10-16 Jun 2026 – Penang/PEN-Taiping-Ipoh

Wed: arr PEN with AirAsiaS$235RT on schedule catching Bus401E-MYR2.70 ~1hr in the comfort of AC despite heavy traffic at certain sections and passing thru’ Spice,Amari,Queensway onto WeldQuay.

~15mins walk to SevenTerracesHotel七間老厝酒店 StewardLane to meet the KK-Group/KK,PP,YF&YC Absoutely a beautiful heritage hotel to look forward for our 6nights stay~S$600. https://foodforthought.com.my/seven-terraces-hotel-review/

BabaPhang was closed tonight but we managed to find some tasty street-food a few streets away. After ~12,500steps today, should be able to have a good night rest – but instead had to be up a few times after drinking too much water bc of the MSG street-food.

Tkx to YC for this link – https://guide.michelin.com/en/my/pulau-pinang/my-george-town/restaurants

Thu: still dark&early for a lovely cool walk with YC towards the sea by the City&TownHalls.

Kopi,RotiPrata+Appam Bfast@KedahKopiMilo – Appam is new for me

32MansionNyonyaRevival – a relaxing morning for us to start our holiday together, especially when we can admire talented KK working on his painting.

Elaborate&interesting interior but being outside by the sea with this yummy Otak&KayaToast+a latte to hit the spot for now. https://www.32mansion.com.my/

Another closed location is the NoyaMuseum and in its place some auto display in a modern building until… whenever the completion of the museum@McalisterRd that we didnt see while it’s still being set up but this beautiful-run-down-bungalow and these interesting plants on the tree-trunk caught my eyes.

PinangPeranakanMasion – seems to be more commercialized since last visit/Jul2019. Getting some IndianVeggie-dishes for me to go, system needing more fibre-foods to get the gut working – a short cat-nap before

dinner@Sifu 惜福娘惹私房菜 celebrating a belated Bday for KK(2Jun), tkx to YC for the wine he brought from Australia. TuKarChor(BlackSweetVinegarPorkTrotter)is worth going back for. https://www.facebook.com/sifunyonya/

Fri: Bfast with PP,YF&YC@KedahKopiMiloMYR17 Kopi,RotiPrata+Appam for 4(KK did not want to get up so early!)before 0900hrs drive to Ipoh via Taiping ~180k, speed limit on Expressways here 110 and MYR300 fine for exceeding if caught.

Crossing the old first PenangBridgeE36/13.5k on this hazy morning connecting to the mainland with  BayanLepas Free IndustrialZone, PraiIndustrialEstate, Butterworth – pix downloaded

Restroom stop before Taiping, too much incense smoke for me to tempt fate by entering into the cave – stayed outside to enjoy the local herbal drinks. Last pix taken was a mosque with silver domes before losing my phone!

Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate — Carl Jung

Must have been on the lap when KK&I got out of the car to take pix and pick the fruits for the group who have not heard or tasted my favourite local cherry: MuntingiaCalabura,BuahCheri,MalayanSingaporeJapaneseCherry – all pix from here are either from the group or downloaded

Yes! we drove all the way here to Ipoh to taste 2different IpohShreddedChickenHorFun 怡保雞絲河粉 featuring silky flat rice noodles in a rich chicken&prawn broth, topped with shredded chicken,prawns.

Another taste savouring the yummy crunchy bean-sprouts@ConcubineLane with the poor lady who was totally frustrated with us changing our minds about the drinks but we managed to humour her and everybody left with a smile.

KK managed to get us into one of the beautifully renovated house which formally belonged to one of his relatives from his maternal-side. Unfortunately pix were not permitted inside – really liked the reception black-curved-desk by the staircase.

And of course the famous silky-smooth-soyabean-curd@FunnyMountainBeancurd 奇峰豆腐花+local fruits,PeanutCookies to take away as it was not possible to fit another bite of anything no matter how delicious despite YF famous words I’m sooo full but just one more bite… Life is good/LIG tagline used when my kids were younger now adapted again on this trip!

Drive back via the second bridge officially named SultanAbdulHalimMuadzamShahBridge, Malaysia’s longest bridge/24k, connecting BatuKawan on the mainland to BatuMaung on PenangIsland with heavy traffic as we got nearer town but no worries, still managed to get back in time for our dinner reservation. Appreciations with tkx to Michael for good driving from ~09.00-17.00hrsMYR110pp  – pix downloaded.

