Bases decided

Woke up rather late at 11.30am. Had a very good sleep but... still feel tired. Forever not enough sleep for me. Hee hee...

Watched TV programs until 2pm and started to surf net again. Managed to communicate with 小珠 online and we decided to make Bellinzona, Lausanne and Maienfeld as our bases. Had sent enquiries for rooms availability for Bellinzona and Maienfeld. Need to wait for reply before we can book for Lausanne.

If our planned accommodations are available, we will be staying in 民宿 run by Taiwanese in Bellinzona and run by the locals in Maienfeld. For Lausanne, initially found a guest house but after comparing with a hotel rate, it seems more cheaper to stay in the hotel.

Shall wait for the accommodations to settle before proceeding to make notes for the places we plan to visit. :)

Look forward to the trip.

Stayed at home

Today, I did not go out for shopping. Decided to stay indoor to have more rest and also to do some homework for our trip.

There are now so many nice places which we need to choose suitable ones to cover in our 10 days in Switzerland. The country is so big and we can only choose those places we like. We prefer those not so "tourist" places so that it won't be crowded with people. We like to enjoy the places we go and take our own sweet time to take photographs.

Surfed the net for quite a no of hours and read other people's blog. So happy that I can get so much info. However, it adds to our headache list on where to go...

Shall discuss with 小珠 when she is online. Need to settle on which are our bases and how many days each so that we can plan accommodation. Looks like our trip falls in non peak season. Hope this will be an advantage for us to get good accommodation location and rates. :)

Tough decision

Tonight, we did not go for our usual movie session. Firstly, it was because I need to cover my colleague who was on leave today hence expecting more work to clear. Secondly, it was because we need to check and decide on the places we are visiting for our trip next week.

Not too busy today in fact and I could finish my work by 8pm. Went for our dinner and back to do our trip homework. Surfed and realised that there are more and more nice places to go. So headache that we do not know which ones to decide upon. It was getting late hence we decided to continue searching for more info during this weekend.

Tough decision.... Not much time to decide as it lefts just one month. Need to decide on accommodation asap.

Finally.. Good News!

Very happy today. Just confirmed our re-route to Zurich from Tokyo.

So angry yesterday after the SIA customer service officer refused to let us enjoy the internet fare after granting us a waiver on re-routing fee. Decided to call them everyday until they agree.

Called again this afternoon. The officer's tone was rather bad that made me full of anger when talking to her. Still turned down my request for the internet fare that allowed us to save $400 each. So angry that I asked her to refer me to her supervisor or manager. She told me that answer will still be the same. Hot uh!!! I told her its ok and just let me talk to her supervisor or manager. Finally she said that I would get a return call within 24hrs.

At around 4.30pm, received a call from the same officer and she said that we are able to enjoy the fare that we wanted and re-routing fare will be waived too. However, we need to confirm the dates by today. Quickly, we discussed and decided on the dates. Will fly to Zurich on 13 Apr and take the flight back on 23 Apr that will make us reach Singapore on the 24 Apr.

This is a good news to us as this allows us to start planning for our trip. Just left a month now and we need to decide on the places we are going to visit and decide on the hotels.

Goodbye Japan... This time we will say hello to Switzerland. 2nd trip to Swiss and I miss the place.

Bad service ~ National carrier

Sigh!!!!

This afternoon, I called SIA hotline to request for waiver of admin fee for our re-routing from Tokyo to Zurich. Finally managed to get the waiver of $30 per pax but.... we cannot enjoy the airfare that is available through internet. Internet booking fare is appx $1800 and the normal booking fare is appx $2200. $400 difference for per pax! Why can't they just allow me to have the same rate.

Had asked how about deferring the Tokyo tickets to some time later since I do not mind keeping it first if I can defer for at least half a year but was told that the deferment is only 1 month from original departure date (which is till mid May 2011). With current situation of Fukushima's nuclear crisis, who dare to go???? Even the Ministry of Foreign Affair had asked Singaporeans to avoid travelling to Japan.

When I asked how they can assure that we will be fine by travelling to Japan without any other choice. Answer is : nobody can guarantee that. Can't guarantee.. then let us do the refund and rebook for the new destination lah.

I am going to continue to call the hotline until they allow to cancel or rebook with internet fare.

Change of plan

After the quake in Japan, we finally decided not to proceed to other parts of Japan. The nuclear crisis is becoming more serious. My colleagues told us that better don't go to even Taiwan/China as these countries are very near to Japan.

