The feedback from the consumers and retailers was mixed. Some felt that the 2-month festival was too long and robbed the novelty and attractiveness of a sale to the consumer. In fact, it has started to create shopping fatigue. Some felt that the event could be lengthened to draw more shopping dollars.
When the sale is genuine, with hefty discounts on our long coveted items, consumers can never be happier. However, shopping fatigue and disappointment sets in faster when GSS becomes a gimmick to draw in crowds with no good offer of quality goods. How often do we go to a sale with high hope and optimistic expectation but to be slapped with disgust when the retailers merely dish out long outdated goods which we have seen in the last sale, the last last sale and the last last last sale? How often do we go to a cashier ready to enjoy the savings we can accumulate but to be disappointed that the discounts are only given to certain privileged cardmembers? I though the GSS is to be a shopping festival for everyone and non-discriminatory. Why is the benefit only extended to certain privileged groups?
The above cited may just represent a few black sheep among the many retailers. Yet, they can spoil the fun of shopping for consumers.
Anyway, GSS is still a time where my wallet starts to bleed. I am sure it is also so for many fellow Singaporeans.
July 27, 2007
July 24, 2007
Hong Kong – Experiences
This is the first time I fell sick during a vacation. Yes, it was definitely a spoilsport. I was “out of action” for about 1 whole day. It was a test of my independence, both physically and emotionally.
My sore throat started developing on the trip to Disney which quickly accompanied by a fever. I had to forego the closing fireworks to recuperate because if the fever continued, I might not be able to make it past the customs.
I rest in the hotel room the whole of the following day. As I rest in the hotel room, I was overwhelmed by homesickness – feeling alone in a foreign land and worrying about relapse. I also felt guilty for spoiling the trip for my travel mate – Ah Peng. She even had to travel alone to Causeway Bay for shopping as I was too weak to go along.
Notwithstanding the falling sick incident, I had still enjoyed my Hong Kong trip.
I had learnt to be more independent with this trip, being the first time I traveled without any family members. Although I had fallen sick before during my hostel days, my mother was after all only one-hour’s MRT trip away, while in Hong Kong, she was 2 days and a 4-hour flight away, so I had to learn to take care of myself in a foreign land.
On the last day of our trip, we practically shopped on our own. It was again the first time I was on my own overseas. Yet, it was an exhilarating feeling. Perhaps it was also because Hong Kong had given me a safe and secure feeling where I had little fear when I walked on the streets alone.
With these experiences, I became more independent and ready to go on a trip alone. I hope I will be able to go back to Hong Kong another time to explore areas which I have missed out this time.
My sore throat started developing on the trip to Disney which quickly accompanied by a fever. I had to forego the closing fireworks to recuperate because if the fever continued, I might not be able to make it past the customs.
I rest in the hotel room the whole of the following day. As I rest in the hotel room, I was overwhelmed by homesickness – feeling alone in a foreign land and worrying about relapse. I also felt guilty for spoiling the trip for my travel mate – Ah Peng. She even had to travel alone to Causeway Bay for shopping as I was too weak to go along.
Notwithstanding the falling sick incident, I had still enjoyed my Hong Kong trip.
I had learnt to be more independent with this trip, being the first time I traveled without any family members. Although I had fallen sick before during my hostel days, my mother was after all only one-hour’s MRT trip away, while in Hong Kong, she was 2 days and a 4-hour flight away, so I had to learn to take care of myself in a foreign land.
On the last day of our trip, we practically shopped on our own. It was again the first time I was on my own overseas. Yet, it was an exhilarating feeling. Perhaps it was also because Hong Kong had given me a safe and secure feeling where I had little fear when I walked on the streets alone.
With these experiences, I became more independent and ready to go on a trip alone. I hope I will be able to go back to Hong Kong another time to explore areas which I have missed out this time.
July 23, 2007
Hong Kong – Sights and Sounds
Heat
I was also more appreciative of Singapore from this trip. Although we had often complained of Singapore’s heat, it was a bliss compared to the oppressing heat experienced in Hong Kong. There was no escape from the heat, especially with the almost absent flora and fauna.
Higher Prices
We may complain that Singapore has a high standard of living and that the middle-class income earners are the “sandwiched” generation. Singapore and Hong Kong are quite close comparatively in terms of economic development. Locals in Hong Kong certainly face a higher standard of living than in Singapore. A 35-minute MTR (our equivalent of MRT) from Jordan to Tung Chung cost about HKD15 (S$3) with the Octopus Card (our equivalent of EasiLink). A simple meal with a drink in a normal café (Cha Chan Teng) cost at least HKD25 (S$5) relative to our meal of S$4 or even less.
Public Transport
The MTR is a complicated network of intertwining train lines. Inevitably, I started to draw parallel between the Hong Kong’s and Singapore’s systems when I was on the train. The Hong Kong system has some merits which are absent in Singapore systems.
For instance, the station the train is approaching or at is lit up on the MTR map found above each door. For those who missed the announcement can easily find out whether they have reached their destination. In Singapore, I have often observed people who have dozed off or those who sit or stand near the connector of the cabins often have to strain their necks to look out to see if their stations have reached. This is because they may not have heard the announcements of which station it is. Furthermore, there were instances where the wrong announcements were made.
At the same time, if the approaching station is an interchange, the connecting lines are lit up, so that passengers who need to take other lines know exactly which interchange should they go to. In Singapore, I have often met passengers (especially the elderly) asking me if they want to go to the east or the west, which interchange should they go to.
There are MTR helpers standing guard at the doors which are centrally located during peak hours. Firstly, they direct the crowd to the two ends of the train before the train approaches and prevent people queuing at these doors. This is to allow the central cabins to cater for the last minute crowd who want to take the train when the train arrives. In Singapore, commuters tend to queue at the central cabins. People who want to rush into the train when the train is stationed at the platform cannot do so as they do not have sufficient time to rush to the ends of the train and there is no more space in the central cabins. This results in inefficiency as there may be empty spaces at the end of the trains, so the trains end up carrying less people than the optimum.
Notwithstanding the above, there are also some shortcomings of the Hong Kong MTR system. There are too many overlapping stations among lines. For instance, changing from the Tsuen Wan Line (to Tsim Sha Tsui and Mong Kok) to the Hong Kong Line (to Sheung Wan and Chai Wan), one can either change at Admiralty or Central as both stations are the interchanges.
Keep to the Right
We, Singaporeans, keep to the left and allow the right path for those who need to accelerate. This applies for both driving and in MRT escalators. In Hong Kong, it is the opposite, commuters keep to the right and allow the left side for accelerated travel. Hmm, it took a while to get used to and we constantly got in the way of the office crowd when we took the MTR.
MTR Shops
There are many shops in the MTR stations. Some of them are even within the stations before we pass out of the gantries. Many are the likes of seven-elevens and bakeries. One can pay with the Octopus Card while shopping in these shops.
Food
From one Cha Chan Teng to another, the variety of food offered are similar, especially when some Cha Chan Teng has been franchised just like fast food restaurants, for eg “Da4 Jia1 Le4”.
I had tried the famous Yun Yeung (30% coffee, 70% tea), the stocking milk tea and the pineapple bun. Personally, I liked Yun Yeong the best. Personally, I prefer the tarik to stocking milk tea. As for the pineapple bun, Crystal Jade Kitchen offers a better bun than the one I had at Cha Chan Teng.
Yum Cha is a must-try activity while one is in Hong Kong. The restaurants are bustling with patrons even on a Monday morning. The large variety of dim sums caused us to be rather indecisive on our choices because there were simply too many choices. The dim sums were delicate and heavenly. In addition, the price of a decent dim sum meal was lower than Singapore’s. One funny observation was that there was very clear division of labour among the staff crew. The auntie who served the dim sums could not help you pour tea or rearrange the dim sums because it was the job of the waitress.
Neon Lights Signboards
The neon lights signboards are a signature sight of Hong Kong streets. It may look chaotic at one glance. However, it seems to remove the dullness of the buildings and distinguish Hong Kong from the other cosmopolitan cities.
