The Venetian

Yan n I left Venetian at about 9.30am for 珠海 and took us an hour to cross over after cheating our way thru the senior citizens and disabled lane at the Macau customs.

I went back to buy one more set of violin strings and shoulder rest, another 2 pairs of shoes n 2 jackets. I couldn't find any nice shoes for dearie. :( he likes white shoes. The stuff were not cut throat cheap but were at comfortable prices that prob won't be available in Singapore unless at at least 50% sale.

It was a mad rush back to The Venetian as we wanted to have half a day at The Venetian itself.

Back at Venetian, we met the aunties for lunch at a food court then we explored the shoppng area. The architecture was truly stunning and the way they incorporated the 'river canals' into this mamothmous thing was just amazing. Shopping here was undoubtedly expensive. I bought some biotherm items at the dfs only.

Lost SGD100 at my first visit to the casino before I headed back to the room to pack, plan and worry about my luggage weight.

I went to sleep worrying bout not having bought anything for dearie tho.



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HK Day

It was hong kong day and we were going to take the Cotai Jet over. At the ferry terminal, irene was stunned to see customs counters after passing the boarding area. She had adviced the aumties that no passports were required to cross over. They had to go back to get theirs. Thankfully my family always had our passports in us, so we crossed over first.

The hongkong ferry terminal was at 上环 n we were starving. Maxim's dim sum was our target but couldn't find it anywhere. Wat was availble was only Maxim's fast food. Dad was freaking hungry and didn't agree that we continued searching. Yan enquired at maxim's fast food and luckily there was a branch just nearby.

On the 3rd floor if vicwood plaza was this 潮源 restaurant which is a subsidiary under Maxims. It served mainly teochew cusine and there was no dim sum push carts around sadly. There were a few unique teochew dim sum items tho and they tasted really good. Coupled with some other dim sum items and porridge (soupy teochew style too, I love), the lunch was satisfying but not cheap (HKD517 for 5 pax).

Next was taking the MTR to Wong Tai Sin temple. At the station, old aunties hawked and hard-sold the offering items like joss-sticks. Luckily mum didn't budge as these were actually not allowed to be brought into the temple.

We prayed, looked around and took some must-have photos and headed in search of cheap shopping.

We reached 深水颇 to go 长沙湾道 where there are ladies' fashion at wholesale prices. The guys split from the girls as usual n we chanced upon this are that was like Singapore's Sungei Road flea market. It was actually the 匣聊街 where electronic goods, new n second hand ones were traded. I didn't harbour hopes of getting anything here but it was interesting to experience the local bustle. Dad was thrilled to see the hardware stores and Andrew looked at car accessories. I managed to buy two iPhone covers for only SGD7 each. Both are of decent quality.

I found the MR magazine too, after seeing its advertising billboards at the MTR stations, featuring the SDB Thai actor/model Mario Maurer.

A failed mission to find the adidas outlet at Lai Chi Kok station, we then headed to Mongkok, where the ladies street n sports goods street are.

The famous desserts shop 许留山was right in front of us at exit e2 and we took a much needed break. Yan, mum n dad took to the Ladies Street while Andre and I hunted for sports stuff at Fa Yuen Street. I bought a pair of adidas originals for SGD 55 and Andre got a Nike basketball jacket for about HKD450. Then we met up with the rest cuz they called to complain ladies street was shite.

Then we took the MTR to Central Station n had to walk up a hill to the Peak Tram. There was quite a crowd queueing for the tram and each tram took like 5 min to arrive. Along the way up were the upmarket residences. At the top, we headed up to the err top n the view was indeed enchanting. We settled for a Burger King dinner and toured the peak area a bit more.

Then it was back to Macau.

It was a pretty disappointing day as there was almost zero shopping and Yan and I planned to returntn to 珠海 for more shopping.



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珠海 (Zhu Hai) shopping!

Today we left Casa Real Hotel taking a free shuttle service to the ferry terminal from which we took another free shuttle service to The Venetian.

We arrived at the west wing of The Venetian and were wowed by the grandness n elegance of the resort. Deposited our 17 pieces of luggage as it wasn't time for check in yet, n Irene led us to take a shuttle bus to the customs to cross over to 珠海. I couldn't find much info about this city online but Irene reccommended it for it's good n cheap food. After crossing the customs, we found ourselves at a big square at the basement which reminded me of the busy n chaotic train station at 航州 but it was much cleaner n orderly here.

Irene said there was a lot of shopping that could be done here. I was highly doubtful as I could only see a while network of small shops selling counterfeit goods like louis vuitton, gucci and tons of RMB 5 'Mont Blanc' pens.

