holiday

keith's mid-year school holiday started on the 31st May and last for 4 weeks. we been thinking and looking for a place for vacation. finally decided for a short trip to Malaysia Desaru for a 2D1N full board fruit farm tour.

we were to head to Desaru by Ferry and back by Ferry. the ferry journey 35mins from Changi Ferry Terminal. The only issue is the ferry left at 7:15am in the morning. Thus, by 6:30, we are to reach the ferry terminal. Anyway, we made it and enjoy our trip to desaru.

In summary, it was a very good trip with good food. We got to have unlimited durian for dinner, unlimited fruits during most of the meal. One of the lunch include lobsters (though it is a little small). I put on weight after the trip. Damn!!!

Other high light of the tour include the fruit farm, Ostrich farm firefly. Enough of saying but pictures for your viewing.

Mediacorp Veteran Artiste Huang Wenyong was leading the tour.
Dragon fruit (龙株果)
Durian, my family favarite
Ostrich Farm
Feeding ostrich with corn.
Free flow of tropical fruit
Fresh Jack Fruit (好大的波罗蜜)
Durian
Aftermath. We had dinner and at least 10 durians. Look at the mess...
Butter crab
Lobsters
Resort
Resort
Beach

The Helix @ Marina Bay

The helix bridge located at Marina Bay was open to public on the 24th April. This is one of the key feature at the Marina Bay so I thought why not join the crowd and visit the bridge on the day of opening.

We reached The Helix at about 9:20pm so we missed the firework but it was still crowded at that time. With the crowd, it was not easy to take pictures, also the bridge is a little shaky when people moved and that made it worst for night shooting.

The Singapore Flyer and The Helix.

Wifey with the stilt walker.

Keith and me on the bridge. The background building is the Marina Bay Sand Casino phase 1 opened today (27th Apr)

The GREEN Helix
The PURPLE Helix
The ORANGE Helix
A close up picture of the Singapore Flyer in the night.

Do You know?

I cannot be sure if these are facts but just sharing something here...

Amazing natural picture

a friend emailed these pictures to me. there were very interesting pictures but I cannot for certain if the following text mentioned are true. anyway, here there are for your viewing.

This is a picture of a rock formation near a lake in Burma. The photo can only be taken on a specific day once a year when the sun rays touch the rocks at a certain angle.

Tilt your head to the left and then look at it again ….


Did you notice anything different? Yes or no?

Now we will turn the whole scene vertical

Lion Dance during Chinese New Year in Singapore

It is a very common sight to see lion dance in Singapore during the Chinese New Year period.

We were out having lunch at AMK Ave 4 hawker centre (for those who do not know what is hawker centre, it is basically food centre or a place where many cook food stalls are located with free sitting). While having lunch, we heard drum beat and gong approaching us. We saw then a group of lion dancers approaching and finally stop next to us. They are invited by one of the stall to perform lion dance for good wishes for the new lunar year.

Pictures for those not familiar with Singapore culture.


a plate of oranges for the lion to peel and give 4D for the stall owner
the drummer.
the lion working hard to do magic.

finally, the phrase FA CAI (发财) with a set of 4D for the owner.

those who saw this post, quickly buy...

Cycling with Family during CNY 2nd day

We had visited parents, relatives on the first day of Chinese new year, so 2nd day, we went East Coast Park for cycling as well.

This time we started from the most western part of ECP (near Fork Road) and headed east toward Hawker Centre. Just a mere 12km in total. Less than half the distance we did 2 weeks ago. It is also very crowded because we pass by the ECP Mcdonald section.

This distance is very short but we enjoyed it.

