Dumping of Advertising Phamlets and Brochures

They left these on your gates and they left these on the car wind screen. They also dumped these in your letterbox (even though when the letterboxes were locked and only allowed authorised access . These were referring to the advertising pamphlets from tuition centres, real-estate, re-sales car, loan/financial and insurance agencies, developers as well as food catering companies. 

They can be quite a nuisance especially when there was no rubbish bin in sight. Moreover, many of these advertisement would not turn out to be true when you contacted them. In an example of the used car advertisement that stated, "we want to buy your car and are willing to offer higher than market price." However, a call to them turned out to be untrue.

Some recipients may find these advertisements useful especially if it is relating to new services or facilities within the community while many may not welcome them.

Firstly, there was a cost to printing these pamphlets which a huge percentages of them will likely to end up in the bins or as litter. The conversion/hit rate was likely to be low. Then there was the cost of distribution. 

Thirdly, it created a sentiment of "spam" and reduced the credibility of the advertisers. On many occasion, the intended messages may not get across and could damage the brand of the advertisers. Forthly, it created litters and was not environmentally friendly. 

However, it was necessary  in the absence of any more effective means, for these advertisers to reach out to the community and every single households or members of the household. This had direct correlation to their business and livelihood.

Why couldn't we provide a proper way for them to put these brochures or leaflets so that people who need them can have access? A common place where both the advertisers and community can access conveniently to each other. 

A place where the advertisers can put their leaflets and brochures where the community have good knowledge and easy access when they needed them. This will reduce the printing and distribution cost of the service providers and increase their effectiveness. Part of this saving can be diverted to enable this storage. Win-win situation or was I too naive? Maybe neither or both.

I was just irritated by the physical "spamming" but was not sure what I can do to change the situation. However, I was sure that such occurrence will never happen in some "higher class" estate.

Trust Your Vision ...

Not everyone sees what you see and the way you see. Trust your vision. Follow your heart.

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly."

Albert Einstein

Celebrating Singapore 48 years of Nation Building

Today, August 9, is Singapore's 48th birthday. I would like to wish our nation a Happy Birthday and take this opportunity to dedicate this tribute post to everyone, every Singaporean past and present, local and abroad as well as foreign friends who have contributed to the building of this nation.

Today is a day worth celebrating and, being Singaporean, we should proud of what we have achieved over this relatively short time. 48 years in nation building is a short time relative to the long history of our many neighbours globally like China, India, England, France and the USA. The list can go on as there is not too many younger country around. Nevertheless,  the journey arriving at what this little red dot has achieved in such short time of less than two generations is not an easy feat. 

On this important day, we honour people who have sacrificed and contributed along the way to make us who we are today.  We share their stories and achievements to inspire and motivate others. In their stories, we learn that we can overcome our shortcomings with the right ambition and attitude. The notion of having a short history cannot deters us to achieve beyond what other thinks is possible. Afterall, history is a record of events and achievements of people. We can write our own story and make the impossible possible.

On this day, we celebrate what our forefathers and countrymen have achieved and their stories form the story of this nation. However, this is also a day to remind everyone that this is a journey that we want to take for as long as possible and there will be no finishing tape in this journey. On the contrary, reaching the tape would not be a cause for celebration. The paths, moving forward, will become more treacherous and challenging with bigger steaks,  more roadblocks and greater competitions. However, our past 48 years tell us that we can preserve and overcome staying strong together.

This is a small country with no natural resources but great people and depends on her people and the limited space to survive. Despite the limitation, we thrived and achieved what others took more than a century to achieve in 48 years. However, it is important to note that, many of the earlier generation has sacrifices their dreams and stay align as the nation fine-tune the formula along the way. They are the unsung heros that are never recognized.

Today, we celebrate our achievements but also remind everyone that past achievements are sweet memories but would not guarantee future successes. The path forward requires continued sacrifices and hard work from the current and future generations. There is a continual needs to remain vigilant and stay grounded. We need to protect and maintain what we have as we set sight on greater ambitions. As a nation, status quo is regression as we are relative to the other nations. 

Personally, I am proud of the things that this nation has achieved and greatly appreciate the hard work and sacrifices from every individuals from this country. These 10 "simple" achievements, that many people sometimes overlook, make me happy:

1. This is a relatively safe place for people of all ages. Anyone can walk along the street and still feel safe at any time of the day. More importantly, there is respect, tolerant and harmony among the different races and religion. 

2. There is a home for every Singapore family. This may not come cheap and not every home has a garden, pool or ranch but there is sufficient decent spaces compare to many cosmopolitan cities around the world.

