The Fullerton Singapore

Formerly the Singapore GPO, the building housing today's Fullerton has been restored to more than its colonial splendour and attention to architectural detail.  White, a plethora of small and large palms and shutter windows (that allow more effective ventilation in an equatorial climate) are the themes continued from its glorious past when Singapore was considered  to be a gem of the British Empire, the geographical most far flung empire in history.

Good ham cuts, fresh pineapple, watermelon and more for morning breakfast.

A welcome Chinese cooling flavoured tea with a Granny Smith in your room.

Poaching eggs for the traditional kaya toast bread set.

A scene reminiscent of old Singapore, by that river itself, not far by foot from the Fullerton, which has a river side view.
The grand hotel centrally located in downtown city, with Chinatown, Marina Bay Financial Centre, Raffles Place, Clarke Quay, Clifford Pier and Marina Sands casino within a sweaty walking distance in this equatorial heat, but on well designed, broad and clean pavements.  There are also river ferries to catch for slow rides.

Fettucine marinara served by enthusiastic, friendly and well trained staff at one of the Fullerton's dining rooms.

Coffee and tea traditionally made with condensed milk are served by the Fullerton  in unique porcelain cups that still bear the designs familiar from my childhood.

The Fullerton pool for guests, overlooking a scenic and sedate river and Singapore's financial district, has been named as one of the top resort pools in the world.

Newspapers in hard copy are still left at your room or suite door - or provided at breakfast time, which has a menu encompassing he best of East and West - above, congee is available with poached egg, waffle, Mediterranean tomatoes and Cantonese baked roast pork buns.

A bird's eye view of the inner sanctum of the Fullerton.  A recommended place to unwind is the Post Bar on the ground floor.  Wi-fi is provided free to hotel guests.  Rooms are sumptuous with writing desks, bathrobes, carpet slipper wear, glass display shelving and mat laid near your turned bed while you are away at dinner.

Freshly made omelette surrounded by croissants and breads.

Kuala Lumpur Revisited - Cuisine

Roast pork buns, baked with a flourish and taste - Dragon-I Restaurant

Nasi Lemak version 4.0 from Benjamin Yong's WanderMama, Bangsar Village One, KL, with prawn curry (background) and the chicken rendang (foreground).   The curry tradition in Malaysia is primarily based on significant Indian influences, as for thousands of years before the Arab traders arrived in south-east Asia, Indian politics, language, culture and customs predominated this region.

Fish head noodle soup, garnished with tomato, shallots and bean curd - a Cantonese favourite from Goon Wah Restaurant, Jalan Kuchai Lama, KL

Kl street food - the wanton egg noodles, mixed with two types of soy sauce, a great any time snack that has its roots in immigration tradition from South China - the versions I prefer are from Hong Kong and Kl.

Marinated chicken wings, peppered with sesame seeds, a classic favourite of Goon Wah's, Jalan Kuchai Lama, KL.

Wok stir fried meal, garnished with scrambled egg, bean sprout and shallots - from Dragon-I.

Centre court at the Pavilions KL, Bukit Bintang district -this shopping centre has the best food court choices as well.

Cheese cake or coconut mixed with oats biscuit? - Artisan Cafe, Bangsar Village Two.

Hakka classic - the Yong Tau Foo, from the Ying Ker Lu Restaurant, Pavilions KL.

Not what I see as cream brûlée, but this was offered at one of the trendy expresso cafes in the Klang Valley.

Classic plate and bowl setting in a Chinese restaurant  - replete with chill condiment, vinegar sauce and Guangzhou dessert of longan and twice boiled almonds.

Dainty dumplings from Shanghai - as in most cities around the world, central and northern Chinese food are now easily available around the world.  This photo depicts the siew long pau, with hot soup and minced pork inside.

Traditional Hakka dish, a one spot meal.  The Hakka heritage of KL is not emphasised these days, although it is a fact that Kapitan Yap Ah Loy established and strengthened  a multi-racial community KL in the 19th century, that was later chosen by the British colonials to be the administrative capital of Malaya, covering the Straits Settlements as well.

