Monday, December 31, 2007
We are ready to set off !!!!
WE ARE SETTING OFF ON 1PM 1st JANUARY 2008 @ MY HOUSE.
we be eating lunch at the coffeeshop (clementi Ave 2) at about 11-1230, then 1pm we will go by AYE towards 2nd link, then will stay at my in-law house at JB (tun aminah nearby) for a day or so...
we do welcome fellow well wishes, friends and relatives.
a handshake meant alot for us.
average, we will be updating the blog at least once or twice a week depending of Wifi avalibility or if we met any cybercafe.
this will be the last blog update for me in singapore, as i am going to cancel my internet access and phone line on 31st dec 2006
Singapore dream round the world trip made possible, with a dream and desire. we may not cover all 48 countries in 18 months but to experience as much as possible.
I will miss my home, where everything looked so familiar, where the soil and land i belong to, where i will protect because it is my home.
till today, i sent out 60 letters out to big companies out there and only 4 replied with blessings but without sponsoring, i would liked to thank them for replying me, as to a person they do not know.
for the rest of the 56 companies, im still waiting. more marketing opportunities awaits u and me!
Hii Junhui and my buddie Leong Kah Wei contrubuted to my RTW funding. Thank you.
a friend asked me a question... if i were to call back singapore, who will i call? my answer.....
my answer.... im still finding the answer today. er... maybe roam charges expensive lah.... but will mass contact everybody thro this blog.
i live my life without regrads. for those that i loved and i left, you will always have a room in my heart.
my mum, lived a life full of regrads, gave me most inspration.
when i was young, i always like to read and browse picture of the planet and universe. the universe is so great! the earth is so tiny. few hundred million years old planet earth lived. i only have one life. to use to the fullest. we have the ability to use our life to do what ever we want to but we do not own our life. its so vulnerable. today u maybe talking to someone but tomorrow you heard that he is gone.
i used to have a customer... he was very hard working. we are in landscape industry as it is a tough job but he was very happy. he told me next month he is going to retire and join his family in new zealand. he told me that it was such a wonderful place......few days later, he was gone, gone and really gone.
isn't it scary that you just sleep, next morning you couldn't wake up?
my friend... don't think too much.... just go enjoy and see the world!
while clearing my files and drawers, i found this cutting in my file. it was 10 years ago.... it has always been with me in the drawer. it kept me going... going and going....
thank you!
Friday, December 28, 2007
my seahorse...
got blessing from all of them.. they actually treat me makan and gave me angpao...( red packet with money) to bless me luck.
they are:
chongwei
cheekit
andrew loy
thomas
alex wong
soon yak
jason wong
alfred lum & wife
vernon lim
khor siang koon
derrick lee
nicky tang
elvis giam
ruixiang
ah seng (AKA wilson chan)
lye weng kit (AKA molat!!!)
chan yong han
yeoh teck meng (dee yah peh)
the $$$ i can survive for quite some time....
the blessing is for this trip.
the friendship is for life.
Personal fund raising:............
im selling this 2 helmet for my personal fund raising.
good condition collectable half cap.... cannot find in singapore.
i am selling at SGD$200.00 each, $350.00 for both.
thank you.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
when is my departure date?
wah now... many people wan to send us off... i wanna thanks to all these friends and relatives. all chasing me for date... they call and sms me: oei... izzit 31st dec or 1st jan?
i said i dont know... so many important things haven do... last minute cock up...
example, our personal accident insurance with AXA, i settled 2 months ago... cheque issued. yesterday i recived news that we are rejected bcoz we are going one shot 540 days... not coming back.. not many insurance company wan to take us...
i have an idea.. i have a AIA saving insurance, i call that agent (never met b4) and she helped us to add on to our saving insurance. but will have 25% loading.... bopian... 50% or 200% loading oso must pay at this last minute. they need to summit the next day, then posting takes 1-3 working days, then it takes 1-3 days for the person in charge to recive on his desk, then need 3-5 working days for him to think about my case of going to 48countries in 18 months on bike, then gota discuss with his superior and that takes another 1-3 working days, then upon confirmation or got re-offer of the premium, they need to type a letter to my agent explaining the case, then the agent need to find time to meet me make sure i sign with ink with the re-offer with loading, then need to sent back to process at the accounts department, then can approve.......
