Zzzzz ...

Just came back from a focus group which ended an hour ago. 5 am Singapore time ... lol. Feels like returning in the early hours of the morning from a night out partying.

Feel kinda proud for being able to effectively direct the cab driver to our hotel when he couldn't understand English and we couldn't understand Turkish v(^_^)v All thanks to the early morning walk I took this morning. For now though ...

Zzzzz ...

Istanbul Day 1

Arrived in this grand city early in the morning Istanbul time. 7.02 am to be precise. That means 1.02 pm Singapore time.

The flight was not too bad, especially after the transit in Dubai. I had the entire row of 3-seaters to myself. The part of the journey from Singapore to Dubai, I'd have had the same if not for one of the Hongkies from the row in front of me shifted to my aisle seat. It didn't cause no discomfort, so I'll quit bitching about it.

I slept through most of the flight save for during the two onboard meals, albeit a pretty "choppy" slumber. On arrival, I didn't feel jetlagged. In fact, I was quite energetic breathing in the cool, fresh air of Istanbul. Haha ... cool is really an understatement. It's pretty cold for an autumn day in Mediterranean weather! Even the locals think it's unusual.

Oh well, maybe it's just today. I don't know how much longer my Disneyland sweatshirt can sweat out against the cold. Damn, I always underpack despite consciously reminding myself that it's safer to bring and not need it that to not bring and need it.

My traveling partner is a nice, intelligent and very fit elderly Indian lady. She's probably around mom's age. She's much more upbeat, I think, raring to go out and explore the city. So after checking into the hotel and grabbing a quick breakfast waiting for our rooms to be ready, we headed out for old Istanbul where the famous Sultanahmet (Blue Mosque), Ayasofya (Haghia Sofya) and the Topkapi Palace stand within walking distance of each other.

The drizzle had stopped when we left the hotel but soon started again when we were at the Sultanahmet. And it got really cold, which was worse because we had to wait between 15 and 20 minutes for teh afternoon prayers to be over before we could enter the mosque for our visit.

We were actually a little confused between the Ayasofya and the Sultanahmet, thinking the latter was the former. We later sorted it out with our Turkish friend.

The beautiful mosque with 6 minarets that we thought was Ayasofya because it appears so often on any literature about Istanbul, and the Ayasofya is all that people talk about, is the Sultanahmet. The Ayasofya is now called the Ayasofya Museum, an unassuming brick-coloured domed building that looks somewhat like a church too, just opposite the Sultanahmet. There, mystery solved.

We had wanted to go to the Topkapi Museum as well, but we had to keep our afternoon appointment at the office for a briefing on tomorrow's work. So after a lunch at a little restaurant at the end of a cobblestone lane leading away from a tram track near the mosques, we headed for Enseteppe. Well, you see, many places in Istanbul have names ending with "teppe" because that means hill. Really, Istanbul is quite a hilly city much like San Francisco.

After the meeting, we headed out to one of the rare modern malls in Istanbul called Kanyon. Apparently, the city has not caught up with modern architecture, its best architecture being those leftover from the Ottoman empire (which is really magnificent!) So when you get something like Kanyon, it's all out mall culture. Everything here is high-end, so after a while, we decided it's time to hop on the tube and return to the hotel. Besides, jetlag is setting in. After all, it's midnight in Singapore already! So here I am at my last activity of the night. Will get to sleep in tomorrow morning since work won't start till 1 pm but that's gonna go all the way till 9 pm *yawn*

That's how my line of work is. Irregular hours. But nothing to complain about; more daylight means more snooping around this gorgeous city. (Psst ... the water is seagreen in spite of a gray sky! It's that beautiful. And it's water all around. If only I own a villa here, down at the marina ... sigh ...)

雪呢？

      Tis the season
      ... the beautiful
      ... is cold as ice

      Like fleeting snow
      ... now you see it
      ... now you don't.

Istanbul, Here I Come!

Last year, this time, I was packing for a trip to Sydney to attend the once-in-a-lifetime U2 concert. Today, I'm packing for Istanbul. Check out the picture - I think it's a romantic place to be (well, if only with the right person but oh well, can't complain! Hehe). Besides, The Jester, one of James Patterson's best and one of my favourite books, tells a story that involves the Turks and the Byzantines during the Holy War ... I don't understand all of what that moment in history means, SO I'm gonna find out ALL about it on this trip!

