Bukit Timah Hill

Finally the exams were over last weekend and I could start my exercise routine again. Well, I did not start my regular running routine yet but ended up at Bukit Timah Hill last Sunday with a few classmates and their children. Almost all of them are first timers to the hill, and I was last there some months ago. I was there early and had to wait for another hour before everyone arrived. In between we just "hang" around at the car park checking out the monkeys, who were as mischievous as ever. I believe it were some of these monkeys that shitted on my car when I returned later!

We went up to the visitor centre but before we set off, the kids wanted to have some ice cream. What a way to start a trek! All of us were in shape - ROUND, as the ice cream did not help. But off we go and up the slope. The kids ran, yes literally and panted and slowed down and stopped and one of them even vomited after 50 metres! She ended up on the father's shoulders after that receiving first class transport. The rest of us took our time to walk slowly up the steep slope with some slow coaches lagging far behind.

It was just a simple intro-walk to Bukit Timah and not one of those "chiong" training sessions that I used to have with my other DiveTrek kakis. We soon reached the point where you either continued the regular road walk or the steep steps. The kids wanted some challenge and so we went for that, leaving the slow coaches to catch up later. The steps did pose some challenged to the kids as the steps were too high and wide for their short legs. But we made it finally to the summit, dropped our bags at the shelter and the kids were begging for one more round. So I brought them down the main road again, meeting the slow coaches halfway, before coming up the steep steps again. A 3rd round was proposed but I did not sanctioned. I did not want the kids to overwork themselves.

We rested at the summit, snapped many photos with the silly rock and then down we went. The original plan was to take a walk to the quarry but it was getting late and so that would have to be left for the next trip there. We were going for pepper crabs to a popular coffee shop at Joo Chiat, renowned for its long queue, and of course delicious pepper crabs. We arrived to see the usual long queue and quickly sent one of us to join the queue while we tried to find a place to park the car. Fortunately the wait this time round was short only about 45 min I think. The longest wait ever was over 2 hours! The pepper crabs were still as good as before.

The after-dinner activity was spent at Changi Point. We planned to watch the planes land at Changi Airport but too bad for us, the planes were landing from the other side of the runway. We lazed around for a while and called it a day.

Where have I been?

HA. It has been almost 7 months since I disappeared from the blogging scene. Don't ask me where I went. I guess I just got "sick" of blogging at that time and decided to stop. But here I am again. I am not sure how long it will last this time but we shall see.

Heroes Saved The Day

Dolphin 1 was strumming his guitar and singing "Where have all the tunas gone?".......when his satellite phone rang. He was a little annoyed to be disturbed. He balanced his guitar on his tail and took a look at the caller id. Eh, this number seems strange and it is not in his phone book. He was contemplating not to pick up the phone, after all the charges for satellite transmissions can be expensive. But he decided to take another look, and he realised the call could be from New Zealand. New Zealand? He thoguht to himself. Could it be Miss Dophin 7 whom they just met some time ago? Thinking that it might really be her, he was so excited and just as he was about to answer the phone, the phone went dead. Arrrrgh. The battery was flat, and he has forgotten to charge it! Feeling angry with himself, he tossed the guitar aside and started looking for his phone charger, and secretly wished the phone will ring again.

Dolphin 1 waited for a while. The phone did not ring again. He decided to call Dolphin 2.

Dolphin 2 - Heellllo. Dolphin 2 here (in a seductive tone)

Dolphin 1 - Hallo! Why you sound so sexy today? Your girlfriend called ah?

Dolphin 2 - Ooops, did I sound so sexy just now. Sorry ah. *Blush* No lah, I where got girlfriend. You are the
one with many girlfriends leh.

Dolphin 1 - Yah yah yah, I am the playboy and you are the good boy.

Dolphin 2 - Just kidding lah....so what's up. You sound a little uptight.

Dolphin 1 - Don't know lah. Just now I received a call. I think it was from New Zealand. But my stupid phone battery went flat before I could answer the call.

Dolphin 2 - Never mind lor. Just wait a while and the person will call again lah, if it is urgent enough. Eh? New Zealand? Are you saying it could be Miss Dolphin 7? *Dolphin 2's eyes gleamed*

Dolphin 1 - I am not sure lor, but I have hardly received any calls from New Zealand before, so it could be lor. I hope Miss Dolphin 7 is not in some kind of trouble.

