Is Singapore the new London?

With deflationary pressures in full swing in the UK, it is not difficult to find a pint of beer for less than a pound (approx 2.10 SGD), lunch for a quid and endless clearance sales across all respectable retail chains like John Lewis, House of Fraser, Selfridges, and the list goes on ...
Now, compare this to the article in asiaone: 'Tourists find Singapore pricey' Either Singapore has yet to feel the full brunt of the deflectionary effects or that our economy is just plain resiliant. I doubt it is the latter.

Housing rents and prices have fallen off the cliff as well, especially those apartments near Canary Wharf. With the financial services industry in the doldrums, financial professionals are fleeing the Wharf - here supply outstrips demand. A 2 bedroom flat in Canary wharf, overlooking the River Thames cost about 360 pounds a week (about 3000 SGD a month). Now compare that to a two bed apartment in the Sail@Marina which costs about 5000 SGD a month upwards.

So, is London more expensive or is Singapore the new London?

I got a earful from property owners when trying to negotiate rent when I was back in Singapore last month...hopefully the market will now manage their expectations and they will be willing to accept a lower rent when I return ..

London Votes!

It's funny how wife and I never had the opportunity to vote in Singapore but are now presented with a chance to do so tomorrow.
The face-off is between Ken Livingstone, the Labour incumbent versus the Conservative Party (read opposition) candidate Boris Johnson. We had polling cards, a leaflet explaining the policies which each candidate is proposing and what each of them stands for, sent to our flat.
The incumbent is riding on his past credentials and the fact that he had presided through the 'golden years' of the revival of London as a global financial center, a consequence of the policies his party has implemented. However, there is always a tradeoff for achieving such goals. Public transport is expensive, population growth has seen an exponential spike due to the attractiveness of working in London and the rising cost of living.
The voting will take place on the 1st May, which is not a public holiday unlike the rest of the world.
I can't help recalling my younger days in Singapore where my parents were voting ...

Olympic's Shame

Wife and I were at Leicester Square, London on the 6th April to witness the Olympics touch relay.
The day started with a huge snowfall, pretty unexpected as this was 'supposed' to be Spring. The decision to go to Leicester Square was made due to the desire for a 'warm bowl of noodle soup' rather than for the Olympics touch. We were unaware of the huge fiasco surrounding the touch relay beforehand. It was only after lunch did we realised that protesters were trying all kinds of ways to extinguish and put out the Olympics flame.
The atmosphere at Leicester was supportive and we could hear shouts of 'Long live Beijing', 'Long live Olympics'. For a while, I felt proud to be a Chinese and felt no different from the Chinese supporters beside us from HongKong or China.


The Olympics flame, when it arrived, was heavily guarded with at least three rings of guards surrounding the touch bearer. It was hard to see the torch bearer or the flame - on hindsight, it was not difficult to see why there was so much security.



In retrospect, the protestors do have the freedom to voice their displeasure about their views on China's policy on Tibet and human rights but I question the method through which they raise their protests. It was heart-wrenching to see protestors trying to snatch or extinguish the Olympics flame - I am not sure what they are trying to achieve in carrying out those acts. Perhaps a more meaning action such as running alongside the relay team with their flags would bring across a stronger message which will gather more supporters to their cause.



This is a huge PR lesson for China indeed, it is not lost on me that translation between the Chinese language to English may not be perfect and subtle meanings may not have been conveyed by the English media. In addition, China's hardline approach towards the protestors is likely to fuel more anger and anguish. Perhaps a more reconcilatory tone from China may be the better way forward.

A sale of two cities

It's interesting to see how the winter retail sales are played out in London and Paris. For one, the Paris sales are mandated by law that retail stores are only allowed to have 2 sales per year and there is a pre-determined date when the sale starts and ends. In London, the retail stores began slashing prices as earlier as christmas last year, in an effort to draw in the crowds and there is not really an end to the sale period - the sale ends offically when all the products on sale are sold out!
In Paris, the stores are pretty discreet about how the sale is being advertised. In most stores, there is hardly any signs to publicize about the discounts. In addition, the price cuts are still pretty subdued by many standards - usually a price discount of 20% is considered generous. I sense that there is a stigma attached to be seen buying discounted stuff in Paris, or it could be that most parisians have already made their way cross the Atlantic to partake in the London sale. Given the strength of the euro in the recent weeks, it is no surprise that the French have choosen to visit London during this sale period, to maximise their purchasing power.

Here's a pretty cool Paris sale site - there's even a recommendation on the different possible shopping circuits in Paris.

Will we ever have this in the Singapore Parliament?

Check out the exchange between Gordon Brown (the current UK PM) and David Cameron (the opposition leader).

'He's demonstrating no common sense at all. Would they see a Prime Minister who trys to control everything but actually can't run antyhing.' - David Cameron addressing Gordon Brown.

Gordon Brown's government is under tremendous pressure these couple of days due to the many failings which happened lately - the loss of 25 million UK citizens' bank data, the handling of the Northern Rock fiasco did not help the Labour party any bit.

I am impressed by the quality of the exchange - something I dont forsee taking place in Singapore at least for the next decade

St Pancras is a Star!!

Had the pleasant experience of using the St Pancras station since last week and my verdict is that the station is simply fantastic! With the old Waterloo station, there was the usual feel that you simply wish to get in and get out into the train as quickly as possible - it was a functional place where people basically wait to get onto the train.


