Pre-CNY Recap

Boarding the plane so exciting... Basically we were late for boarding and the security personnels hushed us into the departure lounge... Was surprised that the lounge was empty, as all other passengers had boarded the plane... We did not walk the aerobridge to the plane, but instead had to wait for a mini-bus like vehicle to transport us to the plane, which was quite far away... Sad to say, all copies of newspaper had been distributed when I settled into my seat...

Took the 2 pictures below before I was reprimanded by the air stewardess for using electronic device when announcements were made to turn off all electronic devices....

View from my window seat

My personal source of in-flight entertainment

Arrived in Brunei on time... My sister picked me up from the airport, tour the capital Bandar Seri Begawan for the afternoon before we headed back home in Kuala Belait, which is almost 100 km away...

Roads in the capital, behind Hua Ho

The journey to Kuala belait

During the car journey, somewhere near Anduki area, I happen to catch a beautiful sunset along the highway to Kuala Belait.

Setting sun, gone in just under 10 mins

The next day was CNY eve... Managed to complete spring cleaning, and cleaned up the living room... Right after reunion dinner, the usually serene night became very happening... My neighbors at the front, back, left and right, were all simultaneously playing with firecrackers and fireworks, entertaining us with a free show and lighting up the dark night with all sorts of colors... It was deafening! We had to almost yell to each other in the house to communicate... This activity continues until way after midnight, peaking at exact 12 am... Subsequently, I also joined them in this fireworks madness....

My living room, ready for CNY

Fireworks display in the night

Some fireworks and firecrackers that I played with

Had not played fireworks for some time, it became quite unnerving to light them up... All domestic pets, cats and dogs will automatically be hiding during this time... The fireworks which is shaped like a plane actually flew into the sky much to my astonishment and delight... It almost flew right into the electricity cables beside the road, threatening a new year without lights... Thank goodness nothing out of the ordinary happened....

Will update my posts again soon...

Back In the Lion City

Safely arrived at Changi Airport after a very bumpy ride throughout the journey. Flew with SilkAir, operating on behalf of Singapore Airlines. Singapore Airlines (Boeing 777) currently only operate flights to and from Brunei on Wednesday and Friday, whereas SilkAir operates flights on Saturday to Monday. All other flights and timings are operated by Royal Brunei Airlines.

The plane was quite full, probably many students are returning to Singapore to resume studies or many other travellers are transiting Singapore to fly to Canada, United States, New Zealand etc - popular destinations for many local people from Brunei.




Departure from Brunei Airport was slightly delayed. After all passengers boarded the aircraft, it taxi-ed to a spot where I saw cars pulled up beside the aircraft, followed by presence of local policemen. Guess that some one with "pangkat", or high titles/ranks is also boarding the plane.

Interestingly, the plane is an Airbus A340, with single aisle along the center of the aircraft's body, restricting movement especially when meal is served. Moreover, there aren't any other sorts of in-flight entertainment like the Boeing 777 plane. I entertained myself by taking some photos after my meal.



Aircraft prior to descent to Changi Airport...




The sky at 39,000 feet (over South China Sea)...












Scenic view of Johor State during descent


Time to go do some revision now.... Been slacking and busy playing and visiting for the past 1 week or so, hardly touch my notes at all... Will upload some pictures from Brunei some other time...

HAPPY CHINESE YEAR!!!

Chinese New Year is finally here!!! It is the year of the pig...

Had quite a great reunion dinner meal... The few hours before Chinese New Year was deafening... Fireworks and firecrackers announce their exploding presence all aound me, ushering in the new year. Was glad to enjoy such spectacular fireworks display show... Played with some firecrackers and fireworks myself after midnight, competing in the brightly-lit night sky... Naturally I lost... My neighbors are all richer and can afford to spend hundreds on fireworks and crackers that seems to burn forever...

It was then I realized I had forgotten to bring my USB-camera interfacing cable back... I left it in my drawer...
I guess I will post again after I return to Singapore on February 25, next Sunday...

Till then... Have a Happy Chinese New Year

Flying To Brunei Tomorrow..........

It is that time of the year again - Chinese New Year... I'll be making my annual pilgrimage to Brunei tomorrow...

Feels so excited to be flying again, this time with Singapore Airlines (second time only) from Changi Airport. So far, I have only flown Royal Brunei Airlines, AirAsia and TigerAirways. However, the departure time is 09 05, how I hate the timing!!... Have to leave campus at 06 00 to take first 199 service, and hop on the horribly long train ride from Boon Lay to Changi Airport... What a long journey!!!

The plane I will be riding is a Boeing 777-200... Kinda surprise they are using such a big plane to fly to Brunei, a mere 1 hour and 50 minutes away... Nevertheless, at least I can look forward to riding the skies with this magnificient bird, with the presence of some in-flight entertainment, and that crucial extra inch of leg-space so precious to the economical passenger....

Anyway, almost finished packing... With some minor things to be packed prior to leaving tomorrow morning... I have no idea how I managed to stuff my luggage, so compact.... Glad that I will be flying from Changi Airport... Used to haul my luggage all the way across the causeway to Malaysia to board AirAsia at Johor Airport, fighting the crowds, clearing immigration, and bargaining with the taxi-driver and keeping a lookout on time... The mere thought dampens my mood for travel...

Wow... Almost midnight... Gotta pack my laptop and some lecture notes in my hand-carry luggage... I always bring my laptop whenever I go overseas... Time to sleep soon... Zzzz...

First Posting

Wow.... Finally my own blog at last...
Having read a fair share of blog for quite some time, guess is time to dictate my own blog. It has been really a long long time since I have written anything... Time to brush up my writing skills now.

Been busy picking up Chinese New Year items over the weekend.
Renovation works were finally completed at IMM, giving the mall a fresh new appearance. The last time I came here was when I was still working in ST Engineering during the holidays and when renovation was in progress, to take the free shuttle bus to Boon Lay. However, I had a hard time locating the shop I was looking for - Xiang Wei. This place reminds me of Marina Square, with its own unique design of confusing mazes. Finally found the shop tucked away in a corner.

Went to pick up some VCDs at Poh Kim later. The banners at Poh Kim looks welcoming - 50% discount for TVB dramas and $5 off for subsequent boxes purchased. Just what I needed the most. Pick up 4 boxes, and everything comes under $80, haha.

Subsequently went to Orchard to purchase Lavender cookies and then proceed to Toa Payoh with my cousin to do some shopping. It was a sea of people in Toa Payoh Central. Managed to purchase everything and finally went home, dead tired.