2010 HOROSCOPE

ARIES - The Aggressive Outgoing. Lovable. Spontaneous. Not one to mess with. Funny.. Excellent kisser EXTREMELY adorable. Loves relationships, and family is very important to an aries..  Aries are known for being generous and giving. Addictive. Loud. Always has the need to be 'Right'. Aries will argue to prove their point for hours and hours.  Aries are some of the most wonderful people in the world..   TAURUS - The! Tramp Aggressive. Loves being in long relationships.  Likes to give a good fight.  Fight for what they want. Can be annoying at times, but for the love of attention.  Extremely outgoing. Loves to help pe! ople in times of need. Good kisser. Good personality. Stubborn. A caring person. They can be self centered and if they want something they will do anything to get it. They love to sleep and can be lazy.  One of a kind. Not one to mess with. Are the most attractive people on earth! GEMINI - The Twin Nice. Love is one of a kind. Great listeners.. Very Good at confusing people... Lover not a fighter, but will still knock you out. Geminis will not take any crap from anyone. Geminis like to tell people what they should do and get offended easily.  They are great at losing things and are forgetful.  Geminis can be very sarcasti! c and childish at times and are very nosey.  Trustworthy. Always happy. VERY Loud. Talkative. Outgoing. VERY FORGIVING. Loves to make out. Has a beautiful smile. Generous. Strong. THE MOST IRRESISTIBLE.   CANCER - The Beauty MOST AMAZING KISSER. Very high appeal. A Cancer's Love is one of a kind... Very romantic.. Most caring person you will ever meet in your life.  Entirely creative Person, most are artists and insane, respectfully speaking. They perfected sex and do it often.  Extremely random. An Ultimate Freak. Extremely funny and is usually the life of the party.  Most Cancers will take you under their wing and into their hearts where you will remain forever.  Cancers make love with a passion beyond compare. Spontaneous.  Not a Fighter, But will kick your ass good if it comes down to it. Someone you should hold on to! LEO - The Lion Great talker. Attractive and passionate. Laid back. Usually happy but when unhappy tend to be grouchy and childish. A Leo's problem becomes everyone's problem.  Most Leos are very predictable and tend to be monotonous. Knows how to have fun.. Is really good at almost anything. Great kisser. Very predict! able. Outgoing.  Down to earth. Addictive. Attractive. Loud. Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Not one to mess with. Rare to find. Good when found. VIRGO - The One that Waits Dominant in relationships. Someone loves them right now. Always wants the last word. Caring. Smart. Loud. Loyal. Easy to talk to. Everything you ever wanted. Easy to please. A pushover.  Loves to gamble and take chances. Needs to have the last say in everything..  They think they know everything and usually do.  Respectfu! l to others but you will quickly lose their respect if you do somethin g untrustworthy towards them and never regain respect.  They do not forgive and never forget. The one and only. LIBRA - The Lame One Nice to everyone they meet. Their love is one of a kind. Silly, funny and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! However, not the kind of person you want to mess with...you might end up crying. Libras can cause as much havoc as they can prevent.  Faithful friends to the end.  Can hold a grudge for years. Libras are someone you want on your side.  Usually great at sports and are extreme sports fanatics. Very creative.  A hopeless romantic.   SCORPIO - The AddictEXTREMELY adorable.  Loves to joke. Very Good sense of humor. Will try almost anything once.  Loves to be pampered.  Energetic. Predictable. GREAT kisser. Always get what they want..  Attractive.  Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Loves to party but at times to the extreme.  Loves the smell and feel of money and is good at making it but just as good at spending it!  Very protective over loved ones. HARD workers. Can be a good fri! end but if is disrespected by a friend, the friendship will end. Romantic. Caring.. SAGITTARIUS - The Promiscuous One Spontaneous. High appeal. Rare to find. Great when found.. Loves being in long relationships. So much love to give.. A loner most of the time.  Loses patience easily and will not take crap.  If in a bad mood stay FAR away.  Gets offended easily and remembers the ! offense forever.  Loves deeply but at times will not show it, fee ls it is a sign of weakness.  Has many fears but will not show it.  VERY private person.  Defends loved ones with all their abilities. Can be childish often. Not one to mess with. Very pretty. Very romantic.. Nice to everyone they meet. Their Love is one of a kind. Silly, fun and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! Amazing in bed..!!! Not the kind of person you want to mess with- you might end up cryi! ng. CAPRICORN - The Passionate Lover Love to bust. Nice. Sassy. Intelligent. Sexy. Grouchy at times and annoying to some.  Lazy and love to take it easy. But when they find a job or something they like to do they put their all into it.  Proud, understanding and sweet. Irresistible. Loves being in long relationships. Great talker. Always gets what he or she wants. Cool. Loves to win against other signs especia! lly Gemini's in sports.  Likes to cook but would rather go out to eat at good restaurants. Extremely fun. Loves to joke. Smart. AQUARIUS - Does It In The Water Trustworthy. Attractive. Great kisser. One of a kind, loves being in long-term relationships. Tries hard.  Will take on any project.  Proud of themselves in whatever they do.  Messy and unorganized. Procrastinators.  Great lovers, when they're not sleeping.  Extreme thinkers. Loves their pets usuall! y more than their family.  Can be VERY irritating to others when they try to explain or tell a story.  Unpredictable. Will exceed your expectations. Not a Fighter but will Knock your lights out.. PISCES - The Partner for Life Caring and kind. Smart. Likes to be the ! center of attention. Very organized.  High appeal to opposite sex .  Likes to have the last word. Good to find, but hard to keep. Passionate, wonderful lovers..  Fun to be around. Too trusting at times and gets hurt easily..  VERY caring. They always try to do the right thing and sometimes gets the short end of the stick.  They sometimes get used by others and get hurt because of their trusting.   Extremely weird but in a good way. Good sense of humor!!! Thoughtful. Loves to joke. Very popular. Silly, fun and sweet. Good friend to other but needs to be choosy on who they allow their friends to be.

