Entries for May, 2006
May 9, 2006
[ Getting back on that plane ]
posted @ 07:56 AM by fel
Back from Thailand (Bangkok, where else?!) last Tuesday, hopping back onto a plane tomorrow to Vietnam for the extended weekend with some girlfriends. Its getting a little tiresome traveling back and forth from the airport and all that sitting on a plane, but there will be break for some time .. until the end of June, when I'm heading down to Bali for my friends' wedding. I think I better stick around in Singapore and resist all the temptations to travel; after all, my time in Singapore is soon coming to an end ... better enjoy it whilst I can
Currently feeling: working
posted @ 07:56 AM by fel
Back from Thailand (Bangkok, where else?!) last Tuesday, hopping back onto a plane tomorrow to Vietnam for the extended weekend with some girlfriends. Its getting a little tiresome traveling back and forth from the airport and all that sitting on a plane, but there will be break for some time .. until the end of June, when I'm heading down to Bali for my friends' wedding. I think I better stick around in Singapore and resist all the temptations to travel; after all, my time in Singapore is soon coming to an end ... better enjoy it whilst I can
Currently feeling: working
May 15, 2006
[ Hello Hanoi ]
posted @ 09:16 AM by fel
Back from Hanoi late late late last night, less than six hours of sleep later, it was back at work and reality. days, 4 nights and extremely satisfied from this girly weekend away. Although Hanoi is surely not your typical girly destination, the four of us had a fantastic albeit tiring long weekend away in that crazy city. Food (much of it!), walking and exploring, shopping (window only for me, I'm so very broke!), sight-seeing .. what more could you ask for?
Food and wine, arguably one of the main reasons we wanted to make this trip to Hanoi. Unbelievable, wWe ate sooo much over there, if you could only see the amount we ate you would be shocked. With an average of 7 meals/pit stops a day, can you blame my stomach (which is still in shock now) for crying out in pain and indigestion from the delicacies that was stuffed into it?! The best food for sure was from the roadside - pho! ban cem nem! little pastries and bread! various fresh fruits! Vietnamese coffee!!!! We also indulged in various not-so-inexpensive meals (Little Hanoi, Tamarind Cafe, Bobby Chinns, Vine Restaurant, Wild Rice, Highlands Coffee, Cha Ca La Vong (cat fish!), Brother's Cafe.. others I have forgotten....) However, surprisingly we didn't manage to try everything that we wanted to ... it may be just enough reason for me to make another trip in the near future ......
In order to compensate we walked and walked and walked all around Hanoi, discovering and exploring aimlessly, and breathing in the fumes of the millions of noisy motorcycles that flooded the little streets. We learnt how to cross the road with "faith" (or alternatively you could term it lack of caution!) that the motorcyclists would dodge us, and leave us unscathed. What about the little green man, little red man? - PFTT! We crossed the road with our eyes closed (and managed to avoid some near misses)
One of the nights, we bravely ventured into a narrow lane, climbed up four flights of even narrower stairs, to be brought to this little cafe with a huge red lantern overlooking the lake.... ambience and view was priceless (not to mention we were the only tourists ).
But not only are the roads congested with traffic of the two/three wheel sort (motorcycles, bicycles and cyclos mainly), but Hanoi was almost always congested with noise pollution. I must say, one of the most noisiest places I've ever stepped foot in, not a minute went by without someone tooting their horn or ringing a bell.
And of course, we wouldn't be diligent tourists without the sight seeing. We trekked down to the main lake (Hoan Kiem Lake), various temples, the larger lake (Tay Ho), the masoleum of HCM (disrespectful as it may sound, I kept thinking Madame Tussaud's!!), discovering the various roads of the Old Quarter. But the highlight was most certainly the day trip out to Halong Bay. A long 3.5 hour bus ride, but it was absolutely worth it; Halong bay was stunningly gorgeous. Ok so the water is a little bit dirty, there were just too many tourists (of all nationalities) but still, all of us were in absolute awe of the natural beauty of the bay. It was a perfect day to go as well, we soaked in the rays whilst lazing on sun chairs on a little old boat (too bad if only we knew, we would have forked out for the luxury yacht ;p).. Most definitely recommended.
So now back and grounded in Singapore (finally!) for the next month or so; plans for Bali end of June, Shanghai end of July, and hopefully not too many other trips in between as I need to really stay and enjoy Singapore for the time being!
Currently feeling: tired
posted @ 09:16 AM by fel
Back from Hanoi late late late last night, less than six hours of sleep later, it was back at work and reality. days, 4 nights and extremely satisfied from this girly weekend away. Although Hanoi is surely not your typical girly destination, the four of us had a fantastic albeit tiring long weekend away in that crazy city. Food (much of it!), walking and exploring, shopping (window only for me, I'm so very broke!), sight-seeing .. what more could you ask for?
