David's Short Stories

The Church of St.Peter in Galligantu.

2011-11-22T01:00:00.000+08:00

6^th May,2006

We visited the above mentioned church which was rebuilt in 1930’s for the Assumptionist Fathers. It is believed that the house of the High Priest ‘Caiaphas once stood there. As the ancient foundation stones of a Byzantine church was unearthed. Under this church are series of cellars, cisterns cut out of solid rocks. It is possible that they were once used by the Romans as prisons. It is also known as the ‘Church of St. Peter at the crowing of the cock’.

phas once stood there. As the ancient foundation stones of a Byzantine church was unearthed. Under this church are series of cellars, cisterns cut out of solid rocks. It is possible that they were once used by the Romans as prisons. It is also known as the ‘Church of St. Peter at the crowing of the cock’.

Church of St. Peter in Galligantu (bronze statues of Roman soldiers)

Interior of the church/the altar

The Cellar underneath the church

Mk 14:66-72 Peter’s Denial of Jesus (NAB). While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the high priest’s maids came along. Seeing Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him at him and said, “You too were with the Nazarene, Jesus. But he denied it saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” So he went out into the outer court. (Then the cock crowed.) The maid saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them” Once again he denied it. A little later the bystanders said to Peter once more, surely you are a Galilean”. He began to curse and swear, “I do not know this man about whom you are talking. And immediately a cock crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice you will deny me three times.” He broke down and wept.

In (Jn 18: 27) ‘Again Peter denied it. And immediately the cock crowed.

*Footnote: 18,27 Cockcrow was the third Roman division of the night, lasting from midnight to 3am.

The division of four quarters of 3 hours each for the night watch and the same for the daylight hours. The announcing of by sounding of trumpet blasts by the Roman guards. This military tradition still practice to present times as buglers blow the ‘morning call’, the ‘Last Post’ for the lowering of the flag at sunset.

Mk 13:35 Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning.

Remember clocks has not been invented then and time was calculated accordingly by measuring of the rising and setting of the sun. A complete day began with the setting of the sun, from the preceding night. Daylight has 12 hours as quoted by Jesus in Jn 11:9 “Are there not twelve hours in a day? That is to say from sunrise 6.00am to sunset 6.00pm.

Day

Descriptions as found in Bible passages pertaining to time.

1^st hour: sunrise 6.00 am – (until 9.00am) sometimes called “early in the day” (Mk 16:9) 3^rd hour: 9.00 – 12,00am (Mk 14:25) It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. 6^th hour: 12,00am -3.00pm. (Mk 15:33) At noon darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, also mentioned in (Matt 27:45) 9^th hour: 3.00pm – 6.00pm (Matt 27:46) And about three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?. Which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? 10^th hour: 4.00pm (Jn 1:39) He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon. 11^th hour: 5.00pm (Matt 20:6) Going out about five o’clock, he found others standing around, and said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’

Night (hour of darkness)

The ‘night’ is divided into 4 ‘watches’ as below:- 1^st watch in the ‘evening’ from 6.00pm – 9,00pm 2^nd watch ‘midnight’ from 9.00pm – 12,00pm 3^rd watch ‘cockcrow’ from 12.00 mn – 3,00am 4^th watch ‘dawn’ from 3,00 – 6.00am

So was there a cockerel in the high priest courtyard? or was it a figure or style of speech at that era pertaining to a division of time.

De Havilland (DH 98) ‘Mosquito’

2011-05-03T23:59:00.001+08:00

D.H. ‘Mosquito’ plastic model kit 1/144 scale in natural metallic finishing and sporting “SEAC’ (South East Asia Command) blue/white roundel minus the centre ‘red’. For operations in the East for sake avoid un-necessary confusion with the Japanese ‘red’ meatball insignia. It could happen that in the melee of a dog-fight, trigger-happy pilots would not hesitate to blast off any glimpses of red.

The mosquito a 2-seat, twin-engine fighter-bomber was built entirely of wood and affectionately known as the ‘wooden wonder’. Two Rolls- Royce Merlin (1,635 hp, each) powered the sleek, elegantly design aircraft giving her a maximum speed of 375 mph, an advantage of fast speed to outrun pursuing fighters. It’s operational ceiling 27,887 and a operational range of 1,905 miles.Armed with 4x British Hispano 20mm cannons in the nose.

Did you know that the first Allied aircraft to land Singapore after the surrender was the De Havilland Mosquito. As we know that on the 6th August USAF B-29’ (Enola Gay) dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima; followed by another A-bomb on the 9th August on Nagasaki ; the two bombs totally devastated the two cities and killed hundreds of thousands. On the 15th August Emperor Hirohito broadcast the order calling to surrender and finally the official surrender ceremony was held on board the US battleship ‘Missouri’ at Tokyo Bay on the 2nd September 1945 (Sunday). US Gen. Douglas MacArthur accepted the surrender from the Japanese. .

1st September, 1945 a Mosquito piloted by Flt. Lt.Andrews and warrant officer Painter belonging to No.684 Squadron RAF based at Cocos Island flew off on a ‘Recce Mission’. However over Singapore, it developed engine-trouble and left with the decision either land his aircraft in Singapore which was still in enemy hands or continue his return journey and risk ditching at sea. Wisely he decided to land at the Kallang Airport.(built in 1937). He circled to check-out before he came to land safely. As he taxied slowly, armed Japanese soldiers came out to meet. I supposed they were totally surprised and must have felt agitated of this un-invited guest popping out from the sky. The ground marshal waving flag directed Andrew to the parking bay. Then followed a sequence of trying to make each other understand until a interpreter was found.

Obviously the Japanese had already had their surrender instructions and ceased fighting. So arrangements were made to fetch RAF prisoners-of-war from Changi (mechanics) to make repairs.Strangely the fortunate two spent that night as guest of their enemy. The next day they flew out thus having the distinction of being the first to return Singapore.after a absent of three and a half years.

Actually the preliminary signing of the terms of agreement for surrender took place on board the old British 3-stacker cruiser HMS ‘Sussex’ on her arrival Singapore on 4th September. The Japanese delegation led by Gen.Itagaki was summoned on board where they were met by the British counterpart onboard led by Gen. Sir Christison.

However the official surrender of the Imperial Japanese Forces in Singapore was ceremoniously held on the 12th September 1945 before a large gathering at the City Hall. The Supreme Commander, South East Asia, Admiral Mountbatten accepted the surrender from the Japanese Gen.Itagaki.

After the British returned for re-occupation of Malaya and Singapore, they had problems with their former comrade-in-arms the MPAJA (The Malayan People’s Anti-Japanese Army); the Malayan Communist Party. It broke into open armed conflict in 1948 after killing of planters. The British immediately declared it as the ‘Malayan Emergency’; an un-declared war. The Royal Air Force launched an aerial campaign called ‘Operation Firedog’ (1948 – 1960) and all air assets were deployed against the Communist terrorists from single-engine Spitfire, Tempest, to twin-engine Beau-fighter, Brigand, Mosquito, Hornet to four-engine Avro Lincoln heavy bombers.

The RAF No.81 a Photographic Reconnaissance squadron which operated from Seletar, Singapore had some 9 Mosquito and 5 Spitfire Mk.19’s. It gave valuable service and Mosquito Mk.34 (RG 314) flew it’s last operational sortie against the terrorist in ‘Operation Firedog’ in December, 1956.

Some 7,781 Mosquito were built in various versions as fighters, night-fighter, fighter-bombers and photographic-reconnaissance. It was also built outside Britain under-licence in Australia and Canada; truly a wonderful war machine.

A trip to the Singapore Flyer

2010-08-28T12:38:00.001+08:00

At around 6pm the seniors had gathered at the canteen of St. Mary’s of the Angels at Bukit Batok. Those who had not been to the Flyer including myself were anxious and looking forward to the trip. As we assembled Theresa and her assistants were busy sorting out and dividing the group into two parties for bus ‘A’ and bus ‘B’. It included distributing of sticker-type labels to indicate grouping and table number for dinner. Janet and I from Teban Gardens belong to Group No.4 with Joan as our leader and assigned to bus ‘B’. Upon boarding Priscilla apoligised for some hiccups encountered earlier and briefed our group to stick together and help each other. Swee Fong a local introduce herself as our guide for this trip and commented that we are fortunate to experience this memorable trip as it would coincide with the ‘Closing Ceremony of the Youth Olympic Games 2010’ held at the Marina Bay.

The floating platform is the first largest in the world and used to hold our annual National Day Parades. The open-air viewing gallery has a seating capacity of 27,000 but to-day the young Olympians from all over the world are gathered for this great event. And Singapore is proud and honoured to be it’s host for this First Youth Olympic Games. Our guide has much praise for Singapore which has come a long way to immerge into spotlight; after all we are only one tiny ‘red dot’ on the map of the world. We must first of all thank God for good governance provided by our able leaders.

In 1970’s or 80’s I remember receiving some foreigners who had never heard of Singapore and must have thought that we lived on tree-tops and swinging down every morning to forage for food. But they were in for a big surprise after landing at world renowned Changi Airport and driven into the city. They had noticed the tree-lined “ECP” expressway, potted flower plants, beautiful landscape with golf courses, sailing clubs, chalets, eateries, multi-storied condos and Public Housing; it was “Wow! wow! wow!” all the way.

We headed for Mount Faber for a Chinese dinner at a place design of a sailing ship and named “Marina Deck”. The dishes comprise honey-chicken, deep-fried fish, black-peppered crabs, yam-ring and vegetables.

Seniors having dinner at Marina Deck, Mt.Faber

After we had our fill, we headed for the Singapore Flyer along the expressway but caught in a traffic jammed; because of the Youth Olympic. Swee Fong told us that the bus will have to stop short of the Flyer and we had to walk a short distance; including one wheel-chair bound.

Presently our Singapore Flyer is the World’s Largest Giant Observation Wheel towering 165 metres (equivalent to 42-storey building) above the Marina Bay. Meantime we had to pass through ‘security-checks’ where our bag-packs went through electronic screening. After 911/ New York Twin-Tower terrorists attack, you can expect such scrutiny at all main functions or events where involved large crowd. Then there was ‘toilet break’ and the queue to board the capsule had consumed precious

Queue to board the capsule

time. It was during this moment I guess about 9.30pm that the ‘fireworks’ burst into the sky overhead. At our position we could only get glimpses of multi-coloured spray of balls, twinkles or stardust that light-up the night. Finally our batch got into the large capsule that can hold 28 people. It had a bench in the centre and we are seated back-to-back facing either side of the glass capsule. However, when we got to the top we were rewarded by a view spectacular, fantastic, breathtaking; overlooking the Marina Bay with the skyline surrounded by skyscrapers. And right below us we saw the floating-platform, all lighted up with the celebration going on and a full crowd watching from the gallery.

The latest landmark is the 3-towers Marina Bay Sands integrated resort, topped-up by a Sky Park stands majestically guarding the bay and is the world’s second most expensive casino built at the cost around S$8 billion.

I enjoyed a memorable panoramic or a birds-eye view of the surrounding for that complete so called 30-minute flight. I would like to return for a daylight viewing where I can see the Rhio Islands of Indonesia that would be interesting.

Inside the capsule (for 28 persons)

Another view

Author

A special capsule for dining.

Makan, makan Tour to Johore 10/07/2010

2010-07-27T20:36:00.001+08:00

The above outing organized by the ADA (Alzheimer’s Disease Association) for the staff and the care-giver; a time for a get away and relaxation.

At 0700 hours our group assembled at our Jurong Point and we were picked up by the coach from the Toa Payoh main office. By 0800 hours we have already cleared the Immigration Checkpoint at the second link and on the way for breakfast at Kampong Indah.

Typical traditional Malay house at Kampong Indah.

My grandpa’s house at Bedok (1950’s)

It is constructed of wood and raised off the ground by support posts; a veranda in front and the doorway leading to the sitting room and 2 or 3 bedrooms inside. My grandpa’s Malay-style house at Kampong Bedok in the 1950’s was similar.

After breakfast of ‘nasi lemak’ a local favourite by which the rice is cooked with coconut milk and some ‘Pandan’ leaves to give ‘flavour and aroma’. The sambal with fish, but some would prefer chicken and some cucumber. We were given a briefing on mushroom farming and taken on tour into the storage house where the mushrooms are wrapped by plastic for germination.

Mushrooms in plastic packing Waiting to board up the bus

We proceeded to Yong Peng to visit a factory making noodles. Upon arriving we de-bus and walked down a tract to this cottage industry. In a room we saw how the dough being prepared by the old way manually by a pole jammed at one end to the wall, straddle across a table where the dough is laid. A male Indian guy sits at the other end and using his weight by motioning up and down causing the pole to press on the dough; a rather crude method.

The modern machines for making and cutting the dough to noodles

Lunch/ Yong Peng: Kari, Bernard and Debbie/ Vivian and Fong.

‘Kong bak’ to go with the buns

Chicken cooked with wine. Enough, am I drunk?

After lunch we were off to a modern factory ‘Ecolate’ that breeds the birds and from the sliver of the bird comes the bird’s nest.

Introduction by video on the product/ Bird’s Nest Products on display

Exhausted? A moment of relaxation/ Ms Chua giving a lesson on botany.

At the agriculture farmland I found it rather interesting for my educational input and no doubt enjoy learning something new from types of various plants and the ingredients that we get. Meantime we have taken for granted when we get our groceries all clean up and presented at the shelves in our air-conditioned supermarket. We, Singaporeans are urban dwellers live in a concrete jungle, surrounded by blocks after blocks of flats and some of us have not even touch the rich soil of mother earth. Maybe for some there is this urge inside to be a farmer, probably after retirement. And owing to aging it would be natural for us to be slowing down and hope to work leisurely on the land. However I can see that it is not an easy job as you must begin early in the morning. It will require a lot of hard work probably, take the whole day to tilt the land and plant whatever crop. Especially the young plants in the nursery, they need attention as for watering, provide manure for faster and healthier growth and pesticide to keep pest away.

Plants like ‘Tongkat Ali’ good for circulation of blood/ Rows of sweet potato

Palm oil fruit. Coffee seet

Cocoa fruit Banana tree

After shopping and dinner we are again on the road this time heading home. Our guide started the ball rolling by singing ‘Karaoke’. Suddenly we discovered that some good singers amongst us that can be immediately sign-up with ‘Mediacorp’.

Pose after dinner On the way back to Singapura

Alzheimer’s disease

2010-07-05T14:37:00.011+08:00

Recently I attended a Care Giver session held on 3rd July 2010 on the above subject ‘dealing with emotions involved in care-giving’ by Rodney. It was one of many ‘talks’ and training series organised by the Alzheimer’s Disease Association at Toa Payoh. My wife and I found it to be very fruitful and enriching that had help us initially in our difficult long journey trying to cope with the many problems that confronted us in caring my mum. In view of above it prompted me to write this article to share our experience with others..

Firstly the word ‘Alzheimers’ did not strike me, probably I have heard about it but did not know exactly what it is and I did not want to know as it was of no concern. The unexpected ‘shock’ came in the year 2001, when we brought my mother who was 83 years old to Changi General Hospital for a check-up. She was certified by the doctor (geriatric) as having the disease.

We were disappointed not only that we did not believe it but also could not accept the result. Our denial of the fact that it cannot be and there must be some mistake in the diagnosis. My mother has widely travelled as my step-father worked in the British Embassy and they get posted to different countries. They had been to Africa, Israel, Argentina, India, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. How come she ended up like this?

I was with her when the doctor applied a simple test, she was given a blank sheet of paper and told to draw a picture of her wrist-watch (round-face). I was surprised when I saw she drew only the dials, the long minute hand and the short hour hand. The doctor winked at me to confirm the result as positive. My mother had answered some questions correctly and she insisted that there is nothing wrong with her. Somehow it spell out the beginning of a nightmare.

For some time we did not realise that she started to lose things, jewelry, money withdrawn from the bank could not be accounted for and finally lost her bank book and passport. On 25/01/2001 I lodged a Police Report at the Police Post claiming loss of $12,000/- in money and jewelry. At that time she was living on her own at Marine Parade as she wanted be independent and did not want to bother us. Occasionally I used to visit her and at some stage found her behaviour strange; unlike before. She got agitated easily and usually we ended up with heated arguments; at that time I did not understand anything about the Alzheimer’s disease. Here I was trying my best to reason out things but that did not seemed to work and naturally I got angry. She held her domineering role as mother and I her sibling, her slave. Her word was law and her judgment passed was final and irrevocable; no question about it. In her rage she would chase me out and slam the door behind me. It was really frustrating in my failure to resolve the problem or come to some sort of compromise.

Then followed a series of accusation of stealing, everybody stealing including my Aunty, my wife when she went to the States for holiday with my son. Even myself when I changed to 'super-bike': she told the neighbour I stole her money. Once the maid had forgotten to lock her drawer and mum found money (maid's salary); she accused her of stealing and threatened to call the Police.

She had medicine and the younger brother Leo even bought supplement like ‘ginko’ pills but after some time she stopped taking. When we saw her condition deteriorating and neglecting herself; at this point it became ‘no can do’ so we decided to step in. We got an Indonesian maid as she also spoke bahasa ‘Melayu’ besides ‘English’. My mother a Eurasian of Portuguese descend, her grandparents from Malacca also spoke ‘Kristang’ a local lingo which is corrupt (rojak) a mixture of Portuguese and the local Malay language.

So the maid (care-giver) begun her long journey (6 years) of ‘ups and downs’ as according to my mother’s mood. On the lighter side my mum treated her as a daughter, taught her English, how to ‘make-up’ and believe it or not even taught her to play piano. We her siblings did not even have that privilege. On the dark side when she had gone ‘haywire’, she used to beat her and questioned her, '”Why are you staying here, you don’t have papa, mama and why must I feed you?” The favourite hours would be after midnight, the maid would called me and I rushed down to the ‘rescue’. We kept her at my place for 2-3 days before sending her back again. My mum would then receive her with open arms saying '”You know the old maid was very bad, stole my money” The maid told me that once my mum beat her with a stick and chased her downstairs to the void deck watched by an inquisitive crowd. Instead my mum would turn around and told them the opposite story that the maid beat her with the stick she was holding.

In 2003 the maid was due to return for ‘leave’ and in preparation we brought her to a Nursing Home at Katong twice; first day to introduce her to the inmates and the surroundings. On the second day we brought her clothing's for a two week’s stay. That night or rather morning around 2.00am I received an emergency call from the Nursing Home requested me to come down immediately. My mum had cause a big commotion as she was trying to scale the main gate and the nurses and even the cook had turned out to restrain her. They politely told me to take her back and that they will refund the money. Anyway the maid had to fly off so there was no alternative but to stand in as it happened all of a sudden. I had become the right choice for a substitute maid at least for the time being. I never forget that stressful two weeks endurance had been as I kept counting the days, the hour, right up to the minute for the maid’s return. However, many thanks to the fruitful talks given at the ADA sessions, help me to a better understanding, in accepting my mum’s condition, some pointers on emotions,stress management, help to identify the cause, avoid confrontation, apply softer approach, deviate her attention, change the subject did enormous help. Lastly in believing one’s faith, of ‘Divine’ help from the ‘Good Lord’ for spiritual strength to endure the hardships and rely in God and the power of prayers.

My mum’s block of flat went for up-grading and temporary they stayed with us to avoid the noise and mess in the process. When it was ready, it was like brand new; with seating toilet, floor and wall tiles. Re-wiring and relocation of power-points; so the refrigerator had different position. When she stepped in I believe she was disoriented and exclaimed '”This not my house”. It took some time to settle her in.

In 2004 my mum had a fall near her block and broke her hips; she had surgery at the Changi General Hospital and later transferred to St. Andrew’s for rehabilitation. There she was restless, un-easy yet mobile so they had to restrain by tying her up. However she was like ‘Houdini’ the famous escape artist and each time manage to undo the whatever ‘knot’ applied. So much so extra attention paid by re-locating her to the front of the ‘Nurse Station’, subject to scrutiny right under their noses. After her discharged from hospital we had to take both of them to stay with us for better supervision. One time the maid was looking high and low for her dress which she had taken out for changing but could not find. When the maid opened the refrigerator she was shocked to see her clothes neatly rolled up and placed on the shelf. Another time my son brought two dogs (Huskies) to my house and my mum could not differentiate dogs from cats; she called to them 'meow! meow!. As for her temper it had never really subsided and on one occasion at my place she got agitated and upset. Suddenly bursting into a rage, took my new rice-cooker and smashed it to the floor. It happened so fast that we were caught by surprise and unable to intervene.

My mum with care-giver Sunarti at Marine Parade.

Things became worst when in 2006 I had a very serious road accident that killed my pillion-rider and I was badly maim. I had 4 surgery at the Tan Tock Seng Hospital that had also triggered a heart attack. At one stage at the brink of death, a priest was called to administer the 'Extreme Unction' a Catholic ritual for anointing in preparation for dying. I went for a 'heart by-pass operation' at National University Hospital. However by the grace of God I survived and was in and out of hospital even infected by the super bug called 'MRSA'. I underwent isolation and treatment at Tan Tock Seng and later transferred to St. Luke's. During this most difficult time my wife had to manage her daily affairs; at times having to drag along my reluctant mum. Many good people prayed and help with spiritual and moral support; which we are grateful.

To-day my mum now 92 years old still able to walk short distance but usually we strapped her to a wheel-chair to prevent her from falling. One morning she awoke and started walking; her eye-sight poor. The new maid was in the kitchen (the old care-giver had gone back to get married) and we were still sleeping. Suddenly we heard a ‘bang’ as she had knocked herself at our doorway and fell down. Fortunately no serious injury sustained but it gave us an awful fright because when old people fall usually they could break a bone or two.

My mum ‘Leonie’ now 92 years old.

Another problem accounted is ‘communication breakdown’ she has lost the usage of language that is to say cannot construct a proper sentence that has meaning. We cannot understand what she is trying to say; it is mumbo-jumbo sometimes in English, bahasa or ‘Kristang’ or better still a mixture of all three.

Now we keep to schedule, a pattern that is regulated in the morning, breakfast, follow by bath, Lunch time at noon, tea-break around 3.00pm and last dinner time at 6.30pm. At night bedtime would be around 9.00pm; sometimes her day became night and the night became day. She slept during day and widely awake during night, talking to herself endlessly, sometimes even crying or laughing. Of course we try to keep her active during the day to tire her off; but sometimes the odd just happened. She has mellowed down and it is sad to see her living in her world of her own. There is nothing that we can do for a reverse. We understood that the disease is incurable and the medicine is only for slowing down the process. So the time comes for us to be realistic, in acceptance, not to blame her or ourselves and it is time to let things go.

My mum still has that aggressiveness, sometimes bursting out in temper, shouting with her hand pointing out or sawing the air. Sometimes I think the display is about wanting attention. I remember when we were young, she was very strict; her rules by 6.00pm we must be home for prayers. Late and she will be waiting at the doorstep armed with a cane or broom-stick or whatever to impress you what she meant.

However, we still love her by showing our concern, our compassion, by touching, gently stroking her, warmly embracing, kissing her and whispering to her ear ‘I love you’.

An answer to prayers?

2010-06-21T14:36:00.019+08:00

I am a cradle-born Catholic, my mum decided the best for me that is baptism and schooling. I went to St. Patrick’s Katong; a missionary school where I received my early religious input. We read a simplified version of the Bible without numbering or footnotes.In those days Masses were in Latin as it is the official language of the Catholic Church; before Vatican allowed the use of vernacular languages.

St. Patrick’s School (Katong) 1951

My first test of faith came when I worked in the Agency Department of a shipping company in the 1970’s. On one occasion when on board I was asked by the Russians, who became Communists after taking up arms in the 'Bolshevik Revolution' in October in 1917; whether I had a religion. I replied that I am a Christian, they were inquisitive and wanting to hear more.

The Soviets a 'Super Power" had very large fleet, Naval, Merchant and other vessels from oil/gas & the fishing Industries.

Meeting on Board with the Russians.

As Atheists, to them religion is a waste of time and money as they did not believe in God; ‘there is no God.’ Religion is based on beliefs (faith) whereas Atheism relies upon explanation from science. Success in life depended upon your own ability to excel, in making sacrifices and of course indulging in hard work. That is to say you decide or make your own destiny through your capability. They asked me, “Have you seen God?” of course my answer was negative; they were amused and burst into laughter. The enquirer was the 1st Officer of the ship, who was also known as the 'Political Commissar': whose role was akin to that of a 'priest' as guardian of the Communist 'ideology'. He teaches socialism, equality, common ownership or state-own, so 'private property' is the yardstick of problems and fiercely un-acceptable.

At that time my faith was shallow and therefore unable, unprepared or rather dare not try to convince them that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second person of ‘Holy Trinity’, yet human, he was crucified, died and was buried. On the third day he rose again from the dead and later ascended into heaven. The Salvation story would have sounded terribly ridiculous and totally absurd. An incredible tale, sheer stupidity for it is not humanly possible – wishful thinking more like a fairy tale, a myth. I acknowledged that they the Communists are not fools but intelligent people who happened to in 1961 sent the first man into space (Yuri Gagarin}.

I remember a big religious event in 1950’s when the Statue of ‘Our Lady of Fatima’ on Global tour, came to Singapore. It was held at my school ground and the Catholic faithful turned out in strength in support. There was a procession and all were praying for the ‘conversion of Russia,’

I worked 20 years for the Russians as assistant manager from 1973 to 1994. I handled crew matters that included death occurring onboard their vessels. Normally it would involved arranging removal of the corpse to the Mortuary. It is a Government requirement for the purpose to determine the cause of death. I would then collect the clothing from the vessel and hand over to the casket company. They would arrange making-up, dressing the corpse before placing in the coffin. For export purposes it had to be hermetically sealed and wooden crated before sending by air back to their country. Usually I would run through the pockets to ensure that there is nothing (drugs or illegal stuff).

