it is a strange coincidence, that one day before I take my Class 2 riding test (which would allow me to ride motorcycles of any engine displacement), I recieved an SMS about the death of a fellow motorcyclist.

I only knew him as Mr Bean or rather misterbean to be precise, his nickname in some bike forums. Met him only twice, once during a supper session at Adam Road hawker centre (where I discovered the wonderful prawn noodles), and the other time at Racewerks, where he sent his bike to replace some electrical parts while I was collecting my newly repaired RS250 after that crash. He was a very friendly but softspoken man. He love his new bike, the Honda CBRXX1100 (aka Blackbird) so much that he actually bought the bike before he pass his Class 2!

Riders that had went with him on overseas trip all agree he was a safe rider, one that do not exceed his limits. He was also a patient rider (an uncommon trait, since he's riding Honda's fastest production motorcycle) and is willing to trudge at a 'slow' pace to be the last bike, shadowing class 2B riders and ensuring their safety.

No one was near him when he crashed. Witness (when they got there) said he died on the spot, bikes aflame, limbs torn. What's worst, is that his parents do not know he is riding. Yes, he manage to keep it from them for few years (he's married with 1 kid already).

Still, death is something the Undo function does not have effect on. The fellow riders of that fateful trip had kneeled down in front of his parents, asking for forgiveness. They may not be at fault, but I guess it's something to close the pain.

RIP.

On a different note, the next day I passed my Class 2 test on the first try.

 

Lastly, met up with some CACS guitar chaps to do some DVD duplication and was pleasantly surprised to find out that this year's NDP singer was from CACS guitar! In fact, Gong Shi Jia or Kaira Gong, had performed Lady Marmalade with me playing the bass a few years back!

This is us, I think in 2003. "Hey sista go sista soul sista!"

 

And this is Shi Jia now, taken from NDP website

 

Wonder what whitening cream she use...oops! Just joking, all the best to her singing career!

Yup, thanks to my new posting in LPB, I've got the chance to go to USA again! My function was mainly as a diplomatic courier, hand carrying some 'stuff'. Anyway, becasue of this I got to go to Peace Vanguard and Peace Carvin II, the 2 RSAF overseas detachment that operates the AH-64 and F-16 respectively.

Right now I'm using the free wireless lan in Taco Bell in South Tuscon, Arizona. Arizona is a desert, and this time of the year is one of the hottest.... ok for those of you who thought no place can be hotter than our sunny Singapore, and that Chatuchak market in Bangkok is the ultimate in heat related torture...you are wrong! According to papers the temp range here is 26 - 38 degrees celcius, and I think they are right! Walking in the unsheltered street, I feel like I'm in an oven. Literally. It's the same feeling when you're standing like 2 feet away from a bonfire, in the hot afternoon sun in Singapore while throwing paper offerings to the bonfire to get Mercedes, bungalows and maids delivered to your recently departed relative. It's hot.

The best (or worst) thing is because it's so dry, you don't sweat! And hence you're dehydrating faster than route marching in tekong while unaware of it. My...excretions are all hard and ball-like, like rabbits poop, thanks to the dry conditions.

Some photos! All at http://www.pbase.com/snowparang/arizona

Wheat farm	It ain't called a desert without a few giant cacti!
My rental car. Drink more fuel than mine RS250.	Desert, settlement, mountains range. Everywhere here.
Holes, home of the pairie dogs	Ever so clever, the pairie dog freezes in midstep as he sense my movement. Can you find it?
Peeking out. "Is the coast clear?"	"The blue 2-legged freak is looking at us...don't move yet!"
Does my ears make my legs look fat?	Sculpting glass
The moutain giants marches towards the fenceline, smirking at the fence they've erected for 'defense'...	Strong winds kicking up dust up near the moutains

To be cont'...

But there's nothing much to update.... As with my Alaska trip, the suburbs and cities of USA is pretty much stale (once you overcome the initial swa koo factor...'ooh! A parking meter that accept coins! Ohh! Why are they so fat...). And as usual, work comes first and hence I miss the chance to go to Las Vegas or Grand Canyon, much like how I miss the opportunity to see ice bergs and whales in Alaska.

But I digress. The 2nd leg of the American trip bring us to another part of Arizona - Phoenix. I thought Tuscon was hot but here is even worst. It must be during these times that the 'phoenix rises out of the ashes', ashes being crisp, dried humans. 42 degrees Celcius is the mid noon temperature. And they say August is even hotter!

