Happy New Year!

It's 2018 already!  I spent new year's eve and the day itself reading all 12 volumes of my Gundam Origins manga.  Nothing exciting happened other than a nice family dinner on new year itself.  And on 2nd Jan which was still a holiday for me I dropped by Bras Basah Complex for a quick look and see.

One of the sections in Bras Basah Complex facing Victoria street

Bras Basah complex is a place where time stands still, very few changes take place here, even if they do they are barely noticeable.  Some major book shops have folded, but there are always interesting reads to find here.

Here's wishing to a smooth sailing 2018 ahead, hopefully we will get what we wish for this year.  有求必应!

~ Photo taken with LG G6~

Last Working Day of 2017

Nope, I didn't work today, I cleared my leave today so yesterday was my last working day of 2017.  So what I did today was to go to one of the oldest temples (https://shuanglin.sg/en/home/) in Singapore to pray, giving thanks that I have finally (almost) cleared 2017, for all the blessings, the happy moments, the sad moments and well.. I don't know what else to say... 

I really love going to Lian Shan Shuang Lin (莲山双林) monastery.  The monastery has 3 temples inside with a very beautiful garden.  Even Lincoln loves looking at the court which according to him makes him feel peaceful.  Likewise, just sitting and looking at the garden gives me a feeling of peace and some serenity, an escape from the hectic happenings in daily life.

Main court in the second temple

Tri The Boxer

When I looked through my blog for this year, almost all of my entries start with a photo of an aeroplane.  Which is reminiscent of the time where most of my blog entries were mostly about Gardens by The Bay.  So this time I'll write something different.

Since August this year I've been enrolled in a boxing club.  It was part of my attempt to get fitter.  I also thought that boxing would complement my karate training.  I always prefer straight punches rather than kicking and in close range, boxing seem to have better defensive techniques as compared to karate.

One of those classes....

November Bangkok Escape

After all those business trips to Bangkok, who would've thought that I'd go back to Bangkok for holiday?  Apparently I did just that.  Went with my wife only for a short holiday, I had originally asked her Bali or Bangkok and she chose Bangkok.  Good choice too as Bali was affected by Mount Agung eruption which caused airport closures and such.  For this trip I went light again with the RX100 Mark III.

Finally, going on a real holiday

November Purwokerto Trip

After I was done with all the business travel in October, it was time for a visit to Purwokerto in November to attend my BIL's wedding.  No fancy airliner, just flying no frills on Jetstar.  Travelled light too so I just had my RX100 Mk 3.

Waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting......

A Small Batam Project

Earlier in October I went to Batam for a private project.  I hadn't been to Batam in a very long time so this short visit was quite refreshing.  Things in Batam change at quite a fast pace nowadays, no doubt tourism is still going strong despite the factories and shipyards having gone out of business.  Harbourbay itself is changing as Marriott is shaping up quite nicely.  This complex is looking more and more..... complex....   I had my X-T2 and the XF10-24mm F4 R OIS for this short project.

Sunset in Harbourbay