Once a year bowling !!!

Up to some 3 years ago, BOWLING was a once in a "Blue moon" activity; However, with the inter-GRO Bowling Competition, it became an annual affair.

The 1st ever team comprising Edward Chye, Randy Sng & Lee Foo Wah (+ Me) played under the name of "The Gardeners". As all the other teams were none the wiser, "The Gardeners" emerged as the Runner-up (in 2nd place). It was then motivating enough for Edward and I, to invest in a "personalised" bowling ball.

Round 2 didn't turn out too well for all the rest of the teams has "wise-up" and recruited school team players and professionals.

When the competition was finally opened to residents this year, the once upon a time "Gardeners" each hosted a team (ie : Gardeners I, Gardeners II & Gardeners III). Of the 3 teams, Gardeners I won the Top NC Team as well as the 1st Runner-up for the event. Gardener III also won the 2nd Runner-up awards. All in all, not too bad..... with much thanks to the residents who participated and did most of the scoring. Previously, my Golf Score=my Bowling Score, but..... now, my Bowling Score is what I'm hoping to achieve for my Golf ..... (ya !!! It was that bad !!!)

The Heaven Berry logic !!

Based on recommendations to check-out the Indonesian Donut delight, headed to J CO at Mangga Dua Square upon arrival at Jakarta. Certainly a more efficient service outlet compared to the "long queue" @ Raffles City. From the half dozen comprising of varies types (from plain ones to chocolate coated nuts), there was a general sign of approval to bring some back to Singapore on the return trip.

On the final day, before proceeding to the airport, headed to the outlet for 2 dozens of the "hole-ly kueh-kueh". To avoid the bulky "One Dozen" Box, requested for all 12 donuts to be packed in a half-dozen box (plain ones at the lower layer and the more elaborated ones at the upper layer).

The 1st arguement started with the sales girl who confirmed that it was possible to pack them but she cannot do it cos I will complain. Had quite a time to explain that I am asking for it so will not have any grounds to initiate any complains. The Supervisor who was immdiately on-scene agreed that it could be done, so away, I went choosing the remaining 6 donuts for the upper layer.

Arguement #2 then started at the payment counter. They will be charging me 2x half dozens and not the discounted price of 1x full dozen. Reason being, that its packed in a half dozen box, even though the content has 12 donuts. (Logical ??!!! Goodness NO !!! and to think that I'm getting 2 dozen; that would be twice the amount of logical arguement.) Even some of the other customers agreed with me, the casher's position remains UNMOVED. With time (and the extending long queue), had to reluctantly agree to 24 donuts in 2x bulky Full Dozen boxes to the airport. Certainly a true Heavenly Berry experience / logic .... !!!

Lebaran Celebration Week

Whilst the Singapore Team headed to Jakarta for the meeting with BAKORKAMLA, many other Indonesians from Jakarta were heading elsewhere for the Golden Week "Lebaran" Holidays (from Friday, 12 Oct 07 to 18 Oct 07). Whilst getting a flight to Jakarta was a breeze, getting out was a major exercise. Had dinner with

















Francis Liang, Ka Leong & Xu Liang at the Mall next to the Grand Hyatt Hotel (Central Jakarta) followed by coffee at the hotel lounge. As we sipped away the freshly brewed Columbian Coffee, we couldn't help but notice the increase in lights along the major roads heading in our direction. It then don on us that the crowd for the "Lebaren Count-down" was building up. Very quickly, we gulped down the last mouthful of coffee and off we went to catch a SILVER BIRD cab. The journey back to the Novotel Mangga Dua is suppose to take about 30 minutes but it lasted a full 115 minutes. The streets were packed jam with people, cars, buses, vans, motorcycles and anything that moves. Policemen were waving their wands but no one was paying attention. It was like manoeuving through streets of demonstrations. We were certainly relieved to step into the lobby of the Novotel Hotel to have survived the journey back, many thanks to the excellent skill of the SILVER BIRD cab driver.

Killing time on the last day was the order of the day. The flight was in the late evening and we have to check-out by 1300 hrs. That's about 4 hours to kill. The foot reflex and the Bakme shop at the mall were closed for the holidays thus it was to each his own to fill the remaining hours before departure. Whilst I've managed to get in touch with Fonny (ET's Cousin) for a quick meet-up/chat, the communication exercise that morning was a challenge. Me speaking in "broken Bahasa Indonesian" and she struggling with her English vocab, it was amazing how we could understand each other. Whilst Ka Leong took revenge with observing the ceiling, Xu Liang laze by the pool, enjoying the view of the tons of hotel guests who stayed at the hotel over holiday period cos their maids had all "balek kampong" (return home to the vilages). With a super long lunch of roast duck, char siew and roasted pork at the chinese restaurant next to the hotel, we said goodbye to Mangga Dua. (There was of course the quick dash to JCO to buy donuts but that's another story !!!)

The 33 years later meet-up

Met up with Weni Suwanti for breakfast. As we chat in the back seat of her "Kijang", the driver drove around the Mangga Dua / Kelapa Gading area looking for a restaurant (any restaurant) that are opened for business during the festive period. Finally found one that had tradition Soto Soup with rice and roast chicken.

By the time, breakfast was over, proceeded to Kepala Gading Shopping Mall (favourite haunt of Weni & daughter Sandra) for a walk around as we catch-up on old times (We've first met, some 33 odd years ago as Boy/Girl Scouts at an Asia-Pacific Jamboree at Mt Makiling, Philippines in Dec 1983).
The shopping mall was packed with holiday makers who had chosen to remain behind instead of travelling somewhere else for a short get-away. Whilst Weni wanted to introduce me to their famous "Bakme Gajah Muda" (Bakme GM), the stall was also closed for the holidays (just my luck !!!). Notwithstanding, was introduced "Sate Padang" from a stall known as "Sate Mak Syukur". Quite tasty satays in Sago Sauce (See picture). In the course of the meal, Ayam Buah Kulek came into the conversation and the ever efficient Weni dialled some numbers and declared that a Kg of the fruit will be delivered to the hotel lobby. Always great to visit Jakarta but lesson learnt is to avoid the Lebaran's Week of Celebration. (Hmmm !!! Realised that I've totally forgotten to take a snap-shot with Weni for the periodical records !!)