Address: 86 East Coast Road #01-09/10, Katong Village, Singapore

The issue of the development of transport in Singapore has been a hot topic lately. Let me add to the myriad of views out there. I do not owe a car and I am solely dependent on the public transport system. I guess that makes me sort of a credible authority on the subject.

Amongst my wish list:
To ensure at least some semblance of a schedule for the arrival of our buses. This bus that I take to work has a habit of taking more than 20 minutes for the frequency between buses. I always try to effect my death stare at the drivers when I board the bus. Unfortunately, they return my stare with an equally devastating “nonchalant and you can take it or leave it” shrug.

Finally, I tried to make my feelings known. I wrote to the bus company. This was the response I got from them:

Please refer to your feedback we received on 3 January 2008.

2 We regret to learn of the inconvenience you experienced while waiting for Service xx.

3 Our operation records revealed that the lapse of service was due to traffic congestion resulting in buses returning late to the Interchange and this prolonged the departure time of the next bus.

4 Nevertheless, the Manager will monitor the situation closely. Where it is within our control, we will ensure that buses arrive at regular intervals and to minimize waiting time for our customers.

5 Thank you for your feedback.

The statement in bold just makes my blood boil. I really felt like smashing my computer screen and committing hara-kiri (or at least give myself a bad nail cutting ,leaving a few hang nails).

Also, please make the removal of the MobileTV system on the buses a major consideration for the next stage of improvement. I was on a bus the other day, taking the long journey from Bouna Vista to the eastern part of Singapore. The show “Deal or No Deal” was showing. The contestant was this woman in her 50s or 60s. Her family of her husband, son and daughter-in-law was with her. She carried a teddy bear with her on the show… She was speaking to the teddy bear throughout the show. She was acting cute throughout the show - making faces, cutsie voices, playing to the crowd…on national TV. It was totally cringe-worthy to me. I had the urge to smash the TV and commit hara-kiri (or at least give myself a very hard pinch on my tummy).

Luckily, the forces that govern our lives had a truly wicked sense of humour. It was a Chinese New Year show and the top monetary prize was S$688,888. The contestant removed the top two prizes in the first round. She ended up with S$10 at the end of the show. Well…
[editor’s note: The wife indicated that I was rather cruel with my remarks. I am now deep in remorse and I feel like an utter asshole. Truth be told, I did feel sorry for the woman for just winning S$10. It was not her fault that I have such a low tolerance for idiotic behaviour…oops…did I do it again. Erm…anyway, I apologise if I have offended anybody.]
Thankfully, there was no need for me to take a bus to Old Hong Kong Tea House at Katong Village. I used my kar (hur hur…getit…kar, hokkien for leg, rather than car) instead. This place has become a common spot for me. Not really for the food (it was acceptable) but more for its 24 hour operating hours.

The compilation of food items mentioned here were from two trips to the eatery - just in case you people think that I am a glutton. The Fried Seafood Hor Fun (S$7.80) was quite pricey. It was not spectacular.

The Sweet & Sour Pork Rice (S$6.80) tasted like any other such dishes you can get at coffee stores around Singapore - except with a premium tagged onto it and with less pork. This theme of reduced quantity in the dishes will repeat itself. The Pan Fried Turnip Puddings (or Carrot Cake to us folks, S$3.00) was ok. The Crispy Colorectal stated in our receipt (S$5.50), with a name more commonly associated with hospitals and exotic diseases, actually refers to the fried intestines. They tasted crispy and rather tasty.

The Hong Kong Beef Brisket Noodles (S$6.50) was small in portion and nothing to shout about. This was inferred from the facial expression of my father-in-law..

The Si Chuan Handmade Noodles (S$5.80) was the pick of the day though. We all liked the consistency and nice blend of the sweet and sour in the soup base.

The Fried Rice with Special XO Sauce (S$7.50) was special in that it was so not special. There was even a special symbol next to this item in the menu marking it out as special. Take it from me. It was not special.

So, I guess the theme of this post seems to be the scenario where we have to make do with a choice-less situation. Referring to both our dear public transport system and late late night suppers.