Saturday Lunch at Hougang

Nothing much to report since we had a small family gathering by having lunch with JR at Hougang.

Bourne Ultimatum

We went to AMK Hub to catch the Bourne Ultimatum movie at 8pm. Met Irene's childhood friend, En Hui (Mei Mei) and her husband there watching the 881. After buying the tickets, we realized that the food is bought at the same counter. So we told the guy that we want popcorn, hotdogs and nachos and we were caught by surprise that he mentioned that the food will be send to us in the cinema. This is something new.

Anyway we entered the cinema and was very satisfied with the seat arrangement (lover seat). So as the time approaches the show time, a guy suddenly pop out and hand over to us our ordered food. Cool, but hey wait a minute our popcorn is missing. Perhaps they will make a second round as it may not be ready, that's what we thought. Anyway it never came to us, that really spoil the whole show watching as I kept remembering the missing pop-corn.

When the show ends, I went over to the staff and demand to see their manager. There a appears a huge fat man (no offense, he is fat) carrying a tray, seems like he just finish some delivery. After explaining to him the whole situation, he took my receipts to make some investigation while I stood there waiting. Later, he came to me to apologized for the missing pop-corn and refund me the money. Irene was telling me, "That's it? No extra?".

Synopsis
Jason Bourne is now hunted by the people who made him what he is. Having lost his memory and the one person he loved, he is undeterred by the barrage of bullets and a new generation of highly trained killers. Bourne has only one objective: to go back to the beginning and find out who he was.

Now, in the new chapter of this espionage series, Bourne will hunt down his past in order to find a future. He must travel from Moscow, Paris, Madrid and London to Tangier and New York city as he continues his quest to find the real Jason Bourne - all the while trying to outmaneuver the scores of cops, federal officers and interpol agents with him in their crosshairs.

My Favourite Car is Out!

Finally, Mitsubishi has released their new EX car that comes in Sports or GT version. Not only the looks is cool, the 2.0 litre car has 155bhp that can makan most cars on the road. The sports version is priced at $75K while the GT cost $81K with Rockford Fosgate audio system. I am planning to visit the showroom this weekend if possible.

Amazing Rubberband

Look at the wonderful things, one can do when he is bored at meeting. Especially attending the management meeting.

Singapore Fireworks 2007

My sis jio my family to Marina Square to watch the Singapore Fireworks 2007. We came early about 5pm so that we could grab a quick dinner before the fireworks start. The car park was getting full buy luckily we were still able to park. We had our dinner at a Chinese restaurant, 'Imperial Treasure'.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a huge throng of crowd joining us in the scene of catching the spectacular fireworks. We booked a seating place at the edge of the grand staircase outside Marina Square mall, that was facing the Marina Bay in which the fireworks were shot from the boats. By the time around 9pm the place was so packed with spectators. When the fireworks commenced, it lasted for about 15mins. It was a spectacular show that everyone enjoyed with claps after closing.

(My sis told us that she was pregnant again and she has decided to remove it after discussion with my brother-in-law. We were quite shocked but we couldn't dissuade her so had to give our support as a family.)

Bangkok, Thailand 2007 - Day 4

11 August, Saturday, we woke up quite late. Today is the day that we decided to visit Chatuchak Weekend Market. Though there are many markets throughout Bangkok, this place is still pretty much the undisputed king of them all. The scale of it is pretty unbelievable - it covers an area of 35 acres, contains more than 15 000 shops and stalls, has over 200 000 visitors each day. The range of products on sale is extensive, and includes household accessories, handicrafts, religious artifacts, art, antiques, live animals (which unfortunately are frequently caged in cruel conditions), books, music, clothes, food, plants and flowers etc...

Chatuchak is a particularly good place to buy all sorts of Thai handicrafts, as there's a huge range, the quality is high and the intense competition keeps the prices low. Bargaining is expected, if not mandatory, at Chatuchak and the prices are generally substantially cheaper than the shopping centers and street stalls.

One very unexpected incident happened during my journey on the sky train towards the market. Out of the millions of tourists in Bangkok, I actually met my colleague, Roger, in the train. We got a shock to see each other in the train although we know that we are in Bangkok around the same period. We were commenting that it was rare for both of us to meet in Singapore but Bangkok...... amazing.

Roger and I split our way when we arrived at the market as we want to do our own shopping. The market is gigantic, the crowd was terrible and the heat was immerse. The walk of an hour in the market was equivalent to a 2.4km jog, with the intense stuffiness, breathing was very difficult. That was nothing much to our interest to shop for anything, so we spend most of the time getting some local food to satisfy our hunger.