Yum cha has always been a much appreciated practice amongst the Chinese in KL - above the delicately shaped steamed wortip, eaten with a dipping sauce and with held chopsticks.

Bombora Seafood - Wollongong Harbour NSW

Located a floor or two above the compact Wollongong Harbour, Bombora can mean different things to various people.  To me it is a fish grill place, close to the supply source, in tune with Nature and sited to provide customers with sweeping panoramic views of both ocean and escarpment. To some others, who may not be so used to self service, it can be an experience collecting your own cutlery, drinking water, napkins and plates.  Yet to many others it is a casual relaxed joint that epitomises the Aussie beach side lifestyle and to soak in the sun and sea as well.   Vehicle parking can be rather limited on summery days.  There is  selection of drinks in the fridge but you can have your coffee, smoothies, organic teas, Aussie beers, cocktails, iced and other specially freshly made drink delights as well.  Yes, staff only serve you coffee at the very least but they get a chance to really work and cook where it counts - in the kitchen.  The wine list choice can be extensive, with equal emphasis on both reds and whites.

Open seven days per week for a long time now, I first tasted Bombora menu when it was only a daytime affair.  Classic Aussie fish and chips? You can have them here.  Planning an intimate dinner? They are open till late.  Popular with locals and tourists alike, they can stroll along the Belmore Basin  or go surfing between meals.  Bombora has a unique early bird arrangement for its customers - a two or three course meal combo of various seafoods, my favs being the Asian marinated chargrilled prawns, Massaman curry lamb shank and the pear and rhubarb crumble.   I frequented Bombora years ago not so much for its breakfasts, but the early morning menu remains simple, effective and refreshing.  Examples of unique items are salmon cakes, char grilled polenta and Captain Sparrow (coconut pancakes with salted caramel rum sauce, topped with cream and walnuts).

The floor plan seating consists of inside and outside, looking informal and relaxed.  For lunch and dinner, a good suggestion is to try the cob loaf, especially when you have more than a couple at the table.  Olive and rosemary flavoured bread is baked and served with both hazelnut and balsamic butter choices.  The bruschetta is ideal, with a rich offering of marinated prawns,avocado, salmon pate and fresh smoked salmon.   My heart for Bombora still remains in fish like barramundi, snapper and Atlantic salmon, but do look at the Pacific oysters and the flat head fillets.  A family may opt for the sizzling prawn hot pot, with wedges of olive and rosemary cob bread on the sides.   For an Asian based mains, try the sautéed seafood bounty for mains, with lots of finger licking sauce covering delights of squid, prawns, scallops and mussels.  Non seafood lovers may ask me to stop now and excuse themselves, but Bombora also has chicken and beef offerings, albeit in  a limited way.  Pasta, risotto, sandwiches and salads are also available - the best being the Thai beef salad and the Vietnamese prawn salad.  Kids can have a variety accompanied by chips.

A Possible Business Model

Common features of what I observe from successful businesses, old and new.

1. Keep the product or service simple.  Focus on what you do well, be they low or high margin.

2.  Keep the service experience in proportion to revenue and reputation drivers you and your business desire.   The primary aim of business is to bring home the bacon, but at the same time, less bacon arrive when customer and supplier engagement is not at optimal level.

3.  Be always mindful of costs. Rentals, staffing and supplies, they can tip or break.

4.  Identify and always be conscious of your chosen key business value - turnover, uniqueness or potential for growth.  How long do you plan to carry out your business?

5.  Select your business locations wisely, they can accelerate or bog down your business plans.

6.  The best advertising is usually word of mouth, whether you call it social media, off street chatter or just the sheer attractiveness of your product/service.

7.  Have up to a medium term revenue and business growth plan - and back ups. A simple but effective risk management approach is what is called for.

