Impromptu Bali Trip Day 2 & Day 3

Day 2 started with a trip to Kuta Beachwalk again as the missus wanted to exchange the kiddos' swimwears.  After the quick trip to Kuta Beachwalk, our next stop was Seminyak where we tried to trace back the trails of our past trip back in 2019. 

Let's Explore Seminyak - A7RMk3 + FE 20mm F1.8G

Universal Studios Singapore Trip

Still in the month of June, on my wife's birthday, she asked for a family trip to the Universal Studios Singapore which I gladly obliged to as this would have been our first visit since the park started operations from October 2009.  It was a cloudy day with occasional drizzles which made for a pleasant visit as we escaped the hot sun for most of the day. The park was quite crowded with holiday makers, but not so packed. 

After a quick brekkie at McDonald's Sentosa, we quickly bought our tickets and checked into the park.  

Lindsay Enjoying Her Wrap - A7R2 + Batis 2/25

From the entrance we arrived at the Hollywood zone where shops lined the street leading to the intersection to Madagascar and New York zones. 

June Adventure Cove Waterpark Trip

Well, June is not all gloomy and sorrowful.  There are 2 birthdays to celebrate after all this month.  My wife and I gave Lincoln an early birthday present by bringing him to Adventure Cove Waterpark in Sentosa as he'd been asking to go there for quite some time now.

A Pose Before Venturing In - A7RM2 + FE 24-240mm F.35-6.3 OSS

Both Lincoln and Lindsay were definitely excited from the moment we arrived in Sentosa.  I, however, opted to remain dry as I was in no mood to get wet.  I only went along to take photos. 

Jettisoned June

Yeah.. that's what I'm feeling right now.  Jettisoned.  June has been a month of many departures.  One of my colleagues whom I can usually let loose with in the office resigned abruptly.  After his resignation, two of his buddies from the same department also left...  I've known them for quite a while.  In fact they were some of the last few people in the office who knew me from the containership days.  

Harbourfront - A7R2 + FE 24-240mm F3.5-6.3 OSS

I have to admit that I'm not taking their departures very well, as such I've been feeling rather down lately.  I can't help but feel like a relic that should have left eons ago.  Unfortunately, lady luck has not been so kind to me at the moment.

Jakarta Chinese New Year Trip – Day 4: 春到大地 & Day 5

And here we are on Chinese New Year Day.  We started the day by wishing my parents a happy new year first.  So my siblings and my family gathered in my parents' room to wish them a happy new year.

新年快乐， 恭喜发财! - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25  

Jakarta Chinese New Year Trip – Day 3

Day 3 was New Year’s Eve.  It was a very relaxed day with plenty of time for us to explore and try out new and interesting places during the day. 

My wife suggested that we should try going to Bakmi Orpa in Jalan Malaka II near Kota Tua.  Bakmi Orpa is very well known as the most expensive noodle house around although most people who’ve been there agree that their signature noodle dish is very good.  So we were very curious to try this “bakmi Horang Kaya” - make sure you pronounce the "H" with a heavy grunt 😁😁.  My sister went along with us.

After following the directions on Google Maps, we finally arrived at Bakmi Orpa.  My sister went on a side dish ordering frenzy and ordered Pangsit Goreng, Baso Goreng & Pangsit Kuah.  We also ordered 5 bowls of noodles. 

Bakmi Orpa Shop Sign - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25

Jakarta Chinese New Year Trip - Day 1

As per usual practice in the last couple of years, we headed to Jakarta to celebrate Chinese New Year.  This time it was a 5 day trip.  We had the luxury of a longer trip courtesy of the weekend.  Flying by Garuda, we departed from Changi Airport's Terminal 3.  And this time, I had the opportunity to visit the Butterfly Garden with Lincoln prior to boarding the plane.  

Level 2 View of T3 Butterfly Garden @ Changi - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25

Nondescript November

Perhaps I should be grateful that things have been rather uneventful...  Or not?  Nah... I don't know...  So far things have been rather dull in November.