Dolphin 2 - Hope so too. Maybe she is just calling to say hi. Just wait a while lor.

Dophin 1 - Yah, I....hang on, I think there is a call coming in.

Dolphin 1 swapped to the second call and a sobbing voice could be heard on the other end.

Dolphin 1 - Hello. who's that? Is that you Miss Dolphin 7?

Miss Dolphin 7 - Yes, Dolphin 1. I have been trying to reach you for some time. *sobbing in between* Why have you not answered my call?

Dolphin 1 - I am so sorry. What happened? Why are you crying? Wait, I will get Dolphin 2 to listen in as well. I am on the other line with him.

With a few quick pushes on some buttons, Dolphin 1 managed to get Dolphin to have a conference call with Miss Dolphin 7.

Dolphin 2 - Miss Dolphin 7, what happened? You are in some kind of trouble?

Miss Dolphin 7 - I am also not sure what has happened. Dolphin 99 has gone out for a week and has not returned! He has never stayed out for so long without telling me. I am very worried.

Dolphin 1 - Alamak, maybe he is out for a fling? *hee hee*

Dolphin 2 - Stupid Dolphin 1, don't be so insensitive! Miss Dolphin 7 is already so worried and you make this kind of remark.

Dolphin 1 - Sorry sorry, just kidding.

Miss Dolphin 7 - Dolphin 1 is still the same, naughty as before. I do not know what to do. I am thinking of....wait...I hear someone at the door. Maybe Dolphin 99 has returned.

*Arrrrrrrrrrrgh, there was a loud scream, apparently from Miss Dolphin 7*

Dolphin 1/2 - What happened Miss Dolphin 7?????

*Nothing was heard from the other end. The phone went dead after a while*

Dolphin 1 - Hey Dolphin 2. I think Miss Dolphin 7 is really in trouble. I am making a trip down to New Zealand. You want to come along?

Dolphin 2 - Errr...I am kind of stuck with something now....

Dolphin 1 - But Miss Dolphin 7 is in trouble. She may need our help. If you are not interested to help then I will go on my own.

Dolphin 2 - OK. OK. I will not let anything happen to Miss Dolphin 7, you know that.

Dolphin 1 - OK. You quickly settle your stuff and meet in an hour. Bring your sword, in case we need it.

Dolphin 2 - All right. See you later at the usual coconut tree by the bay.

Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 met up as agreed by the coconut tree and swam at maximum speed towards New Zealand. If they go real fast and non-stop they might take about 2 days 2 nights. Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 kept swimming, without even speaking a word to each other. They were both very worried that something has happened to Miss Dolphin 7.

After 2 days and 1.5 nights, Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 finally arrived at Kaikoura, New Zealand where Miss Dolphin 7 is. As they arrived, they noticed there was a small funeral wake just outside her house. Gosh, something bad has really happened, they thought to themselves.

Miss Dolphin 7 - Seeing Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2, she rushed forward to give them a big hug. I am so glad that both of you are here. I am really at a loss of what to do now, and she just kept on crying and crying on the shoulders of both Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2, switching shoulders every few seconds.

Miss Dolphin 7 went on to sob for 33 minutes and when she finally managed to compose herself, she began to tell her story.

Dolphin 99 went off to hunt for tunas with his brother Dolphin 88. They were expected to be away for 3 days. After 1 week, they have not returned and so Miss Dolphin 7 started to get worried and called Dolphin 1. Then while they were on the phone and someone came knocking on the door, Miss Dolphin 7 went to open the door, hoping it was Dolphin 99. But it was Dolphin 88, his whole body bloody, bruised and almost mutilated at his tail. That's when Miss Dolphin 7 screamed and fainted. She managed to regain consciousness after 7 minutes but Dolphin 88 was almost breathing his last. Dolphin 88 revealed that while Dolphin 99 and him were out searching for tunas, they met a pink Sperm Whale who seemed to have just arrived in this area. The Sperm Whale attacked both of them. With the size of 20 to 1, the dolphins were of no match to the Sperm Whale. The Sperm Whale swallowed Dolphin 99 in one gulp and Dolphin 88 was badly injured when he tried to save Dolphin 99. He was about to say where the Sperm Whale was spotted when he suddenly dropped dead! So Dolphin 99 is still missing.

