Singapore Airshow 2008

Me - One of those suckers who got sucked into the bladdy mess at the Airshow on Saturday.

Warned by a friend to take public transport and not to drive there, I dutifully went to Pasir Ris Interchange to take the free shuttle bus. At 1.30 pm, the queue was still so long but it was moving. Not too long. Still managed to finish the entire New Paper while shuffling towards the bus.

Then what was a 10 minutes journey developed into a 1 and a half hour ride. First the bus travel along Pasir Ris Dr 1, turned right to Loyang Ave, went up TPE then PIE towards the Airport and next turned left to ECP towards the City????? before turning into Changi Coast Rd. What the heck? The shortest route was Pasir Ris Dr 3, turned left into Loyang Ave and then Changi Coast Rd and that could takes not more than 10 minutes! Even if for security reason, the buses could not go onto Loyang Ave, the next best option could be turned right to Pasir Ris Dr 6, left to TPE, Upp Changi Rd East, Xilin Ave, Changi Coast Rd and not the roundabout way the bus took!

Finally reach the site and worse was to come. The taxi and car line was moving smoothly but the bus queue was literally dead stuck. From the start of the car park to alighting, it took the bus nearly 40 minutes to crawl through and of course there had to be no air con at all in the bus!

So in the end, by that time we had only 1 and a half hour to visit the exhibition before it close at 5pm. So had to sacrific the indoor exhibits and just gawked at the planes.


Going back was slightly better. Again long queue but at least it moved fast and the buses were coming thick and fast and yes it took the Changi Coast Rd, Loyang Ave, Pasir Ris Dr 3 route back! So I just can't understand why it didn't do so for the onward journey!

Luckily, my tickets were complimentary otherwise I will be cursing for the entire time especially since I not really an airplane fan

27 Feb 2008: Just read all the complaint letters in the press. Seem like I one lucky one only took 1 and a half hour to get there. Other people took much longer including one who went to Pasir Ris then to Changi Beach Park before cycling there from East Coast!! Also now understand why bus didn't go by Loyang Ave (badly jammed) but still it could have gone via Xilin Ave.

Aston's Specialities

Finally managed to go to Aston and no need to queue. The secret? Go after lunch. To be precise, we went after 2.45.

Now know why there is a perpetual queue outside. The main course is only $10.90 and it comes with 2 sides (which can choose from a wide range)

We ordered 2 sirloin and 2 back pepper steak and all choose different sides.
The food took a while to come though but it was worth the wait. Portion was decent and the steak was cooked just right (although I thought the ladies' was overdone) but they insist it was just nice.

One thing though plain ice water cost $0.30. Nevertheless, it is a place worth revisiting.

Artz Pizza

Went for dinner at the Artz Pizza at East Coast Park. It shares the premise with the Baraonda Restaurant and the Seafood Station (previously SingaInn). No aircon but it was breezy and atmosphere quite great.

We ordered the Mamma salad which consist of mixed greens, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, avocado, dressed with extra-virgin olive oil and lemon (mamma dressing). M didn't like the cheese although I thought it was quite unique. But I thought there was too much olive oil and lemon.

 

We also had the fried chicken wings which apparanently came from the seafood restaurant. Nothing great about it though.

 

This was followed by the signature Artz pizza. This consist of a thin pizza with smoked scamorza(whatever this is?), rocket salad, tomato, and mozzarella and parmesan cheese. The rocket salad made the whole pizza look like a plate of raw vege.

 

This one look much better with the 'jungle' removed!

 

The last dish we ordered was a Cannelloni which was actually a pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach in cream sauce.

Overall, the quality of the food was good but a bit ex. The pizza was $33.00 whereas the salad was $19.70 and the pasta $22.00. Nice place to bring a date for a nice quiet romantic dinner followed by a stroll along the beach and .......

Gozilla Pau

What is a Gozilla Pau?



So what so special about it?

It is huge! Much bigger than the pau available at the rest stop in Yong Peng, Malaysia or the steam bun in Japan.


Just look at its size next to an ordinary char siew pau, a sew tao and a coffee cup.

What's inside?


The usual pork fillings, plus half an egg and crab roll. How does it taste? Pretty ordinary actually. But can cut into 4 portions so still pretty worthwhile at $4 each.

Valentine

Don't know why the atmosphere quite icy tonight.

This morning, asked M to have lunch together since running tonight at RL. She said she got lunch appointment. Then later she said she will cancel her lunch appointment. Told her okay. Reached office and after checking, realised I also got a lunch appointment so in the end had to cancel lunch with M.

Evening while running, she said her office 6 ladies got flowers, out of which 5 were in her department including her 2 lady bosses. And no, she was not one of the remaining 3. Was there a hint somewhere?

It's getting more chilly now. I think I better go turn the aircon off :(

A Valentine Day Love Story

Man meet girl. He woos her and swept her off her feet. Then she found out he is married. Yet he proposed and she agreed. Love is blind.

He put her in a small little flat while he stayed in a landed property. She is ostracized by his family, treated like a maid. She still bored him 3 children. Love is patient.

He marries a third time. Still she stayed with him. Love is beyond understanding.

Finally she left him. Yet when he come calling, she still welcomes him. Love is not rude.

He falls sick. She tends to him with his 2 other wives in the hospital. Love is kind.

He died. She wept and mourned for him together with the 2 wives. Love is forgiving.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. – 1 Cor 13:4 - 7

Happy Valentines Day!

CNY

Over the few days of holiday, discovered that my young nieces have been reading my blog's posting courtesy of my daughter??? Alamak.. so now I can't use the blog to say bad things about them or their parents.. how sad:(

On the other hand, I wondered what goes through their young minds - having a crazy old uncle trying to act young and enter into what is seen as a youngster domain. I think in their young hearts, they must be thanking their lucky star that I am not their daddy otherwise sure don't know where to hide their face.

Anyway, to all young people out there - young in age or young at heart - Have a great and Happy New Year.

I Spy ~ Eating on the Train

On the train home saw this lady with her kid (about 6 years). The boy took out a packet of biscuits and started eating. He also swept all the crumbs on to the floor. Wanted to tell the lady and boy not to eat in the train but was afraid she would make a scene and everybody will stare at me.

Then 2 MRT staff, 1 lady and 1 guy came along. They seem to be looking for something or someone. Ha I thought - they will warn the lady to stop eating. To my surprise, they didn't do anything even though they stopped at the carriage! The lady even smiled at the boy!

Isn't it their job to enforce their own company's regulation? or is SMRT expecting the public to do it for them!

May be I should write to the Forum and see how they respond.....

Yu-Sheng

CNY parties have started! Had my first or should I say first 3 yu-sheng yesterday. Yes 3 yu-sheng in one day - definitely a record for me.

1st yu-sheng was at China Club courtesy of a lawyer.

Came back to office to find a plate of yu-sheng on my desk from a media vendor. Got the whole 2nd floor to share it.

Finally, farewell dinner for a director at Orchard Hotel. Another round of yu-sheng.

Let's hope all the good fortune and luck will flow in hence.