Hong Kong
Of the few Asian cities I’ve been recently, Hong Kong made me happiest.
The plane that took me there. I prefer the plane that sent me back coz it is newer so the TV screen was much bigger.
Walking towards the Airport Express Train platform to take the train to Hong Kong Station. Saves a bit of taxi fare than taking the taxi from airport- HKD250 vs HSD35. The worse thing about Hong Kong is, its really crowded. I had to queue behind 100 people to clear immigration and 50 people to get a taxi at Hong Kong Station. And that’s only worse coz the worst thing is the bad air.
In the express train. Almost similar to KL one, just slightly older.
My tiny little room. Its the lousiest among all the corporate hotels I’ve stayed. I hate the toilet. But chose this 4 star hotel out of the rest 5 star hotel due to the ‘convenient’ location. My colleague just told me I should have stayed in the executive floor which is bigger and nicer. Nobody say so specifically when I asked at first, just tell me stay here. But now I know!
I finally settled down in the hotel at 9pm and ventured out to look for food. And realised the shops all close super late! I love the feel of the streets where it feels like daytime if you did not look up into the sky. It is super lit by many many many lights with so many many many people walking around.
Times Square is just a short walk away. I realised Hong Kong is really a very branded place. The branded boutiques are in clusters like each cluster will have the all the branded shops Prada, Gucci, Miu Miu, Bottega etc. And every 5 streets you walk, you will see the another cluster of the same branded shops. People must be buying to support them, otherwise the outlets will not be profitable and will close down right. So to have so many clusters means there are a lot of people buying. I was still in doubt till 2 days later, when I happened to walk along a marketing street (selling vegetables, meat, fish) and the aunties doing their marketing were mostly totting Guccis!
Oh ya, a group of girls came up to me and asked me where Times Square was in English. Think they thought I was local or something and was surprised when I could answer them so fluently in English. But the thing was I just anyhow walk, I don’t really remember how I walked there. So I pointed to them the direction I think best likely to be correct. Hope they find the place. I still find them asking me kinda odd, I’m too casually dressed to be a Hongkie coz most Hongkies usually wear quite nice.
Wanted to try something authentic so ate at this small little not-very-clean looking restaurant.
I love Xu Liu San desserts! Tried Mango Jelly with Mango Juice on the first night and Honey Jelly with Pomelo in Mango Juice the second night. Yummy yummy..
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I’m very proud to see many DBS branches there. My boss went to change currency from SGD to HKD and showed her staff pass, there was no commission and even give her staff rate. Good right! Sad to say, if the Hong Kong staff come to Singapore DBS branch to change currencies, we never give them staff rate. Actually we Singapore staff also never change at our bank even though got staff rate coz we can get a better exchange rate with the money changer directly. Yes, staff rate also very lousy.
I had to rise bright and early for my first appointment. A packed and fruitful day. The hotel breakfast was normal but the view was great.
Waiting for my first customer for the day whom was late, could have slept later. The view was even more fantastic at the 31st business level lounge.
I had my hair cut at a salon that the hotel and neighbouring building shopping boutique sales assistant recommended. It was quite pricey and initially felt it wasn’t worth it but I quite like the style now, a lighter long-short modern feel. Wanted this style but somehow my Singapore usual hair stylist couldn’t achieve the effect.
After a day of appointments, it was back to shopping shopping shopping again at Causeway Bay right at my hotel’s doorstep.
The streets are really so brightly lit it feels like daytime.
I really got the Singapore love-q-ing syndrome coz I saw a long Q thought got something interesting to buy or eat or see some star, then wanted to join the Q. So I walked all the way to the front (quite a walk lor coz its really long) and realised they are Q-ing for the bus. Heng never blindly Q as initially I was worried if I never Q first, later walk back to Q end up even longer Q and may not get to buy or eat or see some star when its my turn.
