BIN-TAN: A new meaning to it
I’m back after a 3-day office retreat in Bintan.
I’m not exactly well-rested yet, for I’m feeling quite tired and sleepy still. Came back yesterday in the late afternoon and caught 1 hour of nap before dinner. Now I can even feel a bit of the bobbing up-and-down movement of the ferry on the slightly choppy sea.
Thank God for journey mercies. The ferry ride to and fro Bintan was quite stable on the whole. Just that when I was going, I experienced a bit of sea-sickness that made my stomach churn. I didn’t throw up, just felt uneasy inside. Thank God my mum bought a few types of medicated oil for me to bring along. My dad bought sour plums for me. And I got some preserved fruits to munch on.
Over there, I was still having a cough and some throat irritation, so I had to suck on jujubes to suppress the cough.
Banyu Biru Villas are not bad. It’s like a 2-storey private apartment, with a living room, a dining area and a kitchen. The best part was, the villa I stayed in was situated just next to a small pond that has koi and small fish swimming in it. The not-so-nice part was, there is this BIG 4-footed monitor lizard that actually swims in the lake and climbs out of the lake to wander around! When I saw the sight of the lizard I had a rude shock! I saw it from inside the villa so it wasn’t that bad. My colleagues just wished very hard that the lizard doesn’t find its way into our villa cos we leave the door and sliding doors open most of the time.
As for lighting, the surroundings are not very well-lit in the night. Almost dark, with just a few lamps at certain spots. Torches are a must-have, otherwise one might trip and fall or worse, wander off-track and fall into the pond. The quality of the air was also affected due to the haze. Could see the fogginess here and there.
Meals were not a problem, thanks to Auntie Grace, Auntie Yin, Auntie Joyce. The 3 aunties really cook up sumptuous meals for us! Healthy and tasty soups! Porridge with egg, minced pork and carrots… minced pork with shrimp… Stewed chicken with red dates… fried cabbage with black fungus… spaghetti with soup… Glad to say, the tuna sandwiches that Lucy and me prepared turned out well (haha)… Regina helped us with the breakfast too, getting the porridge ready so that we could have century egg porridge. Auntie Grace also lent a hand by shelling and cutting the century eggs and by adding in the seasoning. And not forgetting, Lucy’s red bean soup. All yummy!
On Sunday night, we went to a nearby kelong to have seafood. The chili crab and black pepper crab were good, and we had spicy braised tofu, sambal kangkong, crispy squid and a type of shellfish called the “gong gong conch shell” dipped in a spicy sauce. All the expenses are paid for, so we went there literally to enjoy. After all, what’s a retreat for if there’s no fun right? But of course, personal expenses are entirely on our own.
After the seafood dinner, I went with Choi Foong, Li Ching, Auntie Grace, Auntie Joyce, Auntie Yin, Fiona and Amy (another staff from SCC) for 1 and a half hours of singing at the KTV pub next to the lobby. Li Ching can hold a tune exceptionally well. Choi Foong and Aunt Grace too! It was a pleasure to hear them sing Hokkien, Cantonese and Chinese songs, like Emil Chau's 朋友, Teresa Teng’s 我只在乎你 and also 上海滩. As usual, I chose Vivian Chow’s songs and sang 4… We had a karaoke room all to ourselves, just that the service is not very efficient. Though it was unlimited-hours singing, the condition was that each person will need to order a drink every hour. And the songs that we select take a long time to come out on the screen. But the price is not ex, just $18 per hour for 8 of us.
One thing I must thank God for, was that the slide presentation that I was preparing for went very smoothly. I was to present on Sunday morning, being the first on the list, so I was praying for the presentation the night before I slept. We brought our office laptop and projector along, and projected the presentation against a white cloth fastened to the curtain. No hiccups with the equipment, and I did not cough much while speaking. Comments from a few colleagues too that my presentation was good. Hearing this just warms my heart, for I know then that the extra evenings that I used for staying back in office and the long hours I put into the preparation of the slides paid off. Most of all, God made it all possible by strengthening me and giving me wisdom. God is good.
