Sunday chit chat @ The rocks

Caught up with G-nie on Sun. Good to have friends who drive because I like being driven:)  Some things, some people and some taste just doesnt change. So it doesnt come up as a surprise as I see her driving up the lobby in her new Mazda. We decided to head off to the Rocks for a quick bite and dessert. She had wanted to try La Renaissance cafe for its famous dessert cakes. Food really wasnt great but the choc was sinfully rich...I think having one by ourselves were alittle ambitious. It was better for sharing...

Incidentally, if I didnt know better, one of us must have done something right, presumably me, because it was another lucky day parking! Not only did we had the perfect lot smacked right in front of where we want to, the car owner of the parking there previously even offered us the 1 hour free ticket! So we got a GREAT lot for FREE hour!! Talk about lucky!!! If I am a gambler, I would have gone pick some numbers! But since I was not, I just said my prayer and thanks like a little good catholic-schooled girl should:)

The short burst of rain stopped from the minute we met and it was another glorious day. Even the praaroket was out to play and grace us with their presence while we were having lunch. It didnt even try to peck at our food. My partner did the most "annoying chinese" thing by asking gwenie when she is gonna settle down. I almost wanted to clobber my partner to death for being such an insensitive bloke with absolutely no tact over such delicate matters. Seriously, as if that is the question to ask even for MY friends! This is one reason why I dun like men in a girls hangout session. G-nie prob was already used to being questioned by nosy people like my partner and said she hasnt met anyone and no one is rushing her. I was trying to steer the topic away by asking how was James, another common friend we had and hung out together. I think I might as well have put my foot in my mouth because the two girls looked at each other funnily and said, they have no idea about James. I laughed and said "I smell a fishy story somewhere but I shant ask till I get my partner out of the way." (and I did...:P)

It was a good afternoon session. We even had a nice stroll along the harbour and caught some nice pixs.

After chasing my partner off, we had (an even) more relaxed chit chat session for the remaining time at starbucks thereafter. We thought the lady in the Q should really lay off the sweets and caffeine since it obviously isnt doing her any favors...We were just saying....

Finally alone, we could be more up front and frank. So James the spolit child was officially out of the picture after the "thing" he had with my gf didnt work out. I suppose modern woman really dont appreciate their guy to be mummy's boy at age of 35, where mummy will come clean the house every week from melbourne, do the laundry, pack his bag when he has medical conference etc. Seriously... we like big boys, but we draw the line at liking big SPOILT mummy's boy.

Of course upon further probing, G-nie had ended a 2 year on-off thingie after moving back to Sydney and in her line of elderly health care work line of work, its virtually impossible for her to meet anyone. The only patients she ever sees are the old dying ones. It really isnt morale boosting kind of occupation really...

Then we talk about men. First love, ongoing love, broken love whatever it is to do with men.

We laughed at how at late teens, you think Love is everything. Then when you go thru' the twenties, you wisen up and if you are unlucky to go through a bad patch in love, you come to terms that Love isnt everything. Bread is. Only a fool would rate love over bread.

And when you are thirties, you tell yourself what you need is a balance of love and bread, and you could sit down with your gfs and laugh at the silly teenage you who use to think so highly of love.

One of girls recently went on an arranged blind date. Virtually unheard of in the west but socially acceptable in the east. It was a guy whom the aunt knew. While it wasnt love on first sight, things seem to be progressing well. As we sat there in starbucks sharing our views, insights and previous "lessons" in love and heartache, its interesting how we all came to a same conclusion and observation of man in general. It got really funny as we sat there swopping tips and advices.

- Never go for something who isnt of the similar family background. It's courting trouble.
- Always check out his friends, as the people he hang around with speaks volume about the sort of person he is.
- The way and frequency he talks about his folks, esp his mum is a good indicator of the sort of family man he is, not to mention if he is the good son, or the "GOOD SON".
- The way he interacts with his friends also says alot of the dude.
- Check out his pad. Not for how well he is doing but for his personal habits. No, we really dont want a messy man in our life.

If I thought I was cynical, I didnt realise my gf was more cynical than I was. She dont even believe in happy outcome in first love. That I couldnt agree because I have seen happy couple blossom in their first relationship, and have an enviable lasting marriage. G-nie and I had to disgaree citing friends and family has examples of how first love can still happy but its rare like a bloody blue moon for sure.

The eve ended in a flash and I had to leave for dinner. Short as it might be, it was still nice to catch up after a year apart.

A day packed with food and fun

Saturday is a glorious day.

