On recommendation, the family (less Clarissa), we headed to a cosy little restaurant known as "Food for thoughts". Started with an unique salad - Chinese Chicken Salad. Quite an interesting way that it was prepared. The pasta was good too. Staff were friendly and helpful. We sat outside the restaurant cos a group of SDU partcipants occupied a greater part of the air-con space. It was a pleasant experience.
After some 2-3 weeks after returning from Aussieland, the liberated 21 year old is still enjoy living out of the suitcase. No wonder the brother prefers to " zzzzzz " in the living room, in case he gets lost among her "stuff".
The first activity after checking-in at the City Stay Apartment was to the Strawberry Fields where some 2.5 kg was plucked. This was followed by an open air lunch under the shade of a hugh tree .... the Aussie way.
Though scheduled for discharge since last Sunday, some miscommunication took place between the home and the hospital that eventually caused a two day delay. Her discharge is no secret and everyone was geared for it .... except the ones that were responsible to provide the discharge papers. 50 minutes after the agreed discharge time (actually, its 2 days + 50 minutes), they were still trying to get the discharge papers in place. Ambulance was on time, the medication were ready, the nurses were ready but ..... the "professionals" weren't !!!
He led me up to the 3rd floor of Batam, Centre where the Jingle Juice stall was. Had a sample of "mango with papaya". Not bad at all. 
Next was the open air hawker foodcourt, just in front of the Pacific Hotel. Large open space with lots of yummy good food. Met up with some "old" friends too !!!
With 10 pax and various seafood galore, the total bill was just under S$120. That's about $12 per head. No wonder more & more Singaporeans are heading over to Harbour Bay !!!
Yeap !!! We made it !! Its 25 years of marriage. Margaret Wee popped by with a surprise gift, specially assembled from past photographs of Sarah-Marie and the family. With a hamper of flowers and a bottle of champagne, we had a good chat of all the past happenings (whatever that we could remember !!!)
This cat just couldn't care less who walks by. It just balance itself on top of the letter box, support its head on its shoulder and snoozed away. Either it is waiting for the postman or just waiting for the sun to set. Meow !!
It has been ages since I have last made a kite. Gone are the days where kites were made from papers that were used to wrap bread, its frame (supporting sticks) from sapu-lily and strings hijacked from Mum's sewing kit.... plus lots of glue (made from starch) and broken glasses to give the cutting edge to the strings (in the process, get cuts on the hands as well !!!).
With Patrick, Lisa and Michael away to Singapore, Margaret was the duty driver to pick by son + a pair of twins and a sweet little girl from school. It was another opportunity for a snap-shot of the duty driver mum with the kids. 
Back home, we had some "light" snacks of sushi crackers with cheese whilst we prepared a simple meal of roast turkey, fried rice, cous-cous and Margie's secret pepper soup. 
It was certainly a nice meal to end the day.
On the invitation of Lloyd's List DNC to deliver a presentation at the 6th Annual Port & Maritime Scurity 2009 which was held at the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV).... had the opportunity to re-visit Melbourne after our last holiday there some 5 years ago. Arrived early on Sunday morning, thus it was just too early for check-in, so took a walk to the Queen Victoria Market to wonder around for 3 hours before the rooms could be available.
The flea market was still as interestig as before. Lots of unique stuff such as personalised car plates, clothing for dogs, odd shape plates, etc ....
After the walk around, the room was finally ready and checked-in to the RACV @ 501 Brouke Street, Melbourne. Though not obvious from the outside, the rooms were large and well equipped to the standard of a 5-star hotel.
Whilst the programme proper was held mainly within the Club, our first night dinner was some 500m away at the Dockland pier. The night scene was certainly peaceful at the pier-side. Was thankful for the first 3 hours of wondering around the streets of Melbourne for that was the only opportunity for a look-see, look see around town.
Order ramen at WARAKU and it comes in huge bowls (almost 12" in diameter). Its large enough to double up as a helmet. When almost everyone at the table ordered one, we immediately have an overcrowded table. The waitress certainly needs muscles just to serve everyone.
Tradition beleives that when the stone "needle" that is at the side of the church, touches the main building of the church (in an earthquake, the world will come to an end). 
Hidden in the woods (behind the church), a long and winding / windy trail, leads to an old viking village where it is believed that it is at this very location that VIKINGS first set foot on Norwegian soil. Host of the exhitbits there, were mainly the dwelling ofo ancient times; A lone "Viking" stood at the entrance of the village ushering visitors in and explaining how life was like in those days. Unfortunately, the language used was "Greek" to us. 
Whilst the refreshing cold wind was blowing, the sky was threatening. It was getting darker and the onshore wind was brining the rain clouds in. Very quickly, made our way back to the old church yard, hitched a ride to the main road to make our way back to the maritime town.
I guess ... this is the source of "Piracy" in northern Europe !!!
Haugesund, a little maritime town by the coast of Norway. About an hour flight from Oslo. 
Pre-occupation here is mainly from off shore oil industry and fisheries. Delicated to the fishermen that were the main occupation in the earlier years, the iconic landmark of the town is depicted by these two fishermen. (More like, if you are lost in Haugesund, ask the fishermen !!!). With a population of about 30,000, the pace of life is somewhat at a slower mode. Shops start opening at about 11:00 am and ends by 5:00 pm. Many were out enjoying the summer sun and took opportunity of the longer daylight hours.