Things changed when Mikhail Gorbachev became President (1985-1994), he introduced ‘Gladnost’ the policy of openness and ‘Perestroika’ for re-structuring. He even said that not to expect miracles because he is not Jesus Christ. Eventually the ‘iron curtain’ was lifted, the Berlin Wall that physically separated the East from the West came down; religion being tolerated. The Russian Orthodox Church once suppressed with churches turning into Museums; now allowed to emerge and revive.

During this period when death occurred on board and in collecting the clothing; something un-usual happening. I found ‘Holy Pictures of St. George’ and rather surprised at the appearance of religious items as they are Communists so I asked them. They answered that the reason was that St. George is the ‘Patron Saint’ for sailors/seamen; my jaws almost dropped as I did not expect the turn-around. Then I begun questioning myself, am I witnessing the fulfillment of a prayerful crusade that begun at Fatima (Portugal) in 1917 when Our Lady appeared to the 3 children on 13th May..

Visiting Russian T.S. “Nadezhda’ to Singapore (Sail training ship)

Sinsov staff invited on board.

Icon/Byzantine Art/Portrait of Jesus in the mess-room.

Icon/Byzantine Art (Certified copy of Virgin Mary with child Jesus) given to me.

I truly believe in the power of prayers for it had happened to me at the brink of death for serious injuries sustained in 2006 road accident where my pillion died. I had ‘heart attack’ twice, many good people prayed for me and I was given the ‘Last Rites’ /Extreme Unction (Anointing) a Catholic ritual in preparation for dying. However by the grace of God I managed to pull through, and thank the Almighty that I have another lease of life.

Praise the Lord, Alleluia!

Navy Open House 2010

2010-05-24T21:42:00.025+08:00

As an early bird I took the MRT from Jurong East Inter-change to Singapore Expo where I boarded a Chartered bus that ferried the lot to Changi Naval base. We alighted before the entrance, prop-up by a decorated archway; welcoming us. We walked through and had a full view of the sprawling area which is about the size of 15 football fields.

Entrance to ‘Navy Open House, 2010’

Stealth frigate ‘RSS Steadfast’ pennant No.70

The Stealth frigate is French design of the ‘La Fayette’ class by ‘Direction des Constructions Navales’ (DCN). The first ship to be built for the RSN was RSS ‘Formidable’ and launched in Lorient in 2004. The subsequent 5 ships were built by Singapore Technologies Marine at their Benoi Shipyard. They are the following RSS ‘Intrepid (69), ‘Steadfast (70), ‘Tenacious’ (71), ‘Stalwart’ (72) and ‘Supreme’ (73). They are known as the ‘Formidable’ Class.

The 114.8m long stealth frigate ‘Steadfast’ commissioned in 2008 is armed with a single 76mm Oto Melera forward; also with harpoon, Aster SAM’ missile and torpedoes. The heli-deck at the stern can accommodate one S-70B ‘Sea Hawk’ Naval attack helicopter.The ship has a speed about 27 knots and compliment of 70 crew.

Sad to say that the event coincide with the death of the former Deputy Prime Minister, Dr Goh Keng Swee, who was also the Defence Minister. In the show of respect to this great man all the Naval White Ensigns were flown half-mast.

Landing Ship Tank RSS 'Endurance’(207)

'Endurance' class amphibious transport/dock are the biggest type of ships in the RSN. Locally designed and built by Singapore Technology Marine at their Benoi Shipyard. The 6,000 tons displacement ship has a front-loading bow, a well at the stern for landing craft to dock and a heli-deck for 2 Super Pumas helicopters. Seen here on the heli-deck are so called two small 9m long un-manned, armed modular platforms; the ‘Protector’ USV. (Un-manned Surface Vessel). It is used primarily for surveillance and protection duties. It saves from putting a man, a human- being at risk at being shot at. To-day amazingly technology has so advanced and achieve such high standards of reliability in creating substitutes to replace humans-beings for certain jobs and performing it well.

Normally the Landing Ship Tank or in some foreign magazines refer as ‘Assault Ship’ are deployed to patrol the gulf as part of Singapore naval contribution for the multinational Combined Task Force 151 maintaining surveillance and logistic support. On 'Boxing Day' December 2004 the fury of the ‘Tsunami’ struck Sumatra (Aceh, Meulaboh) with such devastating effect that some 150,000 people lost their lives. The RSN were the first to immediately respond to the call for humanitarian assistance by deploying three ‘Endurance’ class ships, the 'Endurance (207), 'Persistence' (209) and 'Endeavour (210) to transport men, material and supplies to the stricken areas.

Another view of Changi Naval base.

The stealth frigate RSS ‘Intrepid’ pennant No.69, berth along-side for the general public go on board for viewing, to have some idea how their loved ones, husbands or brothers or sons or relatives live onboard a modern warship.

The guided-missile Corvette, ‘RSS Vigour’

The RSS ‘Vigour’ is 62m long corvette built locally by S.T. Marine and commissioned in 1991. It has anti-submarine capability, also being armed with one 76mm Oto Melara quick-firing gun; harpoon anti-ship missiles and Barak surface-to-air (SAM) missiles. Their speed 30 knots and.the six ships of the ‘Victory’ class form No.188 Squadron RSN.

The bridge and mast of the corvette RSS ‘Vigour’

The single 76mm Oto Melara forward gun.

The squadron insignia badges of the 6-ships formation

The submarine RSS ‘Conqueror’

Purchased from Sweden in the 90’s belongs to the ‘Sjoormen’ (re-named ‘Challenger’ class) of 1200 tonnes (submerged). Length:51m with speed 10knots/surface and 16knots/submerged. Crew:28. Five were obtained four commissioned with one as spare. The four submarines form No.171 Squadron. Latest addition are two larger types, the ‘Archer’ class (Vestergotland) is 60.5m in length, has double decks and equipped with air independent propulsion (AIP) system. The mixture of pure oxygen with diesel, compressed in the combustion chamber to charge the batteries. It can prolong the stay underwater and also extend the range, an improvement from the 'Challenger' class. It is armed with 9 torpedo tubes with speed of 8 knots (surface) and 15 plus knots (submerge).

Another ‘Sjoormen’ class submarine enters the base

Another view of the ‘Sjoormen’ class submarine.

A ‘Chinook’ helicopter about to drop divers.

The Air Force twin-rotor heavy-lift CH-47 ‘Chinook’ helicopter flew in to drop naval divers in response to a mock hostage situation committed by a group of terrorists. They had held a hostage in a mock ship but soon the naval divers were in action and eventually they came to the rescue.

The LARC, 4-wheel Amphibian for joy-rides

The amphibians are ideal, vital for logistic support that can convey men, material, stores and supplies practically anywhere. They were used at Meulaboh during the Tsunami disaster and are in service with our Army and Navy. The civilians also acquire it second-hand and operate for tourism for river-rides like the ‘Duck Tours’ located at the Suntec City. However that day, the rides were free and the queues were exceptionally long; off course because they are free.

The Navy fast landing-craft

The landing-craft from the amphibious landing ships, RSS ‘Resolution’ (208) and also from RSS ‘Endeavour’ (210) both ships provided their landing-crafts for the free joy-rides operating from the stern of the ship. The ship can squat to flood the stern-section to enable the landing-crafts to float inside the well and the stern ramp-door open for access to dock or undocking. They reverse out and sail for a round trip within the basin and return for yet another trip.Very popular, crowded and always full; ‘ho sengli!’ but no money collected. Anyway many thanks! Navy guys.

The landing-craft returning into the stern-well.

Heli-deck of RSS ‘Endeavour’ (210) is a ‘Super Puma’ helicopter.

The large heli-deck can also take the larger SAF twin-rotor CH-47 ‘Chinook’ heavy-lift helicopter.

Bow view of the front-loading ramp RSS’ Resolution’

Bow view of the loading ramp, RSS 'Resolution'

From the bow front loading-ramp, you could see through to the stern-well, where a landing-craft approaching for docking.

The Republic of Singapore Navy Band.

For entertainment the Republic of Singapore Navy Band was in attendance to provide some popular and local favourites, .

There were some large tented structures to house a musical-stage, food-courts, family and exhibition halls that display latest high-tec gadgets or weapons systems or tactics; using even model for display.

There was also a large pool for the R/C gun-boats which the kids enjoyed sailing their miniature vessel patrolling around the setting of ‘Singapore Island’.

Remote-control, automated ‘smart’ gun with sensor.

I believe if I am not wrong, those seasoned kids in the computer gaming can operate it. From the display console, take aim, the sensor will help to ‘lock-it’,then depress the red firing button and it is done!.

Outdoor display the bigger 76mm Oto Melara gun mount.

Protector

The 9m long the modular platform, the ‘Protector’ (USV) an un-manned surface vessel is powered by water jets with the top speed of 30 knots and duration of 8 hours. It can be armed with a single forward gun and operated by remote control from the ‘Command Vessel’ and sent out on dangerous mission; in harm’s way without risking lives. It perform the duty of surveillance,or interception of suspicious craft approaching. Equipped with an assortment of gadgets like radar, sensors, microphone,loud speaker and video camera that relay back images to the “command Ship’ for assessment and enhance decision-making for the next move.

The specifications.

Hovercraft.

Seen here and not for public display is a ‘hovercraft, an air-cushioned vehicle used as logistic support by conveying anything, men, military vehicles, equipment, stores and supplies.

The last three ships, a patrol craft, a mine-counter-measure and a special ship, a submarine Rescue ship.

The Patrol Craft.

The patrol vessel is 55m in length with a displacement of 500 tonnes and has a speed of 20 knots using 2xKamewa waterjets propulsion system. It is armed with 1x76mm 'Oto Melara' forward gun, SAM missiles and Anti-submarine torpedoes. Twelve vessels form the 182/189 Squadron. One ship RSS 'Courageous' was badly damaged in a night collision with a container ship in the Straits of Singapore that had her stern sliced off'' and with loss of life.

Mine counter-measure ship, RSS ‘Katong” pennant No.M-107

The title suggest anti-mine operations, to counter all sorts of sea mines, to acoustic mines. The modern Swedish-built ships have fibre-glass hull as non-magnetic material in it’s construction. For the older type mine-sweepers like the British ‘Ton’ class, they have wooden hulls.

The submarine rescue ship, ‘Swift Rescue’

An interesting ship with red hull and white super structure, was built in Singapore by Singapore Technology Engineering at it’s Benoi Shipyard and launched first half of 2008. The main submarine rescue vehicle was built in England by James Fisher Defence and can descend to the depth of 500m. The Navy had awarded $400 million contract to ST Marine/James Fisher for design, building and maintaining the ship/rescue system for 20 years. The vessel has the speed of 13knots and a compliment of 27.

I noted that it was flying the blue flag of the Singapore Maritime instead of the RSN white naval ensign. So obviously it is civilian registered ship with the Port of Singapore and carried a mixed crew of servicemen and civilians to operate the ship and it’s sophiscated equipment.

The stern with the prominent giant gantry to launch the rescue vehicle (submarine).

A helipad in case the need for air- evacuation of serious casualties.

The ship’s navigation bridge, modern no steering wheel.

The absence of the familiar steering wheel, which I was accustomed seeing and now being replaced by small knobs. It appears that just not so long ago that I was last on board a ship probably in 2004, the Russian dredger ‘Khersones’ which was working in the land refill at Jurong Island and Tuas Extension. Only then I realised that technology have progressed by leaps and bounds and that I was out of touch.

A RSN woman officer explaining the casualty station

Where casualty are first attended to when they are taken out from the rescue vehicle.. From there they are transferred to the sick-bay for further treatment or monitoring and observation.

Decompression chamber.

The two large decompression chambers on board can hold 50 people for treatment. It has three compartments with central for control and are interlocked. Upon rescue and surfacing, they are being put in the chamber for decompression in order to get rid the nitrogen that are saturated in the blood stream that can form bubbles; and block arteries or cause damage or danger of heart attack.

The Rescue Vehicle (submarine)

This is the submersible, the submarine rescue vehicle DSAR-6 (Deep Search and Rescue-6) weighing 25-tonnes, Length 10m x 3.3m. It is operated by 3 crew and can rescue up to 17 people. It can descend to the depth of 500m.

Hi! Navy guys, Keep it up, I remember from the early days in 1965 after being booted out of Malaysia and independence forced upon. Our infant Navy inherited two miserable wooden ships, ‘Panglima’ a ‘Ford’ class and ex-Marine Police gun-boat with a pea-shooter named ‘Bedok’. The enormous task of building a defence force from scratch fell upon our late Dr. Goh Keng Swee; sadly he has just recently passed away. For the Army we had only two battalions of Singapore Infantry Regiment and no air force. The Army, the red head soldiers (Ang Tau Peng) as locally known; for they had white uniforms with side-caps. Like those worn by the British Royal Air Force except in red colour; so that was why they got their nickname. However, within the span of four decades, the dynamic Dr Goh laid down the foundation that transformed the Singapore Armed Forces amazingly into a fighting force to be reckon with. Our Navy a smaller transformation into a highly compact and balanced naval force with stealth frigates, missile corvettes, gunboats, anti-submarine, mine-counter-measures warfare, amphibious/logistic ships, naval helicopters, long-range Maritime patrol aircraft, submarines and now a special ship, a submarine Rescue Ship. It has come a long way to the present state of affairs; a 3G fighting force with state of art weapons, equipment, communication and networking system

The show was well organised and said to have drawn some 110,000 visitors, breaking the previous record of 100,000 in 2007. Well done! credit to you.

Re-cap two old photos: ex-RSS ‘Panglima’ at Tuas.

RSS ‘Panglima’ pennant No.P68' seen here bare, being stripped off everything. A sad ending for this historical ship, the Navy first and the longest serving ship (1956-1991) ex-RN, ex-RMN served faithfully for 35 long years and could not be saved as a memorial from the breaker’s Yard. Probably the last photo taken to capture that moment discarded and abandoned as I slowly and respectfully sailed past my 30 ft powered boat. I salute her, the grand old lady as I know that the end was inevitable and she would be broken up.

Seen at it’s Clifford Pier mooring the Marine Police gunboat, ‘Bedok’.

Sketch: RSS Panglima.

Boatman: ‘Hi! captain the Newspaper reported your ship missing.’

Captain: GGRRrr...'Don't be funny or Newspaper will report you are missing'

Anyway I wish you Navy guys, ‘Well done and keep it up’

May God bless and protect all, especially those who sail.

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The Chapel of the Primacy of Peter (Tabgha)

2010-05-02T20:13:00.005+08:00

1st May, 2006

After a boat trip in the Sea of Galilee, we returned to the pier which is near a Museum called ‘Yigal Allon Centre’; exhibiting believe to be a first century skeletal remains of a fishing boat. We gave a missed owing lack of time and rushing to our next destination.

We boarded our coach and are off again heading for a place called ‘Tabgha’ on the North Western side of Galilee. Upon arrival we alighted and descended the slop to the foot of the hill to where a small chapel located by the sea shore named the “Primacy of Peter’. This spot is known as Simon Peter’s landing place; here is shown the greatness of our Lord. It tells us whoever believes and obeys Jesus as Peter did will see the manifestation of his glory. At what seemed to be senseless command of Jesus, Peter rowed out to the deep to let down his nets to a spot where fish were unlikely to be found. The order were completely against the common sense of fisherman. But Peter obeyed and replied, ‘At your word, I will let down the nets’. Peter had high expectation of what Jesus would do, because he believed that Jesus could make the impossible, possible. That miracles would occur at his command. We should follow Peter’s example, have faith and daring to act upon Jesus’ words in obedience, even they appear illogical. And like Peter we could discover who Jesus truly is. Jesus had promised Peter that he would be the primate of the Church (Matt 16:16-19) Despite not long ago during his passion Peter had denied him thrice. Peter had learned his lesson from bitter experience of his wretchedness. Aware of his weakness he puts everything in Christ’s hands, ‘Lord, you know well that I love you’.

This episode is a reminder of the first miraculous catch of fish in Lk 5:1-11, where our Lord promised Peter that he would make him a fisher of men; now he is going to confirm him in his mission as visible head of his church.

Inside the chapel is a flat-top rock formation like a table and a placard in ‘Latin’ at the foot describing it as ‘Mensa Christi’ (table of Christ). Here Jesus singled out Peter.and asked him three times if he love him and Peter answered affirmative thrice. Then Christ who is the ‘Good Shepherd’ gave Peter all the authority that he had earlier promised by this gesture, ‘Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.’ He confer upon Peter the responsibility as leader, the shepherd to lead his flock. In Lk 22:31-32 ‘Christ prayed that Peter would have faith that would never fail, that he would be a guide for the others.

The Chapel of the Primacy of Peter at Tabgha

Jn 21:9-17 ‘As soon as they came ashore they saw that there was some bread there, and a charcoal fire with fish cooking on it. Jesus said, ‘Bring some of the fish you have just caught’ Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore, full of fish, one hundred and fifty-three of them; and inspite of there being so many the net was not broken. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast’. None of the disciples was bold enough to ask, ‘Who are you?; they knew quite well it was the Lord, Jesus. Jesus then stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish. This is the third time that Jesus showed himself to the disciples after rising from the dead.

After the meal Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these others do?’ He answered, ‘Yes Lord, you know I love you’. Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my lambs’. A second time he said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ He replied, ‘Lord, you know I love you’. Jesus said, ‘look after my sheep’. Then he said to him a third time, ‘Do you love me?’ Peter was upset that he asked him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and said, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you, Jesus said to him, ‘feed my sheep’.

The Chapel of the Primacy of Peter was built of black basalt by the Franciscans in 1933 over the 4th century foundation.

Who do people say the Son of Man is?

2010-04-28T17:22:00.018+08:00

2nd May, 2006

As part of our pilgrimage tour we were travelling from Cana (Church of the wedding feast) to a place called Caesarea Philippi, about 20 miles North of the Sea of Galilee. To view the ruins of the City of Banyas built by Philip the Tetrarch who named it after the Emperor Caesar Augustus who died in 14 A.D. and himself. He was the son of Herod the Great and it took him from 4 B.C. until his death in 34 A.D. It was about one hour’s drive and we arrived at around noon. Alighting from our coach we proceeded to the entrance where the stream of clean, clear running water came cascading down from higher grounds.

We ascended the slop led by a path towards our right that brought us before a large cave and a large excavation site of archaeological findings. The ruins of the ‘Temple of Pan’ built before the cave entrance, against the backdrop of a gigantic wall of rock 300ft high and running 500ft long. It is part of the southern foothills of Mount Hermon. There were fishes swimming about and some heading upstream.There was this contraption with an spherical concrete base like a ‘top’ with an iron pole running through it’s centre for a hand-grip.On it’s concrete base is ‘embossed’ the wordings taken from Matthew’s Gospel. If you hold the pole and roll the inverted spherical base it will imprint Matthew’s text on the loose sand.

The cave and ruins at Caesarea Philippi.

Placard giving historical information.

The archaeological site with ruins of the Temple

Matt 16:13-20 (Peter’s profession of faith). Quote from Jerusalem Bible.

’When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say of the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets’, ‘But you,’ he said’ who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said,’Son of the living God. Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it is not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you; you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven. Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Remember Christ is a Jew and he spoke Aramaic, the local language and Matthew wrote his Gospel originally in Aramaic intended for the Jewish Community. Christ chose Simon alone, whom he named ‘Peter’ to be the ‘rock’ of his church. The Aramaic word for rock is ‘Kaypha’ in which he used; so the early church was founded upon Peter, who fixed his Chair in Rome. And the Roman Empire was the World at that time with it’s great vastness extended from Britain in the North, to Egypt in the South, Portugal in the West to Persia in the East. Rome the Capital had become the centre of civilisation and culture and all roads lead to Rome. So Peter established the ‘Mother Church’ there which has become the root of Catholicism.

For the first 1,000 years of Christianity, there was only one church “Catholic’ meaning ‘Universal’. It was at Antioch that for the first time converts were called ‘Christians’. As the Church spread, Greek language soon took over as common usage; owing to Hellenisation as result of conquest made by ‘Alexander the Great’. Aramaic was spoken only by the Jews, whereas Greek could be understood by many; was the ‘lingua franca’ of the time. Thus the books of the New Testament were eventually written in Greek. Since 3rd century after the persecution when Christianity was accepted; Latin became the official language of the Catholic Church. And Pope Damasus commissioned Jerome to translate the Bible into Latin (the ‘Vulgate’) in which the linguist took 35 years to complete. In early times the Bible had to be hand-written, a slow, pains-taking, labouring process with limited circulation to churches and monasteries. For an ordinary person to own one would be beyond his means and also a vast majority of the population, farmers working on their lands were illiterate and therefore could not read. It was only with the introduction of the printing press in the 15th century that Johannes Gutenburg, the Catholic inventor printed the first book, the ‘Bible’ and it was in Latin. From then progressively the Bible became widely available and affordable.

Then came the ‘East/West Schism in the year 1054 when the churches split between the Latin-rites Roman (Western) Church and the Eastern-rites Byzantine/Greek-speaking Orthodox Church. Their disagreement besides ‘doctrine’ on Christology but also on the supreme authority of the pope. Sadly it could not be resolved and there was no reconciliation but instead followed by mutual ex-communication of each other. Soon came Martin Luther in 1517 when he broke away to form the ‘Reformation (Protestant) church’. Henry VIII King of England also broke away not because of doctrine; for earlier Pope Leo X had confer upon him the title of ‘Fedei Defensor’ (Defender of Faith) for writing a treatise against Marin Luther defending the 7 Sacraments and the supremacy of the pope. However the Pope refused to annul his marriage to Catharine of Aragon as he wanted to marry Anne Boleyn. Finally Henry established his National ‘Church of England’ and became the head.

To-day the Catholic Church comprises of one Roman (Western) and 22 Eastern Catholic Churches that are in communion with Rome. The Catholic Church is Apostolic, built on a lasting foundation: ‘the twelve apostles of the Lamb’ (Rev 21:14, The city walls stood on twelve foundation stones, each one of which bore the name of one of the twelve apostles of the lamb. Eph 2:20 You are part of a building that has the apostles and prophets for its foundations, and Christ Jesus himself for its main cornerstone). She is indestructible (Matt 16:18) and upheld infallibly in the truth (1Tim 3:15) 'I wanted you to know how people ought to behave in God's family - that is, in the Church of the living God which upholds the truth and keeps it safe'.

Christ governs his church through Peter and the other apostles who are present in their successors, the pope and the college of bishops. Imagine from only 12 apostles it has grown to enormous proportion to the present Catholic population of 1.13 billion, however for the first time, Islam have overtaken Catholicism with 1.5 billion.

In Matthew’s Gospel when Christ changed Simon name to Peter (‘Rock’), he gave him the ‘keys’ to his kingdom, with the divine power to bind and to loose. “Keys’ symbolise authority as used in the Old Testament in (Is 22:22, Rev 1.18) from ancient times to the present day; to be given the key to the city meant to be given free access to and authority over the city.

Christ had given his authority, protection and assurance; that the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. In Matt 28:18-20 ‘He said, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ‘Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; to the end of time.’

However, he also predicted the manner of death Peter would encounter. According to Catholic tradition Peter was crucified in Rome during persecution by Emperor Nero around 65 A.D. He chose to be hung upside as he felt unfit to die like his Master. His body was taken by the faithful and buried at a nearby cemetery (Catacomb).

Statue of St. Peter holding the ‘key’

So the path to the his kingdom can be rough and crooked as John the Baptist, a cousin of Jesus, the ‘Voice in the Wilderness’ preaching and calling the people to repent. He was preparing the way to make the path straight, valleys be filled, mountains and hills made low. Everything crooked made straight; the rough paths made smooth.

The followers of Jesus, his apostles and disciples were martyred, starting with Stephen the first to be stoned to death outside the Lion’s Gate (Jerusalem) renamed St Stephen’s Gate. Peter crucified up-side down and Paul, a Roman citizen suffers less humiliation by beheading; both died in Rome. James the leader of the Jerusalem Church was martyred being thrown down from the Temple Mount. Andrew crucified at Patras in Achaia, Philip crucified in Phrygia, Simon the Zealot martyred in Persia as was Jude. Luke the Evangelist died at the beginning of the 2nd century in Thebes and Mark in Egypt and his body smuggled to Venice and entombed in St. Mark’s Basilica. Finally was left John who fortunately died of old age at Ephesus.

Who is this man called Jesus the Nazarene?

He did not have the military might

Nor any political power,

Never wrote down anything,

Travelled only a few miles around Galilee.

His own Jews were against him,

The Romans crucified him, nailed him to the cross.

His disciples deserted him,

When dead he was taken down and laid in somebody else's tomb,

Yet till this-day after more than more 2000 years, he left behind the legacy of tremendous impact whose influence effecting more than 1/6 of mankind that inhabit the world. And conversion continues everyday.

The same question Jesus is asking us, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?

Running aground

2010-04-05T14:48:00.014+08:00

In 1974 the firm of ‘Sudoimport’ the marketing arm of USSR shipped out to Singapore a hydrofoil-motorship type ‘Kometa-M’ for purposes of demonstration. The 35m long ocean-going vessel could carry 102 passengers in air-conditioned comfort. The ‘M’ series denotes a ‘tropicalise version’ intended for use particularly in the warm tropical climate of South East Asia. The hull, superstructure are built of an aluminum-magnesium alloy and the foil system comprises of two large major stainless steel lifting foils; one fore and the other aft with a midship foil and stabiliser behind the fore foil. The sailing range without replenishing of bunkers is 240miles and sailing only in daylight hours; that is it must reach it’s port of destination before sunset. The mother ship was a large bulk-carrier named ‘Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya’ assigned to take her placed upon her main deck and securely lashed down.

