My Travel Planner for 2008

Thanks to NY Times..

here's a list of must-visit places in 2008..one for every week of the year..

Wow!! Wouldn't you just love to do that!!

Laos is on top of the list...and it is high time I paid a visit to this jewel in the Indochine...

My lack of Updates

Wow..Nov has gone by without a single entry..Sorry guys..but was caught up with lot of things...

Neways..the holiday season approaches and the festive atmosphere is building up..which gives me inspiration to write once more...

So watch out for new posts!

My Flight to Cuba

Cuba Libre in Clarke Quay is a great escape to Latin America..with great food...wonderful refreshing Mojitos...and to top it all the lovely live band with some great Latin numbers...

Here is of my favorites 'Guantanamera'

Guys...do check it out..its awesome!!

My Escape to Hong Kong: Day II

It feels so good to wake up...and realise tat u r no longer in Singapore..but in fabulous Hongkong!!!

"A good Dim sum brunch for the day keeps the hungry ghosts away": Old Chinese Proverb

Who are we to judge the wise knowledge passed on for centuries...so off we went to Times Square in causeway bay to this great place called Heichinrou...for some lovely dimsum with jasmine tea...now tis is wat i call 'Heaven'...guys..this place is really good...do try the Ha Gao and the Sui Mai...

After "The Brunch" we went back to Central..to take the bus to Ocean World!!! absolutely great place..sittin on the hills hugging the south china sea...with adrenaline-rushin rides..just wonderful!!

The scariest turned out to be the Abyss..which is a free fall over the ocean...pure 10 secs of terror...got a flash of my entire 25 yrs in these few secs...now that is wat i call..Theory of Relativity!!!

and who can forget the cute pandas...An An, Jia Jia, Ying Ying and Le Le...how i wish I could take one home with me...

well..after such a fun-packed day..it was obviously time to relax..enjoy some cocktails at The Cavern in Lan kwai fong (LKF)...this place is truly recommended by Packan..for its lovely atmosphere..the awesome band...and the sheer high energy!!

LKF is serioursly hands down the best nite-life area ever...and definitely beats Singapore any day!!


To sum up..day 2 was simply exhilarating fun!!!

Stay tuned for Day 3...

My Latest Song Syndrome

Hi Guys..this song is just awesome and is No. 1 on Packan's charts for nearly 2 weeks now...

Here it is...1234 by Feist

My Escape to Hongkong: Day I

So now that I have uploaded my snaps from my awesome new camera..let me teleport you back to Hongkong and share some of those wonderful moments spent there...

Friday was a bit free-n-easy..

Took the Airport Express to Central..easiest and most comfortable way to get to the heart of the city!!

Had a nice lunch at Pret a Manger...then just roamed around through the streets in Central..which reminds me so much of lower Manhattan...seriously Hong kong is like an Asian New york..bustling with people..buzzing with activity..and a strong energy floating in the air..


In the evening went to the Peak with Lehmunade..luckily it was a clear nite and got some wonderful shots of the Hongkong skyline...

after that is was time for some exotic Lebanese at Marouche in Soho...the food here is fabulous!!..remember to try the pita with hummus n goat cheese...

Stay tuned for Day 2!!

I LOVE Hongkong

Reporting from waiting lounge of Hongkong Airport:

Spent four fabulous days in HKG n I am so in love with tis place..

Thanks Lehmunade for all the great time in this great city...

Stay Tuned for the hkg logs....

Its the time of our lives

Reporting from seat 5f of flight 3k 691:

Hong kong really captivated me ever since my last visit in March 2006..it is vibrant..it is lively..it is exciting...especially after dull drab monotonous Singapore...
I have always wanted to back and explore it more..comb through the streets..try more exotic food..and finally my Portkey has arrived..thanks to Lehmunade providing for the accommodation in Central HKG!! and JetStar for cheap airfare..I am off to Hongkong for the weekend..

There's so much to do..and so little time..maybe I should seriously contemplate relocating to this urban haven...

Update from Pacific Coffee in Admirality:

Yup...The Packan has Landed...
Flight was quite uneventful...immigration took some time..as usual the lady was scrutinising every single page of the blue passport...
Got my Octopus card..and took the quick and comfortable Airport Express to Hongkong...then a quick hop to the MTR to Quarry bay to met Lehmunade...