Yan and mum were injected with a double shot of excitement seeing cheap leggings, pyjamas, erm, panties, n some clothings. Andrew, dad n I left them to gather their buys.

The only shops I can recognize here are KFC n Ajisen Ramen. Alas, I tot, we have almost 6 hours to burn. And so we wondered around and emerged on street level to take a look at their local wet market area.

After looking at the mall directory, I suggested that we look for the bookstore available there which I knew dad will love. Before that was discovered, I chanced upon a sports shop selling badminton n tennis rackets, etc. AND, violins! They were damn cheap and sounded pretty decent too. After lunch, I went back to get one for only SGD70. Happy was I and still am. After months of procrastination, I finally gotten my violin!

There were still about 4 hours before we met the rest for dinner. I noticed an area that was promoted as the new shopping experience at basement 2. Desperate for something interesting, we went down.

Now i got excited, for I saw this was a much much more upmarket n trendy zone. Just at the 2nd shop I saw, I bought a LED clock I have been wanting to buy in singapore and it was selling at at least SGD20 cheaper here! Then I also bought a nice shirt for SGD16. Damage done, as Andrew said. There were 2 bags that i took a liking for. Both are imitations la but I was bought over by their designs n quality. After much hoggling, I decided on a Porter bag, painfully leaving the agnis. b behind. My money was all gone by then. We went back up and finally found the bookstore n dad complained we if only we found it earlier. He bought a stack of books tho. And I bought 2 DVDs: Cape No. 7 and this apparently aj themed City Without Baseball.

After meeting the rest at 5pm, they decided to shop for another 3 hours before taking dinner. Yan was eager to go to basement 2. And I managed to convince my mum that the agnis. b bag is a good buy too. And I got it! :P two bags, 1 shirt n a clock.

We didn't get to taste the cheap seafood as promoted by Irene cuz it would require us to walk some distance so we just settled for a s restaurant there.

We finally checked into The Venetian and it was 4 to one room. It was a suite actually and man, it was gorgeously luxurious.

We retired for the day and planned briefly for our hong kong excursion.


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Macau

Macau has been nothing exciting other than it's weather here that's so thrilling.

After reaching our hotel Casa Real to dump the luggage in one of the rooms, Irene led us to the Ruins of St Paul church, along which she got a bit unsure n happily passed the task of identifying the right place to alight.

We reached Senoda Square n Irene chose a teahouse for our lunch. It was a simple yet rich affair of beef noodles, wanton mee, pork chop bun, etc, Cantonese style.

Along the way, it was frustrating to travel with these relatives who are so oblivious to everyone else n take their own sweet time strolling. On top of that, they expect the 'young ones' to reccee and plan n instruct them where to go, how to go, like young ppl are geniuses who know a new destination inside out.

If I had known these were going to be my travel mates, I'd never agree to the trip.

Fisherman's wharf after checking in. Exhilerating buy empty place that reminds me of fail sentosa attractions like Asian Village, Volcano Land and fantasy island. Dinner was a boring Sichuan one altho I tried to fight for jap food. The folks decided not to surprise me by sticking to their non-surprising choice.

After tat, Andrew, Yan n I decided to explore a bit more n dad decided to follow us while the rest went for a full body massage at a dubious looking 'mall'.

Went back to Senoda Square but didn't land any purchases. Hopefully Venetian and Zhuhai tomoro really surprise n impress me.


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Stupid Tiger

Ok. I'm on the stupid tiger airways right now in the mid air 35,000 over watever sea at 6.40am Singapore time. I'm travelling to Macau, hk n zhuhai with my parents, my elder sis n her Bf Andrew who last min decided he is coming along n giving his uncle's funeral a miss.

Yesterday, sensing that my luggage seem heavy, I checked online for the baggage allowance for this stupid airline. I was shocked to read comments here and there that Tiger has started charging for each check in luggage. $10 for 15kg luggage and so on. I smsed Yan to confirm our baggage allowance. She said allowed 15kg. So I tot ok, supposing she had checked the tickets.

At the check in counter, we were served by an apparent China born guy who conveniently spoke to us in mandarin. N tada! We were not allowed to check in our luggages as we didn't opt for the 'upsize'. For each luggage, we had to pay $25. Wth. So being the typical Teos, we started panicking. Irene, one of the 3 aunts of mine together in this trip decided that some of our luggage are small enough to be hand carried instead. So fine. The few of them checked in and it was our turn. I realized, shite, if I hand carry on my luggage it's gonna mean I have to discard n surrender all my perfume, facial wash, hair styling wax n all. So I decided to check it in anyway. So, Irene wanted to tombang my luggage for some of her expensive facial care products. But, the padlock dad kindly lent her got the number combination screwed up. So panick again. Fjnaly got it solved n then the China guy was serving others in the line already. Then Yan realized she had an orange label that seemed impt, butbif it were for claiming our checked in luggage , then why do we only have one? And, some of us didn't have a boarding pass but had green slips of paper.

