Pulau Ubin getaway

Ok, so I went on a morning date. How about this-We are meeting at 630am!!!

Nami is in Singapore, I wanted to show her the part of untouched Singapore at Pulau Ubin and to visit Chek Jawa. I thought it would be great to spend a morning at the wetland and be surrounded by the wonderful nature. Since the tide for the day is lowest at 8am, we have to get there as early as possible. Because at Chek Jawa, the lower the tide, the more marine life you can spot. They say that seeing is believing. It's not so true in the case of Chek Jawa, you can't see the marine life during high tide, but the marine life are so alive and abundant under the water. Don't believe, check out this website.

My pair up is Jason and Fang. We all manage to reach Changi Village at 7am. I can tell that Fang is excited, this will be the first time she stepping on the ground of Pulau Ubin. It was a beautiful morning with blue sky.

I was surprised to find that only some of the shops are opened. I thought it's the public holiday and Singaporeans will be flooding the island. Our breakfast option are limited to a Malay coffee shop and a Chinese Coffee shop, we chose the former. Between Mee Rebus, Mee Siam, Lontong and Nasi Lemak, what would be your pick? I chose Nasi Lemak. I think Nami is trying Mee Siam for the first time. Sometimes I forgotten that our local food could be too exciting and spicy for foriengers, especially so for breakfast!! The last time I recommended Mee Siam to my Norwegian friend when I sent him off at the Changi Airport at 7am. He was struggling to cope with the spiciness of Mee Siam, I think it woke him up immediate. Works better than caffeine. Luckily, this Mee Siam is not too spicy for Nami.

We rent bicycle, it took us 20mins to get to Chek Jawa Visitor Centre. The ride was very nice. Pulau Ubin remains the same for most parts. Unlike in mainland Singapore, development becomes a norm. Opening of Resort World Singapore, Universal Studio, The Helix, Circle Line stage 2, Marina Bay Sands and so on. This road in Pulau Ubin remains the same when I first came here 18 years ago.

I am not an expert at Chek Jawa. All I know is that is an inter-tidal area encompassing six ecosystems within one square kilometer. A boardwalk is built along the wetland. Guided tour to explore the wetland on the shore is possible thru Nparks website. Places are limited and demands are very high. We manage to spot some crabs, fish and mud skippers. The boardwalk itself is an attraction.

We ended our Chek Jawa visit at the No. 1 House, which is a Tudor-style cottage build by the British in the 1930's. The cottage has been restored and a new jetty has been built. From the jetty, the view of the cottage is very resort-like. Almost doesn't feel like I'm in Singapore. 1 interest feature worth mentioning is the fireplace. I've never seen a house with a fireplace like this cottage. Maybe the British like to have indoor BBQ by the fireplace.

It's 10am and we wanted to explore more. I wanted to bring them to one of my favourite campsite. There isn't a name for the place except that it's near Mamam campsite and the NPCC campsite. The road I use to take is close for access. I think there's an alternate road but I'm not sure.

The other campsite I like is near the Kekek Quarry. You have to past by a Thai temple in order to get there. Now the road leading to the Thai temple is close to car access and the Thai Temple is gone. What stands where a solar panel is used to be the temple. The campsite is now overgrown with grass, it looks deserted for awhile. The old jetty is gone too. The coast is now lined with fences, to deter illegal immigrants from entering I presume. I am a little disappointed that the Kekek quarry is fenced up too. No more swimming in the clear blue water.

The area around the Ketam Quarry is now a new attraction known as the Ketam Mountain Bike Park. It's a 8km trail with varying difficulty. The German Girl Shrine is located here too. I would like to try out the trails. The only problem is I don't have a bike. I saw a lot of bikers here with their good bikes and gears. It's a sign that that biking is gaining popularity in Singapore.

By this time, the sun is scorching hot and almost unbearable. We cycle back to the jetty and stop by the Why You So Like That?? stall for a drink. You should check out the coconut drink on a hot day like this.