Food and wine, arguably one of the main reasons we wanted to make this trip to Hanoi. Unbelievable, wWe ate sooo much over there, if you could only see the amount we ate you would be shocked. With an average of 7 meals/pit stops a day, can you blame my stomach (which is still in shock now) for crying out in pain and indigestion from the delicacies that was stuffed into it?! The best food for sure was from the roadside - pho! ban cem nem! little pastries and bread! various fresh fruits! Vietnamese coffee!!!! We also indulged in various not-so-inexpensive meals (Little Hanoi, Tamarind Cafe, Bobby Chinns, Vine Restaurant, Wild Rice, Highlands Coffee, Cha Ca La Vong (cat fish!), Brother's Cafe.. others I have forgotten....) However, surprisingly we didn't manage to try everything that we wanted to ... it may be just enough reason for me to make another trip in the near future ......
In order to compensate we walked and walked and walked all around Hanoi, discovering and exploring aimlessly, and breathing in the fumes of the millions of noisy motorcycles that flooded the little streets. We learnt how to cross the road with "faith" (or alternatively you could term it lack of caution!) that the motorcyclists would dodge us, and leave us unscathed. What about the little green man, little red man? - PFTT! We crossed the road with our eyes closed (and managed to avoid some near misses)
One of the nights, we bravely ventured into a narrow lane, climbed up four flights of even narrower stairs, to be brought to this little cafe with a huge red lantern overlooking the lake.... ambience and view was priceless (not to mention we were the only tourists ).But not only are the roads congested with traffic of the two/three wheel sort (motorcycles, bicycles and cyclos mainly), but Hanoi was almost always congested with noise pollution. I must say, one of the most noisiest places I've ever stepped foot in, not a minute went by without someone tooting their horn or ringing a bell.
And of course, we wouldn't be diligent tourists without the sight seeing. We trekked down to the main lake (Hoan Kiem Lake), various temples, the larger lake (Tay Ho), the masoleum of HCM (disrespectful as it may sound, I kept thinking Madame Tussaud's!!), discovering the various roads of the Old Quarter. But the highlight was most certainly the day trip out to Halong Bay. A long 3.5 hour bus ride, but it was absolutely worth it; Halong bay was stunningly gorgeous. Ok so the water is a little bit dirty, there were just too many tourists (of all nationalities) but still, all of us were in absolute awe of the natural beauty of the bay. It was a perfect day to go as well, we soaked in the rays whilst lazing on sun chairs on a little old boat (too bad if only we knew, we would have forked out for the luxury yacht ;p).. Most definitely recommended.
So now back and grounded in Singapore (finally!) for the next month or so; plans for Bali end of June, Shanghai end of July, and hopefully not too many other trips in between as I need to really stay and enjoy Singapore for the time being!
Currently feeling: tired
May 19, 2006
[ Photo backlog: San Francisco ]
posted @ 06:34 PM by fel
From my recent SF work-related trip; emphasis on the word "work", hence so few pics. I definitely am planning to visit this place again to do the touristy stuff! ...
1. "Godless America", strewn across a wall in Chinatown
2. @ KPMG office in Silicon Valley. This place generally reminds me of Perth!
3. Ahh, the cherry blossoms.. what a conducive work environment..
4. Being chauffeured in a stretch limo!
5. Fisherman's Wharf. This place rem
6. Beautiful view, dusk at Fisherman's Wharf
7. Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf
8. Busker at Fisherman's Wharf
9. Famous Boudin Sour Dough factory
Currently feeling: relaxed
posted @ 06:34 PM by fel
From my recent SF work-related trip; emphasis on the word "work", hence so few pics. I definitely am planning to visit this place again to do the touristy stuff! ...
1. "Godless America", strewn across a wall in Chinatown
2. @ KPMG office in Silicon Valley. This place generally reminds me of Perth!
3. Ahh, the cherry blossoms.. what a conducive work environment..
4. Being chauffeured in a stretch limo!
5. Fisherman's Wharf. This place rem
6. Beautiful view, dusk at Fisherman's Wharf
7. Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf
8. Busker at Fisherman's Wharf
9. Famous Boudin Sour Dough factory
Currently feeling: relaxed
May 24, 2006
[ Breathe, relax, chill ]
posted @ 05:55 AM by fel
Cruising down Halong Bay (Vietnam)
My favourite shot taken on our recent Hanoi trip. It will be nice to look back at times when I am feeling stressed, over-worked, and tired... like right now...... grrr...
On a slightly related note, work promises to be slightly less busy in the month of June. But I've been hearing these "promises" since October last year... I'll believe it when it happens...
Oh anyway, more pictures from the trip to come, probably over the weekend la.
Currently feeling: working
posted @ 05:55 AM by fel
Cruising down Halong Bay (Vietnam)
My favourite shot taken on our recent Hanoi trip. It will be nice to look back at times when I am feeling stressed, over-worked, and tired... like right now...... grrr...
On a slightly related note, work promises to be slightly less busy in the month of June. But I've been hearing these "promises" since October last year... I'll believe it when it happens...
Oh anyway, more pictures from the trip to come, probably over the weekend la.
Currently feeling: working