It was funny! Went to see my doctor in Singapore, and he recommended us a place to eat. Guess it had something to do with the fact that my husband was American. Botak Jones was apparently an American who made it "big" in the Singapore "food scene". "Botak" in the Malay Language meant "bald". Guess he might have added that to his name for comic effect, and also to "localise" himself to the public! Or perhaps, he was bald? He sold American hamburgers and stuff like that. He had a number of restaurants, and stalls in coffee shops around Singapore, and was quite popular and famous. I did not get to eat at any of his places this trip, but heard from friends who did, after we left. They were full of praises.
Well, can't give it a miss next year!
Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Sentosa Fun
Lived in Singapore for over 30 years. Had been to Sentosa less than 10 times.
Moved to the States about 5 years ago. Had been visiting Singapore during the summers. This summer, we made a trip to Sentosa on Singapore's National Day. It turned out to be a very fun day! We went with a couple of other families, complete with kids, parents, and grandparents. There were several ways one could get to Sentosa. Our family, together with a couple, chose to take the monorail from Vivo City to Sentosa. My son was very excited about riding the colorful train across to Sentosa! We saw them from Vivo City, and they looked like colorful caterpillars!
Met up with the other families at the beach. They had already been frolicking in the waters for about an hour. We joined them, and the kids had the most fun, building sand castles, running away from waves, and having surf rides on the adults' backs! After the beach, the kids spent further water time at the fountain and pool. After that, it was shower time, then lunch at the air-conditioned food center right by the pool and fountain.
After lunch, some of us lined up to ride the luge. I thought my timid 3-year-old would not dare to ride it, but he was very keen to ride it with his dad. Luge riders had to take "ski-lifts" to the top, and then come down the slope riding the luge (kind of a special go-cart). I was told the scenery was beautiful up from the "ski-lifts".
There were many other attractions on the island. We chose the giant Merlion. The view was beautiful at the top of the Merlion. We saw a few helicopters bearing the Singapore flags flying by. The kids were thrilled!
So many improvements had been made to this island attraction. It's a worth a visit - the island of Sentosa!
Moved to the States about 5 years ago. Had been visiting Singapore during the summers. This summer, we made a trip to Sentosa on Singapore's National Day. It turned out to be a very fun day! We went with a couple of other families, complete with kids, parents, and grandparents. There were several ways one could get to Sentosa. Our family, together with a couple, chose to take the monorail from Vivo City to Sentosa. My son was very excited about riding the colorful train across to Sentosa! We saw them from Vivo City, and they looked like colorful caterpillars!
Met up with the other families at the beach. They had already been frolicking in the waters for about an hour. We joined them, and the kids had the most fun, building sand castles, running away from waves, and having surf rides on the adults' backs! After the beach, the kids spent further water time at the fountain and pool. After that, it was shower time, then lunch at the air-conditioned food center right by the pool and fountain.
After lunch, some of us lined up to ride the luge. I thought my timid 3-year-old would not dare to ride it, but he was very keen to ride it with his dad. Luge riders had to take "ski-lifts" to the top, and then come down the slope riding the luge (kind of a special go-cart). I was told the scenery was beautiful up from the "ski-lifts".
There were many other attractions on the island. We chose the giant Merlion. The view was beautiful at the top of the Merlion. We saw a few helicopters bearing the Singapore flags flying by. The kids were thrilled!
So many improvements had been made to this island attraction. It's a worth a visit - the island of Sentosa!
Monday, August 27, 2007
Vivo City
Bao-er was thrilled to be home in Singapore for the entire summer vacation. She got to savour her mom's special "hakka yong dao fu", fried shrimp, curry crab...
There was a lot of talk about this new mall called the Vivo City, during Bao-er's stay in Singapore. She was curious, and finally satisfied her curiosity, by making a trip there. It was easily accessible by the MRT (train system in Singapore). It was a huge mall, with numerous well known shops, and several eating places (from fast food to special ethnic cuisine restaurants), and entertainment spots for kids and tourists. From Vivo City, Bao-er noticed with delight, that she could take a monorail from there, direct to the popular place of interest, also another island, called Sentosa! From Vivo City, Bao-er could also see the cable cars (another means of transport into Sentosa), the monorail, and just a good view of Sentosa.
