It's the end of the year again!

What a great year! This year has been a great year for me...not only I got promoted for my job, I get to travel to USA for the first time, I also got my Chartered Accountant Singapore and getting busier at work!

This year has gone so fast..in a blink of eyes, it's the end of the year and I was trying to recall what I have done during the year...ups and downs, I'm glad I have overcome those fears and breakthrough. It's not an easy year actually being so busy at work as well as facing difficulty with colleagues and work..thankfully I have supportive friends and family members to walk me through the difficult days. I know I have been difficult sometimes and grumpy, but the patients and concerns has pulled me through.thanks guys!! (You know who u r if u r reading them)

I hope that next year will even be better and look forward for my dreams to come true..

I wish you guys a prosperity new year, healthy and achieve even great height in 2016..

Pattaya, Thailand

Sometimes, I am just crazy! Booked the ticket on Tuesday and fly out on Friday evening. Yes, I did it again. This time, to Pattaya, Thailand.

Recently, Air Asia launched a direct flight to Pattaya from Singapore daily. So my friend and I decided to hop on the flight and fly to Pattaya on Friday, 4 December!

After work on Friday, I carried my backpack and headed to Changi Airport. It was a unique experience for me to check in through terminal 3 when my flight is actually at terminal 1. Spent 2 hours in T3 for dinner and shop around.lol

The flight took off on 9.15pm and arrived at 10.30pm (GMT +7). U-tapao airport is pretty run down and messy at the immigration. It was a full flight with about 160-180 passengers and yet only 3 immigration counters. Waited for 20 mins in the quene and another 20mins for the taxi to move off. Arrived at the resort around midnight. Went straight to bed.. Totally exhausted!!

The next day, woke up at 7.30am and breakfast at 8am. After breakfast, head to Jomtien beach for a walk before going back to hotel for our taxi service.

Booked the taxi from 10am and first stop, Big Buddha. Pray for a good trip as there were rumors of terrorist attack in Pattaya. After which, headed to sanctuary of truth. It was an amazing temple made of wood by the sea. The interior was beautiful but we need to wear helmet as there were a lot of constructions going on. There were even free traditional Thai performance and was pretty interesting.

Last stop, headed to the floating market. It started to rain but thankfully, we still managed to take the small boat and cruise along the huts and floating stalls.

After cruising the small boat, we headed for the amphiboat which can be driven on the road and also in the water. Watched the monkey show and tried the traditional way of cooking popcorn. After that, it's time for food adventure. Firstly, we tried the ostrich meat, then crocodile meat and lastly, insects (scorpion, grasshopper, silk worm, cricket)..of course, I also go for my favourite Thai ice tea and mango sticky rice! Lol. It was much more interesting in the floating market than I have imagined.

Before the dinner, went to Jomtien beach for a drink for sunset. Amazing view at the beach with chilled beer. This is life. Chilled and just enjoyed the sun set...

In the evening, went to Cabbage and Condoms restuarant for dinner. It was quite nice and delightful.

              Traveller at Jomtien beach

                     Big Buddha 

                  On the street 

               Sanctuary of Truth

        My wish for Thai's King birthday 

             Pattaya floating market

                   Insect dish

           Chilling at Jomtien beach

On Sunday, woke up around 9am and headed to Pattaya Park tower after breakfast. There are 3-4 ways to go up to the tower and we choose the funicular cable car to go up to the 55th floor. This old and rusty cable car is really crazy scary. There are other ways like sky jump..which is more insane..the view on the top is really worth the thrill cable car ride. We have panorama view of Pattaya. 

After that, headed for Thai massage and lunch (Thai chicken rice). Headed for a swim before catching our flight back to Singapore again around 5.35pm. 

             Enjoying the view in resort 

                  The scary ride

                Panorama view 

 

There are so many things to do in Pattaya like walking along the walking street and exploring Jomtien area and of course, go-go show, sun-tanning Jomtien beach and try the Thai food! I haven had time to do all these and would definitely go back to finish the unfinished task :)

48 hours KL trip

I had a tough month in November.. Working through 12-14 hours a day is really crazy..So, I decided to go to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 20 Nov (Friday) after my meeting at 6.30pm.

My friend pick me up and we drove to Tuas checkpoint. The jam was massive at the custom and it took us 2.30hours to clear both Singapore and Malaysia custom!! The security has beefing up after the terrorist attacks and also force entry from Malaysian vehicles happened lately..

Anyway, thankfully, the traffic was smooth in Malaysia and we arrived at 1am at our apartment. We even have break in between to catch our dinner at one of the rest area.

21 Nov - As usual, had pancakes for my breakfast at Dome. Subsequently, started the shopping spree at Pavilion mall. I was amazed by the Christmas deco in the mall.. Much nicer than Singapore ones..basically, I spent the whole day shopping and eating. Bought a polo tee, long trousers and bla bla..

