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Showing posts from March, 2014

Penang And Phuket Cycling Cruise Expedition - 16 to 19 Mar 2014

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Group picture before the ride in Penang The idea of combining cruise vacation with cycling was first mooted by Sandy of Star Cruises sometime last year. Indeed I was honoured to be invited by her to help organise this unique cruise program - a first by any cruise operator in this part of the world.  Our maiden voyage took place in October last year where we cruised to Phuket and Langkawi onboard Superstar Virgo for our cycling tour.  It was an enjoyable experience for all, we had load of fun & laughter and very soon, we were already planning the second departure with Xuejin and her team from Star Cruises.   Check-in of bikes at Singapore Cruise Centre Our second edition was scheduled on 16 to 19 Mar this year and this time we will be heading to Penang and Phuket onboard Star Cruises' largest vessel, Superstar Virgo.  For good measure, it is a 75,338 gross tonnage vessel that can carry more than 1,800 passengers.  We were better prepared for our second departure as

A Boo-Boo At Airport

It happened in the 80s when I was working at the airport.  It was another typical flight departure where our flight was bounded for Amsterdam which left on time.  After the flight had touched down, we were informed by the Dutch immigration that there were some Middle Eastern passengers on the flight who were travelling on forged passports.  As an international accepted practise, they had to be deported back to the port of origin since their nationality could not be ascertained and in this instance, it was Singapore.  They were then immediately put back on the same flight to Singapore which had a stopover in Delhi on either way. I was not on duty when the return flight landed at Changi Airport.  There was no need to call for enhanced security as it was a normal case of deportee where the arrival staff would escort them to the immigration.  There were about five men if I remember correctly.  When they arrived at the arrival hall, two suddenly dashed past the immigration, past the cus