Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok






 
After we had checked in our luggages, four of us were sitting nearby and waiting for other team members before we could proceed to departure hall and duty free shops in the airport.


A depiction of the Samudra manthan at the airport.
My dad and brother in law were busy comparing the price of liquor at duty free shops.

Thailand Trip (20-24.10.2012), Day 5


We checked out from All Seasons hotel after our breakfast and heading to a snake farm.


P.S Siam Garden



After the snake farm visit, we transferred to airport for departure and ended our 5 days 4 nights Bangkok/Pattaya trip.

Thailand Trip (20-24.10.2012), Day 4

I took an elephant ride with my dad.


Tour visit to local dried food and souvenir market.

We visited a gems industrial factory and I bought a blue gemstone ring there.

I was attracted by beautiful tropical gardens and cultural shows including the popular elephant show at Noong Nooch Tropica Garden & Cultural Village.


It was fun to visit to Safari Park & Marine World, we sat in the bus and drove through African-designed landscapes to see hundreds of animals from all over the world. It giving me an opportunity for the closest encounter with rare and endangered species of animal kingdom.

We went to MBK shopping mall for last minute shopping and saw a tattoo competition there.

 
We had praying session for the famous Four Faces Buddha located at the roadside which is in the heart of Bangkok. We took some photos at a McDonald's outlet nearby while waiting for our bus for pick up.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Thailand Trip (20-24.10.2012), Day 3

Hard Rock Cafe Pattaya is located on the beachfront of the Hard Rock Hotel.

After our breakfast at hotel, bus driver sent us to Pattaya beach and we were getting ready to board speedboat to Coral island. 

On the way to Coral Island from Pattaya beach, there are about 4-5 of the parasailing platforms services. We stopped at one of the platform. The staffs set up the parasailing equipments for me, I was so excited. Anyhow, I still need to line up there and wait for my turn patiently.





We visited Big Bee Honey Jelly Farm and I purchased a few beverage products.


In the afternoon, we visited Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, which has emerged as a fascinating tourist destination renowned for its impressive Elephant and Thai Cultural Shows, wide-ranging orchid species, a palm garden, various flowering and decorative plants from all corners of the world.

 We continue to stop at one of the rising attraction in Pattaya, which is Silver Lake Grape Farm. The name of the farm derived from the silvery look of the grape farm under the sun that glittering above the large reservoir. The area of the grape farm is 1,200 rais (480 acres). The grapes farming here include grapes for wine maker and grapes for the fresh market. This is also another enthusiastic tourist point to visit.




Visited the best chill out place in Pattaya with many restaurants, bars and night clubs located along a long street.

The last activity for the night was going to Alcazar Cabaret's theater which features 1,200 seats and a small team of 400 male and ladyboy artists who give dazzling and fantastic performances including impersonation, comedy and other delighting performance. We were well entertained by the artists, enjoy the well-designed backdrops, lighting, sound and embellishing outfits too.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

關淑怡現身 遭向雪懷表白 26.10.2012


由廣東電視台珠江頻道聯合廣東電台音樂之聲舉辦的“麥王爭霸”全球粵語歌唱大匯10月27日晚21時40分迎來總決賽第三場,張瑩[微博]、李達成[微博]、王梓軒[微博]三位音樂教頭將帶領麾下共18名徒弟,為爭奪15個寶貴的晉級名額而展開激烈對決。本場比賽最讓現場觀眾備感驚喜的冷艷歌后”關淑怡“自殺門”後首返舞台為選手指點歌技,並獻唱成名曲《難得有情人》,粉碎“患憂郁癥”的傳聞。

