Spain/Portugal day 1&2

(Since I'm well over a month over due in writing this, I do a very short summary. Blame on the world cup lah. Also pictures are not clear is because I had to reduce from a 2500 pixel to just 400 pixel & from 1.3MB per picture to a 45kb picture to fit into my blog. How to solve this problem? Dammit!)

(10 May)
My flight was at 2150hrs to Bangkok first, transit for an hour then it another 10hrs to Helsinki, capital of Finland. Touchdown at Helsinki about 11:45am (Singapore time) and it's 6:45am(local time). Just on a small note, whenever plane took off, I got sweaty palm. Yes,I'm afraid....in fact it's very afraid of plane taking off.

(11 May)
Clear immigration in Finland first as she is under E.U so once cleared, we can travel anywhere within E.U countries without any immigration checking anymore. Cool, ya.

Kanina, took another airplane again to Barcelona at 1pm (Singapore time) and here come my sweaty palm once again and finally reach at 4:45pm (Singapore time)

I was cursing all the time, you do your math how much time I spend on the plane. From 2150hrs to next day 4:45pm finally reached. Oh boy....talk about jet-lag. Also on the plane I was sucking my nicotine smoke inhaler all the time like a baby sucking pacifier.

However in Barcelona, it's only 11am and after getting our luggage we headed for lunch at this place.



Yes, it a Chinese restaurant and lunch was under the travel company account and food suck! By the way, there were about 25 persons in this tour. There were no pretty girls in our group! What a disappointment.


(Me waiting at bus-stop for the rest of the group after lunch)

After lunch, the city tour guide brought us to Sagrada Familia. Of the places I visited for the next 10 days, there were 2 places I was really impressed. Sagrada Familia was one of them. As I cannot post all the pictures you can do a google search on Sagrada Familia and you will see how beautiful this structure really was.



The Sagrada Família was planned in the late 19th century and construction work, under the supervision of Antoni Gaudí (great architect and artist) commenced in the 1880s. Until now this day, it is still under construction! Yes, more than hundred year and still not completed.










(Inside of the building)

This building simply breathe taking!

Next stop was this Monjich Hill where you can see the whole of Barcelona.

See....our group was crowding taking pictures. What's so nice about his bloody hill? I don't get it. By the way, it quite cold....about 20 degree or below.

(Had to reduce pixel thus not clear)




(Finally I found something that cheer me up. They sell beer on hill top. Hahaha)


(Look at me, is this handsome or what. Hehehe)
Back to the coach for some city tour.


(Christopher Columbus’ Monument)




(How come as I get older and I get so photogenic?)

Next stop was Gothic Quarter, an old district Barcelona


(Mum & sister....I was following closely behind like I was afraid of getting lost)


(This old district of Barcelona, everything is old as the name suggested)









(So cool. If I'm a girl I fell in love myself...haha)







Next was we headed for our dinner somewhere near the sea. Took some pictures around the place.







We went to the beach, there a vendor selling ice-cream. Guess how much for a cornetto? Cost 4.80 Euro that about freaking SGD9.60. A magna ice-cream costs 5 Euro (SGD10.00) and a can of coke cost 2 Euro (SGD4.00). My goodness!


We had our Spanish dinner, yuck again.

Oh, sunset only 9pm here in Europe and our hotel is located at some country side area. Nanbei, how am I going venture out at night to see some strip dance..see some neh neh? Nevermind, sleep early for the night as the week still young.

Should have opportunity I thought....as I dozed off.
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I'll be away to Spain and Portugal from 10 May to 24 May. Promise lot of pictures and report of what happen there.

I trust this trip will be better than my previous in Australia and New Zealand. Til then.....ciao.
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What was your most recent embarrassment moment?

It happened to me 2 days ago. I seldom use POSB ATM, must be months ago. So when I inserted my card in at the same time daydreaming. The machine suddenly activate a voice like "welcome' I think. It's took me completely by surprise, my body startled like alarm buzzer. Just imagine those people who saw me, blood rushed to my face as I became flushed with embarrassment.