Dinner@Auntie-Gaik-Lean-s-old-school-eatery. My favourite there IncheKabin – chicken marinated with curry powder,coconut milk & coconut powder, fried twice to attain its delightfully crispy skin keeping the meat moist&tender. https://guide.michelin.com/my/en/pulau-pinang/my-george-town/restaurant/auntie-gaik-lean-s-old-school-eatery

Sat: early local Bfast w YF&YC@another corner-street-coffee-shop for plain-simple NasiLemak&KwayTeowGoreng,ie Rice&KwayTeow with sauce + TehTarik=pulled tea – pix downloaded. 

Appreciations with tkx to KK’s cousin EeLing‎&friend Lisa for driving us around the markets/Chowrasta and delighted to taste PlainRoastedChestnuts,AlkakineDumplings碱水粽,PeanutPancake as what should be the taste from childhood days, even managed to buy a dress here!

Driving around checking out KK’s maternal family grounds@BKK-Lane, Penang largest heritage property sales – pix downloaded.

Lunch@NyonyaBreezeDesire/StraitsQuay. https://www.straitsquay.com/shops/nyonya-breeze/

BatuFerringhi to End of the World/NationalPark with a break for KampongDurians+FreshCoconutWater.

Feet happy after FootReflexology with a stroll to KapitianKeilingMosque and ArmenianSt

Dinner@JawiHouseCafeGallery – enjoyed this JawiPeranakan meal thoroughly.

https://www.jawihouse.com

Sun: 06.45hrs for marketing@AyerItamWetMarket with ChefSamuel – no worries when there is VIP-parking and someone to lead us thru’ the many stalls.

ChickenPongteh,NyonyaChickenCurryKapitian,IncheKabin,OtakOtak and finally now have learnt to roast Belacan+knowing how the consistancy of these herbs should be before adding the meat – tkx to ChefSamuel. https://cookingwithchefsamuel.com/en/experiences/private-penang-cooking-class/

Excellent 4dishes lunch by the 4cooks if I may say so and KK was just in time to taste our outstanding cooking – hahaha!

Appreciations to MrsSamuel for selling me these 2basketsMYR120 – the last similiar one bought was ~20+yrs ago from Cambodia and it has been most useful for marketing, espeically to carry fresh produce and for take-away-soupy-dishes.

Michael drove via TelukBahangDam to eat this Tupai=Squirral in Malay Durian which has leapt into the durian kingdom and is here to claim the crown of durians – for sure one of the best tasted, not sure if I will be able to afford MYR464 for 2durians, but glad that we have tasted it even if this will be the only time! Even KK the only one of us who is not a fan of durian had a taste… https://durianpenang.com/varieties/d214-tupai-226

Contined to the TropicalFruitFarm with a lovely view and KK trying to sketch PP who could not sit still – hahaha…

By the time on the way back, was feeling slightly unwell after the curvy roads up&down…

Dinner@BaBaPhang – by now the noise was giving me such a splitting headache to really enjoy despite taking 2Panadols.

A hot drink@McalisterMansion –  https://www.macalistermansion.com/

Mon: needed to sleep in after yesterday – tkx to YF for bringing a latte back, hit the spot this morning. Lunch@TokTokMeeBambooNoodle 騳騳廣式竹昇麵 nice change, delicious springy HKG-style-noodles with shrimp-roe+Claypot-Chicken-Feet. Highly recommended and well-worth the priceMYR125.20 for 5pp including drinks – note only cash payment here.

https://guide.michelin.com/en/pulau-pinang/my-george-town/restaurant/tok-tok-mee-bamboo-noodle

Hot&humid walk about, bought a packet of ChineseLicoriceRoot/GanCao甘草MYR14~S$4@ChengWoh which was packed not only with dried herbs,etc but also with too many ppl. KK&YF will be heading to the airport tonight, will be strange to dine without them.

