Hong Kong Trip Again!

Going Hong Kong again???!!!!! Er......Yes!

24 Jun
Got up 5am and left for airport Terminal 2. The check in was fast (though I could not do online check in at all...no such service). 1st time flying on Hong Kong Airlines.

The aircraft was pretty new (2-4-2) and I was fortunate to get an isle seat. The entertainment was a state of the art! Touch screen! Updated movies! It was great! They even served meal on board!

Arrived into HKG just before noon and there were many passengers at the airport! Took out the magic card (HKGFVC) and cleared the custom very quickly. This time round, I went over to the eChannel and applied for finger print clearance. The application only took a few minutes.

Soon, I was out into the arrival hall and Stephen was there to meet me. As we were not in a hurry, we took the airport bus to Jordan. The journey was smooth and before long, I checked in to Lagos Hotel.

First thing to do was to go for lunch. Went to a nearby restaurant for Tim Sum lunch. The dishes were delicious! Been here before..... a few times!

Went for window shopping at Wing On department Store....having sales...but did not buy anything. Then, went back to hotel to rest.

Was to meet up with Kevin & Mary from New Zealand for dinner. Arranged to meet at Jordan MTR. Kevin & Mary were already there.  They were expecting a friend, Candy. A lady came up and greeted Kevin. Kevin introduced her to us. She was waiting for a friend. We decided to go into the emporium (for aircon) while waiting. Candy then informed us that she would go to the MTR to wait for her friend. A while later, Kevin's phone ranged and it was from Candy! Candy called to say that she was at another location and would be making her way to Jordan! We were all speechless! We had no clue who the earlier lady was! Such a joke!

We went over to a nearby restaurant for dinner, while waiting for the real Candy.  Dinner was sumptuous! Good food!

Stephen and I dropped in at a nearby pub for a drink before hitting the sack.

25 June

Sleeping in was the best part of any holiday....but for old man like me.....getting up early has been a norm!

Nothing much for the day, except brunch at my favourite Wanton noodle shop.....and then dropped in at BreadTalk for coffee, toast and egg. Stephen did some shopping/grocery before we went back to rest.

Went over to Mongkok in the late afternoon and it was packed (as usual)! Stephen was thrilled to learned that his new mobile would be available on Monday!

Stephan had a dinner function to attend and I was on my own. Took a stroll forward the Star Ferry and went on the ferry over to Central. It was still too early for dinner but managed to kill time along the way.

Raymond and Michael came and then Frankie, followed by Wallace who just finished his badminton game. Dinner was at the usual Japanese restaurant. We had plenty to eat and much to chat about! The Company was great!

Met up with Stephen at Tsimshatsui and walked back to hotel.

26 June

Stephen left early for work while I laze around longer before checking out and took a cab ride to Kowloon Station. Check in was quick and then went on the airport express to airport.

3 and 20 mins' flight and I was back in Singapore again!


It was a very short trip and though we did not get to spend much time together, it was already more than I wished for. I appreciate the time spent together..it meant a lot to me.



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HONG KONG TRIP

20 May

Got up at 4am....and soon on the way to the airport. Many passengers were at the airport when I got there...apparently many early morning flights.

The flight took off on schedule and after 3 over hours, we arrived into HKG. Immigration was quick (as usual) , thks to the FVC. Even in the morning, there were more than a thousand people queueing up to clear immigration. I was spared the agony...... Hahahahahaha!

After topping up my Octopus, I took a ride on the airport bus to the hotel. Usually, it will take about an hour to reach but this time, it took me almost 2 hours! Anyway, I finally arrived at the hotel - Ibis North Point.

Stephen arrived shortly and we went over to South China Hotel to have dim sum lunch. It was good. Went back to the hotel to rest before coming out in the evening to have dinner with Derrick.

Walked past the Japanese restaurant - Urawa, and decided to have dinner there. It was full house when we enquired but after waited for Derrick to arrive, Stephen managed to get the receptionist to grant us entry!

It was very crowded..... the 1st round of food came very fast and we trying our best to clear as many dishes as possible that was placed on our table! The food was rather delicious and I was glad we managed to get the chance to eat there!