My friends were to picked me up at the lobby so I thought it was a little strange that they told me to walk to harrington street. Just before I started heading off, Stan called me again saying that they are now at the reception. The strange thing was, I couldnt see them at the reception. So I called him up again and asked "WHICH reception?" Only to find out he had gone to the wrong apartment! When I had told him Quay Grand Suite, he literally presume I was I telling him I was staying in the grand suite, not realising that was the actual name of the service aprt! I was smacking him asking if I am such a snotty arse?! After the short eventful morning mixedup, the couple took me out for a nice lunch at Sopras in Surrey Hills.

It was quite a bit of a ride since alot of the roads were closed off for the construction of new bicycle lanes. The cafe was located in a delightful little warehouse kind of place with fresh produce and confectionary stores at the bottom. I think it must be some sort of kitchen school with dozen of benches packed with electrolux cooking appliances.

The food came in huge servings. I had the pan fried barramundi buried deep under a toss of apple greens while the other two had meatballs and other Italian stuff. I think we got a little over our head with this because we were supposed to have another Italian dinner in 6 hours...

After filling the pithole in us, we headed off to Bondi Junction to grab a couple of stuff which have "eluded" me in Hong Kong, such as bottles of Redkern shampoo, a kilo of raw FRESH cashews, and my Sunsational Sunblock sold in Suf Culture. I had a super deal for the shampoo. I shouldnt gloat in glee really but it wasnt my doing. It was going for A$22 a bottle and I grabbed 2. I gave the girl a $100 and she paused for the longest time. I looked at her and told her A$56 rite? She looked at me dazed and said "I am thinking how much to give u." Then she punched the calculator and gave me the change. I didnt look since I assumed she knew what she was doing. It wasnt until we were in the car and I wanted to transfer the grabbed change from the pocket to wallet that I realised she had given me $76 back. It was too late to head back to her, but seriously, it really isnt my fault that she couldnt event punch the calculator right? My guilt ran through its course after couple of mins and I was happy to head on.

We drove to Monavale. They wanted me to catch the sunset but we were alittle late after the shopping spree at the mall. It was 5.30pm and we were just in time to catch the "set-sun" and having a little tit-tac-toe with the hidden mine of dog poos littered all over. It was a dog park when the doggies can run free and wild, but still...it would have been lovely if the owners could pick up the crap those doggies left behind. Some are really HUGE, so its kinda hard to miss....fortunately for us, the cold air must have dampen the smell because we didnt detect any offputting "fragrance" of the nature.

After grabbing a couple of shots, the happy trio sped on back to the couple's den at Pittswater. It was a lovely 2 storey standalone bungalow that was divided into two by the landlord. It was really nice the way they had doll up the pad. Stan certainly had more clothes than me, or as some gay friends had said "More clothes than 2 gay dudes put together." He blushed and alittle and gave me a proud grin. Heh. As for his chick, she certainly had more shoes than I can count. I felt like I was stepping into a mini fashion mall with the clothes, shoes, hats, bags and accessories sections. Despite all the teasing and taunting, I think its a great place they had set up.

Heading up to the living space, I really like the space. All these space for A$350 a week with utlities included. What a damn steal! As I stare at the big sony screen before me, I asked stan that I didnt rem his TV was that big at his other bachelor pad then, and he laughed saying that it was a new toy. That explains it!

After chilling for about 15mins- facebooking, setting the Tivo  and all, it was time to hit the road and heading off to Paddington for dinner at the top rated Buon Ricordo restaurant.

It must have been a lucky day. At 7.30pm on a sat night, we drove straight up to the single parking lot just in front of the restaurant. Lady luck was shining on us. The other couple and my partner was already there and while the initial start was alittle shy and awkward, a few little jokes and wine quickly broke the ice. I think it was a wonderful night with stellar company. Dinner was alright, and frankly I didnt see what the fuss was. It was ok, had a LONG wait for the main and we were just too busy chatting to pay notice. Even the semi freddo dessert  was pretty average and not as good as the one we had at Quay previously. I didnt even bother with a shot at the food, so I think it certainly wasnt that impressive for me despite the hefty price tag which we pick up. It was a pleasure with delightful friends that made the nite perfect of course. I couldnt ask for more!

Quay Grand Suite (Sydney)

As usual...my usual erratic, random and non chronological posting.

After staying in several rather disappointing major hotels in Sydney (which frankly isnt up to par compared to Asia standards), I finally found one accomodation worthy of my expectations. Recent stay in Quay Grand Suite (located near the Sydney Opera house along Macquarie street) proved to be a rather comfortable and convenient experience.

Quay Grand is actually a service apartment and not a hotel, so the one bedroom comes equipped with a proper kitchenette and laundry services. We chose the room overlooking the garden as we wanted more tranquility and green. The alternate is the harbor view but I have enough of harbor view after living in Sydney.