11th July/ Thursday. ‘Kometa-M’ already discharged from mother-ship and in port, lying berth at godown No.48 Keppel Harbour. So I skippered our own company’s smaller 6-seater hydrofoil-boat type ‘Volga-70’ to the larger hydrofoil vessel. My ‘Volga-70’ has 8.55m in length and 2.1m breadth. It was powered by Swedish- made single Volvo-penta inboard/outdrive diesel engine of 90hp driving a top speed of 30knots. The range without re-fuelling about 120miles.

'Volga-70' 6-seater hydrofoil-boat at high speed.

1430Hrs: The Port Authority ‘Keppel Control’ had been notified by ‘Kometa’ VHF Radio that we would be leaving berth for approximately a 2-hour sea-trial and to report on returning. We received ‘radio clearance’ through VHF and left for the Eastern Roadstead. We were trailing behind with onboard the director of Soviet Cinema, a cameraman and 2nd Engineer.

Just outside of the breakwater’ mole at that time known as ‘outer roads’ the ‘Kometa’ made several runs for our cameraman before breaking off and heading for our next shooting destination at the Raffles Lighthouse located south of Pulau Senang. There we positioned ourselves in between near ‘Selat Biola’ The photography intended to capture the scenic view of a tiny island of swaying palms with the lighthouse in the background.

So the ‘run’ was a straight course from a point tip of Pulau Senang to Raffles Lighthouse, keeping clear of ‘Pemalang Reef’ on her portside. We were in the outer position and the run to be made in the middle between the reef and us. Anyway the ‘Kometa’ is equipped with modern navigation-aids,with radar, depth-sounder to ensure safe passage, all cramped in their aircraft-like ‘cock-pit’ wheel-house.

The initial runs were smooth and without any hitch, the two powerful 1,000hp diesel engines driving her at top speed around 30-33knots, her hull raised up and her foils skimming over the water surface. The cameraman went about his job shooting many photos. ‘Kometa’ would make a ‘U’ turn upon end of the run just before Raffles Light-house for the return run. However the director of film was not satisfied and wanted more closer shot with the light-house in background. I sounded the alarm of the risk as it would narrow down the path but he was insistent. He was a film man not a navigator and more immerged in the making of ‘good photography than that of safety and so my warning fell upon deaf ears.

'Kometa-M’ at top speed before Raffles Light-house.

We moved forward for closer ‘shot’ and stopped with engine running idling and in ‘neutral’ mode. The action of the current could have drifted us nearer towards the reef, thereby even narrowing the passage-way. For the next run, ‘Kometa’ came bearing down at top speed towards Raffles passing us from the inside without any mishap and speeded away. Suddenly further down there was a loud sound of crashing, she swerved violently portside in a complete circle, facing us again; engines went ‘dead’ Whoops!. We were shocked, stunt, speechless at what had happened, especially for the director who had been insistent.

As we rushed to the stricken “Kometa’ the master appeared at the starboard wing. He was up-set and grumbling in Russian, saying how come we did not know it was shallow. Obviously it was an navigational error, human mistake in plotting. I put the cameraman on board and ascertained from the master that nobody injured.

Then I proceeded to Raffles Light-house and to report of the grounding and relay the message to the Port Master.

Kometa high and dry,grounded at Pemalang Reef

Meantime master had informed the Port Operation Control by VHF radio of the mishap and that nobody injured. At that instant no assistance required and that they would wait for ‘high’ tide to re-float the vessel. The master also informed our Sinsov (Singapore Soviet Shipping Co. Ltd) Director Mr.Makarov, who immediately rushed down. As usual after such incident people were looking for a ‘scape goat’ and the accusing finger pointing to me. Of course I rebutted the accusation on ground how ridiculous it can be. As each of us as master/skipper of our respective craft is fully responsible basically to have sufficient depth of water to be able to float safely through. And it was his vessel running aground and not mine. More over the ‘Kometa’ is fully equipped with modern navigational aids, whereas on mine there was nothing no radar or depth-sounder. Also he is a Master Mariner with abundant years of sailing experiences, should have known better. In general light-houses symbolise danger indicating shallowness, the existence of reef or rocks above or around submerged, to stay alert and exercise caution.

For the time being we kept ‘mum’ and not spreading the bad news. I was sailing back our base at Kallang. However halfway at the water-boat channel we met an approaching boat named ‘Baracuda’ conveying our director Makarov, Jimmy our manager and boarding officers. They were on the way on fact-finding and to access the extent of damage and that of recovery.

After several attempts by master to re-float ‘Kometa’ at high tide failed, even with the assistance of a tug-boat to tow her off the reef. The stricken vessel on high and dry with not enough water for floatation. There were no alternative but to call in the professionals, the salvage people by the name of ‘Selco’. They brought in their big floating-crane and simply lifted up the ‘Kometa’ from the reef. Lowered to the deeper water and towed back to the yard for repairs.

Finally ‘Selco’ floating crane lifted ‘Kometa’ from the reef

Seen here ‘Kometa’ high and dry, sitting on it's specially-built cradle which was brought along for repairs. It came under the supervision of 'Det Norske Veritas' on behalf of USSR Class Registrar. The surveyor had to ascertain that all being complied that is required in order that "class' is restored and sea-worthiness retained.

The Garden Tomb

2010-03-31T20:32:00.035+08:00

During our pilgrimage to Holy Land in May 2006, my wife Josephine and I stayed at ‘The Olive Tree’ Hotel at St. George Street which is outside the walled city of Jerusalem down the road to Nablus. One morning we left our hotel travelling to Jerusalem when we passed the ‘Garden Tomb’ which is located near an Arab bus station, our guide named ‘Halis’ pointed out to us and said that the Protestants believe it to be the true burial place of Jesus. Not the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre (Al Qeyameh) as revered by the Roman Catholics (Latin-rites) and the Eastern-rites Orthodox Churches of Greek, Armenian, Russian, Ethiopian, Coptic (Egypt) and Syrian.

The Garden Tomb

How come? We were hearing it from Halis our professional guide and what a surprise; it made me confused. From what we saw the Garden Tomb is far away from the Traditional site of the crucifixion even outside of the present day wall. Whereas the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre stands at the end of 'Via Dolorosa' (the way of the cross) which begins further down from the Chapel of Condemnation.

Jerusalem the walled city is one of the World's oldest continuously inhabited cities. The surrounding walls were built by 'Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent' (Ottoman Turk) in the 16th century when he conquered Jerusalem. It roughly followed the course of the earlier walls built by the Romans to encircle Jerusalem in the 2nd century. At the Jaffa Gate, one of the 8 gateways bears the Sultan's inscription ordering it's construction in 1538/9.

Anyway history tells us that in the 3rd century Constantine became the first Christian Emperor after defeating Maxentius at the battle of Milvian Bridge. By issuing the Edit of Milan he had granted freedom of worship; that ended more than 260 years of persecutions by Roman Rulers starting from Emperor Nero in 54 A.D. By this act, Christianity spread like a wild brushfire throughout the entire Roman Empire. Suddenly Christianity from underground, illegal and private emerged to recognition, State-sponsored and public. In 326 his mother St. Helena a devote convert went on a pilgrimage to Holy Land and conducted the first archaeological excavations. She is held as the Patron Saint of Archaeologists; discovering the site of crucifixion, the true cross and the empty tomb of Jesus. Like the 'Ark of Covenant' carried to battle by the Jews, the true Cross was also carried to battle by the Crusaders and loss to Saladin at Hattin. At that time Macarius was the Bishop of Jerusalem and Helena prompted her son to build a basilica to commemorate the burial site of Jesus. It took 9 long years to complete the building named ‘Holy Sepulchre’ and the inauguration attended by some 300 bishops.

From the six century the Armies of Islam took turns controlling the Holy Land; they came from the land of Egypt, Arabia and Turkey. Pilgrims were stopped, shrines desecrated and the fanatical El-Hakim even ordered total destruction of the Holy Sepulchre (tomb of Jesus) and all trappings of Christianity. This led to Pope Urban II to preach ‘Sacrum Bellum’ (Holy War) in 1095 urging Christian Europe to respond to his call and liberate the Holy Land from the Turks. As a result 200,000 men from all over Europe took to arms and marched to Jerusalem. In 1099 the first Crusaders led by a French knight Godefroy de Bouillon (Geoffrey of Bouillon) conquered Jerusalem and massacred the Muslim defenders and Jews as well. He was hailed as the ‘Defender of the Holy Sepulchre’ and set about founding a Latin Kingdom. At the same time rebuilding and restoring the Basilica. I cannot help thinking about those countless thousands who had sacrificed their lives for their faith for the wrong empty tomb? Then all would have died in vain. Could Emperor Constantine himself, his mother St. Helena, Macarius the Bishop of Jerusalem, along with the fanatical Al-Hakim the 6th Caliph of Egypt, Geoffrey of Bouillon (Defender of the Holy Sepulchre), Salah ad-Din known to the West as Saladin (Liberator of Jerusalem, Islam greatest, holy warrior); all of them made an error? The Crusaders were defeated by Saladin in the ‘Battle of the Horns of Hattin’ in 1187 and King Guy of the Latin Kingdom taken prisoner. Next to follow was the fall of the walled City of Jerusalem. Meantime Saladin’s lieutenants prompted him to torch the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre but he refused. After all Jesus is accepted by Muslims as one of their prophets and honour Mary his mother.

Nearby the Holy Sepulchre is the mosque better known as the ‘Dome of Rock’, revered by the 3 religions, the Jews, Christians and Muslims. For the Jews it is the site where Abraham wanted to sacrifice his son, Isaac. The Christian follow the Jews as part of the Old Testament and for the Muslim it is the site when Prophet Mohammed ascended to heaven on a winged horse. Inside the mosque on the wall inscribed a passage from the Koran, pertaining to Christ.

Surah 19:33 ‘God bless your messenger and your servant Jesus, Son of Mary. Blessed be he on the day of his birth, on the day of his death and the day on which he will be raised from the dead.’

Instead Saladin simply locked up the Basilica and passed the keys to the Muslims and the two families in Jerusalem are the ‘Nuseybe’ and the ‘Cude’. So from ancient times it was customary for the Muslim family to ‘open/un-lock the door’ in order for the Christians to enter for worship.

My wife and I at Holy Shrine of the ‘Dome of Rock’

As for the ‘Garden Tomb’ it lies below the rise of a cliff that resembles a ‘skull’ and it is also known as ‘Gordon’s Calvary’ named after the renowned British General ‘Charles George (Chinese) Gordon. In 1883 the general visited Jerusalem and seeing the surrounding garden; became convinced that this is the Tomb of Jesus which he thought more fitting; instead of the dark and gloomy interior of the Holy Sepulchre. It hangs upon a single verse taken out of context of John’s Gospel Jn 19:41 ‘At the place where he had been crucified there was a garden and in this garden a new tomb in which no one had been buried.’

In the same chapter, verse 38 showed that Pilate gave permission to Joseph of Arimathaea and he took the body away; see the Gospel of Matthew.

Gen. Charles George Gordon

In the Synoptic Gospels, in Matt 27:57-61 The Burial (quote from Jerusalem Bible) ‘When it was evening, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, called Joseph who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate thereupon ordered it to be handed over. So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean shroud and put it in his own new tomb which he had hewn out of rock. He then rolled a large stone across the entrance and went away. Now Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulchre.’

In verse 59 Matthew specifically mentioned that ‘So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean shroud and put it in his own new tomb.’ In verse 61 Matthew said that 2 witnesses were there, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary.

Also the Gospel of Lk 23:50-54, Mk 15:42-47 and in John Chpt.19:38-42, they all clearly pointing to Joseph of Arimathaea who approached Pilate to claim the body of Jesus. Jesus was crucified on the day before the Sabbath and died at the ninth hour. The Jews did not want corpses hanging during the Sabbath day; that explains why the legs of the two thieves were broken to hasten their death. The legs of Jesus were not broken as he was already dead. (as prophesied). The bodies had to be taken down on the same day before sunset. It was Preparation Day (that is vigil of the Sabbath) and the Sabbath was imminent and they were rushing for time. In Jn 19:42 ‘Since it was the Jewish Day of Preparation and the tomb was near at hand, they laid Jesus there.’ It said that Nicodemus came by night and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a 100lb weight. In Lk 23:55 ‘Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and the position of the body. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the Sabbath they rested as the law required.’

During the passion of Christ his disciples had deserted him except for John who remained at the foot of the cross. On the other hand the women had been supportive and faithfull up to the end.

In Mk 16:1-2. When the sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Salome, bought spices with which to go and anoint him.

Matt 28:1-2. After the sabbath and towards dawn on the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to visit the sepulchre. In verse 10, Jesus said to them, 'Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; they will see me there'.

In Lk 24:9-11. When the women returned from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the others. The women were Mary of Magdala, Joana, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them also told the apostles, but this story of theirs seemed nonsense and they did not believe.

Inside the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre at the Chapel of Adam lies a long slab of polished pink limestone called the ‘Stone of the Anointing’. This stone marks the place of the ancient Oratory of the Anointing and according to tradition is the place where the body of Jesus was anointed after it had been taken down from the cross. Where his beloved mother wept over him (XIII Station of the Cross) marked by the altar of ‘Stabat Mater’.

Josephine at ‘Stone of the Anointing’

The Tomb of Joseph Arimathaea

This small chamber in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, where located ancient tombs dug into the rock is the only part belonging to the Ethiopian Church. Accordingly inscription on the tomb refers to Joseph of Arimathaea. And Joseph was a well known figure in Jerusalem and a member of the council. The fact that Jesus had been buried in his grave provided a very clear identification that could not easily be lost to tradition. The family graves especially those so near the town were known to everyone.

That sinking feeling

2010-03-17T13:27:00.007+08:00

30^th November 1985 Saturday

I was at home Teban Gardens Jurong in the Western part of Singapore when at about 9.10 pm the phone rang, I answered and the voice at the other end sounded terribly excited. The caller was my manager Jimmy and his first information was that our vessel mv.’Petr Lebedev’ had collided with another vessel and that I was to go immediately to investigate. The first thing I did was to contact our launch contractor to stand-by a fast boat for the trip and that I would be down in 45 minutes time. On my way I stopped at office to pick up some documents and proceed to Clifford Pier

For your information, Clifford Pier is the waterfront ferry terminal in the center of the city, it is one of the designated landing place for crew coming to shore. The Customs and the Pier Master had their offices and crew on shore- leave are subjected to scrutiny for dutiable or prohibited goods or items.

My arrival was timely it co-incite with the arrival of the Police “PX” class patrol boat which was approaching the Pier Landing with the siren wailing loudly signaling to make way for them. On board were 3 Russians, one apparently with head injury had a bandage wrapped around his head and the other two with lesser injury accompanied him. When the Police patrol boat pulled alongside, men alighted followed by the Marine Police sergeant, an ambulance party from the Fire Department was already standing-by waiting to receive them. I intercepted them to find out from the sergeant and learned that the crew-member with head injury was the vessel’s cook. The other was the first officer and another one was not identified. All were from our vessel “Petr Lebedev

At that moment one of our Directors Vorontsov arrived together with his wife, he was followed by my colleague named Charlie, a boarding officer. Owing to circumstances we had to separate so our Director went along with the 3 crew-members to the Singapore General Hospital. Another boarding officer, Victor was asked to assist them for the usual admission formality. In such case we have to provide a letter of guarantee to cover for the medical treatment and hospitalization. From information obtained from the Marine Police indicated that our vessel ‘Petr Lebedev’ had sustained very serious damage and listing badly to starboard; about to capsize.

However we learned that most of the crew had been evacuated to the sister vessel named ‘Sergei Vavilov’. Charlie and myself left Clifford Pier in our fast service launch in search of the two vessels at the Eastern Working Anchorage. The night had been pitched dark and we had some difficulties in figuring out where the position of our two vessels.

After a while we found the first vessel, it was “Sergei Vavilov” laid anchored in position reference to Grid No. 5315-A. We noted she had sustained superficial damage by way of the bow, soft nose and stem. More damage to portside bulwark, a gapping hole exposing the internal with the anchor-stock bent and dangling low just above the water. We circled one round to make a thorough inspection on other parts of the vessel, before boarding up to see the Master. The Captain of mv “Sergei Vavilov” was the older man and he welcome us on-board, he had prepared the necessary documents, reports and handed to us. He appeared calm and composed, he had received the un-essential crew from the sister ship “Petr Lebedev” for safety reason.

Having finished our meeting, we enquired about the other vessel and ask for direction. He informed us that the sister ship was some distance astern so we left his ship in search of ‘Petr Lebedev’. We found her some and she had a gapping hole about 3 meter square right at mid-ship starboard side puncturing the hull just below the waterline. It had her subjected to flooding the entire engine-room and fortunately owing to design of compartmentation it could be contained. In exercising damage control and prevention the spread of flooding to other compartments; the engine-room was sealed off.

Tug “Spravedlivy” alongside “Petr Lebedev”

Sketch ‘Petr Lebedev’ listing to starboard-side.

Above the waterline more serious damage sustained to the starboard side accommodation up to the boat- deck also damaging the lifeboat and it’s davits. one large ocean-going Russian Salvage tug with red superstructure and black hull named ‘Spravedlivyi’ was lashed to her port-side and held from capsizing and sinking.

At the bridge-wing of the tug stood a lean figure of the Master, he was busy directing the salvage operation. The team of experience salvage crew and divers were immediately on the job, preparing several pumps and rolls of hoses and sending them down to the flooded engine-room. Working feverishly to control the water that had knocked out the main engine and the auxiliary generators the source of electricity and power. Obviously the damaged was considered very serious because without power the vessel,crippled and dead on water.

Starboard-side badly damaged

Several small boats from the Port Authority and Marine Police surrounded the two crippled vessels. A “ Selco” salvage tug, Port Authority fireboat were anchored close and appeared to be on standby. The badly damaged “Petr Lebedev” had taken so much water that made her draught 'deep' listing dangerously. So low that her free-board became level with our small boat and we could stepped over with ease.

At the same time came on board was the Port Inspector, Mahmud and an Inspector from the Marine Police. The time was 1130 pm the deck was in a mess with fire-hoses running criss-cross all over the place obstructing our passage as we had to cross over several making our way to bridge. We took the stairs to the bridge and found the Master, he was the younger captain and he looked worried and troubled, however he was pleased to see us. We discuss concerning the situation and the necessary measures that required immediate attention. Meantime the Marine Police needed a statement from the Master, the same demand from the Port Inspector. We assured them it would be forth-coming as soon as situation had improved. What we meant when our vessel came out of danger.

The Port Inspector also offered if any assistance required but both Masters from the crippled vessel and the tug rejected as the situation has more or less under control. By then both the Police and the Port Inspectors had left the vessel and with an advice to call them should the situation change for the worst and require their assistance. Charlie and I had remained onboard to give moral support to the Master in that moment of difficulties and for sake of maintaining communication with the Authorities.

More pumps were brought into usage to control the flooding in the engine-room which had knocked out the power to provide electricity. The whole vessel was plunged in total darkness. And power for lighting and working of pumps were solely drawn from the salvage tug.

Collision-mat covered the damaged starboard side mid-ship.

As accordingly the divers had been busy putting in place the “collision mat” instantly, instead of trying to construct a wooden wall which would have taken much time and efforts. So the choice to use the ‘collision mat’ as a temporary measure was a good decision. To cover the punctured hull immediate and quickly to arrest the flooding. The collision mat is a double layer large square canvas reinforced with wire-mesh in between. Two lowering wires held the top-ends through the grommet and secured to the main deck. Meantime two hogging wires held the bottom-ends and divers had to run it underneath the hull to the other side (port-side). Having positioned the collision-mat over the damaged hull below waterline, the hogging lines are tightened to taut the mat. When properly tightened it prevented water from sipping through into the engine room.

From the sky-light opening above we could see the flooded engine-room covered by a top layer of oil. The thought that ran through my mind was that should the vessel sink we would be in a big soup as oil pollution is taken as a very serious matter. Meantime I asked Charlie to go home to rest but to send the boat back with packet-meal. After mid-night I was very hungry and went to the Captain’s cabin, there was sufficient light penetrating through the window to enable to see what you ate. The situation by then was very un-stable for we had a 9-10 degree list to starboard and it was natural for me to feel un-easy and afraid.

The captain of “Petr Lebedev”

The symptoms were all there, the vessel laid dead in the water, in total darkness, the deck slanting in a situation likely to capsize. That sinking feeling sent the shivers running right down the entire length of my spine. My knees knocking each other and from my feet I felt the chilling coldness. You can imagine that I had the fastest meal in my whole life, swallowed down everything in the shortest record time. Having finished my meal I ran out of the enclosed cabin to the openness of the deck space; I felt more relief. there. At least there I was in a better position to exercise judgment in assessing the situation and anticipate my next move. Of course I did not intend to be caught trapped in the cabin should the vessel capsize and sink.

At about 0300 hours the Port Authority boat named the “Commander” returned and the inspector came on board once again. He offered assistance but we declined for more or less by then our salvage team have contained the problem. However the inspector warned us to exercise all precaution to prevent any oil spillage that would cause pollution. After a short while he left us and returned to his boat that departed into the darkness.

The good news was that the worse was over; all of us felt greatly relief and so by morning I was able to leave the vessel. I returned to office for the next assignment to look for a shipyard to accept the crippled “Petr Lebedev”. Finally we found Keppel Shipyard whose dry-dock was immediately available to accept our vessel. Finally she was towed into the main Keppel Shipyard at Telok Blangah for major repairs to restore her back to seaworthiness status.

For information sake, both vessels were Research Ships, built in 1957 at Wartsila Yard, Turku. The gross tonnage 3,642 tons with length of 94.2m and driven by a 2,400hp engine that gave a speed of 13.5 knots.

mv “Petr Lebedev” alongside Keppel Shipyard

Keppel workers patch-up the damage starboard hull

Later a full board of enquiry followed to look into the incident on how the two vessels equipped with modern navigational aid could have collided into

each other when sailing out that night. I heard the result was that the old master spared and the younger one blamed for the collision.

It had been an exciting and a good experience which I cannot never forget.

Remember 15th February 1942

2010-03-08T22:35:00.048+08:00

On that festive day of Chinese New Year and according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar was the unfortunate year of the ‘horse’, the so claimed impregnable fortress of Singapore fell into Japanese hands. It was the most humiliating defeat ever suffered by the British Army when 100,000 British, Australian and Indian defenders could not defeat 30,000 invaders from the Empire of the Sun. I am positively sure that our older generation will never forget the passing era of white ‘Colonial Master‘ for an Asiatic one more fierce, more barbaric and more cruel than ever.

As the Japanese launched a sneak aerial assault on Pearl Harbour on the 7th December 1941, they coordinated with their landings at Singora, Patani and Kota Bahru in Southern Siam and North Eastern Malaya respectively for their expansion plan. Three Divisions composed of the 5th, 18th Divisions and the Imperial Guards made up the Japanese 25th Army under the command of Lt.General Tomoyuki Yamashita; known as the ‘Tiger of Malaya’, led the thrust.

The Fleet under Vice-Admiral Nagumo sailed with 6 aircraft-carriers (Hiryu, Shokaku, Zulkaku, Akagi, Kaga and Soryu) for Hawaii. The American were so to say caught with their pants down on that Sunday morning, when 360 ship-borne aircraft from the carrier Air Group led by Lt. Cdr. Fuchida attack Ford Island, bombing the battleship row, airfields and installations. It was a complete surprise; like a shooting gallery in a Fun Fair for every Japanese pilot had opportunity of target a ship or a plane to shoot at practically without interruption. Four battleships were sunk including USS 'Arizona' and another four badly damaged. However it was very fortunate for the Americans as their aircraft-carriers were not in port and thereby escape destruction. Their Pacific Fleet was badly mauled in a single blow in what became known as the ‘Day of Infamy’. As for the Japanese, they lost only 29 planes.

Three days later on the 10th December, a running battle was fought at sea with the British Eastern Fleet that made up of the new battleship HMS ‘Prince of Wales’ (35,000tons) and the older battle-cruiser ‘Repulse’ (26,500tons) with their escorting destroyers designated as 'Force Z' sent to interdict the Japanese landings were being discovered and reported. The Japanese Naval Air Fleet based at Saigon, Indo-China responded by dispatching Mitsubishi type 1 Rikko G4M1 (Allied code ‘Betty’) and G3M2 Nell twin-engine bombers to attack. They caught up with the two British capital ships off Kuantan, in the East coast of Malaya and sent both to the bottom of the sea. Their Fleet Commander Admiral Sir Tom Phillips went down with his ship, the ‘Prince of Wales’.

In February/March, another naval engagement followed with the combined fleet of American, British, Dutch and Australian cruisers and destroyers was defeated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in the ‘Battle of Java Sea’ in which the cruisers American ‘Houston’, British ‘Exeter’, Dutch ‘De Ruyter’, ‘Java’ and the Australian ‘Perth’ were sunk. Meantime Japanese Admiral Osawa with his carrier task force roamed the Indian Ocean and sunk two British cruisers ‘Cornwall’ and ‘Dorsetshire’. They also attacked the Island of Ceylon (now Sri Langka) and sunk the British aircraft-carrier HMS ‘Hermes’ off the island; thus ending the mirth of ‘Britannia rules the wave’.
In the aerial defence of Malaya/Singapore faired no better as the main fighter element was the American-built Brewster 'Buffaloes' and composed of five squadrons. Two Royal Air Force (No.67 and 243 Sqdn), one New Zealand (No.488 Sqdn) and two Australians (No.21 and No.453 Sqdn)with a total of 52 aircraft. The stubby already obsolete 'Buffaloes' together with two squadrons (Nos.36 and 100) of antiquated ‘Vildebeest’ torpedo-bombers were no match for the Japanese. Their sleek Nakajima type Ki-43 ‘Hayabusha’ (Peregrine Falcon, Allied code ‘Oscar’) fighters were faster and exceptional agile. About 40 machines were delivered to the Japanese Army Air Force and used in Malaya by Nos. 59th and 64th Sentai.

