The Hanoi Leg

I was out "speed-touring" Hanoi today – The local guide brought us to many places of interest (we visited the world’s oldest university, Asia’s largest ancient library & Hanoi’s very own "Loch Ness" turtle mystery). I was helping my client to plan a mini "amazing race" for their team-building activity. Hanoi is a mix of Bali-Thai-Chinese. Rich cultural city with lots to shop and explore.

Goodbye Singapore, Hello Vietnam


After 7 days of feastings and reunions, I went through the same old ritual of bidding farewell to my loved ones. Last night, we have a "dramatic" night at Suntec. Lots of people turned up just for that one moment to say bye to me. Truly touched and happy to see them (especially my old pal Karen and Yifu). Of course, thanks Gareth for popping me all the way to "you-know-where" to get my phone and accessories. And a big thank you to Meijie for gathering all these sheeps. It is a tough job.
 
It was a packed night. Came back home at 12:30am and started packing until 2:30am. Didn’t really have a good sleep…I never like the eve of departure. My heart is always so heavy and sad. It is going to be another 3-4 months before we meet again.
 
Woke up late this morning. Had a quick shower and rushed to the airport. Feli, Elkan, Chups and mum-in-law sent me off to the airport. Elkan was excited this morning, yelling "Elkan goes Shanghai". We had a quick breakfast and Feli walked me to the departure gate. Mum and Chups stayed behind at the cafe to distract Elkan…so that he will not see my leaving and kick a fuss.

 
I really hate sneaking off like that. I never have a chance to say goodbye properly with my son. That pains me a lot.

Here am I, uploading this blog in my Hanoi hotel room. Just want to say it has been a great CNY for me. I miss you guys a lot.


A Tourist’s Perspective

 
The feeling of homecoming is a very sweet one. I am unable to describe the kind of feeling every time I step into the Arrival Hall at Changi Airport. It just feel so good – cos I know there are many loved ones waiting for me on the other side of the glass wall.
 
This is my happiest home trip. The last 8 days were superb. I spent a great deal of time with my family and friends – every day is a unique and meaningful one. Somehow this trip, I balanced my time very well - spending good quality time with my loved ones. House-visiting at Juli’s and Sam’s, durian-feasting with Kal and Meijie, sand-sun-&-sea with Tracy, river-dinning with Randy-Richard-Gang, soul searching with Joanne, market-updates with Hovman & Francis and house-preview with Jimmy.  (Oh yes, free gifts from Gareth).

Snapping around like a tourist, I roamed the city with lots of "wows and ooohs".
There is always something new to see in Singapore. New sporty Comfort cabs, gigantic Ferris-wheel at Marina, new hypermart at Tampines (IKEA, Giant, Courts), water stadium at Marina etc. Did a couple of "firsts" with Bobo and Elkan. (boat ride, new monorail to Sentosa)

 

While traveling on the ECP, I took a picture of our Singapore skyline.
For the 1st time, I started to realise how small we are. Our city-scape is growing but just not dynamic enough. Good thing we have the "durian landmark". To live up and fulfill our promise as one "uniquely state", I feel there are a lot more we can do to realise that vision. Come on, light up our skyline, put up more gigantic plasma, create a future-state, show the world something new. What’s there to fear, Singapore? We just got to catch up fast, I am tired of us being trend-followers.



Despite all these disappointments, we have a fertile land. A land of talents and opportunities.
We have good system, trustworthy governments and down-to-earth labour force. We still have so much space to grow….we just need to add more life into these void. Bring more "wows and ooohs" back into our garden city. Yes, I have more faith in Singapore than before. Why? I saw weaknesses that can be translated into opportunities.

We are still a notable dragon of Asia.


Tracy’s CNY at Phuket

Our sweet fiery babe is off again – this time to Phuket! Man, I am just so proud of her. Can you imagine this - Tracy is one of the 2 certified divers we had in our clan. Guess who is the other one ~ it is Meijie! Haaaa.. unbelievable! Man, I must take diving one day. Let that be my 2007 resolution – with Tracy and Meijie help of course! (I think it is simply easy…cos’ if bamboo and fats can float and sink, I think I qualify)

 
Check out those nipples! And slimmer Tracy in her wet suit!

The BIG CNY Feasts!


After 4 days in Hong Kong, I took the 1st flight back to Singapore
– just in time for reunion dinner with my family and friends. Man, it is really the year of the pig… for the next few days, I will be doing nothing but eating & feasting. I bet I will gain at least 15kg heavier. Buuuurrrp!!!

 
Feast #01 (Reunion Dinner with parents)        Feast #02 (at Auntie Amy Place)

  
Feast #03 (with Wahbiang at Uncle Sam House)                     

 
Feast #04 (with gang at Sentosa)                    Feast #05 (with Wahbiang at XinWang)

 
Feast #06 (with Caffeine Family)                    Feast #07 (with Kalinda)

 
Feast #08 (Durian!)          Feast #09 (with family - Dad’s birthday) 

 
Feast #10 (with my primary sch pals)             Feast #11 (Farewell with Wahbiang)

Valentine in Hong Kong

 
 

Man, this is the most unusual Valentine Day ever.. Imagine me spending this romantic day in a glass box, overseeing Happy Valley Racecourse. I have never try horse betting before. It was pretty fun and simple – lots of reading (no wonder we often see punters reading those horse-betting manuals). No, I am not a master in horses – can’t really "read" the conditions of the race horses when they walked past us. However, great beginner luck though: 5 wins out of 8 races. How much? Just enough for 1 HK40 hongbao for one of you.
 
 

A Letter from the Police

 

Yesterday, Felicia’s mum received a "Letter of Advice" from our Singapore Police Force. Mmm.. what kind of advice leh? It seems that someone from their household made nuisance calls to 999. Of course, everyone living in the household is a suspect – that means you have Feli, Stella, Chups, Feli’s mum and Elkan. If you look at the timing, everyone should be at home (so, it is difficult to prove their innocence). Here are my prime suspects:

a) Chups – She is in her peak of puberty. I suspect she likes talking to man in "uniform". Come on, admit it!
b) Stella – She complains a lot. Maybe she decided to make an issue to the police.
c) Mum-in-law – She is forgetful. She may want to call out a mobile line but forgot that she has dialed 9 twice.
d) Felicia – She is forgetful too..thinking I have gone missing..and called the police. Dear, I didn’t come back with you to Singapore, remember?

Anyway, it is convenient to have a baby boy at home. So, all fingers pointed at his cute angelic face. Hey, it can’t be Elkan, if he is guilty, I am sure he be calling 999 more than 20 times in a row. Better check with his school, are they teaching young children how to make police call now???

I am thinking if Elkan is going to take the blame next month if Feli’s mum receives a bill of sexy chatlines.

Tracy’s Secret Fling at Krabi

 
Lovely beach, lovely elephants and lovely ang mohs. Our clan’s most undisputed "SPG"* travelblog at Krabi! Enjoy (Click on her pix to see more images) or visit her blog)
 

* Tracy in her Sarong Party Suit (see right)

Baby Bloomers

 
Man, it must be "Baby Week"! 2 great baby news from the clan!
 
Guess what, MC and Ernie (above) are expecting their 1st "Manchunie" child! And we have the most productive couple "Garivy" (below) ! Ivy just delivered their 2nd 3.5kg boy "Isaac Tan Tze Sian" yesterday (9th Feb 2007). Congrats!

Hock’s 32nd Birthday

 

Our Mr Handsome IDA Hock celebrated his 32nd Birthday!

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