CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRITY CRUISE

It’s the seventh day of Chinese New Year and also Valentine’s Day today.

恭祝大家 猴年 好事连年、如意安康！

Hubby and I ushered in the Year of the Monkey on board cruise ship Celebrity Millennium.

Celebrity Mellennium docking at Laem Cha Bang (8 Feb, first day of CNY)

We had been spending most part of our Chinese New Year (CNY) away from home in the last few years (mainly in Japan) and for a change this year, we decided to just have a short trip instead.  We jumped to the opportunity to sail with Celebrity Millennium once again when we learned about this 5-night chartered cruise trip to Ko Samui and Laem Cha Bang (Thailand), departing on 5 February. Both of us like sailing on a big cruise ship (this was our fifth time), out in an open sea and we are so blessed that we have never had any seasick problems even at times when the ship was a little rocky due to rough sea conditions.  For us, a cruise trip is always very relaxed but yet there was never a moment of dullness as what many would think so.  There are many programmes and activities lined up for us each day but it is up to us to pick our choices.   We love chilling out at Al Bacio (a cafe on board) over a cup of coffee and a book, or sitting in the balcony of our room looking at the sea and listening to the sound of the waves. In fact, just less than four months ago, we sailed on the same ship for 8 nights in Japan and Busan, South Korea.  It was something very memorable and enjoyable.

On board Celebrity Millennium, the mood of CNY celebration was vibrant.  The ship was decorated for the occasion and the climax was on the eve of CNY. There was a Chinese menu for re-union dinner with Pen Cai (盆菜) specially prepared by a chef and his team of assistants from a Hong Kong restaurant.  In normal time, only western food, buffet and fusion food are served.  Abalone Yusheng was available too at additional costs.  There were also God of Fortune, countdown party etc.   We even had fire-crackers!  I mean the electronic ones! 😀

Grand Foyer

Front Desk

Reception Area

Lift Lobby

Abalone Yusheng

Little surprises found in our room on the eve of CNY

Pen Cai

This dish was actually served in a pumpkin and each serving was for a minimum of four people.  Since there were just two of us, we were served this mini portion in a bowl instead and it was in addition to the western meal we opted for.  The Pen Cai was really good!

God of Fortune who is actually the chief engineer of the cruise.  He was accompanied by the Hotel Director.

God of Fortune made his first appearance at 7:30pm to distribute Hong Baos (red packets with money in them, a CNY tradition) to young children and we also had the opportunity to take photo with him.  He made his second appearance at the Grand Foyer where we had the party, just before midnight for the countdown.  By the way, the God of Fortune is a handsome Caucasian man! 🙂

Another surprise for the night!

This ice-carving of a Monkey holding a peach was unveiled right after we ushered in the Year of the Monkey, by the captain of the cruise.  It was just so attractive that many rushed to take a photo with it.  Some even touched it as if they would receive some good luck by doing so, just like many did so with the God of Fortune!

Video of CNY Countdown Party (7 Feb)

So we really had a great time that night and it is definitely another precious travel memory to be cherished for the rest of our lives.  It has been so many years since we last actually had so much fun celebrating CNY!

The cruise trip would had been perfect if not for the adverse weather/sea condition at Ko Samui that prevented all of us who had signed up for shore excursion to proceed with our plans that day.  Hubby and I were all excited about exploring Ko Samui as it was our first time there but it was not meant to be 😦  While we appreciate that our safety was of utmost concern of the captain, the compensation (US$50 per room) was almost next to nothing and it came too late (after I had done my shopping on board and settled my bills at the front desk!).  So we decided to use it to try out luck on roulette at the casino.  No luck though! 😀

Back in Singapore since the third day of CNY, we are getting into the mood of CNY celebration after a few years’ of break.  Today, I was all happy and excited to see lion and dragon dances, one of CNY rituals, at the places that I went to.  That’s a bonus for being home in this time of the year!  I like lion dances a lot since young and I remember my parents had paid for the troupe to perform at our home then.

Video of Lion and Dragon Dances seen on 14 Feb

THE JOY OF READING

February has arrived, and in a few days’ time, we will be ushering in the Year of the Monkey.

Chinese New Year decorations outside Orchard Gateway which many passers-by (me included) couldn’t resist to stop for a snap.