American-built Brewster ‘Buffalo’ fighter F2A (model)

The opposition were simply shot out of the skies, including one John Gorton who was to become Prime Minister of Australia. The unforgiveable folly of under-estimating the enemy proved to be devastating. Britain had been complacent and thought that Japan an Asiatic country of little yellow people was definately inferior and no match for them. They even criticised by figuratively joking that Japanese planes being made of bamboo and rice paper and that Japanese pilots are cock-eyed, cannot even fly a plane properly; let alone fight in one. They must have been thinking that the Japanese were still flying bi-planes. Forgetting the the Japanese has been at war with China in what is called the ‘China Incident’ and are already seasoned pilots with much experience. Then the British discovered to their shocking surprise when engaged in combat with the much superior Japanese fighters. The eleventh hour reinforcement in January 1942, when Britain dispatched advanced ‘Hawker Hurricane’ fighters flown off from the carrier HMS ‘Indomitable’ to Singapore via Palembang to join battle was ‘too little, too late’ to stem the tide of the war. The enemy was already knocking at the doorstep and Singapore was doomed!. It was inevitable that Singapore will fall as the water catchment areas were held by the Japanese, the moral of the defenders low at rock bottom and to avoid further bloodshed General Percival decided to surrender.

1942 British surrenders to the Japanese Gen. Yamashita

Actually the British already had a plan called ‘Operation Matador’ which involved crossing into Siam as a pre-emptive measure; but failed to enforced it for fear of infringing the Sovereignty. The Kingdom of Siam is an Independent country ruled by a monarch, was so far untouched by Western Powers. Meanwhile Siam had chosen neutrality as she dared not opposed the agressive Japanese Army who were using their soil in transit as safe passage to transgress into Northern Malaya.

The big 15-inch coastal guns of Fortress Singapore positioned at Changi for the Johore battery and Fort Siloso at Pulau Balakang Mati (now renamed ‘Sentosa’) claimed to be wrongly positioned in the South facing the sea and expecting an amphibious assault; but instead the Japanese came by the back door from the North. Actually the coastal guns could transverse 360 degrees to shoot back at the enemy at it’s rear (Johore) and therefore it was a lame excuse

British coastal gun at now Sentosa Museum

The Japanese invasion spearheaded by medium/light tanks and with some of the infantry travelling light and fast on bicycles took only 70 days to overrun the whole Peninsular Malaya; smashing through several British defences at Jitra, Slim River, Bakri, Batu Pahat right up to the doorstep of Singapore. As a last resort the British blew up the causeway causing a breech; it was just a delaying action buying time but the Japanese Engineers went to work on it and restored it in no time for the crossing.

My father Hermanus Pattiselanno an Indonesian from Ambon married my Eurasian mother Leonie Laura Minjoot in 1937 and I was born a year later. He was Ship’s 2nd Officer in the Merchant Marine with a Dutch Company called ‘Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij’; eventually he became a captain. At the outbreak of war, all communication had been severed and there was no news coming through ;we did not know whether he was dead or alive. I was then a toddler only 5 years old.

Hermanus. KPM ship ‘Wakde’ at Tanjong Priok

We were living in Katong right opposite to the Joo Chiat Police Station and had our own air-raid shelter dugout in the open ground behind of our two-storied house; we occupied level two and below is void deck where people can pass through. At the wailing sound of the siren we would rush down to our shelter. Meanwhile our faithful amah ‘Ah Sum’ (in those days amahs (Chinese servants) were traditionally clad in cotton white tops and silk black trousers, called ‘samfu’) would continue to cook our meals in the kitchen. She was really a brave little woman who overcame fear, disregard her own personal safety and with a strong sense of responsibility and loyalty.

The surrender of Singapore by the British followed three and a half years of Japanese occupation. The British ‘Union Jack’ was replaced by a red meatball upon a white background’ and Singapore became 'Syonan-to'. We led a very harsh life, deprived of practically everything; food became scarce, rice, sugar were rationed and black market was rampant. The Japanese issued their money locally known as ‘Banana Currency’ which was worthless; a few thousands could only buy a bar of soap

Japanese 'Banana currency'

We, children had to learn ‘Nippon-go’, the Japanese Lingo, the language of the conqueror. I went to St. Hildas’ School, if not mistaken at Ceylon or Haig Road. We learned ‘katakana’ sounds like ‘A, ee, ooh, a, oh - ka ki ku k ko and jokingly saying in Malay ‘kaki lu bengkok’ (meaning your leg deformed). We sang their National Anthem the ‘Kimigayo’ and you can say that most of us were thin, undernourished. In the morning we are given a spoon of red palm oil as a supplement. Owing to acute shortage of basic foodstuff. we ate tapioca, a bulb easily grown became our staple diet and many things were made from it including cakes. So too much of it brought a swelling illness called ‘beri-beri’ and many people died from it beside dysentery, TB and Malaria.

We were quite fortunate because my grandfather David Anthony Minjoot, my uncles Joe and Lawrie each of them had Malay native craft called ‘kolek’ and they took to fishing. It was more lucrative and also as an extra source of food and income from sale of their catch. My youngest uncle Leo who worked as a labourer for the Japanese and brought back rice. My mother made ice-cream and my elder brother Victor had to sell it.

Atrocities were wide spread,the Japanese took utmost pleasure and enjoyed administering it; torturing people was part of their specialty; they had developed it into fine art. There is no mercy or pity and would go at great length to extract confession by whatever means; inflicting grievous hurt or even death. There is total absence of respect for human life; to them it just a digital sum, a figure for addition or subtraction. A lot stories of torture by their Military Police, the ‘Kempeitai’, employing the popular ‘water treatment’ in feeding water until the stomach bloated up and then trample upon it. Extracting finger nails by a pair of pliers, chop-sticks driven to the ears to puncture the ear-drums, electrocution, beheading and bayoneting civilians, prisoners-of-war, etc... Some 60,000 prisoners-of-war and local labourers were sent to Siam to work on the ‘Death Railway’ spanning the ‘River Kwai’, including my uncle ‘Alloysius’, who served with the Royal Artillery. Fortunately thank God that he survived and returned to Singapore a walking skeleton.

Soon after the Fall of Singapore, the Japanese carried out a sort of cleansing operation called ‘Sook Ching’ to get rid of un-desirables, the thugs with tattoo marks, suspected subversive element, pro-China and British sympathizers and the list goes on…They are screened and taken to lorries, being driven away and never to be seen again. There was this story about our Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew who had a narrow escape when he somehow was allowed to return home for change of clothing and did not go back. Otherwise Singapore success story would have to be re-written, into a different one.

I personally witness atrocities on three occasions, the first a Male Chinese made to stand bearing a large stone over his head, He stood at the front of the Police Station opposite our house, how long? I cannot not recollect. The second incident the Japanese tied a man to a lamp post at either Jago Close or Kuo Chuan Avenue near to the Church of the Holy Family and left him for days; yet nobody dare to lay a finger to help him. The third one was even barbaric, a male Chinese his hands bound behind his back was lowered from the second level of the two storied terrace shop-houses a few rows from ours, I think next to Tay Ban Guan shop. At the ground floor a group of Japanese in Army uniform waited for him. We saw that his mouth had been sewn with thread and needle. The Army officers were merciless, without pity, without compassion, without even conscience and enjoyed in what they were doing. It was terribly awesome and as kids we were naturally frightened but they ignored our presence and left us alone watching. Also probably because we knew two young Japanese boys as our playmates; whose names were ‘Yosho’ and ‘Toshino’. Their fathers we believed must have been the Army top brass in order their families were allowed to follow.

Anyway during school days we had fun, making paper planes and flying them off from the second level. And near our school at Haig Road the Japanese had abandoned some un-serviceable warplanes under some cluster of trees; one twin-engine bomber and the other single-engine fighter. With my brother we used to play ‘hide and seek’; at times when a herd of cows approaching we would seek shelter in the twin-engine aircraft as we felt safe in a larger fuselage. When we sat in the cockpit, we imagine a lot of things playing pilots flying on a bombing mission.

Un-serviceable Japanese planes abadoned at Haig Road

On one occasion the Japanese had shot down an American bomber and brought the parts to exhibit at the Roxy Cinema, Katong for the public to view. My uncle Lawrie brought me along to see and of course no question asked if you want to preserve your head. On the other hand the Japanese were proud of the display to reflect their ability to shoot down the enemy.

Another occasion a convoy of lorries conveying Australian prisoners-of-war pulled aside in front of our house. From our window at second level we observed that the prisoners had cigarettes but no match to light up; appeared sad and disappointed. We tossed a box of matches that landed exactly where they were seated as if heavenly sent. Meantime we kept away from the window for fear of discovery by the Japanese guards. It was obvious if caught would mean severe punishment for assisting the enemy and could even loose our heads.

By late 1944 American B-29's ‘Super Fortress’ were appearing overhead on bombing mission. We could see them in daring daylight raid not even camouflaged, shinning in their natural metallic finishing and flying courageously in close formation. The tide of war over the years had gradually changed and Japan by then at the receiving end. They lost several important naval battles beginning at Coral Sea, a crippling one at Midway where they lost 4 of their aircraft-carriers; including irreplaceable veteran pilots. They lost Guandal Canal in the South Pacific that set the Americans on island hopping. Then followed the Battle of Phillipine Sea and the American invasion at Leyte Gulf.

Admiral Ohnishi initiated the formation of 'Kamikaze' unit as a desperate attempt to stem the tide of the American offensive. 'Kamikaze' meaning 'Divine Wind' was named after a great storm that destroyed the invasion fleet of Mongol leader 'Kublai Khan'; assembled to attack Japan. From their bases at Malabacat in Luzon they flew in to attack as man-made artificial divine wind to destroy their enemy fleet. They had inflicted much damaged but failed in their main objective to stop the Americans.

In July 1945, two British midget submarines type XE 1 and XE2 towed by their parent submarines were launched to attack two Japanese cruisers at Singapore, the IJN 'Myoko' and the 'Takao'. XE2 managed to penetrate the 'net' defence and placed limpet mines at 'Takao' which blew up and sunk in shallow waters of the Naval base. 'Takao' an 'Atago' class of heavy cruisers of 9,850 tons was laid down in the year 1927. My uncle Lawrie said the Japanese were outraged by the attack and rounded up many fishermen for info and on suspicion of aiding the enemy.

Finally by August, 1945 the war ended abruptly when two Atomic bombs were dropped by USAF B-29’s (Enola Gay) at the City of Hiroshima and the other at Nagasaki, decimating both cities with hundreds of thousands died instantly, horribly as they evaporated into thin air at the ground 'zero' and many others from after effects of radiation illness. So war is bad, it is destructive and as in most conflict both parties suffer enormous casualties running into millions dead or badly maimed.

I wonder if mankind have ever learn a lesson?

Singapore Air Show 2010

2010-03-01T23:35:00.006+08:00

This year the show is much bigger and better organised with more than 800 exhibitors from 40 countries, with big names like Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Rolls Royce and others. The 6-day Air Shows is Asia’s largest and one of the top three Air Shows in the World. was opened on the 2nd February with the first 4-day for Trade visitors and next 2-day weekends for the general public; it drew a large number of crowd approximate about 71,000 visitors. Despite the current world recession the Singapore Air Show continues to be a crowd puller with many foreign government and private sector drawn to it. The Show under it’s new name Singapore Air Show was inaugurated in 2008, replaces the Asian Aerospace Show and to be held bi-annually at this Changi new site.

My neighbour Ting and I, after breakfast at our Teban Garden took a bus about 8,00am to Jurong East Inter-change for Changi Airport Terminal 3 the designated pick-up point.. Upon arrival we changed to feeder bus service to get us to the site of the Air Show. As usual now a days especially after 9/11, we had to pass through the x’ray machine for security-checks before entering the the show proper.

Various National flags represent their participation

The flags fluttering proudly represent their respective countries participating in the Air Show, in static or aerial display of aircraft, engines, avionics, or other aeronautical products at their respective booths. Exhibiting their products and exercising their marketing skill and aggressiveness to capture approval and acceptance from potential buyers.

Our first attraction for the outdoor exhibit was a mock-up of the Lockheed Martin F35B ‘Lightning II’ a fifth generation fighter; a type ‘STOVL’ meaning Short Take-off, Vertical Landing; also having stealth material to evade or reduce being seen/track by radar. It is powered by a single American Pratt & Whitney F-135 engine that can vector and produce 41,000lbs vertical thrust; wow! that is a mighty lot of thrust. I remember the earlier first generation jets like the small ‘Vampire’ jet-fighter in the 1950’s about 30ft long x 9ft high with a 38ft wing-span; had only 3,000 plus/lbs thrust. In comparison with this awesome beast, Today advancement of technology has made the gap extremely wide apart. On it’s tail-fin bears the logo of Singapore Flag and just looking at it did us proud. I suppose we look forwards to our next (Gen.5) fighter. Placed beside the aircraft is a bulky engine, the F-135 resting in the cradle for public viewing.

The tail-fin showing ‘Singapore Flag logo’

A sleek front view of F-35 ‘Lightning II’

Rear view F-35 showing missile underneath

We walked to the Un-manned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) stand and saw a un-manned vertical take-off and landing aerial vehicle called the MQ-8B ‘Fire Scout’, the Global Hawk RQ-4 making a return appearance.and a UAV built by Israel Aircraft Industry.

Vertical Take-off and landing aerial vehicle (UAV)

The USAF ‘Global Hawk’

Once again in the news, the ‘Global Hawk’ is back again, the bulky UAV on display, grossly out-size the Israeli model.

Display specification.

The Israeli-built (IAI) UAV

RSAF AH-64 ‘Apache’ long-bow attack helicopter

also RSAF twin-rotor CH-47 ‘Chinook’ heavy-lift on static display.

RSAF F-16D at static display.

Gulfstream G550 AEW on static display

US-made Modified long-range Gulfstream executive jet equipped with more powerful early warning radar and control system has assumed the role of ‘Eye in the sky’ replacing the 4 elderly (more than 20 years old)

twin propeller-driven Northrop Grumman E-2C ‘Hawkeye’ spy planes of No.111 Squadron of the RSAF. There is much improvements as the new jet-planes can fly faster, higher and see better. And powered by two Rolls Royce turbofan engines with maximum speed of 449 knots (924km/h) and operational altitude of 12,500m. The search radar range exceed 200 nautical miles and can fly for 9 hours. Delivery for the next 3 aircraft is expected to be completed by 2 years time.

USAF Hercules C-130J transport aircraft

Hercules specs

Hercules rear view of ramp

F-111 (Aarvark) from RAAF No.6 Squadron

Seen here is an aging Royal Australian Air Force, US-built twin-turbojet long-range F-111 strike aircraft with No.6 Squadron appearing in public for the last time outside of Australia. It is due for retirement in December but in the meantime it still can thrill the crowd for it’s spectacular display of ‘dump and burn’ tactic where fuel is dumped through a pipe nozzle and set alight; trailing a spectacular ball of fire behind. First manufactured in States in 1968 for use by USAF.

USAF two F-15’s on display

Two USAF F-15’s on static display, despite of it’s 20 years old design it is something to be reckoned with. Battle proven in two Gulf wars and served in several Air Forces of the world including Singapore with up-dated version F-15SG.with 24 in numbers. Meantime Singapore as a Joint Strike Fighter programmed participant is interested in the F-35 Lightning II the Short Take-off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) to fulfill the future air power requirements. Singapore wants to ensure that it maintains a cutting edge as the best regional air force with qualitative and quantity advantage over others.

USAF PC-6 ‘Orion’ Maritime patrol aircraft

Pilatus PC-21 Swiss-built trainer for RSAF pilot training

Twin-prop ‘King Air’

Cessna ‘Caravan’

I love this plane, this is the bigger brother of the Cessna 172 ‘Sky Hawk’ that I used to fly in my Flying Club days.

Piper Warrior II of Youth Flying Club

We were told that the Club would be retiring their ageing Piper ‘Warrior II’ soon to be replaced.

Alenia Aeronautica C.27J Spartan (Italy)

Fantail un-manned air system

The Fantail comprises of the Fantail 5000 air vehicles, a ground control station and a data-link system. It is suitable for urban or military battlefield application.

Venus un-manned Surface Vehicle(USV)

This 9m-long vessel in the main exhibition hall at the Singapore Technologies static display area. This un-manned Surface Vehicle (USV) can fulfill the requirements of naval or security missions. Can be adapted to play multiple role of maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare or mine counter measures.

‘Warthog’ an All Terrain Track Carrier (ATTC)

Made by Singapore Technologies Kinetics on static display in the main exhibition hall. The 19-tonne ‘Bronco’ armoured all-terrain track vehicle modified to operate as the ‘Warthog’ had been ordered by Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) for deployment by the British forces in Afghanistan numbering more than a 100 vehicles and costing a hefty S$340 million. Also on static display is the ‘Trailblazer’ an armoured mine-clearing vehicle developed by S.T.

A modern jet-engine

The modern jet engine, inspire of it’s small compact size generates more power, comparing with the first generation turbojets like the “Goblin’ used by the early ‘Vampires’ jetfighters in the 50’s which was bulky and produced much lesser power.

The highlight of the show is the aerial display which most of us want to watch. The skillfulness of the pilots as they take their aircraft into a series of maneuvers in loops, barrel rolls, 4-points turn, fast and spiral upwards vertically; vanishing into the clouds. The 'Star of the show' was the demonstrator ‘T-50 Golden Eagle, a supersonic trainer developed by Korea Aerospace Industries in co-operation with Lockheed Martin and put up an incredible and impressive display. Appearing for the second time, the first during the inaugural show two years back in 2008 and sporting the 'Red lion head' logo of the Republic of Singapore Air force. This indigenous supersonic aircraft is the only supersonic trainer in the world and currently in production for their own Air Force around 100 machines to replace older ones. The T-50 can fly at mach 1.4 and has an operational range of 1,000nm with service ceiling of 48,000ft. South Korea trying to market the T-50 to the regional countries especially Singapore but they have the opposition in the form of Italian ‘Aermacchi’ M-346 Trainer; quite competitive.

The huge USAF Boeing B-52 Stratofortress 4-jet engine, length 160ft heavy bomber with wingspan of 185ft and weighing about 229,088 kg.flew gracefully across the show area. A veteran of the Cold War had taken part bombing missions in Vietnam, Laos, Gulf War in 1991 and Afghanistan.

Next the USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II, nick-named ‘’Warthog’ a single-seat powered by twin-jet at 9,065 lbs static thrust each engine is a dedicated close-support aircraft/a tank-buster and making it’s first appearance at the Singapore Show. It has the ability to carry large numbers of ground attack stores on it’s pylons.

Our RSAF contribution in the air display by a high performance F-16 jet fighter with high-tech AH-64 ‘Apache’ long-bow attack helicopter; doing a series of synchronised maneuvers in integrated fly past, flash past and vertical spiral. Finally the ‘Apache’ hovering above the crowd of spectators took a bow by dipping it’s nose and made a graceful exit. However I was quite disappointed with this year show as all the aerial display being solo performances and total absence of aerobatic teams, local or foreign.

Ting and myself were really tired having been out since early morning and our legs are aching. Especially me owing to my leg injuries I am unable to walk or stand too long. Even with the support of a leg-brace, standing too long can be taxing. By the way the exhibition area, indoor and outdoor is so large that we were unable to run through all of them thus giving a miss for some; even for the home-grown Singapore Technologies sector. With our energy sapped away, we had to call it a day and left in the afternoon quite contented.

The Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre (Al Qeyameh)

2010-02-22T03:53:00.021+08:00

Ever since the reign of Emperor Nero (54-68 A.D.) the Christians have been blamed for the burning of Rome and had been vigorously persecuted; St. Peter was crucified up-side down and St. Paul beheaded. The early Christians hid in catacombs (burial grounds) to escape from being rounded up. The ancient catacombs were used extensively from the beginning and throughout the persecution; from Emperor Nero to Diocletian in the 3rd century just before Constantine came into power. In 300 years the fledgling Church had suffered terribly in the hands of the Roman Rulers; some 6 million bodies of martyrs and Christians were interned there until the 5th century. If the catacombs were put back to back they would extend more than 900 miles. In 70 A.D. the Romans legions under Titus sacked Jerusalem during which it was said that over a million people died and the city with it's Temple destroyed; (second one built by Herod the Great) just as Jesus had prophesied (Lk 19:44). In the year 135 A,D. the revolt of Bar Kokhba was successfully suppressed by the Romans and the City of Jerusalem razed to the ground; with the Jews and Christians expelled. The Roman Emperor Aelius Hadrian wanted re-store a Hellenistic city and at the same time remove all traces of Christianity. He built a new city on the hill over the burial site; renaming the city from Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina. Erecting a temple over the tomb of Jesus and dedicating it to the god Venus. In doing so he had subsequently and unintentionally preserved the authenticity of the holy site.

When Constantine finally became the first Christian Emperor in 313 A.D. he proclaimed the ‘Edit of Milan’ granting freedom of worship and Christianity spread like a wild brushfire throughout the entire Roman Empire. In 325 A.D. his mother Queen Helena, went for pilgrimage to Holy Land. She conducted what is known as the first archaeological excavation, discovering the site of the crucifixion and the empty tomb of Jesus. St. Helena was a devote convert and prompted her son to built a Basilica to commemorate Jesus burial site. The Holy Sepulchre is one of Christianity oldest and Holiest Church and was built in 326-335 A.D.; taken 9 long years to complete and the inauguration attended by some 300 bishops.

Matt 27:57-61 The Burial (quote from Jerusalem Bible)

‘When it was evening, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, called Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate thereupon ordered it to be handed over. So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean shroud and put it in his own new tomb which he had hewn out of rock. He then rolled a large stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away. Now Mary of Magdala and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the sepulcher.’

In verse 59 Matthew specifically mentioned that 'So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean shroud and put it in his own new tomb.' And in verse 61 Matthew said there were 2 witnesses, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary.

In the other two Synoptic Gospels, Lk 23:50-54, Mk.15:42-47 and also in Jn 19:38-42 they all are referring to Joseph of Arimathaea who approached Pilate to claim Jesus’ body. Jesus was crucified on the day before Sabbath and died at the ninth hour. The Jews did not want corpses hanging during the Sabbath day; that explains why the legs of the two thieves had to be broken to hasten their death. The legs of Jesus were not broken because he was already dead (as prophesied). The bodies had to be taken down on the same day before sunset. It was Preparation Day (that is vigil of the Sabbath) and the Sabbath was imminent and they were rushing time. Jn 19:42 ‘Since it was the Jewish Day of Preparation and the tomb was near at hand, they laid Jesus there’. In Luke 23:55 ‘Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and the position of the body. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the Sabbath they rested as the law required.

The entrance to the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre at the Chapel of Adam lies a long slab of polished pink limestone called 'Stone of the Anointing'. This stone marks the place of the ancient Oratory of the Anointing. According to tradition is the place where the body of Jesus was anointed after it had been taken down from the cross. Where his beloved mother wept over him (XIII Station of the Cross) marked by the altar of 'Stabat Mater'.

Josephine at ‘Stone of the Anointing’

The fact points out that Jesus was hurriedly buried near the place of execution, just outside the walls of the old city, in the new un-used tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea provided a very clear indication what tradition holds. The tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea is in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, dug into the rock is the only part belongs to the Ethiopian Church. The name of the tomb refers to Joseph of Arimathea.

In 614 A.D. the Persian conquered Holy Land, killing Christians and destroying monasteries, churches or shrines holy to the Byzantine. The relic of the Holy Cross was carried off as a booty.

However in the year 628, the Byzantine Emperor Heracles regained from the Persian and made a specticular entery into Jerusalem through the 'Golden Gate' with the Cross recovered from the enemy. The restoration of the Basilica of the 'Holy Sepulchre' was undertaken by Modestus, an Abbot from the Basilica. Muslim Armies invaded Palestine in 634 and after 4 years Caliph Omar captured Jerusalem; but the Omayyad Conquerors showed greater understanding and tolerance towards the Christians than the previous Persians. They even allowed freedom of worship.

In 1009 the fanatical Caliph el-Hakim ordered the total destruction of the Basilica and all trappings of Christian splendour. By 1030 the Cairo Caliphate of Egypt became master of Jerusalem and allowed the Byzantine to restore the Basilica; a task which was completed in 1048.

Then came the Crusaders led by Geoffrey of Bouillon who overran Jerusalem in 1099, followed by a horrible blood-bath killing many Muslim and Jews alike. He was hail as Defender of the Holy Sepulchre and the Crusaders set about establishing a Latin Kingdom and restoring the Basilica. The Sepulchre is almost in the centre of the old city. and entry to this church is from the public square named as the ‘Dooms Day’ area.

In 1187 the Crusaders was totally defeated by ‘Saladin’ the Sultan of Egypt in the ‘Battle of the Horns of Hattin; King Guy of the Latin Kingdom was taken prisoner. Next to fall was Jerusalem itself and Saladin’s lieutenants prompted him to torch the ‘Church of the Holy Sepulchre’, However, Saladin refused after all Jesus is a prophet also accepted by the Moslems and they honour Mary his mother. It is inscribed on the walls of the Mosque of Omar better known as the 'Dome of Rock'

Entrance to the empty tomb of Jesus

Quoting Koran a passage from Surah 19:33

‘God bless your messenger and your servant Jesus, the son of Mary. Blessed be he on the day of his birth, on the day of his death and the day on which he will be raised from the dead’

Instead Saladin simply locked up the church and passed the keys to the Muslims and the two families in Jerusalem; are the ‘Nuseybe’ and the ‘Cude’. So from ancient times it was customary for the Muslim family to ‘open/unlock the door’ for the Christians to enter for worship.