Dolphin 1 - We have to hurry and find Dolphin 99. Although he has been swallowed by the Sperm Whale, he might still be alive. He should be able to survive in the whale's stomach for 3 days 3 nights, which means we only have about 1/3 night left to find him. We have to set off immediately. Lets go Dolphin 2!

Miss Dolphin 7 - Wait, Dolphin 1. I cannot allow both of you to sacrifice yourself for Dolphin 99's sake. He could be dead by now, and you guys are certainly no match for the Sperm Whale.

Dolphin 2 - Don't worry Miss Dolphin 7. We may be small in size, but I believe we are smarter than the Sperm Whale. How smart can a pink Sperm Whale be anyway?

Dolphin 1 - Don't worry about us. We will be willing to do anything for you. We will bring Dolphin 99 back, dead or alive.

Off they went, Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 hastily swam into the pacific ocean again. They were already tired from the long journey but they were determined to find the pink Sperm Whale. With strong flips of their tails, they began to search the icy waters for the pink Sperm Whale. What a color for a whale, they thought to themselves.

Dolphin 1 - There it is! A pink Sperm Whale. Lets approach him quietly.

But they were soon spotted by the pink Sperm Whale, who slapped his giant tail on them. But both Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 managed to spiral themselves out of reach of the tail. It was a close shave.

Dolphin 1 - You stupid big bully and sissy pink Sperm Whale. How dare you attack us? Who are you and why have you come here to create trouble?

Pink Sperm Whale - I am Pinkie, the one and only sissy pink Sperm Whale in this ocean. Sissy am I, but I am fast and strong, and love to eat silly dolphins like you two.

Dolphin 2 - Pink Sperm Whales should belong to the underwater world and not out here to terrorise others. You have swallowed my good friend's husband. We are here to take revenge!

Pink Sperm Whale - Revenge? Just the two of you? HAHA....I am laughing my toes off...ooops I have no toes....I am laughing my fins off.

Pinkie suddenly slapped his big sissy tail in their direction again, and this time almost knocked the two of them out.

Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 quickly regained themselves and Dolphin 1 thought of a plan. He whipered to Dolphin 2 and just as Pinkie slapped his sissy tail again, Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 did the strongest leaps they have ever done in their lives and landed themselves onto Pinkie's back. They quickly wriggled to the blowhole of Pinkie, lodged them in it and started tickling the innerside of Pinkie's blowhole. Being ticklish, Pinkie started to squirm. He tried to blow both Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 out of the blowhole but the two dolphins were firmly lodged in it. The tickle became too intense that Pinkie gave out a loud sneeze, throwly Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 high into the air, and from his belly, out came many other dolphins that he swallowed the past few days. In mid air, Dolphin 1 shouted to Dolphin 2.

Dolphin 1 - Quickly Dolphin 2, draw your sword!

Dolphin 2 - Dolphin 2 drew his sword which was held onto his back with waterproof double-sided sticker. He thrusted the sword into Pinkie's eye as he descended and Pinkie gave out a loud wail and quickly splashed away into the deep ocean.

"Dolphin 99, Dolphin 99, Dolphin 99....." Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 called out to the dolphins who were spewed from Pinkie's belly. Here I am, Dolphin 99 groaned in a low voice, as he was trying to keep himself afloat. Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 quickly swam over to help Dolphin 99. He was badly injured too. Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 then took turns to carry Dolphin 99 on their backs. Their fireman lift training has come to good use. Both Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 were dead tired too. When they finally handed over Dolphin 99 to Miss Dolphin 7, they collapsed in exhaustion.

Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 awoke later, and there were many other dolphins surrounding them. All of them, including grandma and granddad dolphins have come to thank Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 for saving the lives of their children and grandchildren who were swallowed by Pinkie. Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 drank some tuna soup and were soon recharged again. The entire town hailed them as heroes and carried Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 up high. Miss Dolphin 7 was so happy that her beloved Dolphin 99 has returned safe and sound.

Back at home, Miss Dolphin 7 couldn't stop thanking Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 for almost sacrificing their own lives to save Dolphin 99. She gave them a longest and sweetest hug, and that made Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 felt so good.