What was your most recent frightening experience?

It happened last night when I reached home about 4am. After parking, walked to my block. As usual streets was quiet, no human was visible as far as my eye could see. Press lift, scan around to see any gay molester might be lurking near by. Nothing.

Lift came, went it. When the door about to close, there was this cockroach also try to take same lift as me. Door closed, cockroach was caught in between the door. It thought it was the end, but oh no, I was wrong.

Here come the scary part, this cockroach somehow managed to wiggle its way free, and it's FLY.

That's right, me with flying cockroach inside the lift!

My instinct took over and my hands was swing wildly with my legs jumping around like a mad man doing disco dancing. To compensate for any deficiencies in my stance in case this cockroach do not take the 'don't mess with me' hint, I swear to you that I did a pale imitation of Bruce Lee howling noises with his cha cha kungfu moves inside the lift.

In short, I was like a man being bitten by a dog bitten with rabies; MAD and extremely dangerous.

Somehow the cockroach must be arouse by my scream, landed on the lift floor and I gave quickly, without any hesitation step on it, flattened like a pan cake.

One small step for cockroach, is a giant leap relieves for mankind.
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It is precisely of 'siew ren' that existed that's why some chose to live like a hermit shy away from people.

"Siew ren", we all know is somebody who is a doubletalker, a gossip, a backstabber and a generally untrustworthy person. They are cruel to their enemies and even meaner to their friends. This type of friend is all sweetness and sugar to people's faces but act ugly and spiteful behind their backs. They sneak around portraying themselves as something they are not, a friend.

I am most unfortunate to have this 'siew ren' working side by side.

- I already tried to get away for him as soon and as far as possible.
- I treat him as a acquaintance rather a friend.
- I tried not to rely him for anything, even little things.

Does he get off my back?
No sire, instead piss me off like a plague of frogs onto me.

Things get to normal ONLY when I lost my temper.

Give him food, shelter and water, he urinate in your plant pot.
Give him an inch, he wants you move over instead.
Give him room to climb over your head, he want to shit on your head as well.

Fuck!
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Back from my break!

I was so obsessed in perfection my online pc games, that once straight back home from work, I play and play until midnight!

So enough is enough. Time to blog again, ya.

My younger brother wanted to change house, brought my mum yesterday to view show flat. Today my sister and I went together with my brother to give some suggestion which he told me it was just a condominium in Yishun.

When we reached there,...... I saw, I enter show flat, I was simply blown away. Not because of the tennis court, swimming pool, children playground or the security over there but because of the house itself.

It was a 4 storey furnished terrace house! No camera was allowed during the visit of the show flat but somehow, I managed to sneak a few pictures.

Let's start off the living room at first floor, fully furnished except the TV I think. An elaborate kitchen furnished with almost everything. The living room front and back have balcony with the back have those mini fountain/waterfall.

Porceed to the basement, there were 2 bedroom, 2 washroom and a mini living room with sofa (one for the guest and other for maid) and a balcony as well.

And there another door I noticed,



I open and realized it was your personal garage with parking space for 2 cars!!!



So you basically drive into your own garage and enter the house by basement if you wish. How cool!

On the 2nd storey was fully furnished 2 bedroom with washroom.

On the 3rd storey was fully furnished 2 bedroom share a common washroom.

And on the rooftop, yes...your own personal rooftop!
No sharing....your very own rooftop!



It has a movable barbecue pit, wooden table, chair and a sink!



My God! Unbelievable!







From outside it's look like this.





Now it open for sale and guess how much it cost?
Less than 800K.....you hear it right! Worth every penny, I tell you!

All my family member raised hands and legs in voting for this place. Awesome place to live in.

I'm still on my blog break.
Should be back in few days time.

Read this : http://newpaper.asiaone.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,104834,00.html (The Electric New Paper)

For the benefit if the link is not working, I posted the articles below.

