For Hamesha

I've been waiting for you
For such a long time
You're always on my mind

And I'm lying awake
Most of the night
Waiting to hold you tight

Now that I do
And look at you
My heart is breaking
This can't be true

Chorus
Lost you before I found you
Gone before you came
But I love you just the same
Missed you before I met you
On earth we never can
But in heaven we'll meet again

Close to my soul
Close to my heart
Right from the start

Lost in time, lost in space
Can't wait to see your face

Now that I do
And look at you
My heart is breaking
I know it's true

Chorus

Sometimes I find myself wondering what to do
With this pain that I'm going through
But I know one day, God will take me away
And I'm coming home to you

And when I do
And look at you
My heart is healing
I know it's true

Chorus

Shore Leave

First shore leave for this trip. Thought that Mao wouldn’t be able to come with me… but luck was on our side. Cargo stopped and Mao managed to squeeze the time to go for shore leave with Chinki. Nowhere fantastic thou… just the usual trip to Bestbuy and Walmart. Super Walmart here we come!
Quite a lot of us went out this trip… a total of 12 including us. Packed like sardines in the vehicle as theres some big guys. You know BIG guys… Mao looks tiny as compared and I of cos become weenie. Therefore tiny and weenie got the worst seating… hahaha. But who cares… we are going out!


First we went to Bestbuy to pick up the mobile internet connection which I am enjoying right now. Then it’s the usual walk again to the next destination as the transport only drop you at one place and pick you up later. We stopped at Wendy for a bite… here the fast food joints are not really fast. Most of the time only one counter is in service and they normally take order, do the cashiering, serves the food before proceeding to the next one in the queue. Therefore its kind of very slow.

The Super Walmart that we visited was not so super this time. Not as big as the one I previously went too. So kind of boring too. We picked up the necessities and lots of chocolates and chips as well. Later on I discovered that am not the only one into the tidbits. Everyone bought bags and bags of chips. The back of the vehicle was packed to the brim with all our shopping.



Left one more hour till the time the transportation picked us up. We walked across the street again to have dinner and for Mao to have a drink. Went to this place called O’Henry. They served peanuts and one can throw the shells on the floor… It wrote ‘Go ahead.. Throw them on the ground’. In our rush to eat and finish up I forgot to take the picture. But you know the concept… just throw everywhere you please. Suit my King very much.. Hahaha

Season 2 of sea voyage

This is a relatively new ship that we board now. The moment I stepped on the gangway, am impressed. No dirty thick oil stain on the ropes, the deck shiny. Pretty! We spent the first few nights in

the ordinary cabin for crew as the other Master and family were still on board. Bed was very small… therefore Mao and I have to

be squeezing each other in that. After the Master handed over and left. We shifted into the Captain cabin. Wow…. I like this so much

better! Have 2-3 chairs removed from the sitting area and immediately its so much spacious. Theres even carpets in both the

bedroom and sitting room which is so good as the linoleum flooring can be very cold with the aircon going 24/7. Like I told Mao… weather outside is perfectly normal and warm but in the cabins is suddenly winter. Next time we sail again.. All I have to pack will be winter clothes… Am practically freezing everyday in here.

Saw lots of these creatures that look like crickets/grasshoppers while we were in Venezuela. Looks kinda scary… yucks! Got a snapshot of these huge one outside our window enjoying the sunshine. Theres also these big birds that looked like kingfishers everywhere. They can soar in the skies for so long without flapping their wings. Okie… I know, by now I sounded like a country bumpkin. LOL But when you are on the ship… what can you do. One need to find little entertainment to keep oneself amuses.
Call me country bumpkin but I have to tell you this one. While on our 5days voyage from Venezuela back to States… Mao spotted this bird standing upfront on our vessel. Bird!!! Yeah I know by now you must be thinking am loony right… whats so special about a bird. Ahem… let me explain. Firstly my Captain said that we are in the middle of nowhere… land is very far away so there aren’t many birds around. And this special birdie on board has been standing there for hours. In fact it stayed with us for more than 36hours. Yeah I kept my eye on this special guest… even going to the extent of going up the bridge and observing it on the binoculars. And also kept pestering Mao to going on a walk with me upfront so that we can interviewed it… hahaha. You will find below the picture I have taken of this smart special birdie guest who hitched a ride with us.