Rows of buses waiting. Like in Hong Kong TVB serials! Hee, cheap thrill of seeing it live. I think its really not efficient in Hong Kong. I can see long Q of people and long Q of taxis and it moves so slowly, a bit like our Takashimaya taxi stand but its everywhere there.
Dar’s favourite Johor Bahru KTV chain got outlets in Hong Kong. Or maybe it originated from there. Don’t know.
Like in Taiwan, Hong Kong shopping consists quite a fair bit of below shops upstairs residences buildings. The entrance to their home is between the shops. It looks kinda spooky inside like those Hong Kong ghost show. If the light flickers, I will freak out.
My dinner – instant noodles with luncheon meat! Taste so-so only but with the chilli, it is super nice! That’s why I got so sick after I came back – the hot weather and the hotter chilli.
I did not manage to try any street snacks. I was a little surprised that I did not see any of those push-cart kind of street snacks in Hong Kong like in TV but saw it in Taipei at Xi Men Ding during the Taiwan trip. The whole Taipei lot was even fleeing from the police, running so frantically with their carts, very drama and very dangerous, hot oil and all. Somemore, I saw this uncle walk back to pick up a hotdog that dropped from his cart when he was fleeing and put back his cart to sell! Gross.. So it feels safer to buy food from shops kind in Hong Kong, definitely more hygenic.
Really many branded shops, many SaSa shops, many Giordano shops, many G2000 shops and also many Jurlique shops! I was so upset with the stupid airport last month. I had a new tube of Jurlique rose hand cream, birthday gift from my sister. So luxuriously creamy and heavenly scented. I brought it to Taiwan without any incidents in July. Then on my trip to KL last month, the airport people confiscated and threw it away! The security says its more than 100ml. Then my kind colleague help me to argue “the container shows 120ml but she used left 80ml only so why cannot?”. Sighs, but the rule is if the container specify its more than 100ml, you can’t bring up the plane. I felt so upset coz nothing happen when I brought it to Taiwan, 4 hours flight somemore then KL 45 minutes flight, it got thrown away. My colleagues told me I should have squeezed everything out and start applying everywhere, haha. I consoled myself it could have been gone when I went for the Taiwan trip when its totally new, so be happy I managed to used 1/3 of it. Got some stuff for sister and Cal, don’t know cheaper anot though coz I don’t know how much is it selling in Singapore. I also wanted to get one from myself but decided to save the money, maybe next month.
I finally had some time to do some daytime shopping before my afternoon flight back to Singapore. Could have extended another day till Sunday but since coming back next month colleagues to explore best buys and bargains, so must conserve my ammo. Got a seat with a better view for breakfast. Really lonely to eat by yourself even though got nice view. Hong Kong was having a long weekend as the following Monday was their holiday so saw a lot of people waiting to board their yachts to go out to sea. Guess that’s why Hongkies are mostly very very tanned.
Took a cab to Central and shop at H&M recommended by my colleague. I like the upward slopping roads and shopping alleys.
The street where I saw the Gucci-carrying-aunties! I’m not going to buy Gucci anymore.
I think I saw this at some magazines or site saying ‘must drink stocking milk tea’ but I think it was not opened yet when I was there or nobody ordering so I didn’t really wanted to go ask too.
A very old shop with a very old auntie.
Hong Kong has a new-meet-old kinda feel and I really love it. I thought I will like Taiwan more after hearing so many negative comments on rude Hongkies but the ones I met so far were really nice and friendly. It has also been a long time since I walked till I can’t feel my legs. Good exercise! I can’t wait to be back next month with my office buddies! 🙂
Online Shopping
I’m growing to love online shopping. Ai ya, I know I may be like waaaaay behind to catch up on this trend. Ha. Anyways, had ordered a bag which cost only like $18.90 and its delivered free to my doorstep. Wa lau, good deal lor coz it’s a big bag somemore, not like some pathetic tiny lunch bag or something.
