Today we had to back track a bit.
We had planned to go to the Treetops walking and then finishing at a country club to swim in the pool with one of Ilisha's good friends Shelby. Really upsetting, but Ilisha seems to have gotten sick with something, fever and dizzy.
Instead she sent me to Singapore National Museum. It was good - I understood why Daddy told me to go to Raffles to have gin sling. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles discovered Singapore in 1892. Not sure about the gin sling. The opium problems was an interesting point. It was all very interactive, each person with a kindle of sorts, press the number and it tells the story of the area. Each picture is numbered to read the descriptions as well (no one peering over one another to try and see it).
Though, when I first went, I didn't realise how big it actually was. By the time that I got to the war in 1940s I had a sudden feeling of that was enough. I couldn't take in any more and try to absorb it. So I basically walked through the rest and missed the independence era.
That's okay though, as this evening I went out with Ilisha's younger brothers Harsha and Akash and her mother to the East Coast for sea food, which was incredibly educational. Not only is Sumati so kind, she is fascinating to listen to, knowledgable but opinionated. I loved it.
The food was so delicious. Though Harsha believes Singapore's national dish is chicken and rice, Sumati said people don't come to Singapore to eat it, they come to eat the crab. And that we did.
We had black pepper crab then chili crab and then prawns pan fried in oats (cereal prawns) (which sounds weird but was delicious) all overlooking what is a beautiful night view, from all of the ships and tankers out at sea... I'd never seen so many in one place, there must have been over 50, all of them glowing.
On the way back I learnt that the casinos in Singapore are what is bringing in so much money at the moment. Though they only opened two years ago, they are doing better than the 52 in Las Vegas combined. Isn't that amazing! Sumati puts it to the fact that Chinese/Asians in general love to gamble, it's in their blood.
Now Ilisha doesn't look to good for tomorrow... I am so hoping she is better, but if not I will still go out in the afternoon, Harsha has promised to guide me.
Wednesday, 26 June 2013
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Singapore 2- Zoos!
Last night Ilisha's Dad picked us up and we headed to the temple. His mother was very strictly hindu, and since she died last year, on the last Monday of every month he goes and gets a coconut of some sort blessed to put in front of her picture. I would explain it more, but he honestly didn't really know much more about it. I found it very interesting though, holding my hands over the smoke and pouring the water on my face.
We then went to dinner at his cousins house which was very funny, and nice to just be in a home environment for delicious Indian food. Thankfully there was cutlery.
Afterwards we went to Arab Street where Ilisha's Dad treated us to a drink and shisha.
Now, I don't smoke. It really just doesn't interest me. But shisha tastes nice usually and I'll share with a big group. Three of us were sharing one, and boy was it too much. It was SO strong, I felt woozy from the tobacco/nicotine/whatever within 5 minutes and had to leave it to the pros. Don't regret it. Even so, it was so much fun. Chilled, fun chatting. I loved it.
I WENT TO THE ZOO TODAY!
I've been to the zoo before, I think. It was in London, but all I remember are snakes and Aunty Pippa. I've seen a few in theme parks in Florida. But this zoo is rated one of the best in the world and I can see why. It's very open, very natural. The animals are so close. The three shows we watched were wonderful (I got to see elephants again :) a sea lion performance, and a orangutan with its baby). Walking was quite exhausting though. I saw SO many things it's overwhelming to think of what to mention... the bats were astonishing. The lions, tigers, pumas, cheetahs, leopards... The polar bear was a bit sad to see so confined.
After we had dinner and went to the Night Safari. It is very close, but for the nocturnal animals. The show as better than the ones at the zoo (funniest bit was when a Korean guy unexpectedly ended up with a Boa Constrictor (Maggie) around his shoulders and was FREAKING out, in a good natured way of course).
The Sugar Glider, the Wallaby's, the otters... there were many amazing animals again. But by this point I was a rather exhausted and just enjoyed taking the tram and glancing at everything. Ten full hours looking at amazing creatures is quite enough for a newbie.
It's all so nice just to be doing it with one of your closest friends, just sitting and watching tigers pace is an experience. I'm so lucky.
