My Runway Cycling Debute_20 Jun 2010

National Runway Cycling and Skating

20 June 2010 Paya Lebar Air Base
Jointly organised by SAFRA and RSAF (Republic of Singapore Air Force)
This event attracted 7,000 enthusiasts, and we were proud to be one of them!!

Our bicycles were under cover for months and we thought it should be time to unveil them and put them to good use when we learned about this event. We brought our *dusty* bicycles for a thorough check up a day before the event and true enough, tyres were as flat as the runway, chains were squeaking. After fixing them, we were ready.
Oh yes, unless you want to look roasted or suffer sunburn, slap on sun block and don a cap.
Runway is flat. The sunbeam comes straight at you.

The morning road to Paya Lebar Air Base saw cars with hanging bicycles heading towards the public car park, cyclists already cycling on their way to the venue.

The event had 2 categories: Endurance (competitve) or Leisure.
Leisure for us (me) of cos!
The starting point had heaps and heaps of people, everybody in high spirits, couldn't wait to start paddling/ skating...
"Ring the bells", the commentator shouted, and you could hear a good roar of cheers and bells filling up the compound. Some had funny ring tones, like the siren when you break into somebody's car!

It was 8.30am and the ride began.
It was really fun to watch the people and their vehicles.
A kid paddling on a 3-wheel bike, guy on a harley davidson-lookalike modified bike, father on a bicycle dragging his son on his wagon, man paddling with his arms.


We registered for the 6km route, but ended up on the 15km route ~ firstly, we did not know how to exit from 6km since everybody seemed to be heading straight after 6km and secondly, we thought we shouldn't lose to children who were still padding on!
4km on and we were still able to chat while we cycle.
6km on and I was beginning to feel the stretch on my legs... Push on, I told myself.
10km on and we both went quiet. (No more strength...!)
12km on and we went to a H2O station for a short break.
Off we went and we decided to take a pic at 14km to prove we did not take a pic at the finishing line from the starting line!!

FINALLY...
we reached a sign: 2nd lap to take on a left lane, right lane to finish
~ right lane for us (me) of cos!

Contented and rosy faces reached the finishing line.
It was quite a feat, given that I have not cycled for quite awhile now...
The event had free popcorns, candy floss, kampung games for children and a bazaar sale.


Overall a pleasant experience and I am looking forward to another round of runway - next year!

Our bicycles were nothing fanciful, but they served us well for the day.
They are back under the covers, for now.

Ignorance is bliss... How true?

If you don't know something, it can't hurt you.

Don't question, don't probe... let nature show you, let society lead you...
Know that the sun shines, don't question when the rain comes..
Know that he loves you, don't probe how much as compared to his past girl friends...
You just want to keep yourself safe, safe from being hurt, safe from feeling pain.
Life starts and ends with yourself alone, isn't it?
So what's wrong with being happy and not care a thing about the world?
Ignorance is bliss, is it not?

No.
Being ignorance means avoiding the truth.
It means not wanting to put yourself in a situation you hate.
It means not giving it a shot should it turns out to be more beautiful than you expect.
It means living in fear...

I'm torn in between.. what should it be?
Why am I even thinking?

No one is in charge of your happiness, but you - Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old.

Stair Climbing to Good Health!

All you need:

Locate a Point Block - 24 storeys and above.
Comfortable T-shirt and shorts
Any kind of footwear will do, even slippers.
A buddy if you like to chat or to listen to your grouses when it gets tougher along the way
Your pair of legs
Optional: Umbrella (rain or shine) - it helps... in my view.

Start climbing the stairs and enjoy the view when you reach the top.
Take the lift down* and start climbing again.
Making 2 trips could have gotten you almost 500 steps!
It took us approx. 5-6 mins for every complete climb.
* Walking down the stairs could strain your knee joints.

Caution:
Noisy barking dogs living on the higher floors who hate strangers, since hardly anybody would be using the stairs at those levels. We encountered that. Cute little ones can be very fierce.
And stop the climb if you get really breathless. In any case, take your time.
Fastest and most convenient way to get an excellent aerobic workout!
And best of all, it is absolutely FREE!

Durian Fiesta with Goodwood Park Hotel

Goodwood Park Hotel

http://www.goodwoodparkhotel.com/
1 March - 25 July 2010
15% discount to UOB and Citibank credit card holders

Friends in town and need recommendation for good durian pastries?
Dying for thick and full durian fillings on cakes, puffs and eclairs?
Deli @ Goodwood Park certainly delivers!