My boss suggested Florence at Italy. I think he really likes the place. Kept mentioning this place whenever he talked about Europe tour. However, due to there are only 2 of us, we not really dare to go to Italy.

I thought about going back to Switzerland but afraid that 小珠 may not want since we had been there few years ago. Not until she mentioned it that I realised that we had the same thinking. Both of us like Switzerland and there are many places we yet to cover in our last trip. The place is so big...

Left about 1 month and we need to decide soon. Next is to call SIA on our tickets. We need to re-route and will ask to waive the admin fee. It is not that we purposely cancel the Japan trip but it is due to "safety" reason. Hope they will be understanding...

Tough decision

It's the 4th day from day of the quake in Japan. Everyday news are reporting more and more bad news. I dare not watch TV tonight as it is really sad to see the footages again on the Tsunami and what's remain at the affected towns.

My boss is urging us not to go to Japan next month due to the nuclear crisis. It is unknown how bad the situation will become. We need to think of alternatives. Thought of diverting to the south but there isn't scenic places that we can go. We prefer natures and for southern part of Japan, the popular places are to visit shrines/temples or to look at buildings etc. Another place we can think of is back to Switzerland. However, not sure if it is difficult to book hotel for that period.

Aiyah... headache uh!!! Planned nicely but now become.....

My colleague is back in Singapore

Got sms from my colleague once she touched down. She took 0630hr flight from Tokyo and was glad to hear that she is back safely. The ordeal she had will be an unforgetable one. Alone in Tokyo waiting for flight back home. If it was me, I am not sure if I can handle the situation.

The news broadcast that the Japan earthquarke has been upgraded to M9.0. Now rescue teams are fighting against time to look for more survivors. Pray that they can find more survivors.

My niece came to our house and after she did her homework, we went to Whitesands Shopping Mall. We went to Popular bookshop where I went to buy a file and she conned me to buy colouring book, colour pencils and pencil leads. Her items cost so much more than mine. Ai Yoh...

I bought her favourite Cookies and Cream ice-cream and she enjoyed it before going home. She is going for a school camp tomorrow and not sure if she can get use to sleeping in a sleeping bag without her parents around. :)

So fast that weekend is going to end. Tomorrow is another new week.

Disasters

Woke up this morning and read newspaper. The paper was full of Japan earthquake news. Photographs showing how badly the quake and tsunami hit the affected areas and it was so sad to look at what's remain after the tsunami.

We switched TV to NHK World and Channel New Asia for latest news. It was so sad to hear more and more deaths reported. Just hope there will be no more tsunami or any quakes that will add on to the current bad situation.

Went out with my sister, mum and brother to have lunch at East Coast hawker centre. Had a wonderful lunch.

This evening, met up with Tulip and 小珠 at T3 to have dinner at Azur. We enjoyed the food and the time there chit chatting. It was great to have such time to relax. :)

Did not take many photos. Just 2 of them as my hands were too busy with the food :P

Japan Earthquake - M8.9

Finally it's Friday and today supposed to be a day where by colleague was happy and preparing for her trip to Tokyo. However, bad news came when we heard that there was a strong earthquake in Japan. It hits Tohoku area and Tokyo felt strong quake too.

Initially, I thought it was like usual earthquake which Japan experienced quite frequently. However, when more reports came out from CNN news, it showed that this was a real bad quake. Sendai was hit badly. Tsunami at the coastal area caused bad damages at Miyagi, Iwate and Fukushima prefectures. Sendai airport was flooded. Plots of land being covered with water and debris. Real scary.

My colleague was so worried and wondered if her flight tonight will be cancelled because Narita airport and Haneda airport are closed due to the Tsunami alert. There was no updates on whether her flight is affected hence a bit helpless. In addition, she is going with her parents and brother's family. It is really difficult to make a decision on whether to proceed if flight is not affected. Her parents may get worried of the situation there. Finally, she cancelled her flight and decided not to go. Poor her. She had spent time to look for clothing and got prepared for the trip. The quake happened just before her flight. Is it lucky or unlucky for her???

My another colleague is stuck in Tokyo hotel. Her flight supposed to be at 7pm but could not get to the airport due to highway closure. Narita aiport was closed too. Hence, she has to stay for another night while waiting for airline to contact her on the first available flight for her to take. She is so worried and wanting to get out of Japan immediately. She felt aftershocks and really do not wish to stay there. Last update is that SQ12 had landed in Haneda airport i/o Narita airport. Her original flight is SQ11 and she may take a flight back either from Narita or Haneda airport once plane can confirm fly out of Tokyo. Hope she will be safe & sound and be back in Singapore soon.

