Surabaya Business Trip Day 2

The day started with a cool shower.  Apparently Surabaya was in heat for a long time, but rained on both days I was here.  I supposed I brought some 'luck' over. 

drizzling city

As my Marriott package excluded breakfast, I had breakfast in bed instead.  The presentation was great! But the nasi goreng was too salty and the satay too sweet.  Still, it was a hearty breakfast. 

Caught up with my stakeholders at the lobby and headed for the factory for the last 2 rounds of consultants interview.  Lunch was a simple nasi goreng with egg (yes, again. Had I known I would probably ordered something else for breakfast).  Then it was an hour's drive back to hotel.  The drive was testing my limits of motion sickness due to the very severe traffic congestions!

breakfast in bed

Once back, I rushed off to a nearby mall to get some local stuff (if not I would never had any chance of spending any of my changed Rp)!  Returned room with 50 min to spare, I quickly changed into my swim shorts for a quick dip.  The weather was suddenly overwhelmingly hot and I relished in the cool waters under swaying trees.  

my simple lunch at the Factory

SOGO mall

The 5 min dip was followed by a quick shower and immediate check out for my ride to airport.  JW Marriott even gifted me with 2 freshly baked breads! Too bad the famous durian bread is out of stock. As an added touch of great service, they gave me a clothed bag for easy carrying of my local purchases (which are packed in plastic bag). They claimed their bag will allow me to travel with more ease. How thoughtful of them!

chilled off

free range pool

Another 45 min of nausea inducing ride and I returned to the terminal I had just visited a day before.  The whole customs process was a breeze, completely different from a day earlier.  Everyone was relaxed and smiling this time.

Finally boarding time, my first SilkAir flight in probably 10 years.  The seat config is the same 3-3, looking like a budget carrier, but with more legroom and adjustable headrest. Food wise, it was only so-so.  Perhaps I still had the motion sickness, but the taste was simply not very appealing to me. 

Well, it was a short 2hr flight, nothing much to complain about.  I was so tired I doze almost immed when I hit the bed.. Business trips, always so tiring... 

boarding pass

snack prior to flight



SilkAir meal

Surabaya Business trip Day 1

My third business trip of the year saw me jetting off to the 2nd largest city in Indonesia.  I've never been to Surabaya and have no clue what to expect there.  Then again, this was a super short one night trip where I would be in the factory most of the time.

I boarded the taxi at the wee hours of 5 plus in the morning and semi-dozed on my ride to Terminal 2.  At the checking in counter, I requested for my return boarding pass as well since my stay would be less than 48hours.  After spending a minute checking his system, the counter person just told me no way.  I wasn't in the mood for NO, especially since I can already check in online.  So I demanded, and I eventually got it from a now slightly grumpy faced SATs staff.  This should be a relatively easy affair, but instead of trying to help the customer, this guy was just trying to find the easy way out!!

I made my way to the waiting lounge after lumping slowly.. Yes, lumping.  My toe had chosen this day to be swollen. Lucky I've chosen a middle aisle seat that is the bassinet row to stretch out my legs.  The surprisingly empty row helped make my journey more comfy as well.

First impression of the airport was that it looked like those smaller airports in Malaysia.  However, the real headache came when I realized there is only 1 counter for foreign passport!!!  Understandably there are 9 counters for Indonesians, but only 1 for foreigners?  Not to sound too alarming (I've had similar situations in Siam Reap), but give there are so many international carriers parked at the airport and the queue was mile long.  Anyways, it could just be my swollen toe talking here. 

A 30 min ride later and I reached Philips Lighting Factory Surabaya.  A scorching hot day for a site inspection later, plus internal discussions and 2 consultants interview, my stakeholders drove me for Japanese dinner.  It was okay standards but relatively cheap by Singapore's standards.

entrance

VIP signboard

Thereafter, it was a drive to my hotel at JW Marriott.  The room was big with the inviting King bed, though the design was a bit dated.  However the services impressed me!  They knew who I was when I arrived, even attempted to escort me to my room!! They even threw in a free durian bread!! I wonder if I could fly it home the next day..  After a hot soak for my sore toe, it was a dreamy laze on the bed.....

my king size bed

 

my sore toe



night view of the city from my room

Beauty & the Beast, and SEA Aquarium @ RWS

The month of May 2015 saw me attending my first musical in at least 2 years.  Beauty and the Beast was almost a last minute decision, and it did not disappoint.  I got the seat right in the center that afforded me with a great view.  It was a little far, around 20 rows from the stage, but it was clear enough not to turn my head to capture the scene.


Back in 1992, I remember my mum taking us via the not so sophisticated MRT system all the way to Singapore's first ever multiplex at Yishun 10.  I was awed by the opening scene and thoroughly enjoyed the whole movie.  The engaging storyline, the sing to the beat songs, and memorable characters made it one of the best animated movies I've ever watched.  (it's Oscar Best Picture nomination was definitely no fluke!)

But before the musical, I had a scumptious dinner at Pikee & Co.  Yes, that is the new name of CF's in-home cafe.

Baked potato in duck fat

best chocolate lava cake!!

The movie version had only 6 songs (Belle, Gaston, Be Our Guest, Something There, Beauty and the Beast, and Mob Song).  The Musical version, however, had over 20 tracks!!  No wonder it can stretch to 2.5 hours!!

