Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Baby's 27th birthday & my release of new life

February 25, 2009 0
It's amazing how time flies! This is the second time I'm witnessing my baby's birthday. However this year, it's not with any fanfare at all, a total contrast from that of last year. All due to the fact that we're both super broke, especially since we just came back from Taiwan. I wanted to treat Baby to a cheap but relaxing spa weekend at Batam Island. Came across reviews of this place which seemed pretty good and cheap, but Irene convinced me that KTM resort sucks! So no spa weekend for baby.

But that day was great for me! Cos I got released from that lousy Leyau prison. But my poor baby had to wait for me for 3 hours! He was hopping mad that he had to wait even on his birthday!

Anyway we had a small and simple dinner for his birthday!

This place is pretty good. Super expensive, but I like the fact that they really served loads of appetiser dishes and a bottle of ice water and Korean barley tea each. Nice.
Best part is they don't charge for this.

This spicy tofu soup is super small.

The vermicelli is shiok! Couldn't finish and packed almost 3/4 back. Even my bro said it was nice when we reheated it the next day.
Baby's spicy beef soup. Serving was huge.
Finally sweetheart dessert
I guess can re-visit this place with a bunch of friends, cos it's really not cheap. Food-wise, it's pretty nice & decent.

This year was so simple and I didn't even get baby a present.
Sorry baby, promised that I'll make it up for you next year!!!
PROMISE!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Japan trip...finally

February 24, 2009 0
Okay, finally. My Hokkaido trip.
But due to my "laziness" and the lack of time, I didn't manage all pix.
For more photos, check out my facebook

DAY 1 - SINGAPORE/NARITA (Meals on board)

Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for our flight to Tokyo.
Upon arrival transfer to hotel for check-in.
Spend rest of the day at leisure to explore Narita city.

DAY 2 - HANEDA/CHITOSE - OTARU - SAPPORO

(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

After breakfast, transfer to airport to take a domestic flight to Chitose.
Begin today’s tour with our journey to Otaru and visit Kitaichi Glass Shop, reputed for its unique lamps and hand-blown glassware.
Standing next to the shop is the Otaru Music Box Museum, where we can see beautifully crafted music boxes and enjoy heavenly music.
Continue to Asahi Beer Factory where you can witness the beer production process and even get to sample the freshly brewed beer.
Next, we visit the Tokeidai Clock Tower.
The rest of the day is for us to explore the famous Sapporo Underground Shopping Mall.

Second day where we had free asahi beer.

And saw snow!
It's also my first time seeing snow from the sky.
In those times I saw snow, it was already fallen to the ground.

DAY 3 - SAPPORO - ASAHIKAWA - SOUNKYO

(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

In the morning, we procced to the Sapporo Morning Fish Market where different types of fish are on sale.
Next, we drive to Asahiyama, the second largest city in Hokkaido and visit the famous Otokoyama Sake Factory where we can learn and understand how Japanese sake is being processed and enjoy sake tasting session of sweet to bitter sake.
Next, we visit Asahiyama Zoo, the northernmost zoo in Japan.
It boasts about 40-year history.
The animals’ natural behaviors can be observed at a number of very innovative facilities.
During winter, you can watch the king penguins parade or the polar bears playing in the snow.
We will pass by Lake Nukabira, surrounded by deep forest reflected Taisetsu mountains, and is filled to a quiet charm.
Continue our journey to Sounkyo Gorge, situated in Mt Daisetsuzan National Park.
This gorge consists of many 100-m-tall cliffs and is popular for its numerous waterfalls.
Of these, Ryusei-no-taki Falls and Ginga-no-taki Falls,also known as Shooting Star Falls and Milky Way Falls respectively, are the most well known.
In the winter, the gorge is frozen over.


Nice flowers

DAY 4 - SOUNKYO – AKAN NATIONAL PARK – SHIRETOKO NATIONAL PARK – LAKE AKAN

(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

This morning, we drive through Lake Mashu, a beautiful crater lake in the Akan National Park known for its clear, deep blue water and its mysticism when shrouded by fog.
We take a walk around the Shiretoko Five Lakes to enjoy the picturesque lakes and pristine nature.
Explore Shiretoko National Park, a well-preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a variety of floral, fauna and wildlife.
Continue to view one of Shiretoko’s great water falls, the Oshinkoshin Falls.
Tonight, we will have a chance to enjoy hot spring bath.