8.  Build flexibility models into your business scenario plans - can business survive or prosper in different critical scenarios across a spectrum of probabilties?

9.  Identify what you can reinvest - and do so on a timely basis.

10.  Get the honey whilst the market is hot about your business.

Australia My Defining Moments First 25 Years: 15 September

I look forward to more....and below in no particular order, for the past.

My Australia 25 Years: Most Defining Matters I Wish Australia Has: Less Political Short Sightedness; Faster Wifi Speeds; Better Pay for Teachers; More Shared Australian Values; Less Emphasis on Gambling and Alcohol in Sport; More Late Night Shopping; Improved Infrastructure; Economic Innovation; Better truing and Developing Australian Youth; A More Assertive Independent Australian Stand on the International Stage; and better utilising the advantages of our rather remote location in the world.

Defining Moments in Weekend Markets - Kiama Seaside, Eveleigh Street Farmers Markets in Redfern Sydney.

Defining Moments in Party Gathering Fun, Chill Out and Creativity - the Curry Cook Off from Danielle, Shane Campbell and their girls, plus get togethers from the Teoh Family.

Defining Moments in Creative Expression - South Australian Museum in Adelaide, with the  world's largest collection of indigenous artifacts; Stage production of the Jersey Boys; and the one person dramatisation of the Straits Chinese play "Emily of Emerald Hill" in Wollongong.

Defining Moments best  after a long day at work - Always Welcomed by the Campbell Family of Woonona NSW for a yummy home dinner.

Defining Moments in House Renovations Made - Pergolas Built.

Defining Moments in  Gardening – The magical sprouting of the Paw Paw Plant in the Back Yard.

Defining Moments in what Australia has Most Taught Me - Volunteerism, Travel and Gratefulness.

Defining Moments in Unconditional Friendship and Love - All the Doggies I have Come Across, with some I am fortunate to hug and know better.

Defining Moments in Reunions - Being able to get back to Penang Island for the Lunar New Year Festivities and getting to stay with the Yeaps when I can in Melbourne.

Defining Moments in Best Airline Experiences -  The consistent quality of and engaging customer service provided by Singapore Airlines - sorry Qantas!

Defining Moments in What I have Taken For Granted about Australia - the quality of water, trendy progressive cuisine scene, the mostly blue sky, relative freedom of expression, untainted food supply and quiet of evenings in most suburbs.

Defining Moments in the Australian Economy  - 2013, when the AUD was above parity with the USD and the inter-bank interest rate was 2.5%p.a., lowest as in many years.

Defining Moments in Electrifying Sports - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, thanks to Darrin Eager and Andrew Mulligan.

Defining Moments in Liberating Sun Sea and Surf - the Illawarra Coast! No parking fees, great coffee and modern Aussie trendy food, beaut colours, no fuss locals.

Defining Moments in Home Meals - many weekend dinners or lunches made by Susan Chan and family.

Defining Moments in Cuisine Country - Orange NSW thanks to Charmaine Wan and family.

Defining Moments in Getting Out of the Comfort Zone - Aerial Rope Walking, State Sports Centre, Berry NSW.

Defining Moments in Being Australian - Sydney Olympics 2000.

Defining Moments in Getaway Holiday - Tasmanian drive around, week after Christmas and sort of back packing through the length of Vietnam for two weeks.

Defining Moments in Religious Tones - Inside the Orthodox Church, Canberra, near the Australian Parliament House.

Defining Moments in Another Time , Another Place - Ambiance of Kangaroo Island near Adelaide, Dawn in Goulburn Valley NSW in winter.

Defining Moments in a City - Soaking In a Melbourne lane way.

Defining Moments on Media - Q &A, Dateline, Four Corners and Insight - excellence in  investigative journalism and public affairs discussion.

Defining Moments in Jumping Out of Bed in Australia - I Can Shape Each Day in Various Multicultural Environments by spending time in Different Suburbs, with inspiring individuals I am fortunate to know or in contrasting climates and geographic landscapes.