Beijing 2008--1 year Early

Oh my goodness! I can't believe that I am living my dream! I have been to 4 countries in less than 3 months. That is what I call real COOL!

After Indonesia, I only had 3 days and 2 nights to sleep on my bed. And guess what? I probably only spent about half a night each on my bed. The other half of the time I spent in the toilet! Can you believe it? That was one of the worst stomach upsets I ever got in my whole life. I think it must be some food that I ate before I came back. Argh...

And my diarrhea didn't stop when I left for China. It bothered me for the whole duration of the camp. Man, it was real bad. But of course, it didn't stop me from enjoying myself there. I focused on the good things!

Beijing is place of rich culture and tradition. It is also a place that you have to be extra careful while traveling. Watch out for Taxis that don't charge by the meter! You have to negotiate a price first before you hop on. And you have to really bargain. Otherwise, you'll spend a lot more on transport than you need to. Or, you can always choose the Subway (like the MRT in Spore). It is convenient, cheap and it will bypass all the traffic jams on the road! (And trust me, there are an awful lot of traffic jams in the city!) For Taxis that charge by the meter, it is relatively cheap.

When people talk about Beijing, there are a few places that immediately springs to mind. One of the famous attractions is none other than the Forbidden City. It was the place where Emperors rule the country. Before you enter Forbidden City, you have to pass by the infamous Tian an men Square. Tian an men Square is huge. But I feel that its beauty is overshadowed by the bloodshed of thousands of people during the protest in 1989.

I was kind of disappointed with the trip the Forbidden City because of the restoration works going on in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games. I don't blame anybody for that. I count myself blessed to even have the chance to go there. The place is majestic, even with metal structures and construction nets all around. I can only imagine its full grandeur and splendor in its glory days.

I also went to Yi He Yuan or Summer Palace. This place is built for the Emperor to visit during Summer time escape from the heat. Summer Palace has probably the biggest man-made lake ever created. It took me 10 mins on a boat to get from one place to another. And it is not even near the other end of the lake! I like this place a lot. Mainly because of its romantic ambiance and relaxing feel. Definitely an ideal dating site for couples.

There is another place worth visiting in Beijing. It is called "Temple of Heaven". This was where the Emperor used to pray. I believe that you will find this place familiar if you watch Chinese Drama Serials.

Of course, if anyone ever goes to Beijing, the next place is a definite-must-go. It is voted and declared as one of the New 7 Wonders of the world. If you do not know, there are New 7 Wonders of the world that were declared on 07/07/07. They chose them based on votes from around the world. The sad thing was that Angkor Wat is not one of the 7!!! But then, it is still a 7 Wonder finalist. To me, Angkor Wat is definitely a Wonder of the World. Can you believe that the 7 Wonder thing is now becoming a popularity contest?

Anyway, where was I? Oh, a definite-must-go in Beijing. By now you should have guessed that it is none other than the Great Wall of China. It stretches over 6400 km and is the only man-made structure that can be viewed from outer-space. Do I need to say more? The climb up the Great Wall was tiring. Real tiring. Can you imagine that the whole stretch of Wall was built on mountain ranges? It is just unbelievable! The view from the top is awe-inspiring. I could see the Wall meander along the mountain ranges and then disappears from my view. I think "Wow" can basically describe the place.

Food in Beijing is relatively cheap. I can get a Bun for 10 cents. The noodles there are good too! And when you are in Beijing, you wouldn't want to miss out on the Peking Roast Duck. Damn delicious! I went to Quan Ju De Roast Duck Restaurant and waited for 30 mins in the queue! It is the most famous Peking Duck restaurant in that area. They even give out certificates to certify people that they have been there to eat. Cool right?

This trip to China was a enjoyable one for me--even though I had to endure 1 week of diarrhea! I got to experience their culture and learned to appreciate their tradition. It is a place worth visiting. Of course, please choose to visit only after the 2008 Olympics. By then, I believe it will be more tourist-friendly.

Mao Zedong had a saying, "You are not a real man if you haven't climbed the Great Wall." So I guess now I am real man. Haha! Go climb the Great Wall and your LIFE WILL NEVER, EEEE....EE...EVER, BE THE SAME AGAIN!

