Part of the Dresden Adventure

When Mr Oink went for his conference:

Most of the time I will just walked to the city, find a cafe, had my coffee, sweets and will spend time reading my book until Mr Oink comes to foot the bill. Haha. I am very stingy because I only change S$500 and only got 235 Euro. I am mean. :p

Well, the most exciting part of my trip had arrived. One fine day, without Mr Oink, I decided to explore further than the old city. I took a steam boat(Real Boat, not Coca ok) to the Pillnitz Castle. At the counter, (duck and chicken talk) I asked for a ticket for the tour. Boarded the boat and realised that everything is in German. I told myself, "is alright, nothing much you need to know, enjoy the scenery and have fun."

With a loud blast, the boat started sailing. Along the river, there are alot of castles, very very beautiful. 2 old ladies from Holland sat beside me and started talking to me in English. Thank God! Finally found someone who can understand me. We started chatting and they are very very nice.

Reached the dock at the castle, bid goodbye to the couple and i started my own journey to the castle. Beautiful castle, but everything in german. As i walked around the huge garden, I saw many people gathering around this huge glass house and a tree, so i walk over to take a look, explanation is in.... German... so forget it. Then suddenly the couple appeared and ask me whether i understand the glass house and tree, and they started explaining. The tree is camelia, they cant grow in winter, so during winter they will lift the glass house and placed it over the tree to keep it alive. Cool.

After that, the couple said they are going to visit other places in the castle, so we said goodbye again.

Time to leave the castle and to wait at the dock for the boat. As Singaporean, I was KS, I went earlier to queue so I can get good seat onboard. As the queue got longer, someone came to announce something... in German... Everyone else queuing started to show unhappy look and murmuring on something. I was puzzled, what are they talking about? I couldnt find the couple to translate for me, so not wanting to give up my spot, i continue queuing. Eventually the boat arrived. So i told myself, "Everything gonna be alright.". I boarded the boat, found a good spot and even raised my tired legs.

Soon after the boat make way, there was another announcement. "Ding Dong, ijihaijhfeijbjbguqyeo4580990ihfbfkdklgl." Heehee, whatever it is, i dont understand. The passengers started talking about, i was quite worried then. "What's going on?" i asked. Not long after, the boat went alongside a jetty, not my destination, passengers started to alight. Panicked i was, when to look for the ship crews to ask what's going on and he couldnt tell me. :( 

I alighted the boat, on a jetty that is not familiar and then, the couple appeared before me. Phew! What a relief! They told me that there might be a bomb at our destination, therefore the boat is not going back, we have to make our own way back to the city. They told me that they are going back to the city and asked me to follow them. So they are the only people i understand and trust, I followed them.

Safely, they brought me back to the city on tram. They said goodbye to me and left... I feel that they are actaully angels send by God, only appeared when i m in need. Isnt that cool?

Steam Boat The Castle

Germany Part 1

Hey! My post kind of end after my Singapore. I told myself that I m going to talk abt Dresden, Frankfurt and Sydney, but I m extremely not a blogger. Haha.

I will try to blog again.

Dresden, Germany (13th to 20th Jun)

13th to 14th- Basically on the plane(Qantas). The Frankfurt airport is really huge. Took 30mins to walk from one end to the other. Took an 1 hour flight to Dresden.

First, we stay in Holiday Inn, Executive Level. Almost got everything in the room, ironing board, free bottles of mineral water, good quality toiletries, free wireless and etc.

After settling down, we decide to start our adventure! Asked the receptionist(speak quite good english) for direction to the city (there is two cities, old and new), we decided on the new one. Took a walk and a stranger with a bottle of beer came up to us to ask for cigarette. What?! Do we look like smoker? We said no and ran away. Jason was then abit worried because those days where he got to attend the conference, I will be on my own. I assured him not to worry because i know karate(bluff). 

We headed toward the new city. Interestingly, there is a fair going on, very happening. Sausages, beers and cakes everywhere... Yum! No diet during holiday! 

at the New City                      Yummy cakes! I had the strawberry one.

Walked around the fair, alot of funny looking people and interesting stuffs, too many to mention, so not telling you. haha. 

Story telling Carry on with life!