Miss Dolphin 7 - I can't thank you enough. But how did you manage to save Dolphin 99?

Dolphin 1 - HA. A tickle usually does the trick!

Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 stayed over at Miss Dolphin 7's house for another week. They had a great time together. Soon Dolphin 1 and 2 had to leave for home. Even before they arrived home, words have already got around about their brave act and the dolphin community has been blogging about them for the past week. Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 arrived home with their heads lifted up high. A tickle really does the job! HA.

Politically Correct?

Remember Dolphin 1, the crazy and playful dolphin? Remember he went to visit Emperor Penguin 1 when the latter's great great grandma passed away? Yes, the one where he met Miss Dolphin 7? HA. He still misses her but that's not the point.

Dolphin 1 received a call from Emperor Penguin 1 on his waterproof satellite phone.

Dolphin 1 - Haaallo

Emperor Penguin 1 - Hey Dolphin 1, how are you?

Dolphin 1 - Is that Emperor Penguin 1? Hey, nice of you to call me. I am feeling great! You leh?

Emperor Penguin 1 - Me ah? OK lah. But right now I am having a little dilemma. Can I go and visit you?

Dolphin 1 - Huh? What dilemma? Visit me for what? Girl friend problem ah?

Emperor Penguin 1 - Wah Dolphin 1. How you know girl friend problem? You are only half right. It is something like girl friend problem but then it is not my girl friend problem lah. I wish I have a girl friend that gives me problem to start with!

Dolphin 1 - Huh? Then whose problem is that?

Emperor Penguin 1 - My Royal Emperor Penguin GrandPaPa lah, the Emperor of the Emperor Penguins. You see, he has many wives and concubines, and I am just one of his many grandsons. He said yesterday that he wants more children but most of his wives and concubines have already given birth and used up their birth quota liao. So now he needs more concubines.

Dolphin 1 - Wow, your Royal Emperor Penguin GrandPaPa very the can leh. He must be at least 35 years old? So old still want to have more concubines?

Emperor Penguin 1 - HA, he is really the can. It is true that he has been very fit all these while. He still blades regularly and takes part in swimathons to the South Pole last year! But then I disapprove of him taking more concubines. He is already so old. He should be relaxing and enjoying life.

Dolphin 1 - Why he suddenly thought of having more children? Not enough meh?

Emperor Penguin 1 - Not sure lah. I heard 2 days ago he was blading again and then nearly had a fall. Then my Emperor Penguin Papa jokingly said that my Royal Emperor Penguin GrandPaPa must be getting old. Then he seemed not happy and now announced that he wants more children and therefore more concubines.

Dolphin 1 - Hmmm...so you are not happy about his intention and so want to come visit me, to show your displeasure?

Emperor Penguin 1 - In a way yes. All my other siblings and family members have already sent congratulatory cards to Royal Emperor Penguin 1. All except me. I have instead written him a note to tell him that I am going to the South Pole to visit Blue Whale 1, but actually I want to come and visit you first before going to say "Hi" to Blue Whale 1 together. So what do you think?

Dolphin 1 - HA. Not a very wise choice leh. Everyone is congratulating your Royal Emperor Penguin GrandPaPa but you are planning to visit me and Blue Whale 1? Sure or not?

Emperor Penguin 1 - Yes, I am sure. I just object to my Royal Emperor Penguin GrandPaPa's decision to grow his harem. He is already so old.

Dolphin 1 - Exactly! You kept saying your Royal Emperor Penguin GrandPaPa is old. Your Emperor Penguin Papa also said he is old. Have you realised that he made the announcement to grow his harem not because he is desperate for love. He simply wants to show everyone that he is not old???

Emperor Penguin 1 - *silent*

Dolphin 1 - Oooi, you there? You heard me or not? As your good friend I am giving you this advice. Your Royal Emperor Penguin GrandPaPa is afterall the Emperor of the Emperor Penguins. He doesn't want to be thought of as old. He wants to continue to rule the Emperor Penguins for many more years. Instead of giving him your encouragement, you are coming to visit me? You must be going nuts!!! You come over my side I will ignore you.

Emperor Penguin 1 - *remain silent* *starting to feel guilty*

Dolphin 1 - Still keeping quiet? Don't agree with me? I leave it to you. If you still want to visit Blue Whale 1, you go ahead on your own. Don't come and look for me.