21 May

Slept in late and then went over to Causeway Bay. Stephen managed to contact his Big Brother who joined us for a chat where we had dim sum lunch. (Same restaurant that he was going to have lunch with his friends)

Was to go over to Frankie & Wallace's place for tea. It suddenly rained so heavily and by thew time we got there, I was almost drenched! The hosts managed to have fitting clothes for me and I got to bring them home as gift! Great!








Raymond and Michael come to join us. The tea session was great ....big strawberries, tarts & sandwiches. Frankie even cooked black-pepper pork with onions wrapped with vege!



After leaving their place, we had to go over to Tsimshatsui to meet up with Joi for a drink. the last time I met him in HKG was more than 1 year ago! It was great catching up again.

22 May

Rainy day....must be sad that I was leaving....Caught the bus opposite the hotel to the airport. Traffic on Sunday was rather smooth and took us about 1 hour to reach the airport. Flight was delayed for half an hour but a smooth flight back home.
Though it was a very short trip, glad to have been there and spent time! I treasure every moment of it!


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I Love You

I love you, my Dear......
Its been more than 1 year since
We do have our differences in between
There is no wrong or right in any thing that we see
Respect and accept each other's that what it should be.

I love you, my Dear.......
Its been more than 1 year since
My love for you has never grown dim
This period of time has made me understand 1 thing right
You are the most important person in my life!

I love you, my Dear.......
It's been more than 1 year since
And we hardly had any open conflict, how fortunate we have been
I know that I have at times made thing difficult in your life
I wish I could have done better to make you feel otherwise

I love you, my Dear ........
Its been more than 1 year since
Honestly, my Dear, what do you think?
Would you continue to stick through thick and thin together
Spend the rest of your life with me forever?

I love you.


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Stephen's End April Trip

30 April
Went to the airport to meet Stephen was was flying in. On the way to town, Stephen found the route unfamiliar and thought we were going shopping first before going home. Little did he realise that we were actually checking in into a hotel - Albert Court Hotel!

Called Raymond to join us for dinner at Marina Square - the suki restaurant. We have been there a few times and I guess we enjoy the steamboat/sukiyaki spread. After dinner, we went over to suntec and walked through some of the factory outlet sales that were going on.  Had a drink near Carresfour before we called it a night.

01 May
Decided to go over to suntec to take a look a the food & electronic exhibition. It was very crowded, especially at the electronic sections. Tempted with the variety available at the lunch buffet, we decided to try. Well,.......we reckoned that we would not try again!

Went over to Bugis and decided to buy ticket for THOR. Went back to rest before the movie. Surprised that the room was not tidied up and also the plate at the other room was still on the floor for 2 days!

The movie was pretty interesting. Stephen commented that I did not fall asleep! Decided to go over to Chinatown fro dinner originally but was not that hungry. Went over to the music shop but it was closed for the public holiday.

Finally decided to go over to the fish head steamboat at Jalan Sultan. Went over to the bus stop outside Fullerton Hotel and it was a short journey from there. The restaurant was very crowded when we got there. We were fortunate to get a table inside the air-con room.....but we still waited for almost 45 mins for our food to arrive. Well, at least the wait was worth it. The food was delicious!

02 May
Decided to go over to Vivocity for lunch at the Food Republic. The dim sum lunch was below expectation which was quite a letdown. Went back to the music shop again and managed to get the cd and list for Simon.

Dinner was at Beatty Road with Gerald. We also waited for quite a while before the food arrived. As usual, there were lots to eat! The Zi char stall always cook delicious dishes!

03 May
Went back home to put down my bag before going back to the hotel. Went to Yum Cha restaurant at Chinatown for lunch before heading out to the airport .

Stephen reckoned that he has never slept so much before in any of his trips! Though we did not do much, I am glad of the time we spent together.


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Managing Expectation

One thing I learn a lot in my current job is Managing Expectation. Customers have many requests and it is important that we mange their expectation of their requests. Not everything is possible or could be carried out and we must make sure customers understand that.