We then went to dinner at his cousins house which was very funny, and nice to just be in a home environment for delicious Indian food. Thankfully there was cutlery.
Afterwards we went to Arab Street where Ilisha's Dad treated us to a drink and shisha.
Now, I don't smoke. It really just doesn't interest me. But shisha tastes nice usually and I'll share with a big group. Three of us were sharing one, and boy was it too much. It was SO strong, I felt woozy from the tobacco/nicotine/whatever within 5 minutes and had to leave it to the pros. Don't regret it. Even so, it was so much fun. Chilled, fun chatting. I loved it.
I WENT TO THE ZOO TODAY!
I've been to the zoo before, I think. It was in London, but all I remember are snakes and Aunty Pippa. I've seen a few in theme parks in Florida. But this zoo is rated one of the best in the world and I can see why. It's very open, very natural. The animals are so close. The three shows we watched were wonderful (I got to see elephants again :) a sea lion performance, and a orangutan with its baby). Walking was quite exhausting though. I saw SO many things it's overwhelming to think of what to mention... the bats were astonishing. The lions, tigers, pumas, cheetahs, leopards... The polar bear was a bit sad to see so confined.
After we had dinner and went to the Night Safari. It is very close, but for the nocturnal animals. The show as better than the ones at the zoo (funniest bit was when a Korean guy unexpectedly ended up with a Boa Constrictor (Maggie) around his shoulders and was FREAKING out, in a good natured way of course).
The Sugar Glider, the Wallaby's, the otters... there were many amazing animals again. But by this point I was a rather exhausted and just enjoyed taking the tram and glancing at everything. Ten full hours looking at amazing creatures is quite enough for a newbie.
It's all so nice just to be doing it with one of your closest friends, just sitting and watching tigers pace is an experience. I'm so lucky.
Monday, 24 June 2013
Singapore 1- India
Ilisha is Indian, really. Her Mum is from the North of India. Her dad is from the south (though her Great Grandfather moved to Singapore, so that's about as Indian-Singaporean as it gets).
So the first place we went was the Little India District/ Serangoon Road.
We had Indian food at Murgans where I ate with my hands for the first time. Full on eating thosai and idli with four different sauces dipping and making a mess. It was fun. And yummy :D
We then went to Mustafa shopping centre. It's all owned by one family, all connecting but basically the size of a mall. As it's owned by a Muslim family, the only things you can't buy there are pork and alcohol. So Ilisha's Mum said when we were driving there, 'Say anything, and I will tell you that they have it.' My response was 'Traffic Lights'. Well, they have everything but pork, alcohol and traffic lights apparently.
I even got a little henna on the back of my left shoulder.
This afternoon Ilisha and I rode bikes to the nearby Botanical Gardens, lay down in the grass and covered the time we've missed since not being together. I didn't realize until I got here that there was a haze problem. I have never heard of the psi reading/level until today. If it's over 60, no tennis. We have masks incase it gets too bad. But they're those heavy duty circular masks that don't look very comfortable, so I really hope not.
We took a dip in the pool and now we're about to go to the Temple with her father and friends.
I can't believe I've actually caught up with my blog up to this point! Whoop!
So the first place we went was the Little India District/ Serangoon Road.
We had Indian food at Murgans where I ate with my hands for the first time. Full on eating thosai and idli with four different sauces dipping and making a mess. It was fun. And yummy :D
We then went to Mustafa shopping centre. It's all owned by one family, all connecting but basically the size of a mall. As it's owned by a Muslim family, the only things you can't buy there are pork and alcohol. So Ilisha's Mum said when we were driving there, 'Say anything, and I will tell you that they have it.' My response was 'Traffic Lights'. Well, they have everything but pork, alcohol and traffic lights apparently.
I even got a little henna on the back of my left shoulder.
This afternoon Ilisha and I rode bikes to the nearby Botanical Gardens, lay down in the grass and covered the time we've missed since not being together. I didn't realize until I got here that there was a haze problem. I have never heard of the psi reading/level until today. If it's over 60, no tennis. We have masks incase it gets too bad. But they're those heavy duty circular masks that don't look very comfortable, so I really hope not.
We took a dip in the pool and now we're about to go to the Temple with her father and friends.