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FOR the three friends who had completed their national service last December, it was a regular trip to Johor Baru on Saturday. Their agenda: Shopping and seafood dinner.

It turned out be anything but.

They were robbed of more than $900 worth of valuables by a man. Apart from cash, the lost their handphones and a watch. All this within an hour of crossing the Causeway. Worse, it happened in broad daylight and in a crowded shopping mall. Mr Vincent Tan (left), 21, recounted his experience to The New Paper.

After arriving in JB at 2pm that day, they headed for the City Square mall - a short distance from the Causeway - to check out sports gear and shorts.

They were there for barely 20 minutes when trouble came their way.

Mr Tan, who is now awaiting admission to a polytechnic, said he and his two NS buddies got off the escalator on the second floor of the mall and walked towards the shops.
STOPPED IN FRONT OF THEM

A man suddenly stopped in front of them, causing Mr Tan to dodge him.

Mr Tan said: 'It was strange because he was not doing anything but just stopped purposely. So I just felt my pockets to see if my wallet and handphone were still there.'

Nothing was missing, so they moved on. Then they stopped in front of a Watsons outlet to look over the railing at an IT fair below. The same man they had earlier dodged reappeared.

'The man asked me for RM12 ($5). He did not look like a beggar, but we decided to just give it to him,' Mr Tan said.
He said the man was in his mid-30s to 40s and was wearing a black T-shirt and jeans.

He then demanded they hand over all their cash.

Mr Tan recounted: 'The man told me, 'Take out your wallet and quietly give it to me. If you're looking for trouble, I got a gang here... a lot of fighters. You can scream, you can shout, but I've got back-up.'

'We looked at each other, but we did not know what to do. So we gave him our wallets. We took out the money we had just changed and some Singapore dollars.'

It totalled more than $250. But it was not over yet.

The man calmly told them to remove the SIM cards from their handphones and give him their phones, Mr Tan claimed. They estimated that their handphones were worth about $600.
Then he allegedly threatened them again, saying: 'You can scream if you want, go ahead. But I can't promise you'll be okay after this.'

Then the man asked for Mr Tan's Seiko watch.

Mr Tan said: 'It was a cheap watch, maybe worth $80, but what would he want with it? Then he threatened us again and I thought, what the heck, money and things we can earn back, but safety is more important.'

Said software tester John Yap, 20: 'I was getting very frustrated, but we couldn't do anything. We tried looking around to signal people for help, but they passed us without looking. What if we screamed and no one bothered?'
Besides, Mr Yap could not run far because of a thigh surgery he had undergone eight months ago.

THREE MEN TO ONE

IT technician KY Ng, 20, added: 'Three of us could have held him down, sure no problem. But what happens if his gang members are around, like he said? At that time, we cared more for our lives.'

So the three gave in to the man. After that, the man told them to return to Singapore.

The three claimed that the man threatened them again, saying that if they lodged a police report, they may not be able to return safely. So they made their way back to the Causeway.
Said Mr Ng: 'All the while we were looking behind us. Even though we didn't see the man, who knows if there were others from his gang watching us?'

When they reached Singapore, they went to the nearest police post hoping to lodge a report.
Said Mr Tan: 'They advised us to file the report in JB because that is where the crime happened. They told us we can still lodge a report in Singapore but they would still need to contact JB police to help.'

A police spokesman confirmed that the three had approached the Bukit Panjang North NPP but did not make a report eventually. Mr Tan said: 'We thought about it and decided not to because we don't think we'll get anything back anyway.'

Will they return to JB?

'I don't think so. We were all cautious, but we still 'kena' (got hit in Malay),' said Mr Tan.

'When you're in a foreign country, it's even more scary because you don't know where to look for help.
'Sure, I've been reading reports about people getting robbed in JB, but I didn't think it would happen to me on that Saturday. This incident is very 'suay' (unlucky in Hokkien).'

Mr Ng added: 'I won't go back there, not for a long time.'

