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I'm really tired at the counter now. Nothing much to do and finally booked some optional tours in nz over the net.
Fri 01 sep Singapore - Christchurch
Mum, sis and I will reach the airport at seven plus. Flight will depart at 9.05 pm.
Sat 02 Sep Christchurch
We'll land at Christchurch at 10.45 am, take a shuttle to Camelot Cathedral Square Hotel for check-in, go for lunch at Colombo Street, head to Skyline Gondola for a bird's eyeview of Christchurch and the Canterbury Plains, relax along Avon River before witnessing Ko Tane Maori aboriginal performance and the kiwis' wildlife sanctuary. I doubt we'll have time to do all these. Finally, we'll top off the night at Christchurch Casino.
Sun 03 Sep Christchurch - Dunedin
We'll take the 7 am plus coach to Dunedin city, reaching there in time for lunch. It might be good to take a wildlife cruise. Staying at Scenic Circle Dunedin City Hotel
Mon 04 Sep Dunedin - Queenstown
We shall sleep till noon time, before journeying on to Queenstown, reaching there in the evening for a good sleep. Staying at Sherwood Manor Hotel.
Tue 05 Sep Queenstown
It's one of the must-see attraction: Te Anau, Milford Sound cruise, perhaps a hot buffet lunch onboard? Staying at Sherwood Manor Hotel.
Wed 06 Sep Queenstown - Fox Glacier
My dream. Rise early for the first coach to Fox Glacier. Will take a full day to reach. But it's worthwhile. Staying at Glacier Country Hotel. It's so gonna be laid-back and relax.
Thu 07 Sep Fox Glacier
Time for a helicopter ride up to Fox Glacier. Hoping for a clear sky for a visible view of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman, the highest peaks in kiwi, land on the glacier, hike for an hour or so before flying back to Fox Glacier township. Sis would like to skydive, but the thought of it makes my legs wobble. While sis go skydiving, I shall bring mum to Lake Matheson for a picnic? Lol. Or maybe meditation, but the weather will certainly freeze us to death in a meditation posture. The lake will reflect on Mount Cook and Mount Tasman as well. Staying at Glacier Country Hotel.
Fri 08 Sep Fox Glacier - Greymouth - Christchurch
I'm so gonna miss Fox Glacier so much. But when there's a beginning, there's an end. By coach we shall reach Greymouth at 1.15pm, and we have to catch one of the top ten railways in the world - the Tranz Alpine Express at 1.45pm. I can't imagine what if the coach breaks down and we miss the train. a 4.5 hours of train journey will take us back to Christchurch for a night's stay at Camelot Cathedral Square Hotel.
Sat 09 Sep Christchurch - Singapore
Flight will depart at 12.55pm, and we'll be back to square one. It's game over.
Outside is now raining and I am waiting for my pay cheque for the month of August.
Finally I'm done with the report on sales and marketing, operations and human resource. Big boss is coming to town later and I shall submit to him. It's full of rubbish, destructive ideas, simply nonsensical and a unique me.
Just returned home from marina square. Met up with nb who passed me her backpack which I am considering to bring it on my tour to kiwi, commonly referred to as new zealand. We had dinner at foodloft and chatted. Then I found out something which is so hilarious and realised how small the world can be. But as promised, neither am I suppose to blog it nor telling it. It's paradoxical!
On reaching home, I idled my time away, reading up information on kiwi, before settling down in front of my pc to check-in my flight. This is one good thing about flying on our national carrier. You can select your desired seats up to 48 hours before departure. If you have baggage to check-in, you will proceed to Row 9 on the day of your departure, which is designated for customers who take advantage of Internet check-in.
Slept at 2am plus. Tired.
Just now after work I met up with both my sisses to have dinner at Soup Restaurant in Suntec City. It was my treat for second sis' birthday.
The penang fried mee suah was damn delicious, whereas the yangchow fried rice tasted blant. Of course the usuals - American ginseng san yu soup, beggar toufu, dunno what chicken and ah gong fan shu ye. I thought it wouldn't cost as much as seventy dollars, but the bill came to be almost 90 bucks. Had I know I would have bought a keychain from new zealand for second sis instead. Who knows I may even get a 100 bucks of sponsor from second sis just like how I got it when I went on a loner trip to BKK.
Big sis bought some thermal wear in coldwear store. And I thought she's going overseas for a permanent stay.
On my way to Bangkok on 21 Aug 2006
Don Mueang Railway where I waited aimlessly for an hour
Wardrobe of the Twin Towers Hotel room no. 1252
View from the room
Erawan Shrine or Four-faced Buddha
Patpong - Pussy ping pong, chopstick?
