Collin Ng's Blog

The neighbourhood in the 70s I used to grow up with was notorius where gang fights were the norm during those days.  We shared the common corridor with each household facing one and another.  The corridor was always noisy with kids like us running up and down.  The block has since been demolished in the early 80s. I was 12 or 13, I think and I was hanging around at the playground and minding my own business when a boy, around my age and built approached me.  Without provocation, he started to challenge me to a fight.  I ignored him but he persisted to taunt me.  It got me mad and we started to fight.  Crowd gathered immediately but nobody broke out our fight.  I quickly got him on the ground, folded up his hands and sat on top of him.  He couldn't move and meekly surrendered the fight.  I then told him to leave me alone and walked home.  I did not dare tell my mother I had a fight or I could have 'eaten the cane'.  Her canin...

In uniquely Singapore, there are three important celebrations in a calendar year that relate to the three major ethnic groups.  Typically, when we refer to Chinese New Year, the Chinese will come to mind; Hari Raya Puasa, the Malays and Deepavali, the Indians.  Deepavali or Diwali is celebrated by the Hindus and Sikhs.   The meanings of Deepavali or Diwali, its symbols and rituals and the reasons for celebration are innumerable.  Deepavali celebrates Lord Rama’s glorious and long awaited return to his Kingdom of Ayodhya after his fourteen long years of exile in the forests.  It commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakaasura who had kidnapped and terrorised the gopis of Vrindavan.  When the evil Narak was finally killed by Bhagwan Krishna and Satyabhaama, he begged for mercy; thus upon his entreaties, it was declared that this day of his death would be celebrated with great joy and festivity.  It is also celebrated as the day of Bh...

Rolling off at Ishigaki Port It was our third expedition but this time, we will have to fly, then cruise and cycle at each port call.   Sandy and Xuejing of Star Cruises were already exploring a ride event in Taiwan and Okinawa following our successive second edition earlier this year which took us to Penang and Phuket.  It was not easy especially for Xuejing who had to co-ordinate with many parties, the likes of the airline, the hotels and the ground operator, among others and when the program was finalised, we were left with about two months to get cyclists. Group picture at Ishigaki Port It was a 6 days and 5 nights cruise and cycle expedition, with 3 nights aboard Superstar Aquarius and 2 nights in Taipei.  At S$1,288 per person excluding airport taxes & surcharges, it is a steal.  We had scheduled to depart on 20 Sep, Saturday and returning on 25 Sep, Thursday.  We tapped on various social media platforms to get the cyclists.  Some of ...