Storm Riders Singapore

3rd March 2012, Storm Riders Singapore held their Annual General Meeting at Gunung Ledang, Malaysia. We were hesitated to go due to the work commitment and the condition of Hope Too. Sam and I seldom join organized group for riding. In the end, we give it a try. The only contact we have with Storm Riders is Steve Chia.

Meeting time was very easy. we could sleep till our normal hours and wake up. We found out that the packing procudure was tedious. packing for a 2 days trip is almost the same as for 2 weeks trip.

There were marshall briefing before setting off and they reminded us not to speed because there is a police road block within few kilometers.

The convoy of about 50 went slow and reached the police road block. Everyone went smoothly and the police put out his hands and fingers, pointing at me! Hope Too can't travel more than 110km/hr (the Malaysian highway speed limit) and I was thinking, why me? Hope Too was the only bike that got stopped out of the 50.

3 policemen came over and spoke to me in a warning tone:

WHERE IS YOUR FRONT NUMBER PLATE? HOW IS MY CAMERA GOING TO TAKE PHOTO OF YOUR BIKE NUMBER? THIS IS MALAYSIA, NOT SINGAPORE.

I pointed out at the 'spare' numbers I had at the front fork. The policeman says it's not acceptable. The camera can't capture the image.

YOU TELL ME HOW? THIS IS MALAYSIA.

he looked furious.

Situation control:

1) has to give him lots of respect because he is the authority and we are in his country.

2) identify and admit the problem with sincerity.

3) provide solution for him.

4) be friendly.

Because i just changed Hope Too's front windscreen, i forgot to fix the metal number plate and luckily it is in the box. I took it out and fix it.

While fixing, they scanned my bike and seeing some signatures.

He pointed out one of them and asked who is this and I replied: that is my president, my president of Singapore's signature. you don't know him?

He walked away.

After fixing the number on the bike, they didn't seemed to bother talking to me anymore. So we rode off.

The rest of the convoy rode at their normal speed but Hope Too was coughing and sweating if he is going above 100km/hr. So we were the last bike to reach the next meet up lunch point, Pagoh.

When we reached Pagoh, the hardworking marshall were waiting for us at the point of entry under the hot sun. they were very patient.

While we were having lunch, someone tried to break the car door of one of the member's. it was noon time, bright daylight, the police beat is just about 10 meters away and yet, it happened. The Northsouth Highway's R&R is a dangerous place. that is where our Hope was lost before the trip. it's actually risky to park the vehicle and walk up to the eatery with out able to view at your own vehicle.

the ride continues to Tangkat exit where we regroup and ride into the resort with local police escort. The traffic police of Malaysia stopped every vehicle that is coming into our way and made them stop aside. We may have caused a little congestion in the town. Hope Too told me that he overheard other vehicles that were being stopped complained about us. I wonder if the Malaysian bikers were to come to Singapore and we can organize our traffic police is able to do the same.

Gunung Ledang is the highest mountain in Johor State.

The trees here are massive, hugh, straight and stout!

One tree can support many life form. If we cut or remove a tree, it is the same as demolishing the house of many friends out there.

can u see the leech?

We met many old and new friends on this short trip. Some of them were facebook friends that we have not met before. Some were veteran bikers that had venture South East Asia when I was still learning how to ride a bicycle. Mr Loh was telling me of his epic journey in 1985 where he rode to Golden Triangle, Thailand. Also, Anthony, that we met via facebook. I was so glad to see Our Motorcycle Diaries sticker on his bike.

good camera to spot the adam's apple on the performing ladies.

Previous president of Storm Rider did a good job. He sung 'My Way', it's a simple song but heavy lyrics.

Bikes, friends, beer and sexy ladies always made a good combination.

and we started with one beer,

Singha beer complimentary from Mr Loh.

continued with some beers.

ended up with .....

and

Next day, we went to Malacca for a cold desert..

It is actually our 6th year wedding anniversary trip.

Lunar New Year in Singapore.

Lunar New Year is an important festival for all the Chinese around the world. It marks the beginning of a year. The old and unused ones will be replaced. That is the time for us to do spring-cleaning. For business man, all debts will be cleared. For kids, they will be sets of new clothing.

On the eve, family would have reunion dinner. In the past, family members go to far away places to work and only will come back to their home town to meet up and rest for this festive season. In Singapore, we would usually have steamboat dinner to feast. In the past, simple food like rice and vegetables were eaten everyday but during the Lunar New Year, meat, fish and some other delicacy will be bought and served.