The bed was a good size (unlike in HK, Australians probably cannot fathom any couple cramming in small mattress), the bathroom comes with a jaccuzzi bath and seperate walk-in shower. The only thing that remained a relic and time for an update is the music player. Who on earth still uses a cd with casette tape player in such modern days? It's about time someone tells the management to stop being cheap and change it to an MP3 and Ipod player soon.

The only time where I had a shock was to discover how dirty the mechanism of the jaccuzzi bath was. I had expected there to be grime but seeing the black grimy stuff sitting and floating atop the bubbles was honestly a little disgusting. I never intended to use the spa pool function since I knew it wont be clean but I just hit the button on for fun after i was done with my soak. Eeeeewwweeee..... that is why - never install those fancy jaccuzzi bath at home unless u are willing to spend time and money to upkeep it. A normal bath tub is good enough though in Australia, taking bath is a decadent luxury for the longest decades (previously) due to the rainfall scarcity. And now, the sky is dumping truckload of gallons of rain on them across the country.... Joy to the farmers...

Anyway back to hotel review.

The contemporary bedroom and living spaces are both rather spacious by Australia standards. It even comes with a small outdoor balcony for the die-hard cig puffers. The room is rather well insulated from noises, which is a big welcome change from the usual lame wafer-thin plaster wall-dividers in other major hotels.

I stayed in Sheraton Sydney hotel in this trip as well.
The breakfast was good and worth waking up for. Its bathroom is big but noise from corridor is an issue for me. I didnt like being awaken by drunken neighbors stumbling back from wee morning drinks, or hyperactive screeching children racing down the hotel corridors from the rooms to the lift. Plus, I could faintly pick up a not so pleasant smell in the toilet with my ultra sensitive nose. Perhaps the toilet bowl area needs a good scrub down from previous occupants' lack of good aim.... or perhaps someone ought to conduct global wide seminar on why "Men should learn to aim right before peeing" followed by bonus session 2 - "Men should learn to WIPE down if they miss" It's such a BIG hole, how does one miss it? *Shake head*

Another good thing about Quay Grand Suite, its situated near the bus stops that goes to city. In fact there is even one free shuttle bus that picks up people along QVB street that heads street back to the harbor terminal. So its really great for people who doesnt want to buy Travel Ten (a local bus pass for 10 trips)

A brand new year (again)

Brand New Year and nothing really new to talk about. I suppose people make new year resolutions but since I have been seemingly living my life right, so i gathered I am spared from making any since there really isnt any bad habit I feel a need to break or a new goal to achieve.

Xmas sucks as usual, with an exception highlight that I get to spend a day of the hols with an old friend.

Good, memorable Xmas comes rare for me. I would be happy enough if no one pisses me off. As usual this year some one did (again), what's new... Why do simpleton even try to even piss me off continuously after I had try to let past issues slide?

I have balls. I was just afraid they will be too huge for these morons to swallow. Apparently they are too dense to realise. But enough is enough. My threshold has been crossed. So come this year, the only difference is that instead of only me having my Xmas ruined, I decided to bring someone down with me by retaliating with my frosty "U are invisible" reception. No more playing nice. The message went through loud and clear, with Much gratification on my part. No point dwelling about it. Nothing victorious but it helps in soothing my ego. My mojo is back! That is why I hate Xmas, having to make small talks and going out to meet and spend time with people I abhor.

Got a new toy this xmas.
An iPhone! Dont really need it, didnt ask for it but I must have been on the Santa Dean's list. Ha! Havent been able to lift my fingers off the screen since I hooked it up... In bed, in loo, in kitchen, in almost everywhere except the bath. I luv this 24hr connectivity to the internet man!!! Gross as it may sound, U have no idea what joy it delivers as I even get to read my manga as I Poo poo! Joy to the world! haaaaaa

Well folks, enjoy the brand new year.
It's 2010.
Bring it on!

Can I have your chicken?

I almost forgotten to blog this rather funny incident, so here goes.
The opening of this true story goes like this.
"What would you do if someone from the next table ask to sample your food ?"

That was exactly what had happened to me and my friend when we were having dinner in a Japanese diner - Sushi Suma in Sydney...

It was actually my first visit and my girlfriend suggested to share as the set serving can be rather substantial (for asian tummy). So we went ahead with Fried Chicken cutlet and my god, it was really huge! Served piping hot, while it isnt gourmet Japanese food, it was still rather good.
It is definitely value for money, if and only if you do not mind the small selection of food there. My gf told me there is usually a long Q but we were lucky that night to be only 3rd in line.