In the evening, we left for China town again for our last dinner in Bangkok. As usual we enjoyed the shark's fin soup with some new dishes like crab bee hoon, fried oat prawns and BBQ sotong. Lastly Irene ordered another bird's nest soup which she seems to be obsessed with it. After the meal we left for our hotel to do our packing as we are returning back to Singapore on the earliest flight tomorrow. Goodbye Thailand.

Bangkok, Thailand 2007 - Day 3

10 August, today is the day we decided to travel upwards to Ayuthaya. This was an adventurous trip that we planned to have as we do not wish to stuck in Bangkok for the whole travel. We took the sky train to the furtherest North station as it was nearer to make our way to the bus terminal from there.


We need to bash through a park to approach the bus terminal, we were not able to find a entrance into the park as it was fenced. We had walked for 20 mins before we finally decided to quit walking and took a cab to the bus terminal immediately. The journey was not short, damn that stupid map. We were fortunate to find the booth that sells the ticket to travel to Ayuthaya. After buying the tickets at about $50 Baht each, I bought some tidbits and drinks to munch during the 2 hour journey.


Upon embarking the bus, we were crowded by a couple of locals whom were the tuk tuk drivers in Ayuthaya. I was still puzzled where we are and was trying to find some landmarks to orientate our location in the map. However a friendly man came to us, telling us that this place was very far away from the tourist attractions. He offered to chauffeur us around promising us to complete those famous attractions at a rate of $200 Baht per hour. I told him that we do not want the tour but would like him to bring me to one of the place so that I can figure my way from there. After bargaining to about $60 Baht we took the ride for about 10 mins and he dropped us at a very deserted place that does not look like an attraction. Even after confronting him the location, he insist that we are there. Forget it, I gave up and walk around to ask the locals about our location. As a result, we were a couple of km from the intended place so we had to make our way on foot. I just want to say "Curse that driver to be broke for all his life, doubt he can go heaven after his death".


Wat Phra Mahathat
One of Ayuthaya's most photographed sites is on the grounds of this temple. Built during the reign of King Ramesuan in the 14th century, it is home to the Buddha head embedded in twisted tree roots. Despite extensive dmage - not much was left standing after the Burmese hordes had finished. We paid $30 Baht each and quickly made our way into the ruin temple and nearly caught our breathe due to the similarity to the Angkor Wat of Cambodia.
If you noticed that some of the ruins are tilted, yes this is correct and I repeat myself again, it has nothing to do with my camera skills.

The above is the legendary most photographed sight whereby the Buddha's head is entrapped within the tree roots. Anyone whom wants to snap a shot upfront has to kneel before the figurine as instructed by the local guards.

Wat Ratchaburana
In 1424 AD King Intharachathirat passed away. His two sons, Chao Aye Phraya who reigned over Suphanburi, and Chao Yi Phraya reigned over Sanburi, met in battle as each desired the throne. This took place at the approach to the Pa-Than bridge and ended with the death of both sons. A third son, Chao Sam Phraya came down from Phitsanulok and ascended to the throne whereupon he declared his intention to organize for his father and his two brothers. Afterwards he ordered the building of a wat, namely Wat Ratchaburana, at the site of the cremation and at the place where his brothers fought and died he had two chedis created in which to keep their ashes.

In September 1957 AD looters dug into a two level crypt inside the main prang and stole a great quantity of valuable material. Police arrested some of these looters. Fine Arts department proceeded to excavate the site and found Buddha images and many artifacts made of gold. Among these were a large number of votive tablets made of gold and lead. In 1958 AD the Fine Arts department built a stairway so that one could go down to the crypt and look at the mural paintings which were also found there. Since the Buddha images and votive tablets discovered in the crypt were very numerous, the ministers of the government approved giving some of them to people who had contributed to the building of the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum, much of the collection in which was founded in Wat Ratchaburana.


We decided to take a rest after enjoying so much mesmerizing monuments for the morning. There was this restaurant facing the monastery across the road which we stopped for some bites. Ordered a fried rice, fried spring roll and some drinks after we were shown to a window seat. Quite a good view of the monastery, heard its even more glamorous during the night time when the spotlight shines upon the ruins. The sky looks gloomy, we decided to step up the visits by renting bikes at a shop next door. Don't be mistaken I meant manual bikes, the cycling ones.

Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Next stop was this place called Wat Phra Si Sanphet. Once the largest temple in Ayuthaya, this wat is now known for the line of three impressive stupas. They are prime examples of the quintessential Ayuthaya style, which has been identified with Thai art more than any other single style in its time. Built in the 14th century, the compound once contained a 16m high standing Buddha covered with 250kg of gold, which was melted down by the Burmese conquerors.