Subsequent regimes, Mamluks, the ‘Ottomans’ from Turkey maintained the “Status Quo” The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was strictly regulated according to this tradition, so much so even the roof could not be repaired for 19 years. The reason the ‘Ottoman’ administration lacked a ruling for such an issue. Anyway it had shown tolerance for the peaceful co-existence of Muslim and Christians.

In 2006 April my wife Josephine and I went for a 12-day pilgrimage to Holy Land to the place where Jesus was born, walked, preached, crucified, died, buried and resurrected. Our spiritual director was a Franciscan monk, Friar Joseph and we visited the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. The Franciscan Order had been the Custodian for the Holy Land since the year 1342. That day we began early in the morning as we walked the way of the Cross following the foot-step of Jesus along the cobble pavement of ‘Via Dolorosa’. We entered the Basilica by the IX Station marked by a Roman column passing through the Coptic Chapel (Egypt) and heard chanting of strange language. In the XIV Station, the shrine of the Holy Sepulchre is in the middle of the

Sketch of the ‘Holy Sepulchre’

rotunda of ‘Anastasis’ (Greek word for resurrection). Through centuries of transformation, the original cave of ancient Jewish tombs being cut away. A small building of Turkish rococo design called the Aedicule covering the tomb of Jesus was erected after a fire broke out in 1808. To our right is the XI Station, the Chapel of the Nails and this part belongs to the Roman Catholic. This is the place where Jesus was stripped off his garments and nailed to the cross. Above the altar is a beautiful scenario done in mosaic of Jesus lying on the cross and being nailed, actually beneath the flooring that we stood upon is the rock of Golgatha. Our Spiritual Director Friar Joseph celebrated Holy Mass; this Eucharistic celebration is Catholicism highest form of prayer and worship. The word ‘Catholic’ simply means universal.

Next on our left is the Chapel of Crucifixion belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church. A life size icon of Jesus hanging on the cross with his mother Mary and his disciple John, standing by the foot. In between the Greek Orthodox shrine and the Catholic Chapel of nails is the shrine of ‘Stabat Mater’ of Mary, Jesus’ mother in grief at her son dying on the cross. The different Christian ownership of their respective shrine is a sad reminder of the great schism that split the Catholic Church in 1054 between the Latin-rites Roman Church and the Byzantine Eastern-rites Greek speaking Orthodox Church. Presently the Church is shared by a few different religious communities, Latin, Greek, Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Syrian : they contribute to the maintenance of the church and conduct their own services according to their liturgy.

Mosaic scene in the ‘Chapel of Nails’

The shrine of ‘Stabat Mater’

Finally we came to the XIV Station ‘Jesus is laid in the Tomb’ the place where the story of Jesus' earthly life ended and entered the Aedicule erected over the tomb. Upon entry the larger chamber is called the ‘Chapel of Angels’ and that leads to another smaller room called the ‘Mortuary Chamber’ where the empty tomb of Jesus is. It is on the right-hand side of the room and here a marble slab protects the rock of the tomb. Above a number of silver lamps hanging belonging to 4 different Christian churches. The 3 over the slab represent the Resurrection according to Greek, Latin and Armenian versions. Anyway the place is really narrow and cramp for even 5 persons at a time. Outside the queue had been exceptional long and you are rushed, to kiss or touch and quickly move on. However we discovered that behind of the Aedicule is an Egyptian Coptic shrine where a monk on duty to assist you by showing the spot underneath the altar. There is a hole in the ground where you can touch the original rock of the tomb.

The Coptic (Egypt) Shrine

Here comes transitional change from props to jets

2010-02-12T01:01:00.023+08:00

In the year 1950 saw the transition of piston-driven propeller aircraft to jet-propulsion types with the arrival of the first five de Havilland Vampire FB Mk.5's to Singapore.. The Royal Air Force had re-equipped No.60 Squadron discarding their Spitfire Mk.18’s for the new jets and stationed them at Seletar airbase. The sleek and streamlined fighter-bomber flew all the way from UK to Singapore, the longest flight undertaken by the RAF covering a distance of 8,500 miles. The 'Vampire' was built (according to specification D.H.100) and like the 'Mosquito' (Wooden Wonder) was of metal, balsa, plywood and glue. Despite of it's small size it was heavily armed with 4 x 20mm cannon in the nose, could carry two 1,000lbs bombs or two smaller 500lb bombs with rocket projectiles and external fuel tanks.The short fuselage houses a single centrifugal-flow 'Goblin 2' turbojet engine rated at 3,300lb static thrust giving a maximum speed of 548 mph(883 km/h) slightly faster than any piston-driven propeller aircraft at that period including the Spitfires or P-51 Mustangs. Two booms from either side of the wings supported and kept the tail-plane clear of the exhaust blast from the tail-pipe. Now new planes were getting faster and faster as the emphasis was on speed as the ultimate advantage. At the closing of Second World War, brilliant German scientists invented a revolutionary idea of jet-propulsion engine that removed large external propeller that drive conventional aircraft. The first jet fighter of the Second World War was sleek, streamlined, had tri-cycle under-carriage and powered by a twin-jet propulsion engine. The German built Messerschmitt Me262 was a beauty and entered into squadron service.

The first jet-fighter Messerschmitt' Me262' (Model 1/72 scale)

The German Luftwuffe chief Adolf Galland deployed them as fighters but Hitler wanted them as bombers so there was a conflict of interest, a rift that created a negative effect to the future outcome of the war. Meantime in England the British inventor Frank Whittle had produced his own jet-engine to power his little Gloster E.28/39 and the race was on. The invention of jet-propulsion engine was an amazing discovery in which large external propellers are done away. I can imagine what a shocking surprise those other pilots were, when they saw the Me262 without any external propellers just flew past them with ease. I was curious and wanted to know how a cute, small jet-propulsion aircraft could fly even faster than propeller-driven ones. I was then very young and dumb, scratching my head trying to figure it out how it works. I later understood that the 'Vampire' had 'Goblin' engine by which this revolutionary concept did not rely on large external propeller blades, instead it is replaced by internal sets of much smaller blades. Two sets of wheels fitted with multiple small blades are arranged on a single shaft at either ends. The front a larger wheel is the first stage where the blades acts as impeller when it rotates, it sucks in air through the two wing-root air intake on either side into the engine combustion-chamber. Here compressed air mixes with fuel, heated up and combustion takes place, turning the second stage turbine-wheel with tremendous force to propel the jet forward in what is measured as static thrust. In the advent of the newly found technological advancement, the propeller-driven aircraft had simply lost out to jet-propulsion.

‘Vampire’ fighter-bomber Mk.5 (model)

In the year 1954-55 when I was an air cadet with the Malayan Air Training Corps/Singapore Wing we had a retired propeller-driven Supermarine Spitfire Mk.24 in our compound acting as a gate-guardian.

MATC Headquarters/Singapore Wing at Waterloo Street

Our Spitfire model was a Mk.24 (Pk683) the final series of the Spitfire family, the ultimate, the best of the best, the epitome of design and always remembered together with the Hawker Hurricane in the 'Battle of Britain' that bored the blunt of the German aerial assault. The Spitfire was sleek, streamline, heavily armed with 4 x 20mm cannon, with all-round vision 'bubble canopy' and powered by a Rolls Royce Griffon in-line engine of 2035hp driving a five-bladed propeller at a maximum speed of 448mph. We always gathered around our icon and were really proud of it.

One time while camping at HMS ‘Simbang’ a Royal Naval Air Station located at Sembawang, the land-base home of the Fleet Air Arm. At times FAA aircraft are flown off from their carriers and are temporary stationed ashore. I once saw a 'Fairey Firefly' propeller-driven 2-seat carrier-borne naval fighter-bomber starting up. The ignition was by cartridge that went off with such a big 'bang' that it startled me, gave me an awful shock. The mighty Rolls Royce Griffon engine of 2,245hp belching out smoke before it burst into life, roaring thunderously loud to a deaffening effect. My ear drums almost breaking by the constantly high pitch rhythm ringing in my ears until it hurts.

Fleet Air Arm Fairey Firefly carrier-borne fighter-bomber

In jet-propulsion engine unlike propeller-driven, it starts with a low whining pitch and slowly and gradually the sound increases in volume as the pilot pushes the throttle feeding more fuel into the engine. By my time in 1955 the Malayan Emergency had gone into it's eight year and the Colonial Government had gained an upper hand in containing the Communist terrorists deep in the jungle. The Royal Air Force had initially launched the aerial campaign termed "Operation Firedog" in 1948 employing a diversity of propeller-driven aircraft from single-engine Supermarine 'Spitfires' Mk.18's,PR.19's, Hawker 'Tempests II', to twin-engine Bristol 'Beaufighters' and 'Brigand', de Havilland 'Mosquitoes' PR34’s and 'Hornets' to the mighty 4-engine Short 'Sunderland' flying-boats. The Sunderlands forming the Far East Flying-boat Wing were stationed at Seletar airbase, Singapore. It made up of 3 squadrons, Nos. 88, 205 and 209 and No.205 being the ‘First’ had their motto inscribed in Bahasa Melayu “Pertama di-Malaya” (meaning the first in Malaya)

During the ‘Emergency’ period the ‘Sunderlands’ temporary undertook bombing missions until the arrival of suitable heavy land bombers like Avro 'Lancasters’ and 'Lincolns'. By 1950's with the arrival of ‘Vampire’ jets, started to replace Spitfires. Thus begun the gradual exit of the propeller-driven types especially in the fighter role, making way to jet-propulsion aircraft. From No.81 Squadron at Seletar the last operational flight by a Spitfire Mk.PR19 (PS888) on 1st April,1954 and Mosquito,PR34 (RG314) on the 15th December, 1955. It was followed by the 4-engine Sunderland flying-boats (DP199) of No.205 Squadron on the 15th May, 1959. A year after the ‘Beaufighter’ TT.10 (RD761) also from Seletar made it’s final sortie on 17th May. Jet aircraft replacement initiated by the 'Vampire' move on rapidly with the ‘Vampires’ themselves being replaced by the 'Venom' an up-graded version of the ‘Vampire’ with more powerful 'Ghost' engine increasing the airspeed to 640mph and equipped with ejection-seat. The replacements speeded up by a series of twin-jet fighter aircraft like the modified Gloster 'Meteors' (photographic and night fighter) and 'Javelin' an all-weather fighter to more advanced Hawker Hunters FGA-9's for ground-attack. Finally in 1960’s the supersonic English Electric ’Lightnings’ interceptors of No.74 Squadron (The Tigers) replaced the ‘Hawker Hunters’ of No.20 Squadron. The Jet-bombers came in the form of the twin-jet engine 'Canberra' light bombers; the Royal Air Force first jet-propulsion bomber and like their predecessor the ‘Mosquito’ was unarmed; relying on speed and altitude for safety. Fortunately the Communist did not have any anti-aircraft weapons and thereby no opposition from the ground. The Royal Air Force maintained total air supremacy.

Malaysia was granted Independence by Britain on the 31st August,1957 and ceremoniously handing over to a Malay Prince Tengku Abdul Rahman at Stadium Mederka, Kuala Lumpur. By 1960 came the official Government announcement the end of the ‘Malayan Emergency’ (1948 – 1960) after 12 long years fighting the Communist Guerillas led by Chin Peng (Secretary- General of the Malayan Communist Party) gave up. The Royal Air Force followed up with termination of “Operation Firedog”. Meanwhile the British stayed on in Singapore even after Singapore being booted out of Malaysia on the 9th August,1965. Britain was scaling down it’s forces but could still provide temporary a defence shield while tiny Singapore started slowly building up from scratch our military capability. For our Army we had two battalions of Singapore Infantry Regiment (Nick-named in Chinese as ‘Ang Tau Peng’ (Red Head Army, as they wore red side-caps), the Navy had two miserable wooden gun-boats named ‘Panglima’ (an old Ford class patrol boat built in 1956) and ‘Sri Bedok’.(a small ex-Marine Police patrol boat). And no Air Force at all.

Finally In 1971 the British threw in the towel and said ‘quits’ totally withdrawing from East of Suez.

Christmas and a weekend getaway to Batam

2009-12-30T16:18:00.015+08:00

December 2009

The Spirit of Christmas comes to Singapore in a big way lighting up even before the ‘Apec Meeting’ with myriads of tiny lights and festive decorations decked the street from Orchard Road all the way right up to Suntec City and Fullerton. To-day Christmas is commercialized worldwide as a lucrative business to woo consumers, tourists and locals alike, even non-Christian towards big spending, acquiring more material things to satisfy our human cravings. In fact it has become a trend or culture inducing people on what presents to buy, what clothes to wear to look good and stay in fashion, what jewelry, perfume to put on, going clubbing or where to wine and dine in style. Morally it would be wrong to use Christmas or any other religious occasion for abuse to further our own self-indulgences that could lead to excessive habits like drinking, leading to drunkardness and disorderly behaviour. Our traffic Police records show an increase in drink or drunk driving and accidents during festive seasons and launched the ‘drink, don’t drive’ campaign. Jesus is not against drinking, if he was then he would not have changed water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana. What is important is that it should be consumed moderately so as not to impair or loose one’s senses. It should be a time of joy and merry making with Jesus as the central figure, the main reason for the season; his birthday. To bring peace and joy to the world. You know God loves the world so much that he gave us his only son. For centuries tradition has brought forth new attractions or distractions, distortion depends how one feels. From advertisements it appears that Santa has taken a premier role amongst other things. He is portrait as riding on a sleigh driven by reindeers with stack of presents or descending down the chimney. Some even need live Christmas tree despite of what is going on; saving our planet. One time I saw a Christmas tree displayed up-side down hanging from the ceiling; what significance I did not know. We must have turkey the Christmas bird, buy many gifts and attend parties. And probably fail to focus more on the spiritual aspect, the coming of baby Jesus. The word made flesh, came into this world in a humble setting on a silent night and holy night. He brought peace, a peace the world cannot give, joy and ultimately the promise of our salvation.

Santa standing prominently above presents at street corner

Reindeer with Santa on lamp post above

A giant Christmas tree at Ion

At night myriads of lights and neon signs deck the street

Christmas comes from the Latin word “Christe Missa” meaning the Mass of Christ. The Eucharistic celebration is the central pillar of the Catholic faith and can be trace back to the Lord’s Supper. When Jesus took bread and wine bless it and gave to his disciples to eat and drink. Christ said that is his body and blood and offered himself as the sacrificial lamb which is a re-enactment of his passion and crucifixion on Calvary. He also said to do so in memory of him. The first Christians were Jews they went as a body to the Temple every day and returned to their houses for the breaking of bread (Acts 2:46) Footnote: ‘breaking of bread’ for Christians implies the Eucharistic ceremony(Jerusalem Bible) Early Christians assembled for Divine worship in the house of one of their number as a beginning of ‘house-church’. During the Roman persecution in the 1st century, Emperor Nero blamed the Christians for burning Rome. The Christians were driven into hiding in catacombs, a network of underground caves, grotto, where people seek refuge, assemble for prayers, worship and also burial. Practically catacombs are Museum containing valuable written traditions found in numerous carved inscriptions in Latin or Greek pertaining to prayers, belief, symbols, fresco paintings on walls of burial chambers or crypt. Holy Mass was celebrated on the tombs of martyrs, which gave rise to the practice of imbedding the relics of martyrs in the altar.

Latin is the language of the conquerors and in 313 A.D. Constantine the Great (324-337 A.D.) the first Christian emperor issued the edict of Milan proclaiming ‘freedom of worship’ which led Christianity to spread like a wild bush-fire throughout the entire Roman Empire. Another Emperor Theodosius who in 380 A.D. declared that Catholism as the State Religion (De Fide Catholica) that led to the elaboration of the Liturgy throughout Christendom. The change from illegal and private ritual into State-supported and a public one. Subsequently Latin became the official language of the Catholic Church up to our present time. Saint Jerome, a linguist took 35 years to translate the Bible from Greek into Latin called the ‘Vulgate’ which appeared in 400 A.D. The Bible became widely available only in 15th century Europe with the invention of printing press. A printer named Johannes Gutenburg a Catholic, printed the first book; it was the bible and in Latin.

I am wondering what the first Christmas was like more than 2,000 years ago. I can vision it as a big contrast to our time; just the opposite of everything. Imagine going back in time of Annunciation, when angel Gabriel appeared to a virgin named Mary and proclaimed that she has found favour in God and that she was chosen to bring forth a child which must be named ‘Jesus’. The simple village girl was in shock, how could that be since she was a virgin. The assurance was that God will sent the Holy Spirit and so she put her trust and humbly accepted.

At that time Emperor Caesar Augustus declared a censorship of the whole population in order that the Romans could take count all those that registered. So Joseph had to take his spouse Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem a distance of about 80 miles to the place of his ancestry of the house of David. The time consuming journey undertaken by Mary on a donkey was fraud with risks, discomforts and dangers.

1. Risks - because of Mary’s condition, she was already conceived with child.

2. Discomfort – riding a donkey over rugged terrain in a hot day cannot be comfortable.

3. Dangers - at anytime they could be way-laid by brigands.

When they arrived at Bethlehem, by the way Bethlehem means ‘house of bread’ and Mary was about to bring forth Jesus the ‘Bread of Life’, meaning spiritual life. She must have been totally exhausted and apprehensive as her hour for delivery drew near. Mary naturally must have felt terribly disappointed when the couple was rejected accommodation at that critical moment. She could have been pondering over the angelic message that ‘He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High’ and yet how come there was no place for him as the Inns were full.

The only alternative left was the cave where animals were kept, not as portrait in the crib as shown in photo; clean, neat, so cute and children love it. We must be realistic the cave must have been dark, dingy and filled with the sound and foul smell of the animals and their droppings; the stench could be overpowering. There was no bedding and Mary had to be contented with a make-shift bed of straw. Meantime Joseph had to improvise a cradle by putting straw in the trough that was used to feed the animals. When Jesus was born Mary wrapped him in swaddling clothes to keep warm and laid him in the manger. How fortunate for us to-day, we can have the comfort of 1st class air-conditioned maternity ward or in the case of house delivery the attendance of a qualified mid-wife. Jesus did not have either and not even the luxury of diapers. He was in his birthday suit just wrapped over by cloth. There was no celebration of any sort and his spectators were the curious animals, the oxen, the sheep and the donkeys. It is God’s lesson to us on how humility can be that Jesus, the Son of God from the Most High came down lowly to mother earth. To be brought forth as a helpless infant, reliant on the help of earthly parents, just to be like us human in everything except sin. It was God’s promise of Salvation after kicking out Adam and Eve from the Garden of Paradise for the original sin of disobedience. In spite of humility of the circumstances Mary is seen to be full of love and joy; joy in the sense that her Divinely chosen role as God-bearer (theotokos) has been fulfilled.

Nativity scene at Church of the Holy Cross

Caves are associated with poor people those who could not afford to built houses and have no choice but seek shelter in caves. It is also used as places for the repose, tombs are carved out of the rocks to bury the dead. In the synoptic Gospel and Jn 19 clearly pointed out that Joseph of Arimathaea claimed Jesus body from Pilate and in Matt 27:58-60 had it buried in his own new tomb which had hewn out of rock. He then rolled a large stone across the entrance of the tomb and went away.

Generally shepherds use caves as shelter for their flock from the elements, from rain, snow and danger. However shepherds are at the bottom rung of the society ladder; they are a little better than thieves and brigands. Socially they are the outcast, not religious as they spend most of their time in the fields tending to their flock. So the shepherds themselves smell, probably even worst than their sheep, going without bath or change of clothing. Yet they were called to witness the birth of our Lord. The angels proclaiming to them that in the town of Bethlehem a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord, so rejoice and be glad. After seeing, the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told. Unlike the Magi, the shepherds gave nothing as they were poor but gave praises to God and spread the Good News. In our human reasoning, many things does not seemed to make good sense for our understanding but God works in his own ways. Later even Jesus himself has taken the role of a shepherd, the Good Shepherd. At the place called Tabgha in Galilee, after the resurrection Jesus singled out Peter and asked him three times whether he loved him and Peter replied thrice affirmative. Even though not long ago during his passion, Peter had denied him 3 times before the cock crowed just as Jesus had predicted. How was that now Jesus asked Peter to feed his sheep, his lamb, to take charge of the flock; to be the leader, the shepherd.

The Magi, the 3 wise men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar were astrologers travelling from the East, must have assumed that Jesus, the Messiah be born in a palace in Jerusalem so they seek Herod to explain the reason for coming. Herod also seeking Jesus under pretence to do him homage but actually wanted to dispose him as the new born was a threat to his throne. God's revelation to the Magi was by nature through the guiding ‘Star’ which led them to Bethlehem. And they did him homage by offering gold, frankincense and myrrh; they are symbols of Jesus’ kingship and burial. It was another shock for Mary and Joseph, in the poverty of the cave surroundings they were surprised and honoured by the visit of the wise men. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, the Magi left the country by a different route.

Actually everyday God is calling us by way of his church, proclaiming the word of God to take censorship of ourselves, by reviewing our life-style whether in keeping his commandments. In this season of Advent (Advent means coming) prior to Christmas, we are called to repent and return to God’s ways. Advent is the time of joyful preparation and expectation for the birth of Christ. John the Baptist a cousin of Jesus was the voice in the wilderness calling the people to repent. He was preparing the way for the Lord, to make the path straight, valleys be filled, mountains and hills made low. Everything crooked be made straight, the rough paths made smooth.

The problem is with ourselves we tend to create our own spiritual mountains, our winding life style detour us away from God. By acting in anger, hatred, revenge, pride, selfishness, jealousy, impatience, intolerance, inconsiderate, dishonesty etc... They are barriers separating us from God; therefore we are called to repent, to seek God’s forgiveness and only by his saving grace will it make our path of life smooth and straight, our mountains made low and the valleys filled.

To get into the spirit of Christmas, we attended a concert by SYC ensemble on 13th December held at the Esplanade Theatres of the Bay. They sang a good mix of songs from Lithuania, Russia and Latin and it was conducted by a Lithuanian named Vytautas Miskinis. After intermission, we were listening to light Mass, hymns in Latin of the following Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus and Agnus Dei. It had a modern touch being played on piano, violin, base-guitar and drums; unlike on traditional church organ that I used to hear in my younger days. I am cradle-born Catholic and baptized in the Church of St. Joseph at Victoria Street a Portuguese Mission. In the early 15th century, Spain and Portugal were great Maritime powers. In order to avoid conflict between the two Catholic neighbours, the Pope partitioned the world into two zones of influence. Spain to sail West and the Portuguese to sail East to their new discoveries, to establish trading posts, colonize and spread Christianity.

The next day we followed up listening to Christmas caroling held at the Esplanade outdoor theatre by the Church of Korea. A splendid performance with full choir accompanied by string instruments, violent, cello. Other acts included a female soprano, a male group, children in their national dress sang in Korean and English. It was very entertaining and the outdoor theatre was packed full; the crowd, included locals, tourists and Koreans that came to support.

Church of Korea choir performance at Esplanade

Korea children in national costume singing Christmas carols

Then on 17th we attended the China-Singapore Religious and Cultural Exhibition 2009. The Inter-religious Organization held an exhibition at Suntec City celebrating it’s 60th Anniversary. The world’s major religions took part, Islam, Christianity, Judaism. Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, Zoroastrism, Jainism, Baha’i and Sikhism. The exhibition had old religious books, paintings, statues and artifacts, also talks were held and performances by the various groups. Our Catholic Church was represented by St. Mary of the Angels and they gave a musical performance, singing Advent songs and Christmas carols in Latin and English. We saw Franciscan Friar John Tan welcoming the Catholic delegation from China headed by a bishop.

On 19th we were back again and heard the China Catholic priests and nuns singing hymns and Christmas Carols more in traditional Latin than English. The main objective of the above organization is to foster religious harmony and promote religious tolerance and peace. It is for better understanding and respect for one another’s faith; continue to maintain friendly dialogue. It is a sensible thing to do since we all live in a multi-religious society and try to accommodate each other in this tiny island as God’s creatures of different species as in ours Noah’s Ark.

China Catholic priest/nuns singing in Latin

A China nun in Mongolian costume signing in native tongue.

Exhibition: Judaism corner

Taoism

Hinduism

Zoroastrians

Jainism: 3D picture

Buddhism. Retainer contain relic of Buddha.

Roman Catholism: Exhibit a ‘chasuble’ An an outer garment (a sort of overcoat) of Roman origin worn by priest celebrating Mass. This chasuble made in France and ended up in Vietnam.

For me this festive season also brings back unpleasant memories of my tragic past, the road accident on Christmas Eve 2006 that left my pillion-rider dead and I seriously injured. My agonizing six months in and out of hospital for 4 surgical operations including a heart by-pass. At one stage I had a second heart attack and was at the verge of dying. My wife Josephine desperately got a priest to administer ‘Extreme Unction’; a Catholic ritual of anointing in preparation for death. This year my wife and I wanted to make a retreat, to be away from dazzling lights, the noise of the maddening crowd, the hive of activity in cooking and making goodies. to escape to the quietness and tranquility of a secluded place outside Singapore. Our small group was made up of Doris our sister-in-law and Lucy our neighbour from opposite block. So through Serene we booked on-line for the package ‘Christmas Weekend Getaway at Batam.

24th December (Christmas Eve)

On Christmas eve, we were a group of 8 people including my son Ian attending an earlier Christmas Mass at 8.00pm at the Church of St. Theresa at Kampong Bahru. This church was built on the hill in 1929 to traditional style that is if looking down from above it takes the shape of a cross and the horizontal part having 2 wings, left and right. In the interior a large sculpted monumental canopy standing on 4 tall pillars over the high altar is unique not found in other churches. It is just like the bronze baldacchino in the Basilica of St. Peter’s, Rome except much smaller in size. At the top is the ‘Chi-ro’ (Christ) symbol, like a ‘no parking sign’ actually it is the first two character of word Christ in Greek. Similar in Russian their alphabet ‘X’ is pronounce ‘Kh’ and their ‘P’ is ‘R’ in English. Two other symbols on either side, Alfa and Omega.