I feel elated!! I feel high!! I love this city!!!

Gonna go to the Peak later with Lehmnade...

Stay Tuned...

My Top 5 Reasons for loving Bangkok

yup..it is vibrant..it is exciting...it is buzzing with people...it is Bangkok!!!

and here's why I love it....

1. The overwhelming hospitality...(at the JW Marriott)


2. The fabulous Thai food....with all the tom yams..and the seafood!!!

3. MBK!! This place never ceases to surprise me...from its cheap DVDs...to even the iPhone!!! yup..u can get it rite here...fully unlocked and with 1 yr apple care...got to try it out..and it is just awesome!!!

4. The nite markets..yup..this place is packed with them..and they r quite good too...

5. The kind ever polite people....

The only reason I dread the place....the pain staking visa on arrival at Suvanrnabhumi airport...it is pathetic!! took me 2 hours to get the visa!!

This world is getting smaller...

and smaller....especially when..

1. You have fabulous breakfast in Bangkok
2. late lunch in Singapore
and...
3. wonderful bbq dinner in Bintan, Indonesia....

all on the same day!!!

My Bookrific Journey

Got Tagged by Lehmunade....

Book that changed my life – Not sure about this one...I think every book I read affects me someway...so cant really pin to any single book...

Book you’ve read more than once – Harry Potter and Goblet of Fire...I just love it!!

Book you would take to a deserted island – Lord of the Rings!!!

Book that made you laugh – Russian Disco, Wladimer Kaminer

Book that made you cry – Stay Alive; My son, Pin Yathay

Book you wish you had written – The Caliph's House: A year in Casablanca, Tahir Shah

Book(s) you wish had never been written – hmmm..havent really come across any...too picky on wat I choose to read!

Book you’re currently (re) reading – Five Point Someone, Chetan Bhagat

Book you’ve been meaning to read – A Suitable Boy...after hearing so many praises from Lehmunade...I wish it weren't so bulky to carry!!

Book you have been meaning to finish - An Argumentative Indian, Amartya Sen

Guys..go ahead and Tag yourself...just leave a comment so that I can read your posts :)

My New Thing of Beauty

...which will definitely be a Joy for at least a few years..

**Trumpets please**
I am the proud owner of the Panasonic DMC FX-100...yup it is my new gizmo...my new Muggle-Pensive!

After sacrificing the old one to the waters of Phi Phi..the COMEX show was just wat I needed to fill the void of my faithful Nikon Coolpix...

This new camera is just awesome..not only does it look great..it also has some great features like 12 mega pixels..and wide angle lens...

So...all I need now is to travel to new exotic places and eternalise them with my new Black Beauty...(ok..i know..this sounds too far out there)

My New Broken Record

Guys!!

check out the updated Broken Record on the sidebar featuring....

1. Wamdue Project: King of my Castle (Thanks to Lehmunade for reminding me about this...)

2. Mika: Love Today

3. Dirty Dancing: Time of my Life

Enjoy!!!

Where is my Ratatouille?

Pixar has done it again...after Finding Nemo...The Incredibles...it is now time to escape to Paris with our excellent chef..Remy

A fantastic movie with great humour..and a brilliant concept...


Guys..do catch this flick!!

My Escape to Paradise: Part II

Day 1:
The first day was spend idling on Karon beach...playing with the waves...soaking in the sun...and to top it all..building a sand castle complete with moats..escpae tunnels and pyramids...

Karon Beach

Lunch..Thai food..awesome as always!! loved the chicken with basil...
After lunch..we set off for Kata..the beach is truly magnificent..and definitely more picturesque than Karon...but we didnt stay too long as Lehmunade was dying to look for 'Island Suits' to get some suits made...so after traversing Kata road for a few times..making a few calls with help of the 7-11 lady..we managed to track the place down...as Artanis and Lehmunade let their imaginations run wild...we head off to quite a seedy looking pub..had some drinks..played darts...
After a few hours..and completely revampin their wardrobes...Artanis and Lehmunade joined us and off we went to get some food...and tis time it was pizza!!