DAY 5 - LAKE AKAN – KUSHIRO – ABASHIRI

(Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner)

Today, we proceed to visit Japan’s largest wetland, Kushiro Shitsugen Marsh.
Over at the Observatory deck, we will overlook the impressive views of the wetlands that change depending upon the season.
On the way to Abashiri, we visit Okhotsk Tower, the first observation tower in the world to see the mystery of drift ice in a minus 15-degree environment.
You can even catch a glimpse of the mysterious creature, “Ice fairy”.
We will experience and enjoy the ice breaking cruise for departure 01Feb – 15 Mar 09 only.

DAY 6 - ABASHIRI - MOMBETSU OR KUSHIRO – TOKYO - NARITA

(Breakfast / Lunch)

After breakfast, transfer to airport for our domestic flight back to Tokyo.
Upon arrival, we begin our city tour.
It starts with the popular Asakusa Kannon Temple, which has a history of more than 1,300 years.
Its gate is guarded by the God of Wind and God of Thunder, with a huge red lantern hanging above.
Purchase some souvenirs and traditional Japanese snackson Nakamise Shopping Street.
Thereafter, we proceed to Tokyo’s most famous up market shopping, dining and entertainment district – Ginza.
Then go on a night tour of Shinjuku and enjoy the night views and life of this city that never sleeps. Tonight’s accommodation is in Narita.

DAY 7: NARITA / SINGAPORE(Breakfast)

After breakfast, spend some time free at leisure until we transfer to the airport for our flight back to Singapore.






Bye Japan!!!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

我回来了

February 18, 2009 0
Hey peeps, I'm BACK!!! Taiwan was awesome, though I got really really sick when I got back to Singapore. Things are getting really very hectic at work. No time to post the photos, not even the Japan photos. Will definitely try my utmost best to "feed" you all with the pictures!!!

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Updates

February 05, 2009 0
-I won quite a big of money on the first 3 days of CNY, but lost it on the 6th day of CNY. Overall still won some pitiful amounts. Luck this year for me seemed rather not bad. Still win most of the time. Hahaha. Yesterday received a call from a sales manager from a magazine. Gave me a big shock when I picked up the call.
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!" He was literally screaming into the phone. And next sentence that came out of his mouth was "Did you win any money?". Super shocked by him. He didn't even say who he was, and I wasn't even that close to him. I mean, we were acquaintance previously, but we didn't know each other personally back then. So hearing a business associate asking me if I won any money really seemed weird.

-Finally, 2 more days to the long-awaited Taiwan trip. I've booked this trip long before I even leave WON. However, not sure if this is really the right time to go, with me becoming jobless very soon, and the need to pay the option fee for the HDB. I'm a bit apprenhensive about it. And for people who know me, you all know that I spend money like water. Not much savings to see me through. Sigh, I need to get a job soon. Nonethless, since nothing can be done to change this, I might as well enjoy myself! Ha, we'll be going to Taipei & Hualian. And most importantly, I get to go to the Hello Kitty shop & also buy 太阳饼 back. They're so delicious, I'm comtemplating on getting the shop's number and ask them to FedEx to me once I've finished the lot. I could even start to sell them! :)

-Cut my index finger yesterday. Was clipping some magazines when I try to cut 4 pages together. Found it difficult, so exerted much strength to do it and god knows why, the penknife slipped and cut my finger. Blood oozed out immediately and I'm now with a big bandage on the finger. Stupid me. How silly can one get?

-Personal thought: 人与人之间,为什么不能愉快地相处?往往,因为某种原因人们会彼此伤害对方。即使身旁的朋友也会 start to take sides. 但是这样子不是还没审判,就被定罪了吗?You'll never know if you might turn out to be best friends with this other person, and you will never find out because you took sides right from the start of the situation.我认为做人就要客观一点,凡事都得要看两面。
Hmmm enough of my nonsense, dun even understand why I started to blog in Chinese. Okay, must start working now. Counting down to Saturday... ... ... ...