Author: Joan Wong (Perth)

I am participating in the RSVP fundraising event.  RSVP. the Organisation of Senior Volunteers successfully balloted for a fundraising event, Flag Day 2015.

Date: Sat 4 April 2015
Time: 9.30am – 5.30 pm

I am appealing for SHC members to be Flag Day bearers and assist with island-wide street collection. Time -slots and collection centres will be worked out later. Please indicate your interest to help out by writing your name in the list below:

1. Joan Wong (EC)
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Joan Wong

I am looking for a female travel buddy for a 4D/3N homestay package to Sarawak, from 6 – 9 Mar 2013. It’s an ethnic and cultural trip with handicraft, cycling, photography activities besides interacting with the host family. Cost is $220/pax excluding airfares, insurance and personal expenses. More details: joanwong2002@hotmail.com

2012 is round the corner! Many of us will be thinking of plans to do. I wish to bring up a travel plan for ladies who would like to visit Perth or its surroundings but lack friends to travel with. I know that sometimes we put off trips for lack of finding someone to travel with and may not feel comfortable travelling alone. As I spend about 2-3 months in Perth when I am there, I can provide B & B homestay accomodation in my home of 1 furnished room for single or 2 ladies sharing. You can have a free and easy stay, moving on your own or join me sometimes for activities eg golf, walks, eateries or short trips to nearby towns eg Mandurah, Margaret River. You will need to arrange your own flights to and from Perth but airport transfers can be arranged. For details and costs, contact can be by email. Cheers Joan

Hello SHCians

Haven’t written quite a while and am back in Perth for the cool weather.

In case anyone is coming to Perth, I’ll be travelling down southwest WA to Busseltong and Balingup with 3  friends. We 4 ladies are booked to stay in a farm cottage, hoping to pick the last few apples and going to some fruit wineries etc. This is followed then by a spot of fisihing in Busseleton where 1 of the friends live.

From reading the travel news I can see there are some keen travellers off to other places. Hope to join in some of the tours organised by you some of you.

Regards

Joan (Perth)

Hi All

I wonder if there are SHCians interested in joining a sort of travel club within SHC – targetting those who are not keen to travel in package tours but may be travelling solo or perhaps in small groups.

I know  there had been several trips organised by some of you to places around. Maybe I’m thinking of something more structured instead of adhoc. This will allow better planning – eg a 6-12 mth programme schedule based on feedback from interested members. Can someone take this up as an interest area. It requires coordination and info gathering etc.

Eg outback tour to Uluru, Alice Springs and who may be interested as I am – in 2011 autumn/winter time (Apr- Aug).

Joan

All SHCians interested in a 7-day tour of the following places: Alice Springs, Kings Canyou, Uluru (Ayers Rock) etc can reply to this post for more details. A friend is organising it with a local tour company. Cost is approx. SGD 3200 and includes all airfares, hotel accomodation, most meals etc. Regards Joan                                                                 

Hi All

Those who are interested in visiting Perth next year and looking for B & B accomodation in Perth,I may be able to assist. I have a few friends (ex-S’poreans/Malaysians) who have rooms to offer.

Generally, it’s better to hire a car and do self-drives in Perth itself or nearby regions eg Busselton, Mandurah, Margaret River or up north to Jurien Bay, Monkey Mia etc.

However if you don’t drive, perhaps guided driven/bus/walking trips can be suggested for you.I’ll be in Perth from Mar-May and so can offer my assistance too. I hope to visit Ayers rock/Alice Springs at that time and so those who wish to go that way, let me know.

Cheers
Joan

Hi

I would like to keep up with my golf game when I’m in S’pore. Is anyone interested in playing golf in Johore or at the executive public courses in S’pore? It’s nice if there is a ladies or mixed group formed. Is there any SHcian who can arrange golf+transport to places where fees are reasonably cheap and where we can play?

Cheers

Joan

Hi All

If free with nothing to do on Sun 15 Nov, drop by at my condo flat to participate in or just watch artists at work. It’s a very informal gathering and perhaps a chance to meet SHCians who I haven’t met or to meet up again.

Two art classes are organised: Starting at 1 pm – 3 pm is a Batik Painting course which is of 2 parts, with the 2nd part from 3.30 – 6.30 pm. From 3 – 6 pm is Painting on small brush or mirror. Both classes are taught by art teachers who are friends of mine.

If you are interested to learn other things or perhaps to get a designer to do flyers, wedding cards or a collage of your photos for your travels etc, you may be able to meet people who can assist you.

Just let me know so that I’m aware of the number coming. You can email me at joanwong2002@hotmail.com  ( after 4 Nov as I’m back in S’pore then).

Cheers

Joan (Perth)

Hi All

This is prompted by Jassmine’s post on Barter …… and the suggestions that she raised. I believe that some had shown interest in my earlier post of opening my place for learning activities but then changed my mind. The reason was chiefly I spend very little time in Singapore and therefore unable to manage any activities held there. I hope to be able to manage this better with some help and my longer presence back.

