People…people who need people, are the luckiest people in the world. ~ Barbra Streisand

The E & O Hotel has been part of my life for a very long time. Albert (my late father) tinkled the ivories there for well over 40 years and when I was a kid and growing up he would bring me there occasionally to expose me to this unique establishment. Those were the days, my friend. Lavish weddings, big band music, people dressed to the hilt in their finest…I feel a touch of nostalgia coming into me as I write this. It’s as if my dad’s music still lives on, and I sometimes feel unworthy to carry on his legacy because I am nowhere near what he has achieved and given to the hotel. Of course a lot has changed with the passing of time. However, there is one thing that hasn’t changed—I believe it truly, and that is—the people here.

My dad regarded the E & O as his second home and I do too. Even though I’m only on during Friday and Saturday evenings, I look forward to going to this Grand Old Dame and meeting up with the wonderful people there. We talk, we laugh, we have lots of fun…isn’t that the way to treat other human beings? Kindness given is returned tenfold…look at the way I was treated when I spent my recent birthday there. Uh oh, gotta stop the tears now.

I would also like to thank my present boss, Signor Marco Battistotti (mio amico), for allowing me the honor to be a part of the big E & O family. He and Michael Saxon (my previous boss) have made me feel so glad and proud that I’m able to continue my father’s legacy there.

Big thank you’s to Lynn, Huey Yee, Yee Mei, Adila, Eugene, Ijoy, Bob, Faiz, Rizal, Lokesh, Adeline, Loong, Zul, Nesh, Kelly, Chew Kee Hao, Rose, Roslin, Laila, Marlin, Harris, Chris, Shafinie, Amisha, Normala, Camila, Noor, Mr. Rama, Kusairy, Kamal, Salim, Mazlan, Dephany, Charmaine, Wendy, Ireese, Mazeta and others too many to mention. I love you all!! Waaaaaaah.

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I could tell my birthday dinner would be great, and I was right. I arrived at the 1885 all dressed up and was shown to my table which had been painstakingly set up by Ijoy, Bob, and the rest of the staff. Sigh, wish I had a date.

I started off with some French sounding appetizer, together with some bread.

In between the courses I decided to tinkle the piano, to the delight of the guests. I talked with a pair of them and hearing that it was my birthday, they offered to buy me a double Baileys! Here’s the exquisite Caesar salad.

And now—the end is near, LOL. Just kidding—the Australian tenderloin steak was perfection—all 180g of it, muah! I polished off everything on the plate.

Well I was really stuffing myself and getting stuffed. However, I just had to have the crepe suzette—my favorite dessert. This time it was prepared with Grand Marnier, served with vanilla ice cream.

Coupled with the different wines for appetizer, main course, and dessert I thought I had made it. But I forgot that the staff of 1885 treat me like part of the family. They wouldn’t let me go without partaking of a birthday cake and the birthday song! Thank goodness it wasn’t another chocolate cake (which I had already consumed earlier on the same afternoon) This time it was cheesecake and it was lovely, mmmhmmm.

What was particularly touching was that everyone—Ijoy, Bob and Rizal in particular, made me feel so much at home at the 1885. I wouldn’t call it my workplace, but it’s a place I go to because I enjoy playing the piano and making the guests as well as the staff happy. I am very grateful to everyone for treating me like family there. Big thank you’s and love to Mei, Adila, Ijoy, Bob, Eugene, Rizal, Faiz, Lokesh and the chefs at 1885 for making my birthday so memorable.

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September 26 arrived with lots of rain—I didn’t mind, though. It was nice to hear all the natural sounds of rain as well as a rough sea (the hotel overlooks the Andaman Sea) I should add that I never turned on the two television sets even once, nope. I prefer the silence and stillness which makes it more peaceful for me. I had a bunch of emails and Facebook birthday greetings pouring in throughout the day—it was fun to just watch my mail box tinkling away. I had a nice shower in the luxurious bathroom which had everything—plush white cotton towels in all sizes, two bathrobes, slippers…you name it, it’s there.

After getting all spruced up, down I went to Sarkies Corner for the buffet breakfast (which is complimentary for in-house guests) As usual I pigged out—burp!

After this huge breakfast, I took a walk and then went back to my suite for some R&R and to catch up on the Facebook greetings and emails. There was a wonderful smell of flowers in my room and, wow! A floral and fruit basket had been delivered to me by my student, Sabrina. Thank you, dear.

I skipped lunch but I was invited to afternoon tea by the lovely staff at 1885 so off I went, and had some good strong coffee and some delicious pastries. Yummy!!

After this I returned to my room to have a little siesta on the couch. I know I know, it’s my birthday, isn’t it? I’m allowed to do this! Later on, there was this knock knock on my door. I opened it, and these lovely ladies came in singing the birthday song and bringing me some luscious chocolate cake.

Seated L-R are Adeline, myself, and Huey Yee. Lynn is standing behind. I did the cake cutting and made a wish. I’d like to thank Zul for taking some amazing pictures with my Canon EOS 550D.

Gosh, it seems as if I’ve been eating the whole day! Later in the evening I got ready to go to the 1885 for my birthday dinner, but that will be in Part 3. See you there.

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