Language
If one does not speak any Cantonese, fret not. With the influx of the Chinese travelers from mainland China and the dual language ability of Hong Kongers (Cantonese and English), one can always speak to the locals in English or Chinese. In fact, this was how we got by in the 5 days we were in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong – Causeway Bay
This was the only time when I concentrated my time at just shopping. We started at Times Square which was a 10-storey building with many shops from mainly low to mid-price range boutiques. It included Bossini, Mango, Zara, Sisley and United Colours of Benetton.
(Times Square)
Despite it being the summer sale, things in Hong Kong are not cheap. Prices in Bangkok and China are more competitive. My personal experience is that goods found in their normal shops during summer sales might be better value-for-money than their factory outlets. The range of goods in their factory outlets was not as attractive as those in Australia’s factory outlets like HarbourTown.
Some may comment that Hong Kong is not a place known for cheap but more for stylish items. Well, the things for the ladies I have seen in Hong Kong are similar to those which I can find in Singapore. In fact, observing the dress sense of local Hong Kongers on the MTR, in shopping malls, in cafes, Singaporeans and Hong Kongers almost dress similarly. The perception that Hong Kong has an edge in fashion sense may be outdated.
I do not profess myself to be a shopaholic and my purpose in visiting Hong Kong is more of a sightseeing rather than shopping trip. Hence, my luggage was not filled to the brim on its return. In fact, the weight of my luggage was almost similar to when I first arrived in Hong Kong. Moreover, my personal belief is that if one wants to get the best value-for-money, Singapore is still the best place for shopping.
(Times Square)From Times Square to Sogo, there were many boutiques which I always frequent in Singapore – Espirit, G2000 Ladies, Bossini, Giodano. Despite it being a working day, the shops were still crowded with people. Walking along the roads with the shops on the side of the roads, the entire experience reminded me of Zhong Xiao Dong Lu where Mong Kok reminded me of Ximenting in Taipei.
At the junction of Sogo, there were many electrical trams passing by. The trams were so narrow that I wondered how narrow the space would be inside the tram itself.
(The tram)
Despite it being the summer sale, things in Hong Kong are not cheap. Prices in Bangkok and China are more competitive. My personal experience is that goods found in their normal shops during summer sales might be better value-for-money than their factory outlets. The range of goods in their factory outlets was not as attractive as those in Australia’s factory outlets like HarbourTown.
Some may comment that Hong Kong is not a place known for cheap but more for stylish items. Well, the things for the ladies I have seen in Hong Kong are similar to those which I can find in Singapore. In fact, observing the dress sense of local Hong Kongers on the MTR, in shopping malls, in cafes, Singaporeans and Hong Kongers almost dress similarly. The perception that Hong Kong has an edge in fashion sense may be outdated.
I do not profess myself to be a shopaholic and my purpose in visiting Hong Kong is more of a sightseeing rather than shopping trip. Hence, my luggage was not filled to the brim on its return. In fact, the weight of my luggage was almost similar to when I first arrived in Hong Kong. Moreover, my personal belief is that if one wants to get the best value-for-money, Singapore is still the best place for shopping.
July 22, 2007
Hong Kong - Macau
Macau is easily accessible from Hong Kong, a mere one-hour ferry journey away. There are also many trips to and fro Hong Kong daily.
Macau is famous for its many casinos and the Portuguese egg tarts. Casinos are mainly situated at or around the Fisherman’s Wharf near the ferry terminal. As for Portuguese egg tarts, to tell the truth, we hardly spot any shops selling these at Senado Square. Most of the shops are selling almond biscuits.
Bus Trip
We started our exploration by taking bus no 3 from the ferry terminal to Senado Square which later served to be the central point from which we branched out our walk. All bus trips cost MOP/HKD 2.50 (equivalent to S$0.50) regardless of how many stops one is traveling. Exact change must be paid. The bus was like the bus that used to travel along Singapore roads in the eighties with the metallic floors and low and slim cushioned chairs with metallic handles. The windows were sliding but were sealed as it was an air-conditioned bus. Hmmm, sitting on the bus brought back nostalgic feelings of the times when Singapore first introduced air-conditioned buses. This was exactly the same “converted bus” (converted from non air-conditioned to air-conditioned) during the transition to all air-conditioned buses era.
The bus trip proffered a “sneak preview” to the lives on Macau. There were many shophouses. We have only passed by one department store – New Yaohan, en-route to Senado Square. Yaohan was a well-known Japanese departmental store in the eighties and early nineties in Singapore and has since collapsed. Many people were queuing outside Yaohan before it opened its doors at 11 am. The various shophouses, the haphazard residential blocks and the potholed roads reminded us of Hong Kong in the seventies. Of course, I was speaking with memories of the archived pictures I have seen of the older Hong Kong rather than from personal experience. Please, I was not even born then. *Grin*
We have also passed by the Golden Lotus in Full Bloom (a golden lotus sculpture) – one of the attraction on Macau. Many tourists were standing beside the sculpture and taking photos.
Senado Square
Senado Square was as beautiful as the pictures with the dual coloured mosaic floor. A water feature with lotus flowers in bloom welcomed us at the central of the square. Colourful and cheerful colonial buildings lined on two sides of the road. The square was practically a commercial hub with many shops and eateries.
St Augustine’s Church & Square
With a map in hand, we started our quest of the world heritage buildings. We thought we were following the direction in the map. However, after walking for a considerable distance, we had yet to see any “historic” building in sight. Sensing we were in the wrong direction, we retracted to Senado Square. Finally, we spotted a road sign which pointed us towards a narrow uphill lane. This proved to be the only first of our numerous wrong turns which subsequently caused us to climb downhill and uphill under the afternoon sun.
After a 15-minute walk, we reached St Augustine’s Square and Church. Ah Peng and I were slightly disappointed. Although the Square has a unique mosaic design, it was a mere eight-foot square which paled in comparison to the size of Senado Square. We were tired from the climb uphill and decided to take a respite in the St Augustine’s Church. A handsome guard welcomed us in at the entrance. He even helped us switch on some of the standing fans upon seeing us fanning ourselves rather frantically with our maps. The inside was simple but serene.
Dom Pedro V Theatre
The Dom Pedro V Theatre was opposite the St Augustine’s Church. To our disappointment, it was closed for renovation. This was again the start of a series of disappointment where many World Heritage buildings, which included St Lawrence’s Church, Leal Senado Building, St Joseph’s Church and Seminary and Sir Robert Tung’s Library, in our itinerary were closed for renovation and we could only imagine their splendor from their exteriors.
Sir Robert Tung’s Library
Following the map, we walked a good distance from St Augustine’s Church and still could not locate the Sir Robert Tung’s Library. Adding oil to the fire, we had to pass by a very aromatic almond biscuit shop twice which was a stark reminder of our exhaustion. Finally, we decided to seek help from the Police (known as Policia in Macau). Urghh! The Sir Robert Tung’s Library was only diagonally across St Augustine’s Church. This time, we did not blame it on our idiotic map reading skills. This was definitely the doing of a poor map with poor capturing of the road and scale. When we referred to the map, Sir Robert Tung’s Library was supposed to be as far from St Augustine’s Church as Senado Square. Who could have guessed that it was right at the doorstep of St Augustine’s Church?
St Joseph’s Church and Seminary
We saw the name - Saint Jose. At that time, we still naively believed that the map was the only key to our tour. From the map, St Joseph’s Church and Seminary was a good distance from Sir Robert’s Library. As we walked downhill from St Augustine’s Church, we only passed by road signs which indicated St Lawrence’s Church. No sign for St Joseph’s Church. By now, we had already grown slightly smarter. If we could not find St Joseph’s Church, we would forego it and visit St Lawrence’s Church which was not in our original itinerary instead of wasting time of searching for St Joseph’s Church.