Praying for all who are affected by the quake to be safe.

Cars and airplanes swept by a tsunami are pictured among debris at Sendai Airport, northeastern Japan. A massive 8.9 magnitude quake hit northeast Japan on Friday, causing many injuries, fires and a ten-metre (33-ft) tsunami along parts of the country's coastline.

Long waited lunch

This afternoon, our initial plan was to have lunch at Killiney cafe. However, the place was so crowded with no seats. Hence we went to the nearby foodcourt. It was also very crowded and we decided to pack lunch back to office.

Ordered 煮炒 for sharing among 5 of us. Thought the queue will not be too long but really so unlucky, we waited for almost 30mins for our food. The queue was moving but not ours. Sigh!

Tonight, I managed to leave office before 8.30pm. So happy!!! I could leave earlier because there were some work which I was teaching my colleague hence I had to wait till tomorrow then follow up with her to ensure she knows how to do. So happily go home lor. :)

So fast

It's so fast. Today is already Wednesday. Mid of the working week. Time really don't stop.

Looking forward to Friday and to enjoy the weekend. Have so many things to do on hand but I am so lazy to start any of them. Shall try to do some this weekend. Will be meeting Tulip and 小珠 for dinner this Saturday. Another round of gossips. Ha ha... It's a good way to clear our tiredness. :P

Hope tomorrow will be better than today. Must always try to be optimistic. Right???

Ramen Ramen Ramen

This afternoon, our boss suggested to have lunch at The Central. Not too sure who craved for ramen. We went there by 2 cars and had a very enjoyable lunch. The ramen that I liked. With my favourite Tamago. Nice leh...

I started to teach my daily work to my colleague. This is to prepare her to cover me during the period I am on leave next month. In fact, plan is to let her know my work so that she can take over some of my paperwork so that I can concentrate on doing other stuff.

Very happy that I could leave office by 8.30pm. It was a great improvement. 1 hour earlier than yesterday!!!

However, I tend to drag my timing when I reached home early. In the end, not much time for me to watch J drama. :P

More sober now

After 7 hours of sleep, I woke up feeling more sober. My eyes could not stand the tiredness that made me slept earlier last night. A good sleep all the way till morning.

Glad that I was feeling better this morning. Otherwise, did not know how to go through the whole day in office.

Finally I could lunch at the food court near office. Ordered vegetarian bee hoon and it just cost $2.80. Cheap and nice. :)

I tried to finish my work earlier tonight. Originally could leave office by 9pm but due to a last minute problem, dragged till 9.30pm then leave office. The only good news was I managed to leave office 30mins earlier than last Thursday. Cannot count Friday timing as I left office early to catch a movie.

Hope tomorrow will be earlier. I know that next week will be a bit difficult to go home early as need to cover for my colleague who will be on leave.

I woke up at 5am and prepared for check out. Managed to be on time at 6am to take the cab booked to bring us to the airport. We forgot to make booking with the driver that we took his car to the hotel. He only charges RM75.00. The one we booked with hotel costs RM90.00. No choice leh.

Arrived airport rather early at 7am and thought we had a lot of time. However, the queue at Jetstar check in counter was so long and by the time we cleared immigration, it was already 7.45am. We quickly took the shuttle bus to the terminal (the airport shuttle train service was down for maintenance). Luckily no queue and we got onto the first bus waiting there.

Had breakfast at Burger King and it was just in time for us to go to the gate at 8.20am. Our flight was 8.50am back to Singapore.

On the flight back to Singapore, I slept for full 30mins. Usually could not sleep but I was really tired and slept all the way. After reaching home at 10.30am, I unpacked my stuff and took a short sleep. Did not really sleep but at least closed my eyes to rest.

A very enjoyable but tired trip indeed. :P

Jay Chou's concert in KL

Slept just 3 hours and had to wake up to get prepare for my trip to KL this morning. Left house at 6am to catch 7.20am flight. Taking Jetstar plane and glad that the seat was rather comfortable. Leather one lei... We bought the cheapest rate hence could only allow one handcarry luggage + one small bag. Mine was simple. Just my sling bag and my HardRock Hello Kitty tote bag.

Arrived at KLIA and went to ask for the rate of limo service to hotel. Was so shocked to hear that the only way to get out of the airport was either by the express train to KL and change to cab/LRT to the hotel or to take a limo cab. Had to book the cab in order to get one. Not just hopping to any cab like in Singapore or other countries. We booked the cheapest car which cost RM75.00 and the journey took about 45mins.