The usual worry such as you don’t get what you see from the picture, lousy quality, poor service, damaged goods or non-delivery. But it didn’t happen. So I’m into MORE ONLINE SHOPPING, as evident from new link I just added to get a discount. Haha. Now I’m going to order some dresses which need to think slightly longer because of size issues.
My colleagues in my current office are also online shoppers. So motivating. Keke. 🙂
Best View To Me
Curtains are up for the new place. I love sitting in the living gazing out. Looking forward to moving in soon. 🙂
Great Singapore Sale
I think its a disaster to whatever savings plan I’ve in mind working in right smack in the middle of town with like-minded shopaholic colleagues. 😦
The Great Singapore Sale officially starts in one hour time but it has begun for my colleagues last week (Isetan and CK sale) and I managed to ‘tahan’ till today (G2000 and GG<5).
I was outside Wisma G2000 this morning at 10am happily waiting for them to open their doors as they are having 20% off the final bill on top of the discounts they are having! After waiting for 15 mins and staring at their staff inside, I realised that they only opened at 11am. End up going up to Toastbox to have breakfast before coming back down and spending one hour in there trying all their clothes before walking over to Taka G2000 to spend another hour there because different outlets carry slightly different range. Going back tomorrow to get another black knitted top after much consideration the whole day.
Knitted cardigan – to match another old spaghetti strap dress of mine.
Puffy sleeve white shirt – unique like pirate, maybe I can wear to watch Pirates of the Carribean, haha..
Cuff-link white strip shirt – smart.
Fish-tail black skirt – very slimming!
After spending two freaking hours shopping, decided to get my ass back into office. But I find shopping is addictive, once you start, how to stop?!?
Went to Heatwave to buy a pair of heels followed by another pair from Mondo. No pictures as still in office, don’t dare to bring home lor. I think Dar will divorce me, that is, after he recovers from the heart attack.
But the the worst damage was at GG<5. The Wisma one was super crowded when I was there in the afternoon so did not managed to find anything nice. When I was having dinner at Central’s Sun with Moon (BAD SERVICE, the one at Wheelock is so much better), located at Clarke Quay, they had a new outlet there, which was so empty that the salesgirl can follow me around ‘collecting’ all the clothes I want to try lor! They even have all the sizes and nicer designs which Wisma already do not have.
Black shirt dress with belt – look flattering, that’s what my collegues says (bad influence) though I find I look frumpy, but the power of friends..
Black lace skirt – this is absolutely sweet but cost me a bomb 2 bombs (plus the shirt dress) even after discount 😦
The above was exclusive of six Wacoal bras I got yesterday.
I hope it rains money tomorrow..
p.s: please ignore the orbit colour bedsheets, my mom chooses them and her maid changes them so I don’t bother what pattern as long I don’t need to wash, hang, fold or change can le. 😛
p.p.s : you may ask me anything about my buys other than the price, I absolutely do not wish to be reminded on it.
Sun, Sand, Sea
Had a great time at the beach today.
Hope to go again but I hate being black. Tan still nevermind, I’m those type that turns black after being under the sun. Boo..
Was lathering on so much sunblock ony myself and even went into the Island Shop at Palawan Beach to buy a SPF50 sunblock after I find that the SPF35 one I was using doesn’t seem to be working.
Dar and his friend built a rather impressive (to me at least) sandcastle today before Regan the Destroyer got rid of it!
Woo Hoo
My second semester is finally over.
Yesterday’s Buyer Behaviour paper was worse my Corporate Governance paper, which I already thought that was very jia lat. I need a miracle. I need to go to the temple.
Sighs.. Heck le, it’s over and I don’t want to think about it anymore till 6 June when the results are out.
Slept only for 2 hours the previous night. Went for buffet lunch at Grand Plaza Park Royal hotel and shopping at Marina Square with Diana and Kirstie after the exam but I think we were too tired and did not really enjoyed ourselves. Imagine three walking and talking zombies!
Progress On Renovations
My floor plan.
