1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #20 - Kaohsiung

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #20

- Fo Guang Shan Monastery, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

(This massive Buddhist Monastery, the largest in Taiwan and possibly the region, housed the impressive 36m high Golden Buddha. The banner on the site caught my eye.."Do Good Things, Speak Good Words, Think Good Thoughts", a good mantra for life, indeed)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #19 - Happy Ever Laughter

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #19

- Happy Ever Laughter,
12 comedians, Esplanade, Singapore

(2 hours of belly-aching laughter, with Najip and Sebastian stealing the show with their sets.

And oh, that Obedient Wife and TCM Lady were new revelations ..they were totally spot-on! Kudos, Siti Khalijah and Judee Tan! And please develop both characters further)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #18 - Taipeh 101

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour after Remission #18

- Taipeh 101, Taiwan

(Will this be one of the world's new Pyramids in 1000 years' time? One word comes immediately to mind..Wow! Even with half of it behind the clouds.)

1001 Places/Experience to See or Savour #17 - Milk Mango

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour after Remission #17

- "Milk Mangoes", Pingtung province, southern Taiwan

(Mangoes+glutinous rice from Thailand, sun-dried ones from Philiipines, R2E2 from Australia but "milk" mangoes from Taiwan? Yes, what a super surprise to find them stacked high along the roadside in brilliant shades of yellow and red, and when they are cut fresh into thick icecube sizes that slither into your mouth, hmmm...)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #16 - Gardens By The Bay

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour after Remission #16

The Supertrees in the evening glow, wow!

- "Gardens By The Bay" Opening Day, with Jason Mraz, Singapore

(This is a 2-in-1 experience that will uplift anyone to new heights! Imagine being serenaded by Grammy-winner Jason Mraz in his soldout concert, on the opening day of the new botanical icon, Gardens By The Bay, right here in sunny Singapore. Hello Life, I'm yours!)

A quote of eternal wisdom from Jason on the night:
"When our true love breaks down and forgets their greatness, it's up to you to love them back into the person you know them to be"

Jason and Corinne May

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #15 - Taipeh Night Market

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour after Remission #15

- Liu He Night Market, outside Taipeh, Taiwan

(So much to choose from, so little time! The smelly tau foo was ever-present but the big surprise for me was the baked-pau with vege, meat and fresh oysters.. Yum..something different indeed, and possibly the best pau I have ever had!)

Dimsum Dollies' Emma Yong - gone too soon

It's a heartbreak to read that Emma Yong of the Dimsum Dollies trio had passed away.

Dimsum Dollies with the Bengs in Dec2011

She was indeed the lady with that golden voice. Thank you Emma, for giving me so much laughter every time I head out to watch you with your "sisters". We missed you on stage in my last outing to see you at the Esplanade (pix above). Rest in peace, Emma.

SINGAPORE 03May2012: Top theatre actress Emma Yong, one-third of the popular musical comedy "Dim Sum Dollies" has died, after a fight with cancer.

Nominated Member of Parliament and fellow actress Janice Koh tweeted late Wednesday night: "We have lost a beautiful actress and one of our most talented performers & singers tonight. Rest in peace, my dear Emma. Miss you..."

Ms Yong, 36, was diagnosed with cancer last year, but appeared to have recovered by the middle of the year, appearing in Dream Academy's Into the Woods in July. However, in December she pulled out of a musical to undergo treatment when the cancer came back.

An established name in Singapore's theatre scene, Ms Yong's acclaimed career spanned a diverse range of roles, from serious drama in Blackbird to lighter fare like Cinderel-LAH and Boeing Boeing, as well as in film (The Blue Mansion).

Of her death, actress Neo Swee Lin tweeted: "RIP darling Emma. Angels bear you aloft. our performing family has lost one of our greatest talents."

- TODAY

1001 Places/Experience to See or Savour #14 - Universal Studio Spore

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour after Remission #14

- Universal Studios, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore

(Right in my own backyard and it is only now that I realised what a class act this Theme Park is! Took the 3D ride with Optimus Prime and BumbleBee, and gulp..I nearly threw up! But it was all in good spirits. Hanging out with stronger women like Queen Nefertiti, Betty Boop and Marilyn soothe my nerves somewhat)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #13 - Chao Tar Beehoon

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour after Remission #13

- Chao Tar Beehoon, Shi Wei Tian Restaurant, Joo Chiat Place, Singapore

(They really sell this thingie called chao tar beehoon? I thought it was only available from Mum's cooking..and only when she over-fries it? Well, this chao tar "kick" was there, alright and it was surprisingly tasty. This is indeed real comfort food, just the way Mum would have cooked it..go there, bring back the old memories and be surprised..)