Bao-er would surely like to make another trip to Vivo City next Summer!
There was a lot of talk about this new mall called the Vivo City, during Bao-er's stay in Singapore. She was curious, and finally satisfied her curiosity, by making a trip there. It was easily accessible by the MRT (train system in Singapore). It was a huge mall, with numerous well known shops, and several eating places (from fast food to special ethnic cuisine restaurants), and entertainment spots for kids and tourists. From Vivo City, Bao-er noticed with delight, that she could take a monorail from there, direct to the popular place of interest, also another island, called Sentosa! From Vivo City, Bao-er could also see the cable cars (another means of transport into Sentosa), the monorail, and just a good view of Sentosa.
Bao-er would surely like to make another trip to Vivo City next Summer!
Monday, March 26, 2007
Walking Down Memory Lane in NUS
Bao-er got down from the bus. She could not believe all the changes she was seeing. This used to be the only university in Singapore when she went to school here. Everyone who got into the National University of Singapore was very, very, proud to be part of the student body.
She smiled as she climbed some familiar steps, leading to the Arts and Social Sciences building. She used to do this all the time! There were steps everywhere. There were elevators in some buildings, but being young and always rushing for time, the students preferred the steps.
Bao-er could see herself, young and green again, climbing those steps, folder in her arms, and backpack over her shoulders. She was rushing to LT12 for an English Language lecture, probably the one that put her to sleep (or transport her to dreamland) most days. She day-dreamed a lot back then. However, if it was an English Language lecture, her eyes were probably glued to the back of the guy she had a crush on. Bao-er laughed at her foolish young self!
Then she passed by the Japanese Studies Department's "Tea-room". It might not be the "Tea-room" any more! She saw herself and her friends in the room. They were having a lesson on traditional Japanese tea ceremony. They were squirming because they were not used to sitting with their legs tucked under their bottoms, for long periods of time. They were also giggling because they found all the seriousness, and elegance behavior, expected of them quite overwhelming, and a little funny! They were also trying not to laugh out loud because the "sensei" was always calling one of their friends "monkey", complaining about their inelegant behavior, and constantly sticking her hand into her kimono to adjust her bra-strap! Bao-er nearly laughed out loud, just thinking about that. How she missed those days! She could almost taste the Japanese sweets that went together with the tea. She remembered devouring lots of those, together with her friends, in the back room, away from the sensei's prying eyes!
She left the Japanese Department reluctantly. She walked to the Cafeteria next. She used to gobble down food, in between lectures, and tutorials there. Of course, the stalls were all different, except for one or two. The whole cafeteria was renovated. Parts of it still remained the same. She saw herself getting some hokkien mee (noodles). She fondly recalled the girl who tended that stall. She used to tease the male students who bought from her stall. She would ask, "Hokkien mee, you want me?" She would giggle when the boys looked embarrassed!
School was out for the summer. The campus was quiet. Bao-er saw a few students here and there. Some of them might be foreign students staying at the campus dormitories. Bao-er looked at them, and was filled with sudden envy. How young and happy they looked!
She smiled as she climbed some familiar steps, leading to the Arts and Social Sciences building. She used to do this all the time! There were steps everywhere. There were elevators in some buildings, but being young and always rushing for time, the students preferred the steps.
Bao-er could see herself, young and green again, climbing those steps, folder in her arms, and backpack over her shoulders. She was rushing to LT12 for an English Language lecture, probably the one that put her to sleep (or transport her to dreamland) most days. She day-dreamed a lot back then. However, if it was an English Language lecture, her eyes were probably glued to the back of the guy she had a crush on. Bao-er laughed at her foolish young self!
Then she passed by the Japanese Studies Department's "Tea-room". It might not be the "Tea-room" any more! She saw herself and her friends in the room. They were having a lesson on traditional Japanese tea ceremony. They were squirming because they were not used to sitting with their legs tucked under their bottoms, for long periods of time. They were also giggling because they found all the seriousness, and elegance behavior, expected of them quite overwhelming, and a little funny! They were also trying not to laugh out loud because the "sensei" was always calling one of their friends "monkey", complaining about their inelegant behavior, and constantly sticking her hand into her kimono to adjust her bra-strap! Bao-er nearly laughed out loud, just thinking about that. How she missed those days! She could almost taste the Japanese sweets that went together with the tea. She remembered devouring lots of those, together with her friends, in the back room, away from the sensei's prying eyes!