Being a much larger city/hub of sort, there's more shopping here, including the fantastic Scottsdale Fashion Square with hundreds of branded retailers all located in one place. From Louis Vutton to Victoria Secrets to Guess to Bebe to Burberrys to Tiffany's... Here my counterpart, having promised her wife to get her a Coach bag (and realising later that this place do not have a factory outlet, and hence not much cheaper), forked out a cool US$360 nonchantly. He wasn't very pleased to see the duty free Coach outlet at San Francisco airport though. For those bargain hunters, go to Las Vegas and shop to your hearts content (for American brands, at least).

But first thing first! After a tormentous 3 days of terrible American food, we were dying for something more familiar. On a recommendation by Edwin in Tuscon, we made our way to Great Wall, a well-known chinese restaurant in Phoenix. Kung Pow chicken, fried tofu, kailan with oyster sauce...done in normal Chinese style and not the American perception of Chinese food. It was fabulous.

Unfortunately, there's really not much interesting stuff, and hence not much photos to tell the tale. Won't mind going back there for Grand Canyon (the mule ride/camping seems very interesting. Not going to do that during summer though) or Las Vegas if I have the chance again.

Well trekking may be sort of an exageration, more like stroll in the park. The park in question is Bukit Timah Nature reserve, home of the highest peak in Singapore...

We took the yellow track, followed by the green track. It wasn't hard at all, and highly recommended for old folks, young children and basically the whole family plus the maid and dog.

Monkeys are plenty here. Don't feed them pls!	The main road to the summit are well paved. You still have to work against gravity though.
Here you can find some of the tallest, best looking trees on this island.	Some stepping action before the summit. A healthy alternative to the lifts and elavators.
I'm now higher than the highest point!	After the summit it's downslope. Good for me, but my dear don't like walking down steps. Picky eh?
The yellow and green track offer more 'down to earth' tracks. We almost manage to get mud on our shoes.	Looks like some spa setup?
Some local inhabitants wait for food delivery....	...while some gotta get their hands dirty to find a snack..
The infamous tunnel. Cool air was blowing along it.	So you still believe Flintstones lives in caves and yet are happy about it?
Caught in mid air! Haha....yeah right..	Caught in an embrace...

Well there are more places to visit actually, as seen on those documentaries. And instead of finishing it in 2 hours like us, if you take a more leisurely stroll and open your eyes wide, you would find more interesting flora and fauna. Unfortunately usually not edible or palatable.

Next week.... MacRitchie Trails and Treetop walk!

Loyal fans (who am I kidding?!?) will remember I once (linK) asked whether if there was a good, FREE webhost to upload and share VIDEOS.

1 year later, that prayer was answered. Presenting YouTube and Google Video. Now, there's an avenue for budding film directors/MTV wannabes/actors/terrorist etc to upload their own animated creation and share it to the world. Brilliant. Despite the fact that both website will compress and resize your video and do not allow you to download the full size one.

Here are some of videos I've watched:

Phuket video - of our recent Phuket Bike Trip.

Kang Xi Lai Le (�Nꤗˆ—¹)- because I don't want to schedule my life around the stupid TV program. Tks to Mich for this link!

Chinese interview with a Taiwan/Japanese porn star! She's quite hot! And even has a blog!

Enjoy!

Refer to http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,106858,00.html

I was told his nick in singaporebikes was scooterer and I did notice this person in the forum before, giving good advice and opinions.

So what does this has to do with me? Because I was actually planning a solo ride to Korat (northern Thailand), during the period where I'm jobless while awaiting my 2nd job to start.

edit: The full article here, as I didn't know the website will remove old article