Reached Boulevard Midvalley hotel at around 10.30am. As our room was not ready, we left our handcarry bags with the concierge and went for breakfast. Saw Toastbox and ordered Nasi Lemak set. The food was nice. After that we started our shopping.

In fact there was not much time for us to complete walking around the mall. It was enormous and we simply covered level 1 and B1. Furthermore, we did not complete our walk for each level. There is Garden mall (another section) which we did not cover due to no time. No time to walk to level 3 and 4. Too bad lah...

We were quite tired and went back to room for shower and took a rest. Woke up too early but insufficient sleep really tiring.

The concert started at 8.30pm and we went there on time. Reached the stadium and was glad that our seats were the second row after the Rock zone. However, the seat I had in Singapore was center seat but today's was side. Therefore although it was near but certain view could not see properly. Jay's voice was a bit hoarse but he gave his best to make his fans shout for him. The whole stadium was full of shouts and screams... He sang different songs from the 1st night. For me to compare the one in Singapore and KL, there were different set of songs hence was very satisfied. Tickets for his concert are so difficult to get. Without lobang, really no way to watch it. Not sure if I still have lobang on his next concert which will usually takes another 2 to 3 years time.

The concert ended at 11.15pm and we had to take car back to KL. The journey took about 45mins with no jam and smooth traffic. Before going back, we had Hokkien noodles for supper. Oh dear... fat liao.

I was very sleep during the supper and eyes closing. Back in hotel at 1.30am. Decided not to bath as in another 3 hours time, I have to wake up to prepare to get to the airport. Ah Cheng laid flat on the bed. She supposed to remove makeup and bath but did not do that until she woke up at 5.30am.

Two "sleeping beauties". Haha...

Lunch at KL Midvalley Mall:-

Gnomeo & Juliet

Today was considered a better day for me compared to last few weeks. Finally no one to disturb me while I was clearing my paperwork. Past few days, we had problem with our invoicing which wasted some time to do checking and complaining about the delays. Customers also calling up to chase for invoices.

Managed to clear most of my work by 7.30pm and our boss gave us a lift to HarbourFront bus stop. At least we saved some time and managed to have dinner at Subway before going for our movie.

We watched Gnomeo & Juliet. This was a very cute movie and kept making audiences laughed. Children sure like it. It was a good one for us to relax and laugh to kill all the tiredness we had this week.

Tomorrow has to wake up very early. Looking forward to Jay Chou's concert in KL. :)

Unsatisfaction

Had lunch at Great World City Crystal Jade Kitchen restaurant for lunch with customer. However, the food was not very nice. Thought all Crystal Jade restaurants serve same standard food but not for this branch. Not too sure if it was only today but still quite disappointed.

After lunch, my colleague and me were real shocked to see it was pouring so heavily outside. The weather was so good and hot earlier. Strange weather.

Tried to finish as much work as possible tonight. Tomorrow we are going for a movie. Watched 8.10pm show as I cannot watch late hour show as need to wake up early on Saturday morning. Will be taking 7.25am flight to KL to attend Jay Chou's concert.

Angry uh!!!!

This afternoon, went for customer lunch at Akashi Jap restaurant. The food was still good and with quality. The sashimi was very fresh. We ate until so full that we had to walk around VivoCity for a while to digest. One of my colleague bought a pair of shoe. She said she wanted to wear it tomorrow with her big big flowers dress. Ha ha...

As usual, was busy for the whole day and managed to leave office at 10.30pm. Took bus and MRT. Alighted at Tanah Merah MRT station and took a cab home since it was late and wanted to reach home earlier. Would waste time for waiting for the feeder bus so decided to spend $6 for the cab fare.

However, the taxi driver made me so so angry! Before I got into the cab, he asked where I was heading. I told him Pasir Ris and he nodded his head. When reaching Pasir Ris, he asked me again on my destination. Told him to exit at Loyang. He nodded again. The next moment, he drove passed the exit for Loyang. OMG!!! In the end, I had to pay extra $1.20 to go a merry-go-round before getting home. He did not even apologised or offered to deduct the extra distance charges. So bad... Don't let me take his car ever again...

Begin to feel tired again

After so many weeks of working late, I started to feel tiredness now. Worked very late yesterday and today had a little bit of improvement (ie left office at 10.15pm).

Really hope tomorrow onwards, I need not work so late liao. Poor 小珠. She has been waiting for me daily.

Pray hard no more late nights in the office. I think I spent more hours in office than home (+ sleeping hours)!