Day 2 in Singapore (Jan-30)

Speed metal day on the Singapore subway.



We ate lunch in Little India, which was really spicy, flavorful, but not hot. Vana got an Indian Ink tattoo.




I always dreamed to have a big fat Indian wedding. Well...at least this fulfills half of my dream. :)

Went to the Merion Park in the city waterfront and took pictures with the tourist of the city skyline, and the freaky lion fish statue. Their concert hall across the river is shaped like a durian fruit. I think it looks cooler than the Beijing’s Birds Nest, or Sydney’s Opera House. I guess we’ll have to verify this in person in April.

Then, across town again to visit the Collins near Orchard Road; Kevin parent’s across the street neighbors. They currently live in Singapore with their lovely three children. We listened to their philosophy about why they choose to live in Singapore for few years so that their kids can fully experience a different culture and an alternative education system. This is such a wonderful idea that I might make it my goal for the next ten years.


We were very lucky to get a hold of Tawi this morning. He is Kevin’s friend from Beijing, when we studied Mandarin during the SARS problem few years back. I had tried for weeks using google searches to locate him. He made a comment on a web site about a stage performance, which included his name, title, and company. I called the company’s customer service a few times, saying we had an urgent meeting this week, and I lost his contact. One of the reps took my name, and hotel number. Turns out Tawi changed to another company, but they located him and forwarded my message!

Tawi said of course he remembers me; “that good looking guy”. Tawi is an intelligent professional in the financial industry. We experienced another side of Singapore meeting him for 15 minutes in his busy schedule. Apparently, his last five years are a blur, he works all the time and travels to meet high ranking clients. He didn’t lose any of his humor though. We exchanged our last 5 years in 15 minutes while Tawi stirred his coffee a few hundred times. Great to see you Tawi!



After meeting Tawi, we jumped on the subway heading to the City Hall to see the Chinese New Year parade. There are groups coming from all over Asia: India, Cambodia, Japan, China, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, etc. hmm...so maybe all we need is come to Singapore to see the entire South East Asia!






New Zealand

Japan Group

Taiwan Group
Thai

Korean

India



Cambodia
No idea who they represent

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Day 1 in Singapore (Jan-29)

After a few hours sleep, off to Chinatown.








You probably have to enlarge the picture to see this "To Use: If you wait a little while after spreading out the gel, your bread will soften more, making shaving easier."


Reigned in the new year with some dumplings, congee, and kung-pow frog.

Still recovering from jet log.

congee
Kung-pow frog. Spicy and yummy! The best frog I ever had.

Walked the tourist street, passed a temple, and strolled the water front.


Hindu Temple



Water front
For dinner, we are having Indonesian food in the Clark Quay (water front), which seemed like a cross between Shanghai, Disneyland, and Dr. Seuss.


Took some pictures of a bar; with a sidewalk wheelchairs, IV strollers, and surgical lighting for your drinking pleasure.



Yes, Singapore is clean. There seems to be food everywhere. The city is low key for a large modern metropolis; mix of cool, clean, efficient, friendly, beauty, and cheese. We found the Singapore waterfront is ideal for playing with the settings of your digital camera. :)



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First Stop – Singapore (Jan-27)

Today is THE DAY! In a busy month, we packed our lives into 5x6x8 storage, 22” suitcase, 24” suitcase, and two small backpacks. We are definitely ready for vacation.

We said goodbye to Harriet, our Jewish mother and hopped on the plane. Three movies later, we arrived at Tokyo airport. An hour layover turned into three. By the time we got to the hotel in Singapore, its 4AM on Thursday (Jan-29), and we are exhausted.


Introducing the third team member - Baby Ted

Baby Ted loves to ski and snowboard. Since he has never been outside of California, he decided to come with us to see the world.

It's Official

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

We had a busy and fun 2008. We started the Chinese New Year with our friends and family for our Feb 8 wedding in Cozumel, Mexico. Our group looks stylin in our kung fu dragon outfits. Robertson rocked the guitar, with Jess on vocals. We swam with our aqua reef friends; including fish, mr. ray, turtle, octopus, sponges, and barracuda.

After a short ski trip, we spent two weeks running through train stations, to see Italy, Germany, and France (still working on posting these pics). You can imagine our joy arriving in the Munich train station to eat a Bavarian breakfast of white sausage, pretzel, and Weiss beer.

Kevin picked up a summer golf habit, and broke bogie golf at the local 9-holer. Vana signed up with a personal trainer, and perfected the after-gym-floor-drop in our living room.

Vana joined Kevin for a quick trip to Taiwan in the fall; working, street food, and karaoke, oh my! We flew out in a typhoon.

We spent thanksgiving in New York with our parents at Erin and Robertson’s new place. We visited Vana’s cousin DongFan, the Bull, and his suit and tie guy friends on Wall Street; delivering my personal complaints. We ate our way through Madison Square Park, and ended most nights with No Sleep till Brooklyn moments on the subway.

2008 ended with a bang! Vana and Kevin left their jobs, took immunization shots in the arm, and planned a world trip. The plan is to explore the following continents in three separate trips. The goal is discovery and staying on budget.

1. South East Asia
2. Eastern Europe
3. Central & South America

Our first stop is South East Asia. The trip officially starts on January 27th. Let us know if you have any recommendations. We love to hear from ya! HAPPY 09!