Quiet dinner with cocktails to toast our last night@KebayaDiningRoom/SevenTerraces until we meet again. https://kebaya.com.my/

Tue: bright&early walk to Bus401(not E) with this round stopping nearly at all the stops due to rush-hour taking ~1+hour. Having expected this, estimated time to have a cuppa+curry puff@PEN-Internationl-Airport. AirAsia dep slightly ahead of schedule 11.45hrs to arr SIN/T4 after ~1+hr flight on schedule. Nowdays do not even need to scan passport upon arr – amazing how far techology has evolved. Bus36 ~20mins and safe&sound back in my 4-walls by 14.00hrs. With everything inclusive~S$1,500 in good company is well-worth the week away with much appreciations and thousand tkx to this group for their fantastic selective logistics,etc…

Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened is a popular quote often misattributed to Dr. Seuss, but its earliest known origin traces back to German poet Ludwig Jacobowski

To be edited and uploaded with more pix after the phone is sorted out and more contribution from the group.

10 Jun 2026 – Preparing For Penang/Malaysia

Mon: haircut@MarineP, running errands@PlazaSIN…

6SuperLightWtWaterProofed@MUJIS$73.40/savings of S$31discount – not sure if they will last like my GraniteGear from AT-days/2005 which is still in use.

Lines all the way outside in the heat&humidity for Pokémon as I was heading to the bus-stop. Was not even aware about this, thought about #6-Olai would certainly not even be found in this line, not even for him – hahaha

Tue: Happy 17thBday to #4-Sophie. Best of luck and congratulations for making into ALA PGS – PalmettoGirlsState SC/USA https://www.palmettogirlsstate.net/

Wed the start of 2026 FIFA Cup tomorrow, nephew&Norwegian grandson have been circulating jokes – soccer fans humour, hahaha. https://petapixel.com/2026/06/05/did-norway-just-take-the-greatest-world-cup-team-photo-ever/

Been a while ago since in T4 on AirAsia. Edited&updated after locating these pix – the slide with net-playground is new, or rather do not remember seeing it previously…

~55-65steps to walk from one gate to the next – enjoyed work-out walking from GatesG1-21 and back in the comfort of AC and no crowds. Uneventful flight took off on schedule.

10-16Jun:  offline in Penang/Malaysia for the week. To be edited&updated when back in SIN with pix contributed by the group…

7 Jun 2026 – RoastedChicken Stuffed with GlutinousRice糯米雞

Thu: a repeat from a year ago, hot&humid Jun weather forcast –

There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing – NorwegianSaying so in this case not better, and not just bad clothing but also bad atitudes&equipments! No worries with the appropriate air cooling appliances&gadgets over the years and still in use all being my real MVP – Most Valuable Providers of Cool Air.

Oct2013: Mitsubishi inverter AC.
2021-Present: PowerPacElectricClipFan$10 – have burnt out the motors of 2 since then and bought new ones.
Sep2024: EuropAce/Air-PurifyingBladelessFanS$258 using ClimateVouchers.

Aug2021: IUIGA/Neckfan S$50 – tested it out with a fully charged battery running on medium speed (3speeds) and it lasted for 7hrs. Jun2025: IUIGA has lasted ~4yrs and still working despite being taped! Tkx to Clement who is too embarrassed to be seen with me using the taped one got me a new JisuLife(5speeds). Not ready to say goodbye to IUIGA, how fortunate now to have one to use within the 4-walls and the other one when out with him – hahaha.

Fri: don’t pick the durians (like anyone will not pick!!) – says town council, as durian trees bloom at Lorong LewLian=Durian in the Chinese/HokkienDialect. Bringing back memories from a meal with one of the most appalling services despite one of the best RoastedChickens stuffed with GlutinousRice糯米雞 tasted then on this street.

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/lorong-lew-lian-durian-trees-bloom

From Oct2023 post: last there on a weekend with appalling service@18Seafood食霸海鲜UniqueZiCharDishes/SerangoonCoffeeshop,2LorongLewLian,#01-56.
RoastedChicken stuffed with GlutinousRice糯米雞 advance order is needed.

Sat: Capitol building sure brings back memories of 1962-65CHIJ/VictoriaSt – cinema/theatre for movies, MagnoliaSnakBar with their yummy milkshades+a CathayPacficAirlines pilot! Pleased that the facade is not destroyed…

Arcade with hip&trendy $$$eateries – https://capitolsingapore.com/

Appreciations with tkx for delightful with tasteful presentation Springtime-Soirée AfternoonTea@KempinskiHotelLobby.

