Trip to Cambodia (Part 1)

I am now in Cambodia with wifey and two daughters for a short trip. The city, Phnom Penh with road full of pot holes, lined with street vendors and overhead electric cables reminds me of what Singapore was 40 years ago. Peoples that we met since our arrival yesterday were mostly friendly. These include taxi drivers, tuk tuk riders et al.

Halal food is easily available. Even the KFC is halal. Dinner last night was at a Malaysian Restaurant at Puncak Hotel. Today we had KFC for lunch and dinner at a restaurant serving Malay food. The owner of the restaurant is a Champa Malay, native to Cambodia.

We visited the Genocide camp where 3 million Cambodian were killed en masse within 3 years during the reign of Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge. This was all in the name of LIBERATION. A sad lesson for all. Anyway, we are enjoying the trip and will be doing more visiting tomorrow........ and of course more shopping.

 

That's wifey at the hotel entrance

In a tuk-tuk

Yanti and Tini

Yanti with the remains of the 3 million people killed

The Esplanade opposite our hotel

Dinner at Puncak Restaurant

Me & wifey. Behind us is one of the rooms used by Khmer Rouge for interrogation before sending people to the killing field

It's shopping time

Taking the tuk-tuk

 

Lazy Sunday

Yesterday was a lazy Sunday….didn’t get to wake up for my morning jog. Anyway, weather was good the whole day. Get to clean and spin some vinyl and listening to CCR, Deep Purple and Eric Clapton brought back fond memories.

was listening to these

2nd DIY TT

School holiday has just begun so the daily firefighting with pupils’ discipline and logistic support is over. Now is the time for estate and facilities management personal auditing in preparation for 2013. 

And it is also the time for some self-indulgence. Have been thinking of DIYing another turntable (TT)…perhaps something more challenging than the one I built 3 years ago.

My 1st DIY TT

A searched in the internet revealed many beautiful designs. One that attracted me is the one using magnetic levitation platter. Managed to get someone in Europe to fabricate this type of platter for me…well it may not be a levitating platter but a platter with bearing that rest on magnetic pillow. This guy is a professional TT builder producing an array of TT models for audiophiles. After many inquiries, questions and advice thru emails he agreed to fabricate one for me. It will be made of aluminum with acrylic insert.

While waiting for the platter to be fabricated and delivered, it is time to design the plinth. My first DIY TT was made entirely of acrylic. So this time round I am thinking of using metal with acrylic or wooden insert to complement the platter. I have few designs in mind and am looking for metal fabricator to have it cut based on my specification. Hope to find one locally.

Design based on the Clearaudio Innovation

Noising 2012

the DIYers

Another (Noising) DIY audiophile meets at Republic Poly. This annual event has been going on for many years but this morning was my 2^nd.

The previous time I attended, in 2010, I brought in my DIY turntable. This time round, I planned to bring in my BLH speaker. Unfortunately, I was not able to get a van to transport the huge BLH. Hence I went in empty handed. Nevertheless, it was such a wonderful experience looking and listening to fellow audiophile DIY equipment. Hopefully, I can bring in my BLH speaker next year.

admiring the DIY product

 

beautifully built speaker

professionally built speaker

turntable with air bearing arm

project on display

listening to the builder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What A Day

Today, I am on leave for the JOM Golf torney at Palm Spring in Batam. There were 8 torney annually, 4 each by JOM and PGS but has not been participating due to work commitment. But today was special. PSLE is over and I managed to convince the boss to approve my leave for this last torney of the year.

At 0545hrs Eric picked me up and off we headed for Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal after picking up Azman. It was raining cats and dogs and I thought I’ve made the right move not to drive. We had our breakfast with the rest of the kakis at the ferry terminal…40 of them to be exact.

At 0730hrs, we began to check in our golf kits et al.  After that, happily I took out my passport walking towards the immigration counter. To my horror, I was holding wifey’s passport. Instinctively I walked to the car park knowing that my passport is in the car only to realize that I wasn’t driving. I called home and wifey agreed to help bring it over but it was already 0735hrs and the ferry is leaving at 0800hrs. What a day. I guessed it is fated that I shall not be participating in any tourney this year.

Sadly I lugged back my kits and took a taxi home. Not to dampen the spirit, once I reached home I drove to Mandai for a short 9 holes at Executive Course. At least the objective of taking leave is fulfilled.

All by myself at Mandai. Ttaking a short break when it rains

Anyway, the day ended in high spirit. In the afternoon, my long awaited package arrived. It is the Soprano Sax I ordered from Chicago. Now I have a new toy to play with. Kenny G, watch out. Hehehehe

 

checking for damage during transit

my new toy

Its over

Phieeeew. Finaly PSLE is over. What a relief. Have been clocking more than 12 hours daily for the past five days with some tense moment. Its over now........yehhhhh.

Another late entry

Food ready for the last breaking of fast

Another late entry…….sigh :( should I continue with this blog or just close it? Available time for updating seems harder to come by. Haizzz.

Eve of Aidilfitri.

Ok, since I am already here, let me just update whatever I could remember for the past 2 months.

Hmmmm perhaps no need la. Sharing pics should be sufficed.

Family meal on the 1st day of Aidilfitri

Group pics with siblings and family

Another pics with siblings spouse

The cousins

2nd day of Aidilfitri with niece

Little Hamzah

Little Sofia

The family