Got a French couple to take a photo of me
Useless map or useless me?
At Tha Tien, overlooking Wat Arun - the Temple of Dawn
Chao Phraya River
East Asiatic Company
On the cab, heading to Don Mueang International Airport
Long queues at JetstarAsia's check-in counter
Goodbye Bangkok!
Everywhere's yellow shirt in Bangkok. From the immigration officer to cab driver. So it's the King's birthday!
On reaching Bangkok 3 days ago (Monday 21 Aug), I walked to Don Muang railway station, wanted to catch a train to Hualamphong station which is near Twin Towers Hotel where I'll be staying. I thought the train would approach in an hour's time at 7.25pm, without realising I would have to wait for 2 hours in reality due to time difference! I totally forgot Thailand is 1 hour behind Singapore time. And there I was reading my book away.
Without any further waiting, I walked to Terminal 1 of Bangkok International Airport and hopped onto Airport Bus A2, which took me to Urupong. From there, I boarded a taxi with an unknown driver to Twin Towers Hotel, who almost wanted to alight me at a rundown building telling me it was Twin Towers Hotel. I insisted on "NO IT"S NOT!" and he finally asked for direction, not reaching the hotel until almost an hour later. When I alighted, he asked for 'tips.' But I said 'no tips!' I won't give tips to someone who is incompetent and out to drop me somewhere other than my intended destination.
I was being awarded a complimentary upgrade to Superior Floor where the rooms are much bigger on the 12th floor (no. 1252). Soon after putting down my luggage, I took a cab to Erawan Shrine or Four-faced Buddha before stepping off at Sala Daeng BTS Station which is a short walk to the bustling shopping bazaar of Patpong. The hordes of tourists or farangs made my head spin into action, not wanting to stop and keep a look-out on what’s on bargain.
The next day after a hearty American breakfast, I crawled onto the bed and dozed off, waking up only after midday for a visit to Wat Pho, the Reclining Buddha near Grand Palace for a marvel at the intricately-sculptured golden Buddha statue. More than 30 steel pots lined the length of the Reclining Buddha, where I dropped coins into each and every of the steel pots praying for the longevity of my family. A tour of the entire temple took almost 2 hours.
I crossed the busy road of Bangkok (all of a sudden feeling life is so precarious) and paused at Tha Tien pier for pork noodles and a bottle of soya bean milk for lunch before hopping onto the ferry for a ride to Tha Sathorn. As I was uncertain if that particular boat goes to Tha Sathorn, I asked a man who turned out to be a fellow Singaporean on his ‘loner’ trip as well. From my accent, he asked if I am a Singaporean or a Malaysian. He kept telling me all the temples he had been, when at that time I wanted to enjoy the sights and surrounds. Without choice, I acted as if I was listening when in actual fact, I’m not. When he asked where I was heading to, he replied saying “I’m also going to Mahboonkrong (MBK).”
Soon after disembarking at Tha Sathorn, he wanted to smoke a cigarette and I made my way to Taksin BTS Station for a ride to National Stadium where MBK is located. I bought two boxes of Daily Focus’ daily disposable contact lenses for 900baht, initially thought I was conned until sis told me it is cheaper than what I will have to pay in Singapore.
I took a cab home, showing my hotel card to the cab driver. I asked the driver to switch on the meter, but he said "100baht." I snatched back my hotel card and said "NO! Switch on the meter" with my finger pointing at the meterboard. He replied "Ok, ok say open meter." I am not a fool to pay 100baht for a 5-minute ride to the hotel. It will be much expensive than Singapore.
On the third day which is the last day of my presence in Bangkok, I woke up early at 7.30am for breakfast before making my way to the airport. Soon the monsoon season will make its way to Thailand as the first rain or so was received on my way to the airport. I reached the airport in good time for check-in at 9.35am. Check-in was a nightmare. My queue was so slow-moving and I switched to the other line. And worse, that line doesn’t move a single inch because a group of idiotic Chinese nationals hogged the counter for a great deal of time!
Everywhere’s queuing and waiting. The Jetstar flight that I was on was 5th or 6th in the queue before airborne.
On landing at Singapore at 2.50pm, I wanted to queue for bus no. 24, without knowing I got into the wrong queue for bus no. 854 instead. There goes my bus and a fat guy behind was blocking my movement as I tried to run to the bus.
I reached home at 4pm. Totally drained out of energy, but forced myself to SA Tours to settle payment for my tour to New Zealand next Friday. Sis then treated me to Ajisen for dinner at Funan, before hitching a ride on roy’s van home.
