Woke up this morning to find someone commented on the food blog. It was saying how much he/she hated one of the places that I've been, and as quoted from he/she "It's articles like yours that hurt people's experience and wallets and destroy their chance to spend their time elsewhere better".
Whoa. Didn't realise the blog held such influence.
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
11 September, 2013
11 July, 2013
first day
Today was the start. New job, new environment and new people. Confusing is what pops into mind. Along with unknowns and uncertainties.
Expectations are high. How will I perform?
Expectations are high. How will I perform?
14 June, 2013
Beijing Experience Part III
It was after lunch and we were walking towards the MRT. An elderly lady was pushing her bicycle and she has two dogs following her plus one more in her bicycle's basket. Thought the dogs looked exotic, so was snapping their pictures.
Talked to the lady abit (I called her 阿姨) and she was more than happy to share information about her dogs. Turned out the brown dog was a stray that she picked up. She said the dog was in very bad condition initially and now, he has healed somewhat. But can see that the brown dog tires easily and sometimes will have spasm where its head twitched uncontrollably for a short while.
Keke, tried my conversational Mandarin on a local. Not bad, quite fun! =P
Eventually, we managed to get to Tiananmen Square. Huge, huge place.
Ok, I lost my colleagues while we were there. Too busy snapping pictures till can't see them anymore. And there wasn't any phone signal either.
Fortunately, managed to reunite after half hour search. From that day onwards, I was known as the one who went missing.
Forbidden City was literally forbidden as it wasn't open on a Monday. From there, we proceeded to the Donghuamen Night Market, enroute to Wangfujing (Princes' Manor?).
Wanted to try the braised intestine, but somehow ended up with a bowl of unrecognizable porky parts. Worse, it didn't look quite cooked...Took a few bites of the braised tofu and abit of intestine before passing the bowl to my colleagues who didn't mind. Fear factor... The lamb skewer was more acceptable but I think our satay tastes better...
The food stalls kept recurring. Not sure why they needed so many stalls that sells the same stuffs...
Wangfujing is very much like Orchard Road. One can find mid to high end retail stores there.
Talked to the lady abit (I called her 阿姨) and she was more than happy to share information about her dogs. Turned out the brown dog was a stray that she picked up. She said the dog was in very bad condition initially and now, he has healed somewhat. But can see that the brown dog tires easily and sometimes will have spasm where its head twitched uncontrollably for a short while.
 |
| formerly stray |
 |
| pure-bred pekingnese |
Keke, tried my conversational Mandarin on a local. Not bad, quite fun! =P
Eventually, we managed to get to Tiananmen Square. Huge, huge place.
 |
| touristry shot |
Ok, I lost my colleagues while we were there. Too busy snapping pictures till can't see them anymore. And there wasn't any phone signal either.
 |
| panoramic shot (an inkling of how huge that area is) |
Fortunately, managed to reunite after half hour search. From that day onwards, I was known as the one who went missing.
 |
| Forbidden City outer gate |
Forbidden City was literally forbidden as it wasn't open on a Monday. From there, we proceeded to the Donghuamen Night Market, enroute to Wangfujing (Princes' Manor?).
 |
| BBQ seafood stalls at Donghuamen Night Market |
 |
| sellers of Xinjiang lamb skewers |
Wanted to try the braised intestine, but somehow ended up with a bowl of unrecognizable porky parts. Worse, it didn't look quite cooked...Took a few bites of the braised tofu and abit of intestine before passing the bowl to my colleagues who didn't mind. Fear factor... The lamb skewer was more acceptable but I think our satay tastes better...
The food stalls kept recurring. Not sure why they needed so many stalls that sells the same stuffs...
Wangfujing is very much like Orchard Road. One can find mid to high end retail stores there.
 |
| retail shops at Wangfujing |
 |
| night fall |
10 June, 2013
The Beijing Experience Part II
Beijing's weather was quite likeable. Day time temperature of between 26 to 28 degrees, while night time was a much cooler 18 degrees celcius.
Out of the seven days that we were there, there were only two days where the weather was pristine with distinctly defined colours.
Every morning after breakfast, we'd trudge our way to the Beitucheng (北土城) MRT station.
The exhibition venue was just two stops away at Beijing Olympic Park station. Best part of MRT transportation in Beijing? A flat fare of ¥2 per exit. Heard from colleagues that Line #1 and #2 are the most crowded. Thank goodness for our daily destination was on Line #8. For people entering the MRT stations, all bags must be scanned prior to boarding of the trains.
We only ate once at the exhibition venue. It wasn't nice. Super difficult to get seats, long queues and no one liked the cold food. Plus it was expensive at ¥40 per pax (for a plate of rice with tofu, vege and pork, an apple, one yoghurt and a bottle of water).
So, lunch on subsequent days we'd be at a nearby mall called Xin'ao Shopping Center that's about 10 minutes away.