I JUST WANT TO BUY AN INSURANCE POLICY, WHY SO DIFFICULT?!?! CANT SOMEBODY TAKE THE DECISION TO MAKE THE DEAL?! MUST GO THRO THIS GO THRO THAT?! CHECK HERE CHECK THERE?!?! FAX NOT WORKING, NEVER RECIVE EMAIL, CHECK THE EMAIL ADDRESS IF ITS CORRECT, THE MAIL WAS SENT 3 WEEKS AGO BLAH BLAH BLAH........
i call another insurance company and buy thro phone... they are gonna collect the $ tomorow and will only sent the policy 3 weeks after they collect the money. WHAT THE HELL?! 3 weeks?!!?!? we./.... my sis gonna handle it on my behalf.
so how my friends? if u were me?
we do not want to miss anything not done in singapore.
we do not have anybody to wipe our backside after we go.
we will only come back in 18 months if we leave our handphone at home and thought of u-turn to retrive it.
this trip... inspired me 10 years ago.... start research 5 years ago, working on it 3 years ago, 100% compiling all the bits and pieces by the 2 of us full time at only 1 month ago.
tight..... somemore motorbike gone. fund not enough. no corporate backup sponsor.
many many reason for me not to go!
how ah? still start on 1st jan 2008?
dear friends: please advice me.
thank u... abit of my riding profile..
my parents wouldn't allow to sit on motorbike, then they say:IF YOU DARE TO SIT ON ANYONE'S BIKE I GONNA BREAK YOUR LEGS!
luckily i did not sit on anyone's bike after they warn me, so instead, i go learn and sit on my own bike!
got my 1st bike in 1995 Yamaha RXZ
then go JB for modification, buy stuff, get into illegal racings... got sick of running away from TP.
decided to buy honda helix 250cc when i got 2A, first bike trip was with the Two Wheelers then. go kota tinggi.
got my ST11 in 1998 may, go Phuket in 1998 june. go hatyai charity ride in 1998 dec.
go NS in 1999.
1999-2001 just went to a few charity rides and usual malaysia 1-4 days rides.
2001 dec went to surat thani 3nation ride and went up bangkok, met a new gf and pillion her up NorthEast of thailand to her hometown alone (one bike)...cool place... stayed around for a few weeks before coming back to singapore alone. that was really daring of me doing it alone without any spares or Kakis.
2003 go Mae Hon Son and Laos. juz me and another GS (my secondary school friend), he lagi daring... first trip to thailand and we shoot up to all these places already... i got no experience in going up north,,... Juz shoot only. Laos also juz shoot.
2004 bought KTM 640 advanture, together, 8 close friends venture into cambodia. 150km of road takes us 6-8hrs.... that's how the road was. i would not want to travel that road again....
2005 Chinese new year, my wife and i went to Chiang Rai on my ST11 solo. we did a 12 days plan and everything was very casual... we love it!
2006 got married... started business...
2007 dec 27th. i am here.....
i may have been lucky.... but i try to create the luck. my full operation ready bike for my RTW trip may be stolen but it only taught me some lesson learn, it did not stop me for the RTW trip.
now... going to the war with only 10 rounds of bullet instead of 60. Are u Ready? some other singaporean go for such RTW trips do not have 10 rounds of bullets but 100 times of mine. some grew up in arsenal and have never finish their bullets in their life.
the amount of bullet i have, shake my confident of the trip. but i still go... thats the part of the advanture i gonna have... to fight the war with this 10 bullets.
i hope i can inspire more fellow singaporean to live their dream.... nothing is impossible.
Singapore: city of possibilities.
4 days more... counting down.
my tears dried up at 4am, 25dec. went to sleep. woke up at 1pm 25dec and continued writing. when i seriously recall all the events of me and them, the 'dripping tap' start again.
i met up with the family at Tiong Hock's new house. everyone was there... i tried very hard to present the folder to everybody but i couldn't. i broke down and cry.... oh... what a man. a man that is going with his wife round the world on his motorbike is crying because of his Nanny's love?!
