Sayonara Singapore

Ok, I know that isn't Chinese, Malay or even Singlish but it sounded like a good title. It is hard to believe we are down to our final few days in Singapore, this time next week we will be home in Vegas, trying to reassimilate to life in the USA!

Exciting and bittersweet all at the same time...we have enjoyed Singapore far more than we thought we would have - from the great friends we have made, to living on the East Coast and having easy access to the best airport in the world - it has been a great experience.

We had more visitors than any other place we have lived abroad - Ian and Sally, James, Belinda and Alan, Monkey Jim, Rosemary and Robert, Tim and Sue... who have we left out? And you all were invited - should have taken us up on the offer.

James came to visit and of course we had to go to the Raffles for Singapore Slings...

We made wonderful friends and played hard out on the East Coast...

Our favorite chili crab local - which is better, chili crab or pepper crab?

Lots of lazy Sundays (well a long, hard bike ride in the morning) chilling at the pool

We did go to work but our school was set in an urban jungle one road over from the famous shopping street - Orchard Road.

And when we had our going away party, the social committee sent us off in style!

 We traveled to many wonderful places - Thailand, Laos, India, Australia, Japan

We had a great time in Perth catching up with friends we made here in Singapore - Chris and Vic

My amazing friends let me catch a ride on a private jet to Tokyo

And as you know Simon has been getting back into triathlons. He did the most recent one with a team and they were really competitive in all the disciplines.

Team Die Tri-ing
Swimmer Bob (an Olympic Gold Medalist) Biker Joe (quite the racer) and Simon

So it is time for us to say goodbye to Singapore and start the next chapter of our adventure...

Simon will be training for his Ironman triathlon and I will be dabbling in cooking for him (and me). 

Watch this space for my next blog - Cooking for my Ironman - chronicling the next chapter.

It's been a long, long time

Happy New Year!

Got an email from a friend asking what we had been up to and wondering about the blog... I didn't realize it had been so long. I confess, I joined facebook and haven't blogged in a long, long time.

So anyway, here is one about our holidays this year.  Simon's dad came over for a visit. He spent a week with us and then took the Orient Express to Bangkok to see Matt (Simon's brother) and family.

We finished up school and then went off to Laos for a 5 day bike ride. It was great, we went down to the southern part starting off in Pakse. We saw temples that were part of the Angkor era, rode green, lush islands and enjoyed sunsets over the Mekong river.  It was even a bit chilly, I had to buy a jacket!

Our bike guide in Laos on the way up to temple ruins

We stayed one night in an Eco Lodge - great "cabin" - we could watch the elephants grazing from the comfort of the hammock.

Simon getting a haircut - complete with chickens and the village ladies coming around to check him out. How does that guy keep the cape so white in the middle of all of that?

We travelled around the 4000 islands, often taking boats between the islands - we didn't have to ride with the pigs though!

Of course, something always happens when riding. My pedal fell off in the middle of nowhere - of course being Laos an older gentleman had all the items needed to fix it.  Turns out he is the palm sugar harvester in the area so Simon climbed up the tree to see how it was done while my bike was being fixed.

We got back from Laos to Bangkok in time for New Year's - this is how we spent New Year's Eve, cruising the river. A nice way to end 2013 for sure.

Apparently we had not done enough biking so Simon, Matt and James went on a Thai bike adventure of their own.  Matt was the guide and they took off outside Bangkok for a really lovely ride in the countryside. The plan was to take a boat back the next day but that didn't work out so they rode back 100K! James is doing alright for 80 years old.

We are in our final semester teaching at ISS. Simon is busy training for the Iron Man he is doing when we return to the states.  Life is good, come and visit - we are leaving Singapore at the beginning of July.
Take care and all the best in 2014.

Bikes and Bridges

It has been awhile so I thought I should catch you all up on our happenings...

Over the Chinese New Year Holiday we met up with some good friends for a bike tour of the Thai wine country (Thailand... Wine Country????).  Yes and we actually had some very good wine.  We did  a guided ride through Spice Roads Cycle Tours (highly recommend them).  The bikes were good, the country side lovely and the van followed along with snacks, water and our bags.  My way to bike tour!

Ian and I making sure the wine was going to be ok before the winery tour.

Simon picking the grapes 

Some of the lovely scenery along the way

We came back to work for a brief bit and then Spring Break was upon us.  We had planned to discover some new islands in Thailand but got the news that Simon's mum is not well.  So plans changed and Simon went to cold, snowy England and I went to warm, sunny Australia.  

Had a wonderful time with friends who live in this lovely house in Bathurst

Saw kangaroos right out on the side of the road

Enjoyed some tourist time in Sydney

Doesn't really look like spring does it?

So all in all we have been keeping busy and enjoying life - thought I would leave you with one of the signs I see around here all the time - who thinks these things up?  Then who puts them up?

This is found at the restrooms of our local hawker center - women also have to pay 20 cents to use the facilities if the toilet minder is there - men, of course, don't have to pay.