January was a month well spent in accomplishing quite a number of things which I wanted to do, and it was most satisfying to have also completed and thoroughly enjoyed reading two interesting and, to some extent, eye-opening books written by two prominent persons in Singapore.  There is so much knowledge and information out there to acquire from books.  I always wished I could read a lot more!

• It’s Easy to Cry is the second book by Subhas Anandan, a household-name criminal lawyer in Singapore who sadly, has passed away about a year ago.
• A Hakka Woman’s Singapore by Dr Lee Wei Ling, a neurologist and also the daughter of the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the first Prime Minister of Singapore.  The book is a collection of 75 distinct articles (out of the many) which Dr Lee has written for the Straits Times at different times.

In 2015, as my very own way of celebrating SG50 (Singapore’s 50th Birthday), I set out a “project” to read some books about Singapore and/or written by Singaporeans during the year.  I thought it would be a lot more meaningful to celebrate the occasion by knowing more about my country through reading than to go to the many commemorative events and celebrations lined up throughout the year.  So, I was very glad and satisfied with my picks.  These books are definitely worth reading.

• 幹嘛羨慕新加坡(Why Envy Singapore?) was written by a Taiwanese who married a Singaporean wife, resided here for about 10 years but have returned to Taiwan.
• 成長在李光耀時代 (Growing Up in Lee Kuan Yew’s Era) was written by Lee Hui Min, a Singaporean who is now a freelance journalist and writer.

• Be At the Table or Be On The Menu by S Jayakumar, a former politician of Singapore.  I am going to read his other book “Diplomacy” soon.
• My Lifelong Challenge by Lee Kuan Yew who has passed on on 23 March 2015.  Mr Lee has published many books and I have read a few of them.

• Let The People Have Him is a book about the early years of Chiam See Tong (up to the time he won in a Single Member Constituency in the 1984 General Election).  He is a lawyer and also the longest-serving opposition Member of Parliament in Singapore (1984-2011).  I am hoping that there will be a sequel to learn about the political life of Chiam after 1984.
• The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye was in the news after National Arts Council withdrew its S$8,000 funding citing “sensitive content” and its potential to “undermine the authority and legitimacy” of the government.  Despite that, this book was a hit.  The first 1,000 copies were snatched up at launch and I was glad to be able to pick up a copy on its second print.  I am never a fan of comics, not even in my young days, so this was the first comic I have ever completed reading.  t

I have decided that for 2016, I am going to continue with the same reading pattern, ie to continue with books related to Singapore.  Beside the two I have completed last month, I already have a few lined up on my book cabinets. 🙂

NEW YEAR IN MARINE PARADE

It’s almost mid January of 2016 now.  It’s better late than never.  So, I wish all readers of this blog a very happy and blessed 2016.

My 2015 year-end, in fact, the last couple of months leading to the end of 2015, was spent preparing to move out of our home of slightly over 13 years.  What a way to end the year!  Nevertheless, I am glad and thankful that God has answered my prayers after a year of praying (persistence pays!), and hubby and I are looking forward to our new home in a few months’ time when the transaction is completed, in a new location near city fringe.  This will be the first time in our lives that we are going to stay so near the city area.  There will be no more sea view like in our previous home, but we are excited about the convenience of transports and amenities there.  I shall be writing more about it in time to come.

For now, hubby and I have settled down in a friend’s home in Marine Parade, also in the eastern region of Singapore.  We are thankful that this friend (in fact, more than one friends) had offered us temporary accommodation.  This has saved us the hassle of renting from a stranger.

A friend once told me that I may like Marine Parade after I moved over here.  I have been here for not even two weeks so far and I am already beginning to like this area.  Everything is within reach – transportation, amenities, food centres and coffee shops, shopping mall (Parkway Parade), banking facilities etc.  Although it is a very mature housing estate (some flats have already or are hitting the age of 40 years old), surprisingly it has an excellent and well maintained environment, something totally different from the estate which I came from.  I have also been impressed with a few things that I have come across so far.  I am sure I will have plenty of opportunities to explore more of this area in the coming weeks and months as a temporary resident.

Sculptures of sea creatures here and there

Quite a number of blocks have beautiful drawings on the ground-floor wall like the below

A roof-top garden/mini park on the multi-storey car park!

What a beautiful sight and how lucky the Marine Paraders are!