 

cycling from ECP to Changi

Today, I went cycling with 2 other friends (Seng and Wee). Suppose to be 3 but this other one was having fewer so did not join us. We met at East Coast Park Mcdonald at 8am so I had to leave my place at 7:15am to ride there.

I rode 14km to reach the meeting point. After met up with the other 2, we went to the bike rental kiosk. It was closed. We checked the other and was closed too. Find a nearby bench along the beach and waited. While waiting, we were thinking to go to Pulau Ubin but Seng did not like the idea.

After an hour wait, finally the kiosk open. Seng and Wee got there bike and we headed toward Changi Point. It will be about 20km each way but I believe we all can do it. We were rather slow, doing at a speed of 15km/h and we had rest rather frequently. Reach Changi point at about 10:45am. We get ourselves charge up with food and drink. Actually, I was every hungry. Had only 2 slides of bread before 7am and after a total of 35km ride, how can I be not hungry. haha.

by 11:30am, we were done with our lunch and were fully charged up. This time, we were doing pretty ok, at 20km/h consistently for 10km. All due to the food that we had. By 1pm, we reached back the kiosk and they returned the rental bike. Both of them were complaining butt pain... haha... this is normal if you were not a season cyclist and not wearing those padded short. I had my fair share of butt pain when I first rode with the Suzhou riders.

Overall, a good leisure ride and more to come.

Pictures for your viewing pleasure.
East Coast Park is a very nice place. The path cater for roller blading, cycling and jogging. Only problem is that temperature is always HOT.
A cable skiing training centre nearby the ECP Hawker Centre. It was out of bound long time ago now it is opened to public for viewing.
Toward the east of Hawker Centre just before the Bedok Jetty, there is a newly opened (probably 1 year) extreme sport park cater for BMX, skateboard as well as roller bladder. This is built for those hardcore. It was about 9:45am, thus, it look rather empty.
A nice path with shade for cyclist, jogger, roller blade or just leisure walking.
On the left is Wee and right is me. For those who have not see me for the last 6 months, you will notice that I put on weight. A solid 4kg. Singapore food is too nice that I keep eating it. Excuse...
Seng on the left.
2 tones after a hard day in the Sun.

off road cycling with keith

keith had been requesting to cycle with him for the past week. as i see that it it was Christmas holiday, so let go and cycle. for the past rides, it had been always on the pedestrian path. today, it was a little different. i brought him to where the future punggol park connector. it is still under construction so it is a good training for him.

