1 Out of 7 Billion
The world is getting smaller everyday but a lifetime is not enough to explore it. My adventure starts in Singapore.
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Klapsons – New Boutique in Singapore
April 10, 2010 — 2 Comments
(This is not a paid advertisement — not even a meal voucher) 
I checked out Klapsons, one of the newest boutique hotels in Singapore. I always see it on the way back home and was intrigued how it looked like.
There’s a restaurant on the ground floor called Lucas which serves contemporary European cuisine (at least that’s what I have been told when I made a booking for lunch).
I tried the lobster risotto which was really good.
This is really yummy that I feel hungry again just blogging about it.
After lunch, my sister and I asked one of the reception staff to show us one of the rooms available for viewing. They have about 17 rooms, each with its own design and concept.
There’s a standard set up though for the shower — it’s a transparent cylinder type of shower area just a few steps away from the bed. So if you plan to stay there with someone whom you are not so comfortable with seeing you sing while in the shower in full glory, book somewhere else! Otherwise, next thing you know, you are a You Tube star.
Sorry I didn’t take a photo of the shower area but guess you have an idea already right.
More photos:
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Btw, even their rest room labels are quite creative. Take your pick.
Klapsons
15 Hoe Chiang Road
089316
Singapore
Website: http://www.designhotels.com/hotels/asiapacific/singapore/singapore/klapsons
Yorkie Turns A Year Older
February 28, 2010
Our dear Yorkshire terrier Sophie turned 1 year old (x7) so we got her a birthday cake from the pet shop.
Happy birthday, Sophie! Don’t bark too much ok! Hehe.
As she could not blow the candle nor slice the cake, we came to her rescue…
"I wish I will be allowed to run around the living room too"
"You can have a slice too but you need to bark as loud as I do. Hehe"
Gatherings
February 20, 2010
I’ve hosted at least 5 gatherings at my new place since I moved in mid-November.
I think I will continue to do this over the next 1.5 years such that the number of dinners/ mini-parties I host will be more than the ones held at Caribbean during my 3.5 years stay there.
It’s always awesome to have friends come and visit, chill out (without or without alcohol), sing a tune or two, and with reserved late night energy play Wii.
I guess I will have to find a better way of sorting out some logistical concerns like where to order sumptuous food (since I don’t cook) and having an amply supply of ice.
With the excitement of entertaining visitors, I occasionally forget to take photos. But here’s a party I hosted where I didn’t forget to bring out my digicam. Maybe because my guests are camwhores as well and inevitably I will be asked why I am not taking photos. Ha.
Welcome Julu, Ben, and Karl…
Julu belting out high notes on the Magic Sing with my sister
Mostly Philippine cuisine
Arab St, Haji Lane & Maxwell Chambers
January 17, 2010
Checked out a few places this weekend.
1) Arab St & Haji Lane
Sufi (48 Arab St, Singapore 199745 ; Ph +65 6298 2258)
Time to go Turkish in Singapore
The design of the vanity mirror which I got for my sister during my Istanbul trip a few months back matches the wall!
Babaganoosh - Roasted eggplant pureed with garlic, tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice
Salmon steak - charcoal grilled salmon with delicious (Sufi) homemade sauce
Adana kebab - Skewered minced lamb and beef, spiced and charcoal grilled topped with a delicious tomato based sauce
Kasarli kofte (my main course) - Minced lamb and beef, formed into patties, topped with cheese and tomato based sauce; freshly baked in a clay pot
Baklava - Walnuts, pistachios, and honey syrup rolled into filled pastry
After lunch, I attempted to burn off some calories by dropping by a few shops along Haji Lane.
Haji Lane
This time with Haji Lane as my backdrop.
2) Once Upon a Milkshake
You can find it in Maxwell Chambers near Tanjong Pagar station (32 Maxwell Road, Singapore 069115 ; Ph +65 9823 3779)
Maxwell Chambers (white house) is beside...
... a red building called Red Dot Museum
Milkshake Menu
Left : Chocolate Truffle Castle (my sister's) ; Right : Nutty Peanut Butter (mine)
Really good. Will be back soon.
Journey to the West
December 13, 2009
As I now live in the Southwest, I was curious to explore what’s out here.
Here’s what I discovered:
1) West Coast Plaza
http://www.westcoastplaza.com.sg/home/index.aspx?key=home
There's a large Cold Storage supermarket in such mall.
2) West Coast Park
Although not as popular as East Coast Park, this park also has a McDonald’s outlet and some walking / jogging area. Good for a weekend morning stroll.
Zen-like McDonalds outlet
Sis and mom posing for the cam
This specific play area is for 7 years old and above. I meet the criteria.
Presenting the West Coast
Unless a wild animal was chasing me, I would not attempt to climb trees... :p
Oooh a flying snake
Soccer training or lessons at the park
Housewarming @ Kristy’s
November 6, 2009
Kristy’s new place feels like a boutique (designer) hotel — modern furniture, mix of natural tones and vibrant colors, uncluttered, fascinating lights.
Her home is also walking distance from a popular curry rice place and a newly constructed shopping mall.
Curry Rice - Yummy
The condo even has its own bowling alley so checked it out after dinner. Haven’t played bowling for ages. Hence, the dismal score (see photo showing 62 below). Haha.
The forfeit (consequence) of this Indian poker is to drink whatever concoction is made by people pouring all sorts of drinks.
And I had to drink twice for losing... Not nice at all :p
Everyone (missing Lynn and Fanni)
Thanks Kris for welcoming us to your lovely home. Til next time.
Weekend Food Adventures All Over Singapore
November 4, 2009
During the past few weekends, I had the chance to check out places for the first time.
1) Fika
I forgot how my sister and I ended at this place for lunch. I think she saw it when she was with her friends for a drink somewhere in the area.
Haven’t tried a Swedish resto in recent memory (does IKEA count?) so it truly fit into the plan of exploring Singapore on weekends.
Food was ok but don’t think I will be taking a return trip anytime soon except to try their other desserts (see photos of what we tried below)
Contact info:
257 Beach Road ; Ph +65 9002 3853
Swedish meatballs
2) Azzura Beach Bar
This place promotes itself as a venue for hydrosports activities, sumptuous bistro, Singapore first coffee cocktail bar, state of the art entertainment club (based on the Sentosa ad). The club wasn’t operational yet when I visited in mid October. Some of the hydrosports activities offered : banana boat, flying fish, kayak.
Rich (Herrera), one of my friends from Manila, visited Singapore for a work-related activity and recommend that we catch up here for drinks. Some of his local friends also joined in the afternoon.
Place is cool, better than Cafe del Mar (in my view). Only problem is that I really don’t want to get a one or two skin tones darker and I don’t swim.
Anyway, that doesn’t take away the fun if I just wish to go for a drink or too on a lazy Sunday afternoon in south Singapore!
Azzura is located along Siloso Beach, Sentosa island
Club Opening Hours
Mon-Thurs
9am – 12mn
Fri-Sun, Public Holidays & eve of Public Holidays
9am – 3am
All Water Sports Activities
9am – 7pm daily
3) Bonifacio
A colleague recommended this resto so tried it for Sunday lunch.
Finally, a place that offers great Philippine cuisine at a reasonable cost. Tried the sisig, Bicol express, lechon kawali and a few other desserts. Could barely walk after having a satisfying meal.
Hope you can try it especially if you are near the Outram/Chinatown area.
Contact information:
35 Kreta Ayer, Singapore 08900 ; Ph +65 6222 6676
Sisig (Oven-Roasted Pork Served on a Sizzling Plate)
Crispy Kangkong Puffs Topped with Tomato Mango Salsa
Boni Halo-Halo (Sweetened Banana and Macapuno string served with Milk Sorbet topped with Leche Flan)
Buko Pandan (Coconut String served with Pandan and Cream)
Palitaw (Rice Patties Covered with Sweet Grated Coconut and Cheese)
4) Riders Cafe
This resto has a Project Shop (PS) Cafe feel. Had afternoon tea (scones only, not the towering high tea tray haha). I think this place is better during brunch than afternoon especially as the area could get quite humid.
Quite interesting to see horses graze around the field.
If you are in the Bukit Timah area and have time to explore, try this cafe.
Contact information:
51 Fairways Drive, Bukit Timah Saddle Club ; Ph +65 6466 9819
Horsey horsey 123
Halloween 2009 in Casual Clothing
November 2, 2009 — 2 Comments
I don’t recall Halloween being so much fun until we had a mini gathering at Ken’s place on Saturday. As he had mentioned in his Facebook message to us closer to the party, it will be “cozy” — and it was.
The sudden downpour on a Halloween night left me competing for a cab around dinner time. For the first time in my not so many years in Singapore, the cab hotline service tested my patience. But that didn’t dampen my party mood. Sadly, I arrived late and delayed Ken, Julu, and Karl’s desire to nourish their bodies with food. (Sorry guys!)