His first solo bike trip ends in tragedy By Kor Kian Beng May 20, 2006

IT was to be his first long-distance motorbike trip to southern Thailand alone. It was against his family's wishes. They were concerned that he would be alone, unlike his previous trips, when he travelled in a group. But Singaporean Ng Kian Boon, 35, insisted and promised them that it would be his last long trip in a while because of his increasingly hectic work schedule as a research assistant and his studies. He left on Sunday evening for Surat Thani province in southern Thailand and planned to return on Tuesday night. Avid long-distance rider Apollo Ng, 36, told The New Paper that two days would be enough for a return trip to Surat Thani, which is about 1,250km from Singapore. CRASHED INTO LAMP-POST But on Monday afternoon, Kian Boon was killed in an accident in a town 100 km from Hat Yai when his Honda 1,300cc tourer bike crashed into a lamp-post. The victim, who worked at NUS' Asia Research Institute (ARI), was trying to avoid another motorcycle that had turned suddenly into his path, the Thai police told his father. His father, Mr Ng Yew Kang, 65, is a former high-ranking civil servant the ex Consul-General to Xiamen. He was also the director of arts and heritage policy at the then Ministry of Information and the Arts and the director of community and international relations at the National Library Board. He now runs his own education consultancy service. Kian Boon, the elder of two children, was passionate about bikes, said Mr Ng. He said his son had been on bike trips with his friends to Malaysia and Thailand. But this time, he decided to go on his own because his riding buddies were not free. Mr Ng tried to dissuade him. He said: 'Every time he went on these long trips, we would try to tell him not to go, that it might be dangerous. 'He said this would be his last long trip in a long while because he would be busy with work and studies. 'After this trip, he said he would be sticking to shorter trips.' Mr Ng's worst fears were confirmed when he received a call from the Thai police on Monday at around 7pm telling him that Kian Boon had died in an accident. Mr Ng said the accident took place on a two-lane road. 'I knew that it was bad news. I was stunned and speechless,' he said. Mr Ng said Kian Boon had not been involved in any traffic accidents before. 'His friends told us that he was a very careful rider, who always put on the necessary safety equipment,' he added. 'Also, they said he was riding on proper motorways and roads on this trip.' Mr Ng flew to Bangkok with his wife and his daughter, Seow Hwee, the following morning. They wanted to find out what happened. Assisted by the Singapore Embassy in Thailand, the family travelled to the town to make arrangements to bring the body back yesterday afternoon. Mr Ng said the impact of the crash caused Kian Boon's neck and collar bones to crack. The Thai police told him that his son had died on the spot. Mr Ng said he was consoled that his son's face was a picture of calm. 'I can only console myself that he didn't appear to have suffered much before he died,' he told The New Paper at the wake at Sin Ming Drive last night. Kian Boon's sister, Seow Hwee, 30, a teacher, said her brother was a good-humoured person who was always smiling and 'was always there when you needed him'. Mr Ng described Kian Boon as a filial son who would often ride out to buy supper for the family, including his father's favourite beancurd snack. Kian Boon was living with him and his wife at their Upper Serangoon home. Mr Ng said that after Kian Boon graduated with a commerce degree from an Australian university, he went on to get three master's degrees. He was also studying for a doctoral degree and had already started his thesis in social studies. Kian Boon's wife, who is studying for her doctoral degree in the US, has been informed of his death. She was expected to return to Singapore last night. Mr Ng said the couple, who are childless, have been married for four years but had not held a Chinese customary wedding because of her ongoing studies. They were planning to do so at the end of the year. Kian Boon was also planning to go on a holiday to Thailand with his wife next month, said Mr Ng. 'But now he can't fulfil both wishes,' he added.

RIP.

Ti Kee - literal translation is 'iron tooth', a Hokkien expression for being obstinate.

Nice?Finally have the courage to fix my perennial problem of fillings dropping off from my badly decayed tooth, and having to endure the pain and fear of visiting the dentist time after time to replace the filling.

I have 4 such VERY badly decayed tooth with very large fillings. However tempted I am to replace all of them with these shiny new ones, there are mainly 2 reasons why I didn't:

1. Cost. $450 per tooth.
2. PAIN.

What they do is, with local anaesthesia, they will ground the teeth until all the hard, outer enamel is gone, leaving the soft, EXTREMELY sensitive dentine. It wasn't painful during the process but I can actually smell the smell of burning metal of the dentist drill. They will then fix a temporary crown which is pretty useless against cold or hot food (and an hour long throbbing sensation will ensue after lunch, dinner..). Meanwhile the crown will be made and one week later (today) they will remove the temp crown and fix the real metallic one. Sound simple? Yes. Painless?

Fucking NO! Once the temp crown is removed, the dentine is exposed. But to cement the crown on, the dentist have to blow air and make sure the surface is dry. He blew for like 15 seconds, and during this 15 seconds I was twitching in the dentist chair and tears involuntarily well up in my eyes! No joke! Then he put the crown on and I have to bite it, which does nothing to relieve the pain. And after the cement had set, the pain still linger for a good 4-5 hours!

But it should last forever. I hope he is right!