Focus on the Good

Hi guys, it had been a roller coaster ride for the last 2 months for me. There had been some ups and downs throughout these 2 months but overall, I still enjoyed myself.

I just got back from Indonesia after 3 weeks of running programs there. I got to meet new people and I got to catch up with some old friends. I think this trip allowed me to grow a lot more.

These 2 months had been quite challenging. There were times when I was really down. However, someone told me to just focus on the good things. And how true it is! Of course, I have heard this advice a long time ago, but sometimes, a little reminder is necessary to change our perspective.

We need to constantly learn from challenges and focus on the good. Only then will you live a happier life. Dwelling on the negative will not help you solve the problem.

And by the way, for those of you who are wondering what happened to my hair. Here is my new hair cut.


Not too bad right? Haha!









Focus on the good and LIFE WILL NEVER, EEEE....EEEVER, BE THE SAME AGAIN!

Cambodia--A time to reflect

I just spent 1 week in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It was my first time being in Cambodia and I didn't know what to expect. The trip was great as it allowed me to spend some quality time with my Dad and it gave me some time to reflect.

Now, the main reason that I went to Cambodia was to see its famous man-made wonder of the world--Angkor Wat. It is a HUGE temple that has a 190 meter wide moat and was built in the 11th century (See picture above). After more than 1000 years, it still stands tall. I could not fully fathom how could the people actually built that place, given that there was no technology or equipments, or cars, or lorries during that time. All they had was elephants. Let me tell you this, Angkor Wat is extremely impressive. I can only imagine its full beauty and splendor during its glorious days. It is one of those places you must see in this lifetime. Absolutely must!Besides Angkor Wat, I also went to visit the temple where Hollywood filmed the movie, Tomb Raider. It was really cool to be on the set where Angelina Jolie played Lara Croft. Much of the temple are in ruins but it was still awe-inspiring. The most distinct feature of the temple, if you could recall from the movie, is the trees growing from the walls of the temple. And those trees are enormous! From what I heard, after shooting Tomb Raider, Angelina Jolie fell in love with the country and goes to Cambodia every year, either as part of the United Nations or for a holiday. These days, Brad Pitt goes with her. And as you probably know, they had also adopted a child there.

Cambodia is infamously known for its land mines. These were mines that were left behind during the many civil wars that Cambodia experienced. The problem with using such land mines is that, nobody clears them after the war, and when farmers go out to the field, or lumberers go out to the forest, the mines would go off. That was one of the reasons why Princess Diana went to plead with many countries not to land mines, or at least use self-deactivating ones--mines that will self-destruct over a set period of time. Before 2001, land mines is the number 1 killer in Cambodia. Followed by HIV, and traffic accidents. Now, most of the land mines are cleared with the help of UNICEF and other countries, and the remaining land mines are only found near the its border. So currently, the number 1 killer in Cambodia is traffic accidents, followed by HIV and then land mines.

Apart from the sight seeing of the many temples, it saddens me to see how poor and helpless most of the people there are. Everywhere I went, there would be a throng of kids chasing after me asking me to buy some souvenirs. Most of the kids don't have enough money to go to school, and even if they did, the primary school there is not the ideal place to study. The conditions there is really, really bad. You can see a picture of a boy sitting outside the classroom in the school. (See picture above)

Many of the locals do not have electricity supply or a water tap. They use candle for light and they go to the well for water. I want you to take a close look at the picture on the left. There are 2 houses there side by side. This is how small their houses are. The whole house is probably the size of your room, or even smaller. Can you live in that kind of house? My Cambodian driver told me that the United Nations did more to help the locals than their own government. Even the wells were dug by other countries. (See picture right.)

The last day I took a boat to the floating village. It is really a village on water. Their houses were built on water and it literally floats. They travel around by sampans, and some even by a pail. When I saw the boy in the picture below, I had a heavy feeling. I wondered how come this boy with a single arm can still be happy when so many other people are complaining about their situation? In a way, I was helpless. I did not know what to do to help. I could only pray.

This trip has reminded me not to take things for granted and to appreciate every little thing I have. I hope that you too, will count your blessings and give thanks in whatever situation you are in. You think you got it bad? A lot of people are in a worse situation than you. They are only fighting to survive.