3 little pigs

After walking around the city, i was shocked. Why? Because is very small, is that all? I still got another week here? Are you serious? I was not very impressed.

15th onwards

Took a tram ride to the old city... Da ta!!! This is what you called European Country. Nice old building, streets of cafes, live performances and music playing on the background. Yes!! Took out my fav camera and snaps snaps. Love it!

 

Old city    Famous Church      My Super Model.

Basically, we spent 2 days in the old city. Mr Oink realised that Holiday Inn is too far from his conference venue, so he decided that no matter how expensive the conference hotel is, we are moving there. I think is double the price of Holiday Inn but nearer to old city and conference. So we moved. We got quite a big room, but no free internet, no free water, no this and that. We really had a good laugh. Pay more and get less. 

Holiday Inn

Conference Hotel.

13th Jun

Today, i flying off to Frankfurt, Germany. I woke up around 10 plus. Walked to buy my favourite "pai ku mee". I should buy an extra packet for myself... simply too delicious.

Meet PT at Toa Payoh, she went for a haircut too. Nice one! 

Went to J8 to change SD to Euro. Heart pained, the conversion rate is s$2 to 1 Euro. :( 

I havent packed my luggage as usual, i know i shouldnt keep everything till last minute. I will try to change. ;p

Helped Dad to print out his book, I m so proud of Dad, he is so gifted in writing poem and Mr Oink actually has his gene. So we decided to write a poem for dad for fathers' day.

We had a very nice dinner at terminal 3. Surprised Dad with our present. Made our way to terminal 1, Granny, aunties and many people came to send me off. We are wondering if Mr Oink can come out from custom, and he did! Everyone was glad to see him.

Time to say goodbye. I was still strong, i told myself not to cry. Went around hugging and bidding goodbye. When i was hugging Dad, he said,"Sally, no matter what, dont look down on yourself, You can do it." Tears started rolling down, i couldnt help crying. 

After we passed the daparture gate, mom keeps showing us I LOVE YOU in the korean drama way, so adorable, so heart warming.

I love all of you! You are the treasures of my heart. Thank you!

1:Dinner at Dian Xiao Er at Terminal 3, PT with new hairstyle!

2:PIL

3:Father's Day Pressie

4:2 supermodels

5:Everyone at the airport.

11th and 12th Jun

11th June

Nothing much about today because i spent almost 5 hours in the hair salon.

12th June

Girls' Day Out!

Meeting all my dear friends today! Happy and very happy. ha ha. Limited vocabulary.

CC and i met at chinatown for foot reflexology, Bath Culture. It has a very nice setting and ambience. It is extremely Chi-na. We have a good massage and good time catching up. 

Went to Takashimaya, CC looking for a white dress, she looks so pretty in the white dress. Tall, slim and long hair, like super model. :) My dear childhood friend, SO, came to meet us too. So sweet of her, she just got her wisdom tooth removed, but guess what, she went for buffet, satay and etc. Who says when you remove wisdom tooth you can only have soup and liquid stuff. haha. She is still as humorous as before, she really light up our meeting. Muack.

SG and SH joined us as well. We went around shopping a little bit. Bought ties for Mr Oink and etc. :p As I am the tourist, i get to decide what to eat, so we went around hunting, it is so difficult to make a choice. Initially we settle for korean food at Far East, so CC drove. Halfway, we decided to go clark quay instead. Flicker minded Me! Guess what, even at Clark Quay, we went around searching for food, finally, we settled our dinner at a japanese restaurant. Poor SO, she took quite a while to finish her food. 

We really had a good time together. SG, CC, DE and i went for second round at Partyworld, karaoke. SG and CC can sing really really well, so i spent most of the time enjoying their singing. ;p We sang all the way till 2 am.

Time to bid goodbye. Feel so sad again. Later in the day, i am leaving Singapore again.

1:Look at the coach gang. haha. Rich tai tais.

2:Girls' night out

3:Yummy dessert at Jap rest.

4:Second round at karaoke.

Summary Jun 7th to 10th 2008

7th Jun

Today, i arrived Singapore at about 6pm. My PIL picked me up at the airport and we went to Bedok to have dinner. I had Hokkien mee, Wu Xiang and my favorite Teh Peng! I love Singapore.