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That's great folks, we can count on our boys to protect Singapore from invaders and terrorists! (Start singing 'count on me Singapore')

Waolao, what a fucking big 3 potato bullied by lone ranger. These are our NS men for crying out loud. They just ORD, so must be fit and strong, ti bo?

How come so sissy?

Not only that, they got the guts to whine to our press? Buay paisay one meh? If I were them, I use condom to cover my head already, they still let the whole world know; the press.

How come our NS training such that our soldiers reduce into boy scouts these days? Look at the chap picture, he's look strong, pack with muscles but total jellyfish alike. Like one saying, good to look, not good to eat.

He says,
<<'The man asked me for RM12 ($5). He did not look like a beggar, but we decided to just give it to him,' Mr Tan said. He said the man was in his mid-30s to 40s and was wearing a black T-shirt and jeans.>>

No streetwise whatsoever, total deserve it. This thug is just qi shui (test water). In a shopping complex, with many people around, scare what? The fact that the extortionist asked for RM12 at first was quite a clear hint already that he's just testing water.

Where got robber ask so little one? In fact, in most robberies, very few words are uttered. Just need to flash weapon, give short instructions and the victims would know what to do. And they would prefer to do it in more secluded location, away from public view.

This are the telltale signs of a con artist. You give, prove you're submissive. Since so obedient, must as well rob everything including phone. Lucky this robber not gay, if wants sex he also give in.

He says,
<<'Mr Tan recounted: The man told me, 'Take out your wallet and quietly give it to me. If you're looking for trouble, I got a gang here... a lot of fighters. You can scream, you can shout, but I've got back-up.' 'We looked at each other, but we did not know what to do. So we gave him our wallets. We took out the money we had just changed and some Singapore dollars.>>

Mr Tan really “mo teck ting”. Cannot tell if is a bluff or not. Obviously he is trying to intimidate. Inside busy shopping centre, even have gang dare to strike? Think Malaysian police invisible? All it takes is one unarmed uncle (in his mid-30s to 40s) to rob three of them. Even a child will fight back for his toy.

He says,
<<'When they reached Singapore, they went to the nearest police post hoping to lodge a report.>>

I, kneel and bow my head in total awe of this trio. Crime committed in JB, make report in Singapore. How you rate their intelligent, you tell me. Me going to Spain next month and if I'm rob whatsoever, I also come back to lodge a report.

He says,
<<'When you're in a foreign country, it's even more scary because you don't know where to look for help. Sure, I've been reading reports about people getting robbed in JB, but I didn't think it would happen to me on that Saturday. This incident is very 'suay' (unlucky in Hokkien).'>>

What help? In the first place, 3 of you fit and strong, just came ORD couldn't contain this thug? I bet my ex-girlfriend could even beat the living daylight of this extortionist. I sense he's trying to justify their cowardice by saying all these.

I remember when I was in Cambodia back in 1995, I was constantly being road block by police who trying to extort some money from me. For your knowledge, policemen earn meager wages and some robbery are commit by police themselves to their supplement income.

So police and thieves no different over there. I did not give in even they held me over an hour.

How can I forgot at one time, this drunken policemen who point his gun on my head when I refuse him. He demanded for USD100 for safe passage and since gun was pointed on my head, I give to him.

Only after a bargain, which eventually he took USD5.00/- (I'm not kidding, it read as five US dollars).

What I mean is, you help yourself instead where to look for help as NS Tan suggested. What a wimp! This boys must be pamper by mothers and their maids. (By the way, if gun point to my head now, I will pee immediately. As one get older, guts gradually disappear)

Lucky for this uncle thug, he met these 3 wimps. If he encounter our Singaporean Tony Kia, is also nicknamed ‘One- Eyed Dragon, he will be eating 6 bullets, I'm very sure.

Lastly, please tell me these 3 champs vocation are drivers or storemen. At least I feel better and safer.
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This temple is Tee final resting place.


(This temple was somewhere along upper payer lebar road)

Finish my work earlier today, so I pay Tee a visit which was a yearly affair. Ya, I'm a late for 10 days (his 3rd death anniversary). But I know, my buddy won't blame me.



