Hi all, I've shifted..........am now over to new blog. See you or rather see me there!

Pet Peeves

I hate it when people

1) walk and smoke at the same time along some passageway. Japan has already banned that!

2) (especially ladies) who only start to dig into their super big hangbag upon reaching the MRT station gate to search for their Link pass and obstruct the human traffic flow or

3) like doing a CT scan of their bag over the sensor at the MRT station gate sensor for they dunno where their card is located in some corner of their bag.

4) buy cigarette and lighter at Cheers and wanna pay by NETS, declined already still ask if can pay via VISA then finally dig out $12.20 to pay via cash.

5) like machiam signed contract with a certain seat on the bus in the morning. Got space to move in behind but stand and obstruct people from moving inwards.

6) who peak period stand on right side of the escalator. Can't read the sign but should be able to observe that majority of the people who are not walking up the escalator are keeping to the left!

added on 31.10.09:-

7) after tapping their card at the MRT gates, stare at the tiny screen (check value) for the eternity like as if every 5 seconds they stare at they will gain 5 cents more in their card.

8) people who scared that everyone else will be bored like they are and so decide to share their songs by playing them out loud using their phones or who feels that they could make better use of their train journey by choosing and changing their ringing melody! Thanks but no thanks!

......to be continued.

Devastating Typhoon Morakot.....

Past few days, thanks to the cable news - I've been watching the updates on the devastation brought upon Taiwan by the Typhoon Morakot.

A statue of Buddha submerged under the water and debris.

Morakot lashed Taiwan with at least two metres (80in) of rain over the weekend.

To some parts of the world, that may be the amount of rainfall for a whole year.

Economic losses due to Morakot have been estimated at U.S. $274 million.

There were reports of a whole village that has gone submerged under mudslides. Also instances where some people lost a total of 17 family members or more to the mudslide all at once.

One helicopter on its way to perform search and rescue operations, crashed into the valley and all 3 crew members were found dead.

Some villagers lucky enough to escape death are trapped as roads and bridges are destroyed and communications to the outside world is cut. Many are starving as the weather conditions could not allow any food supplies to be sent. For past few days there were no water or electricity.

The six-storey hotel in the vid above has been the effort of a Taiwanese guy for at least 30 yrs.........collapsed and washed away just like that.

It really saddens me to hear of all these.

I hope many will join me in my prayers for those who have suffered directly or indirectly due to the typhoon and hope the people of Taiwan will quickly recover from it.

Namo Armitabha

Cute Otters holding hands

Even animals can be so devoted to each other.........

World Expo - 2010 @ Shanghai - Better City. Better Life

Visited Shanghai in Apr 09. Took this video while inside the 上海城市规划局 - a segment where they presented via a 360 degrees screen using CGI to let visitors know more about the World Expo that will be held in Shanghai in 2010 May - Oct.

Many countries including Singapore will be taking part.

I think I would definitely like to go there in May 2010. Anyone wanna go too?

梁詠琪 錯過 MV

Continuation of Taipei Trip

This is featured in one of the Taipei guide books and the rave reviews on the internet by tourists heighten my curiosity and in spite of the cold weather, I went ahead to give it a try.

This dessert stall is a famous one at Yong Kang street. It's known as Ice Monster.

There I ordered the cold trio - mango, kiwi and strawberry.....absolutely marvelous!

The next day I visited the world renowned National Palace Museum (NPM). Take MRT to Shi Lin station and change to Red Bus 30 (but limited timing) but near Shi Lin got other bus services that goes to the NPM.

Photography is prohibited inside. The many exhibits showcased chinese paintings, tools and dye making, and of particular mentioning are the jade and ivory carvings!

Another place that is mentioned in the guide book which caught my attention is 德也茶喫 - Shan Dao Temple station exit no.2 walk 3 mins - behind Sheraton Hotel. 精緻的仿膳御點成為觀光客津津樂道的招牌點心.
Their tea and starter set.

Very exquisite snacks imitating those served to the Empress Dowager in the ancient Chinese Palace.

For NTD 199 your choice of any type of chinese tea, and alacarte buffet your choice of any of the 點心

X'mas Taipei Trip

Haha seeing Ah Kiong's posting on his Taipei trip makes me also wanna continue with my posting as well.....heeheee

First on my itinerary is Xi Meng Ding - 西门盯........and My first meal in Taipei......what else but 卤肉饭 and 面....very very yummy....the rice they used if I 'm not wrong is those 'pearl' rice, the type used to make sushi.

At Xi Meng Ding, there's this 小红楼 very interesting place with some history behind it.

Xi Meng Ding is very vibrant and with many eateries and small trendy shops which explains why this area is so popular with the youngsters. The black woolly jacket I'm wearing is bought from a shop there.......it is very stylish, with the zipper in front that's slanted across your body - the hood can be folded to review a very furry side that makes it appear like i wearing a fur scarf.

Next day I went to Jiu Fen - 九份. Having seen so many Taiwanese TV program showcasing this place, I told myself I must definitely include 九份 in my itinerary.

It was drizzling.....but that could not dampen my spirits.....

I recalled that one of the TV shows highlighted this 芋圆 and I tried it at this stall called
赖阿婆芋圆 which was very good as it's pretty springy.

I think purple coloured ones are made from yam, yellow ones from tapioca, green ones from mung beans, black ones from black sesame........simple yet delicious.......

