Singapura...

Selamat Datang Singapura...

Wow, after almost 24 hours of not checking my mails, blogging, walking, eating, walking and eating again in Singapore... I'm back, online that is.

Well, just to keep my blog updated, EY flight 407 Abu Dhabi to Singapore was light load... bad for the company and of course, smiling crew La! Only 209 very quiet and very clean passengers in coral economy, good crew as usual and 6 hours and 40 minutes flight.

I have full of excitement to see Singapore, will it be more beautiful and posh like KL or not?

Then the verdict... My jaw dropped to see the clean city of Singapura. Very well organized, clean & did I say clean? Yes! And expensive (laughs!) It is ! But I don't convert anymore so I doesn't matter.

My first observation is that Singapore's urban planning is very well planned, trees are every where and the roads are wide. A mixture of old and new for the buildings...Tall buildings and more of the old-chinese or colonial structures.

I see food...food...food.

Singapore is a haven for Tourists... A melting pot for different nationalities. There are our favorite Indians...Malays...Chinese and the Caucasians.

People walk in SHORTS...Tees and flipflops...

Often I see dresses and high end bags...I love bags...and shoes, and gadgets and more...

Locals? Not that friendly! He He He... You want my honest opinion right so here it is...

*** Unlike other Asian countries, I would say that the people here in Singapore don't often smile. This is based on the streets, malls and places I have visited in less than 48 hours so I maybe wrong.
*** Busy with work maybe so the stress level is high
*** Street fashion here is practiced
*** Very clean road and surroundings
*** Nice shops, restaurants and buildings
*** Pork, Pork, Pork...
*** They encouraged their elders to work which is good to keep them busy and earn money like in Hong Kong
*** Transport system is perfect... MRT is easy to learn
*** Some LV products are cheap, most are expensive like KL
*** Many luxury cars can be seen here like in UAE
*** I see more Indians & Chinese than Malays... Why? Or did I just go to Chinatown and Indian Palace?

And during my second day, I was able to rub elbows with Natalia while buying my point & shoot camera at FUNAN (MTV segment producer & wife of MTV Asia VJ Jaime Aditya, now in CNBC as Segment Producer and Presenter)

There is more to explore in this small city... And I will post more update... Tomorrow, I'll go to Brisbane...( & Boy I am excited to see the Gold coast! )

Ciao Ciao De Carabao

Singapore-Brisbane At Last!

Whew, after almost 14 months of waiting...finally, the long wait is over... Singapore-Brisbane flight is ours...

If its few months back, say December, I should have been more or should I say very excited to do this sector. Why? because of the pay that's why? Now? Well, I'm still excited but not as excited, I will meet my long lost friend way back in Philippine Airlines days, Ma. Cristina Rosales, Doctor by profession, turned Flight Attendant then a very good housewife and mother for Huey...

I promised her many times I will visit her, all my friends here in Etihad and Emirates did except me, Why? Because I can't get the sector...

Anyway, no more bragging, it's here and we are ready.

I promised myself that I will pack light for a 9-Day trip and I did, I have plenty of space by the way... Please no more shopping, I wish! But I will really try not to be tempted by these BIG, BOLD, RED Letters that says     S A L E or the WHITE LETTERS that reads...               

L O U I S  V U I T T O N... Not to day I hope...

Hay! Got to prepare now... I can hear that JC is all awake, early as always...

Ciao Ciao De Carabao

I'll just update this blog after 10 hours as soon as I reached Singapore La! Like the old cliche goes, its not about the journey...It's about the experience... Fine City and Gold coast... Here we come...

Blog Test From My New Nokia E71

Mabrook to me. After days of disturbia, I finally picked Nokia E-series E71, I would wanted an Iphone again because of its many features however if I will buy it, it will be my 4th Iphone ti date, so I pass.

I'm loving this new phone now... But 4 how long? I promised JC that I will keep this 6 months, stop me.

So I am hoping to have a lasting partnershIp with my new smartphone. Inshallah!

Ciao Ciao De Carabao

GUCCI Summer 2009 Collection

Yesterday I was able to browse on the new collection of GUCCI and hell all were BLUE but pretty...

However I still love the men's summer collection for 2009. And here are two of the three Gucci items I like...

Ciao Ciao De Carabao

Just..Be Happy...

More often than not we neglect the simplest things that truly makes us happy...

Like waking up in the morning...ALIVE

The sun that shines brightly...

The water that quench our thirst...

The food we eat...

Good health...

Our job that pays the bills...

Our friends and family...

Our detractors that makes us stronger...

& God made it all possible...

Simple things yet we ignore these the most...

For me...I need to reflect more of the blessings that I have received over the years... Be contented on what I have and make it work! (Sigh!)

The feeling of emptiness makes it worst! I hate it! When you're alone... All of the stuff comes in... & I felt so low... sad...

Hayyyyyyy! Just one of the days to conquer... One of the days to forget, neglect or reflect!

Just Be Happy!

Ciao Ciao De Carabao

Coming To America

I slept at around 12 midnight last night.

As usual I was awaken at around 0230H (that's everyday!) then slept again because I need to be ready for my US Crew Visa schedule, pick-up was 0630H.

The bus came early, picked up some crew in Al Salama, Al Jazeera and Crescent Tower and reached the embassy before 0730H. The queue was manageable but after passing 2 security clearance we waited for almost 2 hours to finish the whole stretch of visa issuance. There are still tourist going to the U.S, well, they need to have cash flow to keep the economy going right! RECESSION remember?

Well, my number is 304. Most of the crew went back to photocopy their visa page because they didn't have one, I'm lucky I did prepare it so no hassle for me. A guy interviewed me, which is by the way a bit strict-looking, asked me if there's new US route this year, I said " We'll have Chicago by September 2009, the third largest terminal and majority of Arab-Americans reside in Illinois. He replied "good". You have been refused visa before? I said "YES", why? Well I said 9 years ago they said I'm too young and I may not have reason to go back to Manila... He then said okay, just get your passport and US visa tomorrow. Then I replied, " Thank you! ".

At that time? probably yes if they have given me one! But now? no way, I am better off here than in America.

But there's still many people trying their luck in the US, pursuing their American Dream! For me, there are more beautiful and interesting places and more accommodating like in Europe, Asia or Africa.

In my opinion, the reason why US are quiet strict in issuing visa for tourist is that some abuse the privilege by not returning back to their respective countries. So the real tourists and visitors were the one taking the back slash of their actions.

So much for the heartaches... It's time to bear another ultra-long haul flights to JFK and soon in Chicago. My taste of the American Dream will soon be a reality.

Whatever!

Ciao Ciao De Carabao