Journey to Venezuela

We departed Singapore on Friday to Venezuela. First leg of the journey will be 12 hours flight to Frankfurt, Germany. Having prebooked our seating arrangement for bulkhead seats, I took comfort in the idea of being able to stretchJo my legs and enjoy the in-flight entertainment. The moment we stepped into the aircraft, all my wishes vanished. The air plane doesn’t have individual screen and the so called bulkhead seats the smart travel agent had booked was the row behind the emergency exit seats. Think he needs to go for serious refresher course! The next best thing that happened was we are seated with the other chief officer who happened to be on the same flight. All thanks to the TA once again as he must be the one who prebooked his seating too. Mao gave me the window seat which as compared was slightly more spacious and as result he got sandwiched between me and the CO. Poor CO doesn’t know that the guy who he played snatching the armrest with is gonna be his worst nightmare for the next four months. Therefore in his best interest we didn’t reveal our identity… or the poor guy would be rigid for the 12hours flight.
Arriving Frankfurt airport in the wee hours of the morning, we had a six hour transit ahead of us. My mission here at the airport was to go shower! With people all around us wearing warm clothing and carrying woolen. Mao and I set out for the mission of locating the shower rooms. As expected its empty, we paid Usd8 per entry and its bath time!!! Feeling nice and fresh after shower, we went to grab something to eat. After food we started our private tour of two of the airport grounds. Saw Hanutas selling at the store and for the first time I bought my own Hanutas (Previously Hanutas were courtesy from Michael and Drey) J
Finally arriving Caracas, Venezuela after another 12hours flight. We made our way to the immigration clearance for seamen. Most of the time while clearing customs, we are always standing at the counter. But over here for once we are seated. While the officer went through our papers, am sitting there sipping my coke. Hee hee
After collecting our baggage we spotted the local agent at the gate. While we were hoping that we could check into the hotel for a night rest before boarding the vessel. The agent broke the ‘wonderful news’ to us that indeed we don’t have to go to the vessel now cos we have another flight sector awaiting us. Jesus Christ, another plane ride and familiarization of the airport! This domestic flight from Caracas to Barcelona will take an hour and we have 4hours to kill again. Little did we know that the flight was delayed in the end and our gate was the only one left in the whole domestic airport still waiting to board after all stores and gates have closed. If the CO and the 3rd Engineer are not travelling with us, I would have lay on the floor and catch a shuteye. Totally tired and not able to stretch out and rest… torturous.
Getting into Barcelona Airport marked the end of our plane journey (phew… sigh of relief). Our wishes came through as well for the hotel stay which I regretted wishing so hard for later. Cos the hotel sucks… we have a room at the so called penth house (7th floor). However our suite was like those rooms that you saw in those old Shanghai movies. Miserable old bed, antique hot water flask with two kopi tiam glasses… Cool right?
At 7am in the morning when we woke, we realized that there’s no electricity and water running! Praise the lord! We tried our best to wash up using our rationed mineral water bottle. My darling Mao even managed to shave! Then we proceeded down for breakie. People often have candle light dinner, Mao and I have our candle light breakfast… Hahaha
After breakie we hung around as long as we could as both dread the climb of the stairs back to our penthouse suite. If the water and electricity don’t resume… we would not be able to bathe and we gonna have a hard time dragging our heavy luggages down. Only after going for a walk outside we realized that the whole town have no electricity and water. Cant tell you how much I miss my country and how proud of my country I am now.

Another Movie - The Karate Kid

We went to catch another movie today. A show starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith (son of Will Smith). It is about Jaden Smith known as Dre Parker, who went to China with his mom. Due to language and cultural differences he encounter many problems with the local China boys. Most of the content in the show is only about fighting... and worse yet kids fighting. Watchable show for the adults... but i dont encourage kids viewing. Lots and lots of PG required if children going to be watching this.

Yes, kungfu is healthy. But if not with the right guidance/attitude it will only be destructive.

Heres a trailer

Bollywood movie

Travelling the distance to go downtown to watch a movie is pretty normal for me. However travelling the distance to go watch a Bollywood film is my first! My King is very keen in watching the Bollywood film, Kites. He said that it had very good reviews. Therefore did a little surfing in the net and found that its still screening at Jade cinema in Shaw Towers. So here we go... travelling all the way downtown to watch a Bollywood show!