His cremated remains was place somewhere here. Need to find, although I'll been here for 3 times.



My buddy's urn.



I know don't how to offer prayers in remembrance of the deceased like burning joss sticks and incense (free thinker), so I offered a lit cigarettes and place it on the floor. Although 3 years had passed, I could still hear his voice and his imperishable memory will ever remain with me.

Going to show a few photos of him about 14 years ago about 1992 to be exact, however a word of caution, the photos is NOT clear.


(Circle with an arrow is my buddy and other chap is me)


(Look at one of my friend wore his pant so high like Ah Fook...wahaha. By the way, I'm wearing white, do I look like a nerd or what)


(Taken when we were in Thailand training. Our platoon carry camera even in training)


(Pic blur)


(Taken during our recreation in Taiwan)


(Dun whine, I can't do anything about picture quality)


(Taken 1992, Taiwan. Behind us was park area that had mini China, like the Great Wall)


(During my 2 years serving, training in Taiwan by far is the BEST. Really fun)


(Our bunk in Thailand, 1992. We had one long row of wooden bed to sleep. Yup, we slept together)


(Our rest and relax, 3 days in Taiwan. See that chap wearing red jean? That's Ah Toh! Haha)

Lastly, I'm going show you a picture of Bear taken 14 years ago.
His face is not clear never mind, it's not important.

Please look clearly for visual clues at his body language.
What does it tell you?


(Bear in circle)

My worst fear is confirm.
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I went to Yang Tze Ktv at Pearl Centre at the request from one of my friend. Here is one of the few places whereby they have hanging flower system.

Each singer will have a certain target of flowers they need to get a month, ranging from 4K to 20K a month and this also depends on the KTV they sing at. If they are unable to hit the target either a fine will be imposed or after a few continuous months, they will be asked to leave (either go back to china or go to other place).

So after a singer finished her song, she will sit with her customers and chitchatting turn the customers will hang flower (cost $) when it is her turn later on stage singing. Mostly it the Ah lau who patronize all these joint.

Well, my friend asked one of a singer to sit with me. Guess what, I did what most Ah Lau do, hang flower. Freaking bo liao which cost me $50 just to hang flower. (Was under pressure, that's why)

As for why people hang flower, I think its something like saving face. The more you hang, the more singers will flock to his table and you get special treatment from the mamasan. Also it for those retired people and super rich lonely men.

Oh my God, I should be in Disco or some happening pub instead down here hanging flower like Ah Lau. Age is catching up with me rather too quickly.
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What is a race queen?

It is a type of campaign girl found as part of a pit crew in certain kinds of motor racing, such as F1 races. Their official job is to hold an umbrella over the driver while his car is being worked on. However, in reality, their function is simply to make motor racing seem sexier while promoting the teams and their sponsors. They generally wear some sort of revealing costume (minidress, swimsuit, hot pants, or the like), as well as pantyhose and high heels or knee high boots.

First we look at the Korea races queen.

Click below for video.
--->Korean race queen (Did you click? Must see, you know)
(I know....I start dripping saliva from my mouth too.)

Then we have the Japan races queen.

















Shiok right?
Especially the Korean race queen clip.Oh ya....I've watch it 2 times.

Now China also want to becoming an important hub for racing with their set of own race queen.

We must give our support....no matter what.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present you,...race queens from China.

Take a look...
(You eat dinner liao?)












Kan ni na.

I say, Singapore have one of the most boring stamps available on the market. When I was young I used to collect stamp which was my first ever hobby. I mean, look at Singapore's stamp. They have the usual like the flowers or ship with sail. If not, fishes and birds.

Nothing extraordinary.

Let me show you something. Ship's owner from Greece sent a parcel by post to us and at first glance nothing special, ti boh?



But look carefully at the stamps.
So pleasant and nice just to look at unlike Singapore stamp. If Singapore were to follow suit, I'm sure stamp collectors will be on the rise.


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