The Tank Stream Hotel and Service Apartments Apr 2017 - Superb Location

          Located at 97 Pitt Street and exactly 2 minutes from the Wynard Station lies this gem of a boutique hotel, the Tank Stream. From the Wynard station, you make your way towards the George Street exit and form there on proceed along Hunter Street and make a turn left at Pitt Street towards The Rocks, beside the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

         Fresh off the train with my colleague, with Google Maps app activated, I managed to find it with our carry on bags with absolutely no mistakes or wrong turns at all. It is that easy. Upon checking in, using the ubiquitous Booking.com app, I had the pleasant surprise of being offered free mini bar refeshments for the entire 1 night I was there. Pretty generous of the establishment I must say. The bill for the 1 night came to approx. AUS 220 all in or SGD 240 without breakfast. 

The room was quiet and indoor facing, although it was a little small, it is ideal for a short stay of perhaps 3 - 4 nights, in my opinion. Service at front desk was speedy, and after a quick check-in, we went on our way to explore the Rocks and take in the sights of the harbour, the Sydney Opera House (worldwide landmark) and the Harbour Bridge. 

It is comparable to the Embankment in London, by the Thames, on a brilliant sunny day with clear blue skies and little clouds. Temperature on that 20th April afternoon was around 19 deg C which was in my opinion, perfect.  Back to the Tank Stream, it is tucked at the corner just after you turn off Hunter Street and onto Pitt Street towards the Rocks. There are plenty of eating and drinking establishments just within 5 minutes walking distance, and the banks, finance and insurance companies are all right beside, so you get the office crowd at all times of the day. 

While it does not have a grand entrance, the hotel is well run and the mini bar is well stocked even on the day I left Sydney. You can get free beer, juices, water and energy drinks all gratis.  In the afternoon, after a lovely walk by the Rocks, I met with an old friend James Goh for dinner also by the numerous dining establishments by the Rocks. 

So, to give it a rating ;

Accessibility - 5 out of 5 
2 minutes from Wynard Station which is along the AirportLink Train 15 minutes from the airport. I couldn't ask for anything else. 

Price - 4.5 out of 5 
For the price of AUD 220, I got a single superior room with free mini bar refreshments. A great touch

Service Staff - 4.0 out of 5
Syndey on the whole has only so-so service. So I did not really encounter any bad or umpleasent experiences.

Comfort and Cleaniliness - 4.5 out of 5 
Exceptionally clean place. 

Sound Proofing - 5 out of 5 
Really quiet locale 

Totally 23 out of 25 which makes it 4.6 out of 5 stars ; Bravo ! 

As the Terminator would say : I'lll be Back ! 

New Song From Zayn and Taylor ; I don't want to live forever.

This song is so cool. Pity about it being the theme song for Fifty Shades Darker. 

Ever since leaving One Direction, this is Zayn's first solo (OK duet) hit and with Taylor Swift.

I don't own the rights to this song so just enjoy it while you read my posts about my hobbies, travelling and social commentary. 

Running - Getting the Right Start (first written in 2002) - Part 2

 Continuing from my earlier post yesterday, the remianing 6 points for the benefits of running are :

7. Sleep - Regular exercie promotes sound sleep, leaving you feeling more refreshed to start each day. Staying up late writing articles for a running newsletter does not make you feel refreshed by the way !!  

8. Stress - The impact on our health from the many stresses of our lives is significant. We have heard of many cases of suicides, injuries, family and relationship breakdowns due to that major bugbear called STRESS. Gallup pollsters confirm that a full 67% of all runners experience stres relief and relief from anxiety. In addition, self esteem is given a definite BOOST. Regular exercise also gives me a sense of commitment and control of my body and my mind.

"You run the first 50 with your body, you run the next 50 with your mind" - Dean Karnazes 
(Ultramarathoner whose quips inspire me, when I do the long runs of 20, 30 and full marathons).

9. Psychological - Running promotes self esteem, good mental health, increased confidence,positive moods, lowered anxiety levels and minimises depression. The release of endorphins or the body's natural wonder drug to ward off mood swings and alleviate pain is another contributing factor to a runner's psychological health.

10.Financial - If you exercise regularly, like running, you spend less on your medical bills for coughs,colds, and the 'flu. In these days of ever rising medical costs, this is good news for your employer and of course, the Government. If you are managing your own business, it is then good news for you.   In Shape magazine, (2000 eidtion), for every mile you briskly walk or run, you could add 21 minutes to your life and save 50 percent in health care costs.