She left the Japanese Department reluctantly. She walked to the Cafeteria next. She used to gobble down food, in between lectures, and tutorials there. Of course, the stalls were all different, except for one or two. The whole cafeteria was renovated. Parts of it still remained the same. She saw herself getting some hokkien mee (noodles). She fondly recalled the girl who tended that stall. She used to tease the male students who bought from her stall. She would ask, "Hokkien mee, you want me?" She would giggle when the boys looked embarrassed!
School was out for the summer. The campus was quiet. Bao-er saw a few students here and there. Some of them might be foreign students staying at the campus dormitories. Bao-er looked at them, and was filled with sudden envy. How young and happy they looked!
Friday, March 16, 2007
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Toa Payoh Hub
"Wow! So this is the hub people have been talking about?" Bao-er marvelled. Shooby, Bao-er, and Bao-yi were in the Toa Payoh MRT station. It was no plain old MRT station though. One could spend a whole day there!
There were stores, and more stores, in and outside the station. There were lots of stores selling clothing. However, if you were shopping for medicinal herbs, or shampoo, you would be able to find them at the hub too! Cheap stuff, not so cheap stuff - you name it, some store would sell it! Macdonalds, KFC, Japanese buffet, hawker-center food, beckoned Shooby, Bao-er, and Bao-yi, when their hunger pangs cried out.
The three girls were amazed at how much they could stretch their dollar shopping at the hub. They bought clothes, bags, belts, and so much more! Bao-er decided to list the hub as one of her regular shopping destinations.
There were stores, and more stores, in and outside the station. There were lots of stores selling clothing. However, if you were shopping for medicinal herbs, or shampoo, you would be able to find them at the hub too! Cheap stuff, not so cheap stuff - you name it, some store would sell it! Macdonalds, KFC, Japanese buffet, hawker-center food, beckoned Shooby, Bao-er, and Bao-yi, when their hunger pangs cried out.
The three girls were amazed at how much they could stretch their dollar shopping at the hub. They bought clothes, bags, belts, and so much more! Bao-er decided to list the hub as one of her regular shopping destinations.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Water Park Paradise
"Only about $2.00 to get in?" Bao-er asked, with her eyes opened wide with disbelief.
Shooby was telling Bao-er about how much it cost to get into a water-park in Jurong East.
It was a bright and sunny day, Bao-er, Bao-yi, and Shooby got down from the train at the Chinese Garden Station. They were excited as they walked to the water-park at Jurong East. It was tucked in the middle of a few blocks of high-rise apartment buildings. There was a water playground for kids, and supervising adults, complete with slides. There was a "river" where you could float down on inner tubes. The three girls played at the water playground, relaxed in the jacuzzi, and also swam in the pool with "man-made" waves. Shooby was the only one brave enough to slide down the long, and winding water slides.
It was a day of water fun for the three girls!
Shooby was telling Bao-er about how much it cost to get into a water-park in Jurong East.
It was a bright and sunny day, Bao-er, Bao-yi, and Shooby got down from the train at the Chinese Garden Station. They were excited as they walked to the water-park at Jurong East. It was tucked in the middle of a few blocks of high-rise apartment buildings. There was a water playground for kids, and supervising adults, complete with slides. There was a "river" where you could float down on inner tubes. The three girls played at the water playground, relaxed in the jacuzzi, and also swam in the pool with "man-made" waves. Shooby was the only one brave enough to slide down the long, and winding water slides.
It was a day of water fun for the three girls!
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Hard Rock Cafe (Singapore)
Shooby, Bao-er, and Bao-yi, were strolling along Orchard Road. They had just finished shopping at a couple of book stores. They went to Kinokuniya, and Borders. They were within walking distance of each other. Shooby, of course, had bagged quite a few books. Bao-er bought a couple of Japanese magazines from Kinokuniya! Now that Shooby had satisfied her book "lust", they had to find a place to satisfy their hunger!