Surprise of all surprise, when I looked at the exterior of the building with St Jose, it had the same feature as the picture indicated in our guide. The only difference was the colour. In the guide, it was a yolk yellow while the building now was a pale green. To think, we had initially dismissed St Jose as the legendary St Joseph’s Church and Seminary solely because the colour of the building was different from that in the guide.
St Lawrence’s Church
It was the third church that we have seen and the second which we could not enter due to its renovation works (after St Joseph’s Church and Seminary).
Leal Senado Building
The building was again a colour of yolk yellow, similar to that of St Augustine’s Church and buildings on Senado Square. The parlor of the building had the same mosaic patterns as that on Senado Square.
We were barred from entry as it was closed for renovation. Then we were back at Senado Square.
Holy House of Mercy
It was a white colour building near the entrance of Senado Square.
Ruins of St Paul’s
It is the famous landmark of Macau with its pictures replicated everywhere Macau was mentioned. It even poises on the plastic bags of the various shops in Macau. It was a stone wall with numerous statues on the wall on a mini hill top. There was a small museum which gave some introduction to Catholicism behind the wall.
Shopping and Eating in Macau
Along the route from the entrance of Senado Square to Ruins of St Paul’s lies many shops selling the famous peanut candy and almond biscuits of Macau. The wafting fragrance from each shop seemed to overpower one another, fighting for the passerbys’ attention. We decided to step into one of the most crowded ones to take a look. Free sampling was allowed before one decided on one’s purchase.
There were numerous boutiques – Giodano, Bossini, etc, nearby. For food selection, there was the famous Gourmet Kitchen founded by Cai Lan, a famous Hong Kong gourmet writer, the ubiquitous McDonald’s and other Cantonese eateries. We decided to try “Huang Zhi Ji” when we noticed a long queue. Ha, this is typical Singaporean mentality – if there is a queue, the food must be good. We waited for about 15 minutes before we were shown to our tables.
I had the wanton noodles soup and the fig honey tea. Wow! The noodles were springy without being tough to chew. The wantons had soft but non-sticky skins. Fresh prawns were used as the fillings. The fig honey tea was cool and refreshing, soothing to the throat on a hot day.
The delicious food was certainly worth the wait!
Bus Trip Back
We went back to the bus stop where we first came and wanted to take a bus back to ferry terminal. We asked around and an uncle pointed us to take the same bus no 3. We took the bus and it took us to the bus terminal at the ferry terminal to Zhu Hai at the Barrier Gate instead of the HK-Macau Ferry Terminal.
Alamak! How? At this time, we had already run out of small change to take another bus.
Since visits to the casino was part of our itinerary. We decided to pick a casino which was near the HK-Macau Ferry Terminal and took the free bus provided by the Casino to the Casino before thinking of ways to go back to the Ferry Terminal then. We decided on the Sands.
On the way to the Sands, we pass by Fisherman’s Wharf and the statue of Kun Lam (Holy Goddess of Mercy).
Sands Casino
It was a golden building. Its exterior façade was made out of many golden panels.
There were 3 floors devoted to all sorts of games for different preferences. Inside the casino, there were also food courts, fast food restaurants and restaurants. There were many people from the yuppies to uncles and aunties.
Personally, I did not like the environment as there was too much smoke from the cigarettes and too crowded and noisy for comfort.
It was almost time for our departing ferry, so we took a free bus provided by the casino the Ferry Terminal.
Ferry Ride
The ferry ride back to Hong Kong showed a beautiful sea resplendent in a golden light from the sunset. I spent a good one-hour doing nothing but just looking at the beautiful sea.
Macau is famous for its many casinos and the Portuguese egg tarts. Casinos are mainly situated at or around the Fisherman’s Wharf near the ferry terminal. As for Portuguese egg tarts, to tell the truth, we hardly spot any shops selling these at Senado Square. Most of the shops are selling almond biscuits.
Bus Trip
We started our exploration by taking bus no 3 from the ferry terminal to Senado Square which later served to be the central point from which we branched out our walk. All bus trips cost MOP/HKD 2.50 (equivalent to S$0.50) regardless of how many stops one is traveling. Exact change must be paid. The bus was like the bus that used to travel along Singapore roads in the eighties with the metallic floors and low and slim cushioned chairs with metallic handles. The windows were sliding but were sealed as it was an air-conditioned bus. Hmmm, sitting on the bus brought back nostalgic feelings of the times when Singapore first introduced air-conditioned buses. This was exactly the same “converted bus” (converted from non air-conditioned to air-conditioned) during the transition to all air-conditioned buses era.
The bus trip proffered a “sneak preview” to the lives on Macau. There were many shophouses. We have only passed by one department store – New Yaohan, en-route to Senado Square. Yaohan was a well-known Japanese departmental store in the eighties and early nineties in Singapore and has since collapsed. Many people were queuing outside Yaohan before it opened its doors at 11 am. The various shophouses, the haphazard residential blocks and the potholed roads reminded us of Hong Kong in the seventies. Of course, I was speaking with memories of the archived pictures I have seen of the older Hong Kong rather than from personal experience. Please, I was not even born then. *Grin*
We have also passed by the Golden Lotus in Full Bloom (a golden lotus sculpture) – one of the attraction on Macau. Many tourists were standing beside the sculpture and taking photos.
Senado Square
Senado Square was as beautiful as the pictures with the dual coloured mosaic floor. A water feature with lotus flowers in bloom welcomed us at the central of the square. Colourful and cheerful colonial buildings lined on two sides of the road. The square was practically a commercial hub with many shops and eateries.
St Augustine’s Church & Square
With a map in hand, we started our quest of the world heritage buildings. We thought we were following the direction in the map. However, after walking for a considerable distance, we had yet to see any “historic” building in sight. Sensing we were in the wrong direction, we retracted to Senado Square. Finally, we spotted a road sign which pointed us towards a narrow uphill lane. This proved to be the only first of our numerous wrong turns which subsequently caused us to climb downhill and uphill under the afternoon sun.
After a 15-minute walk, we reached St Augustine’s Square and Church. Ah Peng and I were slightly disappointed. Although the Square has a unique mosaic design, it was a mere eight-foot square which paled in comparison to the size of Senado Square. We were tired from the climb uphill and decided to take a respite in the St Augustine’s Church. A handsome guard welcomed us in at the entrance. He even helped us switch on some of the standing fans upon seeing us fanning ourselves rather frantically with our maps. The inside was simple but serene.
Dom Pedro V Theatre
The Dom Pedro V Theatre was opposite the St Augustine’s Church. To our disappointment, it was closed for renovation. This was again the start of a series of disappointment where many World Heritage buildings, which included St Lawrence’s Church, Leal Senado Building, St Joseph’s Church and Seminary and Sir Robert Tung’s Library, in our itinerary were closed for renovation and we could only imagine their splendor from their exteriors.
Sir Robert Tung’s Library
Following the map, we walked a good distance from St Augustine’s Church and still could not locate the Sir Robert Tung’s Library. Adding oil to the fire, we had to pass by a very aromatic almond biscuit shop twice which was a stark reminder of our exhaustion. Finally, we decided to seek help from the Police (known as Policia in Macau). Urghh! The Sir Robert Tung’s Library was only diagonally across St Augustine’s Church. This time, we did not blame it on our idiotic map reading skills. This was definitely the doing of a poor map with poor capturing of the road and scale. When we referred to the map, Sir Robert Tung’s Library was supposed to be as far from St Augustine’s Church as Senado Square. Who could have guessed that it was right at the doorstep of St Augustine’s Church?
St Joseph’s Church and Seminary
We saw the name - Saint Jose. At that time, we still naively believed that the map was the only key to our tour. From the map, St Joseph’s Church and Seminary was a good distance from Sir Robert’s Library. As we walked downhill from St Augustine’s Church, we only passed by road signs which indicated St Lawrence’s Church. No sign for St Joseph’s Church. By now, we had already grown slightly smarter. If we could not find St Joseph’s Church, we would forego it and visit St Lawrence’s Church which was not in our original itinerary instead of wasting time of searching for St Joseph’s Church.