We locked our bikes outside the monastery and paid about $30 Baht to enter the site. Lucky we were ahead of the rain, so pictures were still well taken despite lacking of the sun.


Phra Mongkonbophit
In the early Ayuthaya period there was no particular place specifically set aside for royal cremation ceremonies. When a King died an area would be chosen for that royal ritual. After the ceremonies had been performed the location where the cremation took place became the site of a new monastery.

The chronicles mention that in 1610AD King Songtham ordered the Buddha image known as Phra Mongkhonbophit to be moved from the east to the west and commanded the construction of a mandapa (square roofed structure) to house this image of the Buddha. In 1612AD an order was carried out to level the earth in front of the Viharn so that cremations could take place there.

Wat Lokayasutharam


Wat Lokayasutharam is situated at Pratoochai District, behind the ancient Palce and the Pratoochai Primary school, in the area of Worapoh. The important feature of Wat Lokayasutharam is a huge reclining Buddha image called Phra Bhuddhasaiyart, which faces to the east. It was constructed of bricks and cement in the art style of the Middle Ayuthaya Period, and it attractive. It is 37m long and 8m high. The head is placed on a lotus, and the legs overlap squarely to show the equalized toes.


The sky was getting darker and the rain was starting to grow gradually. We quickly race our bicycles back to the rent shop as the time was about 6 plus. After returning the bikes, the journey to the bus-stop was less than 5 mins. Curse that idiotic driver whom told me that we were very far away. Throughout the journey, we partially dozed off as we were too tired.


Upon reaching the city, it was pretty late but despite the arching body shouting to us due to exhaustion, we decided to drop by Chinatown for dinner. We went to this restaurant called "TS Seafood" which was recommended to me by Roger. Ordered a BBQ shrimps, Shark's fin soup, Vegies and each a bowl of bird's nest. The Sharl's fin soup was a steal, it cost $300 Baht and that is less than S$15! After finished the meal, we left for our hotel to rest for the night.

Bangkok, Thailand 2007 - Day 2

9 August, we began our walking tour around the interesting part of Bangkok according to the Lonely Planet recommendation. We took a cab ride to the starting point which was a pier and started to walk toward the first checkpoint 'Wat Phra Kaew and Grand Palace'. Suddenly a guy with well spoken English approach us in a friendly manner. After some chatting he told us that the place is closed at 11am and that the time is now 11.15am. Then he suggest we visit some other temples and attraction some distance from where we were. We rejected him politely as we would like to walk around the area before we decide again. As we approached the palace's main entrance, we saw much tourists entering the compound as a group. Now who say it was closed?

I quote a paragraph from the traveling book, " Remember your Mum's advise: don't talk to strangers. In this self-absorbed city, the only people interested in chatting you up are usually interested in your wallet, not cultural exchange. If you ignore your Mum's advise and talk to stranger, your suspicion-meter should register wildly if the stranger says (a) that wherever you're going is closed, 9b) that he knows someone studying/ working in your country, or (c) there is a great one-day sale on jewelery, gems or silk."


Wat Phra Kaew
Also known as Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Phra Kaew, is an architectural wonder of gleaming stupas seemingly buoyed above the ground, with polished orange and green roof tiles piercing the sky. The highly stylished ornamentation is a shrine to the Emerald Buddha, and the temple complex adjoins the former residence of the monarch, the Grand Palace. We paid $250 Baht each to gain access into the glamorous compound together with a huge group of tourists (Angmohs, Japanese and Chinese) snapping away their cameras as we entered into the hall. Two scary faced giants stood between the entrance as heavenly body guards to the palace.

The Emerald Buddha sits atop an elevated altar, barely visible amid the gilded decorations. The figure is always cloaked in royal robes, one for each season (hot, cool and rainy). In a solemn ceremony, the King himself changes the garments at the beginning of each season. All the rest of the unused garments are kept in the museum and placed on dummy emerald buddhas for viewing purposes.


The Grand Palace is a complex of buildings in Bangkok, Thailand. It served as the official residence of the king of Thailand from the 18th century to the mid-20th century. After the death of King Ananda Mahidol in the Baromphiman Palace, King Bhumibol moved the official royal residence to Chitralada Palace. Construction of the palace complex began in 1782, during the reign of Rama I.




Wat Pho
Next stop was Wat Pho, home to the giant reclining Buddha and lots of quiet nooks and crannies. Almost too big for its shelter, the tremendous reclining Buddha, 46m long and 15m high, illustrates the passing of the Buddha into nivarna (ie the Buddha's death). The figure is modeled out of plater, around a brick of core and finished in gold leaf. Mother-of-pearl inlay ornaments the eyes and feet, the latter displaying 108 different auspicious 'laksana' (characteristics of a Buddha).