Day 2:
Time for Phi phi!!!

got up really early..had a quick breakfast..and off we were to the ferry terminal..to board the 'Sea Voyager II' to Phi phi...and after 2 hours we were greeted by:
"Welcome everybody, everybody this is Phi Phi Don. Phi Phi don is something something sq km in size...blah...blah..blah" **to be recited in nasal tone..again and again**

Phi Phi!!

got tranfered to another boat and took a ride along phi phi leh (little phi phi)...this is the place with the famouse Maya beach..which we could not see!! cause of apparently turbulent waters near it!!
Tip: Guys...Rent a small boat at phi phi..dont go on the big ones...the small boats actually take u inside all the bays...

so we anchored near Monkey beach.(ne guesses why it is called so....duh..there are many monkeys on the beach!!)
enjoyed Snorkeling!!! wow...the number of fish was truly amazing...a wonderful experience...

after lunch..wadled around on phi phi beach..which believe me..is the most fabulous place ever..with clear waters..and lovely sand..could be there forever...

Waddling at phi phi

Another Tip: Never carry camera when you are waddling in the sea...

After arriving back in phuket..we went down to patong to check out the night scene..ended up in a mexican pub..with good music and 150 types of margaritas!!!

Stay tuned for more....

My Escape to Paradise: Part I

Time for another holiday!!! **finally**

and this time the chosen destination was the Paradise Island of Phuket...

so with the glorious company of Lehmunade, Artanis, Snape and Voldy...we set out to the Budget Terminal to hop on our Tiger Airways flight to Phuket...
Guys...tiger is quite good..and comfortable...except for the fact that a bottle of water costs 3 dollars!!

so after a short flight of 90 mins..we landed at Phuket...
first impressions...the airport is quite clean..visa too didnt take too long...but finding a cab is a bit tricky..so best to arrange pickup with your hotel...

Baan Karonburi...the chosen hotel..sits smack opposite Karon beach...the location is just fantastic as it is just a short ride away from bustling Patong but still far away to enjoy the beach all to yourself....the rooms are good...and food is also decent...

Stay tuned for Day 1...

Mera Bharat Mahan

It is time to reflect on the past...celebrate our accomplishments today...and plan for better tomorrow...

Happy 60th!!!

and there shall be no more....

Thanks Mdm Rowling for this wonderful journey...it has finally hit me...and hit me hard..there will be no more adventures....no more escapades..stuck in the Muggle land forever!!!

Stay tuned for more posts...

I got Tagged

Here are the rules:
1. Players start with 5 random facts about themselves.
2. Those who are tagged should post these rules and their 5 random facts.
3. Players should tag 5 other people and notify them they have been tagged.

So here are some very interesting facts about me...

a. I love to travel..I spend almost half hour everyday reading travelogues and on wikitravel...all I need is a long leave and I will be off!!

b. I know that I plan too much...I organise too much...but I just can't stop!!! The OCD in me is kicking alive!!

c. I cannot ever eat outside alone! or go to a movie alone!! I always need company...I just find it too embarrassing!!

d. I love to PARTY!! (and organise them...oh god..i am back to organising!)

e. I love my friends..but I am very picky on who enters my "friend zone"

wow..that is not an easy post!!

People...go ahead and tag yourself...

My New Mood Elevator

You work hard whole day...you study hard over the evenings and weekends...throughout the year...
then you take a long study break to digest the humongous intake of information and then finally you try to get it all out of your system in the never-ending exams...

so..after the exams..you definitely need to recharge..you need to rejuvenate..

and the perfect solution is to reward yourself for your efforts...get something which will make you happy..lift your spirits..(Caution: side effects may include empty wallets and maggi mee for months)

This is exactly what has happened here...
so here is my new Mood Elevator...The Nokia N80 (trumpets please)


This is a wonder gizmo...I just love it..can surf the net using any wireless network..can play your favorite bad music..record memories with the wonderful camera..and on top of it it also works as a phone!!

so wat r u waiting for...get one today!!

PS: Lehmunade..this therapy technique does work..you might need it next week...

My Blog Revival

Yes...it is time for another revival...

This time the silence can be perfectly justified...the culprit were the Exams which are now over!!!

so..stay tuned..and watch this space for more and more happenings in my life...

My Wait

The date has been announced: 21 July 2007...

The book artwork has been released....

The Pre-Orders have started... (at popular, borders, kinokuniya)

so now all we do is WAIT!!!

US Cover

UK Cover

So guys...any views/plots based on the covers....

My New Broken Record

I just can't get this song out from my head...it has always been my favorite!!