Just before one heads towards the mall, there's a corner nearby that looked like this:
If you ever see those people in costumes lurking there, please turn and run far. They're sort of like tourist trap. Unsuspecting passerby (like us) would snap their picture and all of a sudden they'd be willing to pose with you. Not one but at least 3 poses. And when you're done, they'd ask for payment which was ¥10. They'd follow you till you pay up! Hahaha. But gotta hand it to them too. In costume on a hot day is no joke. Just that they should declare upfront that they charge for posing with you. They're not right, yet not wrong too. Just opportunists.
The shopping mall was rather new and modern. Spacious too. It has a 4D theatre, lots of restaurants, cafes, food court and retail shops.
Had lunch there twice and was quite happy with the food that I ordered.
Another beef rice from a HK-style cafe. Which I think tried to be authentic but without success as two out of the three dishes that we ordered, failed. At this said HK-styled cafe (which btw, was packed during lunch hour), never order the curry chicken rice nor the claypot mushroom sausage rice.
We also found KFC near the MRT that was beside Xin'Ao Shopping Center. There's no two/three piece plate here. Just single piece fried chicken (if you must have fried chicken). Most people was observed to be eating burgers. There's no chili sauce for fast food joints. Only ketchup is available.
 |
| average day looks like this |
 |
| best weather day! |
Out of the seven days that we were there, there were only two days where the weather was pristine with distinctly defined colours.
Every morning after breakfast, we'd trudge our way to the Beitucheng (北土城) MRT station.
 |
| Beitucheng MRT |
The exhibition venue was just two stops away at Beijing Olympic Park station. Best part of MRT transportation in Beijing? A flat fare of ¥2 per exit. Heard from colleagues that Line #1 and #2 are the most crowded. Thank goodness for our daily destination was on Line #8. For people entering the MRT stations, all bags must be scanned prior to boarding of the trains.
 |
| event's venue |
 |
| empty, before it starts |
 |
| our booth was placed within the animation sector |
We only ate once at the exhibition venue. It wasn't nice. Super difficult to get seats, long queues and no one liked the cold food. Plus it was expensive at ¥40 per pax (for a plate of rice with tofu, vege and pork, an apple, one yoghurt and a bottle of water).
So, lunch on subsequent days we'd be at a nearby mall called Xin'ao Shopping Center that's about 10 minutes away.
 |
| at the mall |
Just before one heads towards the mall, there's a corner nearby that looked like this:
 |
| can you spot the fake Disney characters? |
If you ever see those people in costumes lurking there, please turn and run far. They're sort of like tourist trap. Unsuspecting passerby (like us) would snap their picture and all of a sudden they'd be willing to pose with you. Not one but at least 3 poses. And when you're done, they'd ask for payment which was ¥10. They'd follow you till you pay up! Hahaha. But gotta hand it to them too. In costume on a hot day is no joke. Just that they should declare upfront that they charge for posing with you. They're not right, yet not wrong too. Just opportunists.
 |
| my ¥10 shot |
The shopping mall was rather new and modern. Spacious too. It has a 4D theatre, lots of restaurants, cafes, food court and retail shops.
 |
| Level 1 of the mall |
Had lunch there twice and was quite happy with the food that I ordered.
 |
| Seven Nana's counter |
 |
| beef curry Japanese style (¥25) |
Another beef rice from a HK-style cafe. Which I think tried to be authentic but without success as two out of the three dishes that we ordered, failed. At this said HK-styled cafe (which btw, was packed during lunch hour), never order the curry chicken rice nor the claypot mushroom sausage rice.
 |
| beef brisket rice (牛腩反) from a HK-styled cha chan teng (茶餐厅) |
We also found KFC near the MRT that was beside Xin'Ao Shopping Center. There's no two/three piece plate here. Just single piece fried chicken (if you must have fried chicken). Most people was observed to be eating burgers. There's no chili sauce for fast food joints. Only ketchup is available.
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| err...fishball soup with KFC, anyone? |
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| doesn't taste like the 11 secret herbs and spices of the Colonel's... |
08 June, 2013
The Beijing Experience
This was quite the last minute opportunity. Was sent to Beijing on a work trip for an event there. Many firsts. First time applying for China visa. First time to China. First time taking a non-direct flight. First time flying to a suitably far place on my own. First time rooming with a colleague whom I've just met once. Hmm. Feels like school camp, all over again. Hahaa.
Thankfully, was booked on a Malaysian Airline flight so I got comfort plus food. Only drawback. The four hour wait in between.
Aisle seat for me, all the way. This way, am free to go toilet anytime without bothering anyone. Yay.
Arrived at Beijing T3 around after midnite, and my fellow colleagues travelling via AirAsia were at T2 20 minutes after mine. Beijing International Airport, specifically T3 was nice. Huge space. Spent some 15~20 minutes waiting for my luggage. -_-'''
Then, waited like another 10 minutes to take the airport shuttle to T2 which by now runs at 30 mins interval. All this while, was inhaling large volume of ciggy smoke as everyone seemed to be smoking there. Found out that T2 and T3 aint exactly near. Took about 10~15 mins bus ride before it reached.
