Life Sucks

On our first day in Bali, we went to Uluwatu. This is a cliff over looking the sea. Coming from where we were where the only wave we know is the Kallang Wave, seeing the waves smashing against the cliff was awesome. Add the sunset and what a spectacle! Definitely worth the trip up the hill.

Before I went over to Bali, I checked the trusted Lonely Planet guidebook and the number 1 recommended food to try is Babi Guling. So naturally the first thing we did when we reached there was to ask our driver cum guide to bring us there. But of course, he didn't and instead brought us to this place. This seems like a  tourist trap. The place was crowded wist th Chinese speaking people very obviously from Malaysia, Singapore and a splattering from China. No local!  Anyway, we ordered the house speciality, the "soft boned" chicken or Ayam Presto Teluk. This is supposed to be so pressured cooked until it is so tender and soft that even the bones can be eaten.  We also ordered a rather weird looking dish which looks like some sort of toufu and jelly but is actually known as tempeh or fermented soy. We also goodnu goodnu ordered the kangkong with sambal chilli and which we discovered later is almost like what kimchi is to Korean. It is an almost must have...

I used to stay in Margaret Close just a stone throw away from what was popularly known as 16th Storey. From my place, it was a short walk to there but first there was this distraction, a little garden. This was the 1st Japanese Garden in Singapore. Way before the one in Jurong opened. Back then, it was supposed to be a shopping mall of sort. I have fond memories of the place. My brother and I, we bought our first expensive toy from there - a battery operated Matchbox Loop a Loop playset. Those days, we were so poor and the money came from our hard earned ang pow money but it was worth it. We spent many hours  playing with it.  The other memories I have of this place apart from the countless hours spent there catching spiders and staring at the fish was that when I grew up, it was the place where I hung out the most with one of my ex. And nope its not M. Today, the whole place is occupy by MacDonald. Sad but at least it is still around.

Just a stone throw from Sungei Api Api, okay maybe 1.5km from Sungei Api Api is Sungei Tampines. So we lucky people in Pasir Ris gets to enjoy 2 lovely rivers running right through it. Just like Sungei Api Api, the Sungei Tampines empties into the sea through a lush mangrove swamp. The shore line here is full of wildlifes including herons, egret and monitor lizard and of course fishes. Right on the other side behind Pasir Ris Drive 1 is the river that runs through the heart of Pasir Ris. Unlike  Sungei Api Api, the banks are relatively clear of plants and 2 walking path run alongside the river. This is the river that runs between Drive 1 and Drive 3. The plants along the side are planted neatly next to the flats. Interestingly, after Drive 3, the river flow trickles into a small little drain. Apparently, this is because there is some sort of tide control mechanism install by Nparks to keep the Pasir Ris Mangrove swamp alive. So the water level here is regu...

This is the Sungei Api Api which runs through Pasir Ris. Looks really wild. It flows out to the sea. Recently, tons of dead fish were found floating in the river. Sungei is Malay for river. A few years back there were even claims that a crocodile was sighted. For the lucky residents of Pasir Ris living by the river bank, they literally have a river and not a canal by their doorstep. Isn't it beautiful? Though I couldn't be surprise if there are complaints of creeping crawlies getting into their apartments. But seriously,where else in the world can there be high rise apartment next to a river like this? There is another river that runs through Pasir Ris - the Sungei Tampines. But that is another story.

The ladies went shopping and I got a small window to do nothing. It was raining so no swimming, the gym was too far away and I am too lazy to run though I got a new pair of shoes I was dying to try out. But no can do, not gonna dirty my new shoes in the rain so opted to go to nearby Botanic Garden. The target was the mist house but it is inside the orchid enclosure and cost $5.00 for entry and since I didn't have much time decided not to go in and just walked around. Took some photos of some more unusual looking blooms. Don't ask me what they are, I have absolutely no idea.

Earth Hour. So we went out for a candle light dinner at this bistro at Bedok Reservoir. The place has opened for some time and we haven't found the occasion to try out the food until now.  First impression- we like the ambience. It was mainly blue lighting just perfect for some romantic time together. Unfortunately, the experience was spoilt by the Gold 90.5 FM radio music blasting too loudly. It wouldn't have been too bad if the sound system was okay but the FM reception was bad and there were a lot of static which jars the ear too much. Hopefully they will fix that soon. The restaurant was divided into an indoor and outdoor area. We sat outside. It was rather breezy that night and very cooling. Thankfully, the famous midge of Bedok Reservoir did not make an appearance. Or maybe it was too dark for us to notice? The prices wasn't that cheap so we just ordered drinks and the main course. The fruit "juice" was more like those from drink carton and ...

Was at the Toast@work outlet at United Square. Bought some stuff and took it over to the atrium where my contractor were doing some setting up work for a road show the next day. After finishing the drinks and bread, took them back to the counter. To my surprise, the staff told me in Chinese not to put it there and to bring them to the dining area. I told her I already brought them over from the atrium so why should I now put them on the dining table? The staff just repeated not to put the used cups and plates there and when I refused to bring it somewhere else, she told me to take them back to where I took them from! So pissed off, I did that and I hope the other contractors doing the other work there will break them! Clear my own trays and people expect me to clear it all the way? Might just as well ask me to wash them! Wanted to complain but a check on the Food Junction's website (the holding company for Toast@work) - no email! What sort of company is that where th...