Check out the nice scenery. once completed, it will be very nice greenery for jogger and leisure cyclists.

almost completed path. the tarmac already laid.



no tarmac yet, but this will a good path for mountain bike.








keith resting under shade after cycling

Growing up with your son

I was reading this book about Father and Son Growing Up Together recently. I find that it is very useful. I have read only about one-tenth of it till now but I am picking up some of the skill or thing that I can apply for myself. There is this very interesting chapter I will now share with you all.

It was rather late in the evening when dad reached home after work. Dad was rather tire and in a lousy mood. Now, dad found out that his son is waiting for him at the door.

“Can I ask you a question, daddy?” ask his son.

“What is the question?” reply daddy

“How much do you earn per hour?”

“That is none of your business, why do you care?” reply angrily

“I just want to know.” his son looking into his daddy’s eye “Please tell me.”

“Well, if you insist” replying rather unwilling, “I earn $20 per hour”

“Oh.” Son was rather down with the answer.

After a while, son raised his head and asked his daddy “Can I borrow $10?”

Dad was furious, “Now, you listen! If you want to borrow money from me to buy unnecessary toy, please get back to your room and think through. Do not be so selfish. I spend my time working so hard. Now I need to rest, do not disturb me.”

After getting a trashing from the dad, son quietly walked to his room and closed the door lightly.

After the son left, the daddy was still angry. After a while, the daddy cool down and think. Why his son is asking money from him? Was he too hard on his son? He walked to his son room and knocked on the door. “Have you slept?”

“No, I am still awake.”

“Son, I am sorry I was a little harsh a while ago. Here is your $10”

The son accepted the money and quickly took out some crumble note below his pillow and started counting.

Dad was puzzled and ask “You already have money, why do you ask some more?”

“Dad, here is $20. I will need to buy an hour of your time for tomorrow dinner, could you have dinner with me” said the son.

Dad was very stunned and shocked but promised his son that he will have dinner with him tomorrow.

I was very touched and tell myself I will spend more time with my son. I did after reading this. I spent at least an hour with my son chatting, playing board games, watching TV programs or coaching him for the last 3 days. I hope I am able to continue this effort forever and not neglect my son.

If you are father, do spend time with your kids. Do not neglect them. They need your love and time.

HONEY & CINNAMON

Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar. In reality honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will do what I rather call "crystallizing" ... When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water, off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey.

Cinnamon and Honey
~ Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around. ~

Facts on Honey and Cinnamon:
It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases.

Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases. Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada , in its issue dated 17 January, 1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead of jelly and jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack.. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada , various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins.

ARTHRITIS:
Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured.. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken
with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.     I'm going to start using a tub of Cinnamon Honey Butter a week.

COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.
     
GAS:
According to the studies done in India and=2 0Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinna mon powder, and three cups of water and boil to make like tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.

FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week..

BAD BREATH:
People of South America, first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS:
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it. You might want to share this information with a friend, kinfolks and loved ones... Everyone needs healthy help information ~ what they do with it is up to them ~ me? I always use honey as sweetener

show off!!!

a picture taken with 刘颖 (Chinese MTB National Rider) during the 2008 July China MTB Race at Suzhou Yu Yang Shang (渔洋山)

Kite Flying

Suzhou, China usually people fly kite during May time frame when the wind is strong and the weather is not too hot or too cold. In Singapore, kite flying is all year round. The most common place for kite flying is Marina South where big open green field allow interested person to fly all sort of kites. As there are more open fields within many new towns, many people just travel to those open field for kite flying.

Yesterday, while cycling at about 7:30pm, I pass by a open field near Anchorvale Community Club, I saw about 20 people fly kite with blinking light. It looks wonderful. Today, I know that many people will be flying kites at about 4 to 5pm so I went to the open field again with Keith at that time. In fact, many are flying kites.

Some pictures for your viewing pleasure.