11 Apr 2011 – Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Pix of the exterior of this hotel have been posted 14 & 26 Jun 2010.

Visiting guests@Marina Bay Sands on the 40th floor suite. Views from the bathroom, bedroom and living room.

Finally got to swim in this neat infinity pool with the SIN skyline in the background. How lucky to experience such luxury! Like being on top of the world, a kind of natural high feeling without any substance 🙂 🙂 🙂

Enjoyed the all you can eat and drink club by the pool while the rains moved in and the sky opened up raining cats and dogs! Quite an impressive sight with the lighting and thunder.  The casino was just too crowded and not my scene, decided to do window shopping after all the food and champagne!

Interesting door in one of the shops. There is an unusual fountain by where one can row a boat on the water-ways. From indoor, the water is coming out at the bottom of a transparent semi circular design. From the top (outdoor), it look like a mini hurricane with all the water rushing to a funnel.

If any philosopher had been asked for a definition of infinity, he might have produced some unintelligible rigmarole, but he would certainly not have been able to give a definition that had any meaning at all – Bertrand Russell

10 Apr 2011 – Some Favourite Bookmarks

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_654767.html

Tanjong Pagar Rail Station, a National Monument… This place brings back much happy childhood memories! Glad to know that it is now a National Monument and knowing the SIN system, the place will be immaculately maintained. Was there a couple of years ago arriving with the train from KL to SIN and it was a rather run-down sad colonial-style building. Looking forward to visit when it will be restored to its heydays.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/04/08/tropical.fish.concept.yacht/index.html?hpt=C1

Tropical fish inspire innovative yacht design… Designs like these are interesting and like any art, it is a personal and subjective taste.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12893416

Why did LOL infiltrate the language? The internet slang term LOL (laughing out loud) has been added to the Oxford English Dictionary, to the mild dismay of language purists. But where did the term originate? And is it really a threat to our lexicon?… All these internet terms are fun and certainly makes life easier when chatting on-line or messaging on the mobile phone.

http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/article4088088.ece

Økende tendens til nett-blokkering… Increasing tendency of web blocking/China. Difficult to imagine that China pop is app 1.3bil! With that kind of figures, perhaps web blocking, especially the destructive, harmful etc sites should be block for the younger impressionable Y-generation!

http://www.scmp.com/portal/site/SCMP/ South China Morning Post/HKG news, one can only get the headlines and when you click onto the link, this appears To read the rest of the article, you need to subscribe 🙁

Just sharing some of the favourite bookmarks news sites and my two cents worth of comments! Have a wonderful Sunday 🙂 🙂 🙂

The question is no longer IF the internet can transform learning in powerful ways – The Web-Based Education Commission

9 Apr 2011 – Hands Faster than the Eyes…

The Illusionist/2006****A boy falls in love with a girl above his social standards. Although the parents forbid them of seeing each other they cannot be split apart, until they were found together and the boy was sent off. He became a magician and traveled the world. She fell in love the Crown Prince and got engaged but the boy eventually meets with the girl and uses his powers to free her from the royal house in Vienna. This movie starred Edward Norton and being a fan of his, enjoyed this movie then.

L’illusionnist/The Illusionist/2011**Not to confuse with the above (which was released in 2006), this French/British animation is about a dying breed of stage entertainer whose thunder is being stolen by emerging rock stars. Forced to accept all kinds of obscure assignments, this French illusionist meets a young Scottish fan who believes in magic and tags along with him but changes her life forever. Not impress with this flick and found it rather boring and slow. The animated scenes of Scotland are quite well done!