Jade cinema is one of those cinemas that didnt have any upgrading done. It still have those old worn out chairs that flip upwards when you are not sitting on it. Theres no leg room between yourself and the row in front of you too. As the show has been screening for some time and this is the only cinema thats left screening it... no other choice. I found out that Jade is only screening Bollywood films these days cos all the posters are all Bollywood movies and nothing else. Ticket booth is manned by an Indian lady and snack bar is also manned by an Indian guy. I insisted on a big pack of chips even thou we have just finished dinner (my fav wanton mee.. the one with the fried wanton). After little disorientation at the snack bar... i got my chips and green tea. We headed up to the movie hall. Show was just starting as we entered. I doved into my pack of chips while busy reading subtitles. It is basically a love show about a guy, Jai (Hrithik Roshan) who is looking for his love Natasha (Barbara Mori). Wait a minute... it is not the typical Indian love movie with all the dancing behind the coconut tree that you are visualizing. It is actually pretty interesting with a nice twist. So as i was just getting engross in the show... suddenly i saw this words 'INTERMIMSSION' flashed across the screen and the lights came on. Intermission????

What the hell is that? Never have i watched any shows in my life that have an intermission. But here we are, with a 10minutes intermission/toilet break/smoking break whatever you want to term it. The lights came on and people start getting up to go to the loo, chatting with each other, talking on their mobiles.... wow.

Overall the show is interesting and i would think that for those who likes Bollywood show. This is one show which is worth watching.

Love

Life is moving at a slow pace for me these few days as Mao isnt around. Been doing lots of casual reading to kill some time. I came across these few lines in a book, believed that its phrases from the Bible under Corinthians. Very meaningful lines.....

Love is always patient and kind.
It is never jealous.
Love is never boastful or conceited.
It is never rude or selfish.
It does not take offense and is not resentful.
Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins, but delights in the truth.
It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes.

Hope everyones' love is as per describe and God's blessing be with all.

Footage of my king

Cant resist uploading this here... My king enjoying his moments :)

Home Sweet Home

I am finally back! Theres no place better than home. Been back for about a week now. But its busy busy busy till now. Believed that it will still be busy for another month. Lots of things and people to catch up on as well as errands to be completed before the next trip. What a change it is.... after 3 months of doing nothing and minimum walking. It is suddenly back to hectic schedule and plenty of walking around. My legs actually sent disstress signals for the first few days. Must be getting old (haha)

Let me just explain the lapse in the updating the blog. Its all because that theres no internet connection after leaving US. Was out there try to inch back to Singapore, which took about one and a half months. When we got back to SIN it was already the third day of Lunar New Year. And the most torturous thing was am back in Singapore waters but cant step on land for 2 days as struck at anchorage. So i did the next comforting thing... getting everyone to call me on my mobile. Hearing it came alive with voices of close ones was heavenly!!! Mao managed to get me off during the first crew sign off and i spent a good fulfilling 4-5days at home before getting back onboard. Delayed for another week in SIN water before heading to Kaohsiung, Taiwan on our popo ship. From there we would bid farewell to popo ship for four months. On the last day, i got up excitedly to finished the last minute packing. Waited patiently for half a day before Mao came back at close to 8pm after tying up his loose ends. We sent all our heavy luggages down for loading into the boat. Got our backpacks on our back, took the ancient lift and headed down. Mao said we have to go to the CCR (Cargo Control Room) to say our goodbyes.......... so back we went and struck we were again! Cargo not moving... and so we cant move as well. Popo ship not willing to let us go! Jesus Christ.... we have to get the boys to upload our luggages and spent another reluctance night on board.

We spent a night in Splendor Hotel, Kaohsiung. Went to the night market and have a feast the very moment. Too much 5-star food on popo ship, so we cant controlled ourselves when we sighted the delicious street food. Yummy yummy :p That night we slept on a real king sized bed :)

Took the high speed train to Taipei the next day. It took about 90mins. We spent two nights in Howard Green Garden Hotel. It was more eating and walking around. Went to Ximengdi, Shilin night market and Taipei 101. At Ximengdi, we went to the Modern Toilet Restaurant where they used toilet bowls as chairs and bathtubs as tables. Even the utensils are shaped like toilets. Mao found it all very fascinating. Too bad we forgotten our camera at the hotel.

Took the four hours flight back to SIN and we busied ourselves opening up the house. But its finally Home Sweet Home! :)