3. There is enough diplomacy work to allow Singapore passport holders to go around the world with minimum visa requirement.

4. There is trust and admiration of the Singapore brand globally. This has benefited many common Singaporean and allow many to shine outside their home ground.

5. There are great greenery all over the island. The Singapore Botanic Garden and Gardens by the Bay are world-class testimonial of the country's commitment to stay green.

6. The first generation of taxpayers in this country get to experience and use the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) in their day-to-day activity. Every country collects taxes from their citizen but many don't get to enjoy the fruits of their contributions.

7. There is sufficient economic activities within the small land mass to:

a. provide a reasonable standard of living for every citizens

b. aim beyond working to make ends meet but achieving dreams and self-actualization, and

c. more importantly,  allow Singaporean to stay close to their family all year round.

Many people in bigger countries only get to see their love ones during festives or sometimes after once in a few years. 

8. There is a good balance of cosmopolitan vibrancy, cultural and outdoor activities for everyone. This is a place where we can get the contrast of excellent food from hawker and world-class chefs within a stone throw away of each other. There are also local "ge-tai" gigs and international acts like Metallica or Jay Chou. There is not too many places in the world where one can experience of the rustic 1800s' shophouses and the modern 21st century skyscrapers from the same exact location.

9. There are sound infrastructures and systems in place that provide a peace of mind. They are our racial harmony, diplomatic policies, connectivity, defense forces, economic growth, social safety net and sufficient reserves.  Economic growth because, without it, this place is still good enough for many of the 7 billion population around the world to want to "gate-crash". Even 0.1% would unimaginably congest this small island and bring about a diversity of unknowns.

10. There is opportunity for everyone to achieve what they work towards. Social mobility is important for majority of common Singaporean. 

These are not perfect because nothing is. They are relative and will always have plenty rooms for improvement. Anyone can argue that I am just a common Singaporean who have not seen the world to have such views but, in my own humble opinion, most of these will only be missed when they are not there. It took us 48 years to achieve these but a few wrong decisions to lose all. Just like many take for granted the availability of potable water at relatively low price compare to many parts of the world. Nevertheless, for me, these simple things are sufficient reasons for us to celebrate this important day.

Happy Birthday, Singapore!

Cyclists in Singapore

I enjoy cycling and thoroughly understand the benefits of the activity

However, there was an explosion of bicycle population in Singapore proportion with the significant growth in human population in the island state over the last three years. Some due to the increasing popularity of riding as a sport while others felt this is a more carbon friendly way to travel but many ride because it is the cheapest way to get around.

They were cycling enthusiasts, leisure cyclists,  the green enthusiasts as well as the many who used bicycles as a mode of convenient transport and cheaper alternative to other forms of public transport especially with Certificate of Entitlement (COE) at the price of more than a cost of a car or in the range of many tens of thousand of dollars.

I encountered different kinds of cyclists during my runs around my estate. Some were considerate road users while the others were not.The cycling and green enthusiasts would usually put on their gear and use the road. They would follow the requirements of the road and ride in groups. They would stop at the red light and were usually not a problem to other road users.

Then there were those who rode on the pedestrian pavement ringing their bells as they sped. They were those who usually used bicycle as a cheaper alternative to public transport. I believed they were not restricted to foreign workers around the estate but locals as well. They deprived the others user of the pedestrian of their use of the pavement, caused danger to elderly, the underprivileged and women with prams who cannot reacted so quickly to the speeding vehicle. They were a source of irritation to runners in the narrow pavement.

Unlike drivers and motorcycle riders, cyclists would not get their licence suspended if they used their mobile phone while riding. This happened really often especially with the foreign workers (of various nationalities). On so many occasions, they were screaming into their mobile phone (holding with one hand) and trying to balance their bicycle with the other. They also cannot see other road users especially on-coming vehicles as they get onto the roads from the pavement. On some occasions, I witnessed cyclists riding across the road using pedestrian crossing but against the direction of normal traffic flow. This could pose danger to themselves from vehicles turning in the road.

However, living in where I am and having to endure inconsiderate cyclists make me feel that there should be tighter regulations to govern their use of the road or pedestrian pavement. I was not expecting the same rigor as licences for vehicle and motorcycles but some form of awareness campaigns and classes. These cyclists need to be educated to use proper safety gears, if they are to use bicycle outside designated area such as parks and private compound, and follow traffic regulations.This will benefit all road users and improve road safety.

Life. Travel. Food - Phuket, Thailand

Malisa Villa's Swimming Pool and Access Door to Bedroom

Rain shower

This post is one year late. I had recently gone to phuket again and stayed at Patong's Burasari Resort.