Wonder if I will have a problem going through x-ray security devices at airports?

ALOC stands for Air Logistics Officer Course. On 12 May 06 we met, for the first time in 3 years since commissioning parade, in SRC at NUS. The occasion? Not that we really miss one another, as during our work we do occasionally bump into some of us. We felt a gathering is in place because 2006 spells the end of our bond and out MTE (minimum term of engagement) for most of us, and some of us are leaving the comfort of our cushy government jobs very soon.

Believe it or not, the talk of leaving RSAF was already a strong topic even during our university days. Although most of us just shrugged it off and reply with the standard "see how lor, whether I like the job or not". Time flashed and 4 years later...well apparently most of us didn't like it that much here. Or felt there's greener grass, bluer skies else where.

Photos of these silly officers found here: http://www.pbase.com/snowparang/aloc

But before that, let walk down memory lane, from the day when Presidency bequeath our golden bars upon our shoulders...

 

So after we're deemed loyal, courageous and full of integrity, we proceeded to get recognised as nerdy engineers in RSAF. Presenting RCGC and Dining In. Held at AFS, graced by Chief and Comd AFS respectively. Among the new officers were RSAF's first female fighter pilot as well as Hwa Chong JC Prom King!.

 

 

 

3 years later......... (try and match the guys, and see how fat we've grown!) Basketball and soccer were the dish of the day.

 

Besides the usual ball games, we play other games too...

 

End of day, happy and shack...

...so we proceeded to Marina South to replenish the lost calories!

 

Then we adjourned to Labyrinth, a billard cum karaoke place. Played silly games, drank some whisky (I drank ginger ale...no choice ah....).

 
 

Some of the more hard core ones proceed to the nearby LAN shop and start to frag one another. This fragging hobby started while we were still officer cadets, getting our sleep inducing dosage of engineering knowhow at AFS. Like typical schoolboys, after school go and play lor!

Though a change in job and work environment will definitely leave a sense of emptiness and lost, I have a feeling it'll be this bunch of goons that I'm gonna miss most when I'm no longer in RSAF. Above all, boys!

Quote from http://weiliankelvin.com

"Project Super Star

Months ago, Kelvin Tan Wei Lian was just an ordinary man leading an ordinary life. But now, he is someone who has made a difference not just to himself but also those around him by daring to live his dream. He is now pursuing a difficult yet enriching career in the entertainment scene. What he is today didn't come forth overnight. It was a journey that the man himself would never have imagined walking in the beginning. Regardless of the outcome, it will be a once in a lifetime experience for him and this experience will stay in his heart and his fans' memories for the rest of their lives.

It all began when the start of a nationwide mandarin singing competition arose in early 2005. Named Project Superstar, organised by Singapore's MediaCorp TV, Channel U, the competition attracted over 4,000 hopefuls with a passion to sing, aged between 15 and 35. The aim of this project was to search for the right soul who would face countless rounds of competitions and eliminations, where only the very best will be crowned the first Superstar in Singapore. Owing to the large Chinese population in Singapore and this competition being the first of its kind in the country (where the viewers' votes accounted for 70% of the contestants’ scores), Project Superstar has become one of the most successful singing competitions in Singapore to date. "

So what's my point? A blind busker gets his shot of fame, and actually hit the bull's eye (side thought - hmm...shot, hit eyes...sounds like porn?). In tasteless, media-led and idol-following SIngapore, that's hardly an indicator of real success. Especially since victory is largely governed by SMSes from fans. But still, besides some very pleased mobile telecom subscription provider, the win will definitely gonna put a huge smile on Kelvin's face irregardless, and a big huge ego boost whether you're blind or impotent. But correlate to your ability to sing, I think not.

In case you're thinking I'm putting him down - I'm not. I admit I didn't watch a single episode of Superstar but prior to this entry I did visit the website and listened to his tales of tribulations and triumph. Also thanks to Mich who...'provided' his album for my peruse (though I'm not very impressed), I think he has certain appeal, and certain potential that remains to be discovered.

I am pointing my 2 skinny middle fingers at his manager/manageress, and Mediacorp producers I guess. Look at this:

Ok list me ten...make it 3 roles in which a blind singer can take:

1. Blind singer.
2. Singing blind man
3. Musical role as blind man

Care to suggest more? Please use your blain use your blain!!! "But hey! Doesn't mean he's blind he cannot act wat! You're just mean and jealous by judging him by his disabilities!" Why not send him to take part in Fear Factor? Or Amazing Race? I'm sure his disabilities won't matter!

