Short Trip To Singapore 31 March 2017

My daughter and her husband had purchased tickets to the Coldplay World Tour concert to be held in Singapore. My wife and I were asked to go along to help take care of our grandson during the concert night. The Coldplay concert was on Friday night.

That Friday, my wife and I took the morning 11:55AM flight to Singapore from KLIA2. We landed at Changi Airport by 12:45PM. 

Breakfast at KLIA2

To Singapore

This was my wife’s first trip ever to Singapore. I wanted to show her where I stayed and worked when I was there from year 2001 to the end of year 2003. When we got into the taxi, I noticed that the driver was an old man. I asked him nicely whether he could drive us through Tampines Street 21 and Tampines Central. He explained to me that the fare would be more than usual. I replied I understood and agreed.

From the airport, he drove us through Changi and headed towards Tampines. We passed Street 21 and I showed my wife the block where I stayed when started my work there in May 2001. Then, we passed through Tampines Central where the Citibank Regional Data Center was located previously. Afterwards, we passed through Block 940 where I stayed with 2 other friends until my contract ended in December 2003. With the short tour completed, we headed to J8 Hotel, Townshend Road.

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 We arrived at the hotel lobby by about 3.00PM. I informed my daughter that we had arrived. Our rooms were just next to each other. We found out that our grandson had a fever. We decided to take him to a clinic near the area. While they were at the clinic, I quickly walked to a nearby mall to look for an ATM and to buy some food. When, I got back to clinic, the doctor had just checked my grandson. We quickly walked back to the hotel because it was about to rain.

6.00 PM, daughter and husband went to the concert venue. Our little grandson, Zafeer, was in our room. He already had taken his medicines and quite calm in our care. Zafeer played for a while and fell asleep. He woke up after an hour or so. Since he was still on breast milk, he missed his mother. Fortunately, he accepted to drink the milk formula and resumed to be calm. 

Entertaining little Zafeer Ayden

Nina and husband returned to the hotel after the concert by midnight. Zafeer was glad to see his mother again. They returned to their room. Finally, my wife and I could have our good rest.

Breakfast at the hotel cafe

 Saturday morning, we had our breakfast at the hotel café. My wife and I were to return to KL that afternoon. The kids would only return on that Sunday. We checked out from the hotel by 12.00 noon. The hotel staff helped to call for a taxi. When we got in, I asked the driver whether he could drive us past the Marina Bay Sands. He agreed and we caught a glimpse of the building. Despite the low traffic, we could not stop to take a picture because it began to rain. So, off we went to Changi Airport.

Marina Bay Sands, just before the heavy rain

Lunch at Burger King

We arrived at the airport before 2.00 PM. After checking in for our flight, we had lunch at Burger King. Then, we shopped for some small souvenirs. After we made the purchase, we went to the waiting lounge. So, that was our short trip to Singapore. Hope to go again for a longer visit.

Flight home

Hey! My daughter had bought me a Coldplay Concert t-shirt.

To Jakarta and Java Jazz Festival 2017

I am a jazz fan since the 1980s. I was introduced to this genre of music by Ahmad Zaki, a friend and co-worker of the old Kwong Yik Bank era. In spite of being a fan, I have never been to a Jazz Music Festival ever. A few months ago, a friend, Zoul, asked whether I would like to join him to the Java Jazz Festival. It was to be held in Jakarta from 3 to 5 March 2017. I quickly responded with a “YES”.

Zoul made the flight and hotel arrangements. The travel arrangements was to coincide with a few business meetings he had planned. After confirming the amount that I had to pay, he informed that his entourage would involve his business partner and 3 of his female artists (Zoul is involved with the movie industry). Well, that should be alright. Then, there was surprise request, Zoul asked me to be the team photographer. That meant, I was to follow his team to all meetings and take photos. Hmm, I thought, this was an opportunity for me to experience a real models photoshoot.

When the departure date arrived, I was a little bit nervous. I have never meet up close real artists or models on a working trip before. Zoul introduced me to his partner, Zaman and the three girls – Ayu, Keena and Fia. I relaxed when they greeted me with genuine warm and friendly attitude.

We arrived Jakarta on schedule and waited for the arranged transport to arrive. While waiting, we had drinks at a kopitiam at the passenger pick-up corridor. Afterwards, we followed our guide to the assigned van. Our assigned van pilot was Fauzi.  We headed towards the city. Since it was Friday evening, traffic was its peak. Zoul suggested the we go for dinner first. Fauzi took us to a Sundanese restaurant. When we arrived there, the restaurant looked familiar. I realized that I had dinner there during my previous trip to Jakarta a few years ago. After dinner, we headed to the hotel.

At a Sundanese restuarant for dinner.

 Upon arrival at the hotel, the first business meeting was to start at the hotel’s restaurant. The photograph session was also done there. By midnight, we finally checked into our rooms. Zoul and Zaman asked me to join them for a late night outing but I declined. I really needed to rest.

Day 2, Saturday 8.00 AM. Breakfast at the hotel café. We were joined by 3 people from another Indonesian film production house. By 9.45 AM, we had a group photography session. Then, we adjourned to a local coffee establishment (ala starbucks or CBTL) where the business meeting continued. We left the café and headed for lunch at a Manado restaurant. It serves North Sulawesi specialties such as Ikan Bakar Manado and Sop Ikan Manado. The Ikan Bakar (Grilled Fish) was the grouper. Yummy! 