There are many words synonymous to illusionist, eg: charmer, conjurer, diabolist, enchanter, exorcist, fortune-teller, genie, medium, magician, prophet, sorcerer,voodoo, witch,wizard etc. Being an admirer of good illusionists, will try to watch those performances and memories of father telling me that there is no such thing as magic, only that the magician’s hands are faster than the eyes. Ever since then, always wanted to learn to know the secrets of those tricks! Most people need a pinch of illusion in their life but as long as they are aware of the difference of what is illusion and reality 🙂

The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place – George Bernard Shaw

6 Apr 2011 – Where Are These People From…

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_653490.html

ST today: Why I parked at space for disabled. Driver blames shortage of parking spaces…

So he has to park at the space for disabled to tell the world that he is retarded!!! NO derogatory intended but the consequences of a rat-race society where the people turn to rats! Here is a good one on rats from a friend in Goa 🙂 🙂 🙂

I love mankind, it’s people I can’t stand – Charles M Schulz

3 Apr 2011 – A Lovely Sunday

Started bright and early from CausewayBayMTR to TaiPoMarket 大埔墟 connecting on the green minibus to TaiMeiTuk 大美督.

PatSinLeng is a mountain range in the northeast NewTerritories of HKG, located within the PatSinLeng CountryPark. The name Pat Sin Leng literally means Mountains of the Eight Immortals, who are famous xian (immortals or fairies) in Chinese Mythology and symbolizes the eight peaks along this mountain range, each named after a different Immortal. Started on this trail but since we had app 4hrs, it would not be enough time to do the 8 peaks, instead headed to

Bride’sPoolNatureTrail 新娘潭自然教育徑 (1km) is located on the NW side of the PloverCoverReservoir, near the mouth of the Bride’sPoolStream. Legend has it that a bride passed by this treacherous part on her way to the wedding. In bad weather, the wedding sedan chair fell into the pool and she was washed down the waterfall. In memories of this ill-fated bride who got drown there, the pool was named Bride’sPool, but did not quite figure out where the pool is??

2 Apr 2011 – 8 hrs Hike (edited 6 Apr)

Thu: arrived HKG in the evening to see the city lights and on Fri woke up bright & early to a lovely dawn.

East Dam, damming up High Island Reservoir which has very low water levels.

Trail to Long Ke Wan

Long Ke Wan

Strange tree!  There were 3 sky-gliders but camera was acting up and only captured one of them.  A dry MacLehose Trail and just as well, would not like their trails wet!!

Views from the top of Sai Wan Shan

A panorama view of the 4 beaches with Sharp Peak from Sai Wan Shan and what a refreshing swim at Sai Wan after the hot climb up and down Sai Wan Shan!

Need to find out the names of these lovely wild flowers…

Fri: no April’s Fool but did app 8hrs hike in the East Sai Kung/西貢 area. Started along the High Island Reservoir, HKG National Geo Park /East Dam to Long Ke Wan/浪茄灣, Sai Wan Shan/西灣山, crossing parts of MacLehose Trails/麥理浩徑 stages 1 & 2 and heading to Tai Long Wan/大浪灣 and taking the same track/positng 2 Mar 2011, except for the last stretch to the bus on the main road instead of to Wong Shek Pier/黃石碼頭.

Thanks to Harry CHAN for taking me on these trails and appreciate his delightful company on this beautiful day, hiking in such spectacular views. Pix credits to him for pix on the right and the larger size pix. Pleasure to meet Mee-Yeong & Julian CHAN for a drink later. You Look tired, Uncle Harry, commented Mee-Young. To the young couple- safe trip back to Canberra/Australia. Apologies for tiring out their uncle Harry 🙂

HKG longest hiking trail, MacLehose Trail opened 1979, crosses much of the New Territories, starting from Pak Tam Chung,/Sai Kung to Tuen Mun in the west in the New Territories. The whole trail is 100 kilometres long, marked by distance posts at 500m intervals along the path. It is named after Crawford Murry MacLehose, the longest-serving HKG governor, who established the Country Parks and was himself a hiker. The trail passes through a variety of natural and beautiful scenery. Only done bits and pieces of it to discover that it is difficult to do a thru’ hike for me here.

The New Territories, through which this trail runs, covers the majority of the SAR’s land area. In the HKG part is the most varied and finest countryside where the trail begins on the east coast is deeply indented and wild. The central mountains, which it crosses, include many of HKG highest pecks. The western part, where it winds to its end, has impressive valley reservoirs.