My point is why make him goes through the usual and usually ineffective 'media hype' production move? Cut album? Done. Appear in commercials (free, because the commercials are from Mediacorp)? Done. Slot him for concert appearances? Done. Use him in chartiy events (and we wonder why NKF was successful). Done. Act in a drama serial. Done. Although this may work for most people, it will only work if the following gimmicks actually showed us the artiste true strength, and let us become interested in him. Not a simple barrage (or should I use diarrhoea since it resemble uncontrolled, endless crap?) of exposure to public.

By allowing him to appear as guest cameo is ok. By asking him to act is a bit too much to ask. Even without his limited role due to his disabilities, how can we expect him to act, when he has no understanding of visual manipulation - the basis of acting. In fact, I think it's bloody insulting.

Kelvin: "Hey boss, I think I won Superstar because of my vocals, and don't think it's because of my good looks and stage presence. So acting...kinda weird isn't it"

Boss: "C'mon, give it a try. You might love it! Your fans definitely will. And I'm confident in you!"

Kelvin: "well, if you say so..."

Boss, muttering: "KNNCCB! You expect ME to work for YOU and think of something special just because you're bloody blind?! Kelly should have won, so we can just let you go back to being a busker! At least she is good to look at and has a pair of breast and I can easily think of 20 different roles for her just for that!"

(While typing the above para I just realise I was referring to Mediacorp, and it struck me they never expect acting! Just look at the dramas and 'ah jie ah ge' they've produced. No wonder they were impressed by the newcomers' 'amazing' performance!)

This is not the only examples. How many failed albums of SIngapore actors can you recall? Fann Wong giving a concert will always be a benchmark of how deaf those media worshippers are. Zoe Tay singing 'chun lian hong' always manage to bring laughter at my weekly mahjong game.

Worst of all, I feel it is insulting to Kelvin and to his supporters, that he is expected to act. This is not what he is good for, and conveys the message as well as confirming that he has limited 'pop appeal and relevance' in today's world. It's like Simba witnessing he's father jumping through hoops of fire.

Fortunately, I think this is the last time he will appear as not himself. He himself has said that acting is not suitable (duh!) and will not act again (link). Let's see how firm he can hold to that thought.

And frankly, perhaps not all the acting are bad for him....look how happy he is!

(though I really wonder what he imagined her to look like...)

If you ask me, the obvious would be to cultivate him musically, not as a pop icon but as a musical star. There are plenty of ugly, fat and even blind singers out there (Ray Charles and Mariah Carey came to mind...) that we look past their appearance and listen, with our eyes closed and hands on our cheeks, at their songs and became mesmerised by it. I liked Stefanie Sun because she sound like Stefanie Sun, not because she looked like Stefanie SUn.

Or maybe...maybe it's because he's hardly material for that kind of development, and Mediacorp actually realise that? Maybe they're just trying to get as much profit as they can from their 'idols' and 'superstars' campaign, because it's obvious the winners of these ain't gonna profit them in the long run.

Endnote: I wanted to start this entry as an angry scowl to those programes on TV that's hurting my eyes and damaging my brains while insulting my intelligence at the same time. However, somehow I lost the energy to spurn it into an angry one. Perhaps a sign that I've lost a fair amount of life and passion in me somehow? Or I've jst become more jaded than I've thought?

Links:
http://u.mediacorptv.com/dreamchasers/main.htm
http://weiliankelvin.com/home/content/view/19/28/
http://mediacorptv.com/ask_e_star/ask_weilian.asp

Attended a free (orignal cost $10/$12) concert organised by Yamaha Music School today. What was unique about the concert was that it showcases some of the finest students Yamaha has, displaying their talent on their instrument as well as performing their own composition.

The students from JOC (Junior Original Concert) were age 9-16, with most hovering around 12-13 yrs old. I'm not sure of their musical grade in their respective instruments but they had advanced to the stage of learning composition and penning down their musical ideas.

I'm no expert in this but I do have some ideas or rather 'logical deductions' on how popular music are formed. And the music these....children create are truly something else. I was expecting a certain soul less application of "composing SOPs" applied to some motifs/tune to create something nice but predictable, like how I expect a piece of music to form if one was to apply musically theories blindly.