No doubt, it's for work but I'm looking forward to some good times in this city that sits on both Europe and Asia - the only city in the world with such geographical privilege. Because of flight times and such, we should have some free time to explore the city. Keep my fingers crossed!

Think the weather's lovely too. Temperature hovers on the lower teens, down to below 10 degrees Celsius. Well, for me, it's lovely to be a bit on the cold side :)

More on Istanbul. If it's true that the hotel where I'll be staying has free Internet connection, I shall be putting up pictures fairly soon :)

Weddings and Babies

Finally, EC is married. They've planned it for so long, she's been excited about it for just as long counting down to the big day. It finally happened yesterday with an emotional church ceremony which I missed, and one of the more entertaining dinners I've been to where everyone seemed to know everyone (except us though. Lol). I'm really happy for her.

XM asked if the wedding inspired me to get married soon. I love weddings because I leave these events feeling warm and fuzzy and motivated to be loved, to find someone to love and be loved back. That is important for me. As for the institution of marriage, I'm not so much a believer. I believe that for two persons to be in love is sacred and does not entail the formality of marriages to seal that vow. I believe in unspoken vows that lovers hold dear in their hearts. Am I naive? But that is what I seek. XM, let's 加油 together alright! :)

Also found out that P is pregnant! OMG! She always struck me as this super career woman who thinks kids are a drag. But just like my two other friends with similar drive, they all succumb to the call of nature, fulfilling the circle of life. That's good, really awesome, and I'm glad for them. Can't wait to see the cute little boy when he emerges from the amniotic depths in 5 months!

3 Most Genuine Faces On Camera

Was browsing my album for 九寨沟 and these faces captivated me yet again. They are kids from the Sichuan highland fairyland that tourists from hectic cities escape to for a breather, a bit of R&R. Despite the tourist dollars, this is really one of the remotest parts of China and living standards are well, way below that of the megalopolises of Shanghai or Beijing.

Yet, the people here are the loveliest. The kids, at least, are the most innocent, most optimistic. The faces that know no stress nor woes of the world. The faces brimming with gullible but blissful happiness. Such is the expression that I would rather wear in the place of a mask that has become a necessity to navigate this superficial world with its superfluous people.

Pooh Bear and Snoopy t-shirts. Based on my readings on rural China, the kids have no idea what the characters on their shirts are cuz they have no access to international TV to be acquainted with Winnie the Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood or Christopher Robin and Charlie Brown. The t-shirts that bear these characters are just some in a few million that come off the tireless production lines of countless Chinese factories responsible for the healthy double-digit GDP growth of this giant economy.

爱: 真可爱！

Happy Jack-O Day!

Are you home yet? Don't stay out too late ... the vamps and ghouls and spirits and werewolves and ... are roaming the streets tonight.

Better be indoors, like where I am now ...

... but mostly, it's really because I'm so zong'ed out from staring at the computer screen scanning headline after headline on a gazillion websites ... I need a break fro Bits!! Luckily I'm just sitting in for my colleague ... phew.

Well, anyway, just a reminder it'll be November in a few hours. The last two months of the year. Where did the year go?

Facebook Addict Now

Aiyoh, I've resisted joining this notorious online social network for the longest time but finally succumbed to peer pressure and now I'm an official addict!

Ahhh ... I spend time (that amounts up to hours!) everyday biting friends, and growing my slayer and zombie armies. Or staring blankly at sea creatures swimming in the Huizquarium. And now blogging about it. Geez ...

Plus I love my (fluff)Friend xue to bits. Come pet him sometime, he's a little homesick here in tropical Singapore (and a lil hungry too cuz I lost his food munny at the races! Poor xue!)

香港迪士尼乐园~好玩!

Everytime I go to Disneyland, it's MAGIC. Besides, it's Halloween so there're special costumes for the characters ... Mickey is handsome as ever, and Minnie coquettish. Unfortunately, we didn't get to take pictures with all the characters :( - only with Mickey and Minnie cuz there's simply no time! Even when the park's the tiniest in the world ... sigh. To think we actually had a 2-day pass ... but only spent 1 day at Disneyland cuz we wanted to see more of HK (my sisters and mom were on their first trip there).

Sitting here on a Sunday night, on the threshold of another work week, I wish I was back in the magical world of Disney.