After much confusing confrontation, Mr China guy re-issued our luggage labels n only upon questioning did he explain that those who had to pay for the check in luggage, will only get their boarding passes after paying at the service counter. Arghhh. How could he just assume we know this procedure!?

At the departure gate, we were 'greeted' by this rude Indian Tiger airways staff checking on our hand-carry luggage. Dad's was close to 8kg when the allowed was 7. So I asked if he and my mum could share the hand carry luggage load, miss indian lady sacarstically pointed to a sign there to say it is strictly not allowed. Wat a stupid policy. She explained that they are trying to keep load effectively. I told her the counter staff okayed my dad's hand carry luggage she said 'the country staff don't know anything' so who are we to listen to? I asked. 'Me. ' she said. Wth. So if it doesn't pass here, we need to go back out n check in our stuff? She reluctantly let us pass, saying 'next time listen to us' i said shaking my head, 'sorry no more next time. No more tiger airways for me. '

Then, dad realized he had hairgel, wax, screw driver, nail clippers, small scissors, etc in his luggage. I gave up trying to solve problems. Just go thru the customs n surrender watever they deemed neccessory I said. Then the announcement for last call came. I told all to hasten up. To make it worse, the customs officer just bloody had to rub it in:'huh Macau ah? Closing already!' he said pointing to the PA system.

At the luggage scan, dad's luggage got opened up and the security Mdm took her time going thru a zip lock bag of mini screwdrivers n co. I told them nvm, just take them if needed. They still dilly dallied. After carefully selecting the items, they needed dad to sign. Argh.

We then hurried towards gate 4 n one lucky thing was that the dumb feline now assigned seats.

And here we are, FINALY back on track. I didn't even have time to call the mindef notification centre to notify my trip. I tried a few times earlier on to notify multiple destinations but the system is shite. So on the plane before it moved, I called again n just declared I was going hongkong.

Things hopefully won't get any worse.


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Hiccups.

Opps. Sis' bf is not going on trip with us anymore. His uncle passed away and my sis is pissing away.

Had to move the car to mum's fren's condo (not too) nearby to park and walk back. Came back had to pacify my sis a bit then try to see if Andrew's flight can be changed. Oh man. The Teos really treat their BFs toooooo damn well. Watever. Now i'm back to being stuck with me sister for the trip. BLEAH.

Oh and i think due to all these chaos, i have decided, for the first time since 2004, to NOT bring my lappie with me. Cuz i just heard on the news that something like Europeans have declared they can't do without internet. So i figured its a good chance for me to erm. let go. Altho i'll still be having my handy Froth (iPhone la) with me!

Its now 1.33am. Cab's coming at 3.45am and we're supposed to reach at 4am to check in. Sleep? hrm. not going to get much of it i see. Fake 'cucumber' slices here i come!

BRB..

Oh well. the expected happened. after exams i just can't be bothered to blog.

Anywayz, i've been to the counsellor blah blah and decided not to take up their 'proposal' for change.

And then Yann introduced me to her fren who is into marketing and tada, i'll be doing some webpage designs soon.

Then...err..oh. got to stay over at /<< house for 2 consecutive nights. Mum sounded pretty worried tho.

Then.. i have been roughly planning our schedule for Macau/HK trip.. Bryan was nice to exchange some of his leftover HK$ and pass me some handy maps and guides for reference, all via Sandy of course.

Hmm.

So far.. i'm very touched by some of my dear frens who expressed concern over my 'counseling' session. Thank you all.. I'm fine and will be even better!

And its off to Macau/HK tmr at the wee hours of 3.45am (flight's at 6am).. and i hope there'll be minimal awkwardness amongst my family and me and hope we'll all enjoy the trip. Altho my sis offered to pay for my trip...i feel bad. Suddenly everyone seems to be like damn caring.. which kinda gets irritating. hee.

Whatever. I'll BRB...its a 5 day trip.. a trip so 'short' that he didn't say will miss me (cuz he didn't say he won't miss me either).

I should be bringing this metal toyie along.. so prob can blog a bit there if given internet access bah.

finale~!

I'm in the school library now preparing for my last paper for this disastrous semester. Investment was a big flop n Rachel n I are still praying for a miracle.

Feelings kinda mixed cuz after this, there's the BIG thing to settle with mum. And right after this it's meeting FA time for Experience Singapore n will need to work on the secret project for the next 2 days.

Brought my D80 with my proud new lens out. Later can take some shots bah. Can't wait!