Within walking distance too, was Hard Rock Cafe. The three girls entered the restaurant, and were greeted by friendly waiters and waitresses. Like all the Hard Rock Cafes around the world, there was a souvenir corner in the restaurant. Shooby, Bao-er, and Bao-yi were not intending to buy anything, but still found it fun to browse around a little.
Then, they were showed to their table, and served drinks. The lunch menu was good. All the three girls chose items from the lunch menu. They got to have soup, and a dessert, with their main dish! No band was playing at the time, but the instruments on the stage, and the used instruments from famous rock stars adorning the restaurant, gave a "rock" atmosphere to the whole place!
It was a delicious lunch, at an interesting place!
Within walking distance too, was Hard Rock Cafe. The three girls entered the restaurant, and were greeted by friendly waiters and waitresses. Like all the Hard Rock Cafes around the world, there was a souvenir corner in the restaurant. Shooby, Bao-er, and Bao-yi were not intending to buy anything, but still found it fun to browse around a little.
Then, they were showed to their table, and served drinks. The lunch menu was good. All the three girls chose items from the lunch menu. They got to have soup, and a dessert, with their main dish! No band was playing at the time, but the instruments on the stage, and the used instruments from famous rock stars adorning the restaurant, gave a "rock" atmosphere to the whole place!
It was a delicious lunch, at an interesting place!
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
African Heartbeat
Shooby, Bao-er, and Bao-er's sister, Bao-yi, arrived at a restaurant tucked away in a little corner of Jurong East Industrial Park. It was called the "African Heartbeat". Ever since Shooby had got a used BMW, the trio had a lot of fun checking out places which were "unreachable" by public buses, or the MRT (train system).
The place was as exotically decorated as the name of the restaurant. The menu included crocodile, and ostrich meat. The girls bravely tried some of the "strange" dishes. The food was tasty, and the presentation pleasing to the eye. The girls had a great time!
(Is the restaurant still there?)
The place was as exotically decorated as the name of the restaurant. The menu included crocodile, and ostrich meat. The girls bravely tried some of the "strange" dishes. The food was tasty, and the presentation pleasing to the eye. The girls had a great time!
(Is the restaurant still there?)
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Daiso
I took the train, and stopped at Jurong East MRT Station. Took the escalator down, and walked through the Popular Bookstore. Of course, I could not help browsing the store too! After I got through the book store to its exit, I crossed the road to the other side, and waited at the bus stop. Instead of a bus number, I looked for a bus that said "IMM". Took me less than 5 minutes to reach the IMM building - a shopping mall that housed a store that I liked - Daiso!
Had loved Japanese culture since I was in Secondary School. Daiso was a Japanese store. Most of its merchandise cost $2. The store was like a departmental store, selling stuff from food, kitchen utensils, to clothings, and hair products. I could spend hours, upon hours, just walking through the store. It brought back memories of my days spent in NUS, at the Japanese Studies Department.
Had loved Japanese culture since I was in Secondary School. Daiso was a Japanese store. Most of its merchandise cost $2. The store was like a departmental store, selling stuff from food, kitchen utensils, to clothings, and hair products. I could spend hours, upon hours, just walking through the store. It brought back memories of my days spent in NUS, at the Japanese Studies Department.
Monday, January 15, 2007
The Durian Building
If you've never tasted durians, you should! However, remember! It's an acquired taste. How could you deny yourself the luxury of savouring the King of fruits - at least, he's King this part of the world?
There's even a building on the beautiful island of Singapore, dedicated to his wonderful, majestic, but slightly prickly exterior. Been to the Esplanade? You should go! Within its prickly exterior is an art lover's paradise. What? Not an art lover? You should still go! You'll find something you like about the place! Take a boat ride upon the Singapore River, and view the Esplanade from a different angle!
There's even a building on the beautiful island of Singapore, dedicated to his wonderful, majestic, but slightly prickly exterior. Been to the Esplanade? You should go! Within its prickly exterior is an art lover's paradise. What? Not an art lover? You should still go! You'll find something you like about the place! Take a boat ride upon the Singapore River, and view the Esplanade from a different angle!
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