As we reached the limits of our tummy, we decided to just pack back the remaining portions but we carried on chatting. That was when the funny thing happened. The Australian bloke sitting next to me interrupted us politely.

Once he got our full attention and his mates at his table snickering away, the chap sheepishly requested "I was wondering if you mind doing a chicken swop. U see, your fried chicken looked really tempting and I just wanted to know how it tasted. I would swop a piece of our chicken with yours."

I thought it was really funny. My gf and I looked at each other and laughed, and told him that he should feel free to help himself. We told him that we are too full to take another chicken but he can have a piece of ours. The guy hesitated. His expression was funny because he looked so torn about the fact that it wont be a swop and he probably didnt want to come across as if he was sponging on us. He kept offering his chicken and we kept saying no. He still didnt make a move. Sensing his "awkward" sentiment, I took a piece of our chicken and place it on his plate and told him to "just eat it..really!" He grinned and asked "Really?!! Thanks!" and took a big bite.

My gf and I continued our conversation and the guys next to us started laughing. We turn round and the chap declared: "That was the best fried chicken ever! Even better than KFC!!" We all laughed. He jokingly asked if he could have another piece which he quickly decline when we took him seriously and offered the remaining portion. So the conclusion was that our fried chicken dish was a much better choice than theirs ( i think its teriyaki or something).

After they left, and just when we though things had resumed to normal. Something even more biazzare continued. Out of nowhere, one of the Japanese staff handed me a cordless phone. "Your call" he said in halting English. I was like "Huh?!!! My call in a restaurant" I looked at him with a HUGE question mark hanging over my head, but the Jap waiter simply nod and usher me to take the call.

I gingerly took the call and my gf who was equally surprised by the turn of the event speechlessly stared on. When I said "Hello", I was greeted by a woman and she started a series of questions in mandarin with the first question "I like your chair, can you tell me where I can get the same chair?" Alittle stunned, I asked her back in Mandarin "You know this is a Japanese restaurant right? This is NOT a furniture shop."

The woman then started her elaborate story about how she ate at the diner the day below and she loved the chair. I was like looking at the chair and thinking to myself, its just a normal plain wooden chair for god sake. By now, the local diners around us are staring at me strangely and my gf was grining away at my "plight".

After I have ascertain the fact that she wasnt a nutter and she genuinely wanted the chair, I had to scan the restaurant for the same waiter who had gone off to do his job. He came back and I explained the situation to him and without a word, he grabbed a spare chair from another table, inverted it and plonked it on my lap. So there i was, head between 4 legs, bending over trying to read the tiny supplier label pasted at the base of the chair seat. Ok, this is a really biazzare sight and by now, I literally have the attention from ALL the diners in the restaurant as I was reading the email address of the supplier to the woman on the line. Someone must have been too curious and I overheard my girlfriend explaining the "request" on line, and then laughters followed

When the call ended, I handed the phone back to the waiter. He thanked me profusely and explain he had no idea what the woman was saying. So seeing that I was chinese and the only 2 in the whole place, I guess he presume I can handle the call for him rather than just hanging up. Interesting thought process....

So the night ended with the 2 of us laughing away at the whole night. What are the odds of having someone from next table asking for a piece of your chicken, and then have the waiter shove a phone to you and finally finding yourself with a big heavy wooden chair sitting upsidedown on your lap? Reality is stranger than friction at times but it was hilarious and memorable i guess. I wonder if I am a magnet for all the odd things in the world, or do other people have similar story to share? Hmmmm....

Quote of the Day:
"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."
- Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

Sunday @ Stanwell Coast

Had a lovely Sunday in Sydney.

First, Yilin brought us to this french cafe where they had the most glorious poached egg ever.

No kidding. Best ever....

We started our day late, primarily myself and stan woke up late due to our nocturnal lifestyle of turning in at 5am each day. It was about an hour's drive to Stanwell Park and the view was simply lovely. I had to take 2 seperate shots and merge it into a paranomic view as below.

The thing about in Australia. All you need is just great company, a lovely weather and a car. Yilin drove us down and we just lay on the grass and laughing and chilling. Looking at the bright blue sky, nestled amist the quiet green. Not rolling meadows but good enough.

We chatted. We laughed. We enjoyed the breeze. All u really need is good friends on such a postcard picture perfect day.

By 6pm, the sun was setting to a magnificent glow. I turned to my side, and against the sun glare, I couldnt help but capture this intimate moment of a pair of strangers for my departing shots.

As Yilin was driving along the coastal way, I couldnt help but snap a rapid shot of the pinkish blue sky using the motion mode. I'm glad it did turn out well after all...