In the block next to my previous home, there is also a multi-storey car park.  On observing for a period of time that the top level of the car park had always been left vacant, I actually wrote in to the authority to suggest converting it to a roof-top garden/mini park and promote green environment.  It could also serve as a venue for the residents to have light exercise and socialise.  Unfortunately, citing reason of structural concerns, my proposal was not accepted.  Today, it is still a wasted space with hardly any car parked there.

Am I in Japan?  I spotted this vending machine in one of the blocks!  This is the first time I have seen a vending machine on the ground floor of a HDB (Housing Development Board) block.

Bulky Disposal Bin on the ground floor of the block.  What a thoughtful and convenient arrangement by the Town Council!  Is this a privilege of Marine Paraders?

The housing estate that I previously lived in is also under Marine Parade GRC (Group Representative Constituency).  It really puzzles me why two different housing estates of the same GRC and managed by the same Town Council can be so different when it comes to maintenance matters.

I have had so many bad experiences and frustrations with my Town Council but this one last experience I had on the day of my moving is what I least expected.  I rang the supervisor for my block to request for help to dispose of a few pieces of old furniture that morning.  There were a sofa, a chest drawer, a washing machine and a mattress, to name a few.  Town Council provides free service for such disposal, up to 3 times a month.  Two cleaners came to do the job.  I prepared drinks and bread rolls for them as a small token of appreciation for their service.  The supervisor who came just to give order without giving a helping hand at all, openly asked me for “kopi money”(kopi is the Malay word for coffee)!  Any Singaporean would know what that means.  It means tips.   Excuse me, did I hear wrongly? No, I didn’t.  I wonder if they would still do the job if I had refused to give. Anyway, I offered S$10 each for the two cleaners in order to have the furniture cleared soon.  What I found even more shocking later was that one of the cleaners actually passed his S$10 note to the supervisor and she took it!  I had not wanted to give to her as I was not convinced that she deserved it.  All she did was talking.  It is hard to believe that in famously “clean” Singapore, such things do happen, and coming from someone in my Town Council!  That was quite an eye-opening encounter!

TENDON GINZA ITSUKI

A less palatable dine-out meal tends to disappoint me but a delicious one sure brightens up my day.

When I was in Tanjong Pagar last week, I came across Tendon Ginza Itsuki, a Japanese tendon specialty restaurant. Tendon (天丼) consists of tempura served on a bowl of rice.  The word tendon is an abbreviation of two words – tempura and donburi.

What actually attracted me was the long queue by the side lane of the restaurant, even slightly before the normal lunch hour of 12 noon for people working in offices in that area.  Since I rarely come to this part of Singapore, I have not eaten a Japanese meal in Singapore for a while now and could afford some time to wait, I decided to check it out.  Of course, I was driven by curiosity too.  So I had all the justifications not to miss it.

There were around 20 people in front me.  Fortunately it was not too hot the weather, and the restaurant was thoughtful enough to provide huge red umbrellas for shelters.  Customers in queue could also help themselves with free-flow of water available at the front of the queue.

There was information about PSI readings in view of the haze condition and a gentle reminder for customers to take care during the haze season. The restaurant even offered free masks!  Sometimes, it is small gestures like these that enhance the dining experience of the customers.  Unfortunately, not many restaurants make such conscientious effort though.

My wait turned out to be 45 minutes.  That’s really long considering that I don’t normally like the idea of queuing this long for food. 5 to 10 minutes are still acceptable to me if I was really craving for a particular food, or a particular restaurant.

It is a very small restaurant but comfortable and cozy enough, with about 14 to 15 counter seats, and another 2 to 3 small tables.  I think it probably can accommodate a capacity of about 25 people.

Two chefs responsible for the frying of the tempura and one in preparing the rice

There are only two choices on the menu : (1) Special Tendon which comes with prawn, chicken and vegetable tempura or Yasai (野菜) Tendon which is served with only vegetable tempura.

Soon after I sat down, I was served chawanmushi (steamed egg in a tea bowl) and miso soup.    The chawanmushi has a seaweed flavour and it was certainly a nice starter for the meal.

Guess what is in this bowl?

Pickled vegetables!  It’s free-flow!