So now in Singapore, having abalone is a luxury and it symbolized that the family had did well and this is to reward the whole year’s hard work.

This year, Sam and I had a 7 days non-stop feasting and visiting of relatives.

Godparents, my dad’s brothers and aunties and cousin, my Godparent’s siblings, Ah Chong (at hospital), Dr Tan, my nanny, Noris, then we went to Malaysia to visit Samantha’s family, her uncle and cousins, her sister’s in law, dinner with Chenghow and wife, Angel and Leo, Shiyun and family came to visit us, then we attended a special wedding function. Coming back to Singapore, we met up with my poly band mates and went for my Godfather’s birthday dinner, Anthony Ang’s house for feast and on the 7^th day, we met up with my secondary school band friends, to my 3^rd uncle house which is my mum’s siblings then to my uncle Heng’s house for feast.

 It is all for one cause: to catch up even all of us are busy during the rest of the year.

So I see the positive side of this festival is that we are able to meet up and see the younger ones growing as compared to the previous year, seeing the elderly ones getting more grey hair.

We witnessed some friends/relatives do have bad habits. It was kind of them to initiate their house for the gathering but the host were more busy entertaining themselves. So I saw some guest left immediately after the meal. I guess the bonding has been broken and I know that something must be done.

Then, we observed everyone is paying attention to the new kids and babies. The reaction of these new and young family members has shown the past teaching of the parents. At the same time, most of my younger cousin that used to be naughty had grown up and is taking over the role of a host.

At this time, Samantha and I do not have kids and we surely do not know how is the life of having a kid. No comments.

It was tiring but rewarding. Able to see our love ones and their family.

It is all about being thankful…

The most symbolic thing that we did was at Samantha’s family. 15 of us knee down and served her mother a cup of tea, individually. At the same time, thanking her for the past effort and giving her our blessings.

Can you guess, where am I? this was taken during my great grandmother's 100th birthday.

Lunar new Year 'salad'. 

Singapore Leprosy Relief Association

Our 2nd project for Lunar New Year 2012.

Samantha went to purchase the last batch of oranges from Clementi NTUC

Willy Ang, Jen Soh and her daughter drew time out from this big festive season to help the folks.

The care taker of the home helped us too.

One of the patients. 

Many of them had leprosy when they were a kid and their family abandoned them. So, they do not know what it feels to have a family.

There are 41 patients here. Some of them can move by themselves, these are the ones that are bed bounded.

This 90+ years old lady cant see anymore. She does not have fingers.

This is their home. they are very normal people. We shake hands with them and gave them our blessings.

Thou this building is built in 2005 and seemed new, it has not been maintain and the working crew used a big canvas to prevent the rainwater from dripping directly onto the hall. the roof has been leaking for some time.

Thanks to the heart warming people that helped in this project. Samantha, Willy, Jen Soh and daughter and the working crew at the home.

St. Andrew's Cathedral Home for the Aged

This year, we stop buying things for Chinese New Year. Things like abalone is so expensive! When you go on the street, you would witness people busy buying new clothes, new furniture, new TV, new shoes and lots of lots of goodies at home. For us, we bought the minimum. We use the money to do something worthwhile, for others.

We decide to do something for the community around Clementi. I know of this home where the old ladies would stay. Our motive is to let them know that they are not forgotten during this festive season. I think the best gift is just an Ang Pao (a traditional red paper packet which contain money) and some oranges. 

Samantha and I chose every oranges carefully, inspecting each box and each orange.

Sheng Siong Clementi has convenient loading bay and good staff to help us to load our purchase.

23 goodie bags. We put on facebook about our activity. Jen Soh and Willy Ang replied and the willingly to come and help us. Both of them are very approachable and their job is to take our packed oranges and to wish and bless the elderly.

Sorry I am not good in this, so they had helped the team in a very good way.

Jen Soh gave the elderly a bright day with her warm approach although it was a rainy day.

Samantha helped to pack the oranges into 23 small packets before Jen and Willy comes.

Jen Soh with the oldest lady in the home, she is 98 years old.

The supervisor Mrs Margaret Lim, sharing the history of this home with us.

Willy and Samantha.

Thank you Willy and Jen Soh for your valuable time and effort for making the old folks happy.

Willy is also active in volunteering. He also advised me about other homes. 1st day of Chinese New Year, Samantha and Willy will join me to visit Singapore Leprosy Relief Association.

