Homecoming (part 5) / Musical journey (160)

Time really flies and before you know it, it's the last day of the year. As I soon prepare for my return to the great wilderness of Papua New Guinea, I shall finish up the "Homecoming" series with this post.

During one of the lunches in Bangkok on our shopping day, we realised there was busking going on in the food court which was highly peculiar, not least because they were school students in uniform. Strange or not, it's an opportunity not to be missed. Hence, I asked my friend to approach the young Thai buskers to slot me in and to seal the deal, she said I'm a singer too. They had to check with management as I quickly decided on what to sing. Approval was then granted and off I went!

I was grinning constantly in the clip as I felt so odd singing in a Bangkok food court! But I guess the risk the food court management took paid off as I did quite well belting out Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up", if I could say so myself (I used a free karaoke track online). After my performance, I paid the buskers 100 baht (I didn't know what the "market rate" was for busking in Bangkok) and the cute busker boy asked for my YouTube channel. I hope he didn't think I was a famous singer and had high expectations. Regardless, I left the food court highly satisfied. Have a listen and tell me how I fared.

 

At the end of this homecoming trip, I only had a couple of days to prepare for my next rotation in Papua New Guinea and sorely needed more rest from the holiday. Hence, for my next homecoming trip in February during Chinese New Year which I already bought the tickets for, I'm shortening the visit slightly and shifting it such that I have more rest time before getting back to work. Who would have thought holidays could be so tiring?

PS: The entire 5-part series can be found here: 1 2 3 4 5. Do watch out for my next series!

Homecoming (part 4)

Merry belated Christmas and happy Boxing Day! I had a quiet one at home with Ision which was great and just what I like. Christmas is almost always spent with family for those who celebrate it and I had a lot of time spent with my Mummy this homecoming trip and boy did I miss her and her cooking! Much of this time was also used up sifting through hundreds of old family photos and taking pictures of them. I took great pains editing them so that I can share them online. These photos brought back sweet memories but the sad thing is that Papa didn't feature in most of them as he was always behind the camera. Hence, any photo of him is deeply treasured.

I also took a day trip with Mummy and my eldest sister to our closest neighbour city Johor Bahru (JB) of Malaysia. Visiting JB is always like going back in time but it was nonetheless a breath of fresh air (figuratively speaking). As we didn't do our research before getting there, we couldn't venture deeper into JB but we will do that in our next trip.

 

This is the reason why I'm being interviewed today with Roy for a documentary about Singaporean gay history. Hope it goes well! 🤞

Yummy mee rebus. Another one crossed off the list!

Seen at a kebab restaurant... Not too relevant but still tickled me a little.

It was such great fun to be interviewed with my dear friend Roy this afternoon. Can't wait to see the finished documentary!

Been spending a lot of time taking pictures of old family photos and uncovering rare gems like this. There are just SO few photos of them together! #MummyAndPapa

Finally a post-gym/shower selfie. I'm SO glad this is the last time in a while I'm using an ActiveSG gym 'cos they're full of inconsiderate people that need to be schooled on gym etiquette. #KampungPeople

It's a hawker feast! #GoodCompany #FatDieMe

Family trip! Guess where we are heading? You'll know soon enough! #Wefie #Holiday

Yes, we are in JB! It's nice to escape to a different land once in a while to get another perspective of things.

A lingerie shop without lingerie. Oppression by another name maybe? #MalaysiaTrulyAsia?

Coffee time, and not kopi for a change! #FamilyTime

The view on the way home, take from the land connection between two seemingly similar but vastly different worlds.

Thanks for a great lunch and catch-up! You're a perfect example that shows why mothers are the most 伟大! ❤️

Another series of topless KTV clips done and now it's the arduous task of editing. #Singer

I've been here many times but not realised these creatures. Moral of the story - slow down and take a minute to observe/appreciate your surroundings.

Thanks girlfriend, for a fab time in Bangkok, and this morning's McRitchie jog and breakfast. Till next time!

Oh no! The police are on to me! How? 🤣

It's been almost 4 years since we've caught up but when we meet, it's always like we've never been apart. Thanks guys for a great catch-up. I'll see you all again soon!

My skin has almost finished peeling, on the last day of my Singapore stay. This picture is one of the contributing reasons for getting sun-burnt. #NudeTanningInSingapore #CensoredForFacebook

Even though my flight has been delayed by almost 3 hours, it's all good as I've had a great holiday and achieved my aim of catching up with friends and family (especially Mummy). I've already booked my tickets for my next trip so I'll see you guys again soon!

A musical offering awaits in my next post, which will be the concluding one. The entire 5-part series can be found here: 1 2 3 4 5.

Homecoming (part 3)

During this homecoming trip, I was interviewed for a Netflix gay documentary series as one of the "pioneers" of Singapore gay history by marching in the first gay "contingent" (of two people) in the 2010 Chingay parade. It was lots of fun doing that with a fellow gay activist and the interviewer didn't even have to ask questions as we knew exactly what he wanted and blabbered away non-stop. I also visited my Papa's new eternal resting place, which was one of the highlights of my trip.

On a less serious note, the itinerary of any of my overseas trips will always contain some nudist activities and where better to be nude than at Lazarus Island? Although the island is getting more populated with new resort hotels and water sport facilities, we were lucky to still have the secluded part of the beach to ourselves. That's where got one with nature and engaged in other naughty shenanigans, including non-conventional water sports, hehe. The posts below start from the day trip to Lazarus Island.

