I need closure on my States trip. Mostly b'cos I itch fingers say would update on Vegas on my last post (close to a year ago...gulp). Vegas is just like what you see on TV. Lights, dance, casinos, theatres...except no church along the strip..hehe my colleague had to travel a little way out just to attend service.

My room number should be 369!!

Gosh I cant believe this, the negotiated internet rate I had causes the system charge me on a daily basis just so that Im entitled to half price. You want good price? I give you half price, see me key into system? viola! Now our system will charge you half price everyday, whether you logon or not.

I discovered this a week after I activated my connection and decided to check out how much I was owing for internet. That bill nearly sent me back to Singapore. The shock, I meant. Yes, they charge me half-price and on top of that they charge me everyday too. I say this is not right and told them the days I actually did logon (thank goodness I recorded the times I logged in). Lady at counter didnt even flinch. She just went "oh, just tell me when are the days you did logon and I'll take the rest off" fwwwwahhh so cool ar??

This is not about how cool and nonchalant they are, it scary to think they dont have a proper system. It's my word against nobody's words. I would like to think this is a good thing but it can turn either way. They can simply question you and how to resolve like that?

Anyways they dont even look apologetic, more like: har? got mistake ar? just reset again lor
Marriott hotel ley...you shock guests like that you dont even appear apologetic?

Also, each time I order room service and give my credit number for them to charge, this particular "Tricia" yankee would go..."264..WHAT?" yes it's that loud like how Ah Sorhs would HAR? me at wet market. That kinda HAR can instill sense of familiarity with me, but not service staff at hotels lor...you try doing that at Singapore's Marriott, you better pray your underwear is red colour. I dont think Tricia knows it even and means to be curt but am afraid it does sounds that way.

On Friday, I hopped down to the Front-desk again and request to pay for some room service charged to the room so that I can be billed and submit my weekly T&E claims. I fainted and collapsed on the floor...! I kp ask them why they keep doing this. This is when they finally explain to me about the system thing. Then I say how like that? How would you know when I login? They say just tell them when and they'll Trust me. Oh my gosh.

This Alex staff better be around when I check-out. He used the word Trust. I tremble...

Anyways I think I'm quite notorious here liao. From the many many times I locked myself out of my room, to my kpkb at their internet rate and then loving them for charging me internet daily, I'd like to think they have a picture of me hanging inside their office wall with header: Sibeh Mafan

Let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel...

Each time I spend a day out, I returned sunburnt without even attempting a tan. Woke up rather early and decided on exploring Balbao Island once again. Previously I had my bicycle with me and it was rather inconvenient to check out the crowded shops with the bike so took a bus there instead and just walked on foot.

This part of town just feels somewhat different. Little shops lined along both sides of the street and each shop is heavily decorated with their merchandise and have lots of American flags hanging off of them. Each shop is unique and it's a typical American town. The same goes for the houses here and I believe these residential place is worth millions especially those that goes right out to the beach with private piers for their boats.






Balbao Island in Newport Beach. This is the place where celebrities own summer houses and where I spotted a Sea-lion beached itself 4 feet away from on-lookers and simply posed for my pictures.



I walked on and noticed cars driving up onto a ramp above the waters and saw it's a transportation ferry. People just walked right onto it and so did I. The other side of the island seems real near so I didnt think twice about getting on. This 3 min ferry costs a buck and passengers sits next to cars (max 3 at a time) with their occupants in it. The crew was a funny guy, when he went round collecting the fare from the car passengers, he jokes whether they're hiding anyone in their trunk. Now that's an idea! Next time we go Sentosa, I shall pack my friend in the trunk. Save 2 dollars. Hey 2 dollars can get you a cheeseburger okay. You eat the cheeseburger and stay in the trunk.






Other side of the island is where I had my lunch, the Harbourside Resturant. Diners have plenty of sea-view thanks to their large glass. My server was standing round ensuring my food was fine when he suddenly look out and seemed mesmerized. Then he turned to me and said that's John Wayne's boat! I looked out and saw Wild Goose. He asked you know who John Wayne is right? Yes, I heard of him before just like I heard of Clint Eastwood and James Dean but it's not my era. I only know he did alot of cowboy western films and his name is quite legendary. And I thought he's still alive but really old kind. So I asked in amazement, do you think he's up there? And the waiter said erm he's passed on...oops




My waiter told me John loves his Wild Goose and used to have a bunch of celebrities in it all the time.
I went online and check it up abit and true enough he did have Wild Goose and this is now owned by a cruise company and you have to pay a hefty sum to charter for it. I prefer my 1 buck open-air ferry ride. I found myself staring outside the waters while consuming my lunch. There's so much activity out there and then I saw a bunch of sea-gulls diving near the surface of the waters and circling the same area. Small powered boats would stop their engines and floated around observing that part of the waters. And then I saw it, a small black head bobbing up the waters and flinging some stuff outta its mouth, then flipped its tail and splash into the waters. It was a sea-lion again. I guess it's trying to break some food into smaller bits by all the flinging, but it sure gets all the birds and humans excited.