My boss manages the expectation of the staff and we, in turn, manage her expectation as well. We let her understand the extent that we could handle and she in turns makes sure we understand what could or could not be done.

Everyone has certain expectation and in our daily lives, we may have to manage the expectationsof our family members & friends. My family has certain expectation from me and it is important that I manage those expectation so as to avoid any misunderstanding or conflict. With friends, we also need to manage their expectation. Every stage in our life, changes are expected and many times, nothing remains the same.

Managing Expectation is not easy and managing them well is even harder, but not impossible.



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True Honesty

Matsu and Joanne have been together for quite a while. Though they are from 2 different countries and background, it has not stopped them from seeing each other.

Knowing that LDR is not easy, they made a commitment to each other  - to be truthful, honest to each other.

As time passes, different cultural background and lifestyles started to create an impact between them. Sometimes, Matsu could not agree with Joanne and vice versa. Still, they make a point to let each other know about their feelings.

Some people believe that you should not be truthfully honest with your other half. Matsu's good friend, Takashi, told him that truth can hurt a relationship and it would be good to keep some secrets.  Matsu decided to heed his advice.

Soon, Matsu started to keep his opinion to himself. He did not tell Joanne how he felt about certain issues they had. Joanne did not find anything amiss. As time passes, Matsu started to change and Joanne began to feel the difference. She tried to ask Matsu but to no avail. Then, slowly.......... the  2 of them went separate ways.

Joanne found out that Matsu was not happy about many things  during the relationship. As he did not want to hurt her, he decided not to tell her.  Joanne understood that as they were both from different cultural backgrounds and upbringing, there could be some misunderstanding and if Matsu had made the effort to be honest with her, many problems could have been solved and they could still be together!

Different people have different perspective of life. There 's no right or wrong. To me, if you made a commitment to be with someone, you jolly well keep it. Communication is very important. It can keep a relationship going, clear any misunderstanding, etc. I want to be honest and truthful to my other half. Sometimes, I agree what I say may hurt her but at least she knows that how I feel. She is not obligated to accept my view/opinion.

If I hold back being honest to her and one day she finds out, that could be detrimental to  our relationship. Should I risk it?

If others choose to keep secrets from their other halfs, so be it! To each his own.

I choose to be truthfully honest to my other half.......


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Relationship

Have always been like an advisor to others on their relationship.... what about my own relationship? Am I doing well with mine?

A relationship is liken to a person who is all excited about planting. He takes the trouble to buy the soil, fertilizer, seed, etc.... the necessary stuff to get it started. He is so excited along the process. Then, he finally sees the 1st bud. He feels he has succeeded. However, that is just the beginning. To keep the plant growing healthily, he needs to ensure there's enough nutrients. It becomes a commitment. The plant cannot grow on its own. It will wither and die without proper care.

When 2 people fall in love, it is so sweet and lovely. The courtship is so romantic. What happens when the courtship is over? Is the thought that we love each other sufficient to sustain the relationship? A relationship is a commitment between 2 people. What should the 2 do to maintain/grow the relationship? A plants needs nutrients to grow healthily. What does a relationship need to grow?

As human, we tend to take things for granted. If I feel that the other person is already mine, do I take for granted that she will be mine forever? Does the very thought that I love her in my heart is good enough to keep the relationship going? Should I make any effort to make her feel loved and should I constantly make her feel that she is the most important person in my life? If I do not make any such effort, am I taking the relationship for granted?

Everyone has his/her view about relationship. There is no right or wrong about individuals opinion. If 2 people make a commitment to have a relationship, they would need to understand and accept each other's 'perception'. Otherwise, the relationship would not work.

So, what commitment do I have to my own relationship? I tell myself never to take for granted that she will always be mine. I will make effort to make her feel loved and how special she is to me. Life is never a bed of roses and there could be some obstacles between us. I will do my best to overcome those obstacles.  Sacrifices may be needed but they would be worth it. I signed the love commitment with my blood.....sealed with my heart.

Nothing last forever. Making effort helps to make it last longer............


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