"Don't complain about thorns among roses; be grateful for roses among thorns."--Anon

I believe that you got only one life to live on this Earth. So live life to the fullest and make a difference along the way!
LIFE for me, was NEVER, EEE....EE....EVER, THE SAME AGAIN!

Freedom Writers

A few weeks ago, I got the option of watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or a movie called Freedom Writers. Sure, Ninja Turtles was my all-time favorite cartoon (and still is) but I was going into the cinema with 2 other people who might not find Turtles that could fight and walk on two legs very appealing. So I went for my second choice. And boy, did I make the right choice. This was the most meaningful movie I have seen in a long time. Freedom Writers was inspired by a true story and the diaries of teenagers after the 1992 Los Angeles riots, during the worst outbreak of interracial gang warfare. It talks about how a new teacher transformed the lives of her students when everyone, including her Head of Department, lost hope.

Students of different races were killing each other and beating each other up for no apparent reason. Naturally, no one was in the right mood to study. For most of them, their immediate goal was to stay alive. They are considered lucky if they can celebrate their 18th birthday. But this new teacher, played by Hilary Swank, came in and turned things around, even at the cost of going against the authorities. She was a great teacher, someone that we can all learn something from.

This show has so much wisdom that you simply have to watch it. I would do no justice to it by telling you the whole story. This movie is one of those few that brought tears to my eyes. So believe me when I say it is excellent. It is not showing in the cinemas now so if you want to watch the movie, go get the DVD. (Original ones please.)

After you watch this show, I believe that your LIFE WILL NEVER, EEE...EE...EVER, BE THE SAME AGAIN!

I Forgot to Zip!

Today was perhaps the most embarrassing time for me as a Trainer. I was in a secondary school conducting training as usual and having lots of fun there, too. After a short toilet break, I was back in front of the training room talking to some of the students when a boy told me, "Sir, your coffee shop is open." I knew what that meant. It struck me right away that I forgot to zip up my pants after returning from the toilet!!! I can't believe it! I am not sure why I forgot to zip. Maybe I was in a hurry or something. But it didn't matter why. I was standing in front of a hundred students and I quickly turned around to zip it up and turned back.

It was too late. Hundred pairs of eyes saw me do it. There were female students too. Haha...And they burst out into a raucous laughter upon seeing me making a fool out of myself. But it was ok for me. I took it in a very light hearted manner and played along with them. One of the qualities that a speaker must have is the ability to laugh at yourself. I laughed along with them and joked about it. This is just one of the many things that could happen to a speaker and he must know how to deal with it. Haha... Was it embarrassing? Of course! But after that, it was all fun!

Let this be a lesson to all the guys out there--please check before you leave the toilet! Especially if you are going to stand in front of a hundred people! After this, my LIFE WILL NEVER, EEE......EE.....EVER, BE THE SAME AGAIN!

For Cat Lovers

The following video is for cat lovers out there. Enjoy!



I think for those cats, Life Will Never, EEE....EE...EVER, BE The Same AGAIN!!!

Life Will Unfold

In The Secret movie, author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Jack Canfield said the following:

"Think of a car driving through the night. The headlights only go a hundred to two hundred feet forward, and you can make it all the way from California to New York driving through the dark, because all you have to see is the next two hundred feet. And that's how life tends to unfold before us. If we just trust that the next two hundred feet will unfold after that, and the next two hundred will unfold after that, your life will keep unfolding. And it will eventually get you to the destination of whatever it is you truly want, because you want it."

Isn't that so true? Sometimes, we don't have to see the whole staircase. We just have to take the first step. Sometimes, we don't need to know how we are going to accomplish something. We just need to take the next step, and the next, and the next, and the next. Eventually, we will attract the way of getting it done, and it will be done.

Just by knowing this, Life Will Never, EEE......EE....EVER, Be The Same AGAIN!

The Law of Attraction

Just finished watching a movie called, The Secret. A great show to say the least. This movie is not released commercially to theaters so you won't find them in cinemas.

It talks about The Secret that made people successful, wealthy, happy, and fulfilled. So what is the secret? Essentially, the secret is the Law of Attraction. Everything that is coming into your life is what you are attracting into your life. So the question is, how do we attract things in our life? The answer: our thoughts. We attract what we think about all the time. Whether we think about it consciously or unconsciously, we will attract it.