This sign on the wall says that the restaurant uses carefully selected Japan-produced rice

I ordered the Special Tendon which came with 2 pieces of prawns (pretty big ones), 2 pieces of chicken, mushroom, long beans, pumpkin and baby corn and a little pleasant surprise as well!  The ingredients were really fresh and good, and the tempura were fried just right.  I never knew baby corn can be this delicious!

The little surprise –  a fried egg hidden under the tempura!  Oh, I love fried egg with the egg yolk uncooked!

I thoroughly enjoyed my meal!  It actually took me half an hour to savour every bite of it!  It was definitely worth the long wait. For the price of S$13.95 for the Special Tendon, and S$12.95 for the Yasai Tendon, I think it it pretty good value for money, especially for the quality of the food!

After the meal, I spoke briefly with the service staff who was also manning the cash register.  I found out that this restaurant has been opened for about 3 months and the two chefs frying at the counter are from Malaysia.  One of them has worked in Japan for 8 years.

If I really had to pick on this restaurant, then I think it will have to be the loud music.  I like the fact that it was playing Japanese music but something more soothing will be pleasant for the diners.

Walking out of the restaurant, I texted hubby to tell him how satisfied I was with the meal.  I will go with him the next time, and I will have the yasai tendon instead.

On my way walking to the MRT station, still feeling happy with the meal, I saw pale blue sky and some white clouds.  At last, after many weeks of hazy condition.  What a bonus for the day!

More Japanese food awaits me in the Land of the Rising Sun.  Hopefully by the time I return to Singapore  in two weeks’ time, there will be no more haze.

MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL AT THE GARDENS

After visiting the Flower Dome for the Celebration of Chrysanthemums floral display, I decided to stay on for the lantern sets display in the Gardens by the Bay since I was already there.  If I don’t remember wrongly, the lanterns event held in celebration of the Mid Autumn Festival (中秋节), started in 2013 at Gardens by the Bay but I had not been to the past two events.

With my mask on, I sat on a bench in one corner of the gardens and waited patiently for the lantern lights to come on at 7pm.  But they didn’t, not even 15 minutes past 7pm.  It was only after I approached a staff that I realised that the lanterns event that evening was the first day, and Minister Khaw Boon Wan was on his way to the Gardens by the Bay to grace the opening of the event at 7:30pm.  So I decided to wait for another short while and luckily I did or I would have to miss the event again due to the bad haze condition in the days that followed.

Minister Khaw and his entourage making their way in for the opening ceremony

After witnessing the very simple ceremony to light up the lantern sets by Minister Khaw, I had to rush through the lantern sets (spread out in various locations in the gardens), and even give a few of them a miss because I didn’t want my hubby to wait for me too long for dinner.

Birds Singing in Harmony – at the main entrance of the Gardens by the Bay

Arches of Floral & Insects

This year, there is a total of 17 lantern sets compromising of some 300 handmade lanterns.

Otters and Koi Fish

Year of the Goat – In conjunction of Singapore’s 50th birthday, these specially designed goat lanterns were hand-painted by the public, in the form of a competition

 

I found the goat lanterns too cluttered up, thus making it a bit difficult to appreciate the painting on them.

Lively-looking Giraffes and Zebras

The 12 Chinese Zodiac.  Can you recognise them all? 

At the Supertree Grove area, there were also food street, cultural performances, games such as solving lantern riddles (猜燈謎) and huge vertical Chinese chess game, but I didn’t have the time to check them out.

Lions, Tigers & Jaguars

 

Garden Rhapsody @ Supertree Grove (25 September)

Racial Harmony (Indian & Malay)

More animal lanterns along the way to Dragonfly Lake

Arches of Sea Animals on Dragonfly Bridge.  It was quite crowded on the bridge as visitors continued to flood in.

Majestic Sea Palace on one side of Dragonfly Lake

2 of the 3 Dragon Boats on the other side of Dragongfly Lake

I missed out the Elephants, Dinosaurs, Tree of Life and Racial Harmony (Chinese) lantern sets.

Nevertheless, it was a very enjoyable evening going around “hunting” for the lanterns.

The lantern event at the Gardens by the Bay was spectacular.  I was impressed with the designs and the quality of the lanterns.  I  can only imagine that it was a very massive task and costly too, to put up such a public event.  Perhaps if would be even better if the event could run for a longer duration like 2-3 weeks or even a month so that more people (both locals and tourists) get to enjoy the lovely lanterns.  I think 10 days are a little too short. 🙂