For free-and-easy, we went in groups, walking along the beach, picking seashells, taking photos. I used 2 rolls of film for this trip, and took some with my phone camera. But most of the photos are with Li Ching. She took time off today, so I’ll upload the pics another day.
In the nights where after we all bathe and have nothing to do, some of us took our seats at the dining table and played 四色牌. Forfeit for losing is to ‘clip’ peanuts onto our ear lobes! More than 2 peanuts means we must ‘clip’ the peanuts onto other parts of our face. I played this game on the first night and kena 3! Can’t believe it… but it was fun, especially phrases that come out in the process of the game like ‘马 Yellow’ and ‘眼睛都是一样的’<These are just phrases that help amateur players like me remember the rules and conditions of the game>.
Well, I’ve said so much… So to wrap up… back to the title of this entry.
The term ‘Bintan’ has a new meaning to it after this trip. Meiling messaged me on Saturday, saying that Bintan must be a place just for me! Cos Mei calls me by one of my nick ‘Bin’, so she says Bintan can be perceived like a place that is just for me to visit: Bin探望. Haha… think only she can think of such a meaning! :)
Well, I have one too. Bintan can also be seen as a place for me and Mei to visit loh. Bin-Tan… Bin represents me… Tan can represent Mei too cos she is Mrs Tan now, so it’s an island for Bin and Tan!
Had read Mei’s entry on Bin-Tan this morning cos she sms me on Sunday to say she wrote about me. Hee… it just feels great to know you are in someone’s thoughts when you are a sea away. Thanks Mei for cherishing our friendship so much. I will also feel weird too if I don’t see you or talk to you for a day! :)
I’m back after a 3-day office retreat in Bintan.
I’m not exactly well-rested yet, for I’m feeling quite tired and sleepy still. Came back yesterday in the late afternoon and caught 1 hour of nap before dinner. Now I can even feel a bit of the bobbing up-and-down movement of the ferry on the slightly choppy sea.
Thank God for journey mercies. The ferry ride to and fro Bintan was quite stable on the whole. Just that when I was going, I experienced a bit of sea-sickness that made my stomach churn. I didn’t throw up, just felt uneasy inside. Thank God my mum bought a few types of medicated oil for me to bring along. My dad bought sour plums for me. And I got some preserved fruits to munch on.
Over there, I was still having a cough and some throat irritation, so I had to suck on jujubes to suppress the cough.
Banyu Biru Villas are not bad. It’s like a 2-storey private apartment, with a living room, a dining area and a kitchen. The best part was, the villa I stayed in was situated just next to a small pond that has koi and small fish swimming in it. The not-so-nice part was, there is this BIG 4-footed monitor lizard that actually swims in the lake and climbs out of the lake to wander around! When I saw the sight of the lizard I had a rude shock! I saw it from inside the villa so it wasn’t that bad. My colleagues just wished very hard that the lizard doesn’t find its way into our villa cos we leave the door and sliding doors open most of the time.
As for lighting, the surroundings are not very well-lit in the night. Almost dark, with just a few lamps at certain spots. Torches are a must-have, otherwise one might trip and fall or worse, wander off-track and fall into the pond. The quality of the air was also affected due to the haze. Could see the fogginess here and there.
Meals were not a problem, thanks to Auntie Grace, Auntie Yin, Auntie Joyce. The 3 aunties really cook up sumptuous meals for us! Healthy and tasty soups! Porridge with egg, minced pork and carrots… minced pork with shrimp… Stewed chicken with red dates… fried cabbage with black fungus… spaghetti with soup… Glad to say, the tuna sandwiches that Lucy and me prepared turned out well (haha)… Regina helped us with the breakfast too, getting the porridge ready so that we could have century egg porridge. Auntie Grace also lent a hand by shelling and cutting the century eggs and by adding in the seasoning. And not forgetting, Lucy’s red bean soup. All yummy!
