Here are the overdue photos from my visit to Resort World Sentosa three weeks back.
The highlight of the trip was to visit Genting Group’s newborn (the casino) in Singapore.
Before entering the casino, I bumped upon Singapore’s comedy juggling duo, Kit and Kai. Their street performances brought lots of laughter to the big crowd at RWS.

In front of Universal Studio. It was still under construction when we were there. It opened its door to the public 2 weeks ago.

Kit and Kai

Us and the clowns. I trembled a little when I felt something was on my shoulder and hoped that the photographer would quickly press the shutter.

Forgotten which building was this in RWS

Saw an article on TODAYonline about the Singapore Garden Festival 2010 this morning.

This is a returning event, previously held in 2006 and 2008. It showcases Asia’s best gardens and flowers.

I must go!!
Chin Pei Yee, do you want to join? :D

Currently buried in a pile of work, appointments and photograph post-processing.. that I could hardly find time to post some photos that I shot in the past few weeks.

The Singapore Universal Studio has finally opened its gate to visitors last week! I visited the Resort World Sentosa (RWS) two weeks ago and managed to take a peek from outside the gates then. The main purpose was to visit Singapore’s first Casino in RWS. I finished touring the casino in less than 30 minutes. The place is quite small and many slot machines were under maintenance. Mom came a week after with a troop of uncles and aunties from Kajang for a one-day trip. She commented that she enjoyed her trip to the casino (mostly because she pocketed some small winnings from the slots).

I travelled back home last weekend and attended the 2nd Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. We were supposed to be there at 7:45AM in order to get into the photographers area. However, we were late. Therefore, we could only photograph from outside. Had a good time shooting with my buddy-cum-ex-colleague, Mr Allan Chuah :D

On Sunday, I met up with a fellow university friend whom I haven’t seen for at least 2-3 years. He is still the guy whom I knew 8-9 years ago.. with a spare tummy now! He brought along with him a cute couple, who are his hometown friends and are currently residing in Singapore as well. We had dinner in the Imperial Treasure Noodle & Congee House in ION Orchard. They serve nice roast duck!

I grew up watching the scenes behind of what constitutes a multi-level marketing business setup. At the tender age of 8/9, Pei Yee (she was 5/6) and I were already following our parents in and out of conventions and recognition award ceremonies. Star-studded stages, lucrative awards like cars and vacations, long-winding thank-you speeches and aunties touching your hair whenever you were introduced by your parents. Those were what we’ve experienced as a kid whenever we tag along Mom and Dad to these events. Daily, after school, I would walk to Dad’s office (which was near school).

Dad had a stockist office then. I’d see customers walking in and out of the office, Dad giving demonstration of the products to a slew of prospective downlines and sometimes, the nightly motivational talks. I used to be very excited watching those demonstrations because they were like magic shows to me.

Why, you’d ask.
When Dad was involved in skin products, you could see how the product could help your ugly and rough skin transformed to delicate baby skin. When Dad was involved in food supplement products, you could see how your health improved compared to the days before you consumed the products.

I used to be very proud of Dad. He was such a good speaker. He could talk non-stop and convincingly. He was invited to many seminars and meetings to provide motivational talks. Hence, he became a successful multi-level marketer. The cars in our garage got replaced from time to time. Mom and Dad got to travel to many countries for vacation. What is normally the case when a man gets richer and has the options?

I cannot say that I’ve seen it all but I know what is it like going in and out of one after another multi-level marketing company. I have never done it or be on the top of the pyramid, but I’ve witnessed the ups and downs being there.

Most people would get a shudder and leave. I would react the same then. Now, I’d just shrug and think, “Yet another MLM company..”
I could not find the excitement anymore when I attend one such motivational meeting, although the products nowadays are definitely so much better than what they were 10 years ago. I would not go gaga over someone’s achievements or riches in his multi-level marketing roadmap. If I have not seen them all, I might :-)

They are just my thoughts. However, I do respect good products and do not deter myself from them totally. Until today, my family still consumes Company A’s food supplements and applies Company B’s skin products :-)

04-Mar-2010 4:00PM – Arrived at Kinabalu Park.

04-Mar-2010 5:10PM – Arrived at Bishop’s Head Hostel reception office.

04-Mar-2010 06:40PM – Arrived at the coffee shop in Sutera Sanctuary Lodges for steamboat dinner after a quick shower. It was already freezing cold then – 15°

Our dinner. And it came with a delicious plate of fried rice. The fried rice was very plain but it tasted really good.

05-Mar-2010 07:20AM – My breakfast.

05-Mar-2010 08:30AM – The 15 conquerors prior to the hike to Laban Rata.

My journey to Laban Rata via the Mersilau Trail. We almost missed the 6km sign because it was so ‘extraordinary’! Luckily KC spotted the sign.. while I kept walking straight without noticing the sign.

At the waterfall spotted on the way up.

Still not there yet.. tired, sweaty, no more energy..

05-Mar-2010 04:30PM – We’ve finally reached Laban Rata!

Looking back to where we came from..

Sunset at Laban Rata.

I did not manage to capture any photographs while hiking up to Low’s Peak as I was too afraid to hold my camera. Yup, fear of heights phobia :D

06-Mar-2010 05:50AM – Waiting for the sunrise at Low’s Peak.

Waited for a while to finally get to pose with this board!

Did felt like stepping on the clouds!

That’s about it!
While having a backpack weighing 8-kilograms, there were things that I wished I had brought and things that I did not really utilize.

• Mask – the VVIP! Without this, I’d be freezing to death..
• Head lamp – you won’t have hands to hold a torch light while hiking up in the wee hours.
• Windbreaker – get a super thick one!
• Winter cap – good to cover my ears (and hair, so it would not mess my hair when the wind blew :p)
• Long johns – good to have, else, just put on 4 pieces of clothes like I did.
• Paracetamols – my headache reliever :-)
• Chocolates and energy bars – I was almost always hungry during the whole expedition; ate loads when we were hiking up to Laban Rata; glucose drinks such as Ribena helped too!
• Walking stick – useful for the hike up to Laban Rata only; can be bought there at the cost of RM8.
• Hiking shoes – after the hike, my faithful Timberland hiking shoes were the cleanest pair when compared to the rest haha.
• Poncho – did not use mine as it did not rain; and haven’t been raining for the past 2 months.
• Heat packs – first time seeing a heat pack although I’ve heard about it before; glued 1 heat pack on my first piece of clothe and another in the pocket of my pants.
• Extra batteries for your camera? – used 2 full batteries for my DSLR during the entire 4 days; thought I’d need more but it seems like the cold weather did not really drain my batteries as fast.