The magic really begins with the train ride into Disneyland. The special train comes with plush seats and Mickey windows and wrist rings for standing passengers (though this is quite redundant cuz the train's empty all the time we were there ... maybe during peak seasons like school holidays or the Chinese hols, then it'll be packed)

I was really there for the shows. Didn't care much for the rides although this is the first time in Disneyland where we don't have to queue up to 30 minutes for any ride. Although they have Fastpass for a few attractions, I dun think it needs to be exercised except for maybe during major holidays like X'mas or CNY.

The 3D and live musical stage shows were superb. I'm convinced only Disney can pull this off. The experience is all encompassing - sound, visual, tactility - u name it ... e.g. when they bring us into the 3D underwater world of Ariel the mermaid, they spray just the right amount of water on us and then sea bubbles and Flounder float before our eyes, just within reach. You really feel like u r part of that world!

The park may be the smallest but there're interesting things all the way, unlike at the Movieworld at Gold Coast, I was bored by noontime. Good thing is, the HK Disneyland is still expanding. They are building new attractions so eventually it may reach the size of the other parks.

Also, within their own constraints, they manage to pull off a magical finale. The regular finale for the American Disneylands is a spectacular performance of Fantasia followed by fireworks. In HK, it's just pure 20 minutes of fireworks display, played to Disney's animated features' soundtrack from Beauty & the Beast, etc. There're also projected images from the cartoons on the walls of the Sleeping Beauty castle ... I never thought fireworks can be displayed in so many different configurations! It's a pretty awesome show in its own right. The fireworks show is probably even grander than the American ones (maybe cuz it's cheap in China ... but really, it's not doing any good to HK's hazy skies)

The disappointing bit is the famous Disney On Parade - it's so short and unimpressive. Also, the food is so lousy and overpriced I wish we had brought our own sandwich. And the cast members (staff) are not as friendly and enthusiastic as the Americans who seem to really enjoy their jobs. Here in HK, it seems like just another job dealing with some stupid irritating customers ... there are some nice ones though but most are just plain bo chap. Worst of all, the park closes at 8 PM!!!! The American ones open till midnight.

The Disneyland Hollywood Hotel where we stayed ... nothing special. Just a regular hotel but with Mickey ears plastered on everything - bathroom slippers, shower foam bottles ... the cutest is the way they fold the hand towel into Dumbo. Have taken some pictures ... will upload later - damn, Imagestation is closing down ... need to migrate my albums :( and update my links here!

Oh well, anyway, here's the link to those pictures :)

4th Pilgrimage to HK. Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, this time, I'll be in Hong Kong. Haha ... I realise it's been like an annual pilgrimage - I've been going there every year since 2003, except in 2005 when I was unemployed :)

Looking forward to it. Especially this time round, there'll be Disneyland and we're staying 2 nights at the Disneyland Hollywood Hotel! Cuz Hui Ching gets a 50% discount, thanks to SIA. This is really the prime reason why I have to make this trip for God only knows if I'd ever stay at a Disneyland hotel ever again. They are too expensive, completely not worth the money but it's gonna be a blast having breakfast with Mickey v(^_^)v

Dream. Believe. Dare. Do.

Okie, off to bed now. Flight's at 0645.

爱: For Elaine!

Two more weeks to the wedding ... you must be real excited girl :)

3月9日: Sangatsu Kokonoka

I've found my theme song. At last. Lol. Why someone would write a song with this title is beyond me. It's by a Japanese band Remioromen from their album Ether. According to Wiki, both singles and album were released on Mar 9, a year apart, in 2004 and 2005 respectively.

A song about finding strength in new challenges, I can easily identify with the song, especially when it is also the soundtrack of an inspirational true story about the struggles of a girl who continues to live optimistically even as life fades away from her with each passing day.

3月9日 is featured in Japanese drama, 1 Litre of Tears, which is based on the true story of Aya Kitō, a 15-year-old who was diagnosed with spinocerebellar atrophy but carried on living for another ten years more earnestly than most of us who have taken life for granted. During that time, she chronicles her struggles as a spinocerebellar atrophy patient in a diary, 1リットルの涙 (1 Rittoru no Namida).

The series has 11 episodes, and I've just finished episode 3 on Youtube. This is the episode when Aya and her class perform the song at the school choir contest in the morning. That afternoon, she confirms that she's been stricken with the disease. And hence her life will change, as she tells best mate, Haruto.



I've also found the music files for 3月9日 here.
And the OST of the drama here.


