Onboard Tour of The Training Sail Ship Nippon Maru

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to go on board a Japanese training sail ship called Nippon Maru.  Officially, she should be called Nippon Maru II as she's the second generation sail ship to bear that name.  The first Nippon Maru was originally commissioned all the way back in 1930.  And this sail ship should not be confused with the MOL luxury cruise ship either.  

Nippon Maru From 2nd Level of Singapore Cruise Centre - X-T2 + XF10-24mm F4R OIS

Moving House

It's been 2 weeks since my last entry and I had been very busy.  After having stayed in Tiong Bahru for more than 5 years, we finally made a move to Redhill.

The Movers Working With Our Stuffs - RX100 Mk3

Moving house is not an easy task (then or now, all the same).  The packing and unpacking was very tiring.  Teething issues with the new house persists even till now which we still haven't resolved with the contractors.  This resulted in stalled unpacking activities.  Not only that, adjusting to a new environment takes a while too - which cabinet is suitable to store which stuffs, what items are still missing from these new furniture, how to organize the stuffs, figuring out why certain things are not working as they should, etc.... 

Jubilant January

And here's my first entry for 2019.  I had intended it to be my last entry for 2018, but my fingers couldn't dance any faster on the keyboard.  So yesteryear (which was just a few minutes ago), I ended the year with the usual visit to Lian Shan Shuang Lin (连山双林) Monastery to pray, expressing gratitude for a smooth sailing 2018 and hoping to a greater 2019.  Went with Lincoln too, he's going to start primary 3 on Wednesday, so I prayed that he will have a good start for the academic year as well.  We started praying at the 1st temple known as Cheng Huang Miao (城隍庙) before heading to the 2nd temple which is also known as the Mahavihara complex.  I like the Mahavihara complex best.  

Rainy Day...  - RX100 Mk3

I Am Shotokan

After 24 years, I finally got my black belt earlier this month, finally a Shodan (初段).  I got the Dan Ranking in October, but the belt only arrived in early December…  Last Sunday was the first time I donned the black belt in training and man!!  That felt Freaking Awesome!!  

The long awaited Kuro-Obi From Tokaido - Samsung Galaxy A8+

Purwokerto Trip 2018 - Part 2

Day 2 started with breakfast at Soto Jalan Bank.  I can see a pattern here which takes place annually...  it's almost like a ritual every year - somehow we'll always go to Soto Jalan Bank on the following morning after our arrival.  But well..  no complaints....  I'm OK with Soto Jalan Bank.   Just look at that photo, it sure tastes as good as it looks.  

Soto Jalan Bank, a very nice rainy day treat - RX100 Mk3

Purwokerto Trip 2018 - Part 1

Hello December, a week has just passed.  And I couldn't think of a better way to start this month's entry than writing about our family trip to Purwokerto.    

We went on our trip just last Friday by taking a flight to Jakarta from where we'd take the train from Gambir train station to my wife's hometown, Purwokerto.  

Upon arrival in Jakarta we got onto the car and set for Pluit Village Mall for lunch at Bakmi Alok.  Again, I had forgotten to take any photos of the noodles.  😑

Going to Pluit - RX100 Mk3