Surprise of all surprise, when I looked at the exterior of the building with St Jose, it had the same feature as the picture indicated in our guide. The only difference was the colour. In the guide, it was a yolk yellow while the building now was a pale green. To think, we had initially dismissed St Jose as the legendary St Joseph’s Church and Seminary solely because the colour of the building was different from that in the guide.
St Lawrence’s Church
It was the third church that we have seen and the second which we could not enter due to its renovation works (after St Joseph’s Church and Seminary).
Leal Senado Building
The building was again a colour of yolk yellow, similar to that of St Augustine’s Church and buildings on Senado Square. The parlor of the building had the same mosaic patterns as that on Senado Square.
We were barred from entry as it was closed for renovation. Then we were back at Senado Square.
Holy House of Mercy
It was a white colour building near the entrance of Senado Square.
Ruins of St Paul’s
It is the famous landmark of Macau with its pictures replicated everywhere Macau was mentioned. It even poises on the plastic bags of the various shops in Macau. It was a stone wall with numerous statues on the wall on a mini hill top. There was a small museum which gave some introduction to Catholicism behind the wall.
Shopping and Eating in Macau
Along the route from the entrance of Senado Square to Ruins of St Paul’s lies many shops selling the famous peanut candy and almond biscuits of Macau. The wafting fragrance from each shop seemed to overpower one another, fighting for the passerbys’ attention. We decided to step into one of the most crowded ones to take a look. Free sampling was allowed before one decided on one’s purchase.
There were numerous boutiques – Giodano, Bossini, etc, nearby. For food selection, there was the famous Gourmet Kitchen founded by Cai Lan, a famous Hong Kong gourmet writer, the ubiquitous McDonald’s and other Cantonese eateries. We decided to try “Huang Zhi Ji” when we noticed a long queue. Ha, this is typical Singaporean mentality – if there is a queue, the food must be good. We waited for about 15 minutes before we were shown to our tables.
I had the wanton noodles soup and the fig honey tea. Wow! The noodles were springy without being tough to chew. The wantons had soft but non-sticky skins. Fresh prawns were used as the fillings. The fig honey tea was cool and refreshing, soothing to the throat on a hot day.
The delicious food was certainly worth the wait!
Bus Trip Back
We went back to the bus stop where we first came and wanted to take a bus back to ferry terminal. We asked around and an uncle pointed us to take the same bus no 3. We took the bus and it took us to the bus terminal at the ferry terminal to Zhu Hai at the Barrier Gate instead of the HK-Macau Ferry Terminal.
(The Barrier Gate)
Alamak! How? At this time, we had already run out of small change to take another bus.
Since visits to the casino was part of our itinerary. We decided to pick a casino which was near the HK-Macau Ferry Terminal and took the free bus provided by the Casino to the Casino before thinking of ways to go back to the Ferry Terminal then. We decided on the Sands.
On the way to the Sands, we pass by Fisherman’s Wharf and the statue of Kun Lam (Holy Goddess of Mercy).
Sands Casino
It was a golden building. Its exterior façade was made out of many golden panels.
There were 3 floors devoted to all sorts of games for different preferences. Inside the casino, there were also food courts, fast food restaurants and restaurants. There were many people from the yuppies to uncles and aunties.
Personally, I did not like the environment as there was too much smoke from the cigarettes and too crowded and noisy for comfort.
It was almost time for our departing ferry, so we took a free bus provided by the casino the Ferry Terminal.
Ferry Ride
The ferry ride back to Hong Kong showed a beautiful sea resplendent in a golden light from the sunset. I spent a good one-hour doing nothing but just looking at the beautiful sea.
July 21, 2007
Hong Kong – A Symphony of Lights
In celebration of the 10th year anniversary of the return of Hong Kong to China, there are fireworks daily at 8 pm – A Symphony of Lights, with a longer display on Saturday. One of the best spots to view the fireworks was the Star Avenue at Tsim Sha Tsui.
The Star Avenue overlooked the Hong Kong Island. Many hands prints of famous artistes, including Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung could be found on the floor of Star Avenue.
The Star Avenue overlooked the Hong Kong Island. Many hands prints of famous artistes, including Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung could be found on the floor of Star Avenue.
(Lights from the skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island viewed from Tsim Sha Tsui)
With music playing, the fireworks started. Cameras were held high as many attempted to capture the dazzling lights. Numerous “wows” were heard where a kaleidoscope of fireworks shot through the night skies.
(Beautiful and colourful fireworks lit up the Hong Kong night skies)
When the fireworks ended, many still lingered on the Star Avenue to take photos of the famous prints or the beautiful night scene of the Hong Kong Island.
July 20, 2007
Hong Kong – Lantau Island
Hong Kong is made up of many islands which included Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island and Lamma Island. Lantau Island is one of the biggest where the Hong Kong International Airport and the Disney Land are located. Hong Kong is well-connected by MTR. There are several MTR stops within Lantau Island itself. It was not as ‘ulu’ (remote and isolated) as one perceived.
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The view at the top was mesmerizing. Clouds rolled by. The Ngong Ping village lay below. The picturesque mountains and the seas formed a permanent landscape portrait.
When it came for the time to leave the place, we were filled with anxiety as it implied another hour of nauseous and bumpy journey. *Faint*
City Gate Factory Outlet
The City Gate Factory Outlet was just beside the Tung Chung MTR station. Espirt, Giodano, Adidas, Nike, City Chain, The Body Shop, Ralph Lauren and others are housed the same roof. This is a must-see place for the shopaholics who can ‘kill many birds’ in the same mall.
There is also a big supermarket at the basement of the mall for those who like to take a peek at the variety of groceries in Hong Kong.
Disneyland Hong Kong
It is every child’s dream to visit Disneyland – home to all our favourite characters and fairytales.
Two rows of shops greeted and led us to the castle of Sleeping Beauty and Tomorrowland. The shops were reminiscent of an old European town with the Victorian architecture. The shops offered various souvenirs for those who wanted to bring a piece of the magical Disneyland home.
The magnificent Sleeping Beauty’s castle stood at the end of the pathway stood the magnificent castle. Its grandeur beckoned to us from afar. As we passed through the castle, we were welcome by the Cinderella’s carousel, the swirling cup rides and the Mickey Mouse Theatre. The 3D show inside the Mickey Mouse Theatre was a must-watch performance.
(Minnie Mouse sending flying kisses to the visitors during the parade)
Big Buddha
To travel to the Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery, we took a MTR ride to Tung Chung MTR. Then we took a one-hour bus ride via the bus route 23 at the Tung Chung Bus Terminal. The ride was arduous because the journey took us through the valleys and mountains. The roads which were winding with many ups and downs could be a challenge to those prone to carsickness. After enduring an hour of discomfort, we finally reached.
To travel to the Big Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery, we took a MTR ride to Tung Chung MTR. Then we took a one-hour bus ride via the bus route 23 at the Tung Chung Bus Terminal. The ride was arduous because the journey took us through the valleys and mountains. The roads which were winding with many ups and downs could be a challenge to those prone to carsickness. After enduring an hour of discomfort, we finally reached.
(Entrance to the Po Lin Monastery)
The Big Buddha was situated at the top of the peak where it was occasionally veiled by the passing cloud. Leading to the Buddha was a long flight of stairs which was certainly a test of our stamina. There is no free lunch. If one wants to pay our respects to the Buddha up close and personal, one needs to conquer the stairs. We have come so far and only the stairs stood between us and the Buddha. With a deep breath, we started our mount.
(The long flight of stairs leading to the Big Buddha)
The view at the top was mesmerizing. Clouds rolled by. The Ngong Ping village lay below. The picturesque mountains and the seas formed a permanent landscape portrait.
(Bay and seaview from the top of the hill just at the foot of the Big Buddha)
When it came for the time to leave the place, we were filled with anxiety as it implied another hour of nauseous and bumpy journey. *Faint*
City Gate Factory Outlet
The City Gate Factory Outlet was just beside the Tung Chung MTR station. Espirt, Giodano, Adidas, Nike, City Chain, The Body Shop, Ralph Lauren and others are housed the same roof. This is a must-see place for the shopaholics who can ‘kill many birds’ in the same mall.