3月9日: Sangatsu Kokonoka
March 9

Nagareru kisetsu no mannaka de
In the middle of this drifting season

Futo hi no nagasa wo kanji masu
I suddenly feel the length of the days

Sewashiku sugiru hibi no naka ni
In the midst of these quickly-passing days

Watashi to anata de yume wo egaku
You and I dream away

San gatsu no kaze ni omoi wo nosete
With my feelings on the March wind

Sakura no tsubomi wa haru he to tsuduki masu
The cherry blossom buds continue on into spring

Afuredasu hikari no tsubu ga
The overflowing drops of light

Sukoshizutsu asa wo atatame masu
One by one warm the morning

Ookinaa kubi wo shita ato ni
Beside you, I’m a little embarrassed

Sukoshi tereteru anata no yoko de
After a huge yawn

Arata na sekai no iriguchi ni tachi
I’m standing at the door to a new world

Kiduita koto wa hitori ja naitte koto that
What I’ve realized is that I’m not alone

Hitomi wo tojireba anata ga
If I close my eyes

Mabuta no ura ni iru koto de
You’re behind my eyelids

Dore hodo tsuyoku nareta deshou
How strong has that made me?

Anata ni totte watashi mo sou de aritai
I hope I’m the same for you

Suna bokori hakobu tsumuji kaze
The dusty whirlwind

Sentaku mono ni karamari masu ga
Tangled up the laundry, but

Hirumae no sora no shiroi tsuki wa
The white moon in the morning sky

Nan daka kirei de mitore mashita
Was so beautiful, I couldn’t look away

Umaku wa ikanu koto mo arukeredo
There are things that don’t go the way I planned

Ten wo aogeba sore sae chiisa kute
But if I look up to the sky, even they seem small

Aoi sora wa rinto sunde
The blue sky is cold and clear

Hisu ji kumo wa shizuka ni yureru
The fluffy clouds float by quietly

Hanasaku wo matsu yorokobi wo
If I can share with you the joy

Waka chiaeru no de areba sore wa shiawase
Of waiting for the flowers to bloom, I’ll be happy

Kono saki mo tonari de sotto hohoen de
From now on, I want you to be quietly smiling beside me

Do You Know?

       I have a secret.
       I can't tell it ...
        ... so I post it.

PostSecret: You Gotta Read It. See It.

I've heard of this project before - PostSecret - but haven't actually seen it, read it. And the fourth book has already been published! Oh boy. What have I missed.

Anyway, I am blown away. It is such an amazing project. Makes me wanna tell one of my own secrets. A secret a day makes a lifetime of secrets. And if one was off-loaded each day, I should be floating from the lightness of heart ... sweet :)

爱: 我好想睡觉！

Memories of Manila

Just came back from another whirlwind research trip. This time, to Manila. While it's not exactly a tourist destination, the city does have its own charm, where you know to find it :)

Like Jollibee. And Grower's peanuts. And Boy Bawang, which eluded me when I was there last week, and which dear Chevy, a good friend from Manila who is now based in Singapore, just told me as I recounted my nutty obsession. Peanuts were the only souvenir I brought back from this city. A mega-variety of them. All of them delicious, like nothing we can find on the shelves of NTUC or The Happy Place (Carrefour).

It seemed I had a misunderstanding, thinking we'd been checked into the New World Renaissance whose rooms were to come with free Internet access. So I lugged my laptop all the way there to find that we were booked into the Mandarin Oriental.

Nothing I could complain about this luxury hotel, except for the lack of free Internet. And that housekeeping threw away my almost empty bottle of talc powder and tube of toothpaste, and my toothbrush cover! The over-enthusiastic housekeeping also 'helped' me hang my clothes in the wardrobe, which I almost forgot to pack into my luggage when it's time to go home. Out of sight, out of mind. So thank you very much, I'd rather you just leave my clothes sprawled on the couch, just the way I'd left them.

Sigh ... other than that, I only have praises for the warm staff and super breakfast spread, though out of the five nights I stayed there, I only enjoyed two morning's worth of meals. Alas, sleep wins.

The research went pretty alright. Like previous trips to developing countries, it's a reality check for me here in Manila; witnessing the juxtapose of two economic extremes within such close proximity - slums with emaciated kids running naked, skin glistening with sweat inflicted by the merciless late morning sun, at the gate of a prim 'n proper plush neighbourhood - was mind-blowing.

