travel

Trip to Arab Street

We met a friend in Arab Street yesterday, and it felt almost refreshing to be out amongst adults only.

Wife missed the baby but I was like ‘YESSS! No baby! WooHoo!! FREEEDOMMMM!!’

Anyway… we took the mrt to Bugis Station.

Looking at this picture makes me feel like Hagrid.

Then headed to the creatively-named shopping centre Bugis Junction.

That guy on the right is basically every parent who makes the mistake of going shopping with the baby in tow.

There a few cool shops.

This guy did NOT skip Back Day at the gym!

Met up with the friend, grabbed a quick bite and headed to nearby Arab Street.

Saw a Cat Cafe along the way.

… but I wasn’t in the mood for cat burgers. That’s what I assume they serve. As well as other cat dishes.

My old school is near Arab Street, so in a way I grew up here. And it has changed so much, that it’s almost unrecognisable.

It used to be very quiet around the iconic Sultan Mosque area, which holds the sultan’s tomb.

But now clubs and bars and hipster-ish shops and cafes have sprung up around the area like mushrooms.

It’s cool and all, and I really like some of the cafes. But it also attracts those annoying young people from western countries who watch movies about Asia and come here to ‘find themselves’ in an ‘exotic location’. GAHHHH.

So back to the cafes. We went to an OK one called La Marelle (naturally).

I really like these old shophouses. Picturing how people used to live in them a long time ago.

The place was alright. The chicken burgers were really good, but the coffee was alright. Overall not a bad place to hang out it. The music wasn’t too loud like in some other cafes that clearly aspire to be clubs.

After that it was a short walk down to and past Sultan Mosque.

Yeah overall, not a bad day.

February 26, 2017 0

First Trip on the MRT in more than Three Months

It’s been almost a week since we’ve returned (5 days, 12 hours, 39 minutes) and it’s my first time on the MRT (Singapore’s version of the Metro).

Pretty sunny day.

You can’t tell but I’m melting. And it’s not even a hot day! By Singapore standards that it.

The view from Lakeside Station is always a pleasure to see, even if it is now partially blocked by the safety barriers.

Compared to the much older system in Busan, this train feels like a freakin’ mansion, even if it is like, more than 20 years old.

I’d also forgotten how quickly the train fills up these days, and the picture above was taken when I’d first boarded. It’s definitely a far cry from when I was a kid, and the MRT’s novelty hadn’t yet worn off. I kind of miss that time.

These days, I have packed-like-sardines-in-a-goddamn-can rush-hour trains to look forward to each morning once I get a job.

At least the views are nice.

February 22, 2017 3

Hello Humidity, My Old Friend

It’s been relatively cool here in Singapore (like, 27 degrees Celsius)(!!) so I almost forgot how hot it could get.

While the blue skies and fluffy clouds mingling with so much greenery is always a beautiful sight to behold… I’d forgotten that a short walk could make you sweat like… everywhere.

We went for a stroll through the nearby market and shops to look for a little aeroplane and more drawing paper for the Littlest Dictator.

A military aeroplane flew kind of low.

Oh yea and as usual there was a bazaar going on in the main square.

It was a pretty good walk, and I’m still bowing to every goddamn person I meet.

February 21, 2017 0

Can’t. Stop. Bowing!

So the first visit to a shopping centre after three months in Korea and my wife noticed it first: I’m bowing to EVERYONE.

And sometimes I even expect them to bow back! Yeah… it’s going to be a weird first week.

Anyway, it was an almost surreal experience to be back in Jem, a shopping centre near our place. It’s like we never left and that Busan was just a dream.

Nobody put up banners welcoming me back or anything!

The last time I had a burger was before we’d left Singapore.

Oh yea and we wanted to get new pillows too. You know how no matter how hard you try to identify a pillow is like with your hands, it always feels differently when you’re lying on it at home?

Tomorrow’s Monday. That means a week of job-hunting and returning to the gym. Just eight more months left until we’re back in Busan! I hope!

February 19, 2017 0

First Day Back in Singapore

After the long flight back, during which the Littlest Dictator peed all over my pants (therefore making me look like I peed) during boarding time for the final connecting flight. Ended up with pee all over me for final two hours. That… that’s gotta be a sign, right?