Eddy Grant with Gimme hope Jo'anna is one of the greatest songs inspiring people against the Apartheid regime...

here are the lyrics:

Well Jo'anna she runs a country
She runs in Durban and the Transvaal
She makes a few of her people happy, oh
She don't care about the rest at all
She's got a system they call apartheid
It keeps a brother in a subjection
But maybe pressure can make Jo'anna see
How everybody could a live as one

(Chorus:)
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Hope, Jo'anna
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
'Fore the morning come
Gimme hope, Jo'anna
Hope, Jo'anna
Hope before the morning come

I hear she make all the golden money
To buy new weapons, any shape of guns
While every mother in black Soweto fears
The killing of another son
Sneakin' across all the neighbours' borders
Now and again having little fun
She doesn't care if the fun and games she play
Is dang'rous to ev'ryone

(Chorus)

She's got supporters in high up places
Who turn their heads to the city sun
Jo'anna give them the fancy money
Oh to tempt anyone who'd come
She even knows how to swing opinion
In every magazine and the journals
For every bad move that this Jo'anna makes
They got a good explanation

(Chorus)

Even the preacher who works for Jesus
The Archbishop who's a peaceful man
Together say that the freedom fighters
Will overcome the very strong
I wanna know if you're blind Jo'anna
If you wanna hear the sound of drums
Can't you see that the tide is turning
Oh don't make me wait till the morning come

(Chorus)

ENJOY THE SONG IN THE SIDEBAR!!!

My Mission

Look out people!! I am out on a mission....

Ne person lurking around with Windows...watch out!! I will soon convert you to Mac!!

so far the success rate has been astounding...most recent convert Lehmunade will proudly elaborate on this!!

Let the exodus begin!

My New Love

well..this post is actually quite overdue...

Ladies and Gentlemen...I am in LOVE!! I am Obsessed!! I am Crazy!! I am heed over heels!!

...with my new MacBook.....***hehe..got u all excited...didnt I?***

so..that clears 1 item from my Froogle list..but dont worry..there are several more there...in case u r wondering wat to get for me..

Seriously...life with the Mac is so much better than having the constant problems with my old PC..there are NO more worries...about the millions of infesting viruses...about the constant message of "Do you wanna send an Error Report"...and no more worries of the blue screen of terror!!

Things just work so beautifully on the Mac...i am surprised!!! how does it work so well..how cme it so much more user friendly and so intuitive...okok..Mr. Steve hasn't paid me a cent to write this blog....but Seriously...why did I wait so long to make the switch!! I wonder....

So people..time to move on and live in the world of Mac where life is peaceful and you can actually cherish every moment with your best companion today...ur laptop...ur MacBook!!!

My Agenda

2007 is gonna be THE year for adventure!!

I turn 25 this year!! and seriously it is high time..I do something adventurous and live it up!!

So how do I plan to do this...after deep pondering I have come up with this agenda...

1. Consider a New Career!!
I think this is the most challenging step!! **Really??**
But..I need a change!! I need a break from this daily routine...what I am looking for is a new inspiration..a new meaning..a new direction...

2. Go on an Adventure!!
seriourly...I think this is the best way to Recharge urself..
I love to travel..so this year is gonna be all about new travels and adventures in mystic places of this earth...
So with the lovely company of NMK and Lehmunade..I have decided to go on a Trans-Siberian adventure...Beijing to St. Petersburg by train...with pit stops in Ulan Batur, Irkutsk and Moscow...wow!! now this is an Adventure!!!

3. Learn a New Language!!
after german and japanese..I think it is now time to learn another new language..wat shud it be?? I am thinkin of either Spanish (love the way it sounds) or Russian (will be useful for my Trans-sib)...

4. Give the GMAT!!
ya..it is time to think of the future as well..especially when it is time to move on...(from sgpore)..so it is high time i plan for further studies and the first step..is to give the GMAT...so gotto start preparing!!

5. Finally..this year..I am gonna live every day to its fullest!!!!
so 2007...here I come!!!

My Silence

Hi guys,

first off..Wishing you all a Happy New Year!!

sorry for the silence..but i have just been so busy...Dec was a lot of travel..2 trips to thailand for work and then a vacation in India...which was good and short as always!!!

neways..stay tuned...and watch out for new posts over the weekend..

Cheers!!!