Good Friday 2008

Today is Good Friday. The Christains believe Jesus died for us.

Poor me. I had to re-do my yesterday's blog. Some rascals sent virus to the comment column. Must be the work of Lucifer. I deleted the blog to safeguard everyone. Like what Jesus commanded, 'Satan, go away!'

Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Chaozhou and Shantou Pt 2

13 March 2008
Zhangzhou : After a Hokkien buffet breakfast, we were brought to the 'Hundred Flowers Village'. There was nothing spectacular there. It's just like those Thomson nursaries.



Our next destination was Nanshan Temple, the largest temple in Zhangzhou. It was originally the residence of Chen Yong, whom is believed to be the ancestor of many with suranme "Chen' today. It was built during the Tang Dynasy and for some political reasons at that time, this ancestral courtyard was converted to a temple.





The star attraction of the day was Yongding Hakka Clay House. It was built about 400 years ago and feature a 1 metre thick external wall. Guess what it made of? You won't believe it. Granite, gultinous rice, brown sugar and lime. Despite adverse weather and earthquakes, it still stands tall today. Each block consists of many units occupied by a single big family with grandparents, sons, grandchildren and maybe great-grandchildren too. There are no window on the external wall of the 1st and 2nd storey. Reason being fear of enemy's intrusion.

Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Chaozhou and Shantou Pt 1

Hello! We are back. Phew, couldn't bargain for more. Really, it's a value for money holiday. We were arranged to join in those touring Zhangzhou in addition to the original Xiamen, Choazhou and Shantou. It cost another S$130 and we got it for free. :) Besides, we were brought to quite a number of places outside our itinarary.

12 March 2008
We arrived at Xiamen at 1330 hrs after a 4 hour flight. The temperature was about 22 degrees celsus. The guide introduced himself as Xiao Chen and we headed to Nanputuo temple as our 1st destination. He was a detailed person and gave us a history of the temple and details of the the Buddhas. Facts: It is located at the foot of the Five Old Men Hill and has a history of over 1000 years.

After the temple tour, we travelled to Zhangzhou. The journey took about one and a half hour. It was evening and had our dinner there afterwhich we checked into our hotel. Darkness fell and we strolled a pasar malam nearby.

Selina's Wedding

Congratulations to Kevin Teo and Selina Ng on their wedding.









Thomas, a happy father.

Mother's new flat

Me, Roger, Jessie, Francis and my mum were at the HDB Toa Payoh yesterday morning to collect the keys to her new flat. At the same time, a new account for the water and electricity was opened at the SP counter there. After which, we went to her new house to check the condition. I would say it was reasonably good. A little renovation is required and I hope she would be happy and comfortable to move in by then.

Breaking News: Someone gave up their booking for the 6D5N Xiamen, Chaozhou, Shantou tour and the tour agency called Margaret with the original offer i.e. the promotion price. She went down to make the payment and collected the air tickets and other documents. Yes, it's confirm confirmed we are flying off to Xiamen on 12 Mar 08 Wednesday and will be back on 17 Mar 2008 Monday. Till then, cheers!

On or off ???

It's on and it's off. It's on again and it's off again. Shit! I am talking about taking a short holiday abroad. Four days ago, I enquired about the 6D Xiamen, Chouzhou and Shantou tour with a local tour agency. The price quoted was acceptable but I didn't reserve the seats as requested. When me and Margaret went down to firm up the tour last evening, we were told that the promotion was over. They told us top up $70+ per head, above the quoted price. We felt gloomy and immediately called off the trip. @#$%!!!!!!!

Zhuhai 'live seafood'

Patrick came over this evening and passed me 2 packets of biscuit from Zhuhai. He went there on a business trip last Wednesday and returned on Sunday. There is something interesting about their seafood. Understand you got to buy the live seafood from the stalls and bring them to the restauarant to cook. Needlesss to say, you have to pay the restauarant for their cooking too. Overall, a 9 course dinner there with fish, small abalone, prawn etc cost about S$120. That's pretty reasonable especially when we are talking about 'fresh' and live seafood.

I sent my watch to a Tanjong Pagar watch shop for repair a week before Chinese New Year. I treasure it very much for it's a present from the core members of Hong Hiao Group years back. Besides, it's a Fossil's limited edition and the guitar in it symbolize my deep love for music. After CNY, I went down twice to check if it's ready for collection . Each time, the uncle told me that he was still looking for parts to replace those damaged. In fact I was thinking that he might have misplaced or lost it. I hope, I prayed and kept my finger crossed. Margaret gave me a surprise last evening when she said that she had collected my watch. Hallelujah! It's working perfectly again. How I miss it so much.....

Wassup?

It suxzz! A hangover after the festive season? Maybe. All good things must come to an end and a lassitude came onto me. Presumably March is going to be a long and boring month. I am still on annual leave and a coming new project will keep me busy from April onwards.
An update on my family. Margaret has not give up on going for a short vacation. We may opt for a North-Eastern Thailand countryside trip. As for Smily, I believe the going is well for him. Only regret is, many times he is 'OUTSTATION' for a few consecutive days. It's going to be hectic for Fyn for she is taking her GCE 'A' level this year. Give your best shot and GOOD LUCK!

Cute mini-pear