**unfortunately, as of Jan 2013, this restaurant appeared to have gone kaput

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #12 - Parndorf

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #12

- Parndorf Designer Outlet, Vienna, Austria

(Over 150 quality outlets in 1 location? Is this real or am I in a dream? Surely, this must be one of the top designer outlets in the world. And with Gucci and Prada on the mall-listing, one can easily burn a hole in the pockets. 50% off, 70% off...wow! You know you had a good time when you have to stop at the Samsonite shop to bring your 'captures' back to the hotel room..)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #11 - Neuschwanstein Castle

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #11


- Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

(Walt Disney saw this castle and decided to make it their own famous logo; Amazing Race saw it too and decided to turn it into a pitstop for Season 20..and I can see why. It is beautiful, even if it was just seen from ouside. After a backbreaking, frost-bite-inducing 25min walk up the hills in -11C winter, it was very much worth it !)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #10 - River Danube, Budapest

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #10


- Cruising down the River Danube, Budapest, Hungary

(This alternative way of cruising the River Danube to see the beautiful city of Budapest is a must-do while there. From the Parliament to the Bastion, these sights from the water-angle are hard to beat, with the waves of this famous blue river swishing past you)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #9 - Studio Photoshoot

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #9

- Covergirl Photoshoot, ABC Studio, Singapore

(Time to refresh one's personal portfolio, and what better way to do so than pick up an ultra-low price Groupon for $15, and head out for a self-esteem-building "Covergirl" shoot that Heidi Klum talks about. But oh, just be prepared to spend another $100 because you can't bear to leave all those 30 other shots behind at the studio! )

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #8 - Krakow

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #8

- Old Town at -18C, Krakow, Poland
(Experiencing -18C is a once-in-a-lifetime event, which is mitigated by indulging in a lovely white fox-fur hat from the Old Market, to keep the brains from freezing! The last time Poland experienced such a deep freeze was 28 years ago. Brrrr...)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #7 - Auschwitz

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #7

- The Holocaust in Auschwitz and Birkenau, Krakow, Poland

(One cannot walk out of these concentration camps without being changed a little, inside us. And in winter at -18C, the camps bring a new meaning to the words 'inhuman atrocity')

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #6 - Brandenburg Gate

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #6

- Brandenburg Gate,

and the Berlin Wall, Berlin, Germany

(so much history in every brick on these 2 man-made structures..if only every brick could speak to us now, what stories they would tell..)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #5 - Charles Bridge, Prague

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #5


- Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic

(perhaps the most beautiful bridge in Europe, with winter making it look like a scene from Dr Zhivago)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #4 - Awfully Chocolate

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #4



- awfully naughty chocolate cake from Awfully Chocolate

(Okay, it's 2000calories a slice but hey, lets give our tastebuds a massage now and again, right? And if you have indulged in it already, did you try their white Butterscotch caramel cake..just the name alone is seductive? Kudos to our local cake-boss talents!)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #3 - Crazy Xmas

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission #3






- the raw comedy of Broadway Beng and Kumar


(Yes, go belly-aching with these 2 originals..catch them on stage, solo or better still, as a duo, as was the case here at the Esplanade, for Crazy Xmas)

Exotic Eastern Europe - mystery, beauty

The mystery and history of Eastern Europe came to me under the cover of the coldest winter in 28 years. First, it was -7C in Prague, and then it went down to a brain-freezing -18C in Krakow..wow!

But without that deep chill, I wouldn't have picked up my first fox-skin ruskie-hat in Krakow, or brought the true horror of the Holocaust into reality..deep winter in striped pyjamas for the millions who perished in concentraion camps across Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic. What an experience indeed.

And then the beauty of Eastern Europe unfolds - exotic Prague, the Berlin Wall, the "Buda" and "Pest" sides of that beautiful city, followed by Vienna and Strasbourg. The contrast between the past and now for these cities is amazing and must be there to really appreciate it. Try to be there, for at least once in your life, if you can. Especially, in winter.

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #2 - Halong Bay

1001 Places/Experiences to See and Savour After Remission ..#2

- Halong Bay, Vietnam

(Stand on the front of the boat for that awesome 360-view of this beautiful bay, with the gentle winds sweeping your hair)

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour #1 - Old Quarters, Hanoi

1001 Places/Experiences to See or Savour After Remission ..#1

- Streets of Old Quarters, Hanoi, Vietnam

(In the cool months, these Hanoi streets are crazy hectic but uniquely caught in a time-warp, with lots to buy with your millions of dongs!

#Note - This "1001 Places/Experiences Series" will begin to chart my journeys and experiences for the next 20years for us, 'the regular cancer-survivors', partly inspired by the "100 Places to See Before You Die" TV series and book, because the best revenge on cancer is to fight back successfully, play hard and show how much more life still has in store for us!)

Hanoi and Halong Bay - "Heaven & Earth"

The raw beauty of Hanoi and Halong Bay is simply captivating!
Perhaps it's the cool weather that surprised me. Or perhaps it's the old beauty of hectic Hanoi ("beep-beep!") coupled with the handsome, awesome islets of Halong Bay..

But whatever it was, the combination of Hanoi and Halong was a clear winner for me. I am beginning to learn that my short getaways to world-class beauties like this one at Halong Bay and last year at Angkor Wat have more meaning to me, carving out outstanding meories along the way.