Emperor Penguin 1 - OK OK. Dolphin 1. I understand your point and accept your advice. I will also send my Royal Emperor Penguin GrandPaPa a congratulatory note. In fact I will not get one from LivingRoomMark, but instead will make one personally. Thank you for your advice. I guess I learnt a valuable lesson of politically correctness today. No matter how much I disagree with his plan, I must understand why he is doing it. Afterall he is the Royal Emperor Penguin GrandPaPa. I should give him the due respect and support.

Dolphin 1 - I am glad you can think that way. Let me know how many concubines your Royal Emperor Penguin GrandPaPa take it this time round. HA.

Emperor Penguin 1 - OK. I will. Thanx once again.....

Dolphin 1 hung up the phone and resumed his reminiscence of Miss Dolphin 7.....That is another story all together.

Why we attend funeral wakes????

Dolphin 1 swam quietly up to Dolphin 2 and tickled him. Dolphin 2 had a fright and screamed at Dolphin 1.

Dolphin 2 - Oooi, what are you trying to do? Tickle me like that. I may get heart attack you know?!

Dolphin 1 - Hee Hee. Sorry lah. Just playing a fool with you. Why are you resting at this hour? It should be tuna feasting time leh.

Dolphin 2 - Aiyah, I am on diet. Recently put on a lot of weight, so want to skip a few tunas. You also better watch your diet.

Dolphin 1 - I am not too worried. I have enough exercise swimming round the whole world. See my belly. 6-pack ok?

Dolphin 2 - Yah lah, yah lah, show off. So what's up?

Dolphin 1 - Actually I am on the way to a funeral wake. Want to come along?

Dolphin 2 - What? A funeral wake? Whose?

Dolphin 1 - Oh, that Emperor Penguin 1's great great grandma passed away. So I am on the way to the North Pole to pay my last respects.

Dolphin 2 - What? North Pole? All the way there? Aiyoh, very far leh.

Dolphin 1 - Come with me lah. Who knows we might meet Miss Dolphin 7 at the funeral wake, and you can slim down at the same time by swimming all the way there!

Dolphin 2 - Errrr, ok lah. On lah. Lets go.

Both Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 swam happily towards the North Pole. It took them 3 days 3 nights to arrive. The funeral wake was still on. Both Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 went to take a look at the Emperor Penguin 1's great great grandma, who of course was lying there on the ice bed motionlessly.

Dolphin 2 - Hey, you know Emperor Penguin 1's great great grandma very well ah that you have to come all the way to the North Pole to pay your last respects?

Dolphin 1 - No leh. This is the first time I am seeing her. Why?

Dolphin 2 - What? You are seeing her for the first time? You mean in her whole life (glanced at the board that says 40 years old) of 40 years you have never met Emperor Penguin 1's great great grandma before?

Dolphin 1 - Yah, I have never met her before.

Dolphin 2 - So why did you come all the way here? It was a tiring journey leh.

Dolphin 1 - To pay my last respect lor?

Dolphin 2 - ????? To pay your last respects even though you have never met her before? Then yesterday when we passed by another funeral wake of a killer whale's grandpa off Kamchatka, how come you never dropped by to pay your last respects?

Dolphin 1 - But I don't know that killer whale's grandpa mah! (Feeling a little annoyed)

Dolphin 2 - Exactly! You also do not know Emperor Penguin 1's great great grandma right? But you swam three days three nights to come all the way here to pay your last respects???!!!

Dolphin 1 - Shhhh. No need to get so agitated. I will let you know the real reason on our way home, OK?

Dolphin 2 - You better have a good excuse.

Dolphin 1 went to Emperor Penguin 1, gave him a big hug and consoled him. Emperor Penguin 1 was feeling very sad. He was his great great grandma favorite great great grandson. His great great grandma doted on him a lot, always bringing him to play ice bowling and iceberg surfing. Now he has to learn ice hockey from his great great grandpa, who seems like about to "go" anytime soon too.

After offering the sweetest words of "Tomorrow will be better" to Emperor Penguin 1, Dolphin 1 bade him farewell. Just as Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 were about to leave, they spotted Miss Dolphin 7! Both their eyes popped out. Miss Dolphin 7 is still as beautiful as ever, and Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 reminisced those times when the three of them spent their early childhood years together.