Traditional Church of St, Theresa

Three of us, Lucy, my wife and I chose not to attend the traditional midnight Mass because we have to wake up early next morning to be at Harbour Front lobby by 7.30am. The Christmas Mass is the celebration of the feast of Nativity, the birth of our Lord, more than 2,000 years ago. At St. Theresa Church the children were dressed as shepherds and angels and with the opening hymn led the procession of warden and lectors into the church; Fr, Devin the celebrant following behind. The Catholic Mass is divided into two parts, the Liturgy of the Word and the Eucharist. In the Liturgy of the word, there are two Readings, one taken from the old Testament and the second from the New Testament. After that followed by reading of the Gospel and the priest’s homily. In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, that is Holy Communion by which we receive Jesus as our spiritual food. Then followed by concluding rites with blessing and dismissal ‘Go and proclaim the ‘Good News’ to the world; closing with a final song.

Early Christianity retained some practices of Judaism in liturgical worship, altar, tabernacle, use of incense, scriptural readings, hymns, calendar, fasting, male priesthood etc... Jesus himself a devote Jew preached in synagogues and read the scroll from the Old Testament.

Interior of St. Theresa /Altar

Children as shepherds and angels leading into the church

25th December Christmas Day/Saturday.

We woke up early at 6.00am, for me a light breakfast before joining up with Lucy and took a bus ride down to the Harbour Front. Mr. Tay our shepherd from Maxpac was there to guide us through the security and immigration to departure hall. We were a group of 30 and boarded our ferry named ‘Jet Raider’ at 9.30am Singapore time for a smooth one hour’s voyage to Batam, landing at Sekupang. There is a time difference as we are ahead by one hour. We were met by Indonesia guide Mr. Yanto who is bi-lingual so no problem encounter, everyone could understand him. So as not to waste time he took us direct on tour to visit a bridge solely built by Indonesian themselves without foreign assistance. It is quite an achievement to complete this engineering feat; of course it became the pride of the country, the Indonesian people and providing a prominent landmark for Batam. The length is 642m x 28m high and wide 21m; there is 6 other bridges that join 7 islands.

At the bridge with Mt. Tay

Next we were taken to a place where ‘kuay Lapis’ is made. It is a house converted to a sort of cottage industry where the multi-layered cake is prepared and baked several times accordingly to layer by layer; it is really hard work. There are 2 types the normal plain one or with prunes and price at Singapore dollars twenty-five and twenty-eight respectively. We ordered three cakes and Yanto will deliver the next day. By then it was lunch time and we proceeded to the Golden Prawn Restaurant. Since we were early there was sufficient time to shop at the store and buy some souvenirs or snacks. The meal was sumptuous , we had seafood consisted of steamed fish, prawns, seashell and also fried chicken. Most of us chose natural coconut water drinking from the fruit itself. After that we just walk nearby compound to watch a cultural show. There were two Javanese dances riding phoney horses called ‘kuda kepang’; followed by a mystical beast called ‘Barong’. One dancer could un-husk a coconut with bare teeth and could also swallow fire from charcoal. Another dancer probably in the state of trance started to eat glass.

Show time over and we headed for Taman Mini, a place that had houses in miniature from the 27 different provinces in the Republic of Indonesia. We took some pictures especially that of Maluku province where my dad was from, the provinces of the Batak and Bali which we hope to visit one day.

Nearby is the ‘go kart’ circuit and the youngsters went and had a go in it. I suppose they imagined themselves as Schumacher in a Formula One machine and happily speeding around the bends. It must have been exciting and thrilling for them. As for me I could just watch with envy as I am disable because of my broken leg.

Lucy posing at the Kuay Lapis factory

Lunch at the Golden Prawn Restaurant

Cultural Show: Kuda Kepang

The mystical Barong dance

Traditional house Maluku province

Self, wife Josephine and Doris sister-in-law

Traditional Balinese house

Another attraction was the flying-fox, a contraption built on the top of a 4 or 5-storey steel-tower and a cable-line is connected to the other lower end; running across the pond. Also a game for the youngsters, they had to don harness and helmet. They climbed the tower right to the top and a staff hooked them to a pulley and slide-off. It works by gravity that is from higher level and slide down to the lower end. Someone was there to receive them, used a ladder to disconnect the harness and take them down. This is another sport that I would like to do but unfortunately owing to my physical deficiency I cannot.

Then we headed for our hotel to check-in and it was so near. In a few minutes we were at Golden View Hotel, a 4-star 215 rooms hotel with swimming-pool located at Bengkong Laut close to the famous Golden Prawn Seafood Restaurant. We went for good hot shower and had even time to relax for a short while.

Wow! the room is spacious.

The swimming pool

The vessel ‘Golden Chengho’.

For dinner we were taken to a vessel ‘Golden Chengho’ which was berth alongside a jetty. The ship is named after a famous 14th century Chinese Admiral Cheng Ho (Zheng He) who made 7 epic voyages to as far as West Africa. He had assembled the largest number of ships around 300 ships and carried some 27,000 men. It was a show of strength, a projection of maritime power and at that time China was the only country that had the capability. Admiral Cheng Ho was an envoy of the Chinese Emperor Yongle; he was a eunuch and a devote Muslim. From the country he visited, he demanded acknowledgement and tribute to his Emperor in exchange for protection. However Admiral Cheng Ho died at sea in his last voyage.This ex-Singapore cruise-ship was de-commissioned and sold off. I was really surprised that this ship ended here for a new role as a floating restaurant. Actually not a bad idea as the ship still looking good and attractive. You know a ship is like a lady after cosmetics make-over, her looks is magically transformed into Glamourous. The Buffet-dinner offered on board had a variety of food to select so the choice is ours. After that followed ‘Karaoke’ session I sang three songs in English and played my harmonica three tunes, Danny Boy, Over the Rainbow and a Chinese tune that cock-up half-way as I forgot the notes, so very ‘lau kwee’. And in following Yanto’s style I also ask for understanding as I had learned to play harmonica by notes in only 6-months course at Kreta Ayer Community Club under my ‘Si Fu’ Soon John Kwang. Meantime our guide Yanto entertained us singing like a professional in Chinese and a Malay number. Others also came up to sing, some in English and also in Mandarin or dialect. We all had a good time, relaxing and dining on board a vessel create a special atmosphere something different. Next to us, a playground where a Pesta (festival) was on, complete with Ferries-wheel, go-kart and also miniature bike racing. It attracted a large crowd, many came on motor-cycles and especially to watch the ‘fire-works display’ that brightened the sky with every burst.

Enjoying our buffet-dinner on board.

One of the singers with Yanto our MC

Myself playing the harmonica.

The singers at the Murai Lobby Bar

On returning to hotel from dinner at Golden Chengho, we could hear music going on from the Murai Lobby Bar. Earlier we had been told by Yanto that payment of Singapore ten dollars and you can drink till you drop. Wow! it looks like the best deal in town so count ourselves in. By the way my wife and I are not drinkers and we tend to enjoy more on music, to make friends and in the spirit of Christmas to spread good will. We met Serene and was made welcome to join the party. The two female singers were good, one sounded like our Singapore Rahima and the keyboard player was really fantastic; he was banging away. The lively rhythm and beat can get you all work up and ready to jump to the dance floor. I found myself at a disadvantage as I don’t have dancing shoes and instead wearing a ‘leg-brace’ a bulky kind of support that is stiff and rigid with no flexibility. Two couples probably Taiwanese if not mistaken were having a jolly good time dancing continuously. The guys were a bit high, tripping and falling occasionally but ok, was not unruly. One of the girls sportingly approached to invite me to the floor, so I raised my injured left leg for her to see and she understood me. I had a vodka/lime, 2 beers and my wife Josephine had Barkardi/coke, 1 beer; it was enough for us. Also the time had passed I think 1.00am and we were already exhausted from the day’s tour so we retired to our room for a good night’s sleep.

Hi! guys did you have a good time?

26th December Sunday

We were down for breakfast at the ‘Cuppa Cafe’ designed in causal and elegant style offer a wide range of food, buffet style Eastern or Western at our own choosing. It was our last day and had to check-out with our belongings as we will not be coming back to the hotel. We were taken to Indoprima/uni Massage at Komp. Penuin Centre and I had a male for my rub-down. A hand-towel folded and placed over my eyes to allow relaxation and experience by feelings, the professional hands working sensitively around my aching body. Mine was whole body massage but requested from waist up-wards; not to do my injured legs. It took a full 90 minutes and I could hear the sound of my bones creaking, I supposed because of aging and the bones are brittle. Doris and Lucy went for up-grading as they wanted aromatic flavour like Rose, Green Tea or Lavender; had to pay extra Singapore ten dollars.

After the massage we were taken to Nagoya town for free and easy tour. Our opportunity to do the last minute shopping at the Mata Hari complex. Meantime we had lunch at the Indonesian Nasi Padang Restaurant and we quite enjoyed the dishes. However we had problem with the bills, it’s itemization and costing especially for Doris. She said, so many zero’s so confusing, placed her money on the counter and told the cashier to take what is due. The shopping complex was also our pick-up point and we just had to cross the road to board up our waiting bus. In the bus Yanto handed to us our ferry boarding passes, returned our passports which we gave him for safe keeping. He delivered the kuay lapis that we had ordered the previous day. Then the bus driver drove just a few blocks away to another ferry terminal called the Batam Center.

We cleared the Immigration and Customs without any problem and by 6.30pm Singapore time we boarded the ferry and departed for our one hour return trip across the Straits of Singapore. The weather was excellent, sunshine with calm sea so the voyage underway was smooth and uneventful. We arrived at Singapore Harbour Front safely; it had been short but exciting weekend getaway. Meantime we would like to thank Maxpac Travel, to Serene, Tay and especially Yanto our Indonesian guide for making our tour pleasant and memorable.

Breakfast at Cuppa Cafe

Arrival Singapore Harbour Front at sunset.

The End,

Back to strengthen family bond

2009-12-02T14:48:00.011+08:00

25th November 2009 Wednesday.

Josephine’s eldest brother’s daughter Pei Woon, getting married and therefore we were cordially invited. Well in order to remain as a true ‘brother-in-law’ and not ‘outlaw’ I have no choice but to make this trip even in my physically handicap condition to strengthen the family bond. Josephine and I arrived at Changi Airport, Budget Terminal, a low cost, no frills with only basic amenities; even no aero-bridge and have to walk to the aircraft at the parking bay. We checked in at Tiger Air ways counter and were allowed first preference owing to my physical deficiency ( leg-brace). We boarded the two jet-engine Airbus aircraft and were ushered to be seated at the first row. I had settled down comfortably when a stewardess came up and informed me that according to emergency regulation I could not be seated at the first row as I am a disable person. At first I refused to budge and fully intended to exercise my consumer’s right; I had paid extra for sufficient leg-room to enable myself to stretch comfortably. And now being told to give up my seat to shift elsewhere. We were really upset because how is that the ticketing is not aware of such a ruling and went ahead to accept payment and issuing of electronic tickets. The stewardess went to the cockpit I supposed to check with the captain and returned to inform us that I had no alternative but to move. To avoid further undue attention I got up and went to the third row in exchange with Jo’s nephew Deryx. It was quite an embarrassment as I limped slowly out of the first row to hobble behind; all eyes zeroing on to me as the centre of attraction.

1830 hrs: Our flight No. TR426 departed slightly behind schedule and arrived at Penang after a smooth uneventful flight that took about an hour. According to history Capt. Francis Light landed in Penang on 11th August 1786 and named it as the ‘Prince of Wales Island’. It became a colonial outpost for the British East India Company to protect their sphere of influence in this region.

Jo’s fifth sister Bee Kim and her hubby Ah Hwah were there to meet us and fetched straight to Mount Erskine for dinner. We enjoyed our first delicious dinner and it consisted of oyster mee, horfan, spring rolls and roasted red fermented pork.

After that we were driven to their two storey terrace house located at a quiet residential area. It has four bed-rooms up-stairs; downstairs a large sitting-room with an antique grandfather clock, a computer/study-room and kitchen. We used the upstairs back room which was spacious, long and air-conditioned.

Standing outside the house, before me appear a view of Penang Hill rising up to the peak; high mountains has a pull of fascination. Our hills in Singapore are just small moulds and Mount Faber where the cable car is connected to Sentosa is lesser than Bukit Timah which is 166m high. Therefore it is misleading in using of the word ‘Mount’ meaning mountain. In most religion or culture, mountains are revered as sacred places. In Biblical text just to mention some places like where Moses received the 10 commandments at Mount Sinai. Noah’s Ark rested on Mount Ararat after the flood subsided. King Solomon built his Temple on Mount Moriah. Jesus encounter with Satan at Mount Temptation, his preaching at the Mount of Beatitudes, his transfiguration at Mount Tabor, his ascension at Mount of Olives and his crucifixion at Calvary (Golgatha, hill of skull in the Aramaic language).

No.1 is the shop-house but we stayed at No.5

Josephine in front of No.5

Part view of Penang Hill

26th November, Thursday

Penang is without doubt a food paradise especially for the glutton, those who live to eat and not eat to live. I read that the famous “Penang Char Kway Teow” received top nomination by the Penang State Tourism website; followed by Penang Laksa. The others like hokkien mee, oyster omelet also enjoy top ranking. In the morning I did a blood-test to check my sugar level and had a shock when it registered 15.9 which is very high. So to console myself I assume that my monitor gadget is not working and reading shown in error. Ah Hwah brought us to have duck kway teow soup and char kway teow for breakfast at Carnavon Street. That evening Jo’s fourth brother Ah Pang gave us a dinner treat at the Dragon Gate Restaurant. After an absence of 3 years since I last came in February 2006 for my son’s wedding reception held in Penang. There is so much to talk to make up for lost time and the food was delicious. We had fish curry that was their specialty, fried pork, Bangkok chicken, torfu in clay-pot and vegetable. Anyway I got carried away by the event and forgot to take pictures even though I had a digital camera with me. What a silly waste missing to capture the event in camera.

27th November, Friday

With Bee Kim we went for breakfast and had the famous hokkien prawn noodle soup (hay mee) at Swatow Lane. It was a festive day ‘Hari Raya Haji’ and saw many Malay families visiting the cemetery to pay homage to their loved ones that had gone before them. Since it was on our way we stopped at the heritage site ‘rumah P. Ramlee’, the famous Malay actor, singer, song-writer and film producer who made his fortune in film industry in Singapore.

Heritage site: Rumah P. Ramli

For lunch Ah Hwah took us to a popular beef stall at the junction of Chulia x Carnavon Streets and we had steaming hot bowls of delicious beef noodles. Jo had wanton mee. Talking of wanton mee made me recollect an incident I had when flying with my pilot colleagues to an airfield called Jendarata. On landing in the afternoon, we got a ride to the town for lunch and there nothing left except wanton mee. So myself and this pilot colleague, a Swiss guy we called ‘Monty’ settled down to eat. Half way through I tasted the char siew and felt that it was bad so I set it aside. My fellow pilot Monty gobbled down everything and upon finishing we returned to the airfield. On reaching the airfield, Monty complained of acute stomach-ache and had to practically run to the nearest toilet. After a while he reappeared in cold sweat and with a sad look. He remarked, ‘Wow! terrible, I eat wanton and discharged two tons’ We all had a good laugh, luckily it was on the ground, imagine what will happen if he was airborne. Our training aircraft are two-seaters and no toilet; therefore it could be very, very messy and smelly business!

A bowl of Beef noodles

Yu Fang is Jo’s niece and she took us to new food court called the “New World” where I tried the “ice-kachang”.

The New World, the food court.

New World, the shops

New World, the shops, outlets.

Ice kachang

In the evening Ah Hwah went to buy back the popular Penang dish Char Kway Teow for us to enjoy.

Char Kway Teow

For our dinner Jo’s second brother Hai Thean arranged ‘Tambuan’ seafood restaurant located by the beach at Telok Kumbar. At first the weather seemed threatening with black clouds building up and we were afraid that it might rain but fortunately it held out. We had chilly crab, black pepper crab, big prawns, fish, taufu, for vegetable dow miao, cauliflower and also satay

Ah Hwah, Bee Kim and Jo.

2nd sister-in-law with son and his wife

Ah Khoon with his elder son.

Ah Khoon’s cute youngest boy.

28th Novenber, Saturday

Since I lavish for beef noodles, Ah Hwah went to buy it from the famous Chulia and Carnavon Street and Jo had pork knuckles for breakfast.

Beef noodles

Pork knuckles

This time Jo’s nephew Chok Hao doing the driving and went to fetch his sister Yu Fang at her in-law’s place. We went to Tanjung Bungah to see Yu Fang’s new condominium from the outside since she has not collected her keys yet. Since Yu Fang have not eaten breakfast we went to Hai Onn coffee-shop at Burmah Road to eat. Yu Fung ate chee cheong fun while we sampled fried carrot cake and delicious otah. The woman tried to promote her otak and distribute small slip printed ‘Mummy otak, very top otak in Penang. Nyonya, authentic. Advance booking with h/p: 016-47130. Super best.

Carrot cake pushcart.

Fried carrot cake and otah

Chee Cheong Fun

Chok Hao took us to the United Hokkien Cemetery to pay respect to Jo’s father the late Lim Chin Wah. We had to search for the tomb as the grass had overgrown and obscured some of the tombs. The grass was stone dried and a simple spark can set the whole cemetery ablaze. So they had to exercise extra care in burning paper and joss sticks which was done at lower level by the road. In the Old Testament we are called in Exodus 20: 12 ‘Honour your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that Yahweh your God has given you” In my heart I am saying ‘Hi! father-in-law, your ‘pai-ka son-in-law has come a long way to pay respect.’ We also visited the niche of 3rd brother Hai Ghee and 1st sister Lian Heow.

The gateway United Hokkien Cemetary

Paying respect to Jo’s father

3rd brother niche top left.

1st sister niche.

For lunch we were at Farlim to sample the island’s most popular dish “Penang Laksa”; it was a long queue and we did not mind waiting. The stall employing high technology by installation of CCTV to monitor on the progress. The gravy has already been prepared by the boss and the Indonesian workers does the dishing out.

Front view Penang laksa stall at Farlin

Inside the coffee shop view

The popular delicious Penang Laksa.

We went to pay a short visit Jo’s 3rd sister at Burmah Road

Jo, Chok Hao, Yu Fang and 3rd sister.

Jo had contracted a bout of influenza; her throat pain and had a lot of flam. That night we had to attend Pei Woon wedding dinner held at the Jade Restaurant in town. Even though Jo had lost her voice and had to use sign language to communicate, we had to fulfill our obligation. As usual Chinese dinner everywhere started late around 2100hrs. The newly wed couple walked in to the tune of music to take their place at the table of honour, seated together were both parents. It was followed by announcements, the cutting of the cake and pouring of champagne upon the pyramid of glasses. The shouts of ‘yam seng’ ringing loudly throughout the hall as the guests raise their glasses to toast. There were no shortage of singers going on stage to sing. The ragging on the stage I personally felt was a bit overdoing, somebody showing off by taking off his shirt in a public display of his masculine form. I think it is not amusing nor appealing or pleasing to the older generation which should be shown more respect. It is more to offending and disgusting, fortunately everything ended up smoothly without any unruly incident.

The couple pouring Champagne over the pyramid of glass

The couple cutting the wedding cake

Why so late? we are starving

It’s time for ‘yam seng’

Brothers and sisters, Lims’ family.

The SUV that took us to the wedding dinner

29th November, Sunday

By 0900hrs we left for the house of 1st brother for the Chinese traditional tea ceremony. Tables were laid outside in the corridors of the flat and filled with nyonya cakes, drinks. When the groom arrived there was much teasing before the groom was finally allowed in. Then the tea ceremony commenced according seniority. Later adjourned to the groom’s house for the final tea ceremony. There were buffet lunch served at both places, with traditional local laksa, chicken curry, sweet and sour fish, pineapple rice, horfun etc…

Waiting for the pouring of tea

Posing with the newly weds

In the evening we went to attend 6.00pm Mass at the Church of the ‘Immaculate Conception’ at Burmah Road. This traditional Catholic Church was built in 1810 that means the church already existed 9 years before Sir Stamford Raffles discovered the island of Singapore. Within the compound there is a statue of St. James Chastan, a French Missionary priest who was martyred for his faith in 1839.

The Church of Immaculate Conception.

The statue of St. Chastan.

The Memorial plague

After church service we returned to the house for a short rest before going for dinner arranged by Ah Hwah. We left before 8.00pm for Chin Bee Tea Restaurant at No. 124 Noordin Street. A small restaurant with about 7 or 8 tables but have to place booking in advance owing to it’s popularity. Ah Hwah knows the chef and they have been together on China tour. The food was sumptuous, we had pork-ribs with green pepper, pig trotters, steamed fish, steamed eggs, a dish of mussels, crabs-meat, scallops and vegetables. Washed down constantly by continuous flow of Chinese tea.

Bee Kim, Ah Hwah and Yu Hang

Self and wife Josephine

Michael and wife Yu Fang

Chok Hao, his girl friend and cousin

Pork-ribs with green pepper

Pig trotters

A seafood dish

Steamed fish

Mixed vegetable dish

Steamed egg

30th November Monday

For breakfast I had just plain ‘roti jala’ and Jo had Chee Cheong Fun brought over by Jo’s sister Nancy. I drank my favourite Old Town white coffee and I love it. For lunch Ah Hwah whom we accept as a full-fledged chef for his culinary skill (kung hu) as he prepared home-cooked food. Our self-claimed Service Apartment “Raja Gopal No.5” is the best and most of all free of charge. Believe it or not, where else can you get? We had a wonderful stay,treated like a VIP housed in air-conditioned comfort and driven around everywhere. In the meantime while waiting for our food we were being entertained by a 7 year old girl named Miss Tan (Jo Jo). She was keying away on the electric organ like a celebrity. However we admit that we had been unfair to her by teasing her with a nick-name of ‘Pang Jiak Khoon’ (shit, eat, sleep) but she took it sportingly without any outcry.

Meantime Ah Hwah produced some delicious dishes like the sweet-sour pork, mango-flavour chicken, fish with ginger, chicken fried with salted egg and steamed egg with century and salted egg. By then my blood sugar had shot up to extremely high reading of 17.0 way beyond accepted level. If in Singapore I should report to a hospital and maybe detained for observation. I had to take drastic corrective measures by abstaining which is not easy as delicious food is so hard to resists.

Sweet and sour pork

Mango- flavour pork

Fried chicken with salted egg

Mixed vegetable dish

Steamed egg with salted and century egg

Jo Jo like a celebrity on the organ

Later in the afternoon, we had the opportunity to watch some cooking lessons by Ah Hwah working on chicken, frying in sambal or shrimp-paste. By 1700hrs we had to leave for airport, a mixed feeling befell upon us; sad to be leaving behind relatives but at the same time glad to be heading back home. Ah Hwah drove us to the airport to catch our Tiger Airways flight No. TR427 departing at 2015hrs. We passed through the initial security check-point for baggage and proceeded to the counter for our boarding pass.

We stopped for a snack at the Airport Coffee Bean before entering departure hall. There was another baggage-check and this time the woman customs officer asked to open my bag. In it we had about 10 packages of rempah curry-powder. We were told that it was prohibited as hand carried item; we tried to reason out that we are within our 7 kg allowance but were unsuccessful. I do not really understand such a ruling; we are not bringing the item into the country but instead bringing it out. It is mere curry-powder for self consumption; what is it dutiable or presenting a security risk? I am in search of answers, anyway no reasonable explanation given, just an abrupt no and was told that I could re-check in as luggage or face confiscation. In the end all was duly confiscated, so we walk off with bitterness inside. Sad to say that I had encountered un-pleasant experience both at Singapore departure with the Tiger aircrew and the departure from Penang with that woman customs officer. So it had a sour ending.

Testimony on a miracle by St. Anthony

2009-11-20T00:14:00.015+08:00

19th November 2009 Thursday.

Sharing with Senior Citizens group of St. Mary of the Angels/Bukit Batok.

First of all,I would like to thank the organizers for arranging and the sponsors in providing the tickets for the Zoo trip on 12/11/09. For me it had been more than a recreational trip, it had awakened me as I am coup up indoor most of the time. It was a chance going outdoor to appreciate the wonders of God’s creation. He had created animals, the flora and fauna; the birds, the bees which most of us had taken it for granted.

You know St. Anthony talked to the birds and often uses animals to express as symbols of saints or sinners, virtues or vices. He uses spiders as a symbol of pride that spins web network of intricate design. The Serpent symbolizes Satan, somewhat evil, deceptive, crafty that creeps up to a person to tempt as what happened to our first parent Eve in Genesis. The Lion as strong, fearless, King of the beasts and Christ is described as ‘the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has conquered.’

Things of exquisite beauty, flowers, plants

Bengal white Tigers

For me my two favourite animals are the tigers and elephants. I was born in 1938 so it relates me to the tiger according to Chinese zodiac. I went to the rare Bengal white tiger’s enclosure and admiring this magnificent beast that God created. The tiger symbolises bravery, strength, mentally and physically alert, agile, bold, independent, courageous and at the same time gracious. The largest of the three was restless, pacing up and down looking at us menacingly. Face to face the real tiger on the opposite side and myself the symbolic tiger; I was wondering what was the tiger thinking. Probably saying ‘Hi! lame duck, cannot run ah! so how about having you for my dinner. Fortunately our safety being guaranteed by a separation of a moat and the wall.

