Four Birthdays Together on a Private Yacht

October 26, 2010

3 minute read

Yes, it's our birthday! (L to R): Mark, me, Rachel and my sister, Xinyi — Yes, it’s our birthday! (L to R): Mark, me, Rachel and my sister, Xinyi

Today is 26 October 2010. I have finally hit the big 3-0. My best buddy, Mark, turned 30 yesterday on 25 October 2010. My wife, Rachel, turned 28 today while my sister, Xinyi, turned 27 today.

Mark and I did not choose to know each other since Primary 1 because of our birth dates. Rachel and I did not choose to date each other and eventually get married because of our common birthday either. My sister…. I do not think my parents were able to time our birth dates so precisely.

Yes, it’s a string of coincidences. For some strange reason, people close to me tend to share very similar birth dates.

That’s why Mark and I decided to celebrate our turning 30 together as a big family last Sunday (24 Oct). Both of us chipped in and rented a private yacht, Kingdom from Neo Yacht, for half a day and treated our loved ones to a little sea adventure. 🙂

Mark came with his wife, Meiyen; his brother, Darren and his girlfriend; his parents, parent-in-laws and grandmothers.

I brought Rachel, my parents, my sister; my aunt Catherine, her husband and their son/my cousin, Jun Jie.

Rachel and I in our beach outfit, ready to set off

We had the yacht from 2pm to 6pm. After parking our cars at ONE°15 Marina Club, Sentosa Cove, we proceed to board the yacht.

Kingdom, the yacht that we will be boarding

The food was loaded and ready for consumption when we hopped on Our skipper, Yudas, promptly briefed us on the route details and we were off to the big blue sea in a jiffy.

We were impressed by the yacht’s cleanliness and the facilities available. There were a total of four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a KTV room. Best of all, part of the area are all air-conditioned.

Rachel and I on the deck. It was drizzling slightly when we set off.

Jun Jie and my uncle lazing in the KTV room

Two of the cabins were located on the left and right flank of the KTV room

Mark and Meiyen pretending to steer the yacht

The real skippers - Alvin and Rachel? — The real skippers – Alvin and Rachel?

It was drizzling slightly when we set off, hence we kept mostly in the enclosed area. Luckily by around 2.30pm, the rain stopped and the sky cleared. It was the perfect weather to be out at sea then. The sun was not scorching hot, due to the partial cloud cover. The breeze was blowing gently and the sea was a nice blue-green hue. Life is great. 🙂

We sailed off to Lazarus Island first, a small island beside Kusu Island where a famous Chinese temple is located.

While the yacht was sailing, we enjoyed our catered buffet lunch from Orange Clove. Rachel and I also brought along two bottles of exquisite champagnes we got during our wedding in June, but never found the right occasion to pop. This was the special day for us to pop both.

Rachel and I brought our food to the top deck to eat

Rachel and I popping the first champagne

Mark and Meiyen enjoying their champagne

My uncle and aunt enjoying the champagne

Aunt Catherine, her husband and my cousin, Jun Jie

My cousin, Jun Jie and my aunt Catherine

I knew this goon for 23 years already! More than 2 decades!

Alvinlogy's happy family — Alvinlogy’s happy family

Mark's entourage, minus the two grandmothers — Mark’s entourage, minus the two grandmothers

Me with my sister and Rachel - the three of us share the same birthday — Me with my sister and Rachel – the three of us share the same birthday

The yacht docked itself nearby to Lazarus Island. Yudas and the other skipper then launched a small deck for us to dip our feet into the sea as well as to dive in. A two-person kayak was also available for rowing.

Rachel and I had a go at both kayaking and swimming in the sea. It felt really refreshing and tranquil – the beautiful weather and the sparse surrounding.

Rachel and I, before we dip into the sea

Even when kayaking, Rachel will yak on and on like a Chihuahua

I think it is quite obvious who the stronger swimmer is

Mark went for a swim too while the rest looked on

There were a few other yachts in the vicinity

Ready to pop the second champagne after our swim

Meiyen's parent got on the kayak too — Meiyen’s parent got on the kayak too

My sister and my cousin getting onto the kayak

Me enjoying music on my iPhone on the deck

Ah... this is the life :) — Ah… this is the life 🙂

Rachel and I dipping our feet into the sea

Rachel and I in the room, Mark cutting his cake

At around 5pm, the yacht made it way back to Sentosa Cove, passing by St. John’s Island along the way for us to get a quick view.

Closer look at the expensive condominium

There's still a lot of construciton going on at Sentosa Cove — There’s still a lot of construciton going on at Sentosa Cove

Everyone enjoying the breeze on our way back to Sentosa Cove

Rachel enjoying her music with Lazarus Island behind

Before we realised it, our little yacht adventure was over. Everyone was happy and went home with a smile on our faces. Mark decided he will buy a yacht next time when he makes enough dough. He should get there faster than me as both his wife and him work at banks where salaries are generally inflated. For Rachel and I, rental will do fine. :p

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