11. Competition - Running offers many opportunities for competition, I have decided this year to run in overseas marathons and make my touring coupled with a marathon. Why not ? Its a cool way to see the Eiffel, the Arc de Triomphe  or the Brandenburg Gate with my Asics on.

12. Fun and Friendship - This is the best part of running, I have had many more friends from running from all over the world, Alex from Slovenia, Tibor from Hungary, Bella from China, Jane from HK, Petra from Germany and Suresh from Australia all join me in one of my runs over the years. Its a great way to meet and talk about a common hobby.

Running - Geting the Right Start (written first in 2002) - Part 1

           It is such a simple sport, you would think that it would be easy to get started. Not so, at least 50% of all men and women who attempt to start a running program fail. Why ? The reason is simply this : Too much to accomplish too soon. As a result they injure themselves or become frustrated and defeated,  

           Why should you (or I) start running ? There are many reasons and according to Bob Glover, author of The Runner's Handbook, here are 12 of them (the first 6 are listed below) 

1. Health : Its pretty obvious ins't it ? Much research around the world has indicated that running and other forms of areobic exercise reduce the risks of heart disease and some forms of cancer. Running improves the good blood cholesterol levels , increases immunity to illness and  and helps control high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, arthritis, asthma and many other health problems. For me personally, I use it as a tool to keep my weight under control. 

Most importantly those who follow a regular exercise program are more likely to change other health habits like change in sleeping patterns - early to bed and early to rise ; better health choices in terms of food. The results of the Gallup poll taken then showed :

 64% started eating healthier diets
 45% lost weight (keeping that weight down is another challenge altogether)

2. Fitness - Running strengthens your cardiorespiratory, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems giving you more energy to carry on daily tasks and leisure activities. Our galloping Gallup survey also shows 

  62% feel that they have more energy than they did before they started exercising

3. Weight Management - Runners on average burn off 60 to 80 calories per km of running.This will not only control your weight but also reduce your percentage of body fat a you build firmer, leaner muscle.

4. Longevity - It is scientifically proven that those who exercise regularly and vigorously on a regular basis will live longer. Importantly you will live a better quality of life with fewer disabilities - unless of course you get hit by a car during one of your runs. I have had almost 18 years of road running without any issue !  (I started serious running in 2000).   

My 10th marathon Dec 2015 

5. Aging - We must all age. Exercise will help slow down the aging process so that we have more quality years. I fully believe and endorse that opinion. Exercise can and will slow the loss of stamina, flexibility, bone density, metabolic rate and general enthusiasm for being active.  It is proven that rigorous exexcise releases endorphins - the bodies natural feel good morphine and many runners experience the Runners HIgh after a long run. I do, normally after 1 hour of non-stop running, which translates to about 10km. 

6. Women's Health - Exercise helps prevent osteoporosis (loss of bone density) and health problems associated with menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. There is also research - Aug 2001 in the annals of Rheumatic Disease, USA which states explicitly that for the long term, regular running does NOT increase your risk of osteoarthritis in the knees.

I should know. I have been running for 18 yeas solid. Things are still working fine in the lower limb department.  

                                               10 m to go at the 2014 marathon

ShinPa

I have been training for the last 15 years (wow has it been that long ?) under the tutelage of Shihan Sensei Chia Kwek Fah (8th Dan) practising the ancient art of Shitroryu Karate. Originating from Okinawa, Shitroryu karate has spread its schools and popularity worldwide to every far flung corner of the globe.

Here is one of the more popular katas (form of practice) from the Shito style ; Shinpa.

Classes are at every Sunday from 6.00 pm to 7.30 pm at the Tanglin Community Club along Whitley Road, just off the PIE exit no. 19 (either way to Airport or to Tuas) ; across the Caltex Petrol Station, and postcode 297827. 

Enjoy this kata. 

Lets Take things in a Calm, Rational Manner ; do not Jump to Conclusions

         

         By now the social media is abuzz with the video and pictures of the well dressed couple who literally bumped off an elderly 'uncle' at the hawker center at Toa Payoh Lorong 8. The trolls are giving the couple a field day, I wish to just respectfully say that yes, is appeared that the altercation was too much. The young man had no right body slamming the old man so much that he almost keeled over and had to hold on to the table for dear life.