Visited Ah ma after that. Went to Toa Payoh to get toiletries and bubble tea. The bubble tea in Perth is so not nice and got very little pearls, and it costs A$3.50. Well, once in a while got cravings then have no choice but spent the money.

SIL and BIL (both sick) came to visit me although they aint feeling well, so touched. They bought more desserts for me, i think i got to scrap my dieting plan again. Singapore, a place where you shouldnt be on diet. haha

8th Jun

Woke up late today, so i missed church, not a very good thing, sorry. Wanted to visit my HDB, but the tenant not in. I went to granny's place. I miss her. Thank God that she is well now although a bit weak. Today is dumpling festival too. People tries to test me the reason for this festival, my goodness, I m born and i grew up in Singapore, I m not ang mo hor. Heehee. Of course i know why. ;p

All my aunties and family gathered at granny's place, isnt that good? I have been the main attraction that gathers everyone together. haha. *feel so proud* I love you people! muack!

1:Teaching my aunt to look slimmer when taking photo

2:With my handsome brother

3:My beloved Granny

4: Granny's grandchildren. Age range from 27(me) to 3 years old. Total of 13.

Today is also my cousin Yen's wedding(father's side). I thought it will be a good time to catch up with the other side of my relatives, so i went. We havent been in touched for more than 10 years, i was so excited to see how beautiful she is. Her wedding is at Orchard Hotel. The groom looks like one of the TCS star, can you recognize who?

It was a fun night, a good time of fellowship. Few funny occasion occurred, the first one,

There is this uncle that i havent seen for ages, so been nice, i went to say Hi to him. The first thing he mentioned, "Wow, you so fat!". At this moment i wanted to walk away man, sad. Then he asked, "How many children you have?" Being annoyed, i answered, "5!" and i walked away. Well, you can say i m petty, i know i m fat but dont hurt my little heart. :(

Another occasion, this aunty, wife of my third uncle, she cried when i say goodbye to her, she hold on to my arm and said, "Xueli, i dont bear to let you go." and tears come rolling down. I was shocked and amazed, i dont even know her very well, even when i was younger we hardly talk. So i give her a hug and tell her to take care. She then said,"Dont forget to match make for your cousin.". Haha, maybe this is her ultimate motive. heehee

Most of my cousins are married and have kids, you can tell by the photos.

1: The gathering of all the cousins' children

2:The beautiful bride and charming groom

9th Jun

Met up with my best sister, SH. Went shopping at orchard road. SH talking about going for brazilian, haha, finally! I have been trying to talk her into it for months, finally some response.

She is really a tai tai, even buying clothes for her children, she will go to Zara. Parents are more willing to spend on their child than on themselves. Is that good or bad?

We went to sakae sushi for lunch. Yum Yum.

10th Jun

Today, i dedicate my time to spend with my beloved Mummy. In the morning, my PIL, mummy and I have lunch together. Roti Prata! The weather was really hot. Perspiring when i am eating.

After the good lunch, we went to see my HDB, the finishing product. Currently we rent out to a philippine family of 5. When we arrived, I realised there are more than 5 person living there.

My MIL said that the more the merrier.

Went shopping with mummy at Toa payoh. My dear mummy went to those aunty HDB saloon and permed her hair. The result is hair badly damage and they cut her hair until it look like a mop. I laughed and also mad at her for not going to a reputable one. So i brought her to the salon i usually go, De element. They rescue Mummy's hair and give her a new bob look. Well done. We went for massage too. Shiok!

We are meeting my aunty and her family for dinner at whampoa market. After dinner, i went to visit my friend, AK, who has just given birth to princess Faith. They are living near to my mummy house, just few blocks away.

Had a good time catching up with AK. At about 10pm, it was raining heavily, so i couldnt go home, so we continue chatting until almost 11 pm. The rain didnt stop, so mummy called and ask if i want her to come and fetch me. ok!

So i waited downstair for her, suddenly i heard the sound of umbrella opening, i turned and saw... my dear brother. He came to fetch me. heehee. Such warm feeling. 

Took a warm shower and chill out with mummy and brother.

 

1:Roti Prata - family outing

2:Our HDB- rented out

3:Dinner at whampoa market

4:Princess Faith Tan

5:David and me.