This concludes my solo trip. To phrase it badly, my loner trip. But come to think of it, I really do enjoy the trip as much as going with a companion. When will I have such opportunity again? But I realised my skills at map reading was so lousy. Initially I planned to walk to the nearest train station from my hotel - National Stadium, but couldn't find my way out from the map I was holding onto. In the end I aborted the idea and flagged down a cab instead.
Ahem... My throat is killing me. Finally I can be away from work for the next three days.
Today is the first day of my trip to Bangkok. On a solo, or I shall call it a loner, trip.
Yes, that is Singapore Polytechnic, giving me a free JetstarAsia voucher worth 200 bucks and a hotel voucher worth 3,600THB. These mean they are sufficient only for one person to go. Let us promote being a loner. Ahhahahaaa. Come to think of it, it isn't so bad afterall to be alone. At least I can rediscover myself for awhile.
Now I'm standing in the Free Internet Access zone in Terminal One blogging away, before I board at 2.55pm. On arrival I guess I shall visit Erawan Shrine and on to Suan Lum bazaar? See how it goes. Will be staying at the Twin Towers Hotel. Hope everything goes well.
Tomorrow I shall visit the reclining buddha, then MBK. But I'm not sure if I'll lie in the whole day.
Since there isn't any CSO-on-duty today, zoe came to man the counter. I wonder if there'll be disaster happening.
Now i'm at work, kinda free and keep asking myself "why are the bellhops in Hotel Asia all oldies?" They are old and to the point useless when I see them carry the luggage onto the rack. Energy'less. And why are they leaning against my counter chatting when they are supposed to be guarding the main entrance and opening the doors for guests to enter??
And I wonder how perfect the hotel management is. Putting all malay front office agents in one shift when they couldn't even speak mandarin, and I hadda help in translating English to Chinese for the Chinese nationals, and then translating from Chinese to English for those 'less than capable' front office agents! I am not paid for that, and I am doing it only for once. To think they are the ones complaining about our boisterous behaviour at the counter to our boss. Now I think I should complain to your big boss that you aren't suited for your job and hadda engage my service.
My whole body is so heaty. How am I gonna have tom yam soup in bangkok tomorrow?
I'm so tired. Everyday's so tiring since the day I was born. Yesterday after work I watched lakehouse with nb at cineleisure. Can't really concentrate because I was fuming. The idiot guy behind kept knocking onto my seat. Such a disturbance. I reached home at 11.50pm, just in time to catch scv show on channel 55. I don't know what the title is, as I always don't.
This afternoon at work I had a good laugh talking craps with xy. I called Aeroline - my company's biggest competitor - to check on its occupancy rate. Got to know they still have lotsa seats available to kl. Xy almost wanted to call and prank as a difficult customer suggesting that she should ask:-
Xy: Which destination does aeroline goes to?
Aeroline: Only kuala lumpur.
Xy: But I need to go to Jakarta.
Aeroline: Sorry ma'am Jarkarta is in Indonesia and you'll have to fly there.
Xy: No! Jakarta is in Malaysia.
Me (to Aeroline): So have to fly to Jakarta? I thought your aeroline is "the convenient way to fly?"
Sad. Tomorrow is sat. And I got to work on sun after yoga class as well. It's extremely tough since by sun, it'll be my seventh day at work nonstop.
Finally got my passport validity extended. This time till year 2014! Save me the hassle of making a trip to ICA every year.
When I returned to the counter, I smelled a stench of body odour. I thought it was released from dunno who, so I dare not make judgment, that it was xy. But anyway based on her look, she isn't the dirty kind right?
I am in torture.
Yesterday after work I met up with nb at city hall. The crowds were massive as we walked along citylink to marina square. As we made our way up the sheares bridge, we saw people walking down, confirming that there isn't any room for more spectators of the fireworks - Team France.
We walked down and landed ourselves at marina promenade instead. Even though the trees partially obstructed the sky, we could nevertheless view the fireworks kinda clearly as it blasted off at 9pm. The fireworks was definitely much nicer than the one I saw last saturday, some resembled golden lace raining down from the sky. Daring and exquisite...
Luckily we managed to weave through the crowds and reached suntec city for dinner at swensen's. Nb and I had crayfish pasta and black pepper seafood pasta, my favourite. We shared a cookie summit as well.
Now I'm feeling so sleepy because I woke up at 8:45 a.m. for yoga class with big sis. It was our first lesson and we did a lot of stretching until my leg muscles ached.
Work again tomorrow it's hell...
Yesterday just isn't my day!
Before going to work, I went to the ATM deposit machine, wanna deposit money. The fucking fat malay guy in front of me occupied that machine for so long! I was wondering if he knows how to use the machine or not!
