Johor Bahru Day Trip - 27 Jul

attendees: ben tan, gerard man, marcus chia, ping qi, royston hon, kiat and myself
rendezvous point: JEM
time: 11am

rest of the group had breakfast at toast box while dear and myself met up with them around 1130. changed currency at the B1 money changer (rate - 2.48) and rushed to jurong east interchange wanting to catch bus 160 which was due to arrive in 8 minutes. the bus did not arrive till 15 minutes later, guess iris next bus app is only for reference. *bleah*

journey to the customs is approximately 35 minutes, but it took us slightly longer as the bus stopped more frequently than expected for passengers to board and alight. clearing singapore customs was a breeze but waiting time at malaysia customs was about 5 minutes. 

reached JB sentral a quarter past 1 and the boys complained of hunger. decided to have a light lunch at city square (website: http://www.citysqjb.com/) k-eight portuguese chicken before heading for our massage. the restaurant offers an unique blending of rich macau traditions and distinctive cuisine. bet you would agree with me that some of our lunch was not that light after all if i had taken pictures of the food.

split ourselves into 2 cabs and made our way to sabai sabai thai spa (cab fare - RM4.80). the front desk staff are friendly and helpful (speaks english and mandarin) and the masseurs from thailand are good, not the best but definitely decent and trained. we bought their vip package at RM500 with foc RM100, each of us paid RM72 instead of usual RM78. enjoyed our 90 minutes of relaxation and laughter, contributed by marcus' usual loud groans and complaints of pain.

Sabai Sabai Thai Spa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sabaisabaithaispa
Location: 72 & 73 & 74 Jalan Harimau Tarom, Taman Abad, 80250 Johore Bahru, Malaysia
Contact: +60 7-3319090

the spa staff helped us to book cabs to our dinner destination, teck sing (cab fare - RM5.00 including RM2.00 booking charge). decided on early dinner at 5pm to avoid the crowd at the popular restaurant. we ordered their signature specials, teck sing paper baked chicken x2 and curry fish head, drunken prawns in claypot, mixed beancurd, sweet potato leaf, white rice x4 and chinese tea x1 pot.  total bill was RM124 if i remembered correctly, per pax was RM18. we were all surprised at our economic yet delicious and pretty sumptuous meal. 

teck sing paper baked chicken

curry fish head

Restoran Teck Sing
Facebook: http://www.tecksing.com/
Location: 3 & 5, Jalan Sutera Satu, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Contact: +60 7-3347025

much as all our tummies were satisfied after dinner, we could not resist durians! the stall is right in front of the restaurant and marcus had been patronizing so often that uncle gave us a discount. we ate 1 猫山王 at the stall which was 2.3kg - RM69, packed 3 猫山王 and 1 xo back (i did not bring any home as it is one of dad's many restricted food). the meat was smooth, creamy and slightly bitter. one word to describe - heavenly.

image does not do justice to the taste

 

my dear's secret ambition to be a durian seller

the nice uncle called cab for us and we set off for our final destination, KSL (cab fare - RM7.00, website: http://www.kslcity.com.my/). time for shopping and more snacking!

despicable me front and back protector at RM18

dessert at blackball

spent RM70 on titbits at TESCO and my guess is that they will only last for a week. *grins* ended off the night with chendol and tom yum soup at the basement and last minute shopping at parkson mega raya sale.

it was already 10pm when we stepped out of the mall. a small incident with this BBLL (bus bang lorry lang ga) girl that kept us entertained for the journey back. walked out to the main street as there was a jam at the small road leading to the mall. managed to flag down 2 cabs within 5 minutes to get back to jb sentral in 10 minutes despite the slow traffic (cab fare - RM8.00).

malaysia customs queue was longer than when we came but waiting time was bearable, 10-15 minutes and it was a good thing that singapore customs was pretty much empty. 

as ben, gerard and marcus could only take bus 160 back to jurong east, all of us decided to wait for the same bus and were the 1st in queue. sort of regretted not taking bus 170, especially PQ, as we waited 45 minutes for bus 160 to arrive. nevertheless, it was not that bad a wait as we had company to talk to and gossip with. 

we parted our ways at kranji mrt. royston dad came to pick him and PQ up and offered us a ride to yishun. train service was still available to ang mo kio station and i decided to go public with dear and cab home from there to save money. 

missed NDP fireworks this evening but it was an eventful and fun day. till next time. =)

countdown to wedding day : 105

National Day Parade 2013 National Education 2 - ECP - 20 Jul

countdown to wedding day : 112

Wedding Planning To-Do-List

12+ months before

1. Determine solemnisation date - DONE
2. Determine wedding date, if different from solemnisation date - DONE
3. File an application for marriage at ROM three months before
4. Decide on the size, formality and setting of wedding - DONE
5. Start a wedding binder with ideas for wedding decor and flowers - DONE
6. Create a wedding budget - DONE
7. Reserve the locations for wedding and ROM reception - DONE
8. Meet with and book wedding officiant and clergy
9. Choose wedding party and confirm the participants - DONE
10. Shop around for wedding ring design ideas - DONE
11. Draw up an initial guest list together with families - DONE
12. Throw engagement or solemnisation party
13. Order wedding gown, shoes and bridesmaids' attire - IN PROGRESS
14. Book pre-wedding and wedding day photographer - DONE
15. Book videographer - DONE
16. Book make-up artist and arrange for a trial session - DONE

9-12 months before

1. Confirm and book your caterer - DONE
2. Arrange for decor, chair covers and linen - IN PROGRESS
3. Book your live entertainment or DJ
4. Confirm and book your florist
5. Order your wedding cake - IN PROGRESS
6. Plan your honeymoon - IN PROGRESS

6-9 months before

1. Book your car rental service - IN PROGRESS
2. Order your invitations and any other stationery - DONE
3. Order wedding favours for your guests - IN PROGRESS
4. Choose outfits for mother of the bride and mother of the groom
   

2-6 months before

1. Finalise your guest list - IN PROGRESS
2. Send out Save-The-Date cards
3. Reserve the men's wedding attire
   
4. Make an appointment with your hairdresser for hair cut or color
5. Do your pre-wedding photography shoot - DONE
6. Look for flower girls and page boys
7. Register with bridal registries, if preferred
8. Make selection of pre-wedding photographs for your album
9. File an application for marriage at ROM three months before (if applicable) 

our wedding planning seems so behind time, hope to catch up soon. collected the invitation cards for both banquets on monday. thanks to t dragon cards for the great and efficient service.

09 Nov - Orchid Country Club

16 Nov - 天国佛堂

Website: http://www.tdragoncards.com/
Location: No. 3 Coleman Street, Peninsula Shopping Centre, #03-01, Singapore 179804
Contact: +65 6292 8338

countdown to wedding day : 113

Photography - Panning

i learned something new while waiting for time to pass during NDP shoot. thank you dear.

Panning refers to the rotation in a horizontal plane of a still camera or video camera. In still photography, the panning technique is used to suggest fast motion, and bring out the subject from other elements in the frame. In photographic pictures it is usually noted by a foreground subject in action appearing still (i.e. a runner frozen in mid-stride) while the background is streaked and/or skewed in the apparently opposite direction of the subject's travel, similar to speed lines, and is often used in sports photography, primarily of racing.

countdown to wedding day : 118

National Day Parade 2013 National Education 1 - ECP - 13 Jul

new hideout for NDP flypast and fireworks shoot. =) thank you dear for sourcing the location. the perspective was a little off, everything became much bigger in comparison to the view at bay east and hence some of the fireworks got cut off. =P we found another spot along the bridge which is more ideal and we will back next week.

countdown to wedding day : 119