        It is sad and shameful to see Singapore, with all its years of development, GDP growth and high standard (together with the cost of living) of living, there are people who do not even have the basic graciousness to accept to share some thing as basic as a hawker table ?  It reflects really badly on our society. The elderly man was not belligerent, nor rude nor obnoxious. He obviously wanted to take a seat and probably did not see the objects placed by the side of the table. The lady was foul mouthed and her companion was acting like a thug.  

      Singapore has many plus points to its name ; however graciousness in society is still lacking. I wonder if it is because we are too cloistered up in a small island and the lack of living 'space' has made us a pent -up society ; wanting to fight tooth and nail over every small thing which 'belongs' to us. Like lift space, table space and toilet cubicles.  Queueing has been accepted in our society and I try to be as gracious and giving to the elderly whether they are grumpy or entitled minded or not.  

     The Government had originally set a 6.9 million number for people to live in Singapore. It is in my humble opinion, just too many for us to live in such close proximity. Lets learn to live graciously as good neighbours and share whatever we come upon. 

     Lets just take things in a calm and rational manner ; there were some angry words said. The young man was totally in the wrong to body check the old man regardless of what he said to the woman. We are after all, a developed society. Time and again, we need a courtesy campaign ?? The 2 young people should look themselves in the mirror. 30 years from now, if they were treated like what they did to the old man, how would they feel and react ?  The keyboard junkies and all the name calling must stop. 

    Ashamed. Thats what I feel.  

Lovely Afternoon in Sydney by the Harbour - 20th April 2017

20th April at the Rocks, Sydney Opera House in the Background

       My colleague and I first arrived on 19th April at Sydney and took a connecting flight to Canberra. Its been 13 years since we were last in Australia (my family had 2 weeks in the Gold Coast in 2004) and 15 in Sydney. I must say that this short visit to Sydney really gave me a good feel of the weather in Australia, although it can fluctuate quite a lot in the day and dip by almost 10 deg C by evening time. 

      My colleague and I arrived in Canberra on 19th and had a day visit. After that, we checked out the beautiful city and the surroundings by car. Canberra is  the capital city of Australia and the Federal Government has its parliament located at - you guessed it - in Canberra. More about that in a later post.

                                          Sydney Opera House in the Background 

         

       20th April was a fine sunny day in Sydney. Upon arrival at Kingsford airport, we took the Airport Express down to Circular Quays, and finally, Wynard  station. Our hotel was conveniently located at Pitt Street and literally just 2 minutes walk from the Wynard station. Upon checkin, we proceeded to the Rocks and Harbour Bridge. The afternoon was just as what the brochures and postcards displayed, picture perfect. There were lots of tourists visiting Circular Quays and the Harbour - many of them from within Australia and many parts of Asia too.

One for the Memories 

We spent a good hour just wandering around the harbour area taking in the sights, sounds and colours. I must say, the fine mild weather (4 seasons), the variety of foods and the free wheeling democracy has attracted many migrants from Asia to Australia in the last 20 odd years. Some friends and classmates of mine have migrated since the mid 80s and while I am tempted, my heart is set on Singapore. It has so much convenience and accessibility to the other parts of Asia, which has seen almost 4 decades of economic growth with some years experiencing 1 maybe 2 years of recession (negative 2 quarters of economic growth).

        There had been not alot of development since I was last in Sydney, although that can be debated to no end. The Sydney metro is prompt, clean and on time. The Aussie young seem to be working hard now with the influx of Asian immigrants and competing for their jobs.Home prices in Sydney have doubled in the last 7 years - surely not a good sign for the young, as affordability of housing is critical for a stable and happy society.

360 Panoramic View of the Sydney Harbour 20 April 2017 

       Food prices, such as dining in restaurants are quite on par in price with Singapore and service standard is quite abysmal, about the same as in Singapore. So globalisation has many drawbacks and many threats to the millenials from Sydney to Singapore. HIgh paying jobs are few and far between, many top ranked foriegners are working and earning a good income, locals (as in Singapore) are finding it tougher and harder to remain relevant in this disruptive new economy.

      Well. I hope my business in Australia gets a foothold. I would love to return here on a regular basis and observe the social standards and local aspirations from afar. It is indeed the 'Lucky Country'.