Dolphin 2 rushed forward and gave Miss Dolphin 7 a big dolphin hug while Dolphin 1 flipped over and landed a dolphin kiss on the soft puffy cheeks of Miss Dolphin 7. Miss Dolphin 7 was very surprised but happy to see both Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2, and gave them her special dolphin tail greeting. The three of them stayed over at the funeral wake for a while before leaving the North Pole. Miss Dolphin 7 is now happily married to Dolphin 99 and are putting up in the beautiful sea off Kaikoura, New Zealand. Wow she certainly came a long way.

Dolphin 1 - Shall we escort you back to Kaikoura?

Miss Dolphin 7 - Well, I would love to have you guys come along with me, but it is going to be a long journey.

Dolphin 2 - No problem. 7 days 7 nights also no problem.

Off they swam, through the icy cold waters of the North Pole. The three of them seemed to be reliving their childhood days, jumping and splashing as they headed south.

Dolphin 2 - Hey Miss Dolphin 2, ask you. Why did you travel all the way up to the north pole to attend the funeral wake?

Miss Dolphin 7 - Oh, to offer my condolences to our good friend Emperor Penguin 1 of course, and at the same time, since I would be there, to pay my last respects to Emperor Penguin 1's great great grandma.

Dolphin 2 - See, Dolphin 1. So what excuse you have?

Dolphin 1 - Actually it is the same reason lah. Normally we attend a funeral wake is to show our face to the friend lah. Most of the time we also do not know the friend's relative who passed away, like the great great grandma in this case. But normally we would tell people that we go and pay our last respects, but in actual fact we go there to show Emperor Penguin 1 that we care and support him during this time of bereavement. I know it sounds very hypocritical but this is life.

Dolphin 2 - Wah lau, like that also can ah? Then you make me swam 3 days 3 nights just to show face? But then hor, it is ok lah. At least I had a chance to meet Miss Dolphin 7 and I think I have already lost 3 kilos!

Dolphin 1 - ?????!!!!!

Dolphin 1, Dolphin 2 and Miss Dolphin 7 swam, chatted, and told each other many stories. Both Dolphin 1 and Dolphin 2 missed Miss Dolphin 7 a lot and were very sad when they soon passed Cape Reinga after swimming 6.5 days. They knew soon they have to part with Miss Dolphin 7. Swimming on, they soon reached Kaikoura and bade Miss Dolphin 7 good bye, with tears flowing from their eyes. They wonder when they would be able to meet Miss Dolphin 7 again.

Another funeral wake perhaps????

What a life.....

Dolphin 1 was *swimming* *jumping* *spiraling* *twisting*, and he remembered his good friend Piggy 2. The last he spoke with Piggy 2 was through his waterproofed satellite phone and the latter was crying his hearts out due to some problems. Dolphin 1 had advised Piggy 2 to look for crazyjarjar to “borrow” a coconut tree to lean and relax. Dolphin 1 wondered if Piggy 2 managed to borrow the coconut tree, and if Piggy 2 is still relaxing at one of the coconut trees!

Dolphin 1 whisked up his waterproofed satellite phone and called Piggy 2, who picked up the phone almost immediately.

Dolphin 1: Hi Piggy 2, how are you?

Piggy 2: I am fine thank you?

Dolphin 1: Alamak, how come we sound so ‘formal” to each other. So you are fine ah. That’s nice to hear. So what have you been doing? Still leaning against a coconut tree?

Piggy 2: As a matter of fact I am leaning against a coconut tree, and relaxing too right now. But of course I have not been leaning here since last month lah. I came over here a few times and found that it was good. Crazyjarjar was kind enough to “lend” me this coconut tree indefinitely, as long as I needed it. Crazyjarjar said he has plenty of coconut trees to spare, so he wouldn’t mind lending me one tree, especially when you Dolphin 1 recommended me to him. So thanx a lot Dolphin 1.

Dolphin 1: Hey, nice to hear that you have been relaxing and have a permanent coconut tree, courtesy of crazyjarjar. Yah, that crazyjarjar is my great friend. He is a nice guy but sometimes a little crazy. So which coconut tree are you at now. Maybe you can give me your exact coordinates and I can use my satellite to look for you

Piggy 2: Wah, you are so advanced. Satellite some more? I am at 1 deg 10 min N 104 deg 30 min E. Look out for that coconut tree which is almost balding and slanting above the beach towards the sea.