I am quite impressed with Nami. I thought that certain section of cycling is pretty demanding physically. The bumpy trails are sometimes slightly technical and tricky. But Nami didn't complain!!! I really think she had a good time, though I think we'll be having muscle ache the next day.

This is my short getaway, a holiday without using my passport.

Richmond

I mentioned before that Vancouver has a huge asian community. Today I went to the heart of the Chinese community-Richmond.

I joined Danny for lunch with his girlfriend, gf's sister and gf sister's boyfriend. I felt slightly out of place having dinner with 2 couples. We went to this high class Cantonese Restaurant that serves really delicious Dim Sum. It is so good, probably the best I've tasted in my life. A Hong Kong brother (Ryan) once told me that Vancouver, and especially Richmond, has really good restaurant, many of them are even better than HK's restaurant where most of these chef in Vancouver probably come from. Maybe all the good chef come to Vancouver liao, deserting HK.

We went to Aberdeen Mall. Feels like any other asian city. We spent some time in a totally Japanese store that sells everything that you can ever imagine and everything you would never imagine.

Well the best part of our Richmond adventure is the desert. Danny brings us to the desert place that serve soy bean pudding (豆浆）. I added black bean to my pudding. Aiyo, it tasted so good. Really didn't expect to get this in Vancouver. Danny says this is the only place he know in Vancouver. Food always bond people together. I went home feeling satisfy that I had a great day in church worshiping God in the morning. And spend quality time with Danny and Mike in the afternoon at Richmond.

报告新闻

-Current flying hours= 11.8 Progress has been smooth and steady. Weather wasn't favorable and so I put my grounded time to good use- Review, review and review.

-Practice Spins and Spiral today. I like the G force. Like riding roller coaster except that I have to do something to the controls to stop the ride. After mastering Spins and Spiral, it's circuit, circuit and more circuits.
Read this to find out about Spins and Spirals. http://books.google.com/books?id=GKMSsue-JW0C&pg=PA88&lpg=PA88&dq=spins+and+spirals&source=web&ots=uhBcORU7PE&sig=S-yFmQ_lOATB40Z2qIuY88lFeTs#PPP1,M1

-Weather in Chilliwack is either cloudy, drizzling or snowing. Sunrise at 0800hrs, sunset at 1645hrs. Rather depression isn't it. However, weather forecast an extended period of sunny days, beginning from 15 Jan, will persist for a good 2 weeks. I look forward to embrace the sun.

-My cooking was a hit and miss. Salad today was great- lettuce, potatoes, apples, blended carrots with creamy caesar dressing. Gong Bao Ji Ding was a miss. I think I shouldn't fried the dried chilli at such high temp. Will attempt again next week.

- In order to save time and money, I usually prepare 2 portion at one go. For e.g., my lunch tomorrow is the same as my dinner tonight. I will packed my lunch to the airport and heat them up using microwave. The other day Kelvin just recommend a few youtube videos on cooking. ( I find the british accent hard on the ears.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz91iI1FNBc
I doubt you'll try them 'cause if I were you, I would rather pop-by the ever convenient nearby coffeeshop for 福建面 or Wanton Mee or 海南鸡饭.

2 more travel companions coming from Singapore

At long last, after hanging around Delhi for 5 days, my companion will be arriving today . I was practically lazing around in Delhi, doing almost the same thing for the past few days- reading, blogging, going to Connaught Place, eating at bakeries, McDonald's and occasionally Indian food.

1400hrs. as agreed on previously via email, we're meeting in Main Bazaar, also known as Paharganj. This place is where most budget GH are situated. I stayed in Yes Please GH, recommended by the Canadian who share taxi with me from the airport.

Each carrying a big bag pack and a small day pack, Suat and Fang walked into the lobby of Vivek Hotel. I stop reading the book review on Tokkien's latest work .

We greeted each other warmly. The last I saw Suat was 6 months ago.

At the beginning of my trip, I met Fang and our trekking gang at a hotel in Taipei. And now, the last leg of my travel, I can see Fang at a hotel lobby again. She was with me at the beginning and the end.

My welcome gift was food from Singapore- 4 slices of Pandan cake from Bengawan Solo.