The purpose of this visit is to let the people in this home feel the joy of this festive season. I went to make a visit yesterday. There are 43 patients living in this home and most of them DO NOT have family members. This building looked very very new and modern from the external look but when i went in, the 5 level building is leaking when raining. they use a big canvas to cover the indoor hall. 

Leprosy Home is like a home. they have normal activities and this is their home. The patients are normal. The home is a home and we are going to visit their home on the first day of Chinese New Year, Monday 23 January 2012. Time is around 4pm - 6pm.

http://www.silra.org.sg/

Please do contact us if you want to make 2012 Chinese New Year a special year for those forgotten ones in the society.

About tree ownership in Singapore.

Many arborists in Singapore are invited to study health and risk assessment of trees for property owners. They have been conservative towards risk assessment because most property owners appreciate new buildings, concrete and metal rather than trees.

These trees had been standing there for the past many decades, providing shade and shelter for us, taking in the carbon dioxide and giving us new fresh oxygen, giving birds a home and working 24 hours a day without asking for any credit. All they need is a constant correct attention.

Keeping trees in the estate can be at very low expenses but when old trees are not healthy and sick, surgery could be costly.

The job of an arborist is a language translator, to tell human what the tree is trying to say. But most of the arborist are being pressured that they do not want to take liability from the risk involve as nothing is 100% guarantee that the tree will not fail. Like any human medical doctor, they will tell the patient’s family the most conservative chances and solutions, and have to take the risk for undergoing treatment.

Here lies my love for trees, I found this poem from a book and share with you before reading the report.

The Tree’s Prayer

You who would pass by and raise your hand against me

            listen before you harm me.

I am the heat of your hearth on the cold winter nights,

            the friendly shade screening you from the summer sun;

And my fruits are refreshing draughts

            quenching your thirst as you journey on.

I am the beam that holds your house,

            the board of your table,

            the bed on which you lie

            and the timber that build your boat.

I am the handle of your hoe

            and the door of your homestead,

            the wood of your cradle

            and the shell of your coffin.

I am the gift of God

            and the friend of man.

You who pass by, listen to my prayer…

            Harm me not.

                                    (Anonymous translated from the Portugese)

Save the trees

Do you believe in cause and effect?

I got a call to attend a case this morning.

4 persons were injured by a fallen dead branch from a tree. Blood was spurting out from 1 of them, 3 others was hit on the shoulder and back.

When I reached the site, the property manager was there with 15 other contractors. Everyone was worried and was trying to do the: not my fault, when I came in, it was already like that… or: we just took over the contract 1 month ago. How long does the branch takes to become this condition? You must come and tell them it is more than one month.

The branch is about 5-6 inches in diameter and about 10 meters long without any leaves on it.

When I walked to the tree that threw this branch, the tree told me that she is very angry because someone had step on her leg and given her wrong things to eat, causing her to have bad tummy ache. Also, she is thirsty and she needs to have a bigger house to grow.  She knew who stepped on her legs and she also knew who is the one that decided to build the structures. So she threw her broken branches at them. She was angry.

I told the tree:

            ok, don’t worry, I am here to protect you and promise you that you will not

be hurt anymore. I know that you have been working endlessly for the past             

30 years here, day and night. Giving shade to human and cars, giving home to             

the birds and beautifying this place. I will try to ask them to give u a public            

service medal for your long service award.

The tree gave me a blink and smiled at me.

I walked around the tree and saw construction damages on the roots. I see the new layer of heavy tar that had be super compacted because this road is meant for super heavy vehicles. They are throwing cement slurry on the soil to feed the tree.

I went back to the property manager and told him what the tree needed. He already had his own opinion and was giving instruction to everyone. He wanted to reduce the crown of all the 61 trees along this road. I told him, they do not need crown reduction but to clean up and give them proper feed.

He tried to explain to me that because accident happened, he has to show everyone that something has been done. He is making the decision for his own benefit! He want to answer to his boss!

Then I pursued him to only do alternate trees for the reduction. He said no, must do it altogether. I kept quiet because I am very new in this organization. When I gave my opinion, someone raised out that if I want to suggest anything, please go thro them before going to the property manager. I kept quiet.

After some time, this property manager told us to remove the 2 trees that are near to the construction area. One of them was the angry tree.

Then, one of the guy that the tree was angry with, came and tell the property manager: remove all 3, not 2!

He sounded angry and demanding too.

