Something a lil different this time round, boarding soon, and the most heart wrenching thing was when Minibean cried and refused to let me go…

… I wanted so much to cry together with her.

She gave me a lil keepsake as I checked in. Thank you baby, Mummy misses you and can’t wait to see you soon…

It wasn’t a trip I took seriously, but soar I did.

I was fed into the wind, which pulled me as I climbed.. cushioned by a carpet of glistering sea, where my squeals of excitement didn’t manage to reach anyone.

I made-belief I was bouncing about the billowy clouds, flying, soaring.. gasping at the sight beneath my feet.. carried by nothing but the wind.

Absolute serenity.

… and then, I thought to myself, this is how it feels, to be a kite.

The next time, the camera is coming up with me, for the moment of freedom, though bridled by a string, deserves to be captured.

.. DARY!

Remember few entries ago I had mentioned the Royal Caribbean contest held by Omy.sg, and all bloggers had to do is to register themselves and cross their fingers that they would be chosen to go on a half-day tour?

My fingers uncrossed just a couple of days before my escapede to London, when I received a call that confirmed my spot for the half-day tour, which took place on a beautiful Monday morning.

The invite came pretty timely, especially when it was approaching the end of 2010 where I thought of consolidating the trips I had in 2010, and jot them down, and it would have been a post that would have made it to this space nonetheless.

I was all excited to board Legend of the Seas for plenty of reasons, mostly sentimental, and reached HarbourFront Cruise Centre to register.

Also felt a bit out of place, cos barely knew anyone who was there, and HOW TO CAMWHORE LIKE THAT WITHOUT KNOWING ANYONE?!

But you know, when it is at events like these where you get to people-watch and observe.. and then keep comments to yourself. Ahem.

Okay, how did I stray so far away from the topic?!

The view of the Legend.. wait for it.. dary (oh Barney, how I love you so) Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas fleet, which was docked at Singapore Cruise Centre, from the carpark.

We were registered and split into the 4 groups, and as if they knew me really well, I was placed in group 4 with plenty of quieter and shy-er people who probably blushed when you looked at them in the eyes, but were some of the nicest possible people onboard.

Since I was in Group 4, that says a lot. Cough *shameless* cough.

Pleasant surprise came as I recognised the co-ordinator, Janet, to be one of my secondary school mates of the same batch as me.

Security checks were stringent and since we were the last group, by the time we got on board, we had lesser time to go around and missed some of the other awesome facilities, but it was definitely understandable in case we get left behind, became unaccounted for, and ended up as an illegal immigrant.

Honestly, I am at a loss of where to start after reading so many fabulous entries with professional-quality pictures that would give you guys a much better idea of how the half-day tour went and absolute justice of how grand the liner truly is, and my content would be repetitive.

And damn, after reading all those entries, I know the possibility of being chosen is probably anorexic.

I decided to take out some of the lousy pictures I took, and show you guys the magnificence of the interior of this 70,000 tonner – which can provide the utmost relaxation and hellava vacation to up to 2076 guests – through the other worthy participants’ entries. Might have missed out some cos I found them via #royalcaribbean on twitter.

method86 jbabiesinthedaisies Cuisineparadise Ulric Hendralauw Vinyarb Deadpris JeromeKG ginwong Camemberu Lilian travelerfolio Melissa Daintyflair Sabrinasg Chrispytine Keropokman Lynn

And Yiliang, who was also from Group 4, had illustrated the pleasant experience through the happy faces on board, and I really, really liked his shots.

Eh, you guys still here after bouncing out of my space? Bet you never imagine a cruise could contain such brilliance. So, there’s no more left for me to write, is there? Tsk.

Wait, maybe not.

Especially when this ship and I seem to share some sort of affinity, though it could be just an one-sided affair on my part.

Here’s why.

Legend of the Seas.. took my virginity. Well, the way you would think I had lost it on board..

I have never been on the cruise before 2010, and when I finally did, MAN! What a cruise it really was.

And it wasn’t Monday.

In January, I had wrote about feeling rejuvenated and totally liberated. And how coincidental it was Legend of the Seas that made me feel absolutely so?

It was my very virgin cruise experience, and I never had been a big fan of cruises, unless Leonardo DiCaprio is gonna appear and teach me how to spit, but the experience had really changed my perception.

