Happened to see this article a few months ago where they upcycled old decommissioned SBS buses into hotel rooms. I was thinking it was an interesting concept and experience to bring *OEE* for a daycation and visit the far east (Changi Village) at the same time. This was finally put into action yesterday.
Kangaroo's Corner
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
The Bus Collective Daycation Review
Tuesday, January 02, 2024
First Bird Paradise Visit Review
Visited the new Bird Paradise on 27-Dec-2023 for the first time together as a family together with 大舅 and 外婆. On the whole, I felt the area of the new Brid Paradise, compared to the old Jurong Bird Park, is smaller, but more compact. There are boardwalks meandering throughout the different theme areas where they tried to allow birds to free roam fly around on their own, so that visitors can get up close with these flying creatures. There are only 2 tram stations in the park - one at the entrance, and the other at the amphitheater where the shows are conducted. It is just a short ride, and you can get there in 10mins via walking. Cafes, restaurants and food court wise, there are plenty located within the park. You can get yourself easily a seat if you go during the time when the shows are conducted at the amphitheater. This is one big improvement compared to the Old Jurong Bird Park, where there are only a few eateries located and you need to spend some efforts to get to them.
Personally, I will recommend to visit in the morning to catch the first show time, so that you can spend the rest of the day roaming around the park and get out by 3-4pm. Breakfast wise, not to worry, there are shops open outside the entrance where you can get a good breakfast. All you need to do is look out for shops that open between 8-9am.
Sunday, December 31, 2023
4Q 2023 Investment Strategy Update
Finally, we can start breathing a sign of relief. US Fed finally has indicated they are not looking at increasing the interest rate further and instead projects 3 rate cuts in 2024 as the economy cools down and start losing steam. Who will be the winners in a decreasing interest rate environment? For Singapore, it will be non other than the Reits (Especially Reits with US market exposure). Less $ spent on interest payment = more distribution to unitholders and higher property value. The losers in a decreasing interest rate environment? It will be the banks of course as their Net Interest Margin shrinks = lesser profits. So for 2024, it will be bearish on banks equity and bullish for the Business Trust and Reits. Market has already start pricing in this information as it can be seen in the rally in Reits with USA exposure at the start of December. For me, I can finally start reaping the rewards for accumulating Prime US Reit and Keppel Pacific Oak US Reit for the past1 year.
DJI ended at 37689, an increase of 4182 points (+12.48%) compared to 3Q 2023. For Singapore, STI ended at 3240, an increase of 23 points (+0.71%) compared to last quarter. While investors has poured into the USA market with the Fed signaling they are done with the interest rate increase in the last 2 months; however, there is not much movement in the Singapore market partly due to investors holding their ground against buying into the banks counter (consisting of 46.65% STI weightage) as banks are typically bearish due to their shrinking NIM in a decreasing interest rate environment.
Manchester United has finally announced on Christmas Eve 2023 that Sir Jim Ratcliffe had acquired a 25% stake in Manchester United and would be taking control of the club's football operations. The acquisition will consist of 25% from the Glazer family and 25% from public unitholders in the form of tender offer at $33/share. Once he pass the director test, which is said to take anywhere up to four weeks to complete, although usually takes closer to a fortnight; he can then officially start the tender offer. I cannot wait to cash in when that time comes.
With 2023 drawing to a close, it is time for the annual review against my 3 year plan (Next 3 years (2023 - 2025) Investment Plan) set back in Nov 2022. Below are my result:
Original 2023-2025 plan:
- 50% Equity, 50% Reits/Trusts
- Portfolio Dividend Yield to be 3.80% in 2023, 4.30% in 2024, 4.80% in 2025.
- 50.16% Equity, 49.84% Reits/Trusts
- 80.74% SG Equity, 19.26% USA Equity
- Portfolio Yield at 3.58% in 2023 (+0.00% from 2022, but miss 2023 3.80% target)
Tuesday, December 26, 2023
India Work Trip - Exploring Delhi & Taj Mahal Part 2
21 Dec - Extended 1 day from my business trip to visit the Taj Mahal, which is a 3 hours drive away from Delhi. Initially wanted to catch the sunrise at the Taj Mahal, but with recommendations from the guide that driving at night is dangerous given the low visibility condition in winter, we delayed the set off time by 4 hours. Eventually, we reached the Taj around 10am in the morning.
The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was commissioned in 1631 by the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658) to house the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died during the birth of her 14th child; it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. The tomb is the centrepiece of a 17-hectare (42-acre) complex, which includes a mosque and a guest house, and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a crenellated wall. Truly a wonder in its own right.
India Work Trip - Exploring Delhi & Taj Mahal Part 1
20 Dec - Found some time to explore Delhi during the last day of my work trip and went on a tour with YB to visit the touristy places that the city has to offer. Delhi, which has a rich cultural history most known by the rule of the Mughal Empire (1526 - 1858), has left many significant tombs of its emperors till this day. Half of the trip was spent on visitation to the tomb of the emperor.
Wednesday, December 06, 2023
18th Year Blog Anniversary
18 years of keeping this blog alive, time really flies. Been busy the whole year with *OEE* coming to 4 years of age + company throwing more ad hoc projects (Regional Sustainability, new factory construction) coming my way. Before I know it, the year is already over. Will be taking a break from part time teaching next year to focus on the upcoming projects. Finally, give thanks to God whom have bless us with everything we need and pray that may He continue to guide us in guiding *OEE* to know Him and to lead a Christian life that He has plan for us.
Some Statistic:
Page Count: 82034 +4386
Year on Year increase: +16 +0.36%
Side note: Manchester United Glazer stake sale is finally coming to an end after 1 year. Ratcliffe has emerged the winner of the saga with an initial 25% stake purchase, with the understanding that this is "a foot in the door" with the full sale to proceed progressively in the future. Sale price is reported around $33 a share, placing Man Utd at a valuation of 6.5 billion USD, reportedly to sign off early next week. Finally, it is time to offload all my Man Utd shares.
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Bon Voyage Le Le
Thought of bringing *OEE* to River Wonders to have a last look at Le Le before he officially returns back to China for good. So here we are on 24-Oct and Thank God for making the trip happens! Little did we know that *OEE* will be down with mumps, fever and a swelling cheek the very next day! Little has changed in River Wonders....performances are still the same....and we get to see quite a lot of pandas actions! Well, the viewing quarters of the pandas do need a fresh coat of paint as we see lots of areas where the paints are peeling off the walls. Here are the pictures to document the trip.