Backtrack my Singapore journey

Reading my Blog is almost like reading a novel because I back track ... move forward ... back track and then again. Well, I guess my brains think that way so I had no choice but to write in the same way. Well, what's the most interesting thing I've done in Singapore. I guess it must be this sailing thing. Booked a sail boat for one day, pack our alcohol, junk food and there we go for a much anticipated trip. The boat that were captained by Ricky was definitely a delight. He was trying to make sure we're all extremely relax and enjoy ourselves to the fullest. During the sail, he constantly provided us with ample food, ranging from wonderful steak to grilled prawns and such. And during this time, we also catch up with old friends from different places thus making this trip more enjoyable. The only little drawback was some of us were not in our element because of the sea and thus were a bit green throughout the trip. In total, we sailed from 10am - 7pm and had the opportunity to go for a dip in the sea by the pier (how corny). This is definitely a memorable trip that everyone would not forget.

Able was I ere I saw Elba

A truly amazing palindrome spoken by Napolean Bonaparte. It brings me forward that word play like these does challenge our brains a lot. With that in mind, I’ve searched through the Net to find some quirky palindrome for your pleasure. Step On nO petS Dennis sinneD Avid divA Red rum, sir, is murdeR. Lager, sir, is regaL ma handed Edna ham was it a bar or a bat I saw won't lovers revolt now Well, this is going to be a very long list if it doesn’t stop. It’s just totally amazing that at times when people are really so free to look into creating it. Salute to them! pal·in·drome )(p l n-dr m )n. A word, phrase, verse, or sentence that reads the same backward or forward. For example: A man, a plan, a canal, Panama! [From Greek palindromos, running back again, recurring : palin, again; see kwel-1 in Indo-European Roots + dromos, a running.]

What’s for Christmas ?

I love gadgets but with my finances depleting from so many holidays, I’ve to be choosy in my selection. Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to look and drool. And since it’s Christmas time, everyone is in a jolly mood to buy something for themselves and someone. I’ve here some of the most interesting stuff you can buy for your loved ones …. iPod – Whether it’s a Nano, Video or a normal iPod, it will still warms the heart of anyone who receives it. It is such a celebrated little external harddisk cum music player and now with video capability, it’s a MUST have for all the gadget lovers and their spouses. Frankly, anything in Apple store is cool so whatever you buy will impress the receiver. http://www.apple.com.sg Astone Ocean Scooter – If you love the sea but not with dollop of cash, you’ll find this the BEST buy. It’s an inflatable scooter with a small battery operated engine that can hover you around the sea or pool. At about AUD200, I will definitely find this a jolly present for your friends. http://www.astone.com.au Numark iDJ – Aspiring to be a DJ and yet wanna look damn cool in it ? The answer lies in the latest iPod toys – a mixer console specifically built to fit two iPods so you can mix your songs for home parties or BBQs. A choice piece but your friend would probably need to spend a little bit more money to buy another iPod. But hey, who’s complaining ? http://www.numark.com Logitech MX Laser 1000 Wireless Mouse – The king of mouse, so to speak. It terms of comfort, I can guarantee you its so nice especially it has the groove to place your thumb. I’m using it to help me move around this document and it feels so wonderfully accurate. Furthermore, no wire is definitely an improvement. If you want your loved ones to cherish your thought for their thumb, this would be a good choice. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=3,CONTENTID=9043 Sony PSP – The best, the hottest and the most valuable portable player around town. It’s so cool that I can’t even find a word to describe it. First, it’s a game player, add some mp3, it becomes an mp3 player. Then convert your DVDs you have a movie player. Upgrade to version 2.0, you have Internet browser. What can anyone ask for is all in here. http://www.playstation.com/psp Mathmos Airswitch - No need to fumble for the switch. Airswitch 1 can be controlled by simply moving your hand through the air above the Lamp. The innovative switching function able you to turn ON or OFF by just moving your hand horizontally above the Lamp. Place your hand slowly up and down vertically above the lamp will brighten or dimmer the Lamp. It is bright enough to read by Airswitch 1 and it makes a unique bedside or desk Lamp. Definitely something for those who wants to buy something to lighten up your friend’s home. http://www.mathmos.co.uk/erol.html Tempur-pedic pillows – If you think your spouse is not having a good sleep over your snoring or constant insomia, think about getting something that perk up your spouse. Tempur is made of visco-elastic temperature sensitive, a material used by NASA to helps off-set the G-force on astronauts. It relieves any pressure you may have and making you feel like heaven. Believe me, this shit is good. http://www.tempur.com Rabbit wine opener – This one has been around for a few years but I still find it a damn cool opener. It pops any cork in seconds without the hassle of traditional wine opener. Something for you to think about if your friends are alkies !! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000063K7G/103-8815179-7439829?v=glance&n=284507&v=glance Bose SoundDock for iPod - Bose quality sound from your iPod. Simply dock and play to fill the room with vibrant, detailed sound that will revolutionize the way you experience your iPod. I genuinely love this gadget because it’s so easy to use and the sound is very good too. http://www.bose.com I can probably go on with a list so long that it will never ends. And I will, for tomorrow at least. Almost all the products mentioned are available in Singapore or Malaysia so buying it is not a hassle.