Unusual PeaSoup/ParmesanFoam – pretty match for the plate and cute EasterChocolatePralines

Good selections of teas&flower beverages – my choice cold Elderflower+ hot PeppermintTea.

The entrance ceiling is of 4yrs ago, apprecitaions for the GerberaDaisies – nice touch to be able to make our own bouquet to take away.

Last there 2022 was a motorbike with a side-car – this round an affluent elegant electric buggy but with no temptations or thoughts of being anywhere but here for now!

From Jul2022 post: last there for their Botanical-Inspired
https://amylamsg.com/2022/07/08/kempinski-hotel/
6Jun2026: Springtime-Soirée for this round.

Life is a journey, but don’t worry, you’ll find a parking spot at the end – Isaac Asimov

BakedChestnuts from PandaChanSnack@FunanMall – not bad but do miss the old-fashioned-cart-open-fire roasting despite being on the messy side they do taste slightly different – pix downloaded. And yes life is good with these F-words: Fun with Family,Friends,FavouriteFoods in this order and can look forward to next week meeting with family childhood friends for a food extravaganza in Penang/Malaysia.

Sun: tkx for yummy dinner@Rochalie, taking time to enjoy these crabs.

GodivaLaboboChocolates from Theresa&CJ with BabyKai watching the amazing Pavarotti/2003WarChildBenefitConcert

True contentment is not having everything, but being satisfied with what you have — Oscar Wilde

3 Jun 2026 – Favourite Cheese Cake, so far!

Sun: discovering what will probably be my favourites a cheese cake and coffee ice cream so far. Queic/Olivia’sSignatureCheesecake and IceCream&CookieCo/SIN-KopiC

The best cheesecake for me so far (for those like me who are not a fan of the heavy cheesecakes) in SIN – blue cheese, giving it a touch of subtle savoury which compliments well with the otherwise sweet flavours of a cheesecake. This is not baked all the way ie molten centre, caramelised top and a balance of creaminess&lightness – highly recommended.  https://queic.com.sg/

Checking out what to eat at the newest foodie hotspots in town – trending on @straitstimesfood for the trendiest joints on social media – have not been or heard of these and do wonder how many of them will be able to sustain???

https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/2024/11/welcome-to-st-food/index.html?nlblurb

Mon: hello Jun with today being a public holiday here in to mark yesterday’s VesakDay. A good week&month of Jun ahead to all. High-T@KempinskiHotel rescheduled – more podcasts&sewing for now…

Happy Bday to Morten with appreciations&tks for the share of this glorious day from his house on Kvaløya,Troms/Norway – one of my favourite places&ppl to visit. Last there was 2023, do wonder if or when the next visit will ever happen??
https://amylamsg.com/2023/07/26/till-we-meet-again/

Tue: 1stTue of the month grocery@MT-Giant&wet-market done before sunrise – looking forward to the completion(supposedly by the 3rd2026-quarter!) of this Aquatic-Theme-Comm-Pk.

Usual Otah-Otah@wet-market(Peranakan)not available due to preparations for the Dragon-Boat-Festival-Dumplings. Got some@blk59,NasiLemakStall(Malay). Fresh-produceS$11 washed and ready to be put away in fridge or freezer.

Wed: the humidity this morning was quite oppresive but no worries when 6windows can be closed within 4-walls and 3AC-units. Sewing on a Brother1410 is therupeutic especially when entertained by MaryHigginsClark’s AllByMyself audiobook – enjoying a mystery aboard a luxurious cruise despite not being a fan of cruises,hahaha…

Sewing is a way to mark our existence on cloth: patterning our place in the world, voicing our identity, sharing something of ourselves with others and leaving the indelible evidence of our presence in stitches held fast by our touch ― Clare Hunter, Threads of Life: A History of the World Through the Eye of a Needle

Weather forecast – can expect power bills to go way above S$100 for the next few months!
Short, thundery showers&warm nights expected in first half of Jun.
Higher risk of haze from Jun-Oct due to El Nino, Indian Ocean Dipole.