And then another waiter came to collect my bill and I was like "Look a sea-lion!" to which he just "uhuh" then collected my bill. Tamade! At least entertain me abit can? He's not like the other John Wayne waiter, I dont like him very much...

It seems alot of the supposedly Rich & Famous stays here at this Beach: Michelle Pfeiffer, Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Dean Koontz and Dennis Rodman. But I dont see them ley...I only see sea-lions which is fine with me. Because even if I do see a celebrity, I'm not going to whip out my camera and do all that "Autograph!!" mania...I will most probably act nonchalant and keep parading up and down sneaking side-peeks at them. With sea-lions, at least I can under broad daylight photo-shoot them from various angles.

Roadtrip on Wheelies..

We did just that. My friend has a pair of foldable bikes kept at the back of the family car which her parents use to ride out at East Coast Park. She happen to drive the car today and wheee we headed off to Seletar Air Base. She, with blazing determination to desparately lose calories and me with burning passion to explore the air base. Perfect! Parked the car near Kingfisher Bar & Restaurant and cycled first to Sunset Grill & Bar on these cool little darlings.

There were lots of vacant buildings around, believe it used to be for military use. Set your directions to East Camp and you'll be en route to Sunset Grill. This place really doesnt feel like Singapore. You know your nearly there when you see these. I love the retro street lamps!

We reach our destination and rewarded ourselves with ice-cold beer and calamari. While walking, I spotted a pineapple growing off its bush!

Next, we headed off and cycled just about anywhere the road takes us. It's not in the pics but there was a street named Knight's Bridge. Sounds really medieval.

Clear skies, bare trees, there are houses with residents...mostly occupied by angmohs. Was informed the rental is at least 2k per month and you gotta sign up at least 2 years. Had crazy thought of renting one with some friends for couple of months. Split the rental, head off to work and come home to daily BBQs and hangout talks. With the huge gardens there, you can easily play volley, badminton or softball.

Dempsey I love you..
Yesterday evening I was whisked away by friends who snuck me to a seculded wine-dine watering hole The Wine Network hidden deep within dempsey road. Rustic and amid lush greenery, we chose alfresco and I could truely see stars. This is some cool place I'm determined to explore furthur in the day. There were standalone buildings which were deserted scattered across the dim compound. I wonder what's the story to this secret garden. We had pizza, chicken drumlets which when served hears cries of missy J exclaiming how the portion has shrunk. Also smoked salmon salad and washing all these down with a bottle of white. A red followed soon after and missy kept refilling my glass, before long I was flying.

High but not gone, though I clearly do not recollect seeing the waiter set the glass of warm water and piece of lemon in front of me. A turn of head and hey these items magically appeared. Times like these I know I could sleep forever, something which I've been seriously deprived of. They sent me home and I made a beeline for bed. It was only quarter to eleven and I totally knocked out, waking up at 4am to have the runs. I hate those. It didnt feel right at 4ish, my head was still spining and my tummy quisy. Drifting inbetween consciousness, I was worried about how I could drag my hangover body to work and stay upright for rest of the day. I must've squeezed in more solid sleep between that couple of hours, at half-past 8 I jumped right out and headed out to face the world. Thankfully most part of my hangover was gone, I just had more runs at work and couple before and during this blog entry. It sucked, now my tummy feels tortured as if I managed a million sit-ups. Nonetheless I found myself a new playground and this will certainly keep me busy for couple of weeks. The place reminds me of Sunset Grill & Pub, another rare discovery. It's not everyday you drive right up and park next to planes eh. It's in the plans to bring our bikes down and cycle out the vicinity. I might just do that for dempsy .

How Was Your Night?

A simple dinner apointment morphed into 7hours of unforseen chained activities.
I guess nobody really wanted to end the night, head home and wake up to a gloomy Sunday so what do we do? We tell each other and ourselves 'Nope, not tired, where to next?'

So we stretched the hours of darkness and prowled the streets.Something which I've not done for a very long time since my uni days in Perth. I dig the excitment in these, spontaneous and uncalled for, anything goes. But it's very impt that the company is right. Vibes and all. If the companionship aint there, Disney feels like an afternoon hangout at the 7-11s. I'd rather watch polish dry off my nails.