We had a cheery driver, Bernie, who was despatched to rescue us when my colleague fell ill on our first day in Manila. A short ride in a claustrophobic cab from Makati City had left her queasy so we had no choice but to request for the office all the way in Quezon City to send us a SUV. They sent Bernie and he'd been our driver everyday except for one. Bernie and his Air Supply-era music on the stereo. Priceless.

Tara, the local researcher (whom I thought looked incredibly young!), made us feel so at home, making sure that all our needs were met. I've learned much about mobile phone habits and pricing from her. Excellent.

Although I must say that Manila is definitely not a tourist's choice given the bad traffic and low quality air, there are the lovely sides - the hospitality of her people, delicious food and flavourful peanuts - you can't find elsewhere in the world.

Back for Now

Arrived in Singapore this afternoon. The girls went to the airport to meet me (after having me wait for half an hour!). Then we went to have Indonesian food at the Sundanese restaurant at T2. Very delicious! Highly recommended, at least as far as I'm concerned, but not what we'd have every other day because it is kinda pricey.

The flight was very short, just 1.5 hours. We arrived ahead of time in spite of heavy turbulence along the way. It must have been one of the worst turbulence cases I've ever encountered - my coffee was spilling out onto my tray and one of the passengers in my section was air-sick. Guess it's all those clouds piling over HCMC and the South China Sea that the aircraft had to negotiate on its path to Singapore.

Yesterday was a pretty relaxed day for me. Went out for a walk from the hotel to the Ben Thanh market which was perhaps just about 2 km away. Took some pictures on the way, but the shots seemed never enough! There's so much to this city that I love. Oh ... except the over-zealous independent motorbike tour operators who can be so persistent it's a real pain in the butt.

Against my sound logic, I splurged on bags again at Ben Thanh. Hehe ... I have a really soft spot for those things. I had to hurry out of the market before I caused further damage to my pocket.

After that, I worked for a while in the cozy and free-flow-drinks-and-snacks Club Room while housekeeping attended to mine. There was wireless facility here; in fact there was wireless anywhere in the hotel except the rooms, which was wired. I wonder why.

Our last round of observation was in the evening. This time, the respondent had steamboat dinner at a local deli so we had the same. As usual, the soup base is more flavourful that our version. A fairly satisfying meal. By the end of the observation and interview, a heavy downpour had set in, sending pedestrians into the deli for a hot steamboat dinner. It was so crowded and noisy, but I was glad to have the chance to observe a slice of HCMC weekend lifestyle; to be a part of a local community, having local food and listening to local banter (although there is not a word that I understood). Most families will eat at home on weekdays and the weekend meal out is a real treat.

Being in HCMC is like taking a trip down memory lane. Back in my childhood, this is just the sort of lifestyle we had in Malaysia. Such lifestyle is slowly disappearing as more people settle their meals outside after work, just like Sugus and Sarsi, my favourite soft candy and soft drink respectively. Yet, I found them in Vietnam! And the day before yesterday, when we were in a 'garden cafe', a lounging place for youngsters set in a tropical garden style complete with foliage and tiny bridges over flowing creeks, New Kids On The Block's "Happy Birthday" played. I had not heard that song in ages and that really put a smile on my face!

Where R U Now?

       A fortnight of absence
       the heart grows fonder
       or colder.

The Vietnam Chronicle Continues ...

It was pouring. Like the Mekong was hurling its body of water across town. As I stood on the pavement beneath an umbrella that was on the verge of yielding to the combined strength of rain and wind, waiting for a passenger to alight from the cab which would take me into the safe harbour of the Sofitel, one tiny mouse laid lifeless next to the taxi's tyre in a fresh puddle, its tiny body still to the whipping rain.

That was a poetic moment for me. As one who embraces life with all my heart, I think of death often. I do not wish to pass from this ephemeral world the way this poor mouse did.

This is the rainy season for Ho Chi Minh City. The months of July till November make the monsoon season which bring higher than average rainfall. As the cab made its way to the hotel, the water level had risen to ankle deep at some parts. Fortunately, the torrential rain abated soon after; otherwise, the city might just come under water.

The rain today had continued from last night. We were out for dinner at a local diner which our Vietnamese colleague had recommended. It's great having him with us on this trip for he's from HCMC itself and knows the local haunts. The place he brought us to was some distance from the hotel. We had to walk for perhaps half an hour or so. Of course, it was a casual evening walk which turned out to be quite interesting, especially the stopover at the model ship maker, where ancient sails and Chinese junks came alive as miniatures on the shelves of their artisans.

