Day 1

Depart from Singapore and landed at Tokyo Narita Airport. My first time there. The place look cool. Did not really see any pretty japanese ladies as describe from newpaper or TV. Saw many unique foodstuffs that the ladies are promoting. I and David keep trying out the foodstuff offered by the ladies as we slowly walked around the airport. As time passes, hunger started to creep in. We recced quite a few places before settle to eat beef rice for our lunch. The foodstuff around the airport is quite expensive. We paid 500 yen for the mini rice. Was not really full even after the meal. just wait for the boarding of the next flight to have our in flight meal. The flight to Chicago was slightly delayed for 20mins due to the windy weather. The ride was long and tiring from Tokyo to chicago. Imagine 11hour ride cramp in the seat. nowhere to go and furthermore no individual in flight entertainment. My whole body especially my leg is aching from the long journey. I dare not think how Kim is going to survive the long journey.

Upon reaching chicago, we have to make a dash for our luggages and to check in for the flight to St Louis. Eveything was messy and fast. Time is running up and the flight is going to depart soon. Some of the guys are unable to retrieve their luggages and by the time, we reached the check-in counter. We were told that the Check-in was closed and we are unable to board the plane. The next early flight will be at 0815am the next day. We were offered to stay at the nearest hotel and to catch the next day flight. Together with our luggages, we slowly boarded the coach to out hotel for the overnight stay.

Narita Airport Terminal 1 guide



Mini beef rice and mini raw tuna rice @ 500 yen each .




Taken at Narita airport.

Smoking room in the airport. Indoor aircon smoking room. Very smoking , poor ventilation

Felix, Jo and David

Took the chicago flight.

The hotel we stay overnight in Chicago - Wyndham hotel

This is a outdoor pool

Swim at your own risk

David outside the hotel lobby

Jo and felix

That's me with my ear protector and jo

Budget - where we rent our vehicle

Look at the spikes. that how they deter people from stealing their car



Waiting for the vehicle

Leaving for St Louis

The day have come for me to depart to St Louis for my oversea course. The feeling was bad. It was so much different from the previous India detachment that I went during Dec 07. The duration was the same but I just have the uneasy feeling of going away for that 1 months plus.
Maybe it due to leaving Kim all alone in singapore. This is our first time since married that I will not be seeing her for 1 months plus. I really hope that she can cope well without me around.

The previous night before leaving, I simply cannot sleep. Was so wide awake watching Tv and even manage to play some mahjong. Zhiwei , Racheal and joclyn was around at kim house playing mahjong to keep themselve awake so that they can send me off early in the morning. Was so touched that they and Deyong are sending me off.

Reaching Changi airport, saw many familiar faces departing for the same plane. Time keep ticking faster n faster and finally it's time for me to depart. Can see the sad faces of them, reluctant to see me off. Bid farewell to both the parent and giving Kim a hug before I walked into the departure hall. Can see that tears start to drip from my mum's face. She may seem to be a strong lady but deep inside she is a soft lady who is reluctant to see me off. Hopefully she can cope well.

I bid my final farewell before disappearing into the departure hall. My feeling of emptiness start to creep in as I slowing walking into the departure waiting area. I think I am going to miss them all.