Dolphin 1: Good spot leh. Somewhere on the northern coast of Bintan! Hey, you on holiday ah? So envious.

Piggy 2: No need to be envious. You can come visit me if you want. You can swim much faster than me. I am sure you can come over now if you want to.

Dolphin 1: Well, I am not too far away. Just had some tunas and so it might be good exercise for me to go meet you. See you in a short while.

Dolphin 1 swam, and with strong and swift strokes, he soon saw Piggy 2 really relaxing below a slanted coconut tree, with a glass of red wine and some peanuts! HA. Since when have pigs started to drink wine and eat peanuts? But then, since when do Dolphins have satellite phones? :p

Dolphin 1: *Shouting and Waving* Ooooi Piggy 2…….I am here!

Piggy 2: *sipping his wine and crunching a peanut* looked up and saw his good friend Dolphin 1. He was very happy to see Dolphin 1 *snort snort*

Dolphin 1: Hi Piggy 2. Nice to see you again. It has been quite a while. But I am glad to see that you are enjoying life now.

Piggy 2: Thanx to you Dolphin 1, I find time to relax and now I am feeling great. Amidst the hustle and bustle, we must really find time to relax leh.

Dolphin 1: Yeah, you are right. For me, I have lots of opportunities to travel round the whole world. I get enough exercises and can eat all the tuna I want. I also visit many interesting places like Alaska and New Zealand. Fun right?

Piggy 2: Yeah, good for you. Being able to relax here is good enough for me lah.

Dolphin 1: So, if I may ask, how is that problem of yours? Settled already?

Piggy 2: What problem? HA. No lah, there are many ways of handling a problem. It may not be the best way but I think it is appropriate for now. So I have put the matter aside and not let it affect me too much. After all, why do we want to bog ourselves down with so many problems all the time? If we adjust our expectations a little, things may become very different and reach a more acceptable level.

Dolphin 1: You are probably right. So you are putting the problem aside and not solving it directly?

Piggy 2: Could it be that putting a problem aside is actually one way of solving it? Ponder ponder.

Dolphin 1: Hmmm….hey, it is almost dusk. Lets not talk about your problem any more. Can I have a glass of red wine too?

Piggy 2: Sure, *takes wine glass and pour wine for Dolphin 1*. Cheers, and let us sit back, think of nothing except to enjoy the beautiful sunset and the wonderful red wine.

Dolphin 1 & Piggy 2: *sip sip red wine* *relax* *ummmm*......

Some Flowers

Just to share some pictures of flowers taken during my Mt KK trip last month.


Rafflesia - World's Largest Flower (kind of ugly looking cos it is already in its 6th day - going to wither)


Ginger Flower


Not sure what flower this is....anyone has an idea?


Hibicus

Mid-Autumn Festival 2005

A bunch of us gathered to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival at Bishan Park last Saturday. It was a last minute decision to go there, instead of other darker places. The moon was shining brightly as we arrived. We set up "camp" at one open spot and started feasting on some of the mooncakes, fruits and yam that some of us brought along. It was a warm evening, with little wind, supposedly good for those parading with their lanterns.

We chatted, took photos and decided to play with our lanterns. We started lighting all the lanterns we had (more than 10 of them) and hung them on the tiny tree nearby. We ran out of space to hang and ended up hanging them on another tree. We had lanterns of different shapes, sizes and characters. There were a batman, bee, butterfly, seal, dinosaur, bunny etc.









The strange thing that night was that none of us actually walked around with the lanterns. If we did, I am sure it would have been nicer. Then some of them took out sparklers to play, and while snapping some pictures, we had some great ideas to take some nice pictures and ended up with these.







In between we were "attacked" by lots of supposedly mozzies. Quite a number of us suffered bites on our legs. I wonder why only our legs got the bites. Anyway, so far all of us seemed ok. No dengue. HA. We packed up at almost midnight and proceeded to a nearby Mac to chill out. We needed the aircon. Not a very exciting Mid-Autumn Festival I must say.