Apparently, that week coincide with the ASEAN summit and a lot of policemen stationed outside the mall and hotel..never felt so safe in KL! 

Finished up the dinner at Morganfields pork ribs and drinks at Latino bar..having sangria..can't be even more Latino..lol

22 Nov - woke up quite late as we had a big night on Saturday. Finished up at 3am drunk. Oops.. After brunch, continue my shopping spree again! Gotten a working shirt, contact lense solutions, hair wax, chips, sweets bla bla again! Spent so much again.. Had my mango dessert again before driving off to Singapore..

Fortunately, there was no traffic jam along the way back and both customs were empty. Arrived in Singapore at 8pm..just 4 hours!

It was really a relaxing trip for me getting ready for upcoming holiday..looking forward for more short getaways ;)

Shopping spree

I guess sometime retail therapy do work!!

I bet a lot of friends should aware that I have gone "missing" or "silent" lately..

It was all due to my massive workload and hectic job scope which I really didn't want to plan anything after work or weekend. I don't know what time I will be finishing and also no idea will I be working on weekends until Friday evening...

So, I rather hang alone or whoever is available on that day..anyway, I went to 2 factory outlets shopping malls these 2 weeks to look for boots/shoes..

First stop, I went to Changi City Point which situated in the east and start my shopping hunt. There are plenty of shops like samsonite, hush puppies, Pedro, esprite, g2000, etc.. Didn't managed to get anything but saw the luggage I wanted and just saving up to get it..

On Tuesday evening, drove over to IMM which is situated in the west. 45 mins drive!! Lol...Anyway, I was surprised it was so big and spacious after their revamp. There are international brands like Coach, Timberland, Samsonite,etc,

I was elated when I managed to find the shoes I wanted from Timberland and got $30 off on top of that because it was from outlet store (normal store which hold the same pair of shoes do not have this $30 off). Not only that, i got another $20 e-voucher for my next spending..what a bargain! Lol

Going to save up more for Xmas and upcoming trip too! No more shopping or retail therapy :(

Weekend Bangkok trip

Finally after a few hectic weeks at work, I decided to take a break and head to Bangkok, Thailand for a weekend getaway..

After attending a half day morning training, I headed towards the airport at 12.30pm where the flight took off at 2.40pm sharp. After 2.30hrs, finally arrived at Bankok 4.30pm (GMT +7) which is an hour behind Singapore!

Singapore has been so hazy lately and finally get to see a clear blue sky after so long!!

Took a cab and check in at the hotel! First of all, book an appointment for the massage and headed out for first Thai dinner!! Went to Siam Paragon and head to my usual Thai restaurant for dinner.. Ordered beef satay, green curry pork, omelette with fried pork and salted fish vegetable and not forgetting my all-time favorite Thai ice tea!! Shop around Siam to digest my food before heading for 2 hours body scrub and Thai massage (totally naked without happy ending FYI  😧) very professional massage and fell asleep right after home :)

            Clear sky from my hotel

On Saturday morning, after the disappointment breakfast at the hotel, took the BTS from stadium to Mo chi for the weekend chatuchak market..as usual, so crowded and couldn't find a suitable pants.. Only managed to get air freshener for myself.. Not forgetting the street food.. Ordered the beef bowl noodles for a light meal, then went over to skewer stall to get beef, pork and chicken skewer. Then went to get the garlic bread, coconut juice and coconut ice-cream.. What a heaven to have cold stuff in this bloody hot weather! Lol

Spent 2 hours at the weekend market and headed back to the hotel to rest my foot before heading to Wat Pho! Took BTS and arrived at the ferry terminal..took a 15 mins ferry and arrived at Wat Pho.. Little did I expect, the temple is currently under revamp and renovation.. Abit disappointing that I didn't managed to climb the steps..and it started raining heavily out of the blue.. While I have to get back to the ferry, all the passengers were wet and the wave was pretty strong.. A choppy ride back to the ferry terminal.

Next, I went over to Erawan shrine and pray not only for myself but also world peace and may the victims rest in peace.. The temple reopen and operate as usual but I could see more tighter security with more CCTV in place and military officers in sight. I asked myself why someone will actually set off a bomb to these innocent devotees..what a tragic!

After which, headed to Starbucks to rest my foot before storming central world and Siam for more shopping.. Gotten another cup of Thai Ice tea at grey hound  cafe :)

                    Thai (tiger) boy

                Chatuchak market 

                 With my ice cream 

                        Ferry ride 

                         Wat Pho

                    Erawan Shrine

Had an early rest on Saturday night and woke up lazily on Sunday morning.. Went for breakfast at Siam paragon, did some last minute grocery shopping before heading towards the airport around 2pm.

