Seoul Garden
Above: The new electric stove. No more gas and charcoal.
Above: Some meaty stuffs
Above: One of the side dish offering – Spaghetti
A Visit to Pulau Tekong
My friend enlisted yesterday and I am honoured to be there witness his oath taking. It is a rare chance for any guys to visit Pulau Tekong again, especially after BMT or after the National Service duration. Even as a parent, the most probable timing would be almost 20 years down the road.
The trip to the island is like a routine since it’s opening in 1999. Queueing up for the shuttle bus to the SAF Ferry Terminal and then transfer to the ferry to the island.
Above: The Penguin Island Jade
It’s been almost 5 years since I last boarded any Penguin ferry to Pulau Tekong. The Island Jade is the largest among the fleet and is considered luxury considering it’s a short ride away. Some of these ferries will also do trips to the different Indonesian Islands.
Above: Interior of Island Jade
I did something which I have always wanted to do last time – being able to surf internet on the ferry and Pulau Tekong. I sucessfully sent a facebook status during the meal time yesterday, at the BMTC School 2 cook house!
Although I enlisted just a mere 5 years away, some of the equipments the recruits are using are leaps and bounds from my BMT period. Some of the changes were more practical. However, there are some newly introduced ideas which I find very amusing, considering it was never done over the past 40 years of NS.
Ok, there’s no photo of the cook house food because we only realised it when we are almost finishing. What they served yesterday was a slightly renewed version of one of my favourite meal in Tekong.
Memories of my BMT life came back during the visit. The laughers and the “shiong-ness” and the endless barking of the Sergeants. Unique experience but I would not opt to go through it again. I want to urge guys who have passed out from BMT or finished NS to go Pulau Tekong for a visit. The feeling and your perception is totally different from a “sian-ded” enlistee and a “blur” recruit.
On the way back we chanced upon something rare: witnessing the RPL in operation and unloading the coaches used for the Tekong Tour.
Above: RPL in action
Overall the trip is a good one. The only changes are that the shuttle services are no longer operated by SMRT and the equipments just got better. But there’s something that will never change – the waiting time. Guys who went through SAF Trainings will definitely understand what I mean.
All photographs are supplied by Sim Binghe.
Sedap…
Above: Coleslaw from Manhattan Fish Market
Above: Fish and Chips from Manhattan Fish Market
Above: Spicy Fish and Chips from Manhattan Fish Market
Above: Grilled Platter from Manhattan Fish Market
Above: Fried Zuchinni, Onion Rings and Criss-Cut Fries from Carl’s Junior
Above: Close up look at the Fried Zuchinni
Above: Nasi Ikan Penyat from Changi Village
All photographs courtesy of Muhd Faizal.
SMRT Yutong: Enhanced Formula
Above: SMRT Yutong SMB 135 E (Muhd Faizal)
Singapore’s first China public bus came back into service after a one month hiatus. At first I wanted to camp for it but I was lucky that it was on the same shift when it first came out. I boarded the bus with anticipation.
Like some bus enthusiasts had said, one of the first thing you will noticed is the removal of the entrance buzzer, which irritated (most probably) the Service Leader and passengers alike. The door closing and other announcements are now softer too. The loud hissing noise of the exit doors is gone, as well as squeaks from the doors mentioned by some enthusiasts about a month back.
Another I noticed about the bus is a slightly better pick up and better speed retention at higher gears. This has provided a much faster ride (both psychologically and in reality) compared to the first few days of its revenue service.
I am glad that SMRT has improved on the bus performance (high possibly) after feedback from the Service Leaders during the first days of service. Hopefully the bus will be in good working condition during and after the trial period.
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