Those who wish to visit my place to see if they like to conduct things there can let me know.

To kick off this is the first activity:

Course: 4 hr Batik Painting for beginners

Dates: Nov 8 & 15 ( 9 – 11 am) or Nov 22 (  8am – 12nn)

Fee: $40

Regards

Joan

Venue: my condo flat

Afternoon classes can be arranged instead.

Hi

I’m interested in learning beadwork and am trying to arrange for lessons in Nov/Dec. If you like to join in the class, email me at joanwong2002@hotmail.com

Joan

Hi All

I have ben reading all the interesting news of you all in Singapore. Hope to join you all when I’m back there especially for trips from Sinagpore. I am hoping to see more of Australia these few years especially parts that I haven’t been. Friends here too talk about going round during the cooler months.

Just to share – I’ll be travelling to Adelaide – cheap airfares are on sale and we are renting a car , sightseeing places as we haven’t been to South Australia and then driving onto to Victoria, going along The Great Ocean Rd. It will just be 7 days.

Regards

Joan

Hi

I would like to meet members who wish to teach skills which may interest adults and/or children and perhaps make a little income. I am thinking of using my flat and activities need to be quiet ones and for small groups. The duration may be 1 day – several sessions. I live in Bartley/Paya Lebar/Serangoon Central area.

If interested, I will met you on 17 May at Hans Cafe. Terence is arranging a meeting there at 1 pm. I’ll be there for his meeting and will stay on to meet you all at 4 pm.

Regards
Joan

Hi All

Calling those interested in crystal craft. Another 2 crystal making courses by Karen Thio for those who missed it the 1st time:

Name of Course 1: Crystal Angel making course
Cost: $15 (including materials)
Duration: 30 min
Date/Time: AM : 10.30, from Mon – Sat
                  PM : 7.30, Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat

Name of Course 2 : Crystal Butterfly making course
Cost: $12 (including materials)
Duration: 30 min
Date/Time : As in course 1

Venue for both: Han’s cafe

Those interested please sign up.

Course 1
1. Joan
2. Sock Cheng

Course 2
1. Joan
2. Sock Cheng

A few of SHCians including myself are interested in learning  quilting – hand or Japanese quilting.Please let me know as then the group can get together at your place or a common venue. Also give details of the duration, course fee etc.

Regards
Joan

Hi All

Thank you to the following SHCians :Jie,Gwyneth, Karen, Sock Cheng who met me at the foodcourt 6F and  Spotlight at Plaza Singapura for the time and informative sharing on crafts.

I must admit that I never had been a diligent needlework pupil in school and also lacked patience and time in the past. However, I’m looking forward to picking up some handicraft skills before it’s too late.

Jie shared her quilting knowledge and even kindly brought along a library quilting bookfor me.Karen kept me updated about her crystal craft with members last year and the interest generated.She also mentioned other things that she does eg macrame.

With the short time here, I’m hope to pick up some skills from them. Hence I’m posting two craft learning sessions and do join in the sessions if you are interested and let’s learn together.

Joan

Hi All

I believe most of us now welcome the time we have and the opportunity to do things we missed out. I am wondering how to fill my time now with activities that can still allow for new learning or relearning what was forgotten. Some have found their niches, some like me are still looking. I wonder if any who share this view would like to learn new things or teach things/skills they know to other SHCians.

For the time I’m in S’pore I would like to meet members to discuss this with the objective that perhaps we can get together to hold some of these activities at various locations. An example can be hand quilting which I like to learn or even making sushi/dumplings/mooncakes. Other areas can be conversational Japanese, swimming, ebay buying etc. If there are some who can teach these and some who are keen to learn, we can start lessons. Who knows, this can turn out to be business opportunites for some.

Regards

Joan

Hi All SHCians

This is an afterthought from an earlier post by Terence on Education centre as a source of income. Just wish to share my thoughts and welcome your views.

From what I read surfing the net, there appears  to be a need for babysitters for toddlers and even afterschool care. I wonder if so, can childminding or afterschool care as a SHC business activity, with the objective of conducting enrichment activities for the children, work? Do you think, among the SHCians, there are some with the experience and interest in getting together to form a parents/grandparents/uncles/aunts playgroup or education centre or and running activities eg teaching EL/CL through songs, rhymes,computer aided learning, guitar playing, dance and drama etc.

If the group is small, we can use our homes. I will volunteer my flat for this as I’m a grandma with a toddler grandson whom I would like to see in a playgroup. I don’t really see this as a moneymaking business, more perhaps as giving assistance to working mums and dads.

Regards

Joan

Hi SHCians

Thought I will post some happenings that that you can join in when you are here in Perth. These include:

Mar – fishing again at Cervantes, maybe with Mary joining in. Buying of lobsters if still in season.
Ongoing fishing at various places and golfing.
Self-drives.
Aug/Sep – My Self-drive across Nullabor Plain to Adelaide, Great Ocean Rd to Geelong, Victoria, etc and back to Perth.

