taking the relationship for granted would end the whole thing........

For Diana, it was love that she has for Charles that is important. It was not the distance. She felt that she has found her true love and she wanted to make every effort to treasure it. She believed that she must continuously make effort to remind herself that she must not take the relationship for granted and she would treasure every moments she has with Charles.

For Charles, he loved Diana very much but he felt that Diana was overacting. He believes that as long as he has his love for Diana in his heart, it was good enough. He was not the sort that would express his love for her openly.

What the future holds for them, they do not know. The only thing Diana knows is that she will continue to love and cherish her relationship with Charles. Nothing lasts for ever......she hopes her love for Charles would.........


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