Weekend away from home

It’s been a month since our last travel, so another one has was planned right after we touched down from Perth. This time was for Phantom of the Opera in Singapore! Excitement was reeling inside as this would be my 2nd time watching Phantom. Unfortunately, only snippets came to mind of the New York Broadway excursion. I mean, I was only 18 at that time and theatres and plays were not my kind of thing. Not until it struck a cord as I was traveling back on the subway totally mesmerized by the 2 ½ hour show. From there swelled an increasing endeavor for real life acting. Since then, I’ve watched Fame, Sound of Music, Stomp Out Loud, Grease, Puteri Gunung Ledang, several small local productions, and other dance ensembles. I’ve even landed a job as Speech and Drama Instructor at present. I somehow regret not delving into theatre studies a bit more when I was in Perth, but that just wasn’t my major. Hence, I’d cruise along and see where my passion leads me.

We took a night bus to Singapore, having our FIRST taste of Amazing Race. I ended my last class promptly at 930pm, jumped into my car and raced to Pudu to catch our bus that was departing at 1030pm. We arrived no earlier or later then 1030pm. Then racing to the Transnational counter, we asked the personnel which bus was ours, he pointed to the moving one and blatantly said “Sudah pergi”. Totally un-empathizing our situation he simple turned away while we scrambled for the moving bus. We banged on the door hopped in but the bus driver told us that his bus was not Singapore bound. Scrambling out again we looked around for other Transnational bus but found none. True enough our bus had left and it was the one tailing the bus we hopped on! With thoughts reeling to find an alternative, Terence tried again persuading the personnel to call the bus driver to stop, while I weaved through the massive crowd looking for another bus that will take us to Singapore that very night. After minutes of persuasion, Terence managed to sweet talk the guy and made the bus stop, the only problem now was that I was lost in the crowd somewhere and we desperately need a taxi to take us to wherever the bus was waiting. Everything happened so quickly, as I charged my way through the crowd, galloped down the stairs and hailed a taxi down. Terence came running behind and jumped into the taxi, as I instructed the taxi driver in whatever Cantonese I could mutter. Finally we were on our way to the bus. Throughout the whole taxi ride I felt as if we were breathing down the taxi driver’s neck with multiple “Hurry hurry uncle” “Uncle go faster!” “Faster faster uncle!" "Very very urgent!!!” “DRIVE DRIVE”. A 20 minute adrenaline rush landed us on the right bus, with the right bus seats and a very patient bus driver who wasn’t at all perturbed by our crazy race. What a way to start a holiday!

We bunked in with Mr and Mrs Lee ;) throughout our stay there, Lee Yen played a splendid hostess fashioning us with mattresses, linens, pillows, towels and even city guides. We explored the city by foot most of Sat and even bagged ourselves some great bargains. We had Old Chang Kee for tea while watching the Lee’s honeymoon pictures, then headed to the riverside for dinner before our show. It was a beautiful evening at Al Dente as we dined alfresco – Japanese square lamps hung over head, tea lights lit on every table, white washed table cloth and slick tableware and most of all the view of the river that made all things so charming to the eye. But above all, without the company, it’ll just be any ordinary dinner at a nice restaurant – so thank you LY and CT for the fellowship!

Terence and I adjourned for the show while the Lee’s caroused away the romantic evening. Needless to say Phantom once again mesmerized me with greater impact – from the intricate costumes to the grandeur of each prop and backdrop – I left the theatre in awe and with absolute respect for both cast and crew. My hats off in standing ovation! Dare I dream to be invited backstage to a performance like that?! I dare and I dream – let’s hope it comes true someday – soon!