What a way for me to start my own "1000 Places to See/Experience After Remission!", taking inspiration from the travel series-cum-book, "1000 Places to See Before You Die".

And Hanoi and Halong Bay are indeed the first 2 of my own 1000 Places!

12 Months, 12 Cancer Warriors..

In a meaningful tribute to cancer warriors who have successfully beaten cancer, Parkway Hospitals gathered 12 survivors together (for each of the 12 months of a year) at the Old Parliament House in October to give them an endearing afternoon, with family, friends and members of the press.

While an impressive String Quartet serenaded the warriors, Dr Ang Peng Tiam took to the stage to congratulate all 12 survivors who have successfully passed the all-important 5-year milestone. A lovely studio-produced photo-frame was given all the survivors to mark the occasion. This momento certainly gave me even more incentive to pass the next milestone of 10-years.

Goodness, why not aim to go all the way and pass the 50-year milestone all the same!

My 5-Year Milestone!

My 5-year milestone of being cancer-free is here, and it's today, 16-06-11!
Let the fireworks begin..

Thank you to everyone who have supported me, no matter how small or how insignificant you thought it was. I am so grateful, words cannot describe how I feel right now..

The Inner Child in Us..

There's a child in all of us.
And for me, watching Justin Bieber on stage brought back the teenager years, as he brought the house down last month.

And when The Lion King roared on the brand new stage at Marina Bay Sands, I know I am in touch with my inner child. What a spectacle of pure simplicity and beauty, at the same time. Makuna matata!

Seductive Spain and Portugal..

My own "Amazing Race" continues..
This time, it's the seductively beautiful Spain and Portugal!


Until one puts some quality time into Spain and Portugal, you only hear of Barcelona, Madrid and Lisbon. But the cities on the outskirts of each main city bring plenty of surprises, from the unique architecture of Salamanca, the flaming suckling pig of Segovia and the quiet charm of Zaragoza ("3653"). Toledo was another gem!

What a grand Iberian trip, indeed!
My "Amazing Race" therapy continues..

R-E-M-I-S-S-I-O-N

R-E-M-I-S-S-I-O-N

The 9-letter word that all cancer patients (and warriors) cannot wait to hear from their own oncologist, and on 23 March, I finally heard mine from Dr Ang!

"Have I finally made it? Is it already fully 5 years since the end of the last chemo?", we asked the good doctor in earnest.

Doc replied, "No, you are 3 month short, but your results are so good, I believe you have made it, Nellie!"

What a surge of emotions inside me! These 2 photos really depict everything that's inside me:

Once, I was blurred, from the backdrop.

Now, I am right on 100% focus! And at the forefront of my life!

I did it..

With the help of everyone around me - my family, my father in heaven, my Hubby, my Doc - I have saved my own life!

And to mark the occasion, Hubby bought a lovely ring, right off Orchard Road on the evening itself, to signify that my life has indeed come full circle!

Words cannot describe my gratitude to all who have helped me through this amazing roller-coaster of a journey. That night, as I lay in bed, I said a silent prayer..

(And oh, in case you are wondering, this is no April Fool's joke)

The Eagles have landed..again

What is it about this band, The Eagles, that simply melts all our cares away?

Here in the Singapore Indoor Stadium for a second bite of the cherry, we made sure we got our tickets again..no questions asked. And they were that good, as expected, and more..

We didn't quite catch them 'live' on video the first time around in 2004, but this time, our pocket Sony did the trick. "Welcome to the Hotel California.."..what an anthem for a generation.
They have to be the ultimate band of the 80's..

Ok, at this point, you must be thinking.."Did they do it on stage? Did they do that guitar solo?" Yes, they sure did. Here's Joe Walsh doin' his thing..

Enjoy..

Eric Clapton made it a Wonderful night..

Mr SlowHand himself, Eric Clapton, took to the Indoor Stadium stage and gave a polished performance last month as part of his World Tour, and hubby and I were able to be present for this rare occasion of seeing a real guitar maestro at work.

With songs like "I Shot The Sheriff" and the beautiful "Wonderful Tonight" sung 'live' on stage by the legend himself, what can go wrong in one's life, huh? Enjoy these 2 gems with me..

The legend lives on..

Eat, Pray, Awe..at Angkor

The beauty of Angkor Wat was in full display, as we jet into Siem Reap (and Cambodia) for the first time.

Over 900 years old, but once you see Angkor Wat in person, it is as if it was built only this century.. solid stones, intricate carvings, silk-cotton trees, ancient temples and all.

We came, thinking that this may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But we left, knowing we are just but a hop, step and jet-stop away..and we want to be immerse again in the beauty, peace and tranquility of Angkor Wat and its awesome surrounding temples of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Ta Promh and the Phimeanakas Palace.

It is indeed one of the true 7 Wonders of the World.

-Eiffel Tower (checked)

-Great Wall of China (checked)

-Great Pyramids (checked)

-Acropolis (checked)

-Colosseum (checked)

- and now, Angkor Wat (checked)

..now, which is the last Wonder? Our search continues..