Yes... that's me... that's me.... i really appreciate their love all these while. they taught me a lot of things in life, encouraged me and kept me going. i am what i am today partly influenced by them (on the positive side).
i hugged my Nanny with tears in the end and telling her thank you is all i can do.
Love is about giving. when i love someone, u give, not hoping that the person will return the appreciation to u. just pure love, when u give, u just want the receiver to be good and happy.
i did not buy big presents for them nor visit them regularly but their love will always be in my heart. i will keep their love and try to present to the people around me. (not an easy task!)
at about 3pm while i was arranging the folder for Nanny, my God Dad and God Mother arrived at my door step. without fail, when ever i got any big occasions, they would be there, like the heavenly god. to support me and to give me encouragement with advice. my four God sisters are great. they would also join hands and bless me with their sincere heart. they are like my Nanny family. i can feel their heart with blessing. these are the TRUE people around my life.
Thank you and My wife and i will keep u in our heart.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
CARNET IS GOOD?! please read
wah... so good ah? the issuing autority pay fine for me.....
chinese saying: where got free lunch to eat?!!!
i quote from a website:
the Carnet allows travellers to temporarily import their vehicles without having to leave a cash deposit at the border. It is, in essence, an international guarantee for payment of customs duties and taxes to a government should the vehicle not be re-exported from that country. Persons who temporarily import their vehicles into countries where the Carnet is required must agree to obey the laws and regulation of that country and particularly the conditions of temporary importation.
The Carnet contains relevant information about the vehicle – make, model, colour, engine capacity, seating capacity, registration number, owner and value.
In order to obtain a Carnet, the owner of a vehicle is required to provide a security based on the age and market value of the vehicle. Generally three types of security are acceptable from motoring organisations:
Cash bond;
Banker's letter of indemnity;
insurance policy.
3c) i have to look for a bank to deposit SGD$10000.00 with them as required by AA as a banker's guarantee, ask the bank to write a letter to AA that i have put a $10000.00 in the bank and i have to pay an admin fee of $400-$600 for that letter to be handed to AA as a guarantee. So that they can debit $$$ off from that $10k in case i kana summon or export my bike for sale in XXX country.
the letter says:
AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPOR
336 River Valley Road
#03-00 AA Centre
Singapore 238366
Dear Sirs
BANKER’S GUARANTEE NO. ________________ FOR S$_____________
In consideration of the application for the Carnet De Passages En Douane we,
We will on demand in writing, without proof or condition, pay to you a sum not exceeding Singapore Dollars
Our liability under this Guarantee is limited to a maximum aggregate sum of Singapore Dollars
This Guarantee shall not be affected by any change in your constitution or the constitution of
You may not assign your rights under this Guarantee without our prior written consent.
This Guarantee is not assignable and not transferable.
This Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect from
After the aforesaid Date of Expiry our liability hereunder shall automatically cease and be discharged and your rights hereunder shall be extinguished and this Guarantee shall be null and void notwithstanding that this Guarantee is not returned to us for cancellation save and except for claims in writing received by us on or before the Date of expiry. We shall have no liability hereunder in respect of any claim under this Guarantee which has not been received by us on or before the Date of Expiry.
A person who is not a party to this Guarantee has no right under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 53B to enforce any term of this Guarantee.
This Guarantee shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Singapore.
Dated this _____ day of _____
Yours faithfully
For and on behalf of
___________________ ___________________
Authorised Signatory Authorised Signatory
end of letter
it has been more than a month that i become a middle man between AA and my bank.
bank ask: use AA or bank format?
i call AA, (60-80% of the time not at the desk) AA reply: got no format. use bank's format
i call bank, (lucky got direct line but also sometime not at desk): use your format.
....after some 3-6 working days.... bank reply: this format can or not?
the bank is quite good. ask me for confirmation bcoz if AA dont accept the letter from bank and want to admend, it will cost a few hundred dollars.
....then i gota go home, forward the email to AA, wait for their reply....
.... after calling the incharge in AA for next few days... (not at desk and the secretary answer, tell u the incharge will call u back)...... wait and wait for reply... few days passed!
then aa say can use their format... which they say they got no format earlier?!?!
then ask this can or not ask that can or not..
will get back to u... will check for you...