  深情唱情歌遇向雪懷[微博]表白

  現年46歲的關淑怡自未婚產子後早已隱退歌壇,上月爆出“自殺門”事件後,關淑怡事業失意的慘狀再次引發媒體及歌迷的關注。 比賽當天,關淑怡在經紀人王敏慧和圈中好友、著名造型師張學潤的陪同下親自來到廣東電視台演播廳登台獻唱,以實際行動粉碎“身患憂郁癥”的傳聞。由於是“自殺門”之後首次公開亮相,當天的關淑怡特別以玉米頭造型和一身休閒打扮登上舞台,並傾情演唱了首本名曲《難得有情人》。與當年黃金時代的青春冷艷造型相比,事業失意的關淑怡身型消瘦,臉色黯淡,但精神很好,唯一不變的是她感性的嗓音和迷人的酒窩。巧合的是,《難得有情人》的作詞人正好是擔任當天評委的香港著名音樂人向雪懷,關淑怡在演唱其曲不斷與向雪懷眼神互動,並賣力唱好這首經典名曲。一曲唱畢後,關淑怡以過來人身份向“麥王爭霸”選手指點歌技:“要唱好情歌,我覺得最重要的是了解歌詞,要有演技,要投入,就算帶病上台,也要認真唱好那首歌!出道前我參加歌唱比賽時緊張到連手鏈都掉了,我拼命跟自己說,唱歌給觀眾聽,其實是把自己的天份與觀眾分享,所以一上到台上,我就進入了狀態。”

  談到出道的故事,關淑怡感慨香港著名音樂人向雪懷“應該很久沒有看到我留長髮了”,而向雪懷也爆料稱:“我記得她第一次去寶麗金唱片試音時穿的是紅短裙,她當時的美麗影象一直留在我腦海不斷回蕩,之後我根據她的形象氣質寫了首《難得有情人》,並把這首歌給了她唱。其實,這首歌是為了追求關淑怡而唱的。”向雪懷半真半假的表白讓關淑怡大感意外,她開心地笑著走下了舞台,並與向雪懷和肥媽一一擁抱作別。 湖水/文

  “麥王爭霸”風云再起 選手激鬥花樣百出

  鬥嬌嗲:

  徐敏賢扮“索”壞評委許建強[微博]

  本場比賽共設三輪比拼,三位教頭帶領18位剛剛出師的愛徒,接受首輪“命題考核”,次輪“生死大逃殺”,以及最後一輪“清唱大告別”的連番考驗。在首輪“命題考核”中,肥媽、向雪懷、許建強三位鐵面判官為選手設計6輪考核命題,被點名的兩位選手將根據命題演繹歌曲,失敗者將進入禁閉牢籠進入第二輪。6輪考核命題中,三位評委可謂絞盡腦汁“刁難”選手,在逐一打開的命題卷軸中,既有勁舞、愛情、校園等常規主題,也有眼淚、家鄉等偏門內容,甚至還出現了“夠索”(夠媚)這種讓現場觀眾尖叫連連的“生僻題”。

  在“夠索”命題考核中,打開卷軸宣讀命題的肥媽毫不猶豫地點名要求張瑩陣營的曹倩瑩和王梓軒麾下的“廣州韓紅[微博]”徐敏賢上台PK,惹得現場觀眾嘩聲不斷。曹倩瑩自首場比賽遭肥媽親身授予“性感祕笈”後,受關注度直線 升,而其優雅婀娜的形象也備受男性粉絲的追捧﹔而被譽為“廣州韓紅”的重量級選手徐敏賢,雖然是星海唱家班出身,但聲音及形象都屬於粗獷類型,經過師父王梓軒的一周雕琢,真的能華麗轉身為性感型選手嗎?比拼開始後,曹倩瑩身穿大花旗袍,手持折扇婀娜獻唱《糖不甩》,一舉手一投足優雅盡顯,性感程度一如往昔﹔與曹倩瑩的中規中矩相比,徐敏賢的登場可謂顛覆之作,衹見膀大腰圓的徐敏賢身穿一襲黑色緊身服,頭罩黑色面紗,腳蹬黑色高跟鞋,頭上還破天荒戴了對性感的黑色兔子耳朵,以一身黑色系性感裝扮引爆了現場觀眾的陣陣惊呼。一開腔,“七情上面”的徐敏賢以前所未有的性感聲線唱起了《水百合》,曖昧的眼神、挑逗的手勢,一顰一笑盡顯千嬌百媚。鑑于兩位選手錶現各有千秋,肥媽臨時加題考驗兩人:兩位選手將端坐沙發上的許建強當成“夫君”,各出“嗲招”電暈許建強。隨後,燕瘦環肥的二人分別施展“索功”向故作矜持的許建強放電,曹倩瑩雖有身材優勢卻羞于開口,一句“妳到底想怎么樣”讓現場爆笑不已﹔而徐敏賢則百無禁忌揮灑自如,用渾厚女中音完美演繹超級“索功”,並以一句讓人忍俊不禁的“那妳就快點找個溫暖的懷抱睡覺吧”,讓許建強最終繳械投降,笑出聲來。最終,身材“粗壯”的徐敏賢憑借完美的演技逆襲成功,讓現場觀眾跌了一地眼鏡。

