Papa Palheta for true blue coffee lover

One thing good about reading forums is that some of the forumers share interesting places that they have visited. In fact I get most of my news nowadays from a car forum, as they are faster and juicier.

One thread which I stumbled upon recently is about coffee, and a fabulous place which roasts their own beans. This place is a hidden gem, and so we decided to check it out during one of our days off, minus Oliver and Heidi of course. Otherwise, there's no chance to enjoy the coffee.

The place is really quaint, in a back alley in Hooper Road and you wouldn't have realised its existence if you are travelling on the parallel main road. Sophia ordered a cappucino, while I tried to be more adventuous and ordered something full-bodied and black from Indonesia, can't remember the name though as it was recommended by the staff.

Sometimes you go to a place for the first time and you know that everything is right, and you want to come back again. This is one such place. The crowd and staff here seems like coffee cognoscenti. That's one level up from connoisseur :-)

Sophia thinks the cappuccino is really good. The joint is also unique in that it is not a licensed F&B outlet, or so I understand from the thread. So they don't bill you and there is no price on the coffee. You just pay for whatever you think your coffee is worth, and as it was during the Christmas period, a huge sock was placed near the counter for you to put your money.

My coffee was good too. No sugar and no bitter or sour aftertaste.

Unfortunately the place might not last long. They are opening a full F&B outlet near our office. Hope they can bring the ambience along with the coffee machines.

Christmas at Fairmont

Last year's Christmas at Ritz was quite memorable. This year we decided to go to Fairmont. Except for some quirky design flaws in bathroom, our room on the 11th floor was pretty luxurious. Vera, Vivian and Veron had a room on the 18th floor as well.

The pool though was a bit of a disappointment. Two round pools, one for adults, and one for kids, was barely enough to accomodate the guests. However, Oliver and Heidi still had lots of fun, and it was here that Oliver learnt how to use his arm floats that we just bought, and ditched away the kiddy aeroplane float. His first attempt!

Exhausted from the day's activities, it wasn't too long before they slept on the comfortable bed.

The Christams Eve's dinner at Prego. We dressed Oliver and Heidi up again for thsi occassion. Raidon and Xavion were also there and had a room on the 18th floor as well.

Oliver seemed to be the only one appreciating the 3-man band that played in between the carollers. One of the musicians acknowlegded Oliver's attention too and kept waving at him.

The Christmas tree at the lobby.

2 of the funniest pictures.

Xavion, Raidon & family.

Parking at the hotel was a breeze.

V3 & family.

Jiajun, Jiaen and family was tehre too for a swim as well as the high tea.

A Relaxing Sunday at Riders Cafe

I came across this place while surfing the internet for places to go for brunch. This place is really hot and you have to book in advance. We first went there on 7 November, and again last Sunday on 12 December, this time without making reservation. We waited for about half an hour, but it was worth the wait.

Riders Cafe is tucked in inside Fariways Drive, off Eng Neo Avenue, where Bukit Timah Saddle Club is located. So we get to see jockeys leading their horses to the stable, and there is also a place for pony ride for kids, for a fee. And there are ample parking spaces too.

The breakfast here is really good. Unlike the sourdough at Jones the Grocer which we just went, the bread here is soft and not overtoasted. And unlike Spruce, there are no mozzies here, and the staff which take reservation is so much friendlier. But best of all is the natural and tranquil surrounding and the nice ambience and view from the cafe.

Despite the many horses that trot to and fro the stable, Oliver and Heidi were more interested in the cat below, and kept wanting to play with it. The cat though, was quite aloof, and went up the deck of the Stable Club members-only lounge. Safe in the knowledge that both of them couldn't come near.

My arm was Her Bolster

Did I mention in Heidi's blog her night habit of stroking my arms before she went into slumberland, and the session could last an hour? It is very important that I write it down. About two or three weeks ago, Heidi finally agreed to sleep and not to stroke my arm for that long a time.

Every night for the last few years (cannot recall when it started), Heidi stroked my arm as if it was her pillow and sometimes, I had to put her on top of my body and let her laid there until she fell asleep. For a light sleeper like me, even if I dozed off after a while, I would still be disturbed awake by her touch. Irritated and frustrated, I sometime beat Heidi's backside for not sleeping. Sometimes, she was almost asleep and would cry very loudly after receiving such a shock on her back side. Poor Heidi.

Now, it is all over! I would not always be the last one to sleep. Just for record - Boon Heng is most skilful in catching forty winks, followed by Oliver, Heidi and Sophia. The record might change in the near future.

Changi Boardwalk and Kiddy Ride at Changi Village

River Regatta 2010 at Singapore River

Heidi's masterpieces in school