Norway, well known for the many Fjords have provided the country with its natural attraction. Our host, took us for an evening drive to a nearby high point in Haugesund to view the town from a birdeye's view. From there, managed to see from a distance two converging fjords. Cooling summer temperature of about 15-18 deg C. Windy at times and pleasant when not wet.
As the sun sets, the stage was also in placed for the celebration of the year.... Singapore's 44th year of Nation Building @ the floating platform, Marina Bay.. Seas of people donned in RED & WHITE mingled in the crowd, doing whatever it takes to await 8:22pm for the "Pledging Moment". 
As the crowd moved to pre-position themselves to get a better view of the fireworks, others found their perfect location to STAND-UP for the 8:22pm moment.
Once the parade was over, part II of the evening's programme kicked in. Found our way to level 2 of the Flyer were we had a perfect view of the "Encasing of the SAF Colours". Many who have attended the parade would have missed this unique opportunity to witness the traditional drill of completing the parade. 
Once that was over, it was the quick walk/bite along the way to get out the area, away from the crowd. The first available seats at the nearby food court was much welcomed. The drive back home was also a relatively silent one. On reaching home, we had our first casualty for the evening. Little Tim was already way in dreamland ... probably from all the excitement of taking the pledge !!!.
Just can't believe it. For $0.44 (off) per litre for all grades of petrol on 9 Aug 09 (4-5pm only), the queue of cars leading to the Shell Station was ridiculously long. Cars from everywhere were making their way into the only SHELL station at the junction of Serangoon Garden Way and Lorong Chuan. (It was like all roads lead to SHELL). It was jammed from all directions. Felt real sorry for those who were not intending to fill up their tanks. Guess ... it also NATIONAL JAM DAY !!! (for that full-filling hour !!!)
Yes, the PARENTS were also part of the BIG DO !!! All part of the fun of adding some spice to life to someone ... far. far away.... 
and the pictures says it ALL.... The total BLANK LOOK (in disbelief !!!). YES !!!
Of course, the plot couldn't be that smooth without ... Kristine who orchestrated the surprise beautifully. Hey !!! What are friends for !!!?
Through the kindness of a friend, we were extended 3 tickets to watch one of the many rehearsals at the floating platform. It was a good feeling to be back, under the evening sun to watch the NDP, even though it was a rehearsal. The theme this year was "tracing the past, through the EYE .... "
As the crowd started to gather, Clarissa-Anne donned her sunglass (What more commonly known to her as "shades"). Looking at the reflection of "her shades", recalled the first few NDP where we had to cover her ears when the planes flew by or when the 21 Gunfire Salute were blasting away. The parade was not only thru "the eye" over the years but also thru the eyes of a "then" little girl to one that is hip-hopping around.
The sky-diving serial before the parade had always been one of the key feature before the parade. The RED LION, traditionally formed by the SAF Commandoes included a Naval Diver ... part of an integrated force. As they made their way to the floating platform, with the Singapore skyline in the background, the crowd, as usual, made all the funny noises to welcome their landing. 
To display the many SAF and HOME TEAM assets, a scenario via a "News Flash" that the Marina Bay was under attacked brought the SCDF, SAF and Police armoured vehicle, emergency respond team and special forces streaming onto the platform and among the crowd. The Navy and Police Coast Guard too had their part in the display as the Marina Bay offered apporached from the waterfront to stage high speed RHIBs and Police interceptors chased "enemy boats" and divers dropping off from a Chinook helicopter to dispose of an underwater mine.
The parade proper of uniform and non-uniform contingents remain the hallmark of the NDP celebration. It had taken various forms, ranging from massive contingents at the Padang, to quick-in/quick out parade at the Stadium, column drive-past, etc. 
The arrival of "the President" kick-off the formal part of the celebration. With the HORMAT PRESIDENT, the national anthem was played/sang and the large STATE FLAG, flown by a Chinook helicopter and escorted by three of the latest Apache Attack Helicopters flew by. This is perhaps, one of the two quietest moment in the celebration ; the second being the Pledge Taking.
With lights, music and displays, the event unfolded like clockwork which concluded with the pledge and the crowd-pulling fireworks. 
It was indeed an event for families to come together and "party" to celebrate the nation's 44th birthday. 
As we made our way out of the venue, a final family shot to mark the end of the day's outing.
Representative from her faithful group of YV came by for the usual send off at T3 for the past midnight flight to Perth. A year has already past by so quickly.
Dinner that evening was with Kong-Kong & Poh-Poh & her Uncle Albert/Aunt Shawanna at a local steamboat restaurant. Took the opportunity for a quick snap-shot of the 3-Generation family (Girls & Guys)
Another re-union getogether before Sarah-Marie's 21st birthday.
Looks like a nice clear/pleasant evening but the low nimbo-stratus clouds off Changi was a little too close for comfort, especially with a light steady on-shore wind. 
We caught glimpse of the flypast and a few boats darting around aimlessly. We could only guess what was happening at the parade "float" after having attended numerous other NDPs before. As the sun sets, the first few sparks of firework from behind the Integrated Resort excited the crowd.
As more sparks lighted up the evening sky, something didn't smell right. It was not that of gunpowder but of .... RAIN !!!! There was then .... a sudden mad rush for cover and who cares about the fireworks. It can get wet but we needed to stay dry. It was to each on his/her own .... RUN FOR COVERS !!!!
