Singapore Zoo 新加坡动物园 2016

What a bright and cheery morning. The time is 8am and there is barely anyone else here at the Singapore Zoo entrance (ticketing opens at 8.30am). Yay to free wifi at the zoo entrance!

It is my annual trip to the Singapore Zoo and you know what that means? It is my birthday again. I have said it before and I am saying it again: Singaporeans and PRs gain free entry to the WRS parks (Singapore Zoo, River Safari, Night Safari, Singapore Bird Park) on their birthdays! Isn't that neat?

Hatyai Sabbatical 2015

I must really apologize for the lack of updates.

The first half of 2015 has just gone in a flash. A lot has happened during the last six months and my mind have been bogged down by family matters. All is fine for now and I hope it stays that way.

Last month, my folks and I brought forward our yearly retreat to Hatyai (we usually go during year end) and we took the opportunity to recharge and re-energize. Hopefully, we did not bring the negative vibes back with us.

I think Hatyai has been blogged to death by me so I shall consolidate the entire five days into one single post and not go into the details. Since it is simply a staycation, we spend most of our time sleeping/watching TV in the hotel when we are not out looking for food.

Now if you would fasten your seatbelt, our journey shall begin in just a minute.

新加坡动物园 Singapore Zoo 2014

It was around noon when I left the Singapore River Safari. The staff stamped my hand with a chop so I could re-enter if I want to.

After thanking her, I made my way towards the Zoo entrance and again gained free entrance with my complimentary ticket. I think it is so nice of Wildlife Reserves to open up their parks for free to Singaporeans on their birthdays.

If only Resort World Sentosa would do the same... Heh heh!

河川生态园 Singapore River Safari 2014

I have been wanting to visit the Singapore River Safari ever since it opened its door a year ago. However, not all of the exhibits were complete hence, I decided to put off my visit till they are fully ready.

The park was finally completed last December and I feel the time for my visit has come.

While looking for information on the Wildlife Reserves website, I discovered that Singaporeans and PRs enjoy free admission to all of WRS parks during their birthdays!

What better timing to take advantage of this offer as my birthday is just approaching?

霹雳2013:怡保与邦咯岛 *图多慎入*

*English version*

大家好!

几个星期前，一民热衷于社区服务的阿姨主办了一个到马来西亚，霹雳州的旅游团而我们一家也受邀同游。

日盼夜盼，期待已久的这天终于来临！

我们摸黑起床与各位团友集合后就上了旅游巴士往新柔长堤开去。

一伙人上了旅游巴士就倒头大睡直到抵达了华都牙也 (Batu Gajah) 享用早餐。

妈妈的早餐

有谁晓得这包是什么呢？它只有手掌般大小。

它包的像椰浆饭但里面装的并不是我们熟悉的小鱼干，蛋皮和花生而是几只淋上酱汁的虾仔。

说句实话，我还蛮喜欢这饭配上酱汁的味道。

Hat Yai Trip 2013 *Photos Intensive*

Hat Yai

*中文版*

Sawadeeka!

Last month, I boarded Tiger Airways with my parents heading for Hat Yai, Southern Thailand. We touched down at Hat Yai International Airport after a 75 minutes flight from Singapore Changi Airport.

Compared to taking a coach ride setting off from Golden Mile Complex to Southern Thailand via Malaysia, we saved more than twenty hours and alot of backache.

Those who know me might wonder why does my family visit Hat Yai year after year? Isn't it boring?

Hat Yai is not as picturesque as Phuket nor as glamorous as Bangkok. What it have is a very slow pace of life and aged buildings.

However, these are the exact factors which drew my parents to this place as they find the way of life suits them perfectly.

Furthermore, the cost of living is relatively cheaper here and communication is not much of a problem as the Thai Chinese here speaks a little Teochew, Cantonese and Hakka.

合艾之旅2013 *图多慎入*

合艾

*English version*

三碗猪脚！（Sawadeeka）

上个月，我和两老登上了虎航飞往泰南，合艾。从新加坡樟宜国际机场起航短短75分钟后，我们就抵达了合艾国际机场。

这比起N年前从黄金大厦（Golden Mile Complex）搭乘二十几个小时的长途巴士途经马来西亚再抵达泰南边境而省却了不少的时间与折腾！

认识我的朋友或许会纳闷，我家为何年年都会回到这里度假呢？难道不闷吗？

的确，合艾即没有普吉岛那怡人的景色，也没有曼谷的绚丽繁华。这里有的，只是非常慢的生活节奏和老旧的店屋。

可是，两老偏偏就喜欢这一点，觉得这样的步伐才适合他们。

再来，这里消费便宜，沟通上也没多大的问题因为这里的华侨都会说些潮州，广东或客家话。

合艾2012：酒店篇

大家好，我刚结束了5天4夜的合艾（Hatyai）之旅。

合艾处于泰国南部宋卡府，靠近马来西亚的边界。是许多马来西亚于新加坡人爱到的旅游地点。

我家几乎年年都会到那放松一下，所以今年也不例外。

只是，我们这次决定不安排任何的行程；我们不去拜佛，不逛水上市场，不光赏人妖秀也不去看美人鱼。

这些都是往年去过，看过，玩过的因此没必要再花钱去多一次。

因为纯粹是staycation，所以大部分的时间除了在酒店附近买东西，吃东西和按摩外，就是呆在房里补眠。

这次的旅行有爽到 ～