But what was presented was a wide variety of truly original pieces of music! And most of these are based on certain feelings or themes, which does convey them pretty well (most of them...) and will not go to wrong to use them in movie or game OSTs.

And yet, with such an impressive ensemble of young...very young, creative and talented SIngaporeans, why then are musical talent in Singapore so very rare and unknown? Think of a world or Asian known instrumentalist, perhaps it's only down to Vanessa Mae. Well known composers? The Wei Song Xi Song brothers? Composers cum singers? Tanya Chua? Maybe she can take some lessons from these youngsters. Perhaps these children will grow up to be doctors and laywers and businessman or migrants, and end their brief relationship with music in pursuit of something more 'rewarding'.

I can't help but think of the 'original music bands' and Singapore Idols wannabes and budding artists as pathetically weak...and hopeless. Even Owls, who was accompanying the 10 yr old pianist, appear 'less confident and overshadowed' by the brilliance of these blasted kids.

Not to mention those that developed a liking for music late in their age and struggle to learn an instrument i.e. me. Maybe I should stop playig the guitar and learning violin and perhaps do something in which I might has a level playing field, like racing bikes or blogging crap...

Yes ladies and gentleman, after the virginal ride crossing 3 borders to reach Hatyai on my TA150, snowparang once again embark on a gruelling 3000 km round trip to Phuket! Besides the challenging ride, what calls for the occasion is that the period is also the  New Year for the Thailand known as Songkran. What's Songkran? Find out more at http://sunsite.au.ac.th/thailand/special_event/songkran/index.html.

For the impatient, photos all at http://www.pbase.com/snowparang/phuket2006

Names of places courtey of Pauche. Check out his forum entry at http://www.singaporebikes.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99714&st=240

Prologue

Just prior to the trip, a sense on uneasiness was on me, no thanks to my stupid bike, the Honda CB400 aka Super 4 I've bought to replace my trusty phantom. I though it was famed to be a reliable and bullet proof bike. However, just owning it for 3 months and riding it for 2 months, I have already did a few repairs (leaking radiator, leaking water pump, distorted front rim...) and even just prior to the trip, it was leaking fuel at the fuel cock *which stopped mysteriously) and leaking a little wee bit of engine oil at the leftmost cylinder gasket.... And the fact that it was an electrical start and known for sudden electrical failure did not increase my confidence at all. Still, I gambled and went on the trip irregardless, keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for the best...

Day 1

Organised by the same person that led me to Hatyai, the trip starts at 0000 hr on 11 Apr 06. Now that we're all on bigger bike (mine, and a 200 cc scooter are the slowest), we made it to the border (known as Sadao) in about 10 hrs.

De riguer photo to take at the border

The plan is to stop over 1 night in Hatyai. After the SOP massage, we went for dinner at this BBQ/steamboat place. The highlight during the dinner though, was a piece of tissue with the following written, passed to one of the more yan dao riders at the ice cream booth:

"Hi, can I be your friend? What is your telephone number?"

The buffet spread	Weird style BBQ/steamboat. According to my well informed friends, the 'essence' from the sizzling meat will flow into the soup, making it very tasty....

Day 2

Next morning, after breakfast, we set off to Phuket (around 400+ km). The roads were a little less friendly for high speed cruising, as some of the roads have many exits by the side, with cows grazing and children playing. What's worse, some of the roads were 2 way, and we bikers have to deal with incoming traffic on the other lane. What's worst is that the vehicles in Thailand generally expect bikes to travel under 70 km/h, and keep onto the road shoulder.... But still, we reach there safely in around 6 hr.

Group photo at the Sarasin bridge to Phuket	"Cool" welcome by Phuket bikers, with free cool towels, mineral water and Phuket tourist map, to promote the Phuket Bike week which also happen during Songkran.

We proceed to Patong beach to check into our hotel, Hotel Bayshore. And even though tomorrow is the actual Songkran, there were already LIC (Low Intensity Conflict) breaking out around....

Our hotel. Not bad, highly recommended!	LRRP?
Logistics Support. Buy it now before price inflate tomorrow! (we didn't...)	Caught in the line of fire.

But before imminent war tomorrow, we decided to visit Phuket FantaSea after hearing good reviews and quote like "if you didn't go to Phuket FantaSea, you haven't been to Phuket!", we parted with 1450 THB to enter this themepark, with transport and a buffet dinner provided.

