Another busy week

After Michael's early morning departure for Australia I went on a shopping expedition with Kathy with the aim of buying our Bollywood outfits for the Annual Dinner. It was into Mustafa's and after much trying on etc we both came away "Bollywood"ready.
On Friday morning I travelled in to Kampong Glam to meet up with Maria and mum for a spot of lunch before heading to work.
Peter organised a dinner at a restaurant in Lorong Chuan for Saturday night...a revisit to where we had celebrated Libby's birthday earlier in the year.I had a pleasant, sensible night with a great group of friends.

Saturday night at La Pizzaiolla?

After work on Sunday night Robert and Maria brought mum over to Bliss for dinner and a chance to say hello to some colleagues she had met on a previous visit. It also gave her an opportunity to see the area where Robert and Maria will be next year, as they are relocating to Kovan branch. They will also be moving house but that is still ahead of them at this point.
Monday morning's walk was something I had been keen to do all year as it was West Coast Park to Haw Par Villa, a place I had been told had to be visited at least once...people seemed to be reluctant to elaborate! I made it in plenty of time but unfortunately one of our group suddenly took ill at our meeting spot and had to be taken home in a taxi.  After an initial diagnosis of a 'virus',  a second visit saw June sent to hospital with bleeding on the brain. She was very unwell but is now on the mend and all our thoughts are with her.

The Tiger Balm Gardens a.k.a. Haw Par Villa is an oriental theme park. It is famed for depicting traditional Chinese legends, in particular the unforgettable 10 Courts of Hell. It also has a large number of Chinese Morality tales displayed around the gardens.It was built by the Aw brothers, who were responsible for the creation of Tiger Balm ointment.
If you were interested in scaring the hell out of your kids this would be the place to bring them...the punishments depicted for any misdemeanor ranged from being strapped to a burning hot metal chimney to having your tongue cut out. All in little dioramas of the 10 Courts of Hell. Magically one can be restored to a new life by a magic brew of tea given to you by an old lady! An interesting morning!

walking group in west coast park (plus Libby)

Moral of this story...stay away from white bears?...but no it is about...

The Aw brother's car

After such a busy morning I met up with Mum, Robert and Maria at Smith St in Chinatown for dinner then Robert and I moved on to meet the Canaways and Carolyn for dessert at a chocolate Bar in Robinson Quay.
Mum was returning toAustralia on Tuesday night so I met them in Tampines for lunch and followed this with drinks and dinner with Libby and Eric at Shishmahal in Albert Court. We took in the Deepavali light display in Little India as we made our way back to the MRT.