APEC 2009 - Finance Ministers Social Night @ Capella Hotel, Sentosa

As the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) Event in Singapore

came to a close on Sunday, Nov 15, 2009; I must say as a volunteer on the Social Night event held on Thursday, Nov 12 was quite eventful at least for me.  The APEC event is an economic event involving the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) where finance ministers of Asian countries comes together on an annual basis to discuss on economic issues and this is the 20th APEC session and Singapore is the host nation.

 
The Official Invitation Card sent out to Finance Ministers and Corporate Partners

The social night event on Thursday was the official dinner for the 16th APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting held at the Capella hotel on Sentosa Island. I managed to come up close though not personal enough (Security issues) with our dear Finance Minister, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam and some other Asian countries' Finance Ministers as well.

Recounting the moments as I arrive on Sentosa Island and met up with fellow volunteers as we trek up the road in order to reach the Capella Hotel, Singapore 1st Six Stars All Suite Hotel.

External Views of the Capella Hotel on Sentosa Island. 

On reaching the hotel, the top priority was to get to the Grand Ballroom and what better than to look out for the signboard? =P

 

Lo' and Behold, On reaching the external area of Capella's Grand Ballroom, I'm greeted by the security equipments already in place.

Security is so tight I don't think a fly can even get in undetected! =P

Proceeding on, I came to the entrance of the grand ballroom, I was actually surprised to see a unique shape for the ballroom.. It's actually round! Check it out!

Really rounded, it kinda unique.. but seriously.. Circle ballroom? =P 

The top part of the Grand Ballroom.. has actual lighting effects.

Moving next, I checked out the table settings and layout.. quite elaborately laid out but it gives me the feeling that the layout is a bit cramped.  What do you think?

What do you think?  The layout seemed quite alright to me but still feel quite cramped.

Walking past the reception area, I took a quick shots of the table settings.. kinda nice and looks very foresty.. I wonder could that be the theme of the evening?

 

Scattered white orchids petals on the cocktail tables with the lamp and cloth napkins.

 

 The Partners Reception Table I'm volunteering at, meet & greet!

 

The foresty oasis theme I guess.. not bad for decor but it seems too spaced out for me. 

 

Shot of the base of the oasis tree..

Being a little nature lover I am, I looked out from the gathering point at the Gallery where the volunteers are gathering and the following photos are scenic views available at the hotel.

Nice scenic views right? I'm so tempted to use as wallpaper if not for the cargo ships out there.. =(

Taking the scenic shots and guess who decides to make a cameo appearance? 
Mr. Peacock or is it Ms. Peacock?

 

Pool View at the Capella Hotel, Sentosa.. If only I can take a dip now.. =P

Light up and getting ready for actions!

Just as I was enjoying sneaking last few shots before photography is banned.. the alarm went off...

 

Check out the commotion, security forces zooming in on the perpetrator. =P

It's a miracle to see that there are people who thinks that despite all the heightened security thinks they can come waltzing through the metal detectors with loaded pockets of stuff..  Declare them for God's sake!  In the end, gotta zoomed in by the security and police to check out the person.  Really stupidity at its best! =P

Anyway, back to duty and photography is banned for security issues as the Finance Ministers, their spouses arrives and it was a hectic three hours blackout situation of all photography equipments.. sorry folks, no chance of snapping photos with various Finance Ministers. =P

Anyway, after the event.. the volunteers were invited to have a meal of the "leftovers" from the Ministers' Dinner, means it's ok to whip out my phone camera and start snapping away.

So first thing first.. the wines that they serve to the Ministers...

Shiraz Red Wine and Chablis White Wine.  (I chose the Chablis Premier Cru - Nice Taste!)

Given the choice of food being given to us, I chose the Chablis Premier Cru White Wine cos it goes much well with the food instead of the full bodied Shiraz Red Wine.  However, before the food is served and urrmm all the drinking of Wine, water and sprite, I gotta visit the loo!

 Always remember to wash one hands after visiting the toilet! =P

Entering the ballroom and sitting down at the oval table that was used inside the ballroom, I realize that the centerpiece that the event company used at the table was nice in aesthetics but it is totally obstructive in views and over the top.. and I can't see the person seated directly next to me.  (According to party planner David Tutera, this is a conversation turnoff!)

Nice centerpiece but it's too tall and opaque!

Anyway.. hungry as it is.. here's the food pictures.. it's kinda really a turn off at the way it was presented to us.. especially the vegetables.

Oven Baked Salmon!  So many pieces! Must be yummy!

Check out the vegetable presentation! It looks so gross! Makes me feel its meant for the dogs! =P

To make things more palatable and visually pleasing, I decided to dress up my plate of salmon with the vegetables and dress it with a weird sauce that taste neither like satay sauce or laksa sauce!  Creamy yet non-spicy in a way yet carries the tinges of curry or laksa leaves.

(Personally I feel that the sauce is a cheap substitute to complement the salmon dish with the full bodied Shiraz red wine.)

Dressing up the plate before the sauce

The final presentation with the sauce over the salmon.. Nice and Appetizing eh? =P

It was a great evening and to round off this blog post, here's two shots of the APEC Volunteers who helped out at the Social Function!  Good night!