There is also a big supermarket at the basement of the mall for those who like to take a peek at the variety of groceries in Hong Kong.
Disneyland Hong Kong
(Entrance of Disneyland Hong Kong)
It is every child’s dream to visit Disneyland – home to all our favourite characters and fairytales.
(Row of shops on the main road)
Two rows of shops greeted and led us to the castle of Sleeping Beauty and Tomorrowland. The shops were reminiscent of an old European town with the Victorian architecture. The shops offered various souvenirs for those who wanted to bring a piece of the magical Disneyland home.
The magnificent Sleeping Beauty’s castle stood at the end of the pathway stood the magnificent castle. Its grandeur beckoned to us from afar. As we passed through the castle, we were welcome by the Cinderella’s carousel, the swirling cup rides and the Mickey Mouse Theatre. The 3D show inside the Mickey Mouse Theatre was a must-watch performance.
(The Sleeping Beauty Castle)
Outside the castle, there would be a characters’ parade which was an excellent opportunity to meet all the famous characters as they made their tour around the park.
(Minnie Mouse sending flying kisses to the visitors during the parade)Perhaps it was the second time I visited a theme park, or perhaps it was the scorching heat and the claustrophobic crowd, I found Disneyland to be less exciting than Movie World in Gold Coast. There seemed to be fewer rides and with longer queues and the size of the of the park seemed smaller.
July 19, 2007
Hong Kong – Mong Kok
Finally! After a month of anticipation, it was time to embark on my 5D4N Hong Kong trip!
Hong Kong is like Singapore. Shopping is not concentrated only in the central business district but could be found everywhere, even in the suburb areas. Perhaps like Singapore, shopping has been closely integrated in the Hong Kongers’ lives such that shopping has become a national leisure activity.
Mong Kok has mainly the lower price-ranged goods. There are several street markets that stretch between Mong Kok and Prince Edward MTR stations. Shophouses of about 2 to 3-storey line the various streets. The streets are flooded with the after-office hour crowd and bustling with activities after sunset. Many yuppies and students dined and loitered around Mong Kok.
Fa Yuen Street is a street where almost all the shops sell sports shoes. Although similar designs can be found in many shops, the prices, size and colour availabilities can be slightly different.
Tung Choi Street is where the famous Ladies’ Street is located. To be frank, I was rather disappointed with the variety of goods found, especially when we have heard so much about this street. Many stalls sell similar goods, especially hand bags and wallets where a greater variety could be found in mainland China and at lower prices.
This area also offers a good range of the boutiques which are well-known names in Singapore, such as Baleno, Bossini, G2000, Giodano, etc.
Hong Kong is like Singapore. Shopping is not concentrated only in the central business district but could be found everywhere, even in the suburb areas. Perhaps like Singapore, shopping has been closely integrated in the Hong Kongers’ lives such that shopping has become a national leisure activity.
Mong Kok has mainly the lower price-ranged goods. There are several street markets that stretch between Mong Kok and Prince Edward MTR stations. Shophouses of about 2 to 3-storey line the various streets. The streets are flooded with the after-office hour crowd and bustling with activities after sunset. Many yuppies and students dined and loitered around Mong Kok.
Fa Yuen Street is a street where almost all the shops sell sports shoes. Although similar designs can be found in many shops, the prices, size and colour availabilities can be slightly different.
Tung Choi Street is where the famous Ladies’ Street is located. To be frank, I was rather disappointed with the variety of goods found, especially when we have heard so much about this street. Many stalls sell similar goods, especially hand bags and wallets where a greater variety could be found in mainland China and at lower prices.
This area also offers a good range of the boutiques which are well-known names in Singapore, such as Baleno, Bossini, G2000, Giodano, etc.
July 16, 2007
Consolation for Heartache
My colleague was so sweet.
I have given her the tickets for the NDP NE Preview show. She has given me one of the goodie bags which she has received during the show.
At least the bag will be a memorable keepsake and consolation for my not being able to participate in Singapore's bash. Thanks to her kind gesture, the bag did help to alleviate some of my heartache. :-)
I have given her the tickets for the NDP NE Preview show. She has given me one of the goodie bags which she has received during the show.
At least the bag will be a memorable keepsake and consolation for my not being able to participate in Singapore's bash. Thanks to her kind gesture, the bag did help to alleviate some of my heartache. :-)
July 14, 2007
In Need of Some Consideration
Singapore’s current population is likely to hover between 4 million to 5 million currently. Yet, increasingly the claustrophobic feeling seems to close around me. The situation is especially prevalent in one of my ‘daily essentials’ – the MRT.
The MRT cabin is a daily companion for me and other fellow commuters. Similarly, it is also a harness of numerous stories and incidents. With the seemingly growing morning crowd, the lack of personal space sometimes worsens the commuting experience. The daily ‘battle’ to get into the train and survive the 15 minute of journey sets forth a series of frustration and irritation. I cannot help but wonder if the traveling experience can be improved if fellow commuters can be more considerate and the designs of the train be more ergonomically friendly.
“Bo Chup” Parents
Children are born naturally active and playful. However, the inside of a train cabin is hardly an ideal playground. “Playing” in the train does not only increase the probability of the children hurting themselves, but fellow commuters as well. Some of the parents simply act oblivious to their children’s actions, shirking responsibility towards the safety of their children as well as their consideration for the public. How often have we observed children running around the cabin, climbing up the pole or using the hand grips as swings. While being excited by the various “toys” in the cabin, the children scream and shout.
Some parents have also allowed their children to stand, with their shoes, on the seats to view the sceneries outside. The cabin seats are shared by many different passengers and are meant for ‘sitting’, not ‘standing’ on.
Children may not know the protocols of civic passengers. The parents bear the responsibilities of instilling in them a considerate attitude on public grounds and public transport. They should act as role models to inculcate civic-mindedness from young.
“Slow–motion” Passengers
A crowded train does not facilitate rapid exit and entrance. However, all passengers can definitely do their part in not aggravating the situation.
“Doo Doo Doo, Train doors closing” How often have we heard the too-familiar warning and we are still waiting outside the cabin and anxious to get in before the door closes. However, even at the eleventh hour, we must be patient and wait because there are passengers who are slowly making their exit. These slow-motion passengers often only make their way out after the train has stopped for some time, thereby slowing down the process of the alighting and boarding process.
If only they can be more considerate by getting ready for their exit before the train stops (ie at least pack their things or make their way nearer the exit), it definitely will reduce time and anxiousness for everyone.
We will be able to find these slow-motion commuters endangering other commuters’ safety when they slowly move away from the top or bottom of the escalators, often with a mobile phone in their hands or sticking to their ears.
If only, they can have a heart for those commuters who are behind them and move quickly from the bottom or top of the escalators before continuing with their conversations or SMS, it can greatly reduce pushing around and freak accidents at the escalators.
Low-hanging Hand Grips
The hand grips often result in the centre belt of the cabin being a “danger hot-spot” for the taller people. How often do we forget their existence as we move inwards / outwards to be knocked by their plastic casings.
Fortunately, for the newer trains, these are moved towards the side of the train and thereby creating more headroom in the centre belt.
No matter if it is due to increasing population which is increasingly taxing on our public amenities and transport or if it is due to cost cutting measures of the transport companies to cut back on the frequency of the trains, the trains seem to be crowded almost all times and all-week. Hence, to ensure that the commuting experience is less of a chore for all, we should all play our part in reducing the discomfort for one another by showing more courtesy and consideration.
The MRT cabin is a daily companion for me and other fellow commuters. Similarly, it is also a harness of numerous stories and incidents. With the seemingly growing morning crowd, the lack of personal space sometimes worsens the commuting experience. The daily ‘battle’ to get into the train and survive the 15 minute of journey sets forth a series of frustration and irritation. I cannot help but wonder if the traveling experience can be improved if fellow commuters can be more considerate and the designs of the train be more ergonomically friendly.