1 Jun – Happy Bday Morten
2 Jun – Happy Bdays KK & RichardLee
4 Jun – Happy Bday Natasha
6 Jun – Happy Bday Dika & Harry
9 Jun – Happy Bday Sophie
15Jun – my father would have been 114. L&M’s paternal grandfather would have been 102
15Jun – Happy Bday AmyJ
19Jun – Happy Bdays JenLeng & ChengSong
22Jun – Happy Bdays Josh & Devon
25Jun – Happy Bdays Chon/John, Clement & Huang/HI,USA.
28Jun – Happy Bdays Jeff & JohnWilson
30Jun – Happy Bdays JenMun & AnnieKOH

30 May 2026 – Welcome Grandnephew Justin&Rebecca

Wed: welcome WinnieLL back for a visit and appreciations to Peggy for yummy lunch@SIN-SwimmingClub/SSC – last there was for NewYear’sEve2011 with cousin David from HI/USA, may he RIP.

Jan2012: now that Hawaii/USA has passed midnight, the whole world is in sync to the year of 2012. Being a wimp with crowds, the choice was to celebrate a quiet NewYear’sEve with cousin David & Leah from HI/USA who will be flying off this evening. Tkx to Mica&Mun for drinks&food@SIN-SwimmingClub where we found a quiet place. A bubbly toast in a hide-away to welcome 2012. Safe journeys to David & Leah and to all who are traveling this holiday season.

Nice to see orchids attached to the tree trunks and the orchid arrangements here.

Shared the ChickenRice,Laksa,Satay+Chendo,IceKachang for dessert between us 5ppl – good food but the service is another story…

Tkx to PT for lunch who is a member here and for the ride to&fro SSC.

HappyHariRayaHaji to those marking this last day of Ramadan – forgot that it is a public holiday here today and probably a feast going on tonight@GeylangSerai where I will certainly not be. A walk around the blocks 46&47MarineC for a fresh OJ admiring these yellow-flowering tree/Yellow-flame,Copperpod,YellowFlameTree,YellowPoinciana before these beautiful blooms fade&fall.

Gorgeous flowerets in the sunlight shining, Blossoms flaunting in the eye of day, Tremulous leaves, with soft and silver lining, Buds that open only to decay — Longfellow

Thu: pleasant morning rains for sewing with podcasts learning about fasting with the pro&cons+benefits&effects. The best of all medicines is resting and fasting.

Fasting is the single greatest natural healing therapy. It is nature’s ancient, universal ‘remedy’ for many problems. Animals instictively fast when ill – ElsonHaas

Fri: picked up some fruit&flowers@MT-market to see more construction outside the barricade area to later learn about the pipe leak causing flooding in MarineTerrace yesterday – glad that I was not at the market then. Pix downloaded

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/pipe-leak-flooding-marine-terrace-water-supply-12-hdb-units-disrupted

Welcome grandnephew Justin&Rebecca who are here for a wedding – good to catch up with family news. Appreciations to Les&Ivy for another scrumptious dinner@Rochalie with BabyKai learning to turn on&off the battery lamp.

Sat: another cool wet morning to start the long weekend and school holidays with dinner@Rocahlie to wish Kiera a safe jounery as she will be spending her next 2months in China.

From now will be posting some memorable foods starting with my favourite Peranakan dish AyamBuahKeluak – chicken cooked with the nuts from a mangrove tree. The contents of the nut is dug out and sauteed with aromatics&seasonings, before it is stuffed back into the nuts and is one of the most labour-intensive Peranakan dishes to prepare.

26 May 2026 – In My Dreams

Sat: congrats to Calvin/Camper’s for his biking licence, now he can make his dream come true to ride in Japan – pix credits to him.

Sun: tkx for dinner@Rochalie where BabyKai enjoyed his bubbles in the garden and grandniece Kiera being the perfect baby-sitter. Nice platter, never thought this PandanCheeseCake would get my attention to try more than a tiny bite despite being on the heavy-side but did like it enough to eat a whole piece – tkx niece Patricia/May for the share.

Mon: the seldom time making Cucumber&SmokedSalmon+eggsSandwiches is when there is NorwegianTineButter but not for myself. Its going to take much discipline&will-power to resist but heart&stomach are telling me to fast today or I’ll be sorry. Tkx to KK for the visit and for getting my windows cleaned.

