![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](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1161/5116667658_56cdf26769_z.jpg)
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 Rachel and I in our beach outfit, ready to set off](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1396/5116064697_52106cb1f0_z.jpg)
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.
![Rachel and i at ONE°15 Marina Club Rachel and i at ONE°15 Marina Club](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/5116075609_11d75e65f3_z.jpg)
![Rachel talking to our food caterer Rachel talking to our food caterer](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1427/5116661552_b93e270a55_z.jpg)
![Kingdom, the yacht that we will be boarding Kingdom, the yacht that we will be boarding](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1228/5116660372_6df191ca25_z.jpg)
![My loving aunt and uncle My loving aunt and uncle](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1319/5116674228_6b3ec4b7af_z.jpg)
![Rachel and I, just as loving Rachel and I, just as loving](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1150/5116667410_909768375b_z.jpg)
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.
![Our crew of 18 Our crew of 18](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5116672076_0672516c1a_z.jpg)
![Another group picture Another group picture](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1127/5116066673_7cee761a4b_z.jpg)
![Our lunch at sea Our lunch at sea](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1074/5116670248_89fe903332_z.jpg)
![We brought two bottles of champagne We brought two bottles of champagne](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5116060113_d32e515162_z.jpg)
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.
![Spanking white yacht Spanking white yacht](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1047/5116664798_2d40c66e99_z.jpg)
![The rear deck The rear deck](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/5116076265_ce42343c75_z.jpg)
![Rachel and I on the deck. It was drizzling slightly when we set off. Rachel and I on the deck. It was drizzling slightly when we set off.](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1408/5116061769_8427bf390b_z.jpg)
![Inside the KTV room Inside the KTV room](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1312/5116067201_fd3a0ce259_z.jpg)
![Jun Jie and my uncle lazing in the KTV room Jun Jie and my uncle lazing in the KTV room](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1440/5116076137_d25dd9012c_z.jpg)
![Rachel and I singing Rachel and I singing](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1113/5116065627_ea9c46e688_z.jpg)
![Darren and his girlfriend on the KTV Darren and his girlfriend on the KTV](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1055/5116068123_6e02e2e54f_z.jpg)
![Ornamental Buddha and wine glasses Ornamental Buddha and wine glasses](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1187/5116670466_177e4b48af_z.jpg)
![Two of the cabins were located on the left and right flank of the KTV room Two of the cabins were located on the left and right flank of the KTV room](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1228/5116069311_f7c2062265_z.jpg)
![One of the sleeping cabins One of the sleeping cabins](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/5116670776_1f45025ea4_z.jpg)
![Rachel and I in one of the cabins Rachel and I in one of the cabins](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/5116672888_2b351c2b76_z.jpg)
![Clean bathroom Clean bathroom](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1439/5116070701_da4e3a5555_z.jpg)
![Mark and Meiyen at the control room Mark and Meiyen at the control room](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5116072881_26293ce244_z.jpg)
![Mark and Meiyen pretending to steer the yacht Mark and Meiyen pretending to steer the yacht](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1369/5116072785_9e77053cc4_z.jpg)
![My dad, the real McCoy? My dad, the real McCoy?](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/5116672220_a5c4119de0_z.jpg)
![The real skippers - Alvin and Rachel? The real skippers - Alvin and Rachel?](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1256/5116060937_6bd3541c99_z.jpg)
![The real skipper, Yudas The real skipper, Yudas](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1440/5116059205_b7f710fed9_z.jpg)
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.