“Bo Chup” Parents
Children are born naturally active and playful. However, the inside of a train cabin is hardly an ideal playground. “Playing” in the train does not only increase the probability of the children hurting themselves, but fellow commuters as well. Some of the parents simply act oblivious to their children’s actions, shirking responsibility towards the safety of their children as well as their consideration for the public. How often have we observed children running around the cabin, climbing up the pole or using the hand grips as swings. While being excited by the various “toys” in the cabin, the children scream and shout.
Some parents have also allowed their children to stand, with their shoes, on the seats to view the sceneries outside. The cabin seats are shared by many different passengers and are meant for ‘sitting’, not ‘standing’ on.
Children may not know the protocols of civic passengers. The parents bear the responsibilities of instilling in them a considerate attitude on public grounds and public transport. They should act as role models to inculcate civic-mindedness from young.
“Slow–motion” Passengers
A crowded train does not facilitate rapid exit and entrance. However, all passengers can definitely do their part in not aggravating the situation.
“Doo Doo Doo, Train doors closing” How often have we heard the too-familiar warning and we are still waiting outside the cabin and anxious to get in before the door closes. However, even at the eleventh hour, we must be patient and wait because there are passengers who are slowly making their exit. These slow-motion passengers often only make their way out after the train has stopped for some time, thereby slowing down the process of the alighting and boarding process.
If only they can be more considerate by getting ready for their exit before the train stops (ie at least pack their things or make their way nearer the exit), it definitely will reduce time and anxiousness for everyone.
We will be able to find these slow-motion commuters endangering other commuters’ safety when they slowly move away from the top or bottom of the escalators, often with a mobile phone in their hands or sticking to their ears.
If only, they can have a heart for those commuters who are behind them and move quickly from the bottom or top of the escalators before continuing with their conversations or SMS, it can greatly reduce pushing around and freak accidents at the escalators.
Low-hanging Hand Grips
The hand grips often result in the centre belt of the cabin being a “danger hot-spot” for the taller people. How often do we forget their existence as we move inwards / outwards to be knocked by their plastic casings.
Fortunately, for the newer trains, these are moved towards the side of the train and thereby creating more headroom in the centre belt.
No matter if it is due to increasing population which is increasingly taxing on our public amenities and transport or if it is due to cost cutting measures of the transport companies to cut back on the frequency of the trains, the trains seem to be crowded almost all times and all-week. Hence, to ensure that the commuting experience is less of a chore for all, we should all play our part in reducing the discomfort for one another by showing more courtesy and consideration.
July 13, 2007
Heartache
I have won a pair of NDP Preview tickets through the company’s balloting for staffs. It was a pair of yellow sector tickets – central sector. What a waste! I have actually wanted very much to go this year because of a new venue, new stage, performances by Kit Chan on the NDP song and the fireworks.
Yet, no one could or wanted to go with me. It would be weird going alone. Hence, I have decided to give the tickets to a colleague instead since she had previously indicated she would like to go but was not among the shortlisted.
This was the second time I gave away any NDP tickets. The last time, I was given one ticket due to my participation in corporate projects.
It was heartache giving away the tickets. However, I reckoned my colleague would definitely enjoy the parade with her husband and it would be a pity to let the tickets go to waste.
Still, I have yet again missed out on Singapore’s birthday bash. Sigh!
Yet, no one could or wanted to go with me. It would be weird going alone. Hence, I have decided to give the tickets to a colleague instead since she had previously indicated she would like to go but was not among the shortlisted.
This was the second time I gave away any NDP tickets. The last time, I was given one ticket due to my participation in corporate projects.
It was heartache giving away the tickets. However, I reckoned my colleague would definitely enjoy the parade with her husband and it would be a pity to let the tickets go to waste.
Still, I have yet again missed out on Singapore’s birthday bash. Sigh!
July 10, 2007
Trapped in Lift
This is the first time since secondary school that I have been trapped in a lift. It was incredulous and slightly, especially at some point in time, the lift started to jerk.
As we were taking the lift down back to office after our nasi lemak lunch, we became rather disturbed when the lift did not move. We started pressing different floors and the door open button to no avail. Hence, we decided to press the alarm. Still, there was no response from the lift or from anyone. Then we press the talk button to communicate with the security. They stated that they were looking into it.
Wait.
More wait.
Still, no movement and no further communication.
We pressed the talk button to talk to the security again. They asked if we were still trapped. Of course, we answered in unison.
More waiting.
Then the lift jerked. It stopped. Then it jerked again. We were holding tight to the railing at the side of the lift to steady ourselves.
Fortunately, it started to move all the way down to first floor and the doors opened.
More fortunately, neither of us was hurt in this incident.
What an adventure.
As we were taking the lift down back to office after our nasi lemak lunch, we became rather disturbed when the lift did not move. We started pressing different floors and the door open button to no avail. Hence, we decided to press the alarm. Still, there was no response from the lift or from anyone. Then we press the talk button to communicate with the security. They stated that they were looking into it.
Wait.
More wait.
Still, no movement and no further communication.
We pressed the talk button to talk to the security again. They asked if we were still trapped. Of course, we answered in unison.
More waiting.
Then the lift jerked. It stopped. Then it jerked again. We were holding tight to the railing at the side of the lift to steady ourselves.
Fortunately, it started to move all the way down to first floor and the doors opened.
More fortunately, neither of us was hurt in this incident.
What an adventure.
Nasi Lemak + Wine
We have decided to have another Annual Staff Function Retro team informal lunch after our rather successful informal lunch about 2 weeks ago. This time round, we have ordered Nasi Lemak and Ribena to office and we had our lunch in one of the conference rooms.
I was held up in a meeting and was late. Again, I drew daggers from our CQC and Chairperson, albeit in a fun way. Then, it was to tuck into my already turning cold nasi lemak. There was a bottle of sparkling alcoholic drink which we shared around, but we each have taken a few slips just for the fun of it and also not so tipsy that it would affect our performances. It had a 5% alchohol and 40% red wine. We were debating quite a while on whether the alchohol content should be 45% or 5% because red wine was also a form of alchohol. As our faces became flushed as we talked, we were unsure if it were due to the excitement of our chat or the wine.
We also had announcement that one of our team member would be living us soon. Soon, it would be time for another farewell dinner.
I was held up in a meeting and was late. Again, I drew daggers from our CQC and Chairperson, albeit in a fun way. Then, it was to tuck into my already turning cold nasi lemak. There was a bottle of sparkling alcoholic drink which we shared around, but we each have taken a few slips just for the fun of it and also not so tipsy that it would affect our performances. It had a 5% alchohol and 40% red wine. We were debating quite a while on whether the alchohol content should be 45% or 5% because red wine was also a form of alchohol. As our faces became flushed as we talked, we were unsure if it were due to the excitement of our chat or the wine.
We also had announcement that one of our team member would be living us soon. Soon, it would be time for another farewell dinner.
July 08, 2007
Changi Seaside
I was back at Changi Village for more good food and the seaside. We had wanted a stroll along the seaside before dinner. Unfortunately, we arrived at an inopportune time. Rain started pouring from the bleak skies. We needed an immediate change of time. Despite it being real early (around 4 pm) we went for dinner.
I had wanted to try the famous nasi ayam (chicken rice) previously. Finally, here came my chance. The fried chicken thigh was served in a wooden plate with generous chilli sauce. The aroma from the rice wafted through the air and whetted our appetite. Yes! It was indeed satisfying.
After dinner, the rice stopped and we went to the seaside for a short after-dinner stroll. Many families set up tents and maps near the seaside. They have either prepared food for picnic or they have rented the barbecue pits. Many children played in the sea.
The seaside has a calming effect and definitely a great way to distress. Every few minutes or so, a low-lying plane flew overhead as it had just departed from the Changi Airport.