The St Pancras station was different - it evoked the same kinda of feeling as Changi Airport - where I wouldn't mind checking in half an hour earlier just to bask in the atmosphere. The new station went beyond fulfilling the functional need - I simply loved it!

And to top it all off, I was lucky enough to get complimentary drinks and canapes at the champagne bar in St Pancras. Wifey, we are heading to St Pancras this weekend! Yuppie!

Saying Goodbye to Eurostar Waterloo

A typical week for me would be as follows:
Starting Monday
a. Crawling outta bed at 5.30 am in the moring - it gets tougher in winter .. I am finding it harder and harder to leave the cosy bed, especially with my wife beside me ...
b. Leave the flat by 6.00 am to catch the tube to Waterloo station - it's bloody cold and dark at 6 in the morning in winter
c. Check into the Waterloo Eurostar station for the 7.09am train to Paris - on some days I barely make it
d. Reach Gard du Nord in Paris at 10.59 am Paris time and make my way to the office

And on Friday, I make the return trip home across the Atlantic, usually reaching home at about 9 or 10pm London time.

The interesting thing to note is the different way I am treated by the immigration officers. The French officers usually take less than 20 seconds to waive me through the checkpoint. They take a look at my passport, have a look at my unwashed face and let me through. At the british checkpoint, it usually takes me between 2 to 5 minutes, a barrage of questions unleased upon me; what am I doing in the UK, what is my wife doing, how long will I stay in the UK, what's my occupation, why do I make that many visits to Malaysia (cos I used to be working for a Malaysia client); I have grown smarter since and I now know that a BIG smile usually works wonder.



I was this close to missing the train at Waterloo .... The train departs at 7.09am ... That was the last time I departed from the Waterloo station.
Beginning 14th Nov, the Eurostar departs from the St Pancras Station, which I think is long overdue; the train travels on the normal rail lines from Waterloo to Ashford, UK, which means travelling at a speed no faster than 70km/h until it reaches Ashford.

Stamford Bridge, It's in the Blood

Think me and wifey are on a spectator sports diet this couple of weeks. We are heading for the Chelsea/Everton clash next weekend at Stamford Bridge ... wow wee!

Our First Trip To Wembley Stadium

Wifey and I just returned from the first ever NFL's international series match between Miami Dolphins and the NY Giants at Wembley Stadium.

The London weather was in her usual foul mood and there was constant rain throughout the match, resulting in seven fumbles and a missed field goal for each team. It was a first of sorts for wifey and I. First time at the Wembley stadium - the size and atmosphere was just astonishing, our first time at an NFL match - we were learning about the game as it progresses, and our first cheeseburger since arriving in London.

We took a train to the Wembley Park Tube station followed by a 15 minutes walk up to the main entrance of the Wembley stadium.


The pre-game show included performances by the British band 'The Feeling' as well as R&B singer Jocelyn Brown. John Terry and Lewis Hamilton made guest appearances for the coin toss.


The Gaints eventually topped the Dolphins 13-10, holding off a late challenge in the last two minutes of the last quarter.

Between American football and Soccer, I think I still prefer the latter. Next up, Stamford Bridge. Chelsea Vs Everton 11th Nov.

It's Flooding in London

The whole Circle line is suspended due to flooding.
And that's not all - the Bakeroo line is part suspended due to industrial action.
Bet this is goona be a wet and slow weekend. Better to stay at home ....

BBC Summer Series - Night out with the London Symphony Orchestra

Against the backdrop of the tall, cold and erect office buildings in Canary Wharf, the BBC presented it's annual Summer Galas. Wife and I attended the evening's performance of 'The music of Hollywood' by The London Symphony Orchestra. We sat, at times lying on our backs on the nicely-trimmed grass park with a bottle of chardonnay and some chocolates from M&S.
The evening started with the familiar rendition of the 20th Century Fox FanFare, followed by classics such as movie themes from 'Out of Africa' (brought a drop of tear to my right eye), 'Jurassic Park', 'Superman' and not forgetting 'StarWars'.

It was a nice conclusion to the six months project I have done in Canary Wharf. Will be heading to Paris office for the next couple of weeks and prepare myself for the next assignment.

Le Tour De France Opening Ceremony

Made a stop over at Trafalgar Square after work earlier this evening to watch the Opening Ceremony of the Tour De France. For the first time in the Tour's history, London will host the Le Grand Depart, which includes the Opening Ceremony and the Prologue Race. Stage 1 of the race will start from Central London and end in Canterbury.

The weather, which was a total letdown this week, was surprisingly cooperative this evening. The sun was peeking out from the clouds and it was just the perfect opening ceremony anyone could hope for.

The highlight of the opening ceremony was the introduction of the various teams and the cyclists. Here's one of the crowd favourite, Great Britain's very own son, Bradley Wiggins.


Team Milram from Italy, headed by Alessandro Petacchi. Loved the baby blue jerseys.

Team Discovery Channel - living in Lance Armstrong's shadow

Team Euskaltel-Euskadi. A Spanish team, mostly climbing specialists

Team T-mobile making their way to the stage in Trafalgar Sqaure where they are introduced to the crowd.

This cheeky chap has got his admirers - stopping to steal a kiss from the crowd. Bet this is something he wouldn't dare try when the race starts.

The great Tour de France Sale. Everything must go.

This is gonna be one exciting weekend.