There are 4 of us here – self, Mary, Linda and Hou Chong. So you can join up and also meet some of our friends here. Quite a number came from S’pore, Malaysia etc. So far, Mary and I are into fishing and I have  yet to do other things eg golfing, visiting markets etc with Mary and the rest.

I’m very certain the Apr group led by Terence and Mary will have lots to do and see here.

Joan

Hi SHC members

Friends of mine, a Perth couple, ex-Singaporeans, are looking for a whole HDB flat to rent for their holiday stay. It is for 2 weeks, from Dec 14 – 29.  If you are going away for holiday or have a spare vacant place, let me know the rental rate per week.

Regards

Joan

Hi SHC members

I am interested in joining travel packages which cater for single travellers. As air and hotel packages cater to twin sharing, I’m wondering whether anyone is keen in setting up a sort of travel club to match people (same sex to share accomodation). This will help to cut down travelling costs.

I don’t mind helping to coordinate in this travel club, if someone is keen to work with me.

Joan

Hi All SHC members who are waiting for more news

I’ve been surfing the internet for info and maps, getting brochures etc and am posting an update. Those who are interested may form a group of your own, coming in from Singapore. From Perth, there are three of us and my sister, from Melbourne may join in. Therefore we may rent 2 campervans. All 4 of us drive and so can share in the driving. We are thinking of getting a Britz Hi-top which takes 2-3 people.

It will be a 13D/12N trip from Mar 7 – 19 Mar 2009. Itinerary planned is pick up of campervan from Melbourne, then to Canberra, down to Victoria towns, Great Ocean Road to Adelaide. From Adelaide, we leave the campervans and fly back to Perth/Melbourne or Singapore depending on where you plan to go after that. For us, it will be a flight back to Perth. Those who want to know what the itinerary is, please indicate in your comment and I will reply as it will be too long to post here.

The cost of the trip will be approximately AUD 1000 (hopefully less) per person to cover campervan rental, petrol, food etc. The additional expenses will be airfare. There are budget carriers like Tiger Airway, Jetstar, Virgin Blue etc that will connect you to the Aussie cities. Cost of airfares may be an additional AUD 700.

Regards

Joan (Perth)

Hi SHC members

In the past, I was actually looking for accomodation when I make short trips back to S’pore. I had booked airfare and hotel packages which were pretty cheap then and was like a tourist back in my home country. I therefore knew what it was like to think of short term accomodation when I came back to S’pore as my place was rented out. However, my flat had been vacant for several months and Im thinking of now taking up the opportunity of opening my place for short term stay foryour visiting overseas friends or relatives.

If you have overseas friends or relatives who are looking for short term accomodation in Singapore you can contact me at my email address; joanwong2002@hotmail.com

Regards

Joan (Perth)

Hi All

Is anyone interested in joining in this adventure experience next year?So far, Esther has expressed interest. We met in S’pore during the vegetarian lunch at Chinatown Point. The others are self, hubby and his cousin. So 3 of us are from Perth. We have no experience in campervanning nor even self-drives outside WA. So any tips or interest in joining up, especially if there are a few campervans will be fun.

A campervan is a vehicle which you drive and has sleeping berths, toilet, shower, cooking facilities etc. It’s not a caravan which you tow and is preferred by some. With a campervan, you can stop to take rest, save a bit on motels and cook your own simple meals. It can take 2 – 6 people, depending on range and price.

To cut petrol costs, we fly 1 way and drive 1 way between Melbourne and Adelaide. From Melbourne, we can drive to Canberra, Sydney and explore the outback – Ayers Rock, Alice Springs etc and make our way back to Melbourne.

So if anyone is game or has tips to offer, I welcome comments. The 3-4 week trip is planned for Mar/Apr 2009.

Regards

Joan (Perth)

Hi Terence and All SHC members

It was an interesting article on Asiaone on Homestays in Singapore targetting mature travellers that I read recently. This is something I personally feel that I would like to consider when I make a trip back to Singapore. Does anyone have an idea how to contact those enterprising people mentioned in the article?

Regards

Joan (Perth)

To all SHC members

If you are interested in viewing wildflowers, the Festival is from 1 Sep-1Oct at Kings Park and Botanical Garden. Plan your trip to Perth during that time.

Regards

Joan (Perth)

Hi

I’ll be in Singapore in May and if anyone is still keen to know more about short term stay in Perth etc, can meet up and chat. Let me know on the SHC website as I’m holidaying at the moment.

Regards

Joan (Perth)

Hi All

My husband and I hope to do a self-drive of the eastern states visiting viz. Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney in April 2009. The plan is to fly to Adelaide or Melbourne, rent a car and then travel up south/north, staying at B & Bs/caravan park homes etc. We hope to take maximum of 3 weeks.

April is autumn time and the weather is cool. If any member is interested in doing the trip/part of the trip, then there can be a few cars driving too. All you need is to fly down and we can meet up. I’ll be sourcing for reasonable accomodation places.

BTW, I’m residing in Perth.

Cheers

Joan