It was half past 10, a very late dinner at Clark Quay. We decided on TCC : Chicken Enchiladas, Fresh Farm Salad and loads of flavoured tea to wash down with. Endless chattering, dessert was fantasized so we gave in and ordered Banana and Chocolate Rum ice-cream. Close to one, TCC was winding up for the day and we started the 'where to next?'

Late night movie sounded enticing so we headed for Cine in my Rebel friend's zippy bike which I'll call SpeedShark cos I think thats what the sticker read. Nothing on screen which we've not seen was interesting. Except "Omen" which Rebel was tempting me with. But me and ghost-horror movies dont cross path and I'm determined to ensure it never does and I'm glad she doesnt push it. That was two-ish.

Spontaneous thinking churned up Bowling and I did really pathetic. My thumb was swelling with just 2 throws and I found myself admiring the lians over at the next lane, they had their very own cool balls and bowled like thunder, knocking pins like toothpicks. Rebel insisted I threw curve balls, that I tell her how I did it. She was being nice attempting to cushion my crushed ego or she failed to realise though they spin alrite, it all spun nicely into the gutter, with a couple bordering on the edge taunting me before drain shots.

It was here at the Marina South carpark I attempted to ride SppeedShark. "It's an Auto, just throttle and go" she says. And you guessed right, Shark drove me instead and pweeny seconds passed before bike had enough of me and puked me off over the curb and I managed half a somersault. Bike was resting nicely alongside curb. I blame it on bad karma.

Past 3. Geylang King of Doughstick. Here we shoved more food: tea-egg, beancurd, soya milk and doughstick. I love 24hrs food stalls! Made this our last stop cos I could see her eyes were starting to swell from weariness. I loved the food, appreciated her company and grateful for Shark's mercy. Towards the end, I remember feeling mellow and nostalgic. It seemed I was starting to miss the night already.
Reached home at five.
It has to be my best night.

A trip down Chinatown
Started our day with breakfast den came back and moved my hamster into his new home - an aquarium tank.
Later in the afternoon, we had Chicken Rice at Boon Tong Kee before getting down to Chinatown for a feel of 'Chinese New Year'. There was this shop which goes by the name of 'Chinese Heritage...something' and apart from being retail, they had this section decorated in the most chinese retro possible decor serving light snacks, eggs and toast. What caught my eye was this Chinese tear-away calendar hanging on the wall. Its year read 1962. I miss those tear-away chinese version calendar. Tmr I'll try shop around for them. My parents told me shops that sells joss sticks and incense etc might sell them.
Tonight I downloaded the song that caught my fancy while listening to Gold 90.5FM. It's a jazzy slow lazy number soothing to my ears..

MISTY - Johnny Mathis

Look at me
I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
And I feel like I'm clinging to a cloud
I can't understand
I get misty just holding your hand

Walk my way
And a thousand violins begin to play
Or it might be the sound of your hello
That music I hear
I get misty the moment you're near

You can say that you're leading me on
But it's just what I want you to do
Don't you notice how hopelessly I'm lost
That's why I'm following you

On my own
Would I wander through this wonderland alone
Never knowing my right foot from my left
My hat from my glove
I'm too misty, and too much in love.

It's the Indian New Year
In view of tmr being Deepavali, we decided on an Indian Restaurant downtown. Mamtaz Mahal Restaurant.
Once past the doorway, I din feel like I was in Singapore anymore. Statue elephants, godlike wall fixtures, intricate tableware, table-lit candles, thick accent waiters, even the air I inhale felt indian! The only weird part was, in that cosy little restaurant, not one customer of indian ethnic could be spotted. There were the angmohs and the chinese but none dark-skin. I wonder why.
So I was trying to digest the menu consisting of Bold indian letterings and small english prints right beneath it and with what seemed forever we settled on: Tandoori Chicken, some veggie curry, 2 Naan, and being a tea-lover, one Masala Tea.

I guess its standard practice they serve appetizers just like some peanuts or pickled vegetables in Chinese restaurants, here we found ourselves some spiced crackers and a tray of spices to go with it. In the tray there were 4 compartments each filled with some green puree, yellow puree, orange and red puree. Being adventurous I tried all and only 2 caught the fancy of my tastebuds. The other 2 were strong not foul but strong-in-a "i can skip that" way.
Having served up all our dishes, the table was full! The appetizers itself was a whole tray and the masala tea I ordered came along with a pot for refill and 2 containers bearing 2 different types of sugar: usual white and granulated brown sugar. Dining there is in itself quite an experience. You feel creative. You put together different spices getting different taste and a sense of satisfaction if it's pleasant. To sum it up, both the tandoori and the curry veg were fragrant and the naan heavenly. Im thankful there is diversity in this world.