Today will rest to save energy for tomorrow’s hike in another area…

Above all, do not lose your desire to walk.  Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness.  I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it – Soren Kierkegaard

30 Mar 2011 – Happy Bday Jo… a day early!

Kum cao/甘草/Glycyrrhiza uralensis, also known as Chinese liquorice, which is used in TCM. This root could help moistens the lungs and stops coughs. It treats disorders such as shortness of breath and fatigue. Its neutral property treats coughing and wheezing of various etiologies that stems from either cold or heat and deficiencies of excess, with or without phlegm. Liquorice root has also been reported to speed the healing of canker sores. Would start chewing it when a  sore throat or cough is onset and most times it works for me!

Take care people, there is much coughing going on at present.

Thank you Sue, Pat & David for a wonderful dinner and gathering@Imperial Treasure, Great World City****for their mom and my sister, Jo’s 74th Bday. Lucas is as cute as a button and certainly has much to say for his age! Good to see Michael looking well after his surgery. To Les & Ivy, the wines are as usual great, but the problem is that it is difficult to drink wines anywhere else! Will then stick to champagne when not drinking their wines 🙂

Appreciate that the celebrations is a day early as will be riding the Tiger again tomorrow! And now to get a good night sleep – just love those zzzzzzzz

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book – Irish Proverb

29 Mar 2011 – Comments Flying All Over (edited 1700hrs)

Only one NSman is represented in this pix, there are others like my two grand-nephews ANG Kee Yang & LAM Sui Chang who are good citizens and serving their country with pride, my respects to them! Even if it means to add it in after the posting, formally Ghost from this morning, but edited to Believe It or Not. Had to do as a reminder and hopefully not happen again!

http://beta.sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/nsman-maid-carrying-backpack-sparks-debate-20110328-044525-041.html

He’s in the army, but she’s the one carrying the backpack.

A series of photographs making its rounds on the Internet has generated much debate about whether Gen Y soldiers in Singapore are too soft and spoilt.

The photos which were taken off Facebook and posted on The Straits Times’ online portal Stomp features a young man, fully decked out in army fatigues, with his maid trailing behind him carrying his large backpack…

This was posted on FaceBook by CHENG Chee Hoew later… imagine the comments this incident generated. Since my name has been taken in vain here, had to put in my two cents!

Cheng Chee Hoew

LoL

 

Wall Photos

By: James Koh

Ghost*** In Your Arms Again is a remake of the 1990 Ghost and is a co-production between S Korea and Japan. Previously titled Love and Soul. Except this flick is a role reverse. Nanami is a successful Japanese CEO and Joon-ho is a Korean potter who lives in Tokyo to learn pottery. They become a couple but Nanami dies due to an accident. Nanami hangs around Joon-ho even after her death because she couldn’t leave his loved one and then she eventually finds out the truth about her death.

Had to watch this as the original Ghost with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze was rather touching and Whoopi Goldberg did such a good job as the psychic! This Asian version is different even with the same music, Unchained Melody! Both stories reflect on love even after death. Is it possible for some souls to linger on and this story touches on that. Then does anyone really know; no one has been there and return to tell, unless you choose to believe. Am a sceptic, in spite of a few strange incidences and such one as…

A strange thing happened while flossing my teeth. The floss just vanished out of my hands! No did not swallow it, not illusions or imagination. Yes checked the sink and fine-combed the area throughly and am aware that Ching Ming is just round the corner! Will not disclose the location as others might get freak out. Harry suggested that the floss is made in China, thus dissolved in the mouth. That is the best explanation so far 🙂

A favourite quotation that has been quoted many times in: True love is like a ghost; everyone talks of it, but few have met it face to face – La Rochefoucald

The Lincoln Lawyer*** Mickey is a LA criminal defense attorney who operates out of the back of his Lincoln Continental sedan. He has spent most of his career defending garden-variety criminals, until he lands the case of a lifetime: defending a Beverly Hills playboy accused of murder. But the seemingly straightforward case is more complicated and develops into a deadly game of survival for Mickey and his family. Worth the watch if you have the time.