And we're off! Guess where we're heading?

I'm so burnt and will so peel in a few days but it's worth it! We'll cherish this place because it'll soon be developed and not as isolated anymore for nudity. More sexy pics to come. #Flex #Naturism

Bangkok memory #3 - Gnawing away at gigantic pork ribs. No complaints there as pork is my favourite (non-human) meat. Hehe.

Penang food for dinner and then yummy dessert with my best girlfriend. It's been too long!

I'm part of an exhibition due to the fact that I marched in the Chingay parade as part of a 2-strong first-ever gay "contingent". That was a fun night and there's a clip I can share too.

This is what I got myself burnt for. Hope this makes all Singaporean nudists a little jealous. #Naturism #SingaporeHoliday

D24 durian balls... another item crossed off my list. Yes, they are quite good.
PS: The balls were freshly-fried and hot hence the face.

Bangkok memory #4 - this is apparently the night market closest to the city centre. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

It was a great catch-up yesterday. Other than your body, you've not changed a single bit since JC days! Still as animated and I love it. See you again when I'm next back!

PSA #56 - Please be careful when you're having fun with people with a biceps fetish. Expect bites. #Ouch

The gods have granted me eye candy this hawker centre dining day. #StraightAndHot #Lucky

Rojak = another dish that's now been removed from my to-eat list. #FatDieMe

Bangkok memory #5 - Apparently this is how I shop. Might as well, given the stifling heat there that gave me rashes. #NakedIsGood

What's with the sprawling picnic-in-the-obscene-heat precinct aka Paya Lebar? These people are NUTS.

Today's the day I sink my teeth into the Nasi Lemak Burger! Verdict: 6 out of 10 (the sambal can be much better).

Mummy cooking... This is now very tiring for her but she does it for me. #Mummy'sLove

In lieu of the 3 reunion dinners I've missed partly due to COVID, this is as good as it gets. #Yumz #HomeCookedDinner2

Laksa and economy bee hoon/noodles, so quintessentially Singaporean and oh so yummy. Now, what to eat next... 🤔

The ultimate 44-year challenge. I welcome you to beat that! #Adorable
PS: Looks like my fashion sense (singlet and short shorts) haven't changed a single bit! 😎

My first time visiting Papa's new eternal "home" (columbarium) and paying my respect with mummy and sis. It sure beats his previous "home" (cemetery).

This may be bizarre to some but we had a great picnic with Papa. A reunion dinner of sorts. #Family

If you're after sexy pictures, there will be more in my next post. The entire 5-part series can be found here: 1 2 3 4 5.

Homecoming (part 2)

Hello again. Let me continue with the second part of the "Homecoming" series. There are three things high up in my to-do list for my homecoming trips and they are the three F's. Family, food and friends. That's why you'll see many pictures of food. As for friends, I not only caught up with those I haven't met in a while, I also had a short holiday in Bangkok with a girlfriend. 

She was and still is undergoing divorce proceedings. Well, taking her mind off the nastiness of a broken long-term relationship and pesky legal matters certainly presented as a good excuse to visit the place I miss so much. That being said, Bangkok today is not the Bangkok I remember pre-COVID (it's less bustling) but it's close enough. The Facebook posts below continue from where we left things in Bangkok.

 

First local fare for breakfast and then atas orange coffee. Perhaps this is what they call fusion? #RelaxingDay #BangkokHoliday

Looks like someone is not too fond of what I offer. Oh well, to each his own. Haha. #Pits #Flex #Bangkok

All used up after a visit to Chakran *wink wink*. Tonight I will sleep well for sure. Goodnight Bangkok!

We are here, the place Bangkok-bound pilgrims flock to! Here's to a great day of shopping! #Flex #Holiday

I know I'm way behind the times but this wearable adjustable fan is a godsend! #MustHave #ShoppingHoliday

I think I've found my spirit animal. Will I too be this shredded after years of waving (or in my case flexing) my arm for prosperity?

The ultimate convenience for lazy people. Why just clean when you can play and clean at the same time? 🤣 #BestInventionEver #Bangkok

Another night and another night market to explore. Man, it sure is tough being a tourist! #EnjoyingMyHoliday #Bangkok

A poser through and through. The good kind, that is. #BangkokHoliday

Wanted a challenge so ordered an extra spicy plate of fried rice in the land of spiciness. Not impressed. #ChilliLover #Bangkok

'Tis where we all reflect and contemplate life issues, or get some consolation in this case. #BangkokToilet

It's not all glitz and glamour. #AirportBound #EndOfHolidays

It's been such a long time. Thanks for a great catch-up. I'm so happy that you're now almost ready for the journey that's ahead of you!

Great food, and just like the good old times sans a few faces. Take care guys and till next time! #ExColleagues
PS: I've just realised Gabriel is not on my friends list for this account.

Bangkok memory #1 - I don't have a sweet tooth but this coconut ice-cream and grilled cheesy durian were two desserts I remember well.

A sumptuous meal cooked with much love and that's love only a mother can provide. #HomeCookedDinner1

Looks like I've been struck off the electoral roll after not voting for so many years. Oh well, I'm much better off without this burden, especially for this particular election.

Bangkok memory #2 - I wonder if Ronald has mastered Thai.

Even though I cook a lot of mee pok when I'm home in Melbourne, I still can't get enough of that chewy starchy goodness! #BahChorMee

There are more of the three F's coming up in my next post. The entire 5-part series can be found here: 1 2 3 4 5.