The elephant is the largest land mammal, a gentle giant; owing to its’ enormous size does not have any natural enemy. Elephants travel by herd as family-oriented and led by a matriarch. They are caring and concern for safety by positioning their young in the inner circle and the adult at the outer. When I was at St. Patrick’s there was a private zoo across the road and I used to spend time after school watching a baby elephant. It was really fun, just watching brought me much joy.

Elephants, the gentle giants

Now on to my testimony, one morning after breakfast, I got to my motor-cycle at the car-park. I secured my bag to the seat by a bungee-strap before mounting on and ride off to office. Half-way I sensed something wrong, so I stretched my hand behind to feel for my bag; I was ‘shocked’ when I realized that it was no longer there and stopped immediately. I found that it was missing so made a ‘U’ turn to return home. at the same time keeping a watchful eye on the opposite side (dual carriage way) hoping to spot my bag.

On reaching home I searched once again just to satisfy myself but result was negative. I remembered from school days my mother had always prayed to St. Anthony when she had misplaced her things. She told me that St. Anthony is the ‘Patron Saint of lost things’, so believe, have faith, trust and you will find.

The implication and seriousness of losing my bag was enormous as it contained some very important and vital ship’s documents issued by a foreign country. They were as follows:-

(1) Ship’s Certificate (Russian refer as ‘sudo-voy passport’)

(2) Ship;s Tonnage Certificate.

(3) Ship’s Load-line Certificate.

(4) Ship;s Safety Construction Certificate.

(5) Ship’s Safety Equipment Certificate.

(6)Ship's Safety Radio Certificate
(7) Ship’s De-ratization Certificate.

(8) Last Port Clearance.

(9) Ship’s Crew-list.

One thing for sure losing all these documents through a negligent act simply would spell the end of my career; my head was on the chopping block. The situation was that without the documents, the Port Authority of Singapore simply could not verify in order to issue Port Clearance to allow the vessel to sail.

I was really desperate and asked my wife Josephine to light the altar. Besides having the statues of the Holy Family, Jesus, his mother Mary; I also had St. Anthony. We both went down on our knees and prayed fervently from the bottom of our hearts asking for Divine intervention through St. Anthony to help find my missing bag. At that time in question the delay in sailing the ship (GRT:10,000 tons)would cost about US$ 5,000.00 per day (running costs: Port dues,crew salary, bunkers, loss of earnings etc…) How could I be so careless, not checking my bungee-strap, probably the elasticity had slacken and gave way. I felt very depressed and my spirit sank to rock bottom. I mounted my bike and rode slowly to office as if in a daze to face the consequences.

However half-way through my pager rang and I responded by calling back home. My wife was excited and broke the news that some kind hearted, honest container-driver had picked up my bag. He had checked through the contents, traced my identity and called the house. My wife Josephine gave his contact number and I immediately called him. It was a miracle when he said that all documents intact and that we could meet at PSA gate No,2 before he enters the port. The voice message reverberated sweetly in my ears as I sigh with relief.

St. Anthony had answered to my calling and I am truly grateful. Finally we met and he handed over to me that precious bag and I thanked him for it: of course I rewarded him. So it came true what my mother had told me when as a young boy the legend of St. Anthony as the Patron Saint for lost things.

Thank you St. Anthony, many, many thanks.

In 1995 my wife and I went on a 19-day pilgrimage tour to Europe by coach, beginning from Fatima (Portugal) travelled through Spain and to Lourdes (France). Then continued on North into Italy; we had the opportunity to visit and prayed over the Tomb of St. Anthony at Padua. For guidance, St. Anthony was executed by Titian at the age of 40 and St, Boniventure discovered surprisingly that St. Anthony’s vocal cord was incorrupt. It is preserved up to this day.

We had a statue of St. Anthony sent to us from Padua as we also subscribe to the issue of their publication entitle ‘The Messenger’.

Statue of St. Anthony

In Italy we also visited St. Francis of Assisi, had seen the incorrupt remains of St. Clare kept in a glass casket and also visited the Tomb of Padre Pio at Rotondo. Finally and fortunately our journey ended in Rome in time to celebrate the birthday of late Pope John Paul II at St. Peter’s square.The crowd was really huge from many nations and some brought along their musical instruments. As the name of the country was announced they acknowledged by shouting or playing their instruments. A Malaysian group were standing before us was represented by native ‘Kadazans’ who brought their home-made drums. They were drumming away, singing and dancing.

We were extremely happy again to see our Holy Father for the second time; the first occasion we saw Pope John Paul II was when he visited Singapore in November 1986.

Praise the Lord, Alleluia!

Afraid of the resurrection ?

2009-11-09T22:59:00.001+08:00

Relaxing in cozy hotel after a frightful event.

Holy Land, Nazareth / April 2006

At Nazareth, we checked in our hotel called the ‘Plaza’ a modern building that stood on a hilltop. We stepped out of the hotel for photography, I being the cameraman and my wife the subject. I wanted to capture with a good view of the hotel as the background; so I had to back-step on to the main road. Not realizing that the traffic system is different from Singapore as we adapt the English pattern. To me they are all crazy and appeared to be driving on the wrong side of the road.

Unfortunately or fortunately I had back-stepped into the path of a speeding car and missed by mere inches. The young Israeli male driver slammed on the brakes and his girl friend besides him gave out a loud hysterical scream. The car stopped abruptly with both occupants, as white as if they had seen a ghost. They were terribly shaken but remained calm and silent; trying to recover from their fright. I went over and sincerely apologized, admitting that it was my fault. In fact both of us were in the state of shock. as it was really unexpected; I could have been killed. They accepted my humble apology as they knew I was a foreigner, a stupid tourist jay-walking and drove off without making a fuss.

I then remembered a story about resurrection as told by a priest and it went something like this. A couple went on pilgrimage to Holy Land and was accompanied by her mother-in-law. She was unlikable as in general with mother-in-laws; in fact she was a pain in the butt.

It happened that she had a heart-attack and died without recovering. The couple were left in a dilemma concerning the final rites and burial. The husband suggested burial in Holy Land as it was a privilege to die on pilgrimage and also to save enormous costs for repatriation. However his wife objected strongly and insisted that the remains be exported back to their native land as quick as possible.

The husband was not only puzzled but also curious and wanted to know why his wife was insistent as it would have cost a ‘bomb-shell’. At first she was reluctant to reply but finally gave in, admitting that she was afraid taking into account the biblical story. That if her mother-in-law was buried in Holy Land; she would be resurrected on the third day. And of course it would not be in the best of her interest as it would simply mean that she would have to put up with her monster-in-law all over again.

Recollecting our CNG Christmas Party 2003

2009-10-24T21:06:00.026+08:00

Let me introduce our group, we originated as "Home Mission" in 1982 organised by Fr. Ho from the Church of St. Francis of Assisi at Boon Lay. At that time some of us at Teban Gardens attended that Parish. Well that is to say we existed before the formation of Catholic Neighbourhood Group (CNG) set up in 1985 by Fr. Nicolas Chia of Holy Cross Church at Clementi Ave 1. Presently Nicolas Chia is the Archbishop of Singapore; the Shepherd of the Catholic flock. However at that time we had given Fr. Ho a title of 'OMO' one-man-operator as he had to lock up his church to come to our group prayer meeting. Later on as we switched over to Holy Cross, mostly for convenient sake and became involved with the CNG. In the early days we even had priests for our spiritual director but later dropped off; probably owing to pressure of work and shortage of priests. Therefore it gave us reason to pray harder for more priestly vocations as the profession not appealing to our young generation. However we believe that our CNG must carry on and that if we are doing God's work, we shall survive or if not our grouping will simply die a natural death. It was during our weekly Fridays prayer meeting when we decided to hold the next Christmas party on a much larger scale as our group had grown. And accommodating in individual house became too small, so it had to be held at our nearby Community ‘Multi-purpose hall’ behind of Block No.62 Teban Gardens. As a CNG we are a small community of believers gathered together sharing the same faith.

In our neighbourhood, we are the little church and gathered weekly for prayers, offering for the intentions of our Holy Father the Pope, to strengthen our faith, to pray for one another, for others that have no one to pray for them and most important for peace in our world. Our world that is filled besides natural disasters with wars from earliest times, from simple bows and arrows graduated to present time push-button sophisticated missiles. Mankind have perfected the art of killing creating new inventions, improving the techniques and so the world has not known real peace. True peace comes only from our Lord, Jesus Christ if we follow him as he is the Prince of Peace.

We were celebrating his 2003 rd Birthday and it shows that how God loves us that he gave us his only begotten son. Born into this world in a lowly manner, a humble manger, as the inns were full; just to be like us in everything except sin. To redeem us for our sinfulness, by dying for us on the cross; an undignified death. For what ? for our salvation, he laid down his life so what more can we ask for? So on for this occasion we want to proclaim the good news by inviting not only our neighbourhood but also non- Christian friends in order to spread the message of ‘good will’ to all men. We lived in our multi-religious Singapore where we have other religions like Buddhism, Islam, Hindu, Taoism, Sikhism, Judaism…So we must learn to live with each other, not to impose our beliefs on others but to accept what they are with respect and tolerance; to be at peace with one another. Remember what Christ had said in Matt 19:19 ‘you must love your neighbour as yourself’.

We had picked the date as 13th December in advanced as later most of us would be busy ourselves as Christmas draw closer to prepare our own individual celebration. So we arranged ‘pot-luck’ that meant each family to contribute their share of food as according to their numbers attending. As assigned Gilbert went to the Town Council and booked the multi-purpose hall. Someone was appointed co-ordinator so as not to have the food duplicated, we wanted variety.

When the day came, there was a slight drizzle but it did not worry us for this time we had a roof over our heads. The previous year we held our ‘Christmas Barbecue Party’ in the open, down at our garden and the weather was threatening with black clouds building up: a tell-tale sign that a storm was approaching.

Our function to start at 5.00pm, but after lunch we were down to put the decorations for the entrance and hall, the props, buntings; Sam and Jennifer came over to assist. At first I thought of bringing down my audio sound system but owing to the mess of criss-crossed wiring and many plugs we changed our minds. Sam proposed a way out by using his set instead which was more straight forward and simple; so went for it.

I borrowed a trolley to cart away the bulky stuffs, like TV, amplifier and speakers from the flat to the hall and set it up. The entrance we had a banner with the wordings “Welcome Teban Garden CNG X’mas party'”, hollies spread across with balloons, lace-cloths wrapped the post and two lighted candle-stand. Another lighted stand stood outside in a conspicuous location to be seen by motorist driving into the car-park. The naked ‘Light’ symbolise ‘Christ’ as the light of the world that shines into the darkness; darkness is associated with evil, untruth, lies, not forgetting that we too at times have our dark side.

Inside the multi-purpose hall another banner wishing all a ‘Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year”. Including a small Christmas tree all decorated and lighted up. A little later Gilbert came along with his barang-barang, barbecue set, stools and followed by Ah Moey and her hubby Joseph with food, a big table and more stools.

Dinner is ready, it is self-service so help yourself.

As things settled down I made an announcement for attention; to pray the ‘Grace before meals’ asking our good Lord to bless our food. After that I gave a loud ‘battle cry’ the magic word for the hungry “attack” and the assault on the food was on. We thank God that we are blessed with abundant food and many good friends. My pilot friends came to join us in our celebration, one guy from New Zealand and was surprised that we had a close knitted community. We set aside a big table for our senior citizens, the old and the feeble; my elderly mother still mobile and could even dance with Kim. Simon’s mother in a wheel-chair, Kim’s wife Estelle and myself settled down to enjoy the food silently and seriously.

Lawrence,Flora, James and Cynthia

From left: Lucy, Dolly, Gilbert and Lawrence

From left: Felicity,Elizabeth, Sydney and Simon.

Felicity is daughter of Sydney, Elizabeth his wife. Sydney, Simon were our old guards.

Joseph and his family

Sam our non-Christian neighbour, together with Kim started the ball rolling by opening up. Sam with Chinese numbers and Kim with some old sentimental songs. watched by my pilot friends. I sang my favourites from the ‘Bee Gee’s album like, ‘I started a Joke’ and ‘Words’

Sam and Kim singing for their supper.

From left: Flora, Sunarti and Sam

My God-daughter Flora, looking on as our maid Sunarti singing Christmas Carols in Indonesian (Batak language). Sam checking on something, I think VCD.

From left: Meg, Lucy, Dolly,Mary's son, Mary and my mum.

Jennifer and Sam

Show time, Jennifer and Sam a husband and wife team gave a ‘cha-cha’ demonstration.

Jennifer and Dolly doing Line-dancing

My mum getting lesson from the Champion.

We are proud to make known that amongst us, that Kim and Estelle won the World Ballroom Championship 1972 in New York and 1978 in London.

Anyway all good things must come to an end, so by 10.00pm some of those living far away left earlier while other still lingering along. It had been a wonderful evening, well spent in sharing and in the spirit of fellowship.

The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi ringing in my ears.

‘Lord make me an instrument of thy peace

When there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy’

We celebrate Jesus' birth because it is an important event in the history of human race. His birth was a turning point by being born and coming amongst us, he brought salvation to the whole world. The message of Christmas is to rejoice and be glad for in

Lk 2:11 ‘Today in the Town of David a Saviour has been born to you: he is Christ the Lord’.

Group photo Teban Garden CNG Christmas party 2003

End

A short getaway to Genting

2009-09-18T00:03:00.010+08:00

Since my serious road accident in December 2006 I had been like a frog enclosed within it’s surrounding (Kodok dalam tempurong) and it is time to venture out into the open. We had this offer off-peak season 3days and 2 nights stay at the First World Hotel at Genting and we decided to take the opportunity for my getaway.

14th September 2009

At about 0730 hrs Lawrence and his wife Jean came by taxi to fetch us (my wife Josephine and I) to Boon Lay our pick-up point for our coach. The Company Grassland had a single-deck coach waiting for us; quite comfortable with reclining seats and enough of leg-room. We left at about 0810 hrs for a short drive to the Second Link for clearing Singapore side Immigration. No problem as the new immigration system, allowed us to be auto-cleared electronically. Then followed by another short trip across the bridge spanning the Straits of Johore to Malaysia side at Tanjong Kupang to be cleared on the other side. It was done smoothly even though we had to bring down our luggage's and belongings. The trip up early in the morning was excellent and refreshing, the North-South Highway is a wonderful feat of civil engineering connecting the country from Johore in the South to Perlis in the extreme North. The ride was smooth, driving past greenery, miles and miles of palm-oil plantations; one of their many natural resources. Malaysia is blessed whereas in Singapore we don’t have anything, no hinterland, no natural resources not even sufficient water. What we have is a little thing called “brains” up on the head to provide services-oriented industries. as Communication Hub, our International Airport, Air Services, Trade Hub, our Port of Singapore to sea trade, oil-refinery in processing crude oil, banking, our money spinner tourism; recently water technology, etc… Our own defence industry (Singapore Technologies) provide some locally-made hardware like tanks, guns, ammunition and warships for our Army and Navy. For the Air Force in order to maintain a 3rd Generation status we are using American-built ‘state-of-art’ jet-fighters like ;F-16’ Fighting Falcon and F-15SG ‘Strike Eagle’ and F-5E's Tigers supersonic interceptors as our first-line defence. In the near future we will see the Joint Strike Fighter. Lockheed Martin’s F-35, Lightning II’s, a 5th generation and probably the last manned jet-fighter; after that it would be un-manned aerial vehicle for offensive role. That shows that how technology has advanced and revolutionize the art of aerial combat.

Our first stop for breakfast and toilet break was at Yong Peng and we got down to eat , stretch our legs for half-an-hour. We resumed our journey, the shades are lowered down to shield from the rising sun; leaving a small opening below to peep outside. The drive went smoothly and un-eventfully, some probably slept all the way through. The climb to the top was agonizingly slow, crawling up the winding road and making through many snake-bends.

Finally we reached the top Genting Highland about 1400 hrs. The weather was comfortably cooling, not that cold and you could be in normal dressing; at the most with a pull-over. Let me describe more for the benefit of foreign readers; the main hotel resort sits majestically at the top of Genting World. The Theme Park lies below that offers a lot of outdoor games and entertainment,especially for kids and the younger generations. For those less adventurers the indoors equally provide the same kind of thrills, ferris-wheel, gondola rides, merry-go-round, float in air-cushioned like experiencing ‘free fall’ etc… Food no problem as there are many restaurants, food court, eateries; the choice is yours.

Model layout of Genting Highland

At the First World resort, owing to many arrivals we were ushered to a temporary hall to sort out our rooming allotment. Meantime so not to waste time I went for lunch at the Bus Terminal, eating a delicious plate of Penang style ‘char kway teow. We are two to a room, after collecting our electronic key-cards, we proceeded to our rooms at Tower One, level 8. The rooms we had, were adjoined to one another by two-doors; which has to be open either sides for access. However, the rooms rather small and absence of the luxury of a mini-bar. We were quite disappointed as it appears more or less like a ‘buget hotel’. What is strange to us is that the operator refuses to take any message.

Hotel First World

After shower, refreshing ourselves we went out to discover our new environment, scouting the restaurants, food courts, eateries, casinos and entertainment areas. We ended up at the main resort where the cable-car located; called Awana Skyway. I remember the last time I took it was some years back and it had a larger cabin, but now it had switched to a smaller one. We got into the one cabin; Jo and I in the front row with Lawrence and Jean in the back row. It started to descend towards Awana Resort below. It became scary when the cabin passes over the tower support, it created some squeaky noise and jerking momentum that raise some apprehension. It raises some doubts to the question of maintenance; why this sound and jerks it is surely mechanical problem, squeaky sound and metal to metal friction made us feel uneasy. Lawrence said this would be his last time sitting this skyway and I totally agree with him. We did not alight at Awana Station as there was nothing interesting that would warrant us to get off. So no choice we continued our journey up, at the same time nursing un-pleasant thoughts that flooded our minds, each time we went through the bumps over the tower. The scenery below was awesome, the whole mountain side densely forested. We noticed a lot of wild banana trees; but did not seem to bare fruits.

Model of Genting, Skyway tower (red)below right

You know the jungle reminded me one fateful day on 26th December, 1994 I was flying my micro-light aircraft when the engine went dead; I glided into a emergency landing at sea. On rather on a mud flat, it was low tide and I crashed with the nose dug-in and the tail went up-right like a scorpion. Miraculously I was un-hurt except for some cuts and bruises; no broken bones. I climbed out of the wreckage and made for the shore in a prone position on all fours like a monitor lizard. I discovered that it was easier and less taxing than trying to walk in deep mud, it bog you down and sap your energy. The shore-line was covered with mangrove swamp, with trees growing wildly in close proximity and it’s roots criss-cross and inter-wine each other forming a natural barrier. It was terrible I had to either climb over or crawl under, slipping and falling all the time. Having cleared the swamp, the jungle provided another obstacle. The undergrowth was thick, the ground damp and covered with decaying leaves, branches and the insects created a jungle symphony of all sorts of noise. It was strange, alien, frightening and I was not accustomed and not pleasing to hear either. The gigantic trees towering towards to sky and at the top, the green foliage spread widely like an umbrella, shutting off sunlight. Below it dark, damp, humidity was high and I was sweating profusely; my pilot’s overhaul (nick-named Monkey suit) soaking wet. For me it was truly shocking, being an urban dweller suddenly found myself in a green hell, alone, lost and disoriented. I was afraid of snakes, of cobras, pythons, iguanas and even bugs, those creeper creatures like scorpions, centipedes, jungle spiders, giants ants. However, fortunately I was familiar with the area that I went down. The jungle from the air is but a small patch by the coast, fringe by mangrove swamps. I recognized that if I kept walking in a straight direction, at some point I would hit a clearing. I looked for light penetrating and followed and finally I did come out to a clearing. At the same time a search plane flying low and waving at me; my heart jumped with joy. During my flying days I read of many sightings of tigers in the area of Kahang and Kota Tinggi; even a case where a large python about to devout a man in Segamat area. It was a frightening affair and I will never forget about it.

We returned to the main building safety and quickly walk off to regain our sense of well being. We dined at the Kenny Rogers Restaurant where I had black-peppered chicken, mashed potato with chilly sauce and happy about it. After that we decided to invade the casino but the guard refuse my entry as I was in shorts owing to my injured left leg in a kind of support called the leg-brace. So I decided to return to the comfort of my hotel room and watch television shows. Later they returned in joyful mood as they have won and looks like the trip has been generously sponsored by the winnings.

15th September (Tuesday)

0830hrs we took the bus down to Kuala Lumpur city (Capital of Malaysia) and that morning the mist was thick with the wind blowing so it was rather cold. The ride downhill was smooth as the seasoned driver negotiated the bends and snake carefully and confidently.

It was cold and misty at the bus terminal.

Roughly in about an hour’s time we arrived at our destination, the bus terminal at Titiwangsa. We waited about an hour for Ang (Josephine’s brother) to pick us up. However there was no sign of him, probably he could not contact me. Josephine did not bring her hand phone because it did not have roaming service. He manage to contact hotel but got a negative reply as the group-list not registered under my name. So there is a breakdown of communication and we decided not to waste time and move on by taking the mono-rail to Bukit Bintang for our lunch. Our Chinese Restaurant at Sungei Wang is named the “Esquire Kitchen”

At the Bus Terminal

Lunch at Chinese Restaurant ‘Esquire Kitchen’

While dining Ang managed to call me and said that he called Singapore to get my new number from my son, Ian. Finally we met and he took us to see the newly opened large shopping mall called the “Pavilion”

K.L. in front of the Pavilion

From left: Ah Yoke, Ang’s Vietnamese wife, Ang, myself and Jean.

At the fountain, Ah Yoke, Ang, myself and Jo.

Myself with Jo

The ladies managed to buy their things, they don’t stop and as the saying goes shop till you drop and always money not enough. From there Ang took us in his car to Petaling Jaya for a feast of durians. We settled down to a road-side stall as Ang made his selection with the owner for his favourite, like the ‘bamboo’, the ‘XO’, D24 and D22 and others. We have coconut water for our drinks. We just ate and ate as it tasted good,the texture and firmness due to the freshness of the fruit. Food in Singapore is also no problem, what you want we have, local, Western, Middle Eastern and Eastern (Chinese, Japanese, Korean). And from South East Asia (Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Indonesian) all available in all the eateries. All along the Singapore River are restaurants, eateries, pubs, musical lounge and more at the Esplanade, the Theatres of the Bay and the ‘Makansutra’ food court which caters locally and tourists.

The durian feast, eat till you drop.

After durian feast, we walk to a nearby shopping area for window-shopping and to stretch our legs, some walking exercises. My former Chief Flying Instructor Capt. Chung said jogging is one of the best exercise, you don’t need anything and it is free of charge. He used to jog regularly in order to maintain good health and his physical fitness. He came down to Singapore and stayed at my place in order to take part in the Second Link ‘Big Walk’ from Singapore to Johore side. Owing to approaching Autumn Festival, we came across a special made Pandan flavour moon cake with coconut fillings sold at Tai Tung. For the first time, we sample and found something unique and delicious.

By 1700 hrs we decided to go for our dinner, the famous ‘Bak Kut Teh’ next to the Dynasty Hotel.It was a sumptuous meal but I could eat no more; my belly is about to burst. However we had a wonderful time together and we probably not see each other for some time; the last we met Ang was probably 4-5 years ago. He took us back to the Bus Terminal at Titiwangsa; we wished them farewell. Meantime we boarded the 1830 hrs bus service that took us one and a half hour back. Upon arrival Genting, the trio decided to go to the casino for the last fling and I in search of a watering hole, found a band called the “Interface” playing some Chinese Songs. At first I thought that they are from Philippines but I was mistaken; they were all Malaysians but came together from different parts, The 5-piece band with Jimmy as the lead singer from East Malaysia, and the rest from West, mainly Kuala Lumpur. Lawrence came to join me as he thought it would be more fun in the Pub than in the casino.

Jimmy the lead singer, is a talented character, dynamic, energetic with a witty showmanship, he could influence the crowd to participate in the singing and merry making. Very entertaining, generally making people happy and inducing people to be part of and involved, he sang in Mandarin ‘Theresa Teng’ favourite songs. The guitarist named I got it as Zaini sang Bee Gees numbers, that I had requested like “I started a Joke’ and ‘Words’. On stage Jimmy announced that his already ‘potong’ so don’t ask us. We don’t know because Lawrence and I took his words for granted as we did not have the opportunity to check it out. The long hair guy named Wan plays the key-board and also sings well; the two girl singers, one tall and tanned named Aisah; the other fair and short is Ayu; they also could sing in Mandarin.

Myself with Lawrence, started quietly.

The 5-piece Band “Interface”

Jimmy came down from stage to the crowd.

Lawrence instigate the crowd

Lawrence have graduated to the stage.

Finally Jimmy came to Lawrence

Everyone having fun, Jean looking on.

This one for ‘Playboy’ magazine.

Near ending I went on stage to sing for Jimmy my camp-fire song without music accompanied and in Bahasa Melayu.

so I started,

“ Oh Jimmy, my own Sweetheart,

I love you, terangpong sangat,

Underneath pokok kelapa, I will wait for you

If you see me, oh Jimmy jangan tutup pintu,

Oh! Jimmy my own Sweetheart, I love you terangpong sangat,

Underneath pokok kelapa, I will wave at you,

If you see me, Oh Jimmy Jangan tutup pintu

Oh! Jimmy my own sweetheart, I love you,

but your face no can do

and your curly hair is full of kutu. Yak!

The band closed the show with Jimmy singing the last number in Mandarin Theresa’s Teng song; I think serenading the moonlight.

All good things must come to an end, it had been a wonderful evening; we had enjoyed ourselves with good music, good company and new friends. The band I would class as excellent, as it can stir up your spirit, aided by bottle spirit.Ha! ha!

So thus ended the final curtain came down at 0145 hrs.

16th September (Wednesday)

At 0800 hrs, we woke up and got ready for breakfast. Last night had taken a toll and I slept like a log, dead to the world. This morning breakfast is included in the package and we went down to eat at the hotel’s restaurant.