It was a relaxing trip and I hope to go to Bangkok again for more happening stuffs :)

One day tour in Sentosa

I would normally hestitate when I tour around Singapore. Firstly, the entrance ticket prices  here are exorbitant and crazy, next, the attractions are packed and crowded, lastly, the food there going to cost a bomb too! 

But I have decided to give it a go to Sentosa Island and prepared S$100 for the day. Headed to Harbour Front to get the cable car ticket at $19 (local price, non-local $29) for two ways. Pretty ok since I haven't tried the cable car after they have revamped. Thankfully the sky was clear and the haze condition seems ok yesterday.. Past few days were horrible and even at hazardous level.. 

I can see the island and its vicinity clearly.. Then, went for a quick lunch before heading to S.E.A. Aquarium..ticket cost $32 and as usual, packed with people.. There were more humans than fishes in the tank..There are about 800 species of different kind of fishes, Sharks, stingray, jellyfish, etc and can easily spent 1.5 hours there..I love the huge glass display of the tank at the end of the aquarium..it was still amazing for me even though I have been there 1 year ago..

                     Cable car view 

After which, head for a drink at Malaysian cuisine foodcourt before calling off a day..The day was too short and I really wished I have more time in the future. I will be back for other attractions like Madame Tussaud, the new cable car ride in Sentosa island, luge and sky ride and universal studio Halloween night..

Bandung, Indonesia

There I go.. Finally pinning Indonesia after so long.. I guess my last trip to Indonesia was 2013 to Bali...after 2 years, I discovered a new destination, Bandung!

Bandung is about 140km east from Jakarta, capital of Indonesia..it is also known to be Capital of West Java.

21 Aug - Finished my work around 5pm. Rushed down to the airport to do my check in and dinner.. Flight took off shortly before 8pm and it was a 2 hour flight journey..

Arrived at 8.30pm (GMT +7) one hour behind Singapore.. After departing from the plane, I can feel the cool air rushing to invite me to the city.. It was about 21-24 degree.. Check in my hotel at Hilton and have an early rest..

22 Aug - As I have booked a tour at 9am, woke up around 7.30am and head for breakfast before starting the hectic day ahead.. The tour starts from 9am and end at 9pm.

So, the driver came and pick us up and continue our 1.5hrs road journey to Kawah Ratu.. It is an active volcano and view the volcano crater. The last eruption was 1969.. The air was filled with sulphur smell..it can be abit unbearable in the beginning..so face mask and sun block lotion is a must to have and I forgot both of them! Lol.. Anyway, there are a few trails you can do to boil your eggs or do hot spring at the crater. The view was magnificent and amazing.. You can see smoke/steam emerging from the crater..what a View! 

Next stop, tea plantation. We made a stop at this hut overseeing the tea plantation.. We bought a honey pineapple for about S$3..the time seems came to a halt..munching the pineapple away while looking at the tea plantation..

The tea plantation was so huge..it is a shame that the factory processing the tea leaves wasn't at the location.. I would buy everything there (since I'm a tea freak)..

Had our Indonesian lunch at this cigugurgirnang place. We sat in the hut and the food was really nice..satay, ayam penyet, Teh Tarik and seafood fried rice.. Yummy..

After lunch, head to rainbow waterfall!! We had to take the stairs down to get to foot of the waterfall.. There are about 650 steps to take.. It was called rainbow waterfall as there is a LED light stick attached at the top of the waterfall and changes colour..Pretty cool! 

As the sun set around 5.30pm, we head back to Bandung and arrived at Cihampelas walk for our shopping spree.. It is a shopping heaven..basically, Cihampelas walk is a shopping mall filled with branded products and international brands.. Starbucks, coffee beans, KFC and those restaurant chains were there too.. However, once you left the mall to the street, it is a whole new scene.. Everything range from S$2 to S$10..shirts, pants, shirts...everything..

The dinner ended up terribly wrong..we went to this old town and had terrible dinner and can't even find a cab back..the whole place was packed with people ..Thankfully after 30mins, found a meter cab and got back to the hotel..

                           Volcano

                     Panorama view 

                    Tea plantation 

                      Lunch time 

                  Rainbow waterfall 

23 Aug - woke up for breakfast and headed back to Cihampelas walk again for last minute shopping..gotten my fruits for S$1 and lunch at S$4...everything is cheap here and nice.. 

Took my flight at 4.40pm to Singapore! It was really a nice trip to see the other part of Indonesia. Incredible friendly people, cheap stuffs and nice Indonesian food (except for sat dinner). Will definitely go back again! 

                       My fruits

         No connecting bridge airport