Merry Christmas 25Dec08

Merry Christmas to all!!! Hope all of you have gotten all your presents by now. 25th December 2008 marks another new beginning in life because it is a signal that says 2008 is coming to an end. haha. Even though I am on tight schedule at work however, I was allowed to be free on this lovely occasion.

The lovely bunch of people never fail to make my life more meaningful than ever. Brought down to the minor details of food preparations to the home decorations were through through the deepest considerations. How can I not love them. haha. The celebration was splendid. Count down to every seconds of Christmas.

Danny, Darren, Frankie, Wee keong, Luke, Ian, James, Nick, Byrant, Shawn, Ben, Javin, Kenneth, Alvin and Jenny. A day to remember. 25th December 2008. Closing.

"The lovely bunch of people."

Lahore 17Dec - 21Dec08

If you think there are really nothing to do in Lahore, Pakistan, then you are so wrong. What happens when you put 2 boys and a girl together? They turn threesome? I doubt the possibility of getting any. They just do wild things together. That is what happen when I went with Dane and Racheal.

Who would have expected I actually went with them. 3 nights with them was full of laughter. From shopping at the streets of Lahore to the tuk tuk vehicle buzzing to the narrow streets of Lahore. Change of guards between India and Pakistan and of course the fun fair parade at the outskirts of Lahore border. Not forgetting the red light district Mindi Lahore.

One tall, one short and one lian. That is all that matters. Into Lahore, another dangerous place! Dane made fun of me by saying that the locals loves fair asian boys. They will rape me. haha. You think I will believe you, dream on! haha. Love the food there, chicken tikka hmm my favourite. If you like handy craft work, then the alley of Lahore will be the one stop place that you have to go. Sell lots of nice unique jewels and the textile materials are rich there.

Information of Lahore, Pakistan

Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in Pakistan after Karachi. Historically the main city of the undivided Punjab, it is often called the Garden of Mughals because of its rich Mughal heritage. It successively served as the capital of the empires of the Shahi kingdoms in the 11th century, The Ghaznavids in the 12th century, the Ghurid State in the 12th and 13th century, the Mughal Empire in the 16th century, the Sikh Empire in the early 19th century, and it was the capital of the Punjab region under the British Raj in the mid 19th and early 20th century.

Mughal structures such as the Badshahi Mosque, the Lahore Fort, Shalimar Gardens, and the mausolea of Jehangir and Nur Jehan are popular tourist attractions for the city. Lahore is also home to many British colonial structures built in the Mughal-Gothic style, such as the Lahore High Court, the General Post Office (GPO), theLahore Museum, and many older universities including the University of the Punjab. Lahore is often referred to as the cultural heart of Pakistan, as it is the center of Pakistani arts, films and intelligentsia.

One word to describe this trip - FUN!!! Just be careful of the culture difference, stay in groups. Girls no mini skirts. haha. My ratings:

Sceneries - 6/10*

Shopping - 6/10*

Food - 6/10*

People - 4/10*

"Dane, Jimmy and Racheal at Fun Fair Parade"

"Jimmy at the Change of Guards Ceremony"

Johannesburg 9Dec - 13Dec08

I could hear the lions calling me from afar. Strumming and drumming of musical instruments by the native folks of South Africa in Johannesburg calling to celebrate the happy occasion of the new dawn. I thought I was dreaming in my la la land but it was actually happening along side with my junior in school, Shuian.

We were lucky. Rian, our tour guide, whom I met on on board offered to bring us around. Drove us in a silver white mercedes to and from our hotel to the places of interest. My first time touching a lion club in Africa was not any easier. I tell you they bite and they mean it. haha. Shuian, Karlina and Rian are so brave. Feeding the giraffe was pretty fun. Was in the car watching the real wild life in action as we saw the king of jungle devoured his lunch.

Night life was full of zest. Native folks celebrated by singing their most uproar language of their own along with the instrument, strumming and drumming. Had our dinner being late, we wouldn't have even bothered to listen. Shopping was no longer a must anymore as we experienced a different realm of life with only music and food. In any case, things there are pretty affordable. Bought my fridge magnet as usual.

Facts about Johannesburg

Johannesburg also known as Jozi or Jo'burg, is the largest city in South Africa. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa. The city is one of the 40 largest metropolitan areas in the world and it is one of Africa's only three global cities, the other two being Cairo and Cape Town. While Johannesburg is not officially one of South Africa's three capital cities, it does house the Constitutional Court – South Africa's highest court.

Johannesburg is the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade, due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills. Johannesburg is served by O.R. Tambo International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Africa and a gateway for international air travel to and from the rest of southern Africa.

Travellers should be careful there as it is one of the highest crime rate country. Never go out alone and you must go in a vehicle. Looks like the movie, Blood Diamond isn't only a show. My ratings:

Sceneries - 7/10*

Shopping - 5/10*

Food - 6/10*

People - 2/10*

"Jimmy with the native folks"

Nagoya 30Nov - 2Dec08

Called up for Nagoya, Japan! How unexpected. I always love Japan cultures. The food, shopping, people and technologies there too. It is just so amazing to see how Japan technologies surpasses those in Singapore. Charles agrees with me too.

The people in Nagoya are so polite, well all Japanese are polite and friendly. I think its' their culture and upbringing, compare to our modern society, a hell lots of difference if you get what I mean. Loved the weather, cold and windy. How can I not fall in love with a city of four seasons. For fridge magnets collectors like me, I tell you its' impossible to get one there as no shopping areas sells that.