27 Mar 2011 – No Need for More Food!!!

Fri: lunch with Pat & Peggy@Teahouse/the Asian Kitchen***(since 2005) in Raffles City. We had the roast duck, broccoli with mushroom and the spinach soup which are all rather tasty. To Peggy thanks for lunch and to Pat & Peggy, thanks for the lovely company.

Coffee & dessert@Canele… what an indulgence.

Has been sometime ago since Leonard & Brian got together and also ages ago since the last visit to ShangriLa Hotel. There are some interesting signs in the area. Supposed to meet for high tea but could not really eat more, instead a glass of champagne to cheers to such charming and delightful company. Thanks Brian for getting us together. Amazing that when we first met, Brian, Chuan and Leonard were in their late 20s. Both Brian & Chuan in KCH now are into fatherhood and their eldest kid is same age as Katy! Appreciations to the younger men for keeping in contact with this grandmother 🙂

Sat: dim-sum lunch@Victor’s Kitchen in Sunshine Plaza and the standard of the food is not as it was, especially the service. Considering the personal problems the owners are going thur’ and the lady boss was practically in tears when relating her woes! Memories from some years back when this HKG family just moved here started at a corner shop with only 6 tables! Will not rate this time round as it will not be fair.

http://www.camperscorner.com.sg/main/index.php Campers’ Corner Outdoor Outfitters/51 Waterloo St, the only shop that sells Chaco in SIN. Could not resist this pair but would have preferred it in another colour, then the comfort is most important for any hiker! Thanks to Calvin TAY for his attention & service. Decided to buy a new stick, hat and headlamp (gave away most of the hiking gears after the AT hike!) Plans for a PPP & talk on the AT Hike on 29 Apr at this location.

http://www.foodforthought.com.sg/fft Tea at Queens St branch@Food for Thought****David never fails to impress me with their food & service. The N Bridge Rd branch has the best duck pizza! Food for Thought & Victor’s Kitchen have been rated in other postings. If interested just enter the names on the right hand corner and do a search. Thanks to nephew Clement for lunch & tea and to Leslie & Ivy for dinner@Tanglin Club, founded in 1865 is one of the most prominent and prestigious social clubs in SIN.

It was a social club, place to be seen and a place to make connections – Ken Yellis

25 Mar 2011 – Back in SIN with more of Mother Nature’s Fury!

Thu: bye-bye to the Cat City’s beautiful sky. The Tiger took off 10mins late from KCH due to late incoming flight but caught up with time and arrived on time safe & sound back in SIN early yesterday evening. If not for these people’s kindness and gracious hospitality, the travels in Sarawak would have not been so educational and enjoyable.

Many thanks, especially to Lawrence & Mabel for putting me up, driving me all around KCH, all the yummy food and wines and the delicious farewell dinner@See Good****

Kuching: AnnChee, SiawChuan & family, Mr Lam of Lee Sang Goldsmith and Peter Wee of Anna Photo Studio.

Sarikei: Daniel Yiek’s info on: http://sarikei-time-capsule.blogspot.com, Mr & Mrs Stephen Chen & family of King’s Inn, the Lam family of Kwong Hup Cafe and to all the people who took time to talk to me.

Sibu: Cathrine Eyut Ak Pasai & family and the people in Kampung Bawang Assan/Longhouse,  Kelly Grace & Wesley Malacca.

Elizabeth Taylor (79), the legendary actress famed for her beauty, her charitable endeavors and her many marriages. National Velvet is a classical and even as a child watching her then, she was already absolutely beautiful and her beauty continued until yesterday. May she now rest in peace. Condolences to her family

Another earthquake and this one is in Myanmar near the Thai border around the Golden Triangle. To the people in that area where there is much poverty, my prayers and thoughts go out to them.

At least 75 people were killed and dozens of buildings destroyed. Tremors spread as far away as Bangkok, almost 800km from the epicentre, Hanoi and parts of China during the earthquake on Thursday, which the US Geological Survey (USGS) measured at magnitude 6.8.

Some people, no matter how old they get, never lose their beauty – they merely move it from their faces into their hearts – Martin Buxbaum