MemorialDay in the US is a holiday holiday (last Monday in May) honoring those who have died while serving in the country’s armed forces. It originated during the AmericanCivilWar when citizens placed flowers on the graves of those who had been killed in battle. The first national observance was in 1868. A Canadian doctor, JohnMcCrae in 1915 was inspired by the sight of poppies growing in battle-scarred fields to write a now famous poem called InFlandersFields. After WW1, the poppy was adopted as a symbol of Remembrance.

Tue: current info on the LongIslandProject. Beautiful booms before entering MRT-TEL-MTstaExit2 – nice for future shade to have this climbling creeper, BleedingHeart/ ClerodendrumXSpecisumW.Bull.

The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life – William Morris

22 May 2026 – HelloSafe Prosperity Index

Wed: chicken-wings, etc lunch and picking up odds&ends@IKEA/Alexandra. Walking by MomentusHotel wondering who would want to stay in this area where there are min places of interest or convenient to public transport??

Thu: walking on MP-Rd under shaded walkway feasting the eyes with the various beautiful creeping tropical vines blooms –

1Chain-of-love/Antigonon leptopus Hook. & Arn
2BleedingHeartGlorybower/ClerodendrumThomsoniaeBalf.f
3BleedingHeart/ClerodendrumXSpecisumW.Bull

Junction of MP&StillRd with MPCC supposedly to be completed the first quarter of 2026! with constructions still ongoing. Heading underground to MP-MRT-sta-Exit5

Great idea to have different ceiling colours and now a new eatery/cafe to try if tired of walking from Exit5-1. Looks like these cute toddlers are having a fieldtrip here in the cool underground safe away from the traffic instead of above ground on this hot humid morning – a cheerful sight putting a smile on my face with memories of my children&grandchidren at that age.

Appreciations to Aileen for catching up with a bite@Kopitiam/PP and to share a bowl of PorkCongee+CenturyEggS$6.80 – nowadays most single portion are too much for me – pix downloaded.

https://ordinarypatrons.com/2025/04/03/new-kopitiam-food-court-in-parkway-parade/

Productive morning with pix printed from 2014&2026 (so far the only times with my whole flock all together) for the new frame and shopping@FairPrice,Diaso,Scoop+walking back.

Nice to see that most of the barricades on the main BkTimahRoad are down, making Campers’ Corner/CC front entrance more accessible&visible. https://camperscorner.com.sg/

Appreciations to catch up&check out with what is new from my favourite and the best outfitter gears location/for me! in SIN. Congrats to Calvin for his bike liscence, his dream to ride around here&Japan – safe rides to him&his biker group. If there is a side-car, would also like to ride, but only on country-roads off the beaten paths and on cool dry days, ie probably never! hahaha – pix credits to Helen&Chris.

Tkx to Helen for her company for a short stroll in LittleIndia. Pleased with another new dress+a top for S$10 and a MangoLassiS$3 with the feeling of being totally blessed to be able to enjoy the simple things in life and to be able to walk ~10,000steps today.

Fri: much to do around the 4-walls the next few days to keep away from the malls&streets. Tkx for this share – quite amazing to know that both my girls are born in the top of the list of 2026 HelloSafeProsperityIndexWorld’sRichestCountry  – but of course its all relative where the meaning of rich is concerned! To me riches are not just about money—they reflect character, wisdom, and the value we create in life.

https://hellosafe.com/travel-insurance/richest-countries-in-the-world

Ordinary riches can be stolen; real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you – Oscar Wilde

18 May 2026 – Perfect For Walking

Fri: discovering how to walk to I12 without an umbrella or rainwear in the pouring rains under either overhead shades or underground all the way going thru’HDB-void-decks from MarineC-across StillRd-thru’MarineD-HDB

-MarineP-MRTstaExit4 and looks like there will be more life here when The Anchor with these facilities open their doors.

Thinking of #6 with his&my favourite coconut drink@MrCoconut/S$7Exit1

-Exit3-JooChiatRd under the shaded walkway to I12 still raining but not pouring.

New eateries here to try with family&friends – CookBoys/BritishHainanese & SoGood/Cantonese.

TexMex lunch@GuzmanYGomezS$10.90 Movie+popcorn&waterS$11.50 – welcome back&monthly treat to myself.

CS a whole chicken+wafersS$10.30/paying .30c cash to last for 4meals and using up the yellow CDCvouchers. Walking back to the 4-walls by the shortest distance in the open now that the rains have stopped. What a fantastic TGIF-day ~9,000steps filled with blessings&treats.