![Yummy food from Orange Clove Yummy food from Orange Clove](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1343/5116671798_5d649c30f4_z.jpg)
![Our lunch menu Our lunch menu](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/5116063045_f25c87a079_z.jpg)
![Lunch time Lunch time](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5116073687_17c3fbea53_z.jpg)
![My parents enjoying their food My parents enjoying their food](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/5116666770_b238c2c1a5_z.jpg)
![Rachel and I brought our food to the top deck to eat Rachel and I brought our food to the top deck to eat](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1184/5116660808_b5f89ffa05_z.jpg)
![Rachel and I popping the first champagne Rachel and I popping the first champagne](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5116070359_de2e56574f_z.jpg)
![Drinking to the very last drop Drinking to the very last drop](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1160/5116068671_bea805d681_z.jpg)
![Mark and Meiyen enjoying their champagne Mark and Meiyen enjoying their champagne](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1226/5116076701_ae3035760a_z.jpg)
![My uncle and aunt enjoying the champagne My uncle and aunt enjoying the champagne](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1385/5116665180_5822e98c25_z.jpg)
![Aunt Catherine, her husband and my cousin, Jun Jie Aunt Catherine, her husband and my cousin, Jun Jie](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1234/5116677550_e693cc7c66_z.jpg)
![My cousin, Jun Jie and my aunt Catherine My cousin, Jun Jie and my aunt Catherine](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1426/5116073837_6ddff0cb3c_z.jpg)
![My aunt's family My aunt's family](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1154/5116072043_cf2564dd9a_z.jpg)
![Rachel with my mom Rachel with my mom](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/5116070595_9c8357f44c_z.jpg)
![I knew this goon for 23 years already! More than 2 decades! I knew this goon for 23 years already! More than 2 decades!](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1372/5116075885_6e96d487f3_z.jpg)
![Alvinlogy's happy family Alvinlogy's happy family](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1338/5116677060_590325e7a4_z.jpg)
![Just Rachel and I Just Rachel and I](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5116665702_3701e4b5e8_z.jpg)
![My entourage My entourage](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5116675722_545261a553_z.jpg)
![My family My family](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1068/5116059793_42b22a37ed_z.jpg)
![Mark's family Mark's family](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1208/5116072629_ff583b46f7_z.jpg)
![Mark's entourage, minus the two grandmothers Mark's entourage, minus the two grandmothers](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1257/5116669170_8008060597_z.jpg)
![Meiyen's family Meiyen's family](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1188/5116072339_1b500b6f8d_z.jpg)
![Loving couple, Mark and Meiyen Loving couple, Mark and Meiyen](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1155/5116062327_d23e265dd4_z.jpg)
![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](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1217/5116073993_840c9568cc_z.jpg)
![Rachel, grinning wide Rachel, grinning wide](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1176/5116064185_d9eaae1030_z.jpg)
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 Rachel and I, before we dip into the sea](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1364/5116675998_df5f7985e9_z.jpg)
![Our skipper Yudas, unloading the kayak Our skipper Yudas, unloading the kayak](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1247/5116664004_c998b0bdcd_z.jpg)
![Even when kayaking, Rachel will yak on and on like a Chihuahua Even when kayaking, Rachel will yak on and on like a Chihuahua](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1152/5116075349_89715f46c7_z.jpg)
![We got the hang of it We got the hang of it](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1159/5116671914_245d9b3fb6_z.jpg)
![Rachel and I, swimming in the sea Rachel and I, swimming in the sea](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1342/5116065103_4704e3a433_z.jpg)
![I think it is quite obvious who the stronger swimmer is I think it is quite obvious who the stronger swimmer is](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1311/5116059557_da26fab8f1_z.jpg)
![Mark went for a swim too while the rest looked on Mark went for a swim too while the rest looked on](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1256/5116067719_a8f1b8d0f4_z.jpg)
![There were a few other yachts in the vicinity There were a few other yachts in the vicinity](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1054/5116067465_0608e1c9ed_z.jpg)
![Ready to pop the second champagne after our swim Ready to pop the second champagne after our swim](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1424/5116675182_0cb60a065b_z.jpg)
![Champagne by the sea Champagne by the sea](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/5116677744_d5e06a5f70_z.jpg)
![Meiyen's parent got on the kayak too Meiyen's parent got on the kayak too](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1148/5116074407_8a29998de5_z.jpg)
