2SGD Mini Bank Project

ABBEY: We had our coin project in the year 2012 and the total amount of savings is 500sgd. The downside is each dollar coin has a deposit fee. This resulted to an almost 25-dollar-reduction on our earnings. We learned our lesson and come year 2013, we start saving 2-dollar bills. Twice the amount on the previous year and no fees. 

The savings surpassed the dollar coins but only a small percentage. We got 650sgd and invested it for the second phase of our "40 by 40" project. This year we continue saving those violet-colored treasures and expecting to surpassed the first 2 years.

WILL: Some people have other options to save a money for different purposes. Abbey and I save for additional sum for our investments. Last year we agreed to put a $1 coin on our Malteser's bank but we were deducted few dollars when we deposited it in our Citibank account. Lessons learned so we say hello to $2 bill. 

After receiving my boss ang pao from our Dinner and Dance party, a day after we open up our mini bank. We surpassed the previous amount. Then we both decided to send it to Philippines in addition to our "40 by 40" project. ;) 

Indeed this is a great way to save and invest. Oh, maybe you can do what my niece doing. She put a note wherein she can see always the purpose why she is saving up. 

Go and save. It is fun. 

Monsoon @ Bangla Road - Phuket Thailand

ABBEY: We were at Bangla road checking bars that we can crash on and we stopped by at Monsoon. It was a bit different because the bar has live band and no pole dancers.  

Unlike the other hangouts where they offer sports channels or other "live" shows, Monsoon is for the music-lovers. You can request for a song, dance on the floor and be greeted by the performers it is your birthday. 

If you're looking for a slight wholesome place, this is it. A tip for the customers: food can be ordered until 11pm. Beyond that, drinks only up to closing.

WILL: Maybe you will choose a night flight from Singapore to Phuket and to not waste time waiting for the next day, maybe you may want to explore The Bangla Road. 

Bangla Road is very famous red light district in the world. So what would you expect here? Drunk men, girls dancing at the pole, and people offering private shows. 

We walked and walked and walked to find place to sit in. Finally! We heard a loud live band. We entered at Monsoon. We take our seats and ordered my usual...Margarita. 

The band is so lively and sang music that hit the crowd big time. After finishing my 2 drinks, around 3am of Singapore time, we headed back to our hotel to get ready for the next day adventure. 

If you want to sit back and relax just go here in Monsoon. Very recommendable. 

Patong Beach on Phuket Island, Thailand

ABBEY:  There are many beaches on Thailand. Among them is Patong beach where we chose to stay during our vacation. The white sand is beautiful but not as soft as what is there on Maya beach. For a hundred bhat you can rent a pair of beach bed with table for drinks where you can enjoy taking snaps on people doing various beach and water activities; like snorkeling, swimming, and parasailing (1500 bhat per person). 

Eateries and restaurants flocked the on the opposite road on the beach. You can have a decent meal for about 100 bhat. Bangla road is also near it as well as the large mall Jungceylon. 

Pieces of advice: 
1. For tourists, don't go on the beach after a New Year's eve party as garbage are all over the place. 
2. For the local government, try to educate the tourist and the residents and let them have an awareness to maintain the place clean.

WILL: Have you ever heard of Patong Beach? No? Why? Where have you been?

Patong beach is the most famous in Phuket. If you're gonna say you are going to Thailand got sure they will ask you if you'll check out Patong Beach. 

We went here on our first day stay. We just took photos of the bluish clear water. The waves' sizes were just fine. But when I tried to dip in, the water is so cold and it made my skin itchy. I thought I am the only one to feel it but hey, even Abbey and two of our friends too. So we decided not to soak our body for today and we will be coming back on the 1st day of 2014. 

As planned, we went there around 7am and ready for a swim until afternoon. To our shocked, we found some beer bottles, paper lantern  and even the firework boxes were floating at the shores. To my disgust, we just rented seats for THB100 each and linger with the sea breeze, watch the cruise ship to leave Phuket Island and plan for our next tour on that day. 

I hope that the government will regulate all the establishments around the area. To maintain the natural beauty of this famous island.