I can't believe I've actually caught up with my blog up to this point! Whoop!
Bangkok 6- The Filler Day
My last full day in Bangkok was aimed at doing everything I hadn't done.
Sadly the first aim was to go to the Floating Market. We went, but there was nothing floating... It was a Friday and apparently it's only good on the weekends. It was a bit of waste of time.
We then went to Golden Mountain, where I saw a view of the whole city which was nice. Then went and got pedicures in the Mall.
That evening we took a ferry to Asiatique where we met up with Lalita for dinner and drinks.
The place we were at was wonderful, live singing (Lady Boy but I refused to believe them). At about midnight before we went back to Mint's apartment there was one last thing I needed to do. I had the fish eat the dead skin on my feet. At first I was freaking out! But if you concentrated on talking to the person beside you and didn't look down- it wasn't so bad. I don't feel it made any difference - but I did it!
Bangkok was packed. I know already I want to go back and do other things I missed this time. Go to the South beaches. Go back to JJ Market. Go partying, properly. It really was a wonderful city.
Just the way people say thank you with their hands together and head bowed made me smile.
Sadly the first aim was to go to the Floating Market. We went, but there was nothing floating... It was a Friday and apparently it's only good on the weekends. It was a bit of waste of time.
We then went to Golden Mountain, where I saw a view of the whole city which was nice. Then went and got pedicures in the Mall.
That evening we took a ferry to Asiatique where we met up with Lalita for dinner and drinks.
The place we were at was wonderful, live singing (Lady Boy but I refused to believe them). At about midnight before we went back to Mint's apartment there was one last thing I needed to do. I had the fish eat the dead skin on my feet. At first I was freaking out! But if you concentrated on talking to the person beside you and didn't look down- it wasn't so bad. I don't feel it made any difference - but I did it!
Bangkok was packed. I know already I want to go back and do other things I missed this time. Go to the South beaches. Go back to JJ Market. Go partying, properly. It really was a wonderful city.
Just the way people say thank you with their hands together and head bowed made me smile.
Sunday, 23 June 2013
Bangkok 5- Christel
On the Thursday Mint had to work so I spent the day with Christel, my lovely Firstie who was in my house and half Thai, half French.
We started by going and having tea at the Erawan Tea room. I'm not quite sure why it is So popular, but the tea was nice and company was better.
From there we went to Jim Thompsons House. He was basically an American guy that helped revive the Thai Silk Trade. Though the tour guide didn't really explain the whole process of how to actually make silk etc. which I had hoped she would. The house was gorgeous. Traditional. Dark woods.
http://www.jimthompsonhouse.com/
Since we were by a river, we decided to take a ferry of sorts to our next location which was the Siam Museum. I knew I was going to learn about Thai culture in the museum. But it's probably the first time I've been so oblivious to even the name of the museum. A low point when I realized that Siam actually is Thailand. Siamese Cats. Siamese Twins. All Thai first.
I love museums, they are always so well put together. This one began with a video of ancient Thailand compared to present. The video related everyone back to their past life and what their role would have been. Then walking through the museum we watched a more in depth video of the witch doctor, the elephant warrior, the tradesman. I loved the way it ended, a room full of televisions in a confusing way to to describe, of all different events and finishing with TVs with local news. From the past to the present.
Christel and I then went to lunch in Siam Mall where I really was craving pizza. No noodles, for just one meal, please. After I we three went to watch the new Superman movie. The movie was good (I enjoy most movies to be honest). The theatre was wonderful. It was cool because it was the first night it was out, but because we were 12 hours ahead of the US, we were seeing it far before that audience.
But the best bit was right before the movie came on and we had to stand up for the Kings song and watch a clip of all the wondrous things that he has done for the country. I really wanted to do that.
We started by going and having tea at the Erawan Tea room. I'm not quite sure why it is So popular, but the tea was nice and company was better.
From there we went to Jim Thompsons House. He was basically an American guy that helped revive the Thai Silk Trade. Though the tour guide didn't really explain the whole process of how to actually make silk etc. which I had hoped she would. The house was gorgeous. Traditional. Dark woods.
http://www.jimthompsonhouse.com/
Since we were by a river, we decided to take a ferry of sorts to our next location which was the Siam Museum. I knew I was going to learn about Thai culture in the museum. But it's probably the first time I've been so oblivious to even the name of the museum. A low point when I realized that Siam actually is Thailand. Siamese Cats. Siamese Twins. All Thai first.