Hearing this, I was stunted to hear that the property manager agreed without hesitation or reconsideration. It sounded like bargaining of price at a market and the seller agreed to the bargain without counter offer.

I went blank and dare not look at the tree or go near her anymore because I promised her that I would give her what she wanted. Now, they want to kill her and her friends.

I never looked back because I know the 3 of them are very worried now upon hearing the news that they are innocently given a death sentence, and all her childhood friends were also being punished. I’m sorry, I did my best.

How many more trees can I save?

Mother Nature knows who is the bad person. When you hate the tree, they will do something to you.

I love the durian ideology! Have you ever heard of anyone that was hit by a durian? Very seldom or never. Because we love the tree and was hoping to get good durians from it, so the tree love us back by not dropping the durian on us!

Since the creation of metal and cement, we, human beings are being carried further and further away from nature. When trees are in argument with metal and cement, we human always will side the metal and cement, declaring the tree is the loser. Did you realized that?

Please, love them because they have worked endlessly for us. All they need is a little attention.

I got it from Fabrice Tulane!

Goodbye 2011

It has been a year of waiting. The very last memory of what we did last year was the lunar new year, eating and feasting with our relative and friends. At times, we had to even visit people that we do not want to visit and have to wish them with good luck. What kind of world is that? Lunar new year is a time to forget the bad things and start a fresh. It never happened. It is for the businessman to finish all the uncleared debts.

The second thing that we could remember was endless of friends coming to Singapore to visit us and we are really happy about that. Opps, that started from the year before that, with Romina and Johanna during October 2010. They didn’t stay with us but we were together for some time. Thanks to Desmond Kong and Cindy that helped us ferry them around.

Then, there is:

Ruru, met and lived together in Australia

Dave, USA, that he helped us in our worst time of our trip.

Kamil and Iza, we never met them before but have been contacting each other during our trip. We ended up meeting in Singapore.

Teresa from Chile, we met in Columbia. She is a real backpacker! Time was to tight for us to bring her around because at the same time, the swiss team, Saskia and Andrea, were with us in our house. It was a reneion party for us with the Swiss team. We had so much to do in Singapore with them! They stayed with us for 10 days and still, Sentosa wasn’t in the queue.  It was too little time.

Adi, from Indonesia, we brought him around to have a short visit of Singapore’s bike shop because he was on a study visit.

Gary Wong and his girlfriend, staying with us for a few days and we enjoyed the Chilli crab meal.  We met Gary when he was in India.

Don at Canada, Vancovour, came home one day telling Ashley and Scott: look what I found on the road! They were so surprise that it wasn’t any cats or dogs but 2 RTW bikers. That’s how we got to know Ashley and Scott. They didn’t stay with us but we had fun on our truck, going round and round Singapore.

Mark and Senne were the first bikers that we hosted. We have not met them before but it was our pleasure to provide them with a space to crash on. Glad that they enjoyed Singapore but the red tape that Singapore has disallow them to bring their Australian registered bike in.

Did we missed out anyone?

Then we remembered the 2 election campaigns that were involved. Thanks to the internet, we could know more about the government and the policy behind it. It seems that everything is sensitive in Singapore. Which is not a sensitive area or topic in Singapore? I cannot think of any. Anything can be turned into sensitive! By involving in the campaigns, I see things differently and know more about how it is being run. I get to know more people and get different views. Who knows? Maybe one day I might run for the Presidency of Singapore. Luckily we are not affected by the natural disaster in Singapore, which consisted about the flood, the ponding and the MRT train breakdown.

Then there is rides, holiday and bike complaint. The 10 days ride to Kota Bahru and Gua Musang was satisfying for the both of us. The ride to Malacca for the recent 3 nation charity ride was another fun ride with our close friends. The only ‘holiday’ that we could remember was the trip to Pulau Tioman for 1 week, then, we realized how comfortable it was to have our bike and tent, minus Hope Too. And the worse of all, no body has confident that he could save Hope Too’s problems. Maybe our next blog we will try to: Africa Twin for sale in Singapore.

There’s another chapter about our problems faced during the last 6-8 months for considering publishing a book. Lets not talk about it now.

2011: looking back, nothing has been achieved. Though we have come back from the days living on the road, I must say that the trip is not completed.

It is not completed. Why not?

Samantha told me today: many new businesses today, they need to choose between income or moral value.

I listened to a speech and the great man said: to save the world, we must

无条件的 服务一切众生 ，爱护众生。谈附带条件是行不同的。

In English, it means to: service all living beings and love them, without conditions. To negotiate for conditions will not be workable.

