Much Ado About Buses and Perfect Timing!

On the last day at the Copthorne Orchid Hotel, I decided to take a bus down to Penang Road to do some shopping and to have a late lunch. I wanted to buy some souvenirs for my colleagues as well as to have the famous chendol which I missed last year. I knew that if I did not do my shopping, I would not have time anymore, as we would be too busy visiting relatives during the New Year.

The bus stop was just outside of the hotel, and I was pleased when the bus came along just after 5 minutes of waiting. After shopping I asked for directions to the main bus terminal. It was quite crowded and after five minutes I caught the blue bus of Hin Company again to go back to the hotel. I was very pleased and told myself that now the buses in Penang were very efficient! I remember how I used to wait for a long time for the bus when I was a teenager!

The bus was extremely crowded and I heard a lady talking on the phone. She mentioned that she had waited for two hours for the bus! I smiled at her and she told me that RapidPenang bus drivers had gone on strike! Fortunately there was still the Hin Company bus but it was jam packed and with the weak airconditioning, the vehicle was like a sauna! Some passengers were fanning themselves furiously.

Later in the evening, I read a copy of the Sun and found out that 230 RapidPenang bus drivers went on strike and thousands of commuters were left without transport. If I had known about the strike, I would not have ventured to Penang Road. But as usual, the ignorant and favoured ones seem to get all the blessings (sha ren yiu sha fu).

My beloved brother Kee Seng had booked a five star luxury coach for me to return to Singapore. Each chair comes with massage and a TV screeen. I enjoyed watching the Malay movie, Anak Pontianak (Ghost Child) and a Cantonese movie, "Home Sweet Home". I was apprehensive of the New Year crowd at the Immigration, but was pleasantly surprised when I found that our coach was the only one at Tuas Immigration! Hence, checking in was a breeze!

Later in the morning, I called my manager, Aveline and she informed me that she had come back from Muar the previous night. The Immigration centres were jam packed even up to one'clock in the morning!

I am grateful to God for His blessings. He alone knows of the little details which I am ignorant about! These little details, though not a matter of life and death, are nevertheless essential to the total enjoyment of one's vacation. Indeed this is one of the most fulfilling trips I have enjoyed. I come back, refreshed and rejuvenated, determined to enjoy the rat race in 2008! I want to run at a comfortable pace, not too fast that I miss smelling the flowers and not too slow that even the tortoise has overtaken me. Most importantly, to put my priorities in their right perspectives, and to walk closely with God. In brief, to enjoy the abundant life that God has given me!

Music - An International Language!

Music is an international "language" that the world understands! Last night, I had a pleasant surprise when my cousin's daughter called me to inform me that she wanted to visit me at the hotel. Girlie is a very busy career lady and hence, I appreciate her wanting to spend some time to take me out for dinner. She suggested Ingolf and I did not mind to go to the German restaurant again, this time to try the Mediterranean salad. Girlie particularly likes Ingolf's black pepper sauce. I told Girlie I would teach her how to make black pepper sauce when I visit their home during Chinese New Year.

After dinner, I decided to go to the Stars Lounge again to listen to the singers. This time, I realised there were quite a number of Caucasians. They enjoyed the music, and since a couple were sitting next to our table, I told them that they could request for English songs as well, as the local Malaysian singer, Mr. C.C. Ong, could sing in a few different languages. Later, the waitress brought some flowers and the couple generously bought a bouquet for Mr. Ong. The lady singers and staff are excellent in their Public Relations. They recognised me and waved to me, and a few of them even came to chat with me and Girlie.

I told Girlie that I have a soft spot for the singers because they bring back memories of my beloved papa, who used to work in the nightclub as a bandmaster. During papa's time, there would always be a 5 man band to accompany the singers. Today, only one deejay is needed to play the music for the singers! Some customers were very generous, and it was just great the see the singers receiving their bouquets of flowers which range from MR50 to MR500. In Singapore, I hardly have time to visit KTV lounges and hence, I enjoyed the time listening to renditions of popular songs. Somehow I prefer older songs which seem to have nicer tunes.

During the previous night, I noticed there was a group of Saudi Arabians in the Lounge, and they too seemed to enjoy the music. Indeed music connects people regardless of race, culture and religion!

What would life be like without the Sound of Music? Indeed, music makes my world go round!

Much Ado About Penang!

Greetings from Penang, the Pearl of the Orient! I am typing in the Internet Centre of Copthorne Orchid, Penang. This is my third day of stay at this lovely beach hotel.

Penang is so beautiful, as always! I love the beaches at Tanjong Bungah and Batu Feringhi. I will post photos when I am back in Singapore.

Yesterday evening, my sister-in-law, Saw Kim, and I went for dinner at the popular German Restaurant, Ingolf's Kneipe. The food and service were excellent, and the price extremely reasonable. No wonder the restaurant is always well-patronised. After dinner, we decided to pop in at the Hotel KTV Lounge where some singers from China were performing. There was a local singer, Mr. Ong and he was excellent...very humorous and versatile. He sang in Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese, English and Malay!

This morning, brother Kee Seng came to fetch us for breakfast at a local coffee shop. The Hokkien and Curry noodles were excellent and cost only MR3.00 per bowl. The parking fees would make Singaporeans turn green with envy.......thirty Malaysian cents for half an hour!
I try not to contain my joy and surprise, for we Singaporeans have been likened to the birds that go around chirping, "Cheap, cheap, cheep, cheep....." However, I notice that some of the imported clothings cost more here.

Penangnites are such warm and friendly people. Most people prefer to cook their own reunion dinner than to dine at the restaurant. I guess there is always that element of warmth and greater camaraderie when we are in the home. I really look foward to the reunion dinner at home.

My niece, Tyng, who just arrived from Kuala Lumpur last night was supposed to join me at the hotel, but she had taken ill. Hence, I would be staying on my own for today. Brother was concerned that I would be alone, but I reminded him that I had travelled round the world so many times on my own. Now that I realise it, I have never ever felt lonely in my life! When I am with people, I enjoy the company of friends, colleagues and relatives. But I also love it when I am on my own. There is so much peace, solace and serenity when I am on my own. I feel the sweet presence of the Lord. There are so many interesting things to do. How I wish there were 48 hours in a day!

I am thankful for the opportunity to be back home in Penang. Now with my improved health from the scalar quantum pendant, I am able to walk for long distances along the beach. I always feel so refreshed and rejuvenated after spending my vacation here.

May Penang always remain as beautiful and charming as ever. May God bless the people and government of Malaysia.