Just as I rushed to the bus stop with mum, the bus that is supposed to shuttle me to tanah merah mrt station ran away! We waited for the next 15 mins. Just as we reached the station, the train would come in 6 mins' time. I'm sure we're gonna late for work! On reaching city hall mrt, we have to wait for another 6 mins for the train. I wonder how 'efficient' Singapore's public transport can be. Compared to hong kong, we're really lagging behind.
I'm late for 15 mins.
When sc reported for work, I rushed to lavendar with the intention to extend the validity of my passport. But I was told "Sorry sir, the counter is closed for passport extension until 14 aug because we are busy with the biometric passport." In the end I returned to work.
In the evening, HQ called to inform me the coach has broken down in m'sia, so it will not reach singapore on time to receive the passengers. Instead, our agent's coach will pick them up. Sc and I went to buy mineral waters for the 13 passengers, but forgot to take the receipt for accounting purpose. When the replacement coach arrived, we boarded the passengers, serving them drinks and food before they leave for kl. Should we get the pay of a coach crew as well?
Finally CTC called to inform me that my jap trip is cancelled due to insufficient number of pax. The sales woman asked me to consider other tours but I said I have already decided on joining Satours. She said "wah so fast plan already ar?" I replied saying "because I know your tour surely cannot be confirmed."
I called that woman up again, asking if she got any confirmed New Zealand departure on any friday night. She said "no," and when I said "thank you," she just hung up on me without even saying "goodbye." What a bad customer service.
I made my way to Satours this afternoon to place a deposit of 4.28K for 3 persons including mum and sis. While at the counter I asked the agent if he had 1 sep departure by SQ, instead of the 25 aug dep that he had already reserved for me. He said no, but I told him to check properly because I am very certain there are seats because I checked before coming down.
He then said have! Dun try to cheat me out to make things easier man! The funny thing is that he asked "Are you in travel line? Because you sounded as if you are."
I then returned to work. Poor sc and I have to work even on national day. But I do not mind because of 1.5.
The day before I got to work overtime for 2.5 hours because a passenger was left stranded in Singapore. Never mind if he was an ordinary man; he was a lawyer! I hailed a cab for him to tuas to catch the coach, but the coach already left tuas. Then HQ asked me to tell him to get on board any oncoming coach to drive him to Tanjung Sepak Toll. I spoken to Konsortium driver over the phone, but he disallowed because his coach was full!
After much persuasion, he finally agreed to be transferred to Five Stars' coach. I rushed my way to Golden Mile Complex to buy a ticket. The agent told me they do not allow pax to board at Tuas. But I told him of my situation and he allowed. I then approached the coach driver to tell him my pax will board at Tuas. Since the driver do not speak English, I got to use alot of hand gestures! I got his contact number and called my customer to inform him of his new coach number. Wtf.
All thanks to the coach crew who did not do a proper headcount! If not I wouldn't have to plea others and got scolded by my customer.
I managed to put my mind at peace at 11 plus, when I called my customer from home to ask if he has cleared the immigration.
Tired.
Finally I got to use pc; wasn't sure my house phone keeps losing its connection. It's monday blue. Hate the notion of having off day on sunday. The fireworks display on sat night wasn't spectacular. Hope tis friday will be a better one. Sleepy, hungry and cold.
The day before I was supposed to watch lakehouse with nb, but it so happened that the theatre was left only with the first few row; perhaps others bought the tickets tooooooooo early [without prejudice].
It would gonna be nb's treat! Woohoo.
In the end, I purchased 2 movie tickets online for Tokyo Drift upon seeing there were good seats vacant, so that I would join those group of people who usually buy their tickets way in advance [no prejudice]. Haha.
After work I made my way to Marina Square. I queued with the intention to collect my ticket, but was told that I came to the wrong location. I was told by the staff I booked two seats at plaza sing instead. The time was 8.50pm then, and the show would start at 9.15pm. I rushed to meet nb at suntec city and took a cab to ps.
Managed to catch the show in good time.
It was a super thrilling show! The sound of car racing doubled with the vibration of the seats that I could feel on my butt were so exciting. "On the streets of Tokyo speed needs no translation."
I rushed for my train before it goes sayonara.
Time flies, and there goes my off day the day before (tuesday). I practically did nothing, slept till 12 plus, surfed the web and at night? I went downstairs with mum for a dessert at the market, and caught a Chinese Opera, only performed in the Hungry Ghost Festival. This has been my favourite; those colourful paintings on the face are so skilfully drawn.
But as I was observing the audience seats, I wondered why isn't the first row reserved for those invisible spirits but occupied by the oldies. Or perhaps my eyes had played a trick on me.
Heck care.