We shall take this 2 as our guideline to what ever we do in the coming years.

2011: Seems like we have unfinished task to do from the trip.

We will not forget you.

Our best Christmas gift In Singapore

We are really proud of our friend, Kevin and EiEi. They are able to teach her 4 years old daughter to learn the difference between

What is 'want'

and 

what is 'need'.

When we go to the $2.00 shop, many times we see things that is really cheap and tell ourselves:

so cheap, buy first, keep at home, you don't know when you are going to use it. If you never buy and when is needed, then you have to come back here again.

At this time, I would apply their theory 'want/need'. 

Buy 1 pant for $59.90 and get 50% for the second item on the same purchase. It's really cheap but, do we really want it or do we really need it?

When things are needed, we would spend the effort to get it, no matter how much it cost. Be it expensive, be it far away or be it needed to queue up for because something is needed.

What about something that I wanted? That is for Christmas or some other festive season. If you go to the shopping mall, the Christmas tune makes you want to buy things. You receive letters at your mailbox telling you the best gift to buy for you loved ones. Will you be emotionally moved by it? Me not.

Christmas is just a date for us, a fixed date to meet our loved ones. No matter how busy we are, we will keep this day for them. Having a feast and gift exchange is secondary.

So, make a point now, don't get influenced by the Christmas mood at shopping mall. You are strong enough to resist that. Your loved ones are thinking of you.

Think about how many people had loved you when you are a cute baby and an adorable young boy/girl. They are the ones! 

Don't cry when they leave the world one day because life is not eternal. Cherish them when they are around.

The best Christmas gift is an iphone 7?

Start sharing with everyone about what is 'want' and what is 'need'.

Happy holidays and don't drink and drive, it is dangerous, not because you will get fined!

R-rated movie on Singapore home TV

I noticed there is a new religion within everybody.

Most family has the altar in their house, usually in the living room.

They believe what the god in the altar is preaching and everyone practices what this religion tell them to do, think or behaves.

But many do not know that this religion is being backed up by businesses.

it is the TV.

People pray their soul to the TV and believe what the TV says.

The news on TV shows bomb explosion in middle east countries, indirectly it is telling us something.

The TV has shows of famous actor using and talking about some product, indirectly it is telling us something.

The TV series shows broken family, children suicide and some other sad drama cases. Indirectly it is telling us that it is normal.

Mr X says: why did you scold your maid?

Mrs Y said: you never watch the TV? if I don't scold the maid, she will be ... and ...

Now, most movies and TV series are being sponsored by enterprises. Be it educational or not. Example, in Singapore, there is a telecast: Crime Watch. I think it is good as it has educational purpose. It is supported by the relevant enterprise to help crime prevention. Then, there is variety shows being backed up by large supermarket chain, telling everyone that they are doing well.

All I want to tell you is that there are agendas behind our TV show.

One same story, can appear in 2 different views, depending if it appears on

星期二特写TuesdayReport
http://www.facebook.com/TuesdayReport2011?sk=wall

or

前线追踪 FRONTLINE
http://www.facebook.com/QianXianZhuiZong


it's how they present one story to the viewer, it depend on how they want you should think.

This program is backed up by a furniture enterprise:

http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/zh/tv/channel-8/programmes/courts-2.aspx?cp-documentid=5474447

This program is backed up by some renovation company:

http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/zh/tv/channel-8/programmes/home-makeover-2.aspx?cp-documentid=5476232

This one back by some travel related company:

http://entertainment.xin.msn.com/zh/tv/channel-8/programmes/japan-flavor.aspx?cp-documentid=5606453

it is the independency of the media company. do you know why Al Jazeera news is not avalible in Singapore? they have very good view on matters and do not side any party. I'm not sure whey they are not avalible on TV, even on our cables.  http://www.aljazeera.com/



I must say our Singapore Media has done a very good job, at least there are no R-rated movie after 11pm.

Can I add the word 'free' before the word 'R-rated'?

IPPT, National Service in Singapore

I went to IPPT last Saturday with Tan Chong Wei and Vernon at Maju Camp.

IPPT = Individual Physical Proficiency Test

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPPT_Award_Badge

It is a compulsary test for all male citizen that is still eligible for national service.

for the past 10 years since I ended my full time national service of 2 years, I had always achived a silver award for the test until last Saturday.

