Meeting 3 "old" friends in 1 Trip

After a fairly long spell away from Thailand, the relatively packed 3-day programme from 20-22 Jan 10 had not only fulfilled the job requirements but also provided the opportunity to meet up with 3 "old" friends. Started on the evening of my arrival. Met up with Lada Phumas. First met Lada at Kuala Lumpur for an anti-piracy meeting in the early 80s together with the MINDEF delegation. Remained in touch through email and facebook when she was posted to Geneva. Managed to meet up again about a year again in Singapore when the Thai MFA Team transitted for a night. Had a good dinner at Cafe Chilli catching up on lost gaps. Next was VADM Yuttana. We first met when we were both LTAs/Gunnery Officers during Ex SingSiam in 1979. Our path crossed several times when he was stationed in Singapore as DA (Thailand) and during piracy conferences. The official call on him with ED-ISC was a welcome opportunity to meet up with him again. Managed to catch up briefly after the official call.

The last surprise meet-up was Chan Huang Seng who now runs some Canadian Pizza outlets at Bangkok. We were primary/secondary schoolmates from St Gabriel's Pri/Sec School. Thanks to Facebook, this was our first meeting after some 30 odd years. Had a good catch-up prior to my departure over some local Thai food in some back alley. The food was yummy and the complimentary Thai massage at Health Land (courtesy of Huang Seng) was the package of catching -up with old friends.

Fun with past shots

Whilst packing away the endless number of boxes containing old photographs, came across many shots that were either faded or discoloured. With the magic of PHOTOSHOP, tones and shades were added to change some of the faded pics to black & white ones. Here's one for the record .. taken on 20 Oct 84 .... in ceremonial whites.

An old photo

Whilst clearing the cupboard of some old photographs, came across this "end-of-course" shot that was taken in Nov 1986 at HMAS Dryad. It was then a 9-month course for the International Principal Warfare Officers' Course, more commonly known as IPWO "A". When Sarah and Clarissa saw the picture, their first comment was OMG !!! That looks like Aaron ....

Almost hit 53 !!!

Had a hectic week.

Was hoping to just take half a day's leave to go for foot reflex. Schedule suddenly became so tight that even the evening of the 7th was spent attending a reception at Sentosa. Everything that week seem to be a high priority item. (Drats !!!) Had to finally settled for the family makan at WARAKU on the 9th evening. The cake was suppose to be a surprise and "surprise" .. it was. It had candles for 53 !!! Oops !!! (One candle more !!!)