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Tuesday, December 25, 2007

After yesterday's bbq at the stupid garden, my pimples are popping on my neck! Alot!

Shopped around at marina square, had a haircut at chapter 2 before returning home.

Changed and head to Greenhouse at Ritz Carlton for christmas eve dinner. It was a buffet dinner at a high price, but much to our disappointment it didn't turn out to be that fantastic after all. The first bite of my sashimi and I almost wanted to puke out. So saltish! However I like the sushi, oysters (fresh!), lobsters and the Japanese seafood curry. And some of the cakes. They were so sweet and to my liking. Ate its cod fish but it tasted like chicken breast to me. Dry and hard. But the salmon was ok.

Here's a carolling in the restaurant.

Queuing to get my lobster, and snapped a photo of this christmas tree.

Thereafter we watched Warlords at Tampines Mall. Wasn't draggy as what some opined it to be.

Watched Alvin and the Chipmunks today at Tiong Bahru. Quite a funny movie. Similar to Ratatouiie, where it's the rat's kingdom. But an irritating girl seated next to me really got on my nerve. She and they (!) were playing with popcorns and landed on my bermudas. And a kid behind me was kicking on my seat from start to end.

Before our movie we had teochew porridge at Havelock Road. Almost double the price of that in Henderson. Had popiah bought from Parkway Parade as well.

Labels: Weekends

|Melvin Ng| 8:42 pm|

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Watched National Treasure at Tampines Mall the night before. At first I couldn't decipher what the movie was all about. Too chim. But managed to get a hang of the mystery. Very thrilling, just like riding on a roller coaster!

This afternoon met up with ken for a cycling good time at ecp. Got to cycle along a newly opened route that link all the way to Changi Beach. However unfortunately, I did not have much time to cover the distance and had to make a u-turn. Good place to watch planes landing and taking off.

Had late lunch before heading home for a nap.

Woke up and made my way to Bugis for solo shopping. Wanted to buy a pair of denim for levi's but no size. Went to topman also the same. Shopped along bugis village but the price is just too high (at 70 bucks) for a pair of no-brand jeans. Don't know if they are imported from thailand or china. I'll rather top up more for levi's anytime.

Tomorrow's another sickly event by company. Bowling. Can't they do something more freshy? Bowl and bowl and bowl since dunno how many centuries back. Followed by seoul garden buffet lunch. Gosh! I wouldn't even think of having a free lunch there. Rather eat at foodcourt. Peng (bbq) and peng and peng, till my whole body smell of oil. My face? Gone case. Shall just sit there eat fruits, gulp unlimited cups of non-gassy drinks and eat ice cream.

Labels: Weekends

|Melvin Ng| 11:07 pm|

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

This week is going real fast, especially so because I will be on mc tomorrow.

Yesterday night I was so glad hearing my fren, nb, is finally going on holiday. To Hong Kong.

But got a shock hearing the price she paid - over S$1,300 - for 3 nights stay at Kowloon Regal Hotel with Disneyland entrance, by United Airlines. My goodness! And I remembered spending only 998 bucks for 6 nights - fullboard somemore with Disneyland and Macau! Though I flew by Tiger Airways. But just a mere 3.5 hours ride away shouldn't be a problem lah hor?

Haha. Okok I find myself rubbing in at my friend's plight. But I think the joy lies with the agent who might think: "What a well-to-do Singaporean." Haha.

That's the price you have to pay for last minute grab, especially during super peak seasons.

Labels: Thought

|Melvin Ng| 10:52 pm|

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Had dinner at Swensen's in Vivocity yesterday after work. Lobster baked rice and calamarie set.

Then we watched Nanking Massacre, which I am sure would bore those with a dislike towards history, as the movie is in the form of a documentary in which my history teacher would normally play in class. Since I enjoy history quite a fair bit (though I may be like a Jack of all trades), the movie was interesting and insightful, somewhat complemented the book that I have read two years ago - The Rape of Nanking written by Iris Chang.

Today isn't my lucky day. Reached my doorstep and realised my key was in my bag which I left in the office. Called dad and he hadda rush back while driving on the road.

Totally blunder. Was so angry with myself.

Labels: Movie

|Melvin Ng| 8:26 pm|

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Had lunch at Henderson Road before heading for movie at Great World City.

Watched Golden Compass.

Totally like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings type of show.

Till I almost fell asleep.

Reached home only at 7pm.

Labels: Lousy movie

|Melvin Ng| 8:57 pm|

I've just got back from Beijing. It's really a different China compared to other China cities I've visited like Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou etc. Each has their own flavours, but Beijing is really rich in culture and history!

Whenever I hear of history I get so excited!

Shall post some pictures (alot in fact) I've taken on my trip.

Labels: Beijing

|Melvin Ng| 1:46 am|

Saturday, December 08, 2007

Day 01: 01 December 2007 - Singapore to Beijing

We arrived Beijing early at six in the morning. Checked into Days Inn Joiest Beijing and slept till noon before taking a 20-minute walk to Wangfujing shopping street for lunch (expensive roadside stall ramen at SGD6.00 per bowl).

Another long walk landed us at Beihai Park.

Beihai Park

News bulletin corner at the park

Labels: Beijing

|Melvin Ng| 7:00 pm|

Day 02: 02 December 2007 - Beijing

Our first stop of the day was Tiananmen Square.

In 1989, a series of demonstrations known as the Tiananmen Square Uprising (天安門大屠殺) were led by students from Beijing University and intellects who were then skeptical of the Chinese Communists Party and wanted full-fledge democracy and broader freedom. The uprising left many civilians dead.