Some of you may think that you have not even have the chance to pass. It's ok. All I want to tell you is that health is degrading if you don't keep it up.

My first test station was the shutter run. In order to get the silver award, I have to hit 10.7 seconds and below. I tried 2 times and the best was 10.8 seconds.

After that, I feel dizzy and wanted to vomit.

That was my very first time that I have such feeling.

I almost wanted to give up after hearing much news about some young and energetic people collapse and died after doing exercise.

Vernon and Tan was encouraging. We knew each other since 1999 and had been together for the worst scenario. You really know a person's character when trouble comes. Example, a group of friends gather and meet for a meal. Everyone is very hungry. yes, something like 11pm and still waiting for dinner. once dinner is served, you can see who is rushing to grab the food for themselves first. Yes, those are the ones that is going to die and think of themselves. For the past decade, I have been observing friends around me. Vernon and Tan are there. it's tough during the training but they persisted helping each other first before themselves.

There are lots of story that I want to tell about my times during the 2 years full time national service. I think it will be better for my friends to tell you about me, maybe they can publish a book about me.

What I think about them? well, next year will be end of our service. It will be for me to see and for you to judge. Maybe after reading our story, you would encourage us to continue our service till 45 years old together since we enjoyed it so much.

Sorry I can't post any picture here... this is highly sensitive... I am staying in Singapore. I am being watched over.

just want to share my feelings with you.

cheers!

HTC phone, Fujitsu Laptop, Brother Printer : Singapore

I had a Brother MFC-6490CW.

It can scan A3 paper.

It is an all in one printer.

When we came back from RTW, one of my industry partner advise me to buy this because he only had a A4 paper scanner, so he can use mine to scan. But after a while, he was ahead of me and maybe forgotten about me. So this $550 printer is left here for collecting dust.

We still can use it for other purpose, we tried our best to love this machine.

There is a warrantee of 1 year. We contacted Brother Printer and Fax and the technician came down. They could service and replace parts for us for free because the problem of this machine was raised within 1 year of purchase.

After diagnosing, the technician told us that it's the printer head.

I asked why would the printer head be faulty?

'maybe there is dust...so you should always open this, this, then this to clean with this this and this. But you see our term and condition, within 1 year, replacement for parts is free except for this list of item, that include the printer head.'


That is a fine print on the terms and conditions!

But Brother Singapore is on good will to replace this for free if you purchase 3 color ink from us today at S$XX.XX.

Well, overall, I must say that the machine is taking up time and space in my house.

Remember I told you about the Fujitsu incident that happened last year?



We went to repair my Fujitsu laptop in Singapore when we came back.

We bought it just for our round the world trip.
It had been a very good traveling laptop.
We bought Fujitsu because they have #1 WORLD WIDE WARRANTY!!!
The specification is the same as the other brand we wanted to buy but the other brand is 30% cheaper and do not have WORLD WIDE WARRANTY.

 #2 Fujitsu provide free 1 year WORLD WIDE WARRANTY 3 years LOCAL WARRANTY.

When we were in Brazil, Sao Paulo, something went wrong with my laptop.
We need to wait about a week to get a reply from singapore to know were can we sent in our laptop for servicing since it is still within the 1 year WORLD WIDE WARRANTY. Yes, after one week, we got the right person to talk to and the nearest place to sent the laptop is USA! we have to ship the laptop to USA?! no thanks.

This is what they call WORLD WIDE WARRANTY.

When we come back, we went to the Fujitsu servicing center at Funan Center to resolve the problem of our laptop that had been bothering us for the last 2 and half years.

The laptop is still under the 3 years LOCAL WARRANTY.

Friends, do not think that warranty is everything is FOC. We have to pay S$80++ to the company just to let them have a look at the laptop that they sold me 2 and half years ago, then i have to wait almost 1 month for a part to arrive in order to get it solved. When the part arrive, I have to hang around Funan for 5 hours to wait for them to repair.

We must compliment HTC Singapore.

Samantha had some issue with her HTC Desire S mobile phone. She called up HTC and they were able to come to our house to pick it up. We were not comfortable about giving our phone to someone so we went to the customer care center at No. 1, Harbour Front Ave, #01-06 Keppel Bay Tower.

It was a wait and the phone was taken in with some question asked and form filling. They say the repair will take about 3-5 working days. We went back.

In the end they did not keep their promise. Instead of 3-5 working days, the phone was sent back to our house within 2 working days and it was 100% repaired.

HTC Care Singapore did a good job!