We cut through what must be the Little Japan of HCMC where the streets were lined with endless Japanese restaurants serving what looked like authentic Jap food. At least one of them was, according to Lauran, which served the okonomiyaki, a pizza-like pancake which is hardly found anywhere outside Japan. Even restaurants in Singapore, the cosmopolitan city, does not have it. So if anyone knows of any place in Singapore which cooks up this dish, hollaback ya!

At the same local deli, Nhu Lan, we had the largest mooncake ever. Haha ... the one we had was a pea next to one 5KG mooncake on sale at the counter. I wonder who will ever buy such a huge one and what for ...

As legend would have it, the founder of Nhu Lan used to be a roadside phở hawker. After years of hard work, she accumulated enough money to buy a property and founded a small phở shop. This little shop grew into a chain; in HCMC, there're at least two according to its namecard. Because she's a single woman, she's also compassionate towards destitutes of all kinds. Hence, she takes them in to help out in her shops while earning a roof over their heads and a decent livelihood in this harsh city.

The phở was simply delicious (the key reason why we asked for namecards!) We had crab paste phở which came with a small helping of rice noodles in flavourful soup topped with a lifetime supply of crab meat and roe!! Hehe ... 有点夸张 but Lauran couldn't finish her noodles after stomaching all the roe ... our cholesterol meter must have shot through the roof last night. The soup was simply delicious; the sweetness came without the help of MSG but hours of boiling the crab and God-knows-what other natural ingredients in water. (By the way, the Vietnamese diet is doing me a whole lot of good. Every meal comes with fresh and raw veges, which i duly ate. Voila ... my bowel movement is never smoother :)

We decided the night was still early after dinner (though it was already past 10 pm) so we decided to bask in some of HCMC's night atmosphere. Our friend recommended a couple of clubs, which, to our disappointment, had closed down. We finally stopped by the Q Bar, went inside and found it to be the most 'unhappening' bar we'd ever seen. There's no dance floor and the people were so listless like they were really better off in bed.

So we left. That's when the rain began; first, with a drizzle but soon it became a downpour. We were headed for a walk by the riverside but took shelter from the rain in another bar whose ice-cream parlour attracted us first. The rain never let up even after we were snug in bed after a quick drink at this cozy bar.

Today, I stood on the pavement watching the poor mouse in the rain outside the IndoChina boutique. I was there for a fitting of two tops I had tailor-made during a visit yesterday afternoon with Lauran. Tailor-made!! These are my firsts! I've always bought my clothes off the rack, having not the patience to wait. But the tailors here are incredibly efficient. It would only take two days - they'll be delivered to me tomorrow. Even Lauran's ao dai can be delivered on Sunday! I'm excited to see how these traditionally-designed tops can be modernised with my smart casual sense of haute couture :)

Tonight, we had Vietnamese chicken rice for dinner. Boy, did they give us a lot of rice! But even so, I'm feeling a little hungry now as I type ... hey, it's way past midnight alright! (Maybe it's because there wasn't much oil on either chicken or rice). Perhaps it's because of the lack of oil as in the case of Hainanese chicken which is literally drenched in oil (usually sesame oil), the steamed Vietnamese chicken was a bit tough. Perhaps it's a kampung chicken instead of a commercially-bred one. You know, a chicken which runs freely in the village builds more muscle than one that has little room to strut in its cage ... The rice was fragrant and nice, but sans the garlic and ginger which permeate the rice grains of the Hainanese version that I prefer. Instead, they served ground gralic with ginger separately, just like the chilli. The chilli sauce is also different, more diluted. So I'd say that the Hainanese wins the Chicken Rice War!

These couple of days, we did a couple of observations in the supermarket with our respondents. I almost went crazy checking out the prices of groceries and toiletries. Half price! Or even lower! For example, Lip Ice is only SGD2.50, Carefree Ultra-thin pantyliner 40s pack for only SGD 1.60! I had no intention of buying anything at all when stepping into the supermarts but ended up with 2 big bags of essentials. OK, these on top of the bags, purses and pencil cases - beautifully embroidered with Vietnamese designs that I couldn't resist picking up at the Ben Thanh market. It'll be tough packing the luggage tomorrow ... oh, the beef jerky is also friggin' delicious. Buy the Tuyen Ky brand. Very nice!