Reunited with colleagues from KL HQ, only to find out that T2 taxi stand has a long stretch of passengers waiting for taxi. -_-'''
Then, we were approached by a guy who offered us a ride in his private car. Ok. Our encounter with the notorious black market taxi that coincidentally was in the news recently. My colleagues decided to risk it, and thus we were asked to follow them. Quite dangerous, come to think of it.
Anyway, the price was ¥300 (~SGD61) per cab and we were split into two cabs as their private car couldn't fit all our luggages plus barang barang for the exhibition.
These are young chaps, probably not more than 26 years old. Our driver revealed that he sleeps during the day and drives at night. Normal metered cab fare would've costs somewhere around ¥100~¥200.
Our driver had to rely on his GPS because he has never heard of our hotel name nor of the address. He ended up having to work abit harder for the extra ¥100 since we were lost somewhere along the way, and had to circle the same area twice before we managed to find the right way to our hotel.
Guess we were lucky because he did send us safely to the hotel, plus helped us with our luggages upon reaching the destination. =)
The Holiday Inn Express Beijing Minzuyuan was pretty modern, comfortable and clean. Just don't expect fluent English speakers nor bell-boy services.
Beijing night weather was nice, cooling at 18~19 degrees celcius. Went out for supper at nearby congee and noodles fast food shop, then slept at about 4am and our next day started around 830am.
Thankfully, was booked on a Malaysian Airline flight so I got comfort plus food. Only drawback. The four hour wait in between.
 |
| RM9 kopi at KLIA to pass time |
 |
| to Beijing, woOohOo! |
Aisle seat for me, all the way. This way, am free to go toilet anytime without bothering anyone. Yay.
 |
| dinner |
Then, waited like another 10 minutes to take the airport shuttle to T2 which by now runs at 30 mins interval. All this while, was inhaling large volume of ciggy smoke as everyone seemed to be smoking there. Found out that T2 and T3 aint exactly near. Took about 10~15 mins bus ride before it reached.
Reunited with colleagues from KL HQ, only to find out that T2 taxi stand has a long stretch of passengers waiting for taxi. -_-'''
Then, we were approached by a guy who offered us a ride in his private car. Ok. Our encounter with the notorious black market taxi that coincidentally was in the news recently. My colleagues decided to risk it, and thus we were asked to follow them. Quite dangerous, come to think of it.
Anyway, the price was ¥300 (~SGD61) per cab and we were split into two cabs as their private car couldn't fit all our luggages plus barang barang for the exhibition.
These are young chaps, probably not more than 26 years old. Our driver revealed that he sleeps during the day and drives at night. Normal metered cab fare would've costs somewhere around ¥100~¥200.
Our driver had to rely on his GPS because he has never heard of our hotel name nor of the address. He ended up having to work abit harder for the extra ¥100 since we were lost somewhere along the way, and had to circle the same area twice before we managed to find the right way to our hotel.
Guess we were lucky because he did send us safely to the hotel, plus helped us with our luggages upon reaching the destination. =)
 |
| our hotel |
 |
| twin sharing |
 |
| bathroom |
Beijing night weather was nice, cooling at 18~19 degrees celcius. Went out for supper at nearby congee and noodles fast food shop, then slept at about 4am and our next day started around 830am.
24 March, 2010
beautiful flowers
During my Japan trip, our hotel was located quite near the MRT. Every morning, we would walk from our hotel and cross the street towards the MRT.
One of the things that we often noticed was the trees or plants or flowers along the sidewalk. Along the cemented ground, there would be spaces allocated for flower beds. Lionel my young travelling companion once commented, "Wah.. the flowers so beautiful!" :)
On one particular cold morning, as usual we came out of our hotel, and walked along the street towards the MRT. Just then, there was this lady walking her dog. Our paths crossed and the lady and her pet dog stopped just right at the beautiful flower patch. Her dog smelled the plants a little and decidedly lowered its buttock and began dropping its poop onto the flower bed. I nudged Lionel and said, "That could be the reason why the flowers grew up so beautifully.."
Perhaps in life, sometimes we need shit to happen to serve as a catalyst for our growth...
One of the things that we often noticed was the trees or plants or flowers along the sidewalk. Along the cemented ground, there would be spaces allocated for flower beds. Lionel my young travelling companion once commented, "Wah.. the flowers so beautiful!" :)
On one particular cold morning, as usual we came out of our hotel, and walked along the street towards the MRT. Just then, there was this lady walking her dog. Our paths crossed and the lady and her pet dog stopped just right at the beautiful flower patch. Her dog smelled the plants a little and decidedly lowered its buttock and began dropping its poop onto the flower bed. I nudged Lionel and said, "That could be the reason why the flowers grew up so beautifully.."
Perhaps in life, sometimes we need shit to happen to serve as a catalyst for our growth...
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