The words on the red lantern actually reads "越夜越美"

In the nineties, this famous movie 《悲情城市》was filmed there.

MR Loh! (Mindef Reserve....not someone known as Mister Loh)

My Christmas 2008 Taipei Trip

It was my first time away from Singapore during Christmas season. Pretty glad it was at Taipei - a location where the climate at that time was cooling......the climate just right for Christmas.

Arrived there on 22nd Dec........was told that it was that day that the temperature dropped......experiencing lows of 13 - 18 degrees C.

Stay at The Tango Hotel - NanShi 台北-南西 at Nanjing West Rd. It's only a few steps away from the 中山 MRT station.

I would say this is the best hotel I've ever stayed in.

All the controls are on touch panels. Toiletries are refilled daily. Likewise for the 2 sachets of coffee and tea and they've like got 5 types of chinese tea. Coke, Sprite, isotonic drink, all provided free of charge and refillable.

They'll even top up daily 2 pineapple cake from 新东杨

They've got a standing rain shower. The three panels on the ceiling will converge the water on you... NICE!

And also a jacuzzi bathtub.....off the lights in the washroom and the bath has multi-coloured lights. Not to forget that they has a built in flat screen TV mounted so that you can watch TV while you soak your fatique away.......mmmmm........

What's this control panel for? It's for the jets of water to clean yourself up after u poo poo! Oh and the toilet seat is also heated!

Besides a 32 inch LCD TV, the room comes equipped with a clock radio, DVD player and even a microwave oven! All the appliances (well with the exception of the microwave oven) can be controlled by a single universal remote - which you can even use to draw the curtains!!!

They've also got very tasty breakfast with a few staples like the porridge, cereals and different types of bread while rest of the buffet dishes changes daily. Nice, friendly and helpful English speak staff. We needed to print our return flight itinerary after confirming our flight using the 2 free internet terminals at their cafe and they allowed us to use their business centre to do so without extra charges!

Initially I never paid much attention to this song..........other than knowing that it's
梁文英 who sang it and it's title is 最幸福的事 oh and that it's one of the sound track for that movie <<海角七號>>

One day I happened to chance upon it's MTV and was touched by it.

Birthday 2008

It's that time of the year again.......

Longevity Peaches

It was my aunt's (who happened to be my god-ma too) birthday and I made these Longevity Peaches Mochi for her.

The texture did not turn up quite as expected......must try again another time.

容祖兒 - 心淡

容祖兒 - 痛愛

Quite an old song, think should be from 2001 but this song can withstand test of time and is one of the few songs that made me pay attention to Joey Yung.

Once she held a concert and it was 10 sessions! Imagine that!

Green Tea-ramisu

3 Aug Babies + 1 Sep Baby.

Calls for a celebration and as such I made Green Tea-ramisu for them.

Looks like a small catus plant right? I think it would look more so had I remembered to bring the Mocha powder there and sprinker some on top of the cream/mascarpone cheese.

Happened to see the Alphabet Candles that formed HAPPY BIRTHDAY at Chatuchak weekend market and so decided to buy and use it. To my surprise, they were lightly scented too.

Am very glad that the birthday gals and guys love what I've done and hope the taste is as good too.

My Love Will Get U Home

Such a soothing and lovely song.....




If you wander off too far, my love will get you home.
If you follow the wrong star, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone,
get back on your feet and think of me, my love will get you home,
boy, my love will get you home.

If the bright lights blind your eyes, my love will get you home.
If your troubles break your stride, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone,
get back on your feet and think of me, my love will get you home,
boy, my love will get you home.

If you ever feel ashamed, my love will get you home.
When there's only you to blame, my love will get you home.
If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone,
get back on your feet and think of me, my love will get you home,
boy, my love will get you home.

If you ever find yourself, lost and all alone,
get back on your feet and think of me, my love will get you home,
boy, my love will get you home.
boy, my love will get you home.

This is the 2nd time that I've stayed at Citadines Apart'Hotel Sukhumvit 16 and I'm still in love with this place.

It's furnished with microwave oven, toaster, electric kettle, stove, iron and board, mini fridge with ice-cube tray, LCD TV and DVD player.

It's 5 mins walk away from Asok BTS skytrain station which is the interchange with the Sukhumvit MRT station.

At Central World, whilst shopping, I happened to find this quaint little Thai food restaurant -named Kum Poon - that serves pretty authentic thai dishes.

At first I was hesitant and the wooden cardboard menu is in Thai but was relieved that they do have their menu in English. Love their papaya salad, pad thai and fried rice. Also love their earthen clay brown plates which they serves with a banana leaf.

Not in the pictures but their Tom Yam is yummy and loaded with many ingredients. It's also served in a earthern clay bowl which seats on a candle holder that maintains the temperature of the soup.



Giant Salmon Sushi!
One of the few sculptures of the 'balloon' poodles.

I was lucky to chanced upon this simple yet nice restaurant in Ari area .....this crabmeat fried rice is only 40 baht....same price as a cup of iced coffee I had there. Notice the curled up spring onion.....The thing about Thai iced coffee is that at every nook and corner, be it in a restaurant or push carts or 7-Eleven, it's equally addictively a must have drink!

Next to the Citadines is this pretty clean and new cafe - converted from a 2 storey tall bungalow.

They also have outdoor tables next to their garden.

I had Breakfast combo set B - Waffles, ham, sausage, bacon, fried egg and a cup of coffee - 95 baht.

Re-kindred Passion for BKK-0808