On Sunday night, we went to a nearby kelong to have seafood. The chili crab and black pepper crab were good, and we had spicy braised tofu, sambal kangkong, crispy squid and a type of shellfish called the “gong gong conch shell” dipped in a spicy sauce. All the expenses are paid for, so we went there literally to enjoy. After all, what’s a retreat for if there’s no fun right? But of course, personal expenses are entirely on our own.
After the seafood dinner, I went with Choi Foong, Li Ching, Auntie Grace, Auntie Joyce, Auntie Yin, Fiona and Amy (another staff from SCC) for 1 and a half hours of singing at the KTV pub next to the lobby. Li Ching can hold a tune exceptionally well. Choi Foong and Aunt Grace too! It was a pleasure to hear them sing Hokkien, Cantonese and Chinese songs, like Emil Chau's 朋友, Teresa Teng’s 我只在乎你 and also 上海滩. As usual, I chose Vivian Chow’s songs and sang 4… We had a karaoke room all to ourselves, just that the service is not very efficient. Though it was unlimited-hours singing, the condition was that each person will need to order a drink every hour. And the songs that we select take a long time to come out on the screen. But the price is not ex, just $18 per hour for 8 of us.
One thing I must thank God for, was that the slide presentation that I was preparing for went very smoothly. I was to present on Sunday morning, being the first on the list, so I was praying for the presentation the night before I slept. We brought our office laptop and projector along, and projected the presentation against a white cloth fastened to the curtain. No hiccups with the equipment, and I did not cough much while speaking. Comments from a few colleagues too that my presentation was good. Hearing this just warms my heart, for I know then that the extra evenings that I used for staying back in office and the long hours I put into the preparation of the slides paid off. Most of all, God made it all possible by strengthening me and giving me wisdom. God is good.
For free-and-easy, we went in groups, walking along the beach, picking seashells, taking photos. I used 2 rolls of film for this trip, and took some with my phone camera. But most of the photos are with Li Ching. She took time off today, so I’ll upload the pics another day.
In the nights where after we all bathe and have nothing to do, some of us took our seats at the dining table and played 四色牌. Forfeit for losing is to ‘clip’ peanuts onto our ear lobes! More than 2 peanuts means we must ‘clip’ the peanuts onto other parts of our face. I played this game on the first night and kena 3! Can’t believe it… but it was fun, especially phrases that come out in the process of the game like ‘马 Yellow’ and ‘眼睛都是一样的’<These are just phrases that help amateur players like me remember the rules and conditions of the game>.
Well, I’ve said so much… So to wrap up… back to the title of this entry.
The term ‘Bintan’ has a new meaning to it after this trip. Meiling messaged me on Saturday, saying that Bintan must be a place just for me! Cos Mei calls me by one of my nick ‘Bin’, so she says Bintan can be perceived like a place that is just for me to visit: Bin探望. Haha… think only she can think of such a meaning! :)
Well, I have one too. Bintan can also be seen as a place for me and Mei to visit loh. Bin-Tan… Bin represents me… Tan can represent Mei too cos she is Mrs Tan now, so it’s an island for Bin and Tan!
Had read Mei’s entry on Bin-Tan this morning cos she sms me on Sunday to say she wrote about me. Hee… it just feels great to know you are in someone’s thoughts when you are a sea away. Thanks Mei for cherishing our friendship so much. I will also feel weird too if I don’t see you or talk to you for a day! :)
posted by Sabrina at 4:59 PM
2 Comments:
Wow! Sounds like you all had a great time there :) Miss ya all!
Li Ching says: We miss you too!! :) More pictures to come!! How is A-fu? Did you manage to get your Tiong Bahru dream flat?
Sabie says: Yea, miss you too!! Ni hai hao ma? I couldn't join in for the last gathering, did u?
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