AA quoted me that the carnet takes about 28 working days to process when i wanted to apply during june 2007. they are very good and advice me to do when my trip is nearer... which i start applying in november 07. until now i dont get anything..... and im leaving singapore in 8 day's time. 24 dec half day, 25 dec holiday, 29 dec = saturaday = half day, 30 dec = sunday, 31st dec = half day, 1st Jan = holiday. im left with 5 working days only! the bank also quoted me 5 working days but now haven get anyting!!
.
.
.
.
.
my $24000.00 bike was stolen with equipment. (lost)
i bought another 9 years old bike for $7500.00 and spend $4000.00 on modify and repair. (expenses due to lost of bike)
total lost SGD$35500.00 before the trip starts!!!!!!
AA impost a $10000.00 fund to be set aside as a gurantee for my bike.
total: SGD$45500.00.
WHAT THE HELL WORLD IS THIS?!?!?!?!?
all my hard earn money gone!! but im still going for this trip!!!!
lost of bike and AA drained about 70-80% of my fund.
everynight i tried to sleep early.. about 11pm but i would wake up at 3am... too much things to think in my head.....
i sent out 70 sponsorship letters to 20 odd listed big companies and 10 odd superbrand company in singapore but only 3 replied: im sorry that ......but we wish you best of your journey.
these are the companies i sent to:
DBS
HSBC
UOB
OCBC
Temasek holdings
singtel
starhub
Mobile one
super coffeemix
Creative Technology Limited
SIA
HYFLUX LTD
Nera Telecommunications Ltd
SINGAPORE POST LIMITED
BREADTALK GROUP LIMITED
Dennis wee Group
Seng Choon Farm Pte Ltd
Tiger airways
Singapore Petroleum Company Limited
Stamford Tyres Corporation Limited
AP Oil International Limited
Apollo Enterprises Limited
Ascott Residence Trust Management Limited
Asia Pacific Breweries Limited
Banyan Tree Holdings Limited
CK Tang Limited
Eu Yan Sang International Ltd
Fraser and Neave Limited
Haw Par Corporation Limited (formerly: Haw Par Brothers International Ltd)
Jurong Cement Limited
Qian Hu Corporation Limited
Yeo Hiap Seng Limited
YHI International Limited
maybe there isnt enough time for me to get the sponsor to reply.
maybe there isnt enough good reason for them to sponsor me.
i am just a HDB grown up normal singaporean that want to achive a dream in my life, making singapore a city of possiblities.
i shall wait to get my carnet before i leave.... hopefully the bank and AA can work more efficiently and i can leave on 31 dec 2007.
many people tell me: So much trouble, so many hurdle, before the trip, god has hinted u not to go.
i was puzzled and i replied: god is testing my capability. luckily the bike was stolen locally, not when i was in brazilian jungle or iranian desert.
LADIES AND GENTLEMENT, THE TRIP WILL STILL BE ON!!!
Saturday, December 22, 2007
big mess.... giving away... throwing away..
again with the gate with main door
gate, main door, letter box
gate, main door, letterbox, my 1st yamaha
RXZ 135cc motorbike at aged 17.
my truck key.
more and more keys...
going for the trip, im preparing this simple 3 sets. of bike and box keys.
give away hamster...
giving away my pet hamster... i transpot it with my bike.... usually at home he will be very noisy and kpo in the cage, running the wheel and waking us up in the night... but when he know that we are packing up and giving him away to a friend, that scares him and thro out the journey, he was stiff and still. we did not put him in the box but my wife carry it on the lap when i rode the bike. mayb it was the first time going out of the house and first time on motorbike at such high speed. i wonder if the pet needs a helmet on the bike.
My yellow boots.
im throwing my famous yellow boots. wear it for the last time!
our past trips...
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
headache
i will miss chinese new year in singapore
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
When can i done all my visa???
Finally,i get the India's visa on tommorrow. I was waiting 5 days working day for this.Luckly within the proccess time we can go to apply another country.which Pakistan's visa. Many friends ask me"When can you done all the visa?" Actually I don't know.As Malaysian,we need to do all center america's visa and north america. North america 's visa are more hard to get if you have not done your homework.Some country i can't apply too early because of the valid day.hopefully,can be done along the way.I think will be expert for this after this trip.
wrote by:Samantha
Thursday, December 6, 2007
1st visa done.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Some people i want to say thanks!