The truth is that whatever that happens to you, you have attracted it. Maybe you got a scolding from a teacher, an argument with your parents, you missed the bus, you got into a bitter relationship and etc, you have all attracted it. Doesn't sound too pleasant does it? But first, you need to realize that you are responsible for the things that are happening to you.

Many people complain that they can't get what they want. However, if you probe further, you will find that most of these people are focusing on what they don't want, rather than on what they want. The interesting thing is this: that the human mind cannot process a negative. What do I mean? Let me illustrate. Now, if I tell you: "Don't think of the color blue." What are you thinking of? The color blue isn't it? So, the human mind cannot process a negative. When you say you don't want this, you don't want that, you will always get more of those things. Instead of focusing on what you don't want, focus on what you want. And you will begin to attract it.

If you think that you are going to fail the next test, then you will probably attract it. If you think that you are not going to be selected for the competition or performance, then you will probably not be selected. Be careful of what you think about.

After you change your thoughts, the next step is to change your actions. Changing your thoughts is only the first step. If you want a different result, you need to change what you do. There is an old definition of insanity that goes: "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result." Find new ways of doing something. Change what you do and you will change your results. Once you change your thoughts and your actions, your whole being will be aligned. You will be congruent. And you will begin to attract the things that you want.

A good way to reinforce the idea of focusing on what you want is by putting up pictures on your wall or your ceiling. For example, if you want to go to Japan for a holiday, go and print a beautiful picture of japan with its nice scenery and theme park, and put it on the ceiling above your bed. Everyday, when you go to sleep and when you wake up, you will reinforce that thought of going to Japan for a holiday. And you will be inspired to work even harder for that goal. Or if you want to go to a certain college, find the crest of that college and put it on your computer's wallpaper. Better yet, put your face there too. So every time when you turn on your computer, you will be reminded of what you want!

Remember, focus on what you want, not on what you don't want, and Life Will NEVER, EEE....EE....EVER, Be The Same AGAIN!

Touched by Students

Just finished a 3-day Super-Teen Workshop in HS. Really enjoyed myself training with those students. If you guys are reading this, you know who you are.

I must say that I had a little bit more fun than usual. You guys must really work hard for your O' levels and break the record for your school!

Ernest and the team are really touched by your gift. Big thanks to Lena for actually staying up till 3am to do it. It's so sweet! I must also thank the rest of the wonderful students who contributed to the gift with all your heartfelt wishes! Thank you guys so much! Please go and make a difference!

Miss you guys!

After these 3 days, I believe that your Life Will Never, EEE.....EE....EVER, Be The Same AGAIN!!!

A Chidhood Friend

January 2007 had been really good for me. It was the month that I got to catch up with a lot of my old friends. Some on purpose, some by accident. Of course, it was the month that I turned 22. Just want to thank the people in Indonesia who flooded my SMS inbox when the clock stroke midnight. Thanks guys! Really appreciate it!

There were a few other friends who celebrated their birthdays in January also. Had a great time with Raina, my new Indon friend who is studying in S'pore. Really enjoyed the time catching up with Joanie. You are still so beautiful! Thanks for bringing me to that nice restaurant!

With that said, the most interesting, and perhaps, most unexpected thing that happened to me in January was that I bumped into a childhood friend. What's the big deal, you might ask. For we probably bump into many old friends along our journey in life. Of course, I have bumped into many of my childhood friends in the past, but this one is different, very different.

We were conducting a Super-Teen Workshop for a school in Singapore and as usual, I turned up in the morning before 8am. I was walking towards the training room and I saw a teacher standing outside the room talking to her students. Nothing unusual. But somehow, as I continued to look at her, she held her gaze at me too. She recognized me right away and suddenly I too, remembered who she is. She is my secondary school mate whom I knew in Secondary 1. Still, nothing unusual at this point.

However, you must understand how we met and how we lost contact. In secondary one, she was introduced to me by our mutual friends because she was interested in me. (Haha...I know some of you won't believe it. But I am just telling it the way it was. I won't mention her name here for obvious reasons.) I really appreciate that someone had a crush on me but, at that time, I made a promise to God that I won't go into a Boy-Girl-Relationship until after 16 years old, when I have finished my O levels. Also, she was with the wrong group of friends at that time and I didn't really like it. So one night, at about 9pm, we were talking in the park near our houses (we lived quite near each other). And I told her that I'm sorry, and I won't go into a steady relationship throughout these 4 years. Hey, I did my best to say it in a very nice manner. At 13 years old, when a girl is told something like that, she could only do what a girl at that age could do--cry.