The audiences must have been B&B fans.  Almost everyone joined in the singing of the familiar songs, and the crowd favorite was Be Our Guest!  Well, it is still the perennial favorite at Chinese wedding banquets ;)  All in all, a show worth catching with lotsa unexpected comedic moments!!


A few week later, I returned to the SEA Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the world!!  It had been 1 year since I was last there, and the crowd seemed to have grown together with the size of the fishes!  I visited the Typhoon Theatre for the very first time and was splashed with 'storm' water before 'sinking' down to the bottom of the sea. 

Even though I have been to aquariums several times before, I surprised myself with this latest visit as 3 hours just vanished by my amazement of the aquatic friends.  I guess human's fascination of the deep blue is never ceasing.

Rough start to the Year

2015 has, so far, not been very smooth for me in the health department.  Diagnosed with E-Coli bacteria, down with fever for 14 days since Jan (that is almost 3 days each month!).  Fractured my teeth, which was filled and declared healthy after a few scares later.  Gum related pain which was eventually healed.


So far, never been on a truly enjoyable holiday trip, with fever plaguing Bangkok and last min shorten Melaka.  I am hoping June's Sydney will be a blessed one that will see me well rested and healthy throughout!

My 35th birthday Overview

Yes, this year saw me turning 35 years old!! it is a milestone year for all Singaporeans, as this is the age where singles are allowed to purchase their own HDB Flats (government subsidized flats).


Well, this year's celebration started with meeting up with Jermain, Maggie and Kenneth at Coca Restaurant at RWS.  Great quality and wonderful company made this evening an enjoyable one.  And I received yet another SuperDry apparel!  A nice addition to my autumn wear, and definite must bring for my Sydney trip come June 2015.

And the gathering kept rolling in.  The next day was with the Yuppies, old pals for 22 years!!  Crab in the Bag experience was interesting, almost felt like high-end scavengers.  Received 3 wonderful gifts from CF, K, WS, Ashley and KK!

A few days later, a smaller cake at home with my parents.  My mum still sang my a solo birthday song while my dad took pictures! 

The immediate weekend saw my driven up to Melaka for a supposedly relaxing birthday weekend.  However, the trip was to be shorten as one companion kinda required to be back in Singapore at the very last minute.  Monday leave cancelled, and started work with a grumpy mood.


Well, mood was restored a few days later meeting JH and VVN for buffet dinner at Fullerton Hotel.  Had so much food that cant even stomach anymore lobster!!

Overall a nice birthday month. :)

CNY in Bangkok

After my very tired trip to Tokyo, I was one week away for my break back in the land of smiles... it was as if I was trying to fulfil my trend to visit Bangkok twice this year, starting with this trip! LOL

I spent 1 week nursing my health back from the ecoli bacteria, and was so anxious with my flight via Air Asia.  But first up, visiting my Grandma on the first day of CNY in JB.

The whole place looked exactly the same as 20 years ago, a very good thing as I had lotsa childhood memories there.  As we arrived early, we went to a Malay shed for some local prata breakfast.

With my extended family and Grandma

Noon came and time for me to rush back to SG to catch my evening flight.  It was a very tired day for sure, entering into 2 countries.  When I finally hit the hotel room, I just wanna sleep in... zzzzzz, but not before having some local supper (yes I know.. GREEDY!!)

This was in a way a trip that was not planned... a free and easy schedule that depended on the mood to determine where to go..  The first day was spent doing pretty much nothing but strolling around.  The only memorable part probably was the huge dinner.

The next morning, I had a rude shock.  I work up with.... FEVER AGAIN!!! the Ecoli bacteria has returned and plagued me (for the rest of my 6 days trip!!)  My trip pretty much was spent doing nothing much and resting in the room... with the very occasional massages.  But I still need to get my fix of some local (and not so local) food.

Hokkaido milk, somehow Japanese milk here tasted really smooth!

Pork Belly Kang Kong

Thai Fried Rice

Tofu Hot Pot

Steamed River Prawns

Sharks Fin Soup

Braised Pork everything!!!

Met up with my local free and went to Chinatown for dinner.  I was surprised I could manage my appetite, unlike in Tokyo where I could eat nothing much.  The dinner was great with many delights!

The next day, he drove us out into the outskirt for lunch.  I have no idea what this place is called, but it was a Thai water village rural place with fantastic food!!

We also visited the market that has to retract when the train comes along. However, we missed the train timing, but it was still good fun exploring the marketplace.

The next few days were spent doing nothing much, visiting malls and oh, a gem by the name of YUNOMORI SPA.  Essentially a massage parlour, but with a twist.  It has a hot spring area with at least 5 different pools.  I felt like I was in Japan the whole time there!!

Finally on my last day I visited the famous After You cafe.  All the rave reviews of the Shibuya Toast.  I thought since I was too sick to visit Shibuya earlier, I might as well try its toast here.  However, it was the sweetest thing I've eaten during this trip!! Too sweet and rich, the toast was soaked in syrup!!  But it did look good on picture :)

My very last meal was as Thai as it gets, Mango Tree at the airport.  I will conquer Bangkok again to make up for my fever plagued trip!!