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 ;)