Last Saturday we went to Lindsay's school carnival in West Coast Park.  That was our first time visiting West Coast Park.  The sea view fell short of breathtaking as it was made up of mainly marine yards, what looked like oil refineries in Jurong Island, Pasir Panjang Terminal and numerous docked ships, although there were plenty of open space for games such as frisbee, football and kite flying.  

Sea View From West Coast Park Lookout Jetty - A7RMk2 + FE 24-240mm F3.5-5.6G OSS

More Bits and Pieces of Tiong Bahru

So here's where I post other photos of Tiong Bahru that I took during the outing.  Too good to keep to myself!  

First, there must be the iconic murals in the neighbourhood.  

Bird Singing Mural - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25

This mural is the easiest to find in Seng Poh Lane car park which is just opposite Tiong Bahru market, and directly across Old Tiong Bahru Bak Kut Teh - their pork trotter here is a favourite. 

And to Tiong Bahru Bakery After Tiann's

Well, I couldn't possibly miss visiting Tiong Bahru Bakery when I'm at the market right?  Even if we couldn't get a table there, we could always buy some croissant and kouign amann back home.  

So after we were done at Tiann's, we just walked over to Eng Hoon Street for a quick look and see at Tiong Bahru Bakery.   

And here we are at the "Paris of the Yeast" 56 Eng Hoon Street - A7R2 + Batis 2/25

Tiann's (甜) at Tiong Bahru

On National Day afternoon after we came back from Zam Zam, we went to Tiann's at Tiong Bahru, 71 Seng Poh road to be exact.  Not immediately of course, but sometime in mid-afternoon.  I had to visit some cafes there to get materials for my company's newsletter.  I'm a very dedicated person eh...  This time around I brought along my A7RMk2 and Batis 2/25.  I thought having Full Frame DOF would be quite appropriate for this "assignment". 

Tiann's Exterior - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25

Finally Went to Gardens by The Bay Again

After a long hiatus from Gardens by The Bay entries, I finally have the chance to write another one.  On National Day holiday last Thursday, we went to Gardens by The Bay so that the kids can enjoy some outdoor activities.  It was an enjoyable outing.

A nice cloudy day for a stroll - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25

Ranoh Island Adventure - Part 2

So here's part 2 of the Ranoh island adventure.  You can't miss this colourful signboard the moment you set foot on Ranoh.

Welcome to Ranoh - RX100 Mk3

Geylang Serai Bazaar 2018

Yesterday I made my first trip to Geylang Serai in like almost 20 years.  It was really amazing to see a different kind of bazaar/carnival (as compared to the ones in Chinatown and Gardens by The Bay).  My main purpose for the trip was actually to snap a cover photo for my company's newsletter, the secondary purpose would be to satisfy my curiosity on Hari Raya Aidil Fitri lighting.  Lastly, to try the hipster bazaar delicacies.

So I went with Lincoln to Paya Lebar MRT station where we met my wife and together, we took a 7 minute walk to the bazaar area near Tanjong Katong Complex.

Some food stalls were still closed and would re-open nearer to break fast time at approximately 7 pm local time.  Other stalls were already open possibly as they need some time for preparation and also to serve the non-Muslim crowds who are there to experience the fun.

So while waiting for the blue hour, we went around playing some games and trying the food.  Before we chomped down on any of the food, we tried our luck playing some carnival games.

Shoot some pokemon and win a prize - A7R2 + Batis 2/25

Notice the cleared row on the left next to the bad piggy?  I cleared that row first and passed the toy gun back to Lincoln for him to just have some fun shooting.  We got a small prize from this game.

Chinese New Year 2018

Another year, another Chinese New Year in Jakarta.  Things are a bit different this time....  公公's absence was deeply felt.

We left on the morning of the new year's eve.

Waiting to board - A7RMk2 + Batis 2/25