That's it for now - take care, keep in touch and come visit!!!!

M and S

Snoring Singapore - NOT

Ok - so we have said that Singapore is a bit tame and sameish...well today we found something we have never seen before and I doubt too many of you have either.

We attended the Thaipusam Festival in Little India.

Yes, those are limes hanging by hooks - notice the  tongue piercings

Jugs of milk

The full outfit - Simon watched them do some piercing - I couldn't 

Here is a short video in the temple courtyard where they prepared the people to start the walk

So when we complain about being bored... just remind us that interesting things are going on all around us!
Take care, M and S

More info just in case you are curious

From Wikipedia

ThaiPusam in Singapore

In Singapore, Hindu devotees start their procession at the Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in the early morning, carrying milk pots as offerings or attaching "kavadis" and spikes pierced on their body.^[11] The procession travels for 4 kilometres before finishing at Tank Road, Sri Thendayuthapani Temple.^[12]

On the previous day, the deity Lord Sri Thendayuthapani is taken on a procession in the Silver Chariot to Sri Layan Sithi Vinayagar temple and returns in the evening followed by Chettiar Kavadies and other devotees. This event is popularly called as Chetty Pusam in Singapore.

On Thaipusam day, hundreds of devotees offer prayers either by piercing their body with spikes and lemon, pulling a chariot or carrying Kavadis from Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple. The devotees then offer their prayers and fulfill their vows. The Vel (holy spear) in the sanctum is showered with milk continuously for hours. Several Chinese devotees and people of other religion and races also come to fulfill their vows on this day.

Interesting India

Here we go with the first post of 2013 (at least it is still January!)

As many of you know we went to India over our winter holiday.  It was quite an adventure and we have many pictures and stories to share when we catch up with you in person but for now here is a small taste of our adventure.

We took some advice from our friends Belinda and Graham and decided to hire a car and driver to get around the "golden triangle".  This was a good move as the trains and other public transport were crowded, on strike or shut down for a lot of the time while we were there. We had an excellent driver, Ram, who showed us many insider areas as well as having us to dinner at his house.  I would definitely recommend your own car and driver (and Ram) if you want to tour that part of India.

 Here is the street in Delhi outside our hotel - can you even see me?

  We were in Delhi on the Sunday when that horrible rape took place.  We came back through a week later when all the protests were happening.  Again a reason not to take a bus... so sad but maybe some change will come out of it.  It did taint my feelings for large cities and groups of men walking the streets while we were there.  I realize how much I take for granted as a woman at times.

Our hotel with a climbing wall

As I said, we booked with a car and driver - we also had them book hotels for that leg of the journey.  We stayed in a Maharaja's palace (his grandson was strolling around meeting people and looking important), a hotel opened by an Everest mountaineer  and a hunting (now photography) lodge.  All interesting in their own ways - still glad we brought the sleep sheets.

This was just one wife's palace within a fort

How long did it take to do all that carving?

We toured and  travelled as most tourists do seeing forts, palaces and temples.  The roads were crowded and the drivers loved to honk - in fact the trucks all have "Honk please" painted on the back of them.  The drivers can't be bothered to look behind or to the side of them so you must honk to tell them you are approaching. Gives you a headache after a while!

I know it looks fake - but it really was like this!

Of course we had to see the Taj (I have heard the phrase "See the Taj, with Raj in his Dodge" since I was 3).  The mist was incredible and the monument is breath taking.  We probably enjoyed Agra the most of the cities we visited.  Although based on tourism it had a more relaxed feel and was a bit cleaner.  We had some amazing food there as well.

 Between Jaipur and Agra there is a national park where there are a few protected tigers ( I was told there are only 48-54 left).  We went out on a very cold game drive in the morning and saw nothing but birds.  I went in the afternoon and after hours of circling a dead deer and looking for footprint (pug-marks) we got our prize!  It is amazing how she blends into the grass.

After our hard days of touring (it actually is quite tiring) we flew down to chill out at a beach in Goa.  We chose Agonda beach, which is about as south as you can go in Goa.  This beach protects turtle nests and doesn't have any large hotels or resorts.  Lovely white sand, palm trees, waves to play in... what a way to spend 9 days over Christmas and New Years.

Our resort - Richard Gere stayed in the hut on the right

Doesn't look so bad...actually the beach, the fresh fish, the waves and kayaking were all great.  

You even get used to the cows everywhere! This one tried to eat my table cloth as I had my morning coffee.

But then there was our hut....

Rustic, basic (love those sleep sheets!)

Made of plywood, no windows, an attached "bathroom" with a pipe out of the wall for a shower....hmm...underneath a family of pigs made their home and liked to rut and squeal for most of the night.  The tree behind us was home to a colony of fruit bats (100's of them) who would arrive back to the tree about 4AM and proceed to fight over which branch to hang off - high pitched bat squealing.  For this luxury we were paying $65 a night!   As it was Christmas/New Year's we were lucky to have that, every day people came to the compound wanting to stay.  

That being said, the "boys" who ