The world is a book

Singapore, you need a break...

No. I'm not doing a commercial for Jetstar. There's this online petition going on right now for an extra public holiday in Singapore. The petition stays open until 13-Sep-09. Go on... Do your part for Singapore.

Find me a Singaporean Art Book - 稀游记图文影像纪录

Somebody left me a comment on my "Find me a Singaporean" post. Apparentely, this fantastic show has decided to come out with an artbook (sort of). I haven't buy it yet but should do so pretty soon and will keep you guys posted on how's the book. In the meantime, if you want to find out more, I suggest you click over to the FindMeASingaporean.Com

Olympics Arrow Opening

The Beijing Olympics 2008 was really impressive. However, there was one torch lighting ceremony which I have always heard about but didn't know when it was held and which country hosted it. Nobody does. Like my friend on Saturday, we were talking over whiskey how successful this year opening ceremony was and he came out with the:

Shameer: I remember there was this opening ceremony where they shoot the arrow and voom... they light up the ceremony"...

Matt, Nizam and Me: So where is it?

Shameer: I don't know...

This isn't the first time this topic end up this way. More often than not, when we spoke about the Olympics, we'll talk about this arrow torch lighting. Nobody knows where it was held nor when did it happen. We just knew it happened during our era. Over the weekend, I had a gut feeling that it should be the Spanish who would come up with such an idea... So am I correct? I bring to you the answer...

Barri Gòtic - Barcelona

Every time when we talk about traveling in Barcelona, most of the people will think of Sagrada Familia or Barcelona Football Club, Camp Nou. Now I'm not saying that these places aren't worth mentioning but I just feel that in Barcelona, there's a place which has been under-rated; Barri Gotic. I'm just so amazed by the architectures, the history, the surreal feeling when you walked into this place.


I just re-activated my flickr account since the free one doesn't offer you much flexibility and bandwidth... While I was surfing through my old photos to make sure they're still there, I realized that the Barri Gotic photos brings back the feeling of walking into ancient times. This is the feeling you will get when you walk into Gotic Quarter. Since there isn't much information on the web that talks about Barri Gotic (or maybe I didn't Google enough), I thought of sharing with you folks here.

There are many entrances to Barri Gotic. You will see maps around the quarter and since most of those ancient buildings are pretty tall, I reckon one would get lost easily. Don't worry. Not lost as in totally lost your way and walk yourself into a dark alley sort. But more on walking through the same place over and over again and some of the location within Barri Gotic aren't that easy to spot. I used the Town Hall (picture below) as a landmark to get back on track.


Once you're inside, you will find yourself walking through ancient times. As I read from some website, it is recommended to visit this place in the morning. For me? I believe it will be nice anytime of the day.

This place is beautiful from all angles.Being inside just gives you a surreal type of feeling. Some of the structures like the one below, allows you to step inside and get a feel of "being" inside.


If you're the impatient type, I suggest you slow down your pace when touring this place. You will notice many beautiful drawings, sculptures as you walk around the quarters. Some of the architectures actually allow you to walk up to the rooftop!



There's a nursery inside Barri Gotic as well! Amazing eh?


I rested along the stairways and saw this lady on the right playing the accordion. Kinda nice especially with the nice atmosphere. There was this guy on the right enjoying the music as well and for a moment, I thought they were a couple having a quarrel which explain why they seemed close but yet so far.

Dasmond Koh in Bangkok?

Haha! I thought I saw Dasmond Koh in Bangkok! As a samurai! See what I mean from the picture below...


Anyway, because of this poster and for the fact that we were craving for Japanese food, we decided to give it a shot. The experience? Not bad at all! You guys should try too! We ordered several dishes... Sashimi, Tempura, Unagi Rice and of course, beer. I've forgotten what is the dish below though. Anybody any idea?

The soup is really really nice, and I like the way they kept it warm. I mean soup... One of the most important factor is if it's warm enough right? The soup base... You can drink it without the meat at all... The ingredients is sufficient and it is not too sweet or salty... I'm sure you have experienced where the soup base is really solid but after finishing the soup, you feel thirsty and all right? Not for this... To me, this had been the highlight for the restaurant... I suppose that's the reason why they named it as their signature dish..

As for the Sashimi and Tempura... Hmmm...I feel it's generally better than the ones you will get from Sake Sushi or Genki Sushi... But still not perfect... If you have the chance to go to Fuji Restaurant in Siam Center, you'll know what I mean...

The Unagi Rice... Not bad... But I don't know why they chopped up the Unagi though. I though you will enjoy the full Unagi taste if the fish is in one single piece. On the whole, not bad considering the price and the amount of food we ordered... I think for all these plus some beer, the bill came out to less than 50 bucks; which is what you won't find in Singapore...