Monday, December 3, 2007
things to be done!!!
1) some big companies/organisations still owe me (My company) small money. u should know who u are......they check and check and will check at let u know. ask them when they say they will call XXX and let u know again. "er... i sent the cheque a week ago", i think they have the habit of dragging small contractor's $$$.
2) we be visiting 40 odd countries. we have NOT done ANY VISA for ANY of the countries yet! some countries has no embessy in singapore, nearest is mayb washington or russia or japan. worst, my wife and i are holding 2 passport of different nationality! its a good challange!
3) personal clothings not planned yet... we gota search for the lightest, durable, smallest, quick dry, all purpose type. for cold and for tropical.
4) my house is still in a mess.... Ling Hong Juz quit her job. anyone willing to spare me a store room for 18 mths???
5) Ling Hong have not bought her boots for riding. we have not got our glove for riding. we are still waiting for our paid back protector from JR Pte Ltd. saying their shipment will arrive very soon. then very soon.... very soon, coming next week, i will let u know... blah blah blah.
6) our first aid kit not ready. nothing bought~ this is a very personal tinggy. it must be customized.
7) MY SPONSORS!!!!!!$$$!!!! The amount of $$$ i have is definatly not enough to come back.
Q n A:
Q: how much is enough?
A: $$$ for singaporean always not enough. if i got a million, when i come to a 2 star hotel and a 6 star hotel, i will definatly go for the 6 stars. i would go for a better comfort and luxuary living. if im with a tight budget, i will save to the max!
Q: how can the sponsors help you?
A: I need a banker. some body that is supporting behind me in CASH $$$ when my fund is drained. I would also need my sponsors to provide me with overseas reliable contacts that i can link up with, staying at their home, sharing my experience in singapore and helping out in any ways. A telecommunication sponsorship for usage of my mobile autoroaming around the 40 odd countries would be great! and also wireless/internet access anywhere around the world. u can test the reliability of signals along my travel route.
Q: how can the sponsors benefit?
A: Kharma?.... nah... its the spirit. you can challange us but do support us. if my bike got stolen again, will anyone send $ to me? if i got into accident or minefield and my leg needed to be amputed for exchange for my life, will anyone send $ for my wife?
i) those friends that have given me the $ and supported me in giving me the equipment that i needed, you will definatly have the chance to mark on my bike. we will always remember u in our heart.
ii) for any commercial sponsors, your company will have the chance to paste a sticker on my bike. we are going to carry your brand around the world. especially singapore home made brands. we can discuss about your requirements in media and advertising.
Q: how will you spend the $?
A: this 18mth trip is not a honeymoon nor holiday. its a gap year on our life where we go out and experience life and find out the unknown. we invested in a S$600.00 tent because we will be staying in temple, backyard of strangers, greens and any other places that u can never think of! staying 10 days in the tent makes our return of investment. (10 days x $60 = $600.00) the rest of the days in tent is a profit in $. in high living expenses countries, we will try to self cook. but there are lots of neccessery stuff that we have to spend like visa application, petrol, medication, safety, government taxes, bike wear and tear.... all of these are unforseen!
Q: how can i pass the $ to u? how can we meet u for furthur discussion?
A: email me atmailto: mailyourself@spamer.com.sg or mailothers@spammailtoomuch.com ,identify yourself and i would reply ASAP.
Q: can i send u jokes to your email?
A: this is a business email. going for 18mths round the world is a business! if you feel its ok to send jokes or spam mail to a business email, please do so.
8) our bike. a whole toilet roll of items to be repaired, fixed, check, orientated and tested. i do not have any transport at this moment. the bike is at my friend's workshop M-Technik Motorsports LLP at ubi. he supported my idea and gave me a brand new rear suspension. spares has to be bought, the bike has to be tested for a few times before the actual date. anyway, if anything break down along the way, how ah????
9) our friends and relatives: i love you all. you shall let us go. it may be dangerous outside but it may not be safe at home. do encourage me to explore and return in a wiser state, to share with our fellow singaporeans! i wanna meet up with you all!