View from my living room, I love it – unblock and windy! I can walk around naked lor, er, I won’t do that la.
My main door. Want to change but no budget. It cost a freaking $1500+ for a fire rated door. Ai ya, why need fire rated, if got fire, I don’t think it will help a lot lor.
My living room.
Looking out from middle of my tiny kitchen. The two walls is to be hacked away for open kitchen concept.
Walkway to bedrooms.
Masterbedroom, that wall is going to be hacked.
Looking out to the living room from my masterbedroom.
Common toilet. Yucky colour. Out out out!
Masterbedroom toilet.
Bangala pasting notice of renovation. Its finally starting. Yay..
The sand and tiles are here. With the Indonesia government restricting on granite import, it cost many times more now lor. What bad timing. Can’t the government wait till I finish my renovation? And noone was guarding it can, what if someone steals it!
Did not manage to take pics of the hacking of floor tiles but this pic shows my swanking new homogeneous tiles (600 by 600) in the living room. Nice lor! The area which is not tiled is for the platform. I think that day was my most excited day in my renovation. Now the place is in shambles, ruins and big MESS.
Area behind the living room and walkway to bedrooms.
Gap left because the kitchen wall is not hacked yet as was waiting for permit. Hence, layed the surrounding tiles first. I think the tilers super efficient. Finish it within 3 days.
My masterbedroom toilet tiles.
Saving the masterbedroom glass shower screen in the pre-renovation photo for re-use. No money to get new one. Cost about $600 for a new one.
Masterbedroom toilet tiles done. The wall and floor tiles are using the same type of tile, just that wall tile is rectangular (300 by 600) while the floor tile is square (300 by 300).
Common toilet tiles done, The wall tiles looks like almost the same colour (300 by 600) as the masterbedroom toilet but its shiny type, like those hotels one. But I’m using black tiles (300 by 300) for the floor instead.
Bedroom wall hacked. So awful looking right with that dangerous hanging electrical cable.
Opposite view of above.
Can see the masterbedroom doorway is moved to the front from the floor markings. I actually kinda regretted that. Should have left the doorway intact and seal up the other door instead so that I’ve a longer walkway from the living room to make the place looks bigger I guess. Anyways, its a done deal. *bleahs* The whole place is so dusty.
Living room electrical works. Actually now all cannot see already, covered by the false ceiling.
Ok, that’s about it for the time being.
Went to take more pictures of my living room platform today which is already up but too lazy to transfer to my laptop and upload. I can feel the cosiness of the living room already. Heh.. The false ceilings and boxed up walls are done as well. Can’t wait for everything to be finish. The anticipation is killing. But so is the amount of money I’m paying. *vomit blood*
Spent the last two hours doing this long overdue entry. I need to get back to my studies now. Will refrain from blogging till Thursday. Sighs! I hate exams..
1st HDB Appointment
Woke up bright gloomy and early today for my 9.30am 1st appointment with HDB. Haven’t been there till today and its such a big difference with the old office at Bt Merah. Very nice lor.
Today, I felt that I’m really really really destinated to buy this new flat :
This flat is the 2nd unit I’d viewed and I made a offer after the 1st viewing 2 days later. The owner accepted my offer and da-tah, my new flat is born.
I like everything about my new place till my ‘bantang’ dad brought up that the location’s fengshui doesn’t looks fantastic. This made me feel slightly uneasy also lor. You know lar, like a tiny nagging feeling.
Other than the run-in with that irritating agent representing the owner, the owner is actually a very nice chap.
During my 2nd visit to sign the ‘Option to Purchase’, saw the female owner studying diligently. Me, as usual, trying to break the ice (I hate awkwardness), casually asked if she’s studying or working so hard.
And that lead to her joining my office with my recommendation, in January as she’s actually looking for an industry-switch to the banking sector.
She was actually studying for her banking degree with UOL at SIM. So that’s 缘分 number 1 for studying in the same school, 缘分 number 2 for studying banking which is my 老本行 and 缘分 number 3 for joining my office.