A small collection of tilted stupas commemorates the first three of the Chakri kings and there are 91 smaller stupas. Note the square bell shape with distinct corners, a signature of Ratanakosin style.

Wat Pho is also the national headquarters for the teaching and preservation of traditional Thai medicine, including Thai massage, a mandate legislated by Rama III when the tradition was in danger of extinction. The rambling grounds of Wat Pho, which stretch along both sides Th Chetuphon, also contain an old Tripitaka library, a sermon hall and a school building for classes in Abhidhamma.

Wat Arun
We took a ferry ride from the main land to Wat Arun, which commands a martial pose as the third point in the holy triumvirate (along with Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho) of Bangkok's early history. After the fall of Ayuthaya, King Taksin ceremoniously clinched control here on the site of a local shrine and established a royal palace and temple housing the Emerald Buddha. The temple was renamed after the Indian god of dawn and in honor of the literal and symbolic founding of a new Ayuthaya. It wasn't until the capital and the Emerald Buddha were moved to Bangkok that Wat Arun received its most prominent characteristic: the 82m high tower. The tower was begun during the first half of the 19th century by Rama II and later completed by Rama III.

When we got off the boat we saw this simple wooden cut-outs of Thai dancers luring us. So I requested Irene to stand for photo-shoot. Once I snapped the pictures, I heard some callings from a Thai lady asking for $40 Baht, while she points below the cut-outs that wrote $40. Shit, felt so cheated again. No choice, I took out and pay her the money and we quickly hurried into the temple.

Climbing the stairs up the tower is of no joke. The steps were so steep that I had to use two hands to held onto the railings along the side. We even saw some climbers had to climb down with their back facing us.Upon reaching the top, the view was worth every step of the climb.

The sky starts to be gloomy and we quickly catch the ferry back to the main land before it rains. We stopped at MBK (Mahboonkrong), Bangkok teen's home. On any given weekend, half the city can be found here combing through an inexhaustible range of small stalls and shops or shuffling up and down the escalators. We found a eating place, Mr Meng, that offers attractive food price, especially the 'tim sum' is sold at $19Baht per dish. We ordered a pork ribs noodle, fish maw soup, fried wanton and strawberry drink. All these cost us less than $200 Baht.

After dinner, we proceed to Patpong market, the famous 'ping-pong' show that offers much amusement to the tourists. Time was still early for the show, we had some drinks in a pub while waiting for night fall.

When the clock strikes 9pm we proceeded into the Patpong market where we were pestered by local people asking for patronizing their 'ping-pong' show at incredible rates. Just spend $100 Baht for the drinks to watch the show. After some hustle and persuasion, we finally gave in and followed the salesman into a building where we entered a dark lit room where we see few young chicks dancing on bar top poles in bikini.

Once we sit down, our beer was brought to us. Next, a group of bikini babes crowded around both of us and started chatting with us. They wanted me to pay $100 Baht for their drinks and we agree to buy two only. So they left us with two drinks on our table. Anther girl came over to cheer with me and she left her drink on my table. The best part comes, the mama-san came over and asked for the payment of $500 Baht per person for viewing and the three drinks on the table are $300 Baht each. The total bill comes to $1,900 Baht! We argued that the guy whom introduced us said only a hundred and the drinks on the table is also hundred each. But she took out the menu and showed us the printed price and insist we pay immediately. We negotiated with her until the price comes down to $1,500 Baht so she took it and left us to watch the show. What a disappointing feeling or being cheated again!

So we hang around the place to continue the show while keeping our watchful eyes on the next new customers. Most of the angmohs were pretty sporting and they paid without much negotiation. There was this group which caught my attention is that one of the guy refused to pay that amount and he quickly gulped down the beer and threw down $100 Baht for each drink and they left with much commotion with the mamasan. So interesting.

Actually the show was not so entertaining. Those pole dancing babes do changes according to the shift for rest. However for the 'exciting' show, there were this two fat aunties that perform the stunts like 'ping-pong' where the small balls were inserted inside before purge into bowls; inserting series of razor blades inside; using a straw to blow darts to burst balloons; using a marker to write Welcome to Thailand; inserting banana inside and purge out; opening bottle caps etc. It would be more entertaining if they had the young and pretty ones doing the performance.

After a couple of hours (they had at least repeatedly performed 4 cycles) we decided to quit watching. We even had to keep an watchful eyes on the mamasan and their staff and quickly sneak out the place before they consider approaching us for more money. Feeling hungry, we stopped at a street stall that was selling 'Kuay tiao soup'. Taste great!

