.....times of refreshing.....

This was my third consecutive half-marathon with Income Eco Run, which was organised by NTUC Income. It was also my fourth run with them, having did my 10KM on my inaugural run. Thus, this is the marathon I almost joined annually for the past 4 years as well as the most runs I did with the same event. What impressed me most with this run was it is the most affordable among all the running events in SG, well-organised, lots of hydration points with bananas and gels given out even for a HM and finisher-tee. This was also my first run of the year after 'considered' recovered from my plantar faccittis (Heel pain) injury.

My third HM medal from Income Eco run!

I gotta woke up at 2.30am on a Sunday morning in order to board their shuttle bus. That means I gotta sleep at 7.30pm in order to have enough rest for the run. After a simple breakfast of a protein shake and two wheat buns, I started out around 3.15am. It was a 20 min walk from my home to the MRT station to board the bus but I took a cab instead, as I don't feel like walking in the early morning. Once I am on the bus, it pass by some of my running lanes around the neighbourhood and I was tellling to myself, well, that's my preparations. Anyway, I didn't really prepared well for this HM and it was one of the toughest HM for me!

Reached the F1 Pit building at 4am and the run starts at 5am. All folks slowly walking in.

Some thought its a good idea to clear the bladder first

 

I was at the pen which was not opened yet.

At the first pen and selfie with my running buddy, Ravi.

The starting of the run was smooth and I found myself following a group of 2:45 hours pacers. I thought its a good idea to follow them since I will be slow anyway, due to lack to training. However, my short evening runs of 6-7 KM training doesn't really help me much as I 'hit the wall' after 6KM. I was worried that I might not complete the race as when I look ahead, there are still 15KM ahead!! The pacers were slowly leaving me behind and I decided to relax by going to the loo at a nearby toilet. I took a GU gel later at 8KM and started to run slowly combined with brisk walk. It helps me a bit as I seems regained some energy but it was a struggle all along till the finished line.  *phew*

This was taken around 12KM where we are on the way to Gardens by the Bay from East Coast Park and Stadium.

My mood always lightens up when I see the 15KM signage, which means I am into my last quarter of the run.

The last 3 KM seems longer than usual or maybe it's just me! from 17KM to 18KM seems short but 18KM to 19KM was like forever! Anyway, I recorded 21.91KM in my GPS and most of folks also commented it seems longer than 21.1KM. However, I was glad that I managed to finish the run! It was also a humid run!

My sweet finisher tee!

Yours truly in action, nearing the finish line.

A view of one of the modern cruise ship

Inside the cruise, it was fully carpet with free drinks served as well as free shows and an auction event of calligraphy arts.

Picturesque view of high rise office buildings while cruising

They seems purposely changing the colors of the lights

Another view of the river

Passing along the beautifully lit up Haiyin Bridge

The Canton Tower, where the cruise move nearer and nearer to it until we got a good view of it. The colors of the tower kept changing to give us a nice show while the cruise stand still for a while nearest to the tower. I even saw the lift speeding up to the higher levels.

The amazing Liede bridge, with the oval shape supporter that make it unique. We were actually cruising under both bridges and we seems so near to the 'ceiling' below the bridge while passing by.

It was really great to be able to enjoy the cruise and night scenery.

After the cruise, it's time to say good-bye to Guangzhou as our tour bus headed for the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. Our flight was at 3am and we waited a while at the airport.

Getting ready to go home, directly back to JB.

Snapping pics around the airport

It's kinda quiet at those hours

Overall, it was a great trip especially my ancestors hailed from this part of the world and I thought 5 days were quite short and how nice if the trip can be 7 or 8 days like my previous year-end trips.  The tour group was also a small one which makes it less complicated as most of the folks there were a friendly lot!

Pix for a souvenir!

We reached Senai International Airport around 6am+ . Will be looking forward to my next vacation!

Initially, I thought they served spicy ramen there!

Just a small shop located in Northpoint city, I chance upon this stall while shopping for a new iPad.

Complimentary hard boiled eggs, you can have as many as you can ... hahaha.. I usually had two eggs.

I ordered a Shio Ramen ... love their broth and  their thick half-fat chashu.

Family Portrait at Yuexiu Park

The 5 Rams Sculpture

Then, we traveled over to the Chen Ancestral Hall, which is a almost century old and housed the Guangdong Folk Art museum. There are lot of beautiful carvings around the buildings and hall as well as carvings of plants.

Carvings of plants in animal and birds form

The century old Chen Ancestral Hall

Look at the carvings on top of the rooftop

Yours Truly selfie with workers' statues

I guess this must be an ancient well

More captivating and beautiful carvings!

It really took a lot of effort and skills for such beautiful carvings and they are everywhere

Next, when it is almost evening, we walked around the streets of Guangzhou and came to the Lychee Park. Well, it was really a day of park-hopping but I am fine with it as the air was cool and fresh. Moreover, we don't have to spend a single cent in parks.

An opera house at the Lychee Park and there were performances going on.

A scenic view of the canal there

Another relaxing view in China, a pond in Lychee Park.

Very old trunk trees in the park.

A panoramic view of the canal in Lychee park

After this, we head for our last attraction in Guangzhou before we headed home via a wee morning flight.

The heartlands , mixed with old buildings and new modern buildings and skyscrapers.

A view of Rosedale Hotel, before leaving

We arrived at the CBD area of Guangzhou while on the way to Flower City Square and were greeted with lots of skyscrapers. This place was so modern!!

Office towers everywhere!

Arhh...my neck going to break!

Another iconic building!

There were some functions going on, nearby the Flower City Square.

My princess jumping posed at the Flower City Square.

The Canton Tower at the background during sunrise.

The five day itinerary ends with visiting Guangzhou where we spent a long , long day there. Well, the trip actually started with a bang, by visiting Macau and winds up in Guangzhou before we boarded our flight back to Senai International Airport in the wee hours at 3am! However, hold on first, we had a great time shopping around Guangzhou after arriving from my ancestral home, Panyu.

I have to break this one long day and night itinerary to a few posts as we visited quite a number of places. Again, I let the pictures do the talking .....

I love the old buildings in Guangzhou. Sometimes I felt like home as some of Ipoh's old colonial buildings also looks like this, minus the cold temperature.

It was almost Christmas then and we were at the famous Beijing Street, its a shopper's haven!

Look at the crowd at the crossroad!! I gotta hold my kids tightly! Errr..wife too else I need to bring a younger wife from there back home... muahahahahaha!

Another view of Guangzhou old street

Back to Beijing Street to shop!

Walking around  the huge and long street between the shops. The stuffs there doesn't come cheap!

I somehow mesmerize by the ads here, well, it was Angelababy  Ads before this!

We went to Shangxiajiu Street for another 'treat' of shopping the next day. This place seems more affordable (though still not cheap) than Beijing Street and we managed to buy some stuffs. My son and I got a pair of sports shoes while wifey and my princess also got themselves some clothes.

It was a cool afternoon at Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street

Finally some food pixs. Yours truly cannot stand the huge BBQ octopus ... it was hot and slightly spicy! Yums!