She was crying when she went home and her mother saw it. As a concerned mum, she asked her what happened and subsequently found out everything. When I got home, I got the shock of my life when I received a call from her mum. Her mum screamed at me through the phone as if i was deaf. She ask me things like, "Why you make my daughter cry? What did you do to her?" And she threatened to tell everything to my teachers. I was a prefect and I didn't want her mum to complain about me. At 13 years old, I was really terrified. It was the first time I made a girl cry and it was the first time somebody's mother scolded me. And that was the last time I spoke to her and her mum. Until last month, that is.

After 9 years of living our own lives, we met each other again in a school. This time, she as a teacher, and I as an external trainer for the workshop. So dramatic, you might say. And indeed it was. Honestly, I didn't expect her to become a teacher because of the group of friends that she mixed around with during her lower secondary school years. She changed, of course. And I was happy for her. We really got a big laugh when we met each other for the first time in nine years. It was sooo funny! There wasn't a moment of awkwardness when we talked and our conversation was very free-flowing and fun. It was not like when some couple broke up, they don't talk to each other anymore and don't even acknowledge each other if they see their ex-partner on the streets. Some couples might even hate each other if their break-up wasn't properly handled. True?

After catching up with her, she revealed that I was her first crush! Haha....I didn't know that until nine years later! So I asked her if she hated me for what I did nine years ago, and she said that I did the right thing. Because even if we got together at 13 years old, the relationship will not last. According to my own research, 90% of the couples who get together before the age of 18 will not last more than 2 years. Just ask your friends who just broke up! Now, my friend thinks that she was so childish and foolish at that time. Because, after our episode together, the relationships with her other boyfriends didn't last too long. More often than not, it was ended on a sour note. Good thing we didn't get together in Sec 1, if not, I'm not sure how to talk to her again!

She went on to share a lot of other things with me and she really went though a tough time during her teenage years to adulthood. I could only feel for her. She shared with me in explicit detail of her relationships with her boyfriends, which I won't write here, and I almost want to punch those guys for her. Then again, we must love our enemies. Let's not resort to violence. Haha. For me, I began to sense a pattern in the guys she attracted and so I asked her if she noticed a pattern in the guys she attracted. This is so important. Because sometimes, we keep on attracting the wrong people in our lives and we complain why all our relationships don't work. Please beware of this. You must break that pattern. Maybe you should change your friends, change the place you hangout, change your thoughts, change your expectations. I told my friend simply that she deserve someone better. And she really do. She has become so beautiful now! So, I jokingly asked her if there might be a chance of us getting together, and she said no, because I am shorter than her! Haha.... Which is true. Of course, I know deep down that I have no interest in her and that now we are just very good friends. Sometimes, it is better to remain this way. Like I said, she deserves someone better.

I am so happy for her now because I know that she has left her past behind her and is changing as the days go by. Remember, the past does not equal to the future. I gave her a book on relationships and she is already benefiting from it. I really admire and respect her for what she had gone through. Tough girl! I salute you! Hey, if you are reading this, I just want to remind you something I said in the Pan Pac Lounge: "May you find fulfillment in your life! And the best for you is yet to come!" I will support you man! You are the Best!

For others who are reading this, if you are not yet ready to handle boy-girl-relationships, I suggest that you take your time. Especially for those who are still studying. A BGR takes up a lot of time and energy, not to mention money, which can be used in your studies, hobbies, leisure, friends and your family. Don't waste your time. Do what is important for you now!

For my childhood friend, I know that from now on, her Life Will Never, EEE.....EE...EVER, Be The Same AGAIN!!!

Second Half of 2006

2006 had been a fruitful year for me. And an exciting one too! At the end of June, I went to Indonesia with a team to conduct the Super-Teen Holiday Camp. That was the first time I been to Java and it was a humbling experience for me. The rich-poor gap is really huge. Sometimes, I wonder how the poor actually survive in those conditions.

