... so good to have a family vacation

It was a small break rather than a vacation. We went on a cruise with the Royal Carribean Cruise from 27 Dec to 31 Dec. It was a relaxing time for all of us. We left Singapore on the night of 27 Dec. Sailed into Port Kelang on the morning of 28 Dec. Most of the passengers took the long ride to KL but the boys and I headed to Port Kelang Golf Course (public course) for a round of golf. It was fun (especially riding the tuft mate - the boys took to racing down the fairways!).

Then we sailed to Phuket the next day where we went for a Thai foot and body massage. Had some Thai food and bought some singlets. Was caught in the rain and took shelter in a Thai resturant.

Sailed back during which the boys tried their hands at rock climbing (they had a wall on the ship) and Ken/I won the silver for putt putt tournament!

Good relaxing trip - Royal Carribbean is highly recommended for the quality of service and food. Much better than the crappy Star Cruises. It was so good to hang with the family.

... so good to continue the Christmas tradition

The core group met last night (Christmas Eve) for our annual Christmas dinner complete with ham, turkey and roast beef. It is now umpteen years since we started and it is great to see everyone again - including the Lees who flew in from Seattle despite the snow storms there. The children are really growing up and begining to join the 'adult' table.

Conversation and wine flowed easily - remembrance of the year's events, the challenges of the past year and the traditional 'to more good years' cheer.

It is so good to have friends to share this annual experience.

... so good to take a break with the boys

Just returned from a 2 day/1 night golf trip to Batam with the boys. It was a guy getaway. Left on Sunday on the noon ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal and arrived in time for a 1pm tee off. Was really pissed to find out that all the buggies were out because of a morning tournament and had to cool the heels in the coffee shop. Then we were assigned two rooky caddies who were clueles. To make matters worse, Jon's shoes came apart (2 years of dis-use does that to shoes!!!).

After the game, transferred to Batam View Hotel. Was better than we expected as it has been renovated. Washed up and had dinner at 'Kelong' the seafood restuarnt attached to the hotel but it was more like Thai style zi-char! Enjoyed some cheap California wine whilst catching the Singapore-Vietnam game. (Singapore lost 1-0 because of some crappy defending). Retired to the room to play 'Zhou Di Ju'.

Played another round in the morning. Much better game - better caddies, better course and better score. Had lunch and returned to Singapore after buying Kuey Lapis for wifey. It was a good bonding time with the boys!

... so good to have another annual company dinner

It was so good to celebrate another year end with team ... the theme was Casino Royale but the key was that everyone had fun, walked away with some prizes and generally had a great time.

Had a pleasant surprise to meet up with Janice again. Can hardly recognise her as the last time wifey and I saw her - she was still a young girl playing squash. Now she is a young lady and the companion of Timothy for the night.

It was quite a night!!

...so that was the family holiday (Dec 2005)

It was a long time ago but it is so good to remember ....

Dec 2005, Sydney - that was the last big family holiday. It was one of the hottest summer in Sydney. We visited Hunter Valley and it was so hot that we stayed in door most of the time. But we had a great time overall - wine tasting and then watching dolphins at Port Stephens.


Of course, we visited our friends - Bill & Heather, Kee Wee and Sandra in Sydney.


...so good to go away as a family.