Don't play play, best attraction award leh!	Common hand washing area: good idea Common cloth to dry hands: who needs avian flu?
Elaborate, no expense spared structure of the Grand Elephant Palace, the theatre which the acclaimed show will commence.	They really like their elephants..

But before the much anticipated show, buffet dinner at one of the better decorated restaurants I've been!

Golden arches	Maidens light the way for hungry visitors...."look at the light, not my breasts..."
Seriously, do we really need such 'granduer'? There's 4 of them	The fine sculpture of the theatre.

After a somewhat disappointing dinner, we proceed onto the show. This is my rating:

• Ambience: 9 stars
• Effort: 10 stars
• Facilities, deco, ushering: 9 stars
• Storyline and entertainment value: 2 stars

Okay, so it means it's a disappointing show, despite the pyrotechnics, the 8 acrobats hanging off the ceiling, the wonderful use of wayang kulit, the elephants, the comical Chang and Eng doing magic tricks...I fell asleep after 30+ minutes.

So be warned: "when you go Phuket, must visit Phuket FantaSea!"

Well, it was so bored we decide to numb ourselves...hehe...

Vodka with tangerine....hic...

Day 3

Ahh! The damn vodka, with the fatigue of riding, caused me to overslept till 12 noon. Missed the breakfast, and missed the water melee with the rest. No matter, I set out on my own and decided to brave Songkran with camera in hand, passport and wallet in ziplock. All I can say it's impossible to be dry, though the hot sun actually made the water a welcome treat. But then the sensation of ice cold water splashed onto you is still..brr.....

No mercy!

That ba poh was flashing cars and farangs with her silicone enhanced things...sorry guys, somehow didn't manage to get a clear shot....

It gets worst in Bang La street, one of the most 'happening' street in Phuket. non-outstanding tourist toting expensive looking camera i.e. me are not spared at all...

Fire engine joins in the fun! No fair...	The temptation to get one of these to get even after being doused like 99 times, is very very great. Heck, the shop keeper will splash you if you don't buy!
I will protect thee...	Dancing to the banghra beat!
One of my fav shot. Luckily her bucket is empty when she turned around..	One of the most happening street. Definitely.

At the end of Bang La street, one will be greeted by the famous beach of Patong...

Peace and tranquility, just next to the 'bloodshed'	You can suntan...
...jet ski (1000 THB/30 min)...	...para-sail (700 THB)...
...distract the waiter...	..or just simply 'hang loose'!'

At the end of the day, everyone is wet and happy!

After that tiring walk around Patong and getting myself wet a few times over, I finally met up with the group and we had dinner at a nearby roadside ze cha stall. We had tom yam goong, deep fried fish, BBQ prawns, mussels and some vege. Quite ok, but not really cheap as it cost 220 THB per person.

And what's Phuket without getting a taste of the nightlife? We went to the Dragon Agogo bar/disco which charge one heinekken at a cheap 65 THB. With this one beer in hand, you can watch the girls do pole dance right in front of you. Some guest will show appreciation by slipping notes into their bikini straps. Nudity is not allowed, hence they wore a thong and paste 2 silver star stickers to pass off as legalised sexy dance. And things got hotter when 3 of them began to dish out soap water and began soaping one another in very suggestive position.... Then the guys went to the happening Banana Disco (happening here aptly defined by Paul as 'very easy to make friends'). But then I didn't go cos really quite tired....and not really into making 'friends'... And also, tomorrow I'm definitely not going to miss breakfast!

Sorry guys, no photo allowed! This is all I have:

Day 4

Yup, manage to wake up at 8 for breakfast, and most of us went riding around the island at 9 am. Phuket has several hills and hence nice winding roads which lead to nice scenic view of the sea.

View at Kata view point. You can see Patong beach (further), Karon beach and Kata beach.	Fuck you daylight robbers! Eat my 6x optical zoom!
Like a proud father... Taken at Rawai beach.	Still wanna swim in the waters?
Phuket town from Khao Rang viewpoint	Safe parking at Chalong bay?
Wat Chalong. No visit to Thailand is complete without going to one of the wat. This tower houses the 'sari', the gem like remains after cremation of holy monks. After they die of course....	"You could gain enlightenment and listen to the music of the Buddha...or you could get really lucky and have a pretty lady giving herself to you..."
The 'saris'	Pasting gold leaves

Then we ventured into Phuket Abalone Farm, whereby the natural high salinity and temperature of the Andaman sea makes it very suitable for rearing abalone. Priced at 60 THB for each small size (1-1.5 years old) abalone, we had them in 2 different flavor as well as boiled in a rich seafood soup. They even wash the abalone shells for our keepsake.