ENCORE vs encore

We were very fortunate to catch Aaron Kwok's final concert during our holidays in Hong Kong. The concert was held at, as you know it... Hong Kong Coliseum. Having seen a few concerts in Singapore and now in Hong Kong... I realize one BIG different between concert goers from Indoor Stadium and Coliseum.


Indoor Stadium: encore Aaron... encore... (clap one of twice, yawn... turn to his friend and say) shit so many people leaving liao!... still don't come out ah? wait cannot catch last bus how?

Coliseum: ENCORE ENCORE ENCORE! Aaron ENCORE! (clap, shout, scream, turn to the producers who's control station is just below the stage and shout) ENCORE ENCORE ENCORE, WE WANT ENCORE

They didn't plan for the encore in the first place. As we had seen it... The light was already on, and when Aaron came out, he was in the most casual attire that I had even seen. He then mentioned that that they didn't plan for the encore and went on to sing a couple more songs.

So you see... the fans were just not ready to leave until they have gotten what they wanted. Pretty much like the Hong-Kongers' mindset... This could also be the reason why till date, they're still the shining pearl of Asia...

我在美国的第2个星期

OK ok... I must apologise! Haven't been updating this blog as I promised! Ha ha!!! 不过你们要了解，我的工作真得很忙啊！我去了Lake Forest又回来了！Anyway, 2nd time never bring camera. So nevermind. But then, I'm suppose to upload the photo for the 2nd week right? Haha. Ok ok..Here we go!!!!















La Jolla Beach (1)

This place is pronounce as La HoYa...Strange right? But that's what Discovery Travel and Living says. Anyway, its a pretty nice place. Just look at the sunset.


La Jolla Beach (2)



La Jolla Beach (3)


La Jolla Beach (4)


The beach was pretty relaxing... There were sea seals relaxing on the beach as well!


Seals relaxing on the beach

However...Sad thing is when we got there, there were not too many seals left. WHY? Becuas too many people were walking on the beach according to this signboard.


Signboard telling us why they left

Well, so long for the beach. We were pretty hungry and had craving for some Fonduuuuuuue... Heh heh....Long time never had it le..



Fondue

Coooooool...But I still prefer having it with Twinkie in Singapore! Hahah.. We ended the day at San Diego. But, as we were on the road most of the time, didn't get much chances to take pictures. The place was pretty busy and I was pretty worried to carry a camera around looking so much like a tourist! I still managed to take some pictures from the car though.


San Diego



It was about an hour an a half drive from San Diego back to LF. But if you're driving during day light, you would see the beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. Very Cheo. Oh yah! How can I forget. 这就是我的Batmobile!!!!





Buddy that brought me around


还有，这就是我的狗窝。

Comfort Suite

它就是陪我共度我在LF的第二个星期！

OK lah...Time to get back to work. 不然东西太多，要OT就Chia Lat loh...

我在美国的第一个星期

哈 哈！大家好！我是阿民。现在是美国2am! 这一个星期里，非常的忙啊！开会完后还是开会!这就是我在这里住的第一家酒店。



这家酒店叫Hampton Inn。


OK! 不要complain了。还是告诉大家我星期六做了什么！今天早上陪我的同事送我们另一个韩国的同事 去机场。她们的韩国的飞机师罢工。所以要去机场跟别的航空工司盖映（chop) 才可以在明天也就是星期天飞回韩国。过后，我们就前往Santa Monica。那里有购物商店和沙滩！我们在那吃午餐！



这个就是Santa Monica Beach!



好大的大炮面对着和保护 Santa Monica Beach!



Santa Monica Beach!



算是沙滩的门口吧。不过我们从这里出来的。



这就是他们的广场。不过没时间 Shop 啊！


OK。不要 upload 太多。回来再给你们看。过后呢，我们就前往好莱坞！Hollywood!塞车(Traffic Jam) 好厉害啊！不过我们还是到达目的地。一到了，第一件要做的就是拍新光大道 (Walk of Fame)！收获不错！



好多星星啊！


然后，我的同事就带我们到最好的地点拍好莱坞的招牌！



呵呵。我的技术不错吧。


晚 餐也就在好莱坞那一带用。过后，我们就前往迪斯尼乐园。不过没有进去里面啦，只是在他外面的购物商店 Shopping。也没什么机会拍照。 因为人很多，而我们也忙着看烟花！那里每一晚都会放烟花的！不过不是看得很多，就是等。因为，这些烟花是给那些近乐园里面玩和看表演的人放的。



如果给钱去里面玩，会看得更清楚。


下一次再来看个清清楚楚吧！好了！这就是我的星期六！下一次在聊！拜拜！！！！