I know I had been wanting to write about it, but I never had the chance to, and some friends on facebook who had seen the pictures of the things I had done on Legend, had commented how fun it looked, and nothing boring like what they thought cruises should be. But the brief post of my liberation had indicated how much fun I had.

Thus, getting on board Legend of the Seas again was a walk down a very pleasant memory lane, that brought back lotsa excitement I had felt while on board earlier this year.

That was when I first got on board and settled down in my room.

Another first was that…

… it was the first trip Minibean and I went together! The lil one had graced China, Japan, and countless other Genting trips, and I myself had never been with her in any of those trips, so how awesome it was to be on the amazing trip together with her?

I swear this incident happened: Just on Tuesday, as I was unpacking my toiletries bag from my London trip, I wasn’t giving much thought about it until she went “Mummy! Royal Caribbean, I know! The BIG SHIP! I want to go again.”

Because I had left this on the table:

It has been my toiletries bag when I went to Batam, Sri Lanka and London, and I didn’t see the association until she pointed it out to me. I wasn’t as amazed at the coincidence but more flabbergasted as she CAN READ and recognise the logo. She went on to list what she remembers of the trip.

There were plenty of firsts that came along.. it was the very first time I left Minibean in the care of absolute strangers, when I placed her in the adventure club and that was before she ever went school, so I was apprehensive initially. I even snuck in intermittently and hid one corner to see how she was coping with the separation.

All the instructors are well-trained specialists who have academic backgrounds to back their credentials. We didn’t manage to go to the adventure club this time round though.

During the time I had put Minibean there, she had great fun and the strict rules in place made it a safe and hygienic place for children to be in while I have some me-time. But, I had wished for a little more understanding when I pre-empted the lady in charge of her group back then that she had never attended play group before, and I think she did come down a lil harsh on Minibean for being over-zealous.

But since the trip wasn’t just about us, Minibean only went for the activities for a day out of the entire trip, and spent the rest of the time with us.

After 6 days on board, I knew Legend of the Seas almost at the back of my hand as I was constantly searching for a cozy corner to claim as my own.

The trip was significant in a couple of ways besides the examples I listed above. I remember it was booked by an aunt on the very day it was confirmed that I would be leaving my previous job and it would be a good chill-out gift.

I recoiled in horror when she told me she had booked it, without consulting me, because….

…  it clashed with the very day my driving test would have been on.

WHY LIKE THAT!

My very first driving test, you know?

And she just said “Ai yah, don’t go lor. Paid for already.”

Tsk.

My test booking also paid for already what!

So that was perhaps somewhere in November, when I had only 2 lessons of driving.

Maybe someone up there really doesn’t think that I was road-worthy. ROARRR!

I went on to cancel my driving test in January, and book another test date.

It is totally irrelevant, but the long break in between then and the new date means I FORGOT about my new test date, and that’s another story altogether.

And with that, laid the path of my first meeting with the Legend.

Such big sacrifice, it better be good.

I guess it had meant something for everyone when they were on board on Monday, and for me, I was keen to retrace the places I had created memories, it was just a very me-thing to do. Always searching for a sense of familiarity.

Will not be posting everything, since I will be leaving plenty of other details for the illustration of my January trip but will deffo be enough to show the lavishness of it all.

The tour started with us taking a lift to gather at Anchor’s Aweigh, with a welcome speech from the omy.sg team.

No one take pictures of me? Nevermind, mirror works too!

Anchor’s Aweigh was where I took one of my favourite pictures of Minibean and I, simply because she looked so reliant on me.. and contended. It was taken on the night of “formal night”, which is one of the nights where you have to dress up impeccably, and you get to meet the Captain at Anchor’s Aweigh before you adjourn to a formal dinner.

The little green tag on her hand would stay on throughout the trip, which indicates which lifeboat she would be on should there be any emergency, and in times of chaos, she could be found and reunited with us.

I snuck out after lunch with the bloggers to just step outside to.. chill.

That’s where the drills are held. The drill started before Legend of the Seas set sail, and we gathered beneath it. I remember I tweeted back in January that my lifeboat number was 7. So in case anything happened, people can tell them to save boat 7 first. Ahem.

The boats also doubled up as ferry boats to get us to mainland when we dock at different destinations where the waters are too shallow for Legend to dock.

After the briefing, 4 groups were led different ways and the very first place we went to was Windjammer Cafe where the sumptuous buffets are spread out.