Firstly, I would like to point out that Indonesia is unfairly portrayed by the media. The media do no justice to Indonesia by portraying them in a bad light, at least most of the time. I think Jakarta is a wonderful city, besides its killer traffic. It is really a nice place and has lots of potential for growth.

All my preconceived idea of Indonesia vanished the moment I was there. We did manage to do some shopping at the factory outlets in Bundung before our first camp there. This is THE place to shop! Food in Indonesia is generally spicy. And almost all their meals are served with "keropok" (prawn crackers). My favorite food in Indonesia is their noodles! The way that their noodles tasted is so much different. The texture, the softness, and the quality of the noodles is unbelievably good. SSSlurp.....SSulrp.... My salivary glands are producing more saliva as I write this.

Even though I wasn't feeling that well throughout the 2 camps, I totally enjoyed the camps. It was a blast! The Indonesian teens are really a fun bunch to be with. They are so adorable! People there are also very friendly. Their zest and hunger to learn really put a lot of Singapore kids to shame. I had so much fond memories in these 2 weeks. Bert, Gabe, Ken and I had so much fun. I will always remember the look on Bert's face when he sat on a glass coffee-table and BROKE IT! That was certainly a sight to behold. Apparently, he must have thought that he had my weight. He almost broke his backside, too.

In December, we had another camp in Indonesia and this time round I enjoyed myself a lot more. For the hundreds in attendance, and for the millions at home who wants to join Super-Teen, we were all ready to RRRUMBLE!!! Cool stuff there. And for the Indonesian Super-Teens who are reading this, you probably can't see me as well! Great camp!

During this trip, our hosts also brought us to the National Monument in Jakarta. (See Picture Left) The National Monument or "Monas" is one of the monuments built during the Sukarno era of fierce nationalism. It stands for the people's determination to achieve freedom and the crowning of their efforts in the Proclamation of Independence in August 1945. The 137-metre tall marble obelisk is topped with a flame coated with 35 kg of gold. The base houses a historical museum and a hall for meditations. The monument is open to the public and upon request the lift can carry visitors to the top, which offers a bird's eye view on the city and the sea. Of course, we went there on Christmas Day and the museum was closed. Still, we managed to take some good pictures of the Monas.

Another highlight of this trip is that we got to stay one night at the Ritz Carlton in Jakarta. Courtesy of Ernest and our hosts. Really appreciate the gesture. At 21 years old, that was the first time I stayed in a Ritz Carlton Hotel. So it was quite a big deal for me. One of the Ritz Carton experience is that all their bathrooms have a full-length glass panel beside the bath tub. (see picture right) So you can be bathing and looking out to the city at the same time. Not sure if other people could see you though! The room is huge and spacious and each room has its own walk-in closet. How cool is that?

We spent the next day shopping in Jakarta's largest mall with some of my platoon members. The place is nice. It is comparable to the Takashimaya in Singapore. Great people to hang out with.

Overall, a memorable trip. Looking forward to the next trip to Indonesia to touch the lives of the teens there. And I know that Life Will Never, EEE....EE...EVER Be The Same AGAIN!

Sydney, May 2006

Hi Guys, just came back from a freaking cold 3 weeks adventure in Sydney.The season was changing from Autumn to Winter and the coldest day I experienced there was 10 degrees C. The place is amazing. The first night when I arrived in Sydney, it was 9pm. I decided to stay over in the airport for a night before checking in to the Randwick Lodge. About 20 over people from around the world shared the airport chairs to sleep. Everybody was comfortable and asleep until one guy started to SNORE! I can't believe it!

My mentor, Dr Ernest Wong, arrived the next day at 3pm. By then, I have already explored the city center by myself. To me, the CBD is just like another Singapore. The pace of life there is as fast and as stressful.

Ernest and I took a cruise along the Sydney Harbour during one of the mornings. This was the first time I saw the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. It was totally spectacular! The Bridge and the Opera House are so majestic! The are truly the great icons of Sydney. On the cruise, we met a nice gentlemen from Holland and started to make friends with him. He has an interesting name--Yoz. Great Guy!

We also went for a 1-hour tour inside the Opera House. And the Opera House was actually a building built onto another building. The largest concert hall is huge and grand. Didn't have the time to catch a show there though. Maybe next time. Touring the Opera House is a must-do if you ever go to Sydney.