Phuket was the first stop. The break started with a relaxing retreat at the Malissa Pool Suite Villa located off Kata Beach, Phuket. The villa has full amenities including jacuzzi bath, rain shower area, a private outdoor patio, kitchen and swimming pool with access from the bedroom in a tropical setting. I enjoyed the luxury of space and tranquility during my time here.

Breakfast was either at the dining area near the kitchen or at the nearby restaurant. It was great sensual experience to be in touch with nature smelling the fragrance of frangipani, enjoying the sunshine and, at the same time, listening to the dripping sound from the water feature.

Conclusion: Facilities was good but the staffs were fantastic. They will put you at home and always did their best to fulfill your requests. I particularly enjoyed the breakfast. Location was good too. The resort was less than 5 minutes walk from the beach and less than 2 minutes from the night market. There was also an excellent Isarn  (also written as Isan or Isaan) restaurant nearby.

Jaccuzi

Kitchen

Bedroom

Lanna style spa and massages at the serene Oasis Spa. The staffs were friendly. Massage and spa was done professionally with good skills. Environment was conducive. This place is highly recommended.

Also did some island hopping during the trip but my favourite activities were certainly the exploration of the excellent cuisines of the island.  the luxury of lobster and other exotic seafood at Phong Pang and the simple but exquisite taste of traditional Isan food. 

Isan is located at the northeastern region of Thailand near to the Mekong River. Isan food adopted some characteristics of Laos food, with the exception of French influence, due to their proximity and combine with the fundamental tastes of Thai cuisine. Thai food is usually not about simplicity but a balancing act between to the various tastes such as spiciness, sweet, bitter, sour and salty. Thai cuisine is about combining the different species and achieving a delicate balance among the flavour.  This balance is usually achieve within the dish or the overall meal. 

Fried Tiger Prawns from Phong Pang Seafood

Lobster  from Phong Pang Seafood - Good but not Memorable 

Gung Chae Nam Pla from No. 6 Restaurant- Thai Marinated Raw Prawns Salad - Excellent! Must Try!!

Fried Vermicelli with mixed vegetables

Yummy Maisamma Curry 

A highly recommended restaurant in Phuket

Thai Banana Pancake at Karon Beach - This one is very good compare to those at Patong

An Excellent Isan Restaurant located near Malissa Villa - Very Highly Recommended

There is nothing better in life than tasting nice local cuisine, having good massages and being with nature. The sun, sand, sea and spa combination is one of its kind that is difficult to get anywhere else in the region. Phuket has become an annual vacation place and will likely to stay so for a long time.

Haze in Singapore Hit PSI of 152 - An Unhealthy Level

Haze is back in Singapore. The Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) reached a high of 152 at 11pm according to the National Environmental Agency (NEA). This is the highest level in probably a decade. Any reading between 101 and 200 is considered unhealthy level.

The haze, believed to be originated from Sumatra, Indonesia, has a smoky- smell and can cause irritants to the eyes and throat as well as breathing difficulties. It is unlikely to change for the better in the next few days. The lacked of rainfalls over the last few days did not help the cause and make the weather hotter and more stuffy.

Hopefully there will be a heavy downpour tomorrow or the wind direction change. Otherwise, it's going to be difficult for the next few days to get around.

Drivers in Singapore

Singapore roads are getting crowded. The demand for cars has raised the preimum for entitlement tax. The interesting points I am making here were based on my observation over the last couple of weeks.

I having been running the same route during the last few months and make some observations. The time of my observations were made between 6pm - 6.30pm during weekdays along Pioneer Road. It was peak hour and traffic was heavy. There was no formally determined sample size. However, below are some of my observations.

1. Most lady drivers wore sun shades during this time of the day.
2. Most drivers, both male and female, will multi-tasks while driving. This was especially true when their vehicles stopped at the traffic light.
3. Most of the observed activities were texting or calling on mobiles, reading, eating and "digging" nostrils.
4. Most trucks, both with passengers & cargos, exceed their speed limits when the traffic was not heavy.
5. Several trucks & buses failed to stop at zebra road crossing.
6. Some drivers were texting and talking on their mobile (without handsfree) and slowing down their vehicles unknowingly.
7. Several drivers sped up when the vehicles ahead of them signal to filter into their lanes.

Are these behaviours result of the increasing pressure of developed city life? I am not sure but they definitely demonstrate some form of unreasonable attitude of the drivers in Singapore. The trend is certainly not positive. Increase enforcement is unlikely to change the behaviour but if coupled with education and awareness may.