Ken did not fail to impress us as a superb host — from his lovely home, to the Halloween accents, awesome desserts + liquor, and the Halloween MP3′s (which I think scared the hell out of Karl haha) — he really made sure all of us had a great time. Thanks Ken!
That was the roundest pumpkin I've ever seen in recent memory
Yummy - biryani, curry meats, western appetizers and desserts, Japanese skewers
I also bought two (2) boardgames to keep our minds active on a rainy night.
Instead of drawing on paper with clues on cards, you use whiteboard markers on the Pictionary Man and a few other objects. The mystery word is displayed electronically at the foot of the P-Man.
Ken's artistic impression of "Little Red Riding Hood". We were teammates and I blurted, "The Exorcist" Haha
"Eye Exam" by Julu. Quite clever huh.
For this game, two teams compete at the same time within 90 secs to get as many "letters" along such A-Z strip to their side by naming a person/item based on the category. Julu and Karl did well on "class subjects" ; Ken and I did well on "int'l hotel chains". Hmm, there goes the age difference.
Play the above boardgames + a few others next time you visit my place. But until then, Google these — they are very entertaining.
Other camwhoring photos, quality check done by Julu, the MBA camwhoring grad.
Ken, Karl, Julu's aerial shot
Julu and Karl bullying Ken. Such ungrateful guests! :p
Ken and I and a 20+ year old man in a secondary school boy body.
Later that night, we stumbled upon Ben, Duncan, Jeremy, and other friends in their costumes.
I was telling Eugene and Veria, two friends I had lunch with earlier on Saturday, that I can’t stay up beyond 3am anymore. That’s why I couldn’t believe why I managed to last until 5am. Well, Halloween only happens once a year so I’m glad it was truly worth remembering… and I didn’t need to dress up so much for it.
F1 Rocks (Singapore)
September 27, 2009
“F1 Rocks” rocks. At least, that’s what I can say for Day 3 which I bought tickets for shortly after I learned Beyonce and Black Eyed Peas were coming to town.
Arrived at Fort Canning at around 630pm. Hassle free entry. We bought food good enough to last til midnight when Beyonce was expected to appear onstage. We were also prepared – with small plastic chairs and picnic cloth in tow.
After not going out for one-too-many Friday and Saturday nights, such weekend was truly an awesome way to get back to partying.
Arriving early has its benefits - we sat a few meters from the stage - a distance my digicam's 10x zoom can bear.
BEP at 9pm, Beyonce at 12midnight
Also saw Daryl several meters away. He trooped over to chat and take a photo. (Photo courtesy of Daryl Pan)
Now with my sister who is an expert in pop music, among other things... (Photo courtesy of Daryl Pan)
Now the main event …
Black Eyed Peas
Beyonce
Recommended Team/Staff for Idol Hopefuls
September 21, 2009
After having watched Idol shows of at least 3 countries (US, Australia, and Singapore) over the past several years, I believe each “hopeful” should have people who will assume the roles listed below. Some jobs roles can be combined as appropriate.
It’s tough to be in a competition so always good to seek assistance from the experts who can stay focused in making the individual successful.
Vocal coach – assesses vocal range of the individual, determines potential vocal range, helps individual select the appropriate songs based on weekly theme, works with individual in improving voice quality which includes but is not limited to diction, phrasing, breathing, putting emotion into the performance
Instrumentalist – as necessary; has a high level of competency on guitar, keyboards, and other instruments; rearranges the composition based on individual’s preferred approach (as approved by vocal coach)
Dance instructor – also doubles as fitness and well-being instructor ; works with individual in developing and improving stage presence either through appropriate gestures or dance steps; looks after nutrition and stress management; can be held responsible for security if contestant becomes exceptionally popular during the competition
Stylist – covers hair & makeup, clothes, grooming on and off cam ; provides guidance on how to project on screen and on camera (i.e. photo for publications); if competent enough, job holder can look after finances since majority of the expenses will likely be on clothes
Researcher – liaises with vocal coach on weekly themes and recommends songs that appeal to voting public (including background on the song); also considered an expert in what judges’ preferences are including capturing of feedback during competition itself; reviews performances of other contestants (strengths/weaknesses) and translate these for the benefit of the individual
Media relations – also acts as legal adviser if things get of out of hand; manages generation of good publicity for the individual in the local and overseas press; leads new media to expand voting/fan base (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, websites, forum); works with fan clubs (if any) on materials, participation in events; responsible for creative (yet legal) means of increasing votes
Not sure if the above makes sense but that’s my opinion. :-)