I preferred Changi Village to East Coast as I found East Coast too crowded and commercialized. The crowd at East Coast can worsen claustrophobia than alleviate it. The laid-backness of Changi, on the other way, provides a more suitable venue for winding down and relaxation.
CATS Car Carnival
I have not participated in any carnival for a long time. The main exhibits were still cars. New cars, second hand cars and even antique cars are on display. Some of the children even happily clamoured into the insides of the cars and played with the wheels and honks.
Those who are not so into cars, fret not. There were many other activities in the carnival which would keep us occupied. To enjoy some of the freebies, one would need to make use of the coupons published in the newspapers. There were free ice-cream (Ben & Jerry’s), sherbets (King’s), coffee (Nova), popcorn, cotton candy, packet drinks (Yeo’s).
There were also free games – one of which allowed each player to try to throw a ball through 3 tyres. I have managed to throw my ball through 1 tyre in both attempts. So far, the best players are the uncles. I have witnessed 2 uncles threw the ball through 3 tyres.
There were also competitions at the centre stage to keep everyone entertained. One competition involved getting eight contestants on stage to do belly dancing. The spontaneity and dexterity of the participants drew applause from the audiences.
Mascots were also abundant and available for photo taking. One of the resurrected newest kid on the block was Transformer. Many kids were excited at the appearance of the Optimus Prime.
The cars, the activities, the mascots and the babes also drew many flash lights from the photographic buffs with their DSLR lens and their swift shutter speeds. Children enjoyed the various games and snacks. Many families hovered around their dream cars. It was indeed a carnival which catered to the whims and fancy of different age groups.
July 07, 2007
Live Earth
It is a 24 hour concert which spans 9 countries and numerous artistes.
It is a movement to call out to the world citizen to play their part in preserving our climate.
It is a weekend where those who support the movement are encouraged to wear green.
Global warming, extreme weather and disappearing glaciers and seas are some of the warning sirens which come too fast and furious. Global warming with the green house effect results in rising temperature and disappearing glaciers. The prophesies? Mankind will face shortage of fresh water soon. Melting of the ice cap in Antarctic means that there is rising sea level which can cause flooding of the low-lying coastal areas and cities. Over-fishing and diverting of the rivers for irrigation have led to the disappearing of Aral Sea in the Silk Road. Aral Sea used to be the biggest oasis in the desert. Snow falling in the summer caught many travelers unprepared in Europe.
Mankind has been myopic in the industrialization and modernization progress. The short term economic gains often come at a price which would be paid by the next generation. We sowed the seeds while our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren would reap the adverse effects.
Live Earth gathered many well-known celebrities to drive hard and strong the message of being environmentally friendly.
1) Recycle to reduce the strain on resources and reduce trash and waste.
2) Increase the temperature of our aircon to save electricity and reduce green house cases emission. The temperature is way too low if we need to cover ourselves with a jacket in the room. It is better if the fan is used instead to dispel the heat.
3) Reduce the volume of the TV or the sound system to reduce the use of electricity. This is both saving the earth and saving the pocket, especially in view of rising oil prices.
4) Turn off PC, TV, or other electrical appliances when not in use. Shut down your PC before you leave office instead of leaving the PC and monitor on overnight.
5) Walk instead of drive to the nearest supermarket or park. It is both beneficial to the environment and our health.
Nothing is too insignificant. No action is too soon. It applies to preserving our health, wealth and earth. All small parts add up. Your procrastination will have dire effects on yourself, your children, your family, mankind and even all fellow beings on earth.
July 06, 2007
Lotus in Bloom
There is a lotus pond in the Ang Mo Kio Garden. The garden can be easily seen when one is standing at the entrance of the National Library (Ang Mo Kio) Branch. When the lotus flowers are in full bloom, the pond look magnificent.
Last Sunday, on the way back from McDonalds' breakfast, we saw some of the blooming flowers and took our camera to take a few shots.
(A garden of lotus)
(A blossoming lotus flower)
(A lotus bud and a lotus in full bloom)
When I did a google on lotus, there seemed to many species of lotus. The ones in the pictures have a flower name of Nelumbo nucifera. They are commonly known as blue lily, water lily and sacred lily and can be found in Asia and Australia.
Another piece of knowledge and a priceless sight.
July 02, 2007
Corporate Event
It was a small gesture which helped to alleviate Monday blues. To show appreciation for our support, my business line decided to invite the corporate support of their products to a free dinner cum movie session at The Cathay.
I took a ride from CY to The Cathay. The buffet spread was not fantastically wide like a hotel's spread but it was certainly sumptuous. After the dinner, we were invited to Transformers movie and each of us had a packet containing a bottle of coke and a packet of popcorn, though I was so entranced by the movie that I did not have time to eat and drink during the movie.
It provided me an excuse to knock off on time on a Monday evening and had an enjoyable evening. Such appreciative gestures do warm hearts.
I took a ride from CY to The Cathay. The buffet spread was not fantastically wide like a hotel's spread but it was certainly sumptuous. After the dinner, we were invited to Transformers movie and each of us had a packet containing a bottle of coke and a packet of popcorn, though I was so entranced by the movie that I did not have time to eat and drink during the movie.
It provided me an excuse to knock off on time on a Monday evening and had an enjoyable evening. Such appreciative gestures do warm hearts.
Transformers
It is a typical guy show with cars, robots, aliens, babes and fighting scenes.
For those who grow up in the eighties, Transformers are our playmates. The weekly cartoon series were must-watch shows. Your primary school classmate sitting in the same group sang to you the theme songs during breaks. The boys might even bring the Transformers toys to class and role-played their own version of the Transformers (although sometimes it was Ninja Turtles). Watching Transformers the movie was as if time has gone back to my primary school days.
Of course, this was an 'updated' version of the eighties. The Transformers came to know about information from World Wide Web and eBay. Some of the robots could plant viruses into the mainframes. The electrical gadgets which could be transformed to bad robots were iPods and Nokia phones. Despite the ubiquitous high tech stuffs and cars being featured, the themes have not changed from the eighties version. The messages on maintaining peace, fighting for justice and saving mankind are still the key areas of emphasis.
It is a fast-paced, action and effects packed show which leaves no breaks to heave a sigh of relief. I was holding to my belongings, perhaps my breath as well, tightly throughout the show. In fact, I have only let go towards the end of the show.
The conclusion was that it was a typical guy show, but it was a typical guy show that I have enjoyed.
For those who grow up in the eighties, Transformers are our playmates. The weekly cartoon series were must-watch shows. Your primary school classmate sitting in the same group sang to you the theme songs during breaks. The boys might even bring the Transformers toys to class and role-played their own version of the Transformers (although sometimes it was Ninja Turtles). Watching Transformers the movie was as if time has gone back to my primary school days.
Of course, this was an 'updated' version of the eighties. The Transformers came to know about information from World Wide Web and eBay. Some of the robots could plant viruses into the mainframes. The electrical gadgets which could be transformed to bad robots were iPods and Nokia phones. Despite the ubiquitous high tech stuffs and cars being featured, the themes have not changed from the eighties version. The messages on maintaining peace, fighting for justice and saving mankind are still the key areas of emphasis.
It is a fast-paced, action and effects packed show which leaves no breaks to heave a sigh of relief. I was holding to my belongings, perhaps my breath as well, tightly throughout the show. In fact, I have only let go towards the end of the show.
The conclusion was that it was a typical guy show, but it was a typical guy show that I have enjoyed.
June 30, 2007
The Alchemist
If you are into philosophy or you have found books of Jostein Gaarder and Mitch Albom interesting reads, it will be difficult not to be drawn to The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
Santiago was a young shepherd who had given up everything to be a shepherd because he wished to travel. Though travel, books and his sheep, he found that he had learnt more than a formal education. One day, while he was resting in a church, he had a recurring dream of finding treasure at the pyramid.