However, after we became friends, she revealed that she is actually not the female owner of the house but the girlfriend as the owner had went through a divorce because the
wifeex-wife had an affair. Juicy news lor! That somehow made me a little worried linking it to the bad fengshui. I don’t want a DIVORCE lor.But after sitting on it for the past week (knew it on Monday), my liking for the house outweighs the fengshui crap. So decided to go ahead with the planned.
When I saw the ex-wife today (did not see her during signing of the ‘Option To Purchase’ as I could not make it during the last minute and changed to the next day, so she signed first and did not come the 2nd day), I was thinking to myself, how come she look so fat and ugly still can have affair one.
Then came more shocking revealings..
There were 2 rounds in the 1st appointment – clerk to confirm the documents before meeting the officer to settle everything.
During the first round, the ex-wife saw my blown-up IC (I like to zap ICs zoomed 150% till can see the pimple one lor, I’m a professional IC-zapper ok, those IC copies I zap is super clear and sharp one, got technique one hor) and recognized me as her sister’s secondary school best friend.
The world can never get smaller so that led to 缘分 number 4.
We started to turn the HDB office foyer while waiting, into a market with our chattering, catching up over years that have passed. And oh, er, I take back the statement about her being fat and ugly. Haa haa..
Somehow, we started talking about where we are currently working and she’s with the navy as DXO (secretary or something). So Dar asked if she know a childhood buddy of his whom is working in the same place (Changi naval base).
It turns out he is her friend also lor! Wa lau, I tell you, cannot do bad thing in Singapore lor, I mean how many coincidences can there be – 缘分 number 5.
I did not want to continue chatting anymore lor. Later realise even our grandfathers from the same village how?
Ai yah, wished I’ve known earlier lar, else can ask for DISCOUNT! If only I attended my this secondary school friend’s wedding and we would have met and maybe we would realised that I want to buy and she want to sell her flat. Then can axe out that stupid agent saving on the commission as well as get a better BARGAIN!
Anyways, so that brings me back to confirm that I’m really connected to my new place.. Scarily 巧 right!
Family Road Trip To Malaysia 2007
Day One ~ 31st December 2006
Gather at Hazel Park Terrace at 7.00am. Drive out to main road for breakfast. Depart for 2nd link at 8.00am. Lunch en-route Cameron Highlands. Reach Strawberry Park Resort at 4pm for check-in.
Tea (must try – strawberry ice-cream & milkshake) at KHM strawberry Farm. Rest till dinner.Charcoal steamboat dinner at Golden Win Restaurant at 7pm. Visit Brinchang night market. Mini BBQ for supper to welcome in the New Year!
Day Two ~ 1st January 2007
Rise and shine to meet for breakfast in hotel at 9am.
Drive visit the following in random :
P Boh Tea Plantation P Butterfly Farm & Garden P Chrysanthemum Farm P Capsicum Farm P Honey Bee Farm P Market Square (local product) P Organic Farming P Peak of Gunung Brinchang P Rose Centre / Cactus Valley P Waterfall
Lunch at T-cafe (. Tea at Lakehouse hotel. Charcoal steamboat dinner at Organic Steamboat. Mahjong till late.
Day Three ~ 2nd January 2007
Rise and shine to meet for breakfast in hotel at 9am. Check-out at 10am to set-off for Genting. Lunch at Kuala Lumpur. Reach Genting at 2pm to check-in. Rest and relax. Gather for dinner at 6pm. Free and easy.
Day Four ~ 3rd January 2007
Rise and shine to meet for breakfast in hotel at 9am. Final shopping before gathering for early lunch at 11.30am. Leave for Singapore at 12.30pm. Tea en-route back to Singapore. HOME SWEET HOME at 6pm. Unpack and meet for dinner at 7.30pm at outside coffee shop.
Somewhere Over The Rainbows 