Before departing S'pore, Fang actually made a lot of effort to research on the best food to bring over to Delhi from Singapore, knowing that I've yearned for S'pore food for months.

Charmaine has no idea what I like so Fang consider Chee Cheong Fan. But considering the limited space she has, she settles on the Pandan cakes.

We proceed to do the admin stuff of sorting out our belongings-those that we need for the golden triangle (Agra, Jaipur and Delhi as well as Varanasi). Basically, I emptied my trekking stuff (especially the warm clothing). With temperature soaring above 40 DC, warm cloths is the last thing I went to lug in my Mac Pac.

Lost and found 3

I know, this is at least the 3rd story you heard about my stuff getting lost and found.

Just 5m outside Thorong Peak Gh is Langtang Cybernet, probably the cheapest internet (20 rs) you can find in Thamel. Access speed is on par with those charging 30rs.

I wanted to upload my ACT photos on flickr before I depart for India. My friends drop by Langtang to ask me out for dinner. I logged out form the internet and left, with my camera still attached to the USB port on the CPU.

We went for our last celebration dinner at K2, who claims to be probably the best steak in Kathmandu. I don't fancy their burger anyway.

Back in the room at 1130pm. I was looking for my camera and they were obviously not in my camera pouch. Now all I can do is pray that my camera is picked up by the owner of Langtang cybernet. My precious camera. From my room, I have a view of the cybernet. I peeked over it several times as though I can see through the walls and have a preview of my precious.

Sat morning, at 0730hrs Dorje was already in business. I went down and walked into his place, trying to hold my anxiety. Dorje said that he was not in possession of my Canon. My heart sank. Serves me right for being careless.

I ask Dorje a 2nd time, I need the facts to sink in by hearing it a second time.

He was quite a good actor. He conned me into believing that he had no possession of my camera, but he did!! I couldn't contain my joy, jumped on him and gave him a big hug.

Last evening, after I left his shop, he picked up my camera. He asked the others but no one had any idea who it belongs to. So Dorje kept it, knowing that the owner would eventually return. And I did.

Rafting at Bhote Kosi or Trisuli

Bhote Kosi was not my first choice for rafting. However, after talking to a few rafting agency, I agree with them that perhaps my first choice, Trisuli, would be to mild and boring to be call white water rafting. At this time of the year, water level is low. Sailing would be a more appropriate activity to call it.

When i stepped into Drift Nepal, I was greeted warmly by Sanjay. As soon as he find out that I'm a Singaporean, our conversation turned to Singapore food and places. Sanjay was born in Singapore. His father served in the respectable Gurkha regiment. When his father retire from the force, they moved back to Nepal. He was 16 then. Thru our conversation, I can tell that Sanjay has fond memories of Singapore as he recount the places he studied and lived, his sentences was peppered with Singlish. Ah... Singlish sounds like music to my ears. I like it when he said "Lay Jay". (Singlish for troublesome,inconvenient) 100% Singlish.
I was convinced by Sanjay that Bhote Kosi is more worthy than Trisuli. And when Charmaine arrived in Kathmandu, we both agree that we want to do the real rafting.

Sing-Ma restaurant
In the evening, we took the advice of Sanjay and had dinner at a Singapore-Malaysia restaurant, aptly called Sing-Ma restaurant. I must admit, I got really excited when I saw the Menu. I wanted to order almost everything. In the end, I settles for Laksa, Hainan Chicken rice and Sate.

They verdict-food tasted 60% authentic to Singapore's But that was good enough. I wish we have more Singaporean food outside Singapore, just like the way Japanese and Korean food can be found anywhere in the world.

Stephen

Stephen, originally uploaded by Jerry Tok.

Met up with Stephen in Hong Kong. He brought me to this nice place for supper.
It's good to meet up with old friend. The last time we meet was at least 4 years ago.

Experiment with food

I've moved to another brothers' flat. The brothers staying here are Shiyuan, Sunny and Ah Jie.