He went to a gypsy lady for an interpretation of this dream and was told it was a good omen to pursue his dream. Soon, he met an old King who knew about his dream and encouraged him to pursue his dream. From then, he set forth a journey from Spain to Egypt and back to Spain where he learnt about life and the Soul of the World. During his journey, he met an Alchemist, and Englishman, a Crystal Merchant, a thief, a monk, tribal chiefs and the love of his life – Fatima.
Despite encountering fear, pride, despondency, enthusiasm and love, he had also learnt different lessons from his travel mates. Finally, he found his treasure.
The plot sounded similar to the Little Prince who had also set forth on a journey and met with different friends in his journey. The Little Prince has a sad ending. The Alchemist has a happy ending. However, the Alchemist provided a stark reminder of the basic lessons in life that one remembers less and less as we are burdened with the trivialities of living.
Here is sharing of some of the lessons and ironies that we should be mindful of.
1) Everyone has a personal agenda. It is the dream of our life or the meaning of our living.
The personal agenda is known since we are children and in our hearts but they are gradually forgotten. Sometimes, we wish to pursue it but hold back because we fear of failure or we fear losing what we have achieved so far. Sometimes, we hold back because we want to be with our loved ones.
In an anecdote that the old king shared with the young shepherd before he set off, the king shared that of a young boy who went to a wise man to seek knowledge on what was happiness. The wise man gave the young boy a teaspoon of oil and asked him to tour his beautiful castle for 2 hours without spilling the oil. The young boy was so busy ‘looking after’ the oil that he failed to notice all the beautiful sights. When the wise man asked whether he had noticed his beautiful castle when the boy returned, the boy replied in the negative and was asked to tour the castle again for 2 more hours and to take note of the beautiful sights. The boy did what the wise man had told. However, when he returned 2 hours later, the oil has disappeared. He was too preoccupied with the beautiful sights that he had forgotten about the oil.
We might meet ‘distractions’ long our treasure quest, we should still remember the ultimate personal agenda. However, we should also take time during this journey to observe and to learn. The process is as important as the outcome.
2) Pursuing one’s dreams mean giving up what one has achieved so far.
This was a constant weight on the young shepherd’s mind every time he wanted to move on to a different place after settling down so as to continue his treasure quest. The alchemist shed enlightenment on life’s decision based on the theories of alchemy. If what you have left behind is of pure matter, they will remain as they are when you return. If they are not, you also will not need to stay for their sakes.
3) Follow your heart and the omen as they speak the language of the World.
With civilization and the development of culture, we tend to rely more and more elaborate languages and pictures as instructions and information. We have ceased to notice the signs given by our heart and by omen. Listen to what your heart has to say and observe the omen that comes your way, they are signs given to tell you what you should do next when we are at crossroads.
4) The success one gets when one first starts is the Beginners’ Luck. However, to be successful eventually, one needs to be strong and to overcome tests of severity.
The Beginners’ Luck is a way of nature to whet our appetites on what lies ahead if we were to succeed in pursuing our personal agenda. It serves both as an encouragement and a temptation.
The crystal merchant whom the young shepherd had met had the personal agenda to go to Mecca – the land of pilgrimage. He set up a crystal business so that he could save enough for the trip. However, over the years as the business dwindled, he lost hope and he became contented with the peaceful lifestyle. Gradually, he forgot about his personal agenda until the young shepherd came along and helped him improve his business. When the young shepherd was living, the business was bustling. The crystal merchant’s dream of going to Mecca was reignited as he saw the opportunities that his business could bring. He could no longer ignore his dream and be contented.
However, to succeed, one would need to overcome numerous tests of severity so that when we obtained our ‘treasure’, we would have learnt the lessons of the World.
It was a book abundant with the lessons of life. When I turned to the last page of the book, it was with guilt and regrets.
Do I have the courage of the young shepherd?
Do I still know what my personal agenda is?
How long ago when my heart last spoke to me?
Perhaps the book is an omen sent to me to remind me of the need to look for my personal agenda.
Santiago was a young shepherd who had given up everything to be a shepherd because he wished to travel. Though travel, books and his sheep, he found that he had learnt more than a formal education. One day, while he was resting in a church, he had a recurring dream of finding treasure at the pyramid.
He went to a gypsy lady for an interpretation of this dream and was told it was a good omen to pursue his dream. Soon, he met an old King who knew about his dream and encouraged him to pursue his dream. From then, he set forth a journey from Spain to Egypt and back to Spain where he learnt about life and the Soul of the World. During his journey, he met an Alchemist, and Englishman, a Crystal Merchant, a thief, a monk, tribal chiefs and the love of his life – Fatima.
Despite encountering fear, pride, despondency, enthusiasm and love, he had also learnt different lessons from his travel mates. Finally, he found his treasure.
The plot sounded similar to the Little Prince who had also set forth on a journey and met with different friends in his journey. The Little Prince has a sad ending. The Alchemist has a happy ending. However, the Alchemist provided a stark reminder of the basic lessons in life that one remembers less and less as we are burdened with the trivialities of living.
Here is sharing of some of the lessons and ironies that we should be mindful of.
1) Everyone has a personal agenda. It is the dream of our life or the meaning of our living.
The personal agenda is known since we are children and in our hearts but they are gradually forgotten. Sometimes, we wish to pursue it but hold back because we fear of failure or we fear losing what we have achieved so far. Sometimes, we hold back because we want to be with our loved ones.
In an anecdote that the old king shared with the young shepherd before he set off, the king shared that of a young boy who went to a wise man to seek knowledge on what was happiness. The wise man gave the young boy a teaspoon of oil and asked him to tour his beautiful castle for 2 hours without spilling the oil. The young boy was so busy ‘looking after’ the oil that he failed to notice all the beautiful sights. When the wise man asked whether he had noticed his beautiful castle when the boy returned, the boy replied in the negative and was asked to tour the castle again for 2 more hours and to take note of the beautiful sights. The boy did what the wise man had told. However, when he returned 2 hours later, the oil has disappeared. He was too preoccupied with the beautiful sights that he had forgotten about the oil.
We might meet ‘distractions’ long our treasure quest, we should still remember the ultimate personal agenda. However, we should also take time during this journey to observe and to learn. The process is as important as the outcome.
2) Pursuing one’s dreams mean giving up what one has achieved so far.
This was a constant weight on the young shepherd’s mind every time he wanted to move on to a different place after settling down so as to continue his treasure quest. The alchemist shed enlightenment on life’s decision based on the theories of alchemy. If what you have left behind is of pure matter, they will remain as they are when you return. If they are not, you also will not need to stay for their sakes.
3) Follow your heart and the omen as they speak the language of the World.
With civilization and the development of culture, we tend to rely more and more elaborate languages and pictures as instructions and information. We have ceased to notice the signs given by our heart and by omen. Listen to what your heart has to say and observe the omen that comes your way, they are signs given to tell you what you should do next when we are at crossroads.
4) The success one gets when one first starts is the Beginners’ Luck. However, to be successful eventually, one needs to be strong and to overcome tests of severity.
The Beginners’ Luck is a way of nature to whet our appetites on what lies ahead if we were to succeed in pursuing our personal agenda. It serves both as an encouragement and a temptation.
The crystal merchant whom the young shepherd had met had the personal agenda to go to Mecca – the land of pilgrimage. He set up a crystal business so that he could save enough for the trip. However, over the years as the business dwindled, he lost hope and he became contented with the peaceful lifestyle. Gradually, he forgot about his personal agenda until the young shepherd came along and helped him improve his business. When the young shepherd was living, the business was bustling. The crystal merchant’s dream of going to Mecca was reignited as he saw the opportunities that his business could bring. He could no longer ignore his dream and be contented.
However, to succeed, one would need to overcome numerous tests of severity so that when we obtained our ‘treasure’, we would have learnt the lessons of the World.
It was a book abundant with the lessons of life. When I turned to the last page of the book, it was with guilt and regrets.
Do I have the courage of the young shepherd?
Do I still know what my personal agenda is?
How long ago when my heart last spoke to me?
Perhaps the book is an omen sent to me to remind me of the need to look for my personal agenda.
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