Grilled grouper

 The meeting ended after lunch by 2.00 PM. We left the restaurant to a private hospital to visit the famous Indonesian artist who is undergoing treatment for cancer. Yes, I got to visit Yuli Rachmawati (also known as Julia Perez). With Pak Doni’s permission, our entourage got the chance to visit her. We arrived at the hospital by 3.00 PM. Yuli was delighted to our visit. We took lots of pictures with her. The girls chatted with her for quite a while. By 4.00 PM, we bid our farewell to Yuli and her relatives who were with her. 

WIth Yuli Rachmawati.

On the way back to the hotel, we made a stop at Thamrin Plaza to shop. I needed to withdraw some more Indonesian Rupiah and Fauzi said that a Maybank ATM can be found there. After I withdrew some cash, I walked around to look for the woman’s prayer garb for my wife. I could not find any that could be to my wife’s liking. By 5.30 PM, I headed back to the van. When all the others arrived at the van, we headed back to the hotel. We were to bathe and have a short rest. By 6.30PM, we were to go to another meeting at Pondok Indah Mall. Being a Saturday evening, the traffic around Jakarta was packed but moving slowly.

We arrived at Pondok Indah Mall by 8.00 PM. The meeting was to be held at the Starbucks Coffee outlet. The Mall was busy with shoppers and visitors. So was the Starbuck outlet. Fortunately, we were able to get two small tables to sit together. Here, the meeting with an Indonesian music composer finished by 10.00 PM. On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at a Nasi Padang restaurant for dinner. As usual, a big spread of dishes were laid out on the table which enticed our taste buds. 

Nasi Padang dinner

After the dinner, we went back to the hotel for a good rest.

Day 3 – Zoul and Zaman went out for an early meeting. After breakfast, I just lazed about in my room. However, 11.00 AM, I received a message from Zoul asking me and the 3 girls to get ready for a lunch meeting. Fauzi was already waiting for us when we got down. We headed to a restaurant called Pocut Dara Family Restaurant. Another round of business discussion took place. We also enjoyed a good spread of Achenese lunch. The meeting ended with a photo session. We arrived back at the hotel by 3.30 PM to rest. Finally, we were to go to the Java Jazz Festival that evening.

Front of Pocut Dara Family Restoran

Achenese dishes for lunch

6.30PM we headed to the Java Jazz Festival venue. After Zaman purchased the tickets, we entered the Convention Center where the 14 stages were. The performances were staged in the halls and open areas. There was also a food court with arrays of various food for the patrons to grab a bite. I went over to the merchandise counter to look at the items available on sale. After some choosing, I bought 3 t-shirts and a cap. Then, I walked to the along the open arena and the hall nearby. In one of the halls, Mezzoforte was performing. The hall was full with the audience and I only managed to stand just past the entrance door. After Mezzoforte’s performance, I joined the rest of my group at an open stage. The next performance was by Stanley Jordan accompanied by a bass guitarist and a drummer. We got to view the splendid live performance of Stanley’s prowess in playing the guitar. Next, was the band from Los Angeles, DW3.

 

Stanley Jordan

DW3

 By this time, we were getting hungry and we walked to the food court. We purchased some food items to be shared amongst the 6 of us. We reached the hotel by 1.00 AM.

Day 4 – After breakfast, we headed to the airport. At the airport I bought some small souvenirs for my friends back home. I messaged my wife that I would board the plane soon and will inform her when I arrive at KLIA2.

WIth Zoul Don

I bid farewell to Jakarta and wished I would come to visit again.

Old Edwardians Kuala Lumpur Reunion Dinner 25 Feb 2017

OEAKL reunion dinner which was postponed from December 2016, was held on the 25 Feb 2017. The venue was a fabulous Malaysian restaurant situated near the KL's Perdana Botanical Gardens. It is the Restoran Rebung, owned by the famous Chef Ismail.

I arrived at the venue early since I was appointed as the Head for the table. That means, I had to book a table and had to get my friends to attend. I managed to get 12 school mates but 2 had withdrawn. Anyway, there were 11 of us who actually came.

The old boys of MCE 1978 who came were (other than myself) - Azman Hussein, Azman Azuar, Raja Ahmad Ikram, Abdul Wahid, Teoh Teck Boo, Guna, Raymond Paul, Hamid Osman, Ramli and Yeop Kamal.

Azman Hussein came all the way from Bandar Baru, Kedah, while the rest of us were from around KL/Selangor.

There were a total of 15 tables however 3 were quite empty. The organizers informed that all tables were already paid for, however, several people could not attend.

We spent the night catching up of old times, especially with those of us whom we had not met for quite sometime.

There was karaoke for entertainment with a local singer appointed by the Committee. The food was splendid and the atmosphere was joyful. We had to adjourned by 10.00 PM since it was the restaurant's closing time.

We bid farewell to our friends and hope to meet again.

Received Letter For Hajj Pilgrimage 2017

I received the letter from Tabung Haji to confirm the acceptance of my Hajj pilgrimage this year. I will be going for the Hajj with my wife. She had received her letter much earlier, in November 2016.

We had proceeded with the medical checks by health personnel at Tabung Haji Maju Junction office on 15 Feb 2017. All went well. We were given the vaccination against the strange mercer fever.

My wife and I had begun attending the Kursus Haji classes since December 2016. The classes will end soon where the instructor briefed us of the whole Hajj Pilgrimage journey, rituals and "do's and don'ts". There will be one practical session which will be announced later.

I still have some anxiety about this spiritual journey that I will embark. Every Muslim will have to go through at least once in his life time.

I pray to Allah, to grant to my wife and I the strength, the steadfastness and capability to endure this spiritual journey. I pray that the Hajj journey will be smooth for the both of us and will receive Allah's forgiveness.