And the moment you step out of the airport. The very moment, no matter how brief… it gets you. The. Heat.

But it’s really not that bad. Check out the temperature today.

It’s like being in a sauna. All the time! GREAT.

We haven’t melted yet or anything! I already miss days likes these, though.

Notice the lack of people in coats passed out from heat stroke.

Anyway, we’re back. Time to rejoin the workforce, and research toddler gyms and day care centres.

The countdown to the end of this year has begun. One final trip to Busan.

February 18, 2017 0

Saying Goodbye to Haeundae Beach and the First Signs of Spring

Just one full day left and you know what’s funny? After three whole months, it feels like we’ve only just arrived.

A lot of people tend to focus on Seoul when it comes to Korea but I’m telling you man, you’re missing out if you don’t give Busan a try, especially in winter.

From the clear blue skies to the mix of evergreen and bare trees dotting the landscape, interrupted by inviting mountains, surrounded by the vast sea.

I’ve heard that the locals in Seoul can be as cold as the weather there, but here in Busan, they are incredibly friendly and helpful and kind.

Yesterday we said our goodbyes to Haeundae Beach.

I am going to miss strolling on the beach under the bright sun and not sweating from, like, everywhere.

And all around us, the first signs of spring.

Leaves have begun to grow, and here and there flowers are starting to make a comeback, as well as birds I hadn’t seen during the coldest months in December and January.

Tomorrow we leave early in the morning, well before the Littlest Dictator usually wakes up. It’s going to be a very long flight.

And it just hit me. We have our own family tradition. Every year we visit Korea and my wife’s mom in winter. And now the Littlest Dictator is a part of that. I never did have something like this as a kid. It’s pretty cool. I think.

Yea, I’ll definitely miss Busan.

February 16, 2017 0

Two More Days

It’s a beautiful Wednesday morning, and sun is shining. Well, it’s literally shining directly onto my face.

*squints* I’m still gonna miss you! *squints*

I was heading back from the gym last night and met a mom and her son in the apartment lift.

As soon as the kid saw me, he began glancing at me with an expression of nervousness and excitement.

I’m almost used to this and it reminds me of one of the more adorable things I’ll miss about this place: the Korean kids (and some adults!) who are dying just to practise their English!

It’s one of the cutest things ever haha.

Anyway, we’ll be heading down to the beach later today and maybe spend the whole day at home and spend some time with my wife’s mom on the eve of the flight.

February 14, 2017 0

Five Days Left

Here we are, at the tail-end of our epic three-month stay. And you know what? I miss Busan already!

I’m especially going to miss waking up to this view after an afternoon nap:

It’s been almost surreal. Living by the sea, with ever-changing breathtaking scenery beckoning to me just outside the window each morning.

Now sure, there are some things that I miss about Singapore. But you know what I don’t? The freakin’ heat!

What the hell, Singapore? Even at 3am? COME ON.

It’ll be like waking up from a dream once we’re back. I’ll get a regular job again, and adjust to the standard weekday schedule most people in my line of work have.

And that’s OK. It’ll be good to stretch my legs again, you know?

Oh and I’ve got a bit in the way of motivation. Looks like my mother-in-law is delaying the move to France by one more year.

That’s right, one last trip to Busan at the end of the year, baby!

WooHoo!!

February 12, 2017 1

Dalmaji Hill

13 days left before we return to Singapore, and I’m already missing Busan!

I’ll especially miss the peacefulness of Haeundae, along with the pleasant strolls we’d take in the cool weather.

Finally got round to walking the entire stretch of Dalmagi Hill, which is touted as the best place to view the moon. And we did it with a stroller.

Great for when hiking up the side of a mountain isn’t tiring enough for you.

It was very nice, but just be aware that near the middle, you’d have to cross the road because for some insane reason, the smooth path stops, and gets replaced by dirt paths with flat stones. Not stroller-friendly.

There’s several ways to go through, but we decided on the boardwalk for convenience.
And if you decide to check it out, you’ll be greeted with incredible views.

There’s also a lot of cafes along the way which makes it a fantastic place to take pictures for Instagram to make your friends jealous like the annoying hipster that they know and love.