  鬥囂張:

  “囂張哥”李喬易質問張瑩惹公憤

  上場比賽中因囂張、厚臉皮而遭觀眾吐槽的“囂張哥”李喬易,本場比賽再次因行為出格而招致唾罵,成為教頭、評委和選手一致嗆聲的“人民公敵”。在第一輪“命題考核”進行時,李喬易需要根據“愛情”命題演唱歌曲,可是當他甫一登上舞台時,便抓起麥克風向教頭席上的張瑩扯著嗓子質問道:“我想請問張瑩,上一場比賽妳為什麼救了我,卻不收我為徒呢?”一如既往的囂張態度讓其師父李達成也大為錯愕。張瑩顯然被李喬易的“突襲”擊怒了,她憤然起身回應說:“我收徒是要考慮隊伍的整體性的,而且妳做人方面的確還有很多東西需要提高,瑩姐送妳一句話:做人比唱歌更重要!再說,李達成是世界上最會做人的老師,能拜他為師,這是妳的福氣!”隨後,身為師父的李達成也HOLD不住了,他搶過張瑩手中的麥克風聲色俱厲地責備李喬易:“其實張瑩跟我都救過妳幾次,就算張瑩不收妳為徒,試問妳又有什麼資格責備一個救過妳的老師呢?各位評委、教頭對不起,我這老師真的是沒有做好!”都說“多行不義必自斃”,這不,引起公憤的李喬易在之後的命題演唱比拼中果然敗下陣來,並在第二輪“生死大逃殺”中再次折戢沉沙,最終,李喬易進入第三輪“清唱大告別”,身陷隨時出局的險境。由於第三輪中每位教頭都有一個救人名額,作為李達成陣營中唯一一位身陷囹圄的選手,李喬易本應獲得師父李達成果斷的援助,可是由於現場觀眾大叫“淘汰李喬易”,評委、教頭又對李喬易怒目相視,李達成在糾結片刻後終於說出了一句讓人感動的話,讓觀眾唏噓不已。

  鬥舞功:

  新老舞王超[微博]級舞功大對決

  對於三國名句“既生瑜,何生亮”,相信“老舞王”羅雋永和“新舞王”鄭順鵬同樣深有感触。前者是上屆“麥王爭霸”10強選手,後者是氣場超爆的新晉舞王,兩位選手不僅都以“舞功”高強而征服舞台,更在唱功、人氣、粉絲數量上不相伯仲,新舊舞王“舞功”大戰,成為2012“麥王爭霸”備受期待的一大懸念。在本場比賽的第二輪“生死大逃殺”中,這一幕終於上演──“老舞王”羅雋永在首輪比拼中敗下陣來,衹得困于鐵籠中接受第二輪考驗。在第二輪比拼中,羅雋永迎難而上,主動挑選觀察區中的新晉舞王鄭順鵬進行PK,而“初生牛犢不怕虎”的鄭順鵬也爽然應戰,並以一句“這個賽場,除了肥媽,最有霸氣的就是我”壯膽。

  比拼開始後,志在必得的鄭順鵬可謂全力以赴,他身穿金色舞服,戴上黑超,以天王郭富城[微博]的經典形象登上舞台,載歌載舞演繹了一首節律超強的《喜》﹔作為“資深舞王”,羅雋永的裝束顯得寒酸許多,他身陷鐵籠沒有伴舞,他一襲黑衫沒有金光閃耀,可是正是這種惡劣的環境激發了羅雋永身上的表演細胞,衹見《LET’S GET WET》的音樂一起,他便漸入佳境且歌且舞,之後,進入狀態的他更是自行走出鐵籠,以極富感染力的太空漫步引爆現場氣氛,成功征服口味挑剔的一眾評委。李達成第一時間大讚愛徒羅雋永:“今天妳由慢到快到爆的演唱層次感很強,妳成功了!”而肥媽也點評說:“鄭順鵬今天是做了羅雋永去年的錯事,就是不停地跳!其實唱歌要學會走位,像RAIN那樣,唱歌的時候不跳,不唱的時候才跳,而羅雋永無疑學會了這一點,所以他勝出!”