I love museums, they are always so well put together. This one began with a video of ancient Thailand compared to present. The video related everyone back to their past life and what their role would have been. Then walking through the museum we watched a more in depth video of the witch doctor, the elephant warrior, the tradesman. I loved the way it ended, a room full of televisions in a confusing way to to describe, of all different events and finishing with TVs with local news. From the past to the present.
Christel and I then went to lunch in Siam Mall where I really was craving pizza. No noodles, for just one meal, please. After I we three went to watch the new Superman movie. The movie was good (I enjoy most movies to be honest). The theatre was wonderful. It was cool because it was the first night it was out, but because we were 12 hours ahead of the US, we were seeing it far before that audience.
But the best bit was right before the movie came on and we had to stand up for the Kings song and watch a clip of all the wondrous things that he has done for the country. I really wanted to do that.
Bangkok 4- Siam Square Outdoor Market
Backtracking a bit. Need to finish what happened in Bangkok!
That morning Sheena and I went to get our hair done. It was quite funny, as we had to have Mint on the phone, explain what we wanted in English and then hand the phone over to the hair dresser so she would say it in Thai. This form of communication happened about 4 times for me alone. Poor, sweet Mint
I ended up with a very Asian haircut and curled ends, instead of poker straight something I would never ask for, but hey, it was an experience. Hair grows. And the heat makes it grow faster ;)
We then went to lunch at another restaurant where I worried about the hygiene, but loved the food.
After we walked around Siam Square Outdoor Market. By this point I was prepared for the bargaining and lovely (darn, One Size Fits All) clothes. Sheena was less prepared, so it took a bit of time.
http://kampungboycitygal.com/2011/12/best-shopping-experience-in-bangkok-siam-square-outdoor-market/
Before leaving the mall we went to some Japanese photo booth called Purikura. I thought it was just a traditional photo booth which would have been fun enough. However this version is beyond fake. Mint and Sheena wanted to show me how funny it was. You go in and decide how white you want to be. How big your eyes should be. And various other "enhancing" devices. After taking the photos you can decorate them with glitter and glamour to the extent at seven I would have been going crazy. Since I wasn't as used to it, I let Mint and Sheena do their magic though.
Photos in hand we went to Health Land where I had a thai massage with aromatherapy. Sheena and I were in the same room and I had this old Thai lady who was stretching me and putting me into all of these strange positions until, magically, something would crack. It was interesting... Then they starting patting us down with warm, wonderful smelling balls of some sort. I don't really know. It was something I will remember, but if I have the choice I would choose the Swedish massage for sure.
After we rushed (in Bangkok traffic, haha) to Siam Mall to get dinner before everything closed. We didn't really make it for the hot pot that Mint wanted to take us to... I had soup instead. However, we made it to After You.
Wow.
Wow.
http://www.afteryoudessertcafe.com/menu.php?n=1
I don't know why it was so yummy. It was similar to French Toast, but not quite. It had Ice Cream You put syrup over it. Basically. It was diabetes on a plate. We shared two (excessive) between three of us. One Green Tea Ice Cream and one Nutella. Yum.
That evening was Sheena's last night so we stayed in the apartment and chatted until well past midnight.
That morning Sheena and I went to get our hair done. It was quite funny, as we had to have Mint on the phone, explain what we wanted in English and then hand the phone over to the hair dresser so she would say it in Thai. This form of communication happened about 4 times for me alone. Poor, sweet Mint
I ended up with a very Asian haircut and curled ends, instead of poker straight something I would never ask for, but hey, it was an experience. Hair grows. And the heat makes it grow faster ;)
We then went to lunch at another restaurant where I worried about the hygiene, but loved the food.