Sat: the rains have practically put traffic to a halt in some areas. Bus16 from EC-JooChiatRd took ~15mins, usually ~5mins and when upon reaching OrchardRd ~20mins to get to the stop@Grange/SomersetRd was stuck another 5mins at the traffic-light junction. Usually if I take this route will est ~45mins, today ~1hr+ but do prefer being here than underground packed with human traffic when I need to be in this area. Arr@HiltonHotel on the dot of our appointed time to enjoy their HighT.

GingerLily, the botanical lobby lounge inspired by the natural beauty of the ginger lily plant complimenting the afternoon tea, artisanal cakes, and all-day menu served.

Both savoury&sweets were tastefully presented with enough food to doggy-bag.

Have not been inside HiltonHotel since they moved from the previous location – nice with the flora-touch surroundings.

Managed to brave the short walk to ConcordeHotelBusStop for some good deals@the basement shop and this round bought 4dresses S$3 each – well worth depsite having to do some work on them

Sun: hurra for17.mai Happy Norwegian Constitution Day to all celebrating&marking today with one of my favourites pix from 2016, 10yrs ago where&when #3John here raising the flag in their tree-house in SC/USA. This year he&#2Ellie are in Norway to celebrate #6-Olai’s confirmation&experiencing their first 17May parade in OSL/Norway.

Appreciations to Helen for sharing her interesting SouthAmerian travel experiences, tkx for brunch@MT-market and for taking time to visit. Introduced her my special CucumberSandwich with Norweguan butter and glad that she likes them – pix credits to her. Blessed with SundayDinner@Rochalie.

Mon&Tue: after such feasting over the weekend, body is desperately telling me to give it a break to rest!

Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many – not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some – Charles Dickens

14 May 2026 – Tanglin Mall

Mon: a few days of catch up here being away from the laptop. Many tkx with appreciation for Mother’sDayDinner Sunday night to Theresa&CJ at my favourite PekingDuck location, ImperialTreasure/Paragon. Usually after such a scrumptious meal with four other cantonese dishes&dessert will need to fast for a few days, but not this time, keeping company with s-i-l@Rochalie while bro is away.

Woke up bright&early to a different scene this morning and feeding these coloutful&forever hungry koi has convinced me again that having the responsibility of any other life besides my own, ie person,pet or plant, is not for me…

Since in the area, took Ivy to the OSSEA-OrchidShow@TanglinMall. Was impressed with this year’s display tastefully done with lovely local batik motives complementing these exquiste blooms – highly recommended for all orchid admirers.  https://www.ossea.org.sg/

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished — the orchid blooms in its own season – Lao Tzu

Trying to convince Ivy to grow orchids since they have the help,space&time and also to keep the family histroy as 12Uncle JohnLAM(1926-1990) was one of the pioneers of the OrchidSociety in the 1950s before he&his family emigrated to HI/USA.

Have been helping out OSSEA with their MOR publication from 1999-2009 and setting up with their 2003 first show The Singapore Orchid Festival@SBG, then the first festival held@SBG in the UNESCO’s/World Heritage List. For me it was and still is my favourite orchid festival&show ever.

New@TanglinMall: #5&6 would liked this new CandyStall but so-so Ramen@Hototogisu – nowdays most outside foods are either too salty or too sweet for the aging palate!

Tue: not the usual early morning scene heading from Rochalie to TEL-MRT-OrchardBlvdSta to learn about the latest for this line.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/3-shuttle-buses-to-be-rolled-out-during-period-of-late-opening-along-tel

No worries despite getting caught in the rush-hour, a handsome-kind-young gentleman offered his seat allowing interesting ppl watching. And for real, every single one has their eyes on their screen. After passing ShentonWaySta had the train practically to myself with the company of this cute cleaning robot upon reaching ExitB. Back to the 4-walls in time for the morning meds and grocery shopping before it gets too hot.

Face this world. Learn its ways, watch it, be careful of too hasty guesses at its meaning. In the end you will find clues to it all = HG Wells

Wed&Thu: saving some energy before a busy weekend. Looking forward for these 3MRT-stations to be completed in Jul.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/keppel-cantonment-prince-edward-road-mrt-stations-on-circle-line-to-open-on-july-12