Durian Puffs
S$2.20 per piece
S$12.80 for 6pieces
S$39.80 for 20 pieces

Durian Mousse Cake
S$8.50 per slice
S$52 for 1.3kg (below)
S$98 for 2.5kg
S$133 for 35kg

Ah Gong loves durian, and we got to try this yummy durian cake on his 95th birthday.

Resort World Sentosa - Hard Rock Cafe

Resort World Sentosa

http://www.rwsentosa.com/
It was meant to be a surprise for me, and I was really surprised!
I would never have thought of going to Sentosa on a wet and late Wednesday in my work attire!

We drove past Resort World and made a stop at Hard Rock Hotel.
The hotel was really pretty, as compared to the other hotels around the vicinity.
THe others looked typically the same, Middle-East inspired earth coloured buildings. Made them looked really block-y and uninspiring.
Hard Rock, on the other hand, had a more wild and fun look, the familiar electric guitar, and beautiful boutique designed interior.



This was not the place he had intended to bring me to.
It was Hard Rock Cafe, which interestingly, is not situated inside Hard Rock HOtel!
You have to walk out of Hard Rock HOtel and head towards Resort World (the connecting tunnel is not ready...)
Along the way, we found several interesting stuff:

Victoria Secrets is in Singapore!
Nowhere else could you find VS except a few products from the Duty Free at Changi Airport.
I was excited, but was let-down when I scavaged through the items.
Minimal selection, not like what I saw from the VS website.
Pity.

Not going to pay a hefty entrance fee for a tour, we just took a walk into the Casino area, just to see the kinds of people walking in & out of the place.
It's interesting you know? Many people came out and head for the ATM machines closeby!
(Btw, there were ATM machines almost everywhere in RW. You'll never be short of money and no excuse for you to say that.)

There were restaurants and some other vacant units.
And there was BreadTalk, who came up with an interesting Casino-themed item too!


Finally, we found Hard Rock Cafe on the 2nd floor after much searching and walking.
It was crowded compared to other restaurants and even though it was a weekday.
Good rock music, I like the ambience in HRC, as always.

The main course was normal, it was the chilli crab dips that stole the limelight!
You can only find this in Singapore's Hard Rock Cafe. You've got to try it if you have not!
The Ice Tea was good too, if you like orange peel juices. Light and refreshing.



We took a short stroll after dinner at its outdoor area and took a few pics.
Everything here makes you feel like you're in a huge theme park.


Worth coming over just to walk and see the interesting shops here.
All these are free.
We did not think we would have time to explore those pay-to-enter places - and there are quite a few, uhm... alot actually.

Singapore Botanic Gardens - A whole new experience

Singapore Botanic Gardens

http://www.sbg.org.sg/
5am - midnight
Free Admission (except to National Orchid Garden - S$5/adult, S$1/child & senior citizen)

This place has changed so much.
That was our first thought when we stepped into the Garden.
We had anticipated showers from the look out of my window of the morning sky.
However, we still went ahead with our plan to visit SBG.
I was so thrilled we did.


The start of the trail invites you to a beautiful landscape surrounding the Symphony Lake, a platform for performing arts with beautiful floating water lilies as decorations. People were seen having picnics, playing frisbees, and even badminton! We caught a group of people practising Tai Chi, what a good way to start a chirpy and hearty morning. Shame on me.

SBG is a learning place to spot interesting plants.

The first thought that ran through my mind when I spotted this plant was Medusa from Greek Mythology!

I thought this resembles crab claws!
What do you think?

Ginger Garden
- where to spot ginger? On the ground or on the trees, he asked.
We got our answers when we saw a group of foreigners getting excited snapping pictures of the roots of these plants.

Titled as Curtain of Roots, these hanging reddish "strings" are actually roots/vines known as the Princess Vine - known to be a close relative to grapes.
This plant is also known to be a healer, traditionally used to treat rheumatism, ulcer and diabetes.

SBG also displays unique pieces of artistic sculptors.

Frederick Chopin
- A gift of the people of Poland to us in memory of great tone poets.

Girl on Swing

Girl on Bicycle

Passing of Knowledge


Just as we had anticipated, showers came down on us, even the Swans were swimming away for a hide.
We were drenched, but were totally satisfied and happy we came, just to breathe in the fresh air and appreciate nature.

We ended with a hot glass of Teh Tarik and piping hot pratas at Pratas at Mr. Prata House, situated closeby to SBG.

What a great morning.