Japan Creative Centre / Orchard [28-29/12]

29th December (Tuesday)

Since it's opening half a year ago, I didn't have the chance to visit Watami as this restaurant is always packed with people on weekdays evenings and weekends. When the opportunity came along for a weekday lunch, I immediately suggested this restaurant. We arrived at 12.20pm and it is still fairly empty. The crowd only start coming in from 1pm.



I suggested the Grapefruit drink. Though it is mildly alcoholic, it is actually one of my favourite drink each time I visit Watami (in Japan).



For the grapefruit drink, you have to squash the juice from the real fruit and pour in the juices.



We ordered a great variety of food and it came up to $62. The treat is on me.



Thereafter we checked out the sky garden at the top floor of Orchard Central.



It is pretty big and it occupies the whole floor area of Orchard Central.



Passageway where visitors can stroll along admire the Orchard Road view.



Lotus in a pond.



Thereafter we move on to the cafe behind UOL Building (Somerset) for tea. This is highly recommended by a friend who is a coffee enthusiast.



The ambiance is great and they serve good coffee and cakes.



Comes up to $24 for 2 ice coffees with a cake/ice-cream.




28th December (Monday)

Finally had the chance to visit the Japan Creative Centre. It is located at Nassim Road. We rendezvous at 5.30pm just around the area and off we go.



The Japan Creative Centre is housed in a colonial-period looking building.



The reception lady is very friendly and she immediately shared with us on the exhibits in the centre. It appears there is a tour every hour and the next one is at 6pm. Nonetheless, we decide to give it a skip.



She also shared with us on the 3-D camera that she is now charging. It takes 3-D photos.



There is a great variety of exhibits around.



A yellow robot.



Some of the notable Japanese creative innovations that revolutionise our lives.



Walking through the corridors...



More exhibits on showcase.



There is also a library in there where visitors can just sit and rest.



And computers for visitors to use. Visitors can find out more on the culture and creative arts of Japan.



While walking through the Mandarin Gallery (the latest shopping mall to join in the scene in 2009), we stumbled upon racks of cheese.



There seems to be projected images onto the National Art Museum at night.



It is quite beautiful.

Singapore Nov - Dec 09

20th December (Sunday)

Had a pre-Christmas dinner with my parents and my dad's friends from church. We went to the Roxy Square Level 3 buffet restaurant. We were all seated at the long table.



The buffet spread is quite impressive. Featuring seafood, meat, cakes and Japanese-style servings.



At the end of the meal, each of us received a present. My dad said to my uncle Robert that "Blessed are those who gives".




19th December (Saturday)

Met up with an old friend DS at the Botanic Gardens in the evening. It has been 6 years since I last met up with DS, and had been 20 years since I last visited the Botanic Gardens. There are several landmarks in the garden which I remembered seeing from postcards. One of them is below.



Christmas trees line up the path along the garden. At 6.45pm, the trees are lighted up, giving a beautiful glow to the area.



Coincidentally, there are some choir groups singing at the garden stage. So we just sat and observe it for a while.



For dinner, we decide to drop by a place which is less crowded as DS don't like crowded places (like Orchard Road). I remembered my friend visited this cool place a month back and I asked him about it. It is Berkely Restaurant in Sloane Court Hotel along Balmoral Road. It is located in the middle of a posh residential district. People who visit this place are indeed regulars here.



I went for the Steak Set Meal while DS went for the Steak Main with red wine. Thereafter it's some catching since we last met in 6 years.




18th December (Friday)

Had our company dinner on this evening. Here we have Master Cheng giving divination to my two fellow Japanese colleagues (Ueno-san and Amihama-san)



Thereafter I went down to Somerset and met up with a friend. We took a walk down Orchard Road towards Suntec, checking out the Christmas lightings.




28th Nov - 6th Dec: Study Week

JLPT2 exams is nearing, as such we have a few group studies session. My school is just next to Orchard MRT. From our study bench, we have a clear view of Ion Orchard.



For lunch, we will go around the outlets for meals. There is once we have an adventure at Isetan's staff canteen.




27th Nov (Friday) - Drive Around

Today, KK took us on a drive around Singapore. We rendezvous at ET's house and thereafter move on to Holland Village for lunch. It's off to Anchorpoint at Queensway. Here is a peek into the Honda Jazz.



Next we stopped over at the Marina Barrage, it's drizzling slightly on this day.



At night, we went down to the famous Mellben seafood place at Ang Mo Kio.



We ordered lots of dishes and it comes up to only $36 per person.




26th Nov (Thursday) - Sitex

Visited Sitex with KL on this evening.




One Day

While shopping at NTUC one day, I took a photo of the multi-coloured peppers at the vegetables area.




20th Nov - Visit to NUS

It's been a while since I last went back to NUS - Arts, 4 years to be exact. Had lunch at the Arts canteen. It looks very different. I find the western food at Arts now to be mediocre. Met up with CA and FP on this day.



There is a connecting canopy besides YIH to the halls next to it.




15th Nov (Sunday) - Yong Tau Hu

We paid a visit to our friend's grandma wake on the late afternoon of this day. Thereafter KK brought us to Siglap for Yong Tau Hu dinner via his new car. It's only $6 per person.



Our group photo.



Thereafter we went down to Katong for desserts.




11th Nov (Wednesday) - Lunch at Sakura

On this weekday afternoon, a few of us have the chance to visit the Sakura restaurant at the Science Centre. It's my first time there. The food selection is indeed impressive. Besides the chef-prepared bbq dishes below...



there is also a wide selection of sushi and sashimi...



check out all the seafood...



these are cooked seafood.



There are a great selection of choices, ranging from Japanese to Chinese. I strongly recommend a visit to it. This meal is treated by my boss.