After we walked around Siam Square Outdoor Market. By this point I was prepared for the bargaining and lovely (darn, One Size Fits All) clothes. Sheena was less prepared, so it took a bit of time.
http://kampungboycitygal.com/2011/12/best-shopping-experience-in-bangkok-siam-square-outdoor-market/
Before leaving the mall we went to some Japanese photo booth called Purikura. I thought it was just a traditional photo booth which would have been fun enough. However this version is beyond fake. Mint and Sheena wanted to show me how funny it was. You go in and decide how white you want to be. How big your eyes should be. And various other "enhancing" devices. After taking the photos you can decorate them with glitter and glamour to the extent at seven I would have been going crazy. Since I wasn't as used to it, I let Mint and Sheena do their magic though.
Photos in hand we went to Health Land where I had a thai massage with aromatherapy. Sheena and I were in the same room and I had this old Thai lady who was stretching me and putting me into all of these strange positions until, magically, something would crack. It was interesting... Then they starting patting us down with warm, wonderful smelling balls of some sort. I don't really know. It was something I will remember, but if I have the choice I would choose the Swedish massage for sure.
After we rushed (in Bangkok traffic, haha) to Siam Mall to get dinner before everything closed. We didn't really make it for the hot pot that Mint wanted to take us to... I had soup instead. However, we made it to After You.
Wow.
Wow.
http://www.afteryoudessertcafe.com/menu.php?n=1
I don't know why it was so yummy. It was similar to French Toast, but not quite. It had Ice Cream You put syrup over it. Basically. It was diabetes on a plate. We shared two (excessive) between three of us. One Green Tea Ice Cream and one Nutella. Yum.
That evening was Sheena's last night so we stayed in the apartment and chatted until well past midnight.
The end of Bali
Saturday I spent reading at the beach of the villa and then Marvin, his Mum her Australian best friend Leanne and her son Camo went to lunch at the Gourmet Cafe and then to the beach for the afternoon.
That evening we had dinner at Cafe Bali where I had delicious pumpkin gnocchi and I went out that night with Marvin's French friend Andrea to Rumours, where I watched a lot of pool and added it to my mental list of things I need to learn to do decently in the near future. Seriously. After we went to Mint where I was obviously the most under dressed person - but oh wellzz.
Sunday was spent much the same as Saturday, Kuta beach where I got pinkish and finished The Beach.
There was only a slight panic 5 minutes before we were meant to leave for the airport when we realized my passport was too safe. It was in the safety box in Tina's room which was locked. Which she was the sole owner of the key for. And Tina was out for the afternoon, about 25 minutes away. I think Marvin was more frantic than me, hopping on his motorbike and retrieving the key. I got to the airport with my two hours before the departure anyways. (Something, that with the more flights I'm doing, seems less than necessary).
Finitooo!
Though I probably only did half of what Bali had to offer- I still am so grateful to have had the opportunity to go, experience what I did, and meet the people I did.
In the airport I couldn't stop smiling though. Giddy. Singapore, where I am now, it exciting for the destination, but it is also the first place where I feel completely comfortable around Ilisha, as she is one of my dearest friends from AC - simply seeing her has made the trip wonderful already.
That evening we had dinner at Cafe Bali where I had delicious pumpkin gnocchi and I went out that night with Marvin's French friend Andrea to Rumours, where I watched a lot of pool and added it to my mental list of things I need to learn to do decently in the near future. Seriously. After we went to Mint where I was obviously the most under dressed person - but oh wellzz.
Sunday was spent much the same as Saturday, Kuta beach where I got pinkish and finished The Beach.
There was only a slight panic 5 minutes before we were meant to leave for the airport when we realized my passport was too safe. It was in the safety box in Tina's room which was locked. Which she was the sole owner of the key for. And Tina was out for the afternoon, about 25 minutes away. I think Marvin was more frantic than me, hopping on his motorbike and retrieving the key. I got to the airport with my two hours before the departure anyways. (Something, that with the more flights I'm doing, seems less than necessary).
Finitooo!
Though I probably only did half of what Bali had to offer- I still am so grateful to have had the opportunity to go, experience what I did, and meet the people I did.
In the airport I couldn't stop smiling though. Giddy. Singapore, where I am now, it exciting for the destination, but it is also the first place where I feel completely comfortable around Ilisha, as she is one of my dearest friends from AC - simply seeing her has made the trip wonderful already.
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