  鬥眼淚:

  悲情系選手惹肥媽兩度眼紅

  煽情是選秀場上永恆的主題,“麥王爭霸”也不例外。在2012“麥王爭霸”總決賽中,謝忠良和黃鍵無疑是最具煽情色彩的兩位悲傷系選手,在本場比賽中,兩位選手的悲情故事便被搬上了舞台,並最終成為征服全場的“超級催淚彈”。第一輪“命題考核”環節,肥媽打開命題卷軸公布了“眼淚”命題,並點名由謝忠良和黃鍵兩位內斂愛哭的選手直接對決。

  謝忠良獻上了一首經典粵語歌《留給這世上我最愛的人》,並在主持人宋嘉其的引導下坦開心扉講述了自己的眼淚故事:“其實這首歌是我送我2個月前去世的媽媽的,當初我參加‘麥王爭霸’,其實就是為了把歌唱給病重的媽媽打氣,沒想到當我殺入決賽後,媽媽卻已經病重離去,我衹想通過這首歌告訴媽媽,媽媽,我挂住妳,好擔心妳!”與此同時,舞台上由親友團打出的“良記,以妳為榮”燈牌再次讓淚點低的謝忠良淚如泉涌,他抽泣著透露:“其實媽媽在臨終前最後一句話,便是‘良記’二字。所以看到‘良記’這個詞,我便會想起親愛的媽媽。”謝忠良的眼淚感染了現場的所有人,肥媽一邊淚流滿面一邊感慨道:“做子女的,為什麼往往是父母還在的時候不懂得珍惜,當父母不在了,才來後悔呢?忠良,妳現在要做的就是贏得比賽,這是在天堂的媽媽最希望見到的。”

  另一位悲情系選手黃鍵是個抑郁癥患者,內向寡言的他,練得一手行云流水的鋼琴,並曾經自費出碟卻以失敗告終。儘管音樂之路走得磕磕絆絆,儘管重登賽場依舊沉默不言,但黃鍵追逐音樂夢想的努力卻獲得了父母以及未婚妻無條件的支持,在比賽現場,黃鍵的母親和未婚妻全程陪伴,並登上舞台為黃鍵打氣助威。黃鍵雖然沒有“子欲養而親不在”的悲情故事,但他與母親、未婚妻的感人互動同樣讓感性的肥媽再次 淚,“我要告訴黃鍵媽媽,妳不用給妳兒子任何東西,他已經很富有!因為他有母愛,更有一個很好的未婚妻!”

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Thailand Trip (20-24.10.2012), Day 2

We stayed a night at All Seasons hotel in Bangkok. After enjoying our breakfast in the hotel, we started our visit to Wat Arun and cross the Chaophaya River.

My dad shot this photo for me. He is still not familiar with digital camera.

After that, we went to a leather factory. I bought a belt made with elephant skin and some other goods as souvenir.


 


We had lunch at Mang Gorn Luang (The Royal Dragon) Restaurant which is the largest restaurant in the world. The restaurant covers 33,500 m2, has over 1,200 staff, and accommodates 5000 guests. The servers wear roller skates, use speedboats to cross the large decorative ponds and fly on zip-lines from upper levels to lower ones, while the kitchen is capable of turning out 3,000 dishes an hour. 

There are many shows for tourists such as Crocodiles Show, Tigers Show, Pigs racing show & calculate numbers, elephants show, etc. 




The Sriracha Tiger Zoo is located on the left side of the Chonburi - Pattaya new highway at Tambon Nongkham, Sriracha District. At the zoo, there are hundred of tigers in tiger playground. Not only the tigers but undoubtedly the zoo is one of the largest crocodile farm in Asia with more than 100,000 crocodiles around. 

We had dinner at this restaurant. After the dinner, we heading to the Golden Beach Hotel, Pattaya and checked in.