![My cousin enjoying his champagne My cousin enjoying his champagne](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1410/5116073143_59235bb3eb_z.jpg)
![My sister and my cousin getting onto the kayak My sister and my cousin getting onto the kayak](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1250/5116074561_b07211636d_z.jpg)
![My sister and my cousin kayaking My sister and my cousin kayaking](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1423/5116672600_c081ef9954_z.jpg)
![Headed for Lazarus Island Headed for Lazarus Island](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1394/5116061645_a6a0022fa1_z.jpg)
![Some light snack after a swim Some light snack after a swim](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1233/5116062515_3f9ee4fd1e_z.jpg)
![Me enjoying music on my iPhone on the deck Me enjoying music on my iPhone on the deck](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1085/5116673940_14c56b14d2_z.jpg)
![Ah... this is the life :) Ah... this is the life :)](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1383/5116666268_469ec50b97_z.jpg)
![Enjoying life Enjoying life](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5116660028_782ffab2d3_z.jpg)
![My dad and my uncle sun busking My dad and my uncle sun busking](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1313/5116061457_2c536d3922_z.jpg)
![Lazarus Island ahead Lazarus Island ahead](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1398/5116072207_5435da6da2_z.jpg)
![Rachel and I dipping our feet into the sea Rachel and I dipping our feet into the sea](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1257/5116068785_c4e9aa04db_z.jpg)
![Sipping champagne by the sea Sipping champagne by the sea](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1085/5116063731_beda40e2f5_z.jpg)
![Me sipping my glass of champagne Me sipping my glass of champagne](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1261/5116664134_742065c87a_z.jpg)
![Rachel getting drunk Rachel getting drunk](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1260/5116060489_40c8f48ccc_z.jpg)
![Rachel is happy Rachel is happy](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1214/5116059659_ebe8cbfb05_z.jpg)
![Mango mousse cake Mango mousse cake](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/5116665470_0011ba0422_z.jpg)
![With the birthday cake With the birthday cake](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1182/5116074133_d1c616b464_z.jpg)
![Two old men Two old men](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1400/5116668998_c3d81c0e48_z.jpg)
![Rachel and I in the room, Mark cutting his cake Rachel and I in the room, Mark cutting his cake](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1129/5116058837_a92a5d99ca_z.jpg)
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.
![Heading home Heading home](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1177/5116672732_faaa79e362_z.jpg)
![Cruising off against the setting sun Cruising off against the setting sun](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1153/5116065483_2fdb06896b_z.jpg)
![Sky was turning dark Sky was turning dark](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1425/5116670674_de773461e1_z.jpg)
![Nearing Sentosa Cove Nearing Sentosa Cove](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/5116660204_0e183aaa12_z.jpg)
![Closer look at the expensive condominium Closer look at the expensive condominium](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1401/5116666382_cbd09fc0c2_z.jpg)
![So many private yachts So many private yachts](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1208/5116071385_af5a0f582e_z.jpg)
![Setting sun Setting sun](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5116068893_f6793a9f7e_z.jpg)
![There's still a lot of construciton going on at Sentosa Cove There's still a lot of construciton going on at Sentosa Cove](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1390/5116067603_c9848c4221_z.jpg)
![Everyone enjoying the breeze on our way back to Sentosa Cove Everyone enjoying the breeze on our way back to Sentosa Cove](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1182/5116068391_bb5741e232_z.jpg)
![Rachel is drunk with happiness Rachel is drunk with happiness](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/5116676518_1c62dc37b4_z.jpg)
![Rachel and I in front of Kingdom Rachel and I in front of Kingdom](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/5116669640_d5a9d0e007_z.jpg)
![Rachel enjoying her music with Lazarus Island behind Rachel enjoying her music with Lazarus Island behind](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1138/5116668140_df13cee8df_z.jpg)
![Parting shot with Kingdom Parting shot with Kingdom](http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1216/5116676798_677b462392_z.jpg)
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
Technorati Tags: renting yacht in singapore, yacht lucheon, alvinology, alvinology birthday, alvin and rachel, mark and meiyen, lazarus island, kusu island, singapore yacht, singapore yacht rental, singapore private yacht, neo yacht, orange clove, orange clove yacht, kingdom yacht, sentosa cove, ONE°15 Marina Club, one degree 15 marina club, sentosa yacht, sentosa cove yacht
Did they charge you for more than 12 pax ?
Yes they did. More details are available on the Neo Yacht website. 🙂