By the way, the cost of living in Sydney is really high. One simple meal can easily cost up to AUD$8. However, there is one place that Ernest and I like to frequent for our dinner. It is called Charcoal Chicken along Belmore Rd, near Randwick Lodge. They serve simply the best chicken. Somehow, their chicken meat is so tender and tasty even after it is cooled. Simply delicious! Yummy!

We also went to the Sydney Fish Market, where you can get all kinds of seafood. The price is reasonable and the seafood is guaranteed fresh. Chinatown in the CBD is also a nice haven for good food. Everybody speaks Cantonese there. By coincidence, we met a past Super-Teen Graduate while traveling around. Polyman is from Indonesia and he happened to study there. He then brought us to a famous restaurant called, Pancakes by the Rocks. The place is near the harbour bridge and has a nice ambiance. The food is good too. Especially the ribs.

On one mourning, we decided that to go whale watching. It costs AUD$85. And in the brochure, it states that there is a full money back guarantee if we don't get the see the whales. Naturally, I was really excited as I have never seen a whale in close proximity before. Guess what? That trip was a disaster, at least for me. Not only I had to endure my seasickness, I got to see only the tail of the whale! And it was probably 2 times I saw it and then the whales just disappeared under the water. Man, it was a real disappointment. I vomited more than once on the boat too! Of course, no money back as I actually got to see the whale, part of it at least.

All in all, I enjoyed the trip. It was really special for me because I traveled with my mentor. There were so many fun and crazy things we did. If you ask me about Sydney itself, I would say that I prefer Melbourne. That's just my preference.

Of course for me, after this trip, Life was Never EEE...EE...EVER The Same AGAIN!

Melbourne, April 2005

I love Melbourne! One of the great cities of Australia. Some locals dubbed it the fashion capital of Australia. I couldn't disagree. Located in the State of Victoria, Melbourne is the second most populous city in Australia, with a metropolitan area population of approximately 3.7 million.

At 20 years old at that time, I flew to Melbourne by myself. My sister then decided to join me a few days later. I stayed in Claremont Hotel, which is located in Toorak--the rich man's suburb. The good thing about this place is that it is only a street away from the most popular (and most expensive) shopping district in Melbourne--Chapel Street. This street is lined up with many designer's boutiques, consisting a nice mix of local and foreign labels. You will need extra cash if you intend to shop here. Of course, if you are looking for an alternative, you can go to Richmond, where all the factory outlets are. There you can really do some serious shopping.

Getting around Melbourne is easy. They have the train, the tram, and the bus. The tram is particularly cool because not many cities have that now. There is one train station in the heart of the CBD that is really beautiful. It is called Flinders' Street Station. (see picture left) It is one of the oldest station there as well. Another thing I like about Melbourne is that most of the locals are really friendly. I could almost strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere.

It was Autumn and the weather was very cooling. The food is generally more expensive compared to Singapore. The most memorable part of my trip is the tour of the Great Ocean Road. The scenic view along the coastal road is awe-inspiring. It really took my breath away! Along this long and winding stretch of road, you can find the famous Twelve Apostles at Port Campbell National Park. (See picture below) Let me tell you this: The moment I saw those huge rock formations along the coastline, I was totally speechless. My jaw just dropped to the floor. Really an awesome sight to behold. Romantic too! This is one of those places where I will bring my girlfriend to. (that is, if I find one!)

Other places that I found interesting were Queen Victoria Market, Federation Square, Albert Park (site of the Formula 1 grand prix), and St Kilda's Beach (another romantic place). There was one night when I was chatting with a local and he recommended me to go to the toilet of Sofitel Hotel. The TOILET!? I followed his instructions to 30-something floor and I was impressed. The side of the toilet facing the Melbourne City is a full-length glass wall. Beside it was the urinals. So now you can pee and look outside the city at the same time. Quite a nice view, I must add.

The last night of my trip, I got to stay over in a true Aussie house. My former Discipline Mistress, Mrs Anil, migrated to Melbourne a few years earlier with her husband. She lives in a nice house in the suburb of Croydon. Country style furnishing and a laid-back atmosphere filled the house. The kind of place my father would like. We had a Aussie style BBQ, which they call it Barbie. And by the way, the BBQ grill uses gas to cook! No charcoal needed!