After mid week service, Shiyuan gave me a ride home while Sunny went to buy supper after hearing that I haven't taken my dinner. And guess what was supper? It was Zhu Za Tang. I decided to be adventurous in my diet too. As far as I remember, I have not try Zhu Za Tang on my own accord. Don't ask me what I actually put in my mouth, it's definitely some intestine. Luckily got other side dishes like Ji Pai (Taiwanese chicken cutlet).

I tried more adventurous food last night. Sunny ask if I've tried Taiwan famous fermented bean curd (Cou Dou Fu), I said I don't mind. So Sunny bought the fermented bean curd in Ma La soup. Besides bean curd, he also bought Ya Xue (solidified suck blood). I don't think Singapore sells Ya Xue, but it is the equivalent of Zhu Xue (solidified pig's blood). Anyway, the Ma La soup is quite strong so it sort of cover up the other taste.

Evening prayer with brothers at Daan garden

2 brothers brought me out for dinner and we decide on Bai Gan Ze Huo Guo (White Cane steamboat). It was a buffet dinner. Got free flow of desert, drinks and ice-cream. Yeh, brothers bond over food. This restaurant got a interest no. It is Wo-Wo-Wo-Ci-Huo-Guo. Can you figure out the no.? It is 555-458. WE had a good laugh.

I had a sin confession to make, though I struggle to open up. (sorry I won't disclose the details. It's a men's issue) After the confession, the brothers encourage me. I feel lifted up by their support and encouragement. After all , we are men and can relate to the common struggles.

Every often, Satan lie to us. He tells us it is ok to not confess to man, just confess to God is sufficient. He tells us we just need to repent on our own, confession is optional. However, in James 5:16 it says-

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Confession humbles us. It takes humility to tell another man that you have weakness and have sin against God. True to what the bible says, I feel refreshed and recharged. I am more ready to do God 's will and stay pure.

We take a 5 mins walk to Daan garden and found a mini tower. We went up to and there we pray to God, in mandarin off course. I was the last to pray, quite tongue tied. I need to think hard to find the right word to express. Nevertheless, it was refreshing. The brothers address God as "ba ba" , just like how I greet my own dad. I can feel the intimacy they had with God. And the prayer certain bond us together.

Lazy Sat

I read Genesis 20-21 using the chinese bible.

Met Fang Jing at Taipei Main Station. When I got there, I realise I forgotten the exit that I was suppose to meet him. So I just humtum 1 exit. Much to my disappointment, he was not there. I sms him to update him on my location.

Fangjing arrive and brought me to a small lane. I saw a Pategonia shop. Taiwanese are very willing to splurge on trekking gears. From my Yushan and Xueshan experience, the majority of the trekkers are locals. The only foriegners I met were 5 Germans. Most locals are uncles and aunties. My group is probably the youngest group. Like I said, the uncles and aunties wore expensive trekking gears- North Face, Eiger, Atunas and etc.

Brunch at an Indonesian food stall. Interestingly, I actually felt at home. The owner looks like an indonesian chinese. I can understand their bahasa indonesian. They speak mandarin and Taiyu as well. On the menu are mee goreng, Lontong, curry.. Even have chilli sauce leh... So nice.

Last supper with my bestfriend

Last Supper with my bestfriend
Originally uploaded by Jerry Tok.

Jonathan fetched me from my place. I recommend him to try this very nice
claypot "sweet chicken" AKA frog meat at Yishun Seafood Village, opp
Sembawang Shopping Centre.

After we ordered our Gong Bao tian ji. The ah beng guy picked up 2 live frog
frog the aquarium, brings them to the basin and... guess how he kill the
frogs??? He simply use a pair of scissors and snip off the head, follow by
the rest of the body. I watch that for 3 seconds and decide to head to the
toilet, not to pew but to pee.

Just when we were talking about how cruel it is to kill the frog, an aunty
came. We forget about the cruel part when the tasty Gong Bao soup touch we
taste buds. The frog leg are fantastic, they were huge man. I think those
are athletic frogs. Got go for training one. Anyway, to add on to the
cruelty, we ordered another pot after finishing the first. YUMMY!!!!

Last Supper with my bestfriend
Originally uploaded by Jerry Tok.