J82Productions

Finally, after four years of working in the Company, I get to take a break on my birthday and travel together with my girl friend to Bali ! While I was writing this post, my mom was bringing out the old albums and saw that the last time I went to Bali in 1995 ! Thinking of to post my childhood photo... erm. Below are some of the photos I have taken while I am being drove to Warung D'Sawah for lunch before "checking-in" at my friend's villa.

I was surfing through the Facebook today and one of my friends who has been traveling in Europe has written a great post which I think should be shared with everyone ! I will keep the originality of the entire post, complete with explanation of the Singlish jargon.

When I told my friends/colleagues that I’m going solo for my Europe trip, I have reactions like: “Wah, sibei(very) brave to travel Europe alone. Dangerous. Confirm kanna(get) robbed/pickpocket” “You know hor(ya), that one time my so-and-so went to Europe with a BIG group and kanna(got) rob. So hor(ya)…” So now I’m back (thank god, safely), just thought to share some tips. Some of them might be useful to you; some seems ridiculous while others might just be crazy but these are what work for me.

#1: Traveling is meant to be fun and brainless. Which is fine. But do bring your common sense along. It will help you stay alive. (If there is a dark empty alley, DO NOT walk in. This is called common sense)

#2: If you are visiting some popular touristy areas known for pickpockets, walk with some random walking tour groups. Walking in big group reduce the chances of being targeted by the pickpockets. And you get free explanation and guide of the place!

#3: Dress like a homeless (Honestly, this is more of a personal preference. I usually don't care how I look when I’m overseas. Seriously no one knows me and I’m not there to hook up with some random chicks. So screw the hair gels, shaver and matching clothes). But I did saw some tourists who dress like a superstars walking along Champs-Élysées… So if your dream is to dress like Carrie or Samantha in Sex and the City and walk down Fifth Ave or the streets of Champs-Élysées, sure please go ahead. #4: Don’t hang your DSLR on your neck. Cause it scream “I AM A TOURIST VISTING YOUR COUNTRY”. Anyway iPhone cameras are good enough. If you die die need to have high resolution/professional photos of the scenery, just Google. Confirm will find a dozen of them. No need to take them yourself.

#5: Have two wallets. Got this advice from a friend. One is where you put your small change while another is to put the big notes and your credit cards. Keep the one with credit card safe (in your inner pocket of your jacket). So even if you got robbed, you can just throw the one with small changes at the robbers and run. I think it will work… If it works, please let me know: p

#6: Another advice from friend - Act like you being for a long while. Like an expat or student working/studying there.

#7: Be aware of your surrounding. If someone walks too closely beside/behind you (especially if the street is pretty empty), then something is not right. Walk into a shop or slow down to let him/her walk past you or walk into a more crowded street.

#8: Advice from friend – stuff spare cash and important contact details in your shoes. In case you got rob (including your jacket where you keep your second wallet), you still have some cash to head back to hotel and call the embassy or police.

#9: If you need help, approach the locals. An ex-colleague of mine once said this - ”To travel alone is to trust that mankind is naturally kind. You are at their mercy for help”. Well said.

#10: It’s a holiday. You are supposed to be relaxing, reflective and have an enjoyable experience. Don’t let fear of pickpockets; robbers robbed you of your experience and fun of traveling alone. Use a bit of common sense, you should be fine. If you let fear ruin your holidays or worse, stopped you from going, then you have already lost to the criminals.

These are just some pointers I have while I travelled overseas, and if you have any more advices, can share below!

Desmond Yong is the post contributor for this traveling advise. Do like him at his Facebook if you see him around. 

Kuching has not undergone major development in recent years while the overall population is only around 325,000 people. Though it resemblance Singapore in the early 1950s-1960s, the slow-paced city is a good location for retirement. Time to packed my stuff and back to Singapore, the bustling city.

My girlfriend has mentioned before that Borneo is one of the top places she yearns to pay a visit and hopefully she settle down as a property agent and the dream will be realized soon. 

We flown our way from Brunei to Bintulu via MASwings and it was also the first time I have take a flight in a turboprop plane. We boarded the plane using a rear door (quite usually for passenger plane) and the plane has only two rows of seat of either side. Some travellers have mentioned that smaller aircraft are more prone to turbulence, but nah. That really depends on the weather and we landed in a smooth ride within an hour.

While being to Bintulu is my maiden trip, understanding from my client and superior that during the past, the airport is only a doorstep away from the town and it was in fact listed in the Guinness World Records as the town sited nearest to a airport. It is unimaginable that you can actual walked into the town after the customs ! However, over the decade, there was dramastic changes and a decent airport has actually been built.

Bintulu is a major industrial centre and will be turning into a capital of energy due to the intensive industries in Malaysia. We visited some of the industries at the sub-urban area and our client took us for a tour around the town before bringing us for lunch.

Lunch was an interesting affair. The client treated us with a fish called "Unforgettable" or "忘不了" in mandarin. The client brought the fish from home to the restaurant for the chef to perform his ultimate culinary skills to cook it to perfect taste. The patin of the fish was so silky and soft that you don't even have to chew and it simply glide through the throat while the aromatic taste of the fish filled your entire mouth, a taste that words cannot simply described. The ultimate amazed "feature" will be the price of Unforgettable. My client bought a whole fish which weighs close to 7 kilograms (he mentioned that the texture differs for those under 3 kg) and though reluctant to reveal the price, it cost about RM700 or US$ 215 per 100 grams. I have just eaten 1 kilogram of this fish and it just became  most expensive fish I have eaten in my entire life and it really lives up to its name because you will definitely not forget the taste. Damned, just forget to take a photo of it !

Unforgettable actual name is Empurau, a riparian specie freshwater fish which can only be caught in a river in Sibu, Sawarak that jumps our of the water to feed on the oily fruits that are overhanging from Engkabang tree along the fast flowing streams in jungle habitat. The fish need to be at least 3 kilograms so that the flesh would have firm body.

After our exquisite lunch experience, we are heading to the airport again to fly to Kuching.