Melbourne is a vibrant and multi-cultural city. I love the architecture there. Really beautiful. I think that Melbourne is a romantic place to go to, and of course it can't be compared to the likes of Paris, but it is romantic nonetheless.

Do travel to Melbourne and explore the place if you are thinking of which city to visit on your next holiday. And I can promise you that Life Will Never, EEE...EE...EVER, Be The Same AGAIN!

R&R in Taipei, Oct 2004

This trip to Taipei was not of my choice, but it turned out to be one of those places I'll come back again and again. The food there is to die for!

In fact, I went to Taiwan for my overseas military training and the last 3 days were R&R for us. Taipei was our destination. Everyone was looking forward to these 3 days with exploding enthusiasm simply because we want to put the tough training and sleepless nights behind us. It was really crazy there!

Different platoons were allocated to different hotels in various parts of the city. As luck would have it, my platoon's hotel happened to be in the heart of Taipei's hottest shopping district--Xi Men Ding. It is akin to the Orchard Rd in Singapore. Rainbow Hotel (See picture above) was the place I stayed in. Quite a decent place. The hotel is surrounded by endless shops and food stalls and I didn't know where to begin my arduous task of "conquering them all".

The streets are filled with make-shift carts selling all kinds of fried delicacies and they are too tempting to resist. Of course, if you are a hygiene freak, then maybe those food are not for you. You won't want to see how they prepare their food! Bubble milk tea stalls are everywhere too. And they are really cheap. And I felt that those tasted much better than the ones I find in Singapore. Even the "pearl" inside the bubble tea taste a bit different! Anyhow, if you happen to go to Xi Men Ding, you must absolutely try the Mee Suah there (See Picture on the right). Next you should take the MRT and go to Shilin Night Market--another popular shopping and food paradise. When you are there, you must eat the Fried Chicken Cutlet. The locals say that is the best Fried Chicken Cutlet in Taiwan. Is it the best? I'm not sure. But I think that it is definitely one of the biggest. I shared that with 2 other friends.

If you are up for it, then I suggest that you go to Huansi Street Night Market. I almost freaked out when I was there. That is the place where you can find Snake meat. Actually, the thought of eating Snake meat wasn't that scary. But when I was there, my friend and I were deliberating whether we should eat it or not. Maybe because it was the environment there that made us uncomfortable. And it was not that cheap either. But since we were there already, and probably never will try it again, we decided to share one set meal of Snake delicacy. It was then served on a tray with a cup of snake blood, meat, soup, and a pill. Quite freaky. People say that Snake meat tasted like Chicken. But I think it tasted like more than chicken. It has a funny blend smell and taste to it. Can't really describe it. But it tasted funny. Maybe because of the blood there too!

In the day, there was a guided tour by an agency that brought us around. We went to Leofoo Amusement Park, where I get to be a kid again. Imagine a few hundred army guys going to an amusement park. That sight is amusing in itself! We also went to the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall and a few other museums.

The last day, my friend and I went to Taipei 101--the tallest building in the world. What a sight! That is really an architecture and engineering feat. Really cool! The sad part about the whole thing was that the observational deck was not yet open to the public at that time. So we couldn't go to the top of the world's tallest building. Yes, a pity. But we did manage to go to Taipei 101 shopping center to window shop. You bet that I'll be back!

The trip was really enjoyable albeit a short period of time. It was the exploring and going to places on my own that made it exciting. For the most part, I took their MRT to most of the places and only took the taxi only once. I always believe that in other for me to know more about another country, I should experience taking their mass public transportation. It got me to understand and experience their way of commuting. And by the way, the people there are really disciplined and courteous as they would form 2 orderly lines at each train's door, allowing people from the train to alight first. Really neat! With our limited budget, my friend and I should be proud of ourselves because we explored many places that our platoon mates didn't go. Most of them spent their money shopping, going to clubs, night spots, etc. So it was an excellent trip and I thank my Platoon mate, Johnathan for accompanying me to explore Taipei. Did I mention that the food there is to die for?

I want to go for more of such trips because I know that Life Will NEVER, EEEE...EE..EVER, Be The Same AGAIN!