Walking through the Tiananmen led us into the Forbidden City where the past emperors and empresses onced lived.

It was called Forbidden City because normal beings were not allowed to step into the palaces. After the puppet emperor Puyi of the Qing Dynasty (last dynasty in China) was abdicated, CCP took over the ruling and the Forbidden City was opened to public.

Many of such big containers surrounding the palace; in the past filled with water just in case of fire

This instrument used to predict the time of the day (called ri4 gui3 in Mandarin)

景山 situated in the Imperial Garden in the Forbidden City. Concubines were never allowed to leave the palace. So once in a year, the emperor would allow them to ascend this tower to gaze in the direction of their homes.

The Summer Palace served as a summer resort for Empress Dowager Cixi who diverted 30 million taels of silver, said to be originally designated for the Chinese navy (Beiyang Fleet), into the reconstruction and enlargement of the Summer Palace.

The Tower of Buddhist Incense - highest point situated on the Longevity Hill

Long Corridor (长廊) built by Emperor Qianlong for his mother who preferred taking a stroll alone without servants tagging along in the park - so as to shelter her from rain or shine

Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace

Chess board at a Hutong (胡同) - a living quarter in Beijing

Labels: Beijing

|Melvin Ng| 4:00 pm|

Day 03: 03 December 2007 - Beijing

"不到长城非好汉，爬到顶辰是傻蛋."

Took a 1.5-hour bus ride to the Great Wall. The Great Wall is divided into many sections such as Juyong Guan, Badaling, Simatai, Mutianyu etc etc. We visited the former.

I thought I could climb towards the end. However, it was never ending. And I stopped after the fourth fortress. That's considered very good enough, cos many stopped at the second!

The higher I climbed, the steeper the slopes get and the narrower the pathways. My legs got increasingly wobbly and never did I dare to turn my head back. To the point I used even hands to hold onto the steps, just like some did. No wonder people say "爬" 长城 . After the climb, I realised Angkor Wat's height and steep stairways were nothing.

Labels: Beijing

|Melvin Ng| 3:00 pm|

Day 04: 04 December 2007 - Beijing

Went to the Underground City. Mainly tunnels ordered to be built by Mao Zedong in face of an impending war with Russia. Construction first started in 1969 and took ten years to complete.

Similar to usage like the Cuchi Tunnel in Ho Chi Minh City, but the tunnel here is wider and more spacious.

The tunnels have channels leading to Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, Forbbiden City, Great Wall and as far as Tianjin. However, the openings have been sealed and the tunnel will soon be closed by the end of this month.

Known also as Underground Great Wall (地下长城 or 迷宫) because the total length of the tunnel is even longer than that of the Great Wall.

Labels: Beijing

|Melvin Ng| 2:00 pm|

Day 05: 05 December 2007 - Beijing - Chengde

Visited Temple of Heaven, a taoist temple visited by the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest.

Upon entering the temple complex, one could see many senior citizens working out - a daily affair.

Power girl - two rackets at one go

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests

The Alter of Heaven - constructed in 1530 to worship heaven at the winter solstice

Portrait of Empress Dowager Cixi - Lady Yehenara - I had a book titled "The Dragon Empress" with the cover totally the same as this portrait. Nice book to read, though written from a western perspective of the empress

Emperor Jiaqing (5th Qing Dynasty's Emperor)

Emperor Kang Xi (2nd Qing Dynasty's Emperor)

Emperor Qian Long (4th Qing Dynasty's Emperor)

View of the Forbidden City in the fog from Shou Huang Hall (寿皇殿) at Jingshan Park (景山公园)

This is the tree in Jingshan Park where Emperor Chenzong (last emperor of Ming Dynasty) hung himself to death at the fall of the Ming Dynasty

Taking a subway in Beijing costs only 2 yuan per ride - irregardless of the number of stations travelled and time; used to cost 3 yuan, but the price was reduced by the government. Then I thought in Singapore, the price will only go up, never adjusted downwards

Back to Tiananmen Square for the night lights

Portrait of Chairman Mao hung high above the Square

Labels: Beijing

|Melvin Ng| 1:00 pm|

Day 06: 06 December 2007 - Beijing to Chengde

At Zheng Yang Men (正阳门); emperors from Qing Dynasty walked past these gates (upon exit from the Forbidden City) to the Temple of Heaven, signifying "光明正大"; now this gate is a feng shui museum, opened to public only for 72 days in a year; so we were lucky to visit

We took a 4-hour bus ride to Chengde, with the main purpose to visit the Chengde Imperial Palace (also known as the Mountain Resort) or 避暑山庄.

Chengde was freezing cold! Beijing was about 5 degrees celsius, yet Chengde was about minus 10. So unprepared as I was, I was freezing and unzipping my pants in toilet for a pee proved to be difficult as my hands were numbed!

Little Potala Palace built by Emperor Qianlong for his mother on her 80th birthday

At the entrance of Chengde Imperial Palace

Construction of the Imperial Palace began in 1703 under the rule of Emperor Kang Xi and was completed in 1792 under the rule of Emperor Qian Long, covering an area of an area of 5.64 million square meters, twice the size of the Summer Palace in Beijing.

Every summer, the emperor, empress and palace officials would move here from Beijing to escape from the heat in the city.

The palace complexes are built using 楠木 mainly transported from Guizhou, with its natural fragrance properties that could keep out termites from breeding so that the emperor could work in peace

Me standing on a frozen lake

To gear myself for the bitterly cold winter, I worn all four the following day

Labels: Beijing

|Melvin Ng| 12:00 pm|