Breakfast, Jo, Jean and Lawrence

I had Western, Bombay Toast, baked beans, sunny-side egg and sausages; top-up with orange-juice and coffee. Wah! ‘Ang moh lang’

Some photo-shoot, Jean and Jo

Lawrence and Jean

Jean with gondola in background.

The poor gondola guy,’Boh sengli’

next year surely kena retrench.

Lawrence need a gun, his daughter is growing up fast.

Jo and Jean last minute shopping.

Lawrence and Jean

Checking-out

Our Grassland coach

Myself, all set to ‘hit the road’

The End

Army Open House ‘09 at Pasir Laba.

2009-09-08T13:18:00.032+08:00

On the 3rd September (Thursday) at about 1000 hrs at Jurong Point, I boarded an air-conditioned bus provided free by the organizer. We were ferried in cool comfort all the way to Pasir Laba camp at Jurong which took us through to the SAFTI link bridge. This uniquely built suspension bridge has the main boom tilted at an angle and span across the Pan Island Expressway. It connects the old SAFTI to the new one and provides safe passage for the soldiers and their vehicles en-route to the training areas.

The organizers had categorised the whole show into several Worlds, Our World takes the National Service journey, where boys become soldiers and leaders ready to defend our country. The Combat World on battlefield experience! Experience the 30 simulated “war zone”and the military hardware on display at the square. The Mission World is about SAF mercy mission to aid the Tsunami disaster at Banda Aceh/Meulaboh in December 2004 when Singapore owing to close proximity was the first to respond. Our SAF sent it’s biggest ships 3 “Endurance” class Amphibious Transport Dock with heavy equipment, vehicles and relief supplies. Also twin-rotor heavy-lift Chinooks and Super Puma helicopters were sent, together with C-130 Hercules 4-engine transport dispatched a portable control tower as temporary replacement for the damage one at Banda Aceh. Also covers the mission of Peace keeping to East Timor. The Battle World is experiencing the ride in military vehicles, the Light Strike vehicles, the Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicles and the Bronco All Terrain Carriers. The Future World covers the latest gadgets and equipment for the next generation. The Action World provided 3 action packed shows at the Parade Square, including free-fall parachutists from the popular “Red Lions” Commando team, urban operation and Military Police precision drill. And finally the Fun World catering the two passion of Singaporeans food and shopping. Super Puma helicopter provided free ride as I saw it ascending just behind of the Fun World.

The entrance to the exhibition area.

We alighted at the dropping point just near the entrance and walked a short distance to a booth to drop our lucky draw coupon and pick up some souvenir gift(badges). I crossed the road to the Combat World, the main display area where all the Singapore Armed Forces military hardware are exhibited.

Leopard 2A4 tank.

The German-built Leopard main battle tank weigh at 55 tonne, is armed with a fully stabilize 120mm smoothbore gun. The tank is powered by a turbo-charged diesel engine which allows it to reach the speed of 70 km/h. It’s multi layered armour plating provides better protection against anti-tank weapons. Germany has always been regarded for precision engineering achieving high standard from cameras to rocket technology; V1’s and V2’s. They produced excellent tanks during the second world war like the ‘Tiger’ and the ‘King Tiger’ battle tanks. They also produced the first jet-fighters the Me262 that became operational. They outmatched the best of allied piston-engine fighters; including P51 Mustangs or Supermarine Spitfires and that spell the end of propeller era for fighters. Our Leopards main battle tanks numbering some 102 will eventually replace our elderly French-built AMX-13 light tanks (modified to SM1 model). They form the 48th Battalion of the Singapore Armoured Regiment.

Terrex AV-81 Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV)

A new addition locally made (Singapore Technologies) the Terrex on display, the 3G eight-wheeler armoured personnel carrier enhanced better protection inside, provides mobility and fire power. It is an amphibian so it can swim being driven by two propellers.

The brain inside of the Terrex.

It has fully computerized system (the brains), seen here the commander networking and can issue orders to the rest of the units plugged into the Battle Field System (BMS); also for sharing info to alert them, or receiving info, images from Command & Control. The advantage is that all of this can be done like on internet, e-mailing and thereby maintaining radio silence without revealing one’s presence. The commander can manipulate the overhead remote-control turret, armed with 7.62mm co-axial machine gun and a 40mm automatic grenade-launcher from the system inside. The gun can shoot targets 800m away and fire at the rate of 350 rounds per minute. In the touch screen method, he can select; lock-on the target and fire. The screen even shows disposition of forces, friendly appears in blue icon and the enemy in red in that order it can avoid any mistakes or chances of friendly fire (killing your own side by mistake). Weighing at 24 tonnes, it can carry 13 men including the driver with the commander and has a land speed of 105 km/h. The thermal sighting system allows the driver/commander to see better, engage moving targets and improves first round ‘hit’ probability. The 'Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV)compliments the Bionix, armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) to further provide protection for troops for moving them to frontline. I asked what if the computer suffers defects owing to extreme vibrations from operating over rough terrain and the shock from the recoil when the guns being fired. The answer that the system created by our scientists from the defence company (DSTA) had perfected it. It had gone through trials and error over the years and they are ruggedly built with shock-absorbers and protective screen fit for military use; anyway it could be easily replaced. The Army has placed 300 on order.

Add-on armoured troop carrier

Another new comer is the add-on armoured troop carrier is a soft skin vehicle and most suitable for use in peace keeping role for conveying troops. It weighs around 5 tonne provides adequate protection for 60 soldiers; there are slit-holes and viewer for the troopers inside to see and fire their weapons. Of course it is safer than travelling in un-armoured open 3-tonner trucks.

Bronco 120mm Motar Tract Carrier (MTC)

Locally-built by Singapore Technologies, seen here on a portable bridge laid by a bridge-tank. It is used by the 42nd Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment in fire support role. In 6 seconds it can load a 15kg mortar bomb into the barrel, aim by computer at a target 13 km away and fire with precision. It re-load automatically, highly mobile and can quickly withdraw before the enemy tracking unit can pin-point it’s location.

Front view of the track mine clearance vehicle.

The rear view showing the rows of chains.

This new vehicle locally built by Singapore Technologies named "Trail Blazer" replaces the old wheeled one which in anti-mine operation is driven in reverse position and the chains attached to an axel are rotated to beat the ground and detonate the mines. The armoured cabin protects the crew from small arms fire, shell fragments and explosive blasts. The mine-clearance vehicle can be deployed faster, safer and requires lesser manpower for clearing a safe passage way for our friendly forces.

The Searcher UAV

The Searcher is not a new comer, it is an un-manned aerial vehicle that first introduced in 1998 as a replacement of an older version. Is the smallest aircraft in the Republic of Singapore Air Force and operates closely in support of the army for battlefield surveillance or as a spotter/eye in the sky for the artillery against enemy targets. A special feature in the form of a built-in autopilot that has a ‘return home’ mode in case the command linkage is lost.

Logistic support an Immo transporter

Delivery made easy, slide it down and drive away; that’s it.

The Communication Division.

Seen here are two 3-tonners with extended sides to form one large portable Command and Control enclosure, housing all the sophisticated equipment, computer lap-tops, large visual LCD screens, etc…

For field maintenance a Bronco track vehicle (master) towing two slaves, one track and the other wheel. There is a crane for lifting and generator set for various functions.

Army bull-doser

The Army bull-doser maybe required to do clearing of obstacles or leveling job, building roads etc… The cabin is air-conditioned so it is a haven to work in cool comfort as compared with other vehicles, especially armoured with air blower only.

Remote-control Army bomb detector.

Does the job without putting the bomb disposal personal in danger. He stands at a safe distance and manipulate the controls.

M3G Raft for bridging purposes.

The M3G military float bridge/Raft (amphibian) can travel at 80 kmh on land, then un-fold to form a self-propelled raft. It can transport three 5-tonne vehicles on water at 9kmh. Operated by Singapore Combat Engineers for bridging purposes. At this year’s NDP the five ceremonial 25-pounder guns were loaded on six M3G rafts link together for the 21-gun “Presidential Salute.”

FH2000 155mm Howitser gun

Not a new comer, the locally built (Singapore Technologies) FH2000 155mm howitzer has been in service with the Singapore Artillery for some time. It provides precise and speedy fire support, backing up the infantry and armoured units. It is capable to neutralize enemy position with it’s awesome firepower and has better range than the SSPH1 Primus. It is self-propelled and can re-deploy after shooting to avoid counter fire.

From the gunner’s view

The SSPH1 Primus 155mm gun.

The self-propelled locally-made (Singapore Technologies) provide the Army’s combined arms division with the extra punch with 155mm fire power. It is one of the largest gun in the Singapore Armed Forces arsenal. The Primus is manned by a crew of 4 and can hit targets 30 km away. They were tested in New Zealand by the 21st battalion Singapore Artillery.

AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter

The Apache helicopter is equipped with a state-of-the-art sensor and weapon system. The key element is the conspicuous Longbow Fire Control Radar dome installed over the main rotor. The elevated position of the radome allows detection and (arcing) missiles engagement of targets even when the helicopter itself is concealed by an obstacle (e.g. terrain, trees or building. It belongs to No.120 squadron and stationed at RSAF Sembawang airbase, the home for rotary-wing units. The Apache can operate ideally with the ground troops in fire-support role and can blast away with their hellfire missiles and cannon fire. Often seen over Jurong area as they patrol the key installations at Jurong Island. It is computerised and network ready to plug into the Battlefield Management System(BMS). In the 3rd generation SAF there is cross-service integration where valuable info is shared among other services.

CH47 Chinook helicopter

Chinook is a heavy-lift helicopter with twin-engine, rotor in tandem. It can carry heavy payloads at speed over 155 mph, entered service in 1998 after returning from USA to form No.127 squadron and base at RSAF Sembawang airbase. They participate in relief operation in Thailand and Indonesia in “Operation flying eagle”. The Tsunami disaster that struck Banda Aceh/Meulaboh on the 24th December 2004 was truly tragic where more than a 150,000 people lost their lives. It is the worst tragedy ever to happened in Indonesia.

The 3G soldier

In his new No. 4 dress pixeliszed pattern camouflage uniform that will blend with vegetation for better concealment. The 3G soldier involved not only new weapons but new ideas, doctrines with integrated knowledge based. The soldier of the future must see earlier, think quicker and kill faster with the latest weapons and sensor. He has to acquire the ‘networking’ edge in planning; capable of assessing battlefield scenario from feedback info obtained by high tech un-manned aerial sensors, communication devices and able to call for entire firepower support.

I had the chance to try on our locally-made infantry weapon, the SAR-21 (Singapore Assault Rifle-21st century) and it was heavy even though it is short. I manage to ‘hit’ two targets electronically and quite happy, realizing that I still have not lost touch. When I was in the Police in the late 1950’s I represented Headquarters for the Johore Shield Competition. I dropped the plate with one shot; someone else in our team missed and finally the Gurkhas Police team took the Shield with their superb shooting.

School of Infantry Specialist.

An impressive modern building for teaching our young soldiers some specialised trade, to up-grade their knowledge and sharpen their skills in this grusome business of war ‘kill or be killed’.

From the Army Guards.

With one of the Guards holding a grenade-launcher and heavily padded; they specialize in repelling from helicopter, buildings or difficult terrain and are like commandos, highly trained but underpaid. Like that.Ah!

The Parade square with a Bionix.

At the Action World, two locally-made Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicles in urban operations put up a display of fire power blasting away their main armament the bushmaster chain-gun and 7.62 machine guns at the Parade square. Earlier there was a parachute display by the “Red Lions” the Commando team landing at the square itself. The Military Police display some precision drill.

The “pegasus” 155mm light howitser gun.

The Pegasus is locally produced by Singapore Technologies and the world’s first self-propelled, heli-portable 155mm light-weight howitzer. It is a big calibre gun that can provide heavy fire power in support of our SAF. At 5.4 tons it can be transported by helicopter to battle. It is self-propelled and can fire at enemy position 30 km away..

A field hospital.

A field hospital, a single 3-tonner truck with extended sides to cater for Gen3 Field Casualty Station where wounded are taken in from battle front for immediate treatment. They can do minor patch-up work but as for the more serious cases; all they can do is to stabilize the patient and evacuate usually by helicopter to a proper hospital.

We ought to learn what history has shown us that the folly of under-estimating your enemy could result disastrously. An example in May 1905 Admiral Rojdestvensky led his Russian Baltic fleet, sailing half-way round the world to be defeated by a much smaller Japanese navy led by Admiral Togo at the Battle of Tsushima.

And in the last war the same lesson was repeated by the British, they were complacent and believed that the Japanese Army was inferior, an Asiatic nation of little yellow people. The Air Force also received much criticism, they ridicule by figuratively saying that Japanese planes were made of bamboo and rice paper. That Japanese pilots are crossed eyed so could not fly a plane properly, let alone fight in one.

And what happened? The British discovered to their shocking surprise that their own American-built Brewster Buffaloes were already obsolete and lumbering Vildebeest torpedo-bombers were antiques and no match against the Japanese. The Japanese Army Nakajima built streamline,agile “Ki-43” Hayabusha (Pergerine falcon) Allied code “Oscar” although inferior to their Navy Mitsubishi “Zero” simply shot their opponents out of the skies. Including one named John Gorten who was to be the future Prime Minister of Australia. From then the Japanese quickly gained mastery of the air and could roam or fly un-challenged and un-molested.

On the 10th of December 1941, saw the mighty British Navy battleships the “Prince of Wales” and “Repulse” sent to the bottom of the South China Sea by Japanese Navy bombers flying from Saigon. In the Indian Ocean the Royal Navy cruisers “Cornwall” , “Dorsetshire” and the aircraft carrier “Hermes” were also sent to the bottom by Admiral Ozawa’s carrier forces. The same can be said in the Battle of Java Seas where a combined fleet American, British, Dutch and Australian (ABDA) suffered defeat; thus ended the myth that “ Britannia rules the waves”

The so thought inferior Japanese Army of 3 Divisions (30,000 men) spearheaded by a few light tanks with their main infantry on bicycles rode down the whole length of Peninsular Malaya in 70 days. The impregnable fortress of Singapore fell on 15th February 1942 (Chinese New Year) and with it were 100,000 prisoners-of-war, British, Australian and Indian troops. The most humiliating defeat ever suffered by British arms; un-believable, the Mighty British Empire had crumbled.

The Singapore Armed Forces has the responsibility to maintain the deterrent visibly by flexing some muscles, otherwise it might tempt some cocky country to walk-over like what Saddam Hussein done to Kuwait. Although we do not have strategic depth, all the same we ought to take total defence seriously for if we lost, it will all be gone forever. However we should disperse some defence assets elsewhere; it would be wise not to put all the eggs in one basket.

Remember 68 years ago Pearl Harbour presented a classic example; on that Sunday morning 7th December 1941 the Japanese caught the Americans with their pants down. The battleship rows and the fighters planes parked wingtip to wingtip in long flight-lines were sitting ducks. It ended up like a shooting gallery in a Fun Fair with every Japanese pilot taking a pot shot at something, a ship or a plane. Of course the end result was total disaster termed as “ a day of infamy”.

Meantime we must take the advantage of technology to advance our level of skill and expertise to exploit the capabilities of latest weapons and systems to ensure our survival. We are really small, our tiny island is I remember 26 miles by 14 miles, you can walk across in a day. To-day our land area has expanded considerably owing to reclamation and it is now 648 sq.km. Therefore we must maintain our capabilities, hold the ground until the cavalry arrive (UN or some friendly big brother country intervenes). Meanwhile to remind would be aggressors that we are chilly padi, small but fiery hot just enough to flame your arse so don’t play, play.Ha! ha! really no joke lah! Little David,a shepherd boy can slay giant Goliath, ridiculously with a slingshot; check it out in the Biblical text.

Fishing and overnight camping trip.

2009-09-01T17:46:00.004+08:00

4th July 2009 a Saturday,we that is Lawrence, Gilbert, my brother Victor and I decided to put our planning into action. So we boarded a taxi that took us to the Labrador Park; it sits on 16.8 hectares that is about the size of 16 football fields. And it is one of the two British Fortress that guards the entrance to Keppel Harbour; the other one is Sentosa (formerly known as Pulau Blakang Mati). The relics of World War Two remains in the form of pillboxes, bunkers, tunnels, casemate (ammunition store) and gun emplacements. It’s history goes back as far as 1878 when the British erected this Fort at Pasir Panjang. Upon arrival selected a suitable spot to unload our barang, barang. Next was setting up of our 6-man tent and kept our belongings, haversack, sleeping bag, torchlight etc… A sanitation facility located nearby, there is changing-room, bath, toilet and even a vending machine dishing out hot/cold drinks.

From Left: Gilbert, Victor and Lawrence

At one end of the Park is located a historical site, an information stand reveal some information relating to the story of Keppel Harbour named after a British Admiral Henry Keppel of the Royal Navy. However history goes back even further back as the entrance at one time had a rock outcrop, known to early Chinese navigators as “Long Ya Men” or Dragon Tooth. The local Malay called it “Batu Berlayer” it marks the spot for entry into safe anchorage. Sadly in the year 1848, the British Authority blew it up to clear what they considered as a obstacle to safe navigation.

Old drawing of the rock outcrop “Dragon tooth” (Long Ya men)

The famous Chinese Admiral Zhen He (Cheng Ho in Hokkien) made 7 epic voyagers between 1405 – 1433 a period spanning 28 years. He must have stopped here as it is shown in early Chinese Charts and sailing instructions. Admiral Zhen He had a a fleet of 300 ships of all types, men-o’war, food ship, horse ship, water-carrier and the largest the grand treasure ships (Pao Chuan). In all they carried some 27,000 men and definitely a powerful display or projection of naval power in early times; un-matched by any and un-challenged. At that period of time China was the only country that was capable to assemble such a large fleet, much larger than any of the European sea-going nations like the Spanish, Venetians or Portuguese. Zhen He was commissioned by the Chinese Emperor Yong Le as an envoy and his mission to obtain recognition from the foreign countries also to receive homage for the Emperor. He was a eunuch from the Imperial Court and a Muslim.

Chinese Admiral Zhen He (Cheng Ho)

Early Chinese Chart shows “Long Ya Men”

The Singapore Tourist Promotion Board built a replica of the “Dragon tooth” (Long Ya Men) at the Tanjong Berlayer side just by the corner of Labrador Park.

Replica of the “Dragon tooth” (Long Ya Men)

The 9/11 terror attacks on the New York Twin Towers were “wake-up” call for many countries and nations including tiny Singapore. We could not afford such attacks it would damage our international standing for stability, peaceful, a safe country and would damage our tourism industry, commerce and foreign investments.

A Police Coast Guard gun-boat

A Police Coast Guard gunboat patrol the water close to shore within the boundaries of the Port to deter terrorism, refugees, and illegal immigrants. While our Navy with their bigger ships patrol the sea lanes to secure and protect our life-line; where most of the trade comes or goes.

An Indonesian ferry leaving Keppel Harbour

The ferry from the Rhio Islands of Indonesia, from Bintang, Batam or Karimon makes regular trips ferrying many passengers, including local and foreign tourists. There are many Resorts that caters for holidaying or for short get-away weekends. They provide a variety of games and recreation, such as golfing, mountain biking, beach buggy, ATV off-road, jungle adventure. For water sports, there is fishing, jet-ski, snorkeling and of course spa and fine dinning.

The red stone beacon marks the entrance into Keppel Harbour

It is on the Labrador/Tanjong Berlayer side while the opposite is the Tourist Island of Sentosa (former name was Pulau Blakang Mati). Can be seen a green beacon as a navigation guide for entry into Keppel Harbour; red denote for portside and green for starboard side and flashing red/green light respectively at night. The ships has to comply a guide to collision rules; a regulation for prevention of collision at sea. It is for sake of safe navigation as this narrow waterway is truly congested. Mindful the width of the entrance is only 240 meter and there is no room for error. Just right of the green beacon are relic of World War Two British machine-gun pillboxes erected to guard the entrance to the harbour.

Tanjong Berlayer, the ramp.

The site formerly belongs to our Navy which houses the landing craft squadron; the ramp was for the landing craft to use for loading or un-loading vehicles, equipment and men. However the Navy have been booted out and re-located to Tuas Naval base. And now this site has turned into a favourite fishing spot.

What a crap!

Gilbert giving instructions on how to use the fishing rod properly; a sort of last minute ‘crash programmed’ And Lawrence is suppose to swallow this instant input; follow it and you will catch big fish. My brother Victor looked on with disbelief, hey! what a crap, are you expecting a miracle?

Two formation of helicopters

We were rewarded by two formation of helicopters, 2 heavy-lift CH-47 Chinook helicopters each bearing a huge Singapore Flag measuring 20m x 30m suspended on a cable weigh down by ballast weight. They are rehearsing for the preview of our National Day’09 fly-past held at the Marina Bay. The first flag bearer is the main formation with the three ‘Apache’ attack helicopter as escorts and the second flag bearer is in support role just in case if the first one encounter some problems.

Lawrence decide to name our tent “Hotel California”

Well! it least we have a roof over our heads, who knows it might rain in the night. Anyway it was roomy inside; Lawrence and myself retired early as our two fisherman went on to fish at the nearby jetty.

A cruise-ship entering Keppel Harbour

Early next morning a cruise-ship seen here approaching the entrance to Keppel Harbour; a harbour tug assisting her to berthing at the Cruise Centre located further in.

Another bigger cruise-ship

Another bigger cruise-ship appearing at the Western Anchorage heading in for Keppel Harbour. This huge white ship is probably the “Leo” or “Virgo” from the Star Cruise Company.

The 4 stooges

Time to ‘break camp’ so Lawrence and I went on the business of dismantling our tent, undoing the ‘tie-downs’ and removing the metal pegs, the posts, folding the tent and stuffing it into the canvas bag-carrier. Finally the 4 stooges, from left myself (David) my brother Victor, Gilbert and Lawrence. The end result was that we caught nothing to boast of, in spite of having 2 self-claimed fishermen Gilbert and Victor. On the contrary Lawrence caught some much needed sleep and as for me I believe that my catch of fish is from the market where I have a variety of choices. ha! ha! Don’t worry be happy!

Our story ends.

Looking for a watering hole

2009-08-27T01:29:00.008+08:00

This is Suntec City.
It was Lawrence birthday and we, that is my elder brother Victor and I wanted to give him a treat so we were looking for a suitable watering hole in town area for celebrating the occasion.

On our way down we had in mind a place called the “Paulaner Brauhaus” a German Restaurant and Bar located smacked right in the centre of the city or precisely at ‘Suntec City”. The popular Suntec City is the main venue for most of the Internationally held conferences and big scale exhibitions. the WTO, IMF. trade and financial organisations.

The Paulaner Brauhaus at Suntec City

“Achtung!” we are entering a German Bar and found that in the middle of the building stands an impressive, shiny brew container made of copper. It is the centre of attraction, an eye-catcher as it is the only one that I know. Here I supposed the malt and the other ingredients are mixed to produce beer. We are sorry, we are unable to relate the process of beer making as it is not in our interest of how it is done. What we are more interested in consuming the content.

From left: David, Victor and Lawrence

We selected a quiet corner for our religious ritual so as not to disturb others nor the other way round. They say that if you use a straw to sip the beer, you will find that your world would be spinning around you. The waitress appeared to take orders, Lawrence and I wanted the normal beer (white) while my brother opted for black (stout) probably to match his colour he! he! Which was not for my liking as it taste horribly bitter. To go along with the drinks, Lawrence and I shared a meal, the house specialty called “pork knuckle” and Victor ordered sausages with mash-potatoes. When it was served “Wow!” it looked so delicious and appetizing. We wasted no time and immediately dug into, tearing off chunks of it.

The pork knuckle

In the spirit of fellowship, we share our lively conversation covering a variety of topics, concerning politics, regional, local and domestic issues etc… However whatever the problem confronting us, we realize that life must go on and that we have to adapt or resolve it. Most of the time it requires patience, tolerance, exercise of common sense and letting go what is called “pride” within us (the devil in us). Recently I read an article in the newspaper on what makes a person do good or bad? The answer lies in the brain. An area in the brain known as ventromedial prefrontal cortex (VMFC) responsible for highly complex functioning such empathy and the ability to make moral judgement. So most human have a sense of what's right or wrong. We are to seek God’s ways in the search of understanding in order to resolve problems amicably. The end results should be that both parties are happy, a sort of win–win situation; live and let live attitude. After all most of us from time to time do encounter problems either big or small at home, in school or place of work. Which is normal but anyway we are not God, therefore we are not perfect and do have our own short-coming. The bad thing is to judge others while failing to examine oneself closely and see whether oneself is part of the problem.

The two female performers on raised stage

At this stage a two female performers walked in, one with a guitar and the other a violinist. The stage is a raised platform at the center, in front of the copper brewer and the two girls had to climb up to their sanctuary. It was I think a good idea, high and aloft from the reach of the sober. the drunk or the maddening crowd. We were entertained with good variety of music, some oldies, soft sentimental and a bit of rock. The melodious music soften down our stony hearts and the drinks drown our sorrows some were self-imposed. Yes at times we feel down, it is natural as we seek solace, we want love and pity shown to us.

“Hey! house on fire”

As we consumed more there is a tendency to frequent the wash room, that is how the beer works. I suppose when the alcohol level tops up, it overshoots the load-line or the “Plimsol Mark” in shipping term. And triggers our body internal mechanism blow-out valve to react for a release. I would jokingly announce “Hey! house on fire” we ought to immediately summon the two-legged fire-engines into action. So with that excuse we would take leave and go to do our business of hosing it down. Finally all good things must come to an end.

“this one for the road, so bottoms up”

Lawrence as usual jumped the queue and went ahead to the casher to settle whatever damages that we had created.

So thus ended our episode.