Singapore Flyer's Inaugural Flight

I had the privilege to be invited as a guest on Singapore Flyer's inaugural flight yesterday and it was a fantastic experience. The Singapore Flyer is the world's biggest observation wheel and at 165 metres (42 storeys high), it is 30 metres taller than Britain's London Eye. It cost S$240million to build and about 1,000 attended this inaugural event in the 28 capsules. Each capsule can hold about 28 people. Each ride takes about an hour, and we were allowed to go 2 rotations. Catch the vodcast here.

A ride yesterday in 1 capsule, cost the company S$8,888 and only about 20 people rode in my capsule! It was a private event where companies like Ascendas, SG Private Banking, UOB, UBS, ABN Amro, Singtel and other corporates, invited their guests to join in the inaugural flight as well as a Lo-Hei reception.

From March 2008, the public can go on board, at S$29.50 per head, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants a great view of Singapore skyline in the night.

More pictures in my flickr album.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Hello and Happy New Year to all!

Managed to visit 5 places in the 1st day of Chinese New Year, and reached home by 2pm...quite a feat I must say and very tiring for everyone involved. Kids were dressed in traditional costume, but Sophie's pretty cheong sam broke at the seams by afternoon, due to our rough handling, I think. Well, fortunately we had extra clothes to change her into.

Ate tasty and yummy vegetarian beehoon at 2 aunties' houses, and it was great to mingle and catch up with cousins, nephews and nieces. Spent a slower-paced day on 2nd day of CNY, and had dinner at a cousin's place with fantastic dinner cooked by the hosts.

Mmmm....I will miss all the good food and tidbits.

Ethan's 6th Birthday

It was Ethan's 6th birthday recently, and as usual, we celebrated it in school. He chose the cake, which had 2 toy cars, and shared one with Zack. He also shared the 2 precious strawberries, with 2 of his classmates - 1 for a girl (his favourite gal, Celestine), and 1 for a boy (Ruijie, his good friend).

SG brought Zack from his school to join in the celebration, and Sophie had her hand with the candles and the cream and ate some cake. Zack also spent some time at the big playground at the Safra premises after the party, since it was too early to go home.

Overall, I would say, an enjoyable day for the kids with SG.

Eng Kian and Samantha's Wedding

It was Eng Kian (SG's Navy friend) and Samantha's wedding at One degree 15 Marina Club at Sentosa, and it was my first time attending a wedding there.

The solemnisation was held at the terrace overlooking the boats at the berths and the pool, while the dinner was held at the Constellation ballroom, which was new, warm and nicely decorated. Eng Kian works there and his guests were mostly club members that he knew or worked with.

The dinner was simple and usual, with the wedding march-ins, cutting of cake, pouring of champagne and photo-taking. The friends at the table we had were an entertaining and fun bunch, and we enjoyed chatting together.

Meeting up with old friends in Shanghai

The world is never too big, and too small.

Met an old friend on board the plane enroute to Shanghai, and took the opportunity to meet up with 2 friends (Koh BL and Freddie) who had been expats in Shanghai for more than 5 years already (haven't seen them since then). Also met another (Bryan) who was posted there 2 years ago. Well, I kept myself busy indeed during the recent trip.

I think the last time I met Simon was probably in a classmate's wedding that we attended, and that was probably at least 8 years ago, and it was a pleasant surprise to see him on the same plane to Shanghai. It's funny how people don't actually change a lot after secondary school. They still look the same!

As for Koh BL, Freddie and Bryan - they all looked really the same as before - though they all say that they have put on weight since they left Singapore, and of course, the kids have grown up.

It was a heart-warming meeting up with old friends and catching up on common friends/happenings. Here are some pics from our dinners together.