My first time into the shrine temple of Nagoya was unexpected. An accidental discovery with Charles as we were walking towards the shopping Parco area to hunt for my fridge magnet. Wishes board was the first thing we did. There stood a castle of Nagoya north west of the temple, not that I could see it but in accordance to the map. Too bad under time restriction, I can't go over but never the less I will put it on my next trip I guess. Beautiful is the word I describe.

About Nagoya, Japan

Nagoya is the third-largest incorporated city and the fourth most populous urban area in Japan. Located on the Pacific coast in the Chūbu region on central Honshū, it is thecapital of Aichi Prefecture and is one of Japan's major ports along with those of Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Yokohama, Chiba, and Hakata. It is also the center of Japan's third largest metropolitan region, known as the Chūkyō Metropolitan Area. As of 2000, Chūkyō Metropolitan Area has 8.74 million people, of which 2.17 million live in the city of Nagoya.

The city's name was historically written as the older Emperor of that time (also read as Nagoya), and as the city is located between Kyoto, Shikoku and Tokyo, it was also historically known as "central capital" (Chūkyō).

Beautiful and quiet place to visit. A must go destination for travellers. Of course, slightly expensive but affordable for food and shopping. Ratings as below:

Sceneries - 7/10*

Shopping - 7/10*

Food - 8/10*

People - 8/10*

"Jimmy at the Shrine temple"

Bombay 19Nov - 20Nov08

19th november 2008, marks the day of my new perception in life. I cried on the way back to the hotel. A horrible state I see as I step out of the airport. Tens and tens of kids running towards us, begging for money. Some with no hands, some carrying babies crying. I slowly turned to them and saw their mothers slowly approaching.

The driver quickly shoo them away like seeing ghost approaching from hell. Well I knew that he meant well to protect us. I slowly pick up my wallet from my cabin bag when suddenly a voice shouted from the vehicle. Stop it Jimmy! If you give one, all will rushed to you... (as proven at the shopping area), you won't want to feed the syndicate too! My fellow co workers grabbed my hand and dashed past into the bus.

It was not easy for me. Knowing that India is a relatively poor country, I should be more mentally prepared but never did I expect children begging. Looks like Slum dogs millionaire have lots of truth in it. As there is always a saying, the rich will get richer and the poor will get poorer. How true. Slums are everywhere. I really wonder how can they live in such harsh living conditions. I beginning to love my parents more.

Facts about Bombay, India.

Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. The city proper is the second-most-populous city in the world (after Shanghai, China), with approximately 14 million inhabitants. Along with the neighbouring suburbs of Navi Mumbai and Thane, it forms the world's 4th largest urban agglomeration, with around 19 million people. Mumbai lies on the west coast of India and has a deep natural harbour. As of 2009, Mumbai was named an Alpha world city.

The seven islands that came to constitute Bombay were home to communities of fishing colonies. For centuries, the islands came under the control of successive kingdoms and indigenous empires before being ceded to Portuguese settlers and subsequently to the British East India Company. During the mid-18th century, Bombay emerged as a significant trading town. Economic and educational development characterised the city during the 19th century. It became a strong base for the Indian independence movement during the early 20th century. When India became independent in 1947, the city was incorporated into Bombay State. In 1960, following the Samyukta Maharashtra movement, a new state of Maharashtra was created with Bombay as the capital. It was renamed Mumbai in 1996.

Travellers just be aware of beggers and pick pockets! Things there are really cheap! Especially books! Can bargain till your price is right. Here are my ratings if you want to travel there:

Sceneries - 3/10*

Shopping - 6/10*

Food - 3/10*

People - 4/10*

"Jimmy into the slums shopping area"

Zürich 12Nov - 16Nov08

Zurich, Switzerland is one of my favourite places to visit. My first solo trip alone, of course with my fellow co workers, Jothan, Kim and Jinu. They uses swiss franc and it's pretty expensive to eat and travel. If you are thinking of shopping there. My advise to you is try not to. Hahaha. Oh one thing is cheap there! Longchamp!

My first trip of course with fear and being a blur king as rated by friends, is no easy task for me. Got scolded left right upside down by peers. However I made it! Everything just needed time to learn and fit in I guess. If there is really no pain, then there wouldn't be any gain. Learning every steps of my life!

"A brief introduction"

Zürich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zürich. The city is Switzerland's main commercial and cultural centre and sometimes called the Cultural Capital of Switzerland, the political capital of Switzerland being Berne. Zürich can be counted as one of the world's pre-eminent global cities. Zürich was named the city with the best quality of life in the world as well as the wealthiest city in Europe. Zürich is also ranked the sixth most expensive city in the world. In 2008, Zürich was ranked ninth. The city ranked behind Hong Kong and ahead of Copenhagen. It is the third most expensive city in Europe and second most expensive city in Switzerland after Geneva. Zürich is really a very pretty and socialized place to visit.

Well for people who intend to travel to Zurich, here are my ratings:

Sceneries - 8/10*

Shopping - 4/10*

Food - 7/10*

People - 9/10*

Website: http://www.zuerich.com/en/welcome.cfm

"Jimmy at the Lake of Zurich"

Inspiration to write again...

After 2 years of hibernation in the cave... well as I was really busy with work and the change of lifestyle, I had to disappear for a while... haha... Been through a lot of ups and downs, everything was not easy but I pull through... so it is time for me to resurface and start writing!

So what inspired me to blog this time? hmm... The answer of course is my travelling experiences! Many stories to unfold, just waiting for the right time to... If I may, I will. If I will, I shall, If I shall, I must. Looks like we will have plenty of time to share...

Always remember Jimmy, Life was never a easy, if you choose to give up now, you are a coward and Jimmy hates to be defeated. I shall rise again!