Ripped off my Sydney taxi driver

It was already a begrudging trip back to sydney for me. This morning, the Iran taxi driver took me for a ride and reminded me of all the nasties that I hate about this city. He ripped me of A$50 when it should have been a A$30+ trip. And mark this, he had GPS system to guide him.

I am so tired beyond words. I just want to finish my business here and leave...

Have no idea why some asian chinese are so hard up about migrating to here. I fail to see its greatness. Apart from its scenic view, beaches and great produce, it is just another busy city, with all the flaws and stuff ups, and immigrant cheats, a city without any cultural history to speak off. Not unless you count the Aboriginal's "Stolen years"....as some form of history.

Memories: Old rented flat in Sydney

With all the hassles and grief this HK apartment is giving me, suddenly I missed my rented apartment in Sydney which was stress free and fraction of what we are paying now. (Minus the horribly noisy neighbours from upstairs.) Took some shots before we moved. Such distant memories now...

(Dining room- one side)

(Partial clockroom and walk in shoe area)
(shoe area linking to kitchen)

(Living room and partial sun room)( My collection of shoes)

Memories: Those Centennial Park days

There is nothing much that I miss from Sydney really, except some fresh food and the parks. Was housekeeping the folders and saw those lazy afternoon moments where we used to go picnic at Centennial Park.

Snoozing away by the lake, watching the birds going about doing their own things, munching on the food and snacks we brought, reading our books. There is something about being nestled amongst the green nature. Tranquility and peace. I missed those quiet moments...

Sydney crap service

Christ! Today is packing day for the move and there is sooo much to bitch about. Australia is seriously a crap country for service across any industry. It is seriously fuck up. They charge you an arm and legs and make you pay through the nose for the crappest shittiest worse service I have ever seen. If you think China service is bad, welcome to Sydney.

Imagine paying premium price for Crown and guess how many people came to pack?
ONE. ONE single young chap who had to pack my whole 2000ft apartment. If I had not helped to pack, startin from from 9am till 6pm. That chap would NEVER be able to leave by 7pm. I bet my ass that by 6pm he would still be packing! I packed the whole toilet, 3 bedroom and half a kitchen and all the glass ornaments. I was so afriad he will wreak my precious cargo. The thing that piss me off was there couldnt even deliver free boxes to my place. They expect me to pay $45 for courrier for the boxes delivered. crazy. No fking way. So I just have to rough it out today and my back is break and feet hurting from standing on my feet almost 2 long days....

I didnt even dare to see how he packed my plasma. In HK santa fe, they had 2 people with a dedicated box crate to contain the screen. Today, I think he just wrap it in some international wrap before crate. I asked him about it and he said he had marked to be crated. I cannot imagine how a single guy managed to wrap and move the plasma TV all on his own. I am crossing my fingers and toes it stays alright......

Anycase, I have all given up expecting any decent service from this land of colour and gold. At least I hope and pray back in HK i will be getting back my decent quality standard. I think and hope it will be a long while before i have to return to this very very expensive country where service is almost non existence.

And all they rem was to keep chasing me to pay when my goods are not even loaded into container. They havent even given me my tracking ID, they havent even given me answers to all the queries I had asked for the last week.

Oh well, too late to worry and I can only hope everythin fits into the container. Wish me luck....

Farewell Lunch

Met some friends at "The loft" at King's Wharf for late lunch last friday. We had spectacular view and so we "basked" in the sun sitting in the large sofa outdoor. It was a beautiful day as well. I am so going to miss this clear blue sunny sky once I head to live in HK. Back to grey gloomy days, not to mention bloody rain storms this year now.

The Loft had beautiful and very pretty interior decor. It's hip and funky and I heard the place is often booked out and full at night for drinks. The stretch of outdoor is also lined with comfy large sofas as well. Perfect for chilling out with friends at night.

Since its a wine place, I wasnt expecting great food but surprise surprise, my meal tasted better than I had thought, and even better than most of the "upmarketish" restauarants surrounding the darling harbour.

I had the panfried atlantic salmon while my gf had the fish and chips. We decided to share the salt and pepper szechuan squid. I really like the squid as it was a good chucky piece and was a tinge spicy to boot which goes fantastically with wine.

We hung out for about 2 hours since the whole place was pretty quiet at noon, before heading to Lindtt cafe (again) at darling harbour to meet another Jap friend Rei who was leaving for Japan on Sunday.

By 6pm, I was completely stuffed from food and dessert and hot chocloate. Well I figured I might as well enjoy every drop since I am not getting any once I am in HK....Yeah, I think I was pretty satisfied by night fall..... :P