It’s a FREE gift world !

Buy this, get that free … it’s the regular calling when I had the opportunity to step into any store. I mean, I’m not complaining on such great gimmicks. Even though I know they have somehow included the cost of this free gift into their “Suggested Retail Price”, hey, I’m still getting something for it. Okay, here’s a quick rundown on my freebies. 1. Subscribe to a mobile operator together with phone. FREE 256Mb SD Card 2. Subscribe to a second service with same mobile operator. FREE 256Mb SD Card and SGD100 off 3. Subscribe to cable TV. FREE portable DVD Player 4. Bought a mattress. FREE pillows, bolster and mattress cover 5. Bought two air tickets to Sydney. FREE MP3 player 6. Apply credit card. FREE Samsonite Cabin Bag 7. Apply another credit card. FREE Krisflyer miles 8. Spend an amount on your credit card. FREE watch There are probably a lot more that I forgotten in the course of settling in Singapore. It became a norm for Singaporeans to expect a little bit extra and for retailers to add something interesting to sweeten the deal. It’s a mutual agreement that both parties consent to and as a consumer myself, I can’t help but feel delighted that I can get more than I pay for. At the end of the day, it’s still a gimmick business but just make the whole retail environment a bit more exciting. Now I’m just waiting for the right FREE gift to get by broadband services ;)

Bisa di Jakarta

How's life in Jakarta with all the bomb scare and all ? I think it's very much over-rated especially when I'm here right now at the heart of the town area. The thought that there's threat in Jakarta was just because there are like policemen posted everywhere. Otherwise, it looks like any other city ... traffic jams, people shopping, laughing, eating and just going about with their business. Well, if we're fated to die, then we have to go, right ? So, we might as well do what we want to without fearing it. Death is nothing in comparison to fear of living.

Settled into Sing-chia-por

Finally, I've settled into Singapore. It took me a while to write purely because of laziness though some other more pressing reasons like holidays, partying and shopping took the toll as well. It has been 5 or 6 months since I've been in Singapore so no doubt, I'm sounding a bit more like them as well. Coming from a world where everything is a uphill task, I'm always pleasantly surprised by the fact singapore is very easy to live in and you can get adjusted to it like ... this. Its that easy. No doubt there's very little charm but things at least work. Since I've been to Singapore, here's the list of places I've been brought to ... and some I've been checking them out myself. 1. Far East Square - Ooster, KazBar, Bisou, Beer Cellar - Its all about Friday drinking (Ok, they serve Hoogarden on tap) 2. Orchard Road - NgeeAnn City, Atria, Shaw, Wheelock, Lucky, Paragon and Heeren 3. Havaianas - Flip-flops that everyone MUST at least own one 4. BBQ - You must do BBQ because it's an IN thing 5. Yakun Kaya Toast - This is very singaporean. must try kopi-si (coffee with evaporated milk) 6. Zoo - Much better version from the one in Melawati, KL 7. Unique stuffs - Fencing, dragon boat, wakeboarding, sailing (haven't done them all, will try out later) 8. Partying - One nite Stand, Attica, Zouk (boring) Overall, its good fun here and meeting up a lot of new friends. Well, I will write more about the interesting stuffs I've done while in Singapore.