Bangkok, Thailand 2007 - Day 1

8 August, I reached Budget Terminal at around 10 and grabbed some bites before my flight since there would not be any serving during the flight. It was a disappointing sight to see that the airport was pretty unoccupied. Of course, its only housing Tiger airways since the rest of the budget airlines refuse to relocate their planes into the budget terminal.

After queuing at the custom for nearly an hour (stupid system) I stepped out to collect my luggage. Firstly, the stupid electronic signboard did not reflect my flight number TR106 so I do not have the belt number for collection. I went over to a custom officer whom told me to go belt 6 after I told him my flight number. I walked all the way to the other end of the hall to find that its for SQ601. I wanted to walk back to the officer to give him my piece of mind but was too tired to walk back. I started to get worried and the sight of so many unclaimed baggages made me shivered. I approached another officer whom told me to go belt 16 and I was pretty surprised to find my luggage on the floor together with a couple pieces of luggages. Thank goodness it was not lost after all.

I hang around in the airport for about 2 hours as I was waiting for Irene to fly from Ko Samui. So I played with my PSP while waiting for her. When she arrived, we took a cab to our hotel paying a flat rate of $400 Baht per trip.

We stayed in Euro Grande Inn which is located very much far away from the main city. But the rate was good and the surrounding is much quiet, or should I say too quiet? Anyway we got a room at the top floor with a King size bed, yes, a gigantic sleeping bed. However the room does smell like a smoking place despite we got the assurance that it was a non-smoking bedroom. Irene was pointing to the bell boy on a ash tray but he had no idea what she meant. We gave up.

We took the sky train ride to 'Siam Center' which was one of the main shopping attraction. We quickly grabbed our dinner before we started shopping. Saw this interesting shop that was quite packed with customer, so we guessed it should be good. Ordered some food like Papaya salad, Crackers and Fried chicken rice. We were shocked when we were served with a pot of plant first as appetizer. The pot was filled with mint leaves, green bean sprout, white cabbage and some other funny greens. Made me feel like a rabbit. The food taste ok but the price was a good deal, the meal cost us less than $200 Baht.

After dinner we strolled around the nearby shopping center around Siam center. Very impressed with Paragon as it stood as a high-end shopping mall with all the various branded stuff. Even the food-court looked like posh restaurants grouped together to sell wide variety of food galore. We left for early night sleep as we had a long way to go in Thailand.

JR at at Airport from arrival

I drove Mum and Dad to T2 at 10 pm to pickup my sis and her family after returning back from their Thailand holiday. As usual, JR is always showing a lovely sight when he step out of the airport arrival hall to meet us. This is outright favoritism as they only brought JR but left YQ at home. This is not the first time.

Anyway, my sis's brother-in-law drove his mum and YQ to the airport to pickup them too. It was funny to watch the two sibling meeting after missing each other for so many days. According to the maid, she mentioned that YQ most of the time was asking "Gou Gou where?".

Ping shared with me some of the information about Bangkok and provided some extra cash to me to spend. Maps were provided too, well I was telling her, can't be too difficult to get these from the airport. I borrowed her small luggage as I always likes that, small and compact, pretty suits my executive needs.

Lonely Weekend

Boring weekend as Irene is on business trip again to Ko Samui, Thailand for few days. My sister and brother-in-law brought their precious son to Pattaya, Thailand to enjoy their holiday. Not to worry, I will joining Irene in Bangkok on coming Wednesday. Muhahaha.......

After washing my car, I realized the surface is getting rougher. I guess its time to do a polishing session with the experts. The last one was about 8 months ago, got to spend another bomb.

Anyway, I left for AMK where I visited Funz Centre to shop for some new PSP games since I will be traveling on plane. I remember browsing some forum that mentioned that "Dungeon Siege" is an exciting game and promised hours of fun. Looking at the price, I bought it without second thoughts. It was priced at $29, this is so unbelievable.

Next stop, I went to Bishan J8 to buy some Thai Baht for my coming trip. The rate was S$1 = THB$22.00, should be considered good deal. So I spend S$500 to buy the currency and I felt very heart-pained despite Irene wanted me to change S$800. Despicable woman, trying to burn my pocket even before we are marrying.

I visited Bishan library as Irene wanted me to borrow some reference books about Thailand so that we can plan the visit. Luckily I managed to grab the last "Lonely Planet of Thailand" copy. Felt so happy to be able to get my hands on this greatly popular book. It always remind me of the time where we borrowed one for the Nepal trip. It covers a great deal of the 'must visit' places and eating places. I just couldn't wait to fly there for my holiday.