The 6th Decade

What was supposed to be a "High Tea" at a new place @ Keppel Bay, turned out to be a surprise birthday cruise onboard "The Admiral", a Grand Banks 52 Europa to Lazarus Island (beside St John Island). Complete with golf cart transfer on arrival to the dockside where the vessel was berthed. The cover story of High Tea followed by a pool side house warming somehow did not fully gel, given the time and space and the few reminders to bring swimming stuff.

Onboard, parents-in-law and family (+extended families) were already there awaiting for the grand arrival. Decorations of a pirate party were up with a "floating 60" ballon to mark the occasion. In-house media coverage were already in place for still photography can video recording coverage (the best to be expected from a media related family !!!). 

No birthday celebration can get by without a cake and indeed it was a nice one with the numeral "60" & 6 candles (the vessel wouldn't have permitted 60 candles - fire hazard !!), to a maritime theme complete with a life-buoy.

With the "must have" family ++ shots (when things are still in order !!), and the cake cutting process,  all hands mustered for the Captain's safety brief.

Instructions on donning of life jackets (+demo) and the whereabout of exits was certainly a far-cry from the type of onboard briefing on an aircraft. Whilst smoking was permitted (only on the main/upper deck), it was more for the crew than the passengers onboard.

Departed from Keppel Bay at about 1600 hrs, the vessels headed South-Easterly for Jong Fairway enrouted to Lazarus Island. On arrival, the anchor was dropped and the the kayak was launched. Those that preferred to get wet, took the plunged into "what seem like a bottomless" pool.

Some slowly entered the water in a gradual approached matter whilst others (actually, only one !!!) made a grand entry splash, jumping from the 01 deck. Soaking in the semi-warm water (as it was threatening to rain), the evening meal was being prepared onboard.

BBQ Chicken wings, sambal fish & sotong, sausages, beef, etc were grilled at the quarterdeck by the crew, while the others (not in the water), laid out the prepared food ranging from fried rice, salad and noodles, ready for the swimmers and kayak-ers to return aboard.

At about the 3rd hour after sailing, the anchor was homed for the final leg, to return to the mainland, cruising along to view the skyline of Marina Bay and the Western side of Sentosa Cove. A 2 sec firework display was seen whilst passing Sentosa. On berthing, it was a quick exit as it was beginning to drizzle. Thank goodness we have the perfect weather whilst out at sea. A short delay was encountered at the exit. (The crew didn't escort us out !!!)

 On the whole, a very pleasant surprise to mark the 6th decade of existence. Much thanks to everyone for making it happen. Special thanks too to Albert for the video clip to capture the "The 60 @ Sea". ( See : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqD4zi5ZClg&feature=youtu.be ).