Made to impress. They even have a free video show recounting the trials and tribulations of an abalone, from birth to become a satisfying meal for us.	Before: still alive and kicking
After: doing its bid in improving the Thai economy, and satisfying hungry tourists.	I particularly like the soup, though the abalone in the soup still taste of the sea.

Besides offering Thai-bred fresh abalone, the farm, which is just next to the Andaman sea, is good for scenic group photos too!

Some other interesting places we visited was the Sea Gypsies village near Sirey beach. Singing and dancing and drinking beer in the afternoon, while some others are diligently digging shellfishes out of their shell (for sale, I presume). There's also Prom Thep Cape, which sells cheaper t-shirts and boast a good sunset view....which we did not stay for...

Look at the trail of empty shells!

It was too early for sunset, and impatient bikers wait for no one!

For the evening, we adjourned to Phuket Bike Week. Although sadly the focus is on choppers and simliar 'American' bikes and comes with the stereotypical bikers in leather, tattoos and beer belly. Still, it's an eye opener...

Nice artwork on a very stylised chopper.	Way before V Rod, somebody already came up with the concept of a sporty cruiser. Inverted forks, low profile design, chopper styling. Yes I'm refering to Cloud Strife's bike in FF VII.
Power: not impressive. Handling: worst than a wheelchair. Comfort: like horse riding on a ceramic toilet. Getting the attention you seek: Hell YA!	Bikers - rock music - long hair middle age band in leather - Metallica's Nothing Else Matters...
Like in a bad 80s movie...	Dunk the ba poh! Truly a game for bikers...

Dinner? It's FOC provided for bikers at the Phuket Bike Week... hehe...

Day 5

Nothing much on the first half of the day, which mainly involves the ride back to Hatyai. Reach Lee Garden Hotel around 1500, and almost immediately called for Thai massage! Btw I didn't did any massage in Phuket because the price was like 3 times more in Hatyai.

Evening we went to the Asean Trade Weekend Market aka night market lah. Keeping up with the tradition of fabulous Thai night markets, this one did not disappoint too. Pretty huge, and arrange in a similiar fashion as Chatuchak albeit much more walking space and in the cool of the night. Although the initial part of the market was filled with woman's fashion and reminded me of this certain 'Wu Fen Pu' in Taiwan, where certainly the men don't get it.... But back to the night market, I'm wasn't really in the mood for clothes, hence just settled my dinner there.

Fried anything and satay stick anything, all available!	Soup based animal parts. But leaving the soup uncovered does let the mind wander what can fall inside...
Unripe mangoes and crunchy guava. My fav in Korat, don't they look so nice in that lustrous green?	No scorpions though.

Day 6

The weekend market also marks the end of the memorable trip. The next day, we had a quick breakfast and made our way back home pretty uneventfully except or the freaking heavy rain near KL as well as Kulai. But it did clean off the mud on our bikes pretty well!

Epilogue

The fuel leak reappearred on the day of departure from Singapore. It was a small leak, which became a consistent 1 drop per 3 second thingy when I reach Hatyai. But I got it fixed thankfully. Another unknown 'problem' which crept up during this trip is the fact that although the CB400 Ver S is known to be fuel economical, consumption was terrible when I travelled at a consistent 130 km/h, making me ever so wary of the fuel level and distance to the nearest petrol kiosk.

Still, the bike did get me to and fro safely and without much fuss, although now it developed a weird electrical symptom of brakelight becoming hazard light and that the turn signal is different between the front and rear signal lights... So very tempted to sell the bike now... but I think I will further abuse it to Melaka and Genting before I transfer this pile of shit to the next unsuspecting buyer!

Some figures of this trip!

• 2594 km travelled
• about S$180 on petrol (wah, can take budget airline!)
• about 190 litre of petrol consumed
• More than 25 road kills sighted
• Countless bugs killed on my helmet visor
• 4 pairs of naked tits
• 3 incident of getting lost
• 1 bike breakdown
• 0 accident!

And here are some of the things to do, which I didn't:

• Jet ski, para sail, splurge money on the beach!
• Go kart and ATV!
• Bungee jump!
• Banana Disco!
• Waterfall

That's all folks. Where to next, I wonder? Bangkok? Chiang mai?