I uhm.. er.. have no comments about the picture above because it wasn’t meant to be that way, but I just burst out laughing after I saw it. If you didn’t get it, give yourself a pat on the shoulder for being… pure.

We were so hungry seeing the spread of food that we lingered a little just to ogle at the guests’ plates.

As a foodie, I can tell you, the best part about a cruise, is always about the food. There are even late-night snacks at the pizza and burger bar which serves amazing pizza and fries.. and when I itched for food, I would just head there and they would replenish it tirelessly whenever I passed the plate back to them for more.

So if any of you are going on Legend, don’t forget where to curb your late-night hunger. Dammit. I am now salivating just thinking of it and am seriously considering calling for McDee Big Breakfast.

We made our way into the sunny open…

And where there’s sun and sea, how can you say no to endless refreshment?

I remember the last trip, 4 uncles were sitting around a table like this, playing mahjong, and I stood there watching them, mesmerised! Mahjong by the sea, a lot of “feeling” man.

And right nearby was my favourite place. Uhm, wait, favourite place in the day.

The swimming pool.

And I remember how beautiful it looks at night.

And the blazing sun on Monday wished I had my bikini with me.

I had my camera with me though, and thanks Yiliang for the picture

I wanted to do take a proper shot without me covering my face, but I ended up covering it totally. Bah.

Back then I was on the deck chair more relaxed.

Don’t say don’t have. Bikini picture. Cough.

The pool was really a temptation on a hot day.

Trying my best to look mermaidish, and I didn’t know why but this picture turn out pretty cute.

Once again, credits to YiLiang for the picture.

The pool is where I first taught Minibean how to swim too.

I promised picture of hot chick in swimsuit, she’s there in pink

And here she changed another costume.

And she had plenty of fun.

There was also an indoor discotheque, Viking Crown Lounge, Deck 11.

“Let me show you how to mov-it mov-it.”

And I found the spot I was looking for just outside it.

Because.. it reminded me of…

… the first of my many crazy jumpshots throughout the trip, which became a “tradition” for all of my trips in 2010.

And the lounge lured us in with the sudden melody played.

It was Grace who was tickling the ivories at the grand piano, and pampered us with such indulgence.

Our next stop was the wall.

And I must mention the wall. See? It’s top of the list of to-do things on the cruise.

Everyone knows my fear of height, and my severe lack of stamina.

BUT!

I conquered the wall and rung the bell! With Minibean very traumatised by the whole event because she wailed and sobbed as I started my climb, insisting that MUMMY CANNOT DO IT.

Pfft. How’s that for a confidence boost?

I can’t tell you how amazing is the view from the wall.. when you are in the midst of the vast seas, and you literally feel on top of the world, and if you have that extra stamina, you very much would want to stay there and enjoy the view for a long, long time.

We then toured a place that was probably the only place I didn’t go into during my stay on Legend.

The Gym!

I know how the 2 girls behind me looked like they were posing for the runway, but it was absolutely candid and it caught them mid-action like this.

Great view to jog to, but alas, I am too much of a lazy bum to get my ass to the gym.

I must emphasize that I had my shoes with me, my bag with me, my camera with me, and I had many coins in my bag and I wore heavy clothes when I took the above picture. -in denial-

I love love love and miss miss miss the jacuzzi! Minibean and I spent a lot of time in it!

We proceed to tour the staterooms, and I finally got to see the other rooms!

Room numbers with Braille. And it was the most exclusive cabin of all, the Royal Suite, which was so luxurious that it was almost decadent.

I actually felt too rude to be taking pictures in there because the occupants were sitting there and didn’t mind all the curious bloggers popping in.

We also went into the other suites, which fortunately were empty..

Why last time my room not like that one?

And have nice balcony!

We didn’t have a balcony, which was probably better for my frail heart cos with Minibean around, I get constant heart attacks. Which was why I briefed everyone and Minibean as well that till this day, Minibean will repeat “Drop into sea. Gone. No papa mama. BYEBYE!”

A daily cruise compass which reminded me how much I looked forward to the cruise compass every day, because they are usually accompanied by the cutest thing you ever see.

Towel animals! They would surprise you with the most adorable animals, and you can imagine what element of fun they have when they would put the sunglasses on the elephant.

The theatre where the live shows are put up.

It was the last part of our tour before our lunch, and it was time to check out my favourite part of the ship at night time!

Hint: KN_W TH_ L_N_

Fill in the vowels.

But aiyah, you all know the full-blooded Chinese in me well, so.. yes…

WOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I sat at this bloody red table, because it reminded me of the day I graduated from a casino newbie (the only time I gambled prior to Legend of the Seas, was the 20 pounds I spent last year in a London casino) to all-too familiar with the games, right at this table.

I play baccarat, and figured out what it is at this very table earlier this year. And I played Blackjack, confusing the croupier because I didn’t know what the signals were and ended up saying “hit” but gave a “stay” sign!

And Legend of the Seas, made a lot of money off me in January.

I even managed to play every single game in the casino.

Caribbean stud poker. ROYAL FLUSH OKAY?!

My guilty glee then.

Painful reminder now, giggles.

And I even brought my lucky chip with me, cos I have all my lucky chips/foreign currencies with me..

As I said, it’s my lucky chip. It is in no way a representation of my ready-to-gamble desire. Tsk, don’t think so little of me okay?

It was then time to settle down for lunch. OMG, the most anticipated moment of the day (if the casino was opened, maybe not.. hahaha).

And during the January trip, it was also the time when everyone of us who went for the cruise would come together and sit down for a slow meal together to share the experiences we had on board.

There were 12 of us together, and cruise was the perfect option because we wanted to spend more time with the great-grandparents of Minibean, as they are both over 90s. Gong gong is 94 and one of the loveliest persons you would ever meet, and he would never let mama out of sight and fuss over her, though she doesn’t like to be fussed over.

Gong gong still goes out to Orchard on his own these days, and would do shopping for Minibean, be it be a bag, a pair of shoes, or those pretty cheongsams.. her great grandfather would sneak out and just to wander around town on his own to get those things for her. She is a very loved child.

In fact, the cruise did them so much good that the family is planning for another trip on Legend again next January, and already have a tentative booking for 3 cabins (which again, is a coincidence cos it had nothing to do with my tour on Legend on the Seas on Monday! I did mention something about affinity didn’t I?).

And there are special concession prices for senior citizens!

There is one thing I should mention.

The trip I had, and the tour organised by omy.sg wouldn’t be half as memorable, if not for the fabulous, fabulous people we meet.

Royal Caribbean’s staff are gifted in making you feel at home, and very welcomed on board. They are fun-loving, helpful, and their vast background also means that it is a big melting pot of cultures on board.

I had set out to take name tags of everyone I met on Monday, but somehow along the way I got too shy.

I wanna thank the following people who had made the tour such a warm and brilliant one.

And they were ever so obliging when we requested for pictures!

Justin was almost in shock when he asked us how big Singapore is, and we told him 42km, across. He thought we were joking.

Since we were always in a rush, I didn’t manage to grab some shots of the other helpful souls, and if I do go on board again, who knows, I might have the chance to do that.

One of the most amazing things for me, was the friends I made on board Legend on the last night.

Just before I disembarked, I chat to some of them and realised they would be dry-docking in Singapore at a later date, and I kept in contact with some of them.

It actually helped that they dry-docked in the west area, and I actually bumped into Fang Dan when I was at Jurong Point one day, with her husband (who happened to recognise me as the one HE cleared out at the baccarat table) and we were so excited to each other, and they invited me to go find them if I ever go China.

She taught me how to play Dai-Sai. HAHAHA!

And there was Steven:

Who was the uncle of Chi. Chi being the very first person whom I played BlackJack with.. and when my hand signals were wrong, I wailed “I’m sorry, I’m a woman, I give mixed signals.”

Didn’t manage to see Chi to take a picture with him on the last day. But, we met up again when they were in Singapore. The very first night, we went to eat Black Pepper crab.

We decided to play host to show Singapore to the guests, and we ended up spending most nights chatting more than anything else. And most of the nights, we had sent them back to Tuas base, where Legend of the Seas was docked for maintenance.

Waterfall for Chi and Steven, the boys from London!

The giant, Momci, from Serbia. He is a hilarious dude man.

Guess who I met up with in London 2 weeks ago?!

CHI!

The night when London was zero degrees, and then we went to Trafalgar’s square, and 2 very sinful places. Ahem.

I wish we had more time catching up, and that if Steven wasn’t already on another ship, I would love to catch up with him. The 2 of them are the most awesome boys, humble and down-to-earth.

As I end this post.. I just wanna share what has been my twitter picture for the longest while..

And yes, it was on board on Legend.. and one of my favourite pictures (what did I say about jumpshots earlier on?!).

Because it was by far the most beautiful sunset I have ever witnessed over the evening.

In my facebook, when describing this picture, I wrote, “I hope someday when she grows up, she will look back at this picture and be glad that she had witnessed this beautiful sky even if she doesn’t remember it.”

I really hope she will be, because I know for sure, I am. And I will always be in search of that beautiful sunset.

Oh just because I promised bikini pictures…

Just because it doesn’t show tummy. It was taken during one of the stops.. as I was taking position to do another one of those jumpshots, laughs.

Gee, such splendor and quality time, I miss.

(WAH, I finally made it just before the stipulated submission time)

It was an impromptu trip, and though I didn’t manage to drag my sorry ass to Paris due to extreme laziness (getting too comfortable blending in), I think this trip has made me regain the intimacy I felt with what I feel like my 2nd home.

Just doing catching up, and gaining plenty of pounds from taking all things slow and have breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner to shield me from the cold, and getting busy here and there, I find myself pretty much recharged for what would be a very busy few weeks ahead (well, have to get busy to make up for the pampering for my family).

I didn’t pamper myself much this trip, and anything more than 20 pounds seem too much of an extravagant shopping for myself so I was just happy with kids’ sized jumpers to keep myself warm, but am just happy to do the early Christmas purchasing, and even Dad’s 70th birthday present for next year.

I didn’t manage to have much dedicated time to do shopping for friends, because there were so much going on and before I knew it, I didn’t have much time left.

I would love to stay on just to do more adventurous stuff, like ice-skating in the open again, but Minibean’s kindergarten registration takes priority and I wouldn’t want to miss it.

Since it was not entirely a leisure trip and too much of a rush, I didn’t even manage to take much pictures cos well, it is hard to camwhore that much when busy, and you are just walking along the street alone….  and nothing that I haven’t done last year, so plenty of repetition.. and when it comes to shopping, time is precious cos I normally have an hour tops for grabbing stuff.. so yeap, pictures are pretty scarce there.

I am getting very used to the cold, in fact I am starting to feel warm here at times, even though temperatures had dipped further after the first day I was here on the 8th.

Internet at my accomodation was seriously crapped, until the technician helped to sort it out today, which is, uh, a bit late huh, considering I am already onto my last night.

Nonetheless, I am missing Minibean lots, and I have 4 post cards for her which I hope will reach her safely, and I can’t wait to see her soon and cuddle her in my arms to show her all the special things we have gotten for her.

See ya guys when I am back in Singapore!

Lots of love, kiss kiss! Absolutely lovely.

I am not sure what I had packed or what I had left unpacked, but dammit, spontaneous trips should be more fuss-free than this.

1001 things have yet to complete, and strangely nuff, I am packing lighter than I ever had.

In fact I am sure I missed out some stuff but I am too lazy to even think about them.

This is not entirely a pure solo trip, but I will be flying over and back on my own, and am just excited over the catch-up sessions and impromptu trips I will be taking, if I am feeling adventurous enough.

Will take up the challenge to go full public transport from the airport. A friend will be in the same place, and will be bringing a pair of boots he got for me from California. The judgment day for his taste in female footwear will come. He was supposed to bring it back to Singapore for me, but apparently we will be in the same place, so.. Yippeeeeeeeee!

3 days of planning, if any, and off I go. Now is time for a quick nap before the flight tomorrow morning.

Keeping fingers crossed that it will be a darn fruitful trip where I will love, dream… and be free.

It took a while since my unemployment for me to finally get out of the country.

Many planned plans went down the drain, and it is often the burst of spontaneity that would materialise a trip finally.

Like a day trip to Batam, my first trip to Batam earlier, and more significantly, the country I just came back from.

I said I would pause to think about what I would say I wouldn’t do. So it was one of those decisions that I stopped to question, and then grew to love.

It was Sydney skiing trip, or this.

In the end. The sense of adventure in the wanderlust of me, chose this.

And boy, was it one of the most excited trip I ever had. It could even rival my excitement for Rome.

For a place I initially scoffed at, I am surprised how much I found myself falling for it, and bonded with it within a really short time.

And so, within a week, with whirlwind planning, and last minute preparation and packing, off to Terminal 1, not before scooting off for my pole prac (such an addict).

Been to the airport so many times in the past few months, but finally it would be me who was flying off.

And thus, this “vast out there” tag could be dusted off and used again.

The highlights of my trip?

And those who follow me on Twitter, would already have a pretty good idea of where I went to cos I couldn’t stop raving, and lavishing praises on this land – a land like no other.

For someone who braved the sun and got sunburnt when she is so much of a winter coat girl.. it must be somewhere special. It is so special that I can’t wait to spread the word and show the world its hidden beauty.

Such a gem exists, but often overlooked.

A land that made me smile again.

A land that would make me, write again (if my host doesn’t fail me again, that is).

I think this might be the longest time since I have gone without journalling anything down, and it was all for a fantastic reason – a much needed break that I was kinda dreading to go, and as always when I lower my expectations, I find the pleasant surprises that made the trip an incredibly enjoyable one.

I am saying that despite trying out almost every casino table, and losing at every game, and perhaps the biggest loser of all throughout the trip, and it still doesn’t taint the trip. In fact, I think I had the most enjoyable time in the casino, and that.. will be another story altogether when I finally repay my 1001 other photo/blogdebts.

And then the unexpected monthly hormonal flow that made me succumb to tampons throughout the trip, and it created 265673 other questions whenever I pulled it out and stared at it and getting morbidly fascinated and grossed out at the same time.

There is also the quality time spent with Minibean, who displayed the very much worst of her princessy-ness, and yet seeing her so filled with smiles and getting hyped and excited over everything… plenty of the sweetness.

Yes, the break. Not exactly the break I was looking forward to, but somehow I found answers.

Met fabulous people. Mostly casino croupiers. I nervously joked that it isn’t a good sign when croupiers greet you with that familiarity because you had hung around the casino tables once too often throughout the trip after the lil one was put to sleep.

I am still not a fan of cruises, but still a mega fan of activities and doing things I have never explored or done before.

And yes, let me go take a break from my holiday (can be damn tiring you know! The unpacking, the light laundry after the dark washes, and the dust and all!), and I shall be back with more, slowly paying back my blogdebts, which probably will be a damn good idea to stay home to repay the gambling debts I owe my bank account!

Last n0te: I think my television is mocking my fate, discovery channel is now sh0wing a feature of casinos. Do I hear my destiny beckoning? Hohoho.

I am just somehow awesomely glad to be back.

I will miss the gorgeous sunsets, fabulous people, star-lit skies, and the little adventures that got me out of my comfort zones.

And that….. impeccable sense of freedom. How liberating.

Best part? Though I did have a bad, bad course of internet withdrawal (I was okay to live without my phone for the 6 days, just not without my internet connection!), I managed to resist it even when I was inside an internet cafe in Phuket, and chose other activities over it. I was too lazy when I was in KL port, and decided to stay onboard and sleep instead.

I refused to give into USD 22 bucks of internet usage for half an hour onboard, and I am incredibly proud to say… I SURVIVED!

Wanderlust, needs another sensous, mind-tingling stimulation.

As you can see, after few chapters of The Lost Symbol, and a severe bout of cramps which forced me to nap a couple of hours (with strange dreams of me kissing a guy, whom I am not even sure if he does exist, just a simple chap, sleeping on a bunk bed in a boat, clean cut, smelling great after a shower, finding food for me, and with such soft, thin lips, and such, sensual, gentle kisses. Oh gentle kisses!), the book isn’t engaging enough for me to trudge on with it, so here I am, writing instead.

I first wrote about Hanoi when I was there.

And then, as I tried to piece the experience together through pictures, I only got so far with recounting the first day.

***

The only reason to get up early on Day 2 was the hotel breakfast, with views of the lake right beside us cos we have the entire morning free as the meeting wouldn’t start till 2pm (quoting a colleague, “And I told my mum I am here for work!“)

We had Pho every morning, and though the breakfast was impressive, we soon realised how it would be the same menu for lunches and the following breakfasts to come.

Since the food wasn’t too bad, our appetites were quite healthy

Right after breakfast, we all chilled by the pool, sipping juices and getting tan in the scorching sun. It is a waste not to utilise the sun and the pool with the weather being almost burning.

The best feeling was when we finally dip in to the cooling pool, and it was absolutely heaven! We got out intermittently for the juice, brief relaxing chats, or just the occasional “breathers“.

Such a delightful start to a Wednesday

(All pictures of scenery sans human beings are by Ian Tan, except the lousy one below the group picture. Haha, me “stealing” the use of his masterpieces, must credit him)

On our way to the meeting venue (yes, that’s what we wear to ballroom meetings), saw the interesting backdrop of a castle and it was the closest I can afford to a roof over my head at this moment.

***

The day was quickly over and we were told to rush to get dressed for our group photo taking session in the early evening before the sun sets.

I guess that was probably one of the most fun moments of the trip (okay, sans alcohol, I mean), when all of us had to dress up in Vietnam’s traditional outfit, and the girls get to keep theirs.

The only thing I was joking about was the prints, it makes us all look like we are prepped for the coffin instead of a photoshoot.

The Aodai is actually meant to be a strangulation tool, really. We had to wear them THIS tight, and then it is slit all the way up to your midrift, and exposing the fats at the sides, and is worn over this sheer pair of white pants. So check out how we managed to fit into one of the sexiest national costumes:

And tadang! Here and me and some of the most lovely colleagues I ever have. Though we aren’t exactly closely-knitted like how I was to my previous colleagues, but this is the bunch of highly-capable people who are most willing to share their knowledge and expertise.

And how can I forget Janice, the one who pieced the trip together, and someone I used to work with for events. She’s an absolute darling and I just adore the girl to bits.

As you can see we were all trying to act demure since we all know how docile and demure and gentle Vietnamese girls are (sibei chio also!).

And yes… now you get what I mean about the prints and colours… cough.

***

Right after our phototaking session, we all headed back to the room to change (yet again!) for the gala dinner within the hotel.

As I wanted to keep costs low and the luggage minimally-filled as possible, I just made do with whatever I could find within the wardrobe, and settled for my jersey instead.

I didn’t expect most people were really gamed and dressed up for the occasion and it was a pretty hilarious evening, and though many pictures were taken (a colleague joked if we want to get ahead, have a raise, promotion, and maybe an early retirement, we could have great use for the pictures we took), most of them are not for the public’s eyes.

I was thankfully spared from the alcohol session, and I didn’t manage to capture all the ammonition we had with us for the night, but it definitely was enough for us to have to carry some of our peers (or even, seniors) back to the rooms.

I am such a natural blond. Giggles.

Coincidentally, I wasn’t the only one who turned up with girlie plaits, and everyone really made an effort.

The winner of the dressing up was the lady in the bathrobe, she gave us all a surprise when she took off her robe, and underneath was a sexy ensemble of netted stockings and ultra-short shorts with tight fitting low cut top, ala a WWF female wrestler.

YES, BAYYYYBEEEEEEH! HAAAAAWWWWTTTTT!

For post-dinner, we ended up at one of them rooms, and sat at the balcony having conversations of many things that gave a deeper glimpse of the people I have known for a while, but never quite had the chance to go deeper.

It was nice, and the night was one I would remember for a long, long while, for lotsa reasons.

When I finally retired back to my room, the mood was one of evaluative, and I took one peek of the Hanoi’s night after a nice shower, then I burrowed into the duvet and braced myself for the long meeting the next day.

***

The last day of meeting was a full day event and we were rewarded to a nice dinner at Bobby Chinn’s restaurant in the evening.

The highlight to the restaurant was definitely meeting the charming, quirky man himself, who is dripping with ample sex appeal. He had just returned from LV grand opening in Singapore, and it was just coincidence that he was around, and thrilling the ladies.

After a day and half in the hotel and not venturing out to Hanoi town centre, we almost forgot how hectic the traffic was, with the honking blasting our ears again as we made the short trip to the quaint restaurant.

Love the velvety, scarlet-y feel to the restaurant,with the tongue-in-cheek decorations, especially the “G spot” we found in the loo.

It was a romantic place to be in, though we were expecting more from the food, but since it was set dinner, we couldn’t quite check out the other specialities.

By the time we got back to hotel, we enjoyed the rest of the night at the hotel’s drinking hole, and just chilled under the moonlight.

We headed back when it was getting late, and concluded the night bidding goodbyes to the other teams from the region, as most of them were heading back the very next day. For another colleague and me, we would be checking out even earlier as we would be extending the trip with some exploring done on our own, to see what more Hanoi had to offer.

I am not sure if this would be the last trip I would have with them, but this is definitely one I would remember dearly for years to come.