"Everyone have a brain"

"Everyone have a brain." 

This was a sentence written by one of my students in my tuition class last week. I promptly corrected it to read "Everyone has a brain." 

I asked my student if he was sure that everyone did indeed have a brain. He replied in the affirmative; I concluded that I wasn't too sure!

Last night Hari Raya began - the month of feasting to end the month of fasting. Our neighbours, for whatever flimsy reason which probably related to preparing for Hari Raya, were banging on their wall with a hammer and then drilling at 11pm. My wife went around to have a word with them and it stopped. For a while.

Our two children were already sleeping by 11pm. At 12 midnight there was more banging and drilling. I hit the wall with my hand a few times. At 12.30am the same. After 1am when the loud drilling continued I was pretty angry as I was also trying to sleep. So I put on my clothes and stormed out of my door and banged on their door. 3 times. In my anger. Nothing. I heard them muttering but no answer. Too scared to open their door!

It finally stopped. I think they got the message. This morning my wife reported that she still heard noise at 5am. Luckily, for them, I slept through it!

So in conclusion, I don't agree that "everyone has a brain". It takes both a brain and a heart to be considerate of other people, none of which my neighbours seem to have.

Have you had to put up with noisy and troublesome neighbours?

Blog Flashbacks

A year ago near the end of August 2010, we went to my friend's bird house, the first time we had ever been to such a place. It was dark, smelly and noisy, but a unique experience nonetheless.

Birds using their saliva to make coveted nests

Two years ago in August 2009, we went on a one-night trip to the famous old town of Sungai Lembing. It was like living in the past, and although one night and a day wasn't enough time to fully appreciate it, I still sensed a little magic in the air.

Our stay at Sungai Lembing

What are some unique experiences you have had in your travels?

Fidelia's Friday - Finally I'm going back to Kuching

I finally will be going back to Kuching after 5 years. I couldn't believe that the tickets are booked and I'll be flying in October.

I was so excited that I couldn't sleep the night the tickets were booked. I had all sorts of things in my head. Thinking about my favourite noodle, Kolo Mee and one particular rice porridge from the open-air market in town.

I had to persuade Duncan to agree with me because he didn't want to go through the hassle of travelling with young children. Being a photographer at my eldest sister's wedding reception got him thinking! I know he would love to take new photos for his blog. Something different to share with his fellow bloggers. 

So, we will be staying there for a week and I know it will go by so fast. I will spend my time wisely there because it might be another 5 years until I go back again.

I am over-the-top excited for our trip back. Not looking forward to the bus ride from Kuantan to KL though and the long flight back to Kuching. I am hoping the children will behave well. Hoping it will be a stress-free journey (which I doubt it will).

So, have you ever been over-the-top excited about something until you can't sleep at night??? Even Duncan is excited to go back to Kuching now!

Super Singapore Part 4 - Marina Bay at night

Marina Bay at night is nothing short of spectacular. I stood in the lovely, quiet atmosphere staring across Marina Bay at the awesome skyscrapers and the illuminated The Fullerton Hotel, and I marveled at the beauty of the night. Singapore has definitely done something right in developing their way to a civilized first-world country.

At 8pm and 9.30pm every night at Marina Bay, there is a light show called "Wonder-Full". It lasts for around 10 minutes and uses light and water along with projected images to create a truly spectacular display across Marina Bay. A 3-minute video of this is included at the end of this post.

Firstly, the night shots of this beautiful scene:

The helix bridge, representing a strand of DNA

Eye on Singapore

Unbelievably beautiful views of Marina Bay from the helix bridge

Marina Bay Sands Hotel from the helix bridge. The bridge has giant suspension arms so it does get a little wobbly at times. Difficult to get a perfect night scene!

Marina Bay Sands Hotel looms from above the trees

Just beautiful . . .

The lit-up skyscrapers fronting Marina Bay

From the opposite side, looking across Marina Bay to the Marina Bay Sands Hotel

The fantastic light show at Marina Bay:

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed being in Singapore, even just for a quick visit spanning 18 hours. The trip left me longing to be there again . . .  

Super Singapore Part 3 - Marina Bay Sands

Marina Bay Sands is a relatively new addition to the Marina Bay area of Singapore. Every time I go to Singapore there is always something new either under construction or completed. The strange, watermelon-shaped white structure you will see in the upcoming photos is the recently completed 'Art Science Museum.'

This was the first time I entered the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. The lobby was crowded but it wasn't as spectacular as The Fullerton Hotel. Here are some images of the Marina Bay area with the iconic hotel.

Panoramic view across Marina Bay

Inside the lobby at Marina Bay Sands Hotel

Oriental music being played in the lobby

Ground Floor at Marina Bay Sands

Funny statue at Marina Bay Sands Shoppes. The shoppes is a mall opposite the hotel

Sitting at a water feature at Marina Bay Sands Shoppes

Which way to go?

I chose the food court!

I spotted this Sarawak Kuching Kolo Mee stall, remembered how my wife loves this food, and thought I'd rub it in a little by eating it in Singapore!

It really was fabulous!

View inside The Shoppes at Marina Bay

Super Singapore Part 2 - The Fullerton Hotel

The Fullerton Hotel lies near Raffles Place in the fabulous city-island of Singapore. Many times I've walked past the Fullerton Hotel, but never been inside - until last Friday. I was pleasantly dazzled with what I saw.

The main entrance of the Fullerton Hotel

I spent a few moments admiring the beauty of the Fullerton Hotel before I started taking pictures

Up-down panorama of a section of the Fullerton Hotel Ground Floor

Man playing music on a piano, above; main entrance straight ahead; staircase leading down a level

Elevators

Children lure fish at the Fullerton Hotel

The East Garden at the Fullerton Hotel

Posed for a picture in the East Garden of the Fullerton Hotel

A view inside the Fullerton Hotel

Food and drinks on the 5th floor

"The Lighthouse" restaurant on the 10th and highest floor of the Fullerton Hotel

The view of Marina Bay from The Lighthouse

Revolving doors welcome and bid farewell to visitors at the Fullerton Hotel

Goodbye, and see you tomorrow!

Super Singapore Part 1 - Raffles Place and Marina Bay

For four days this week I'll be sharing with you some pictures from my recent trip to Singapore.

Singapore is super.

Modern. Developed. Beautiful. Exciting. Clean. Interesting. Convenient. Civilized. Attractive.

I had a great 18 hours there. The best part was at night where I gazed across Marina Bay at the skyscrapers all lit up, and it was one awesome sight. Hard to explain in words. I'll be documenting that later this week.

Today it's about Raffles Place/Marina Bay. This is one of the most popular tourist hotspots in Singapore featuring the iconic Fullerton Hotel and mega Marina Bay Sands Hotel, amongst others.

Found this chocolate bar at a 7eleven outlet here. Tasted good!

A view of Raffles Place

A panorama of some buildings at Marina Bay

Another nice view

The Fullerton Bay Hotel, one of the many additions to Marina Bay in recent times

Another view of the Fullerton Bay Hotel

Throngs of tourists fill this area to take pictures with the Merlion

The Merlion spits water into Marina Bay

Children like to pose with the small Merlion

Love this view under a bridge slicing Raffles Place and Marina Bay

Couldn't resist this shot at the statue of naked boys jumping into the river!