My One Week Trip of HK

Just came back from a trip to Hong Kong with my side of the family. Yes, it’s a trip rather than a vacation or holiday for me. A tiring trip if you ask me. The weather is hot there, even worse than in Singapore in my opinion. And who say it's cooling in Hong Kong this time of the year?

Carrying two boys, weighing 8kg each, around is no joke. On top of that, we still have to backpack their milk and diapers. Not that we did not bring a stroller. But the stroller unfriendliness of the Hong Kong MTR and environment make the stroller almost redundant. In the end, the stroller acts more like a trolley for our backpacks.

As for the trip itself, it is a roller-coaster ride. We hop to Macau and Zhuhai in between. In Macau, we visited the famous St Ruins to take some been there done that photos, buy some almond biscuits and egg tarts and that's it. After all, it's a gamblers' paradise, nothing much for non-gamblers like us. We have lunch at an authentic Cantonese restaurant that serves steam egg with fish intestine, a dish where Mum used to cook for Dad and me. Nice memory for the father and son ;)

We hop over Zhuhai from Macau for a one day trip. Nothing exciting to talk about from me. I can see Angie obviously enjoy the shopping there at the famous underground shopping center. Much better than Shenzhen I say. Not so sleazy and much cleaner. They also don't smoke in the shopping center, making the air more breathable. Oh, the seafood feast at the end of day trip is really worth it. $150 RMB and the dishes kept coming in till we can't take it anymore. Really worth it.

Back at Hong Kong, we did not go to Disneyland or Ocean Park. Sons too young to appreciate it. We took the cable car to Lantau Island to visit the Big Buddha statue. Shop a bit at the famous Woman's Street night market. Best moment is the breakfast at 妹记 porridge. The porridge is solid and the fish skin dish is really a nice surprise.

Overall, there are not a lot of enjoyable moments for me. It's a good experience and nice opportunity for my side of the family to be close to the boys. One final note, must better estimate the amount of milk powder to bring in a kiasu way.

Angie BBQ Birthday

Continuing on Angie's Birthday on Sunday, we decided to have an impromptu BBQ session in the evening near a beach. As we have a disposable BBQ kit, which we bought for some time, there isn't a need to book for a BBQ pit.

Hence, after having our breakfast, we went to NTUC Fairprice to grab some chicken wings and frozen satays. We also bought a cauliflower to fried as a side dish. We also thought of making some BBQ prawns as we have some extra in the fridge. Serene says she will cook some fried rice just in case some of us gets hungry. Since it is just for the fun of it, we did not buy too much food.

We went down to Pasir Ris beach beside Coastal Sands Resort around 5pm and found ourselves a nice sheltered area. Kwan Siang bought a cake as desserts. We decide to celebrate Serene's daughter, Phoebe birthday as well since it falls in the same month.

Though it is a simple session, it turns out to be quite a happy occasion. Sure beats going to some fancy restaurant for dinner. Together with the cake, we actually ate quite full. :P

From Angie BBQ Birthday

One-Day Durian Buffet cum Shopping Trip

My family went for a durian cum shopping tour around 3 weeks ago in Johore. After crossing the border, we stop by this coffee shop for breakfast.

From 1 Day Durian/Shopping

We reach our durian feasting location at around lunchtime. When we arrived, we were actually kind of disappointed. All along we thought the buffet would be held in a durian plantation with chairs and tables under a shelter. As it turns out, the durian feast is a walk off the main road in some sort of kampong area.

Each table/bus is allocated one basket of durians, where people will cut them open. It's a free for all and eat all you can session. xp The bad news is this will be our lunch! As I am feeling a bit heaty inside, I only took one seed of durian plus some rambutans and mangosteen on offer, plus two apples, which Angie brought along. :(

From 1 Day Durian/Shopping

Some rambutan trees growing next to where we had our durians. Remind me of my Puala Ubin trip ^_^

From 1 Day Durian/Shopping

Checking out the fruits stall by the side of the road. This huge Thai durian is bigger than the size of my head!

From 1 Day Durian/Shopping

After stuffing ourselves with durian and fruits, we were brought to Yoyo Native Food Shop in Yong Peng to shop for some ??.

From 1 Day Durian/Shopping

More shopping... this is another area. This place sells a lot of stuffed toys, cartoon accessories, tidbits and fruits. Check out the size of those mangoes and pineapples. My sisters and Angie unload all their Ringgits here buying cartoon theme pillows and bags. Anyone who knows about this place please let me know. Keen to go back again. hehehe

From 1 Day Durian/Shopping

Next stop is at Aeon Tebrau City. By that time, both Angie and I are tired. So we didn't explored much around this shopping mall. But still Angie managed to get herself 2 pairs of shoes *amazed+faint*

From 1 Day Durian/Shopping

Our final stop is seafood dinner in Kampong Senibong near Permas Jaya. The dinner is not very nice and the sea view is noting to write home about.

From 1 Day Durian/Shopping

We return back to Singapore by 930pm in the evening. Overall, the trip is ok. The durian buffet is disappointing. Shopping trip wise is ok.

Cycling @ Pulua Ubin

Angie and I went to Puala Ubin on Sunday two weeks ago. Since this is my first visit to this island, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. We took a bus to Changi Village and have dim sum for breakfast at one of the coffee shops in Changi Village.

From 2009-06-06 Pulau Ubin

After breakfast, we proceed to take a ferry at Changi Terminal. Gosh, we are surprised at the number of people queuing for the ferry. Ferries arrivals are quite frequent so the waiting time is quite short.

From 2009-06-06 Pulau Ubin

Each ferry can take up to 12 people and cost $2.50 single trip per pax. The ferry trip itself takes around 15 - 20 mins. The weather is nice and cloudy that day with cool sea breeze blowing as the ferry move towards Puala Ubin

From 2009-06-06 Pulau Ubin

When we arrived at the island, the place is bursting with activities. The streets next to the jetty are filled with bicycle rental shops. Most of the bicycles are quite new and comes with gear change. We rented a two person bicycle ($14 whole day!) and proceed to cycle around to enjoy the nature breeze. It is a good trip to break away from the hectic Singapore life.

From 2009-06-06 Pulau Ubin

Some areas have steep slopes that even at first gear, we have problem riding up the slope. In the end, we have to dismount and push our bicycle up.

From 2009-06-06 Pulau Ubin

Since it is the rambutan season, rambutans are spotted dangling from the trees everywhere on the island. Other than rambutans, we also saw durian trees. We came to a spot where there is a huge crowd gathered. Turns out everyone there are plucking rambutans to eat. There is this uncle who is using a home made pole to reach those really bright red rembutans high up in the trees. He is also kind enough to borrow the pole to us to let us try our hands in getting the juicy fruit.

From 2009-06-06 Pulau Ubin

After getting frustrating in trying pluck the fruit down with the pole, I found a branch low enough for me to pull it down to get our hands full with a lot of rambutans. Though green in color, they taste just as sweet.

From 2009-06-06 Pulau Ubin

Fruits of Our Labour

We were caught in a light drizzle on our way back to the jetty area. We end up having our dinner at the First Stop Ubin restaurant. They serve really fresh live prawns but sadly I can't eat those.

From 2009-06-06 Pulau Ubin

After our dinner, we ride around for a while more before returning the bicycle. We just managed to board the ferry back to the mainland before a heavy downpour came. Heng ah! Well this is a relaxing outing. Both Angie and I really enjoy the fallback from the busy lifestyle. Will definitely come back again.

Old Town Coffee

Woooo... it's been some time since my last update. Too busy with work these days. As my colleague mentioned today, I look like a porcupine.

"Too many arrows sticking out of my back..." -_-"

Yep, ever since I was duped into the printer project, I have been working overtime and weekends. Oh... this reminds me to ask for 2 off days from my project manager for last Sunday and accumulated OT hours. All these work result in me not able to find time to post my Taipei and the recent Batam trip.

Anyway, before I go off topic too much. Last Saturday, Angie and I went down to East Coast, Playgroud @ Big Splash for makan on the way back from my parent's place. I say, the place is happening sia. There are many people eating and shopping there. Yes you heard me right, shopping because there is a car boot sale there.

So we went to Old Town cafe for our dinner. The white coffee they served is the best coffee I ever drink. It's so smooth. Not too sweet and not too bitter. Just the right balance. After drinking that, the coffee at the canteen at my workplace taste like long kao (drain) water. The nasi lemak I have is not like those sold in your local coffee shop. The chicken is well fried and crispy. The rice is fragrant and kinda taste like chicken rice IMO. ROFL!

All I say is the food and coffee is very nice. Definitely worth going back. Maybe will organize a trip there with my family as the seafood restaurant (thanks to Jasmine) offer quite an affordable ala carte lunch.

Roller Blading for the First Time

A few weeks ago, Angie and I went to Changi Village for breakfast and cycling. Often seeing some kids roller blading at my place. I decided to borrow my sister-in-law's roller blade to have a try myself.

We find ourselves a nice spot by the beach to put those blades on. After struggling to wear them (my sister-in-law have smaller feet than mine), I finally get to stand up with the blades on the grass area. Everything is so stable.

"HA! This is a piece of cake." I thought to myself, "Let's hit the road!"

Man, I was so wrong. The blades came alive immediately when I step onto the bicycle pavement. My legs keep wobbling trying to keep my balance. I can't even find the energy to push myself forward. Most of the time I am struggling not to fall on my backside. How did those kids and babes at East Coast do it?

After struggling for half an hour plus so humiliating falls and laughing by Angie, I decided to call it a day. I end up with quite a sore ankle from all the twisting n balancing. I guess it is not as simple as it looks then. :(

A Visit to The Farms II - Kok Fah Technology Farm

NOTE: This is the second part of my farm visits over the weekend. As usual, my laziness cause this entry to be posted now. :P

According to Angie, there is a farm in Choa Chu KAng (CCK) selling fresh vegetables from the local farms. After our Saturday adventure, we decided to go down to take a look with my in-laws.

After much searching and driving around CCK area, we finally found the place. The place is actually not very difficult to find, it is just that I did not see the signboard pointing the way. Typical male driver, right? :P

Finally we found the place!

When we reach there, the place is crowded. It sort of like a mini marketplace except it sells vegetables only. The place is filled with elderly folks and the road outside is parked with buses. I guess they must have join those farm tours organized by the Community Centres.

Look at the crowd!

Judging from the color, the vegetables sold there are really very fresh. It's like they are just pluck right out from the farms. In terms of price, they are no difference from those sold outside in supermarkets. Given the freshness of the vegetables, this is ok.

We took a walk around the farming area and look at the vegetables grown there. Some of the vegetables growing on the fields look like fake due to its freshness. See the photos below for yourself.

We left the place with bags of vegetables and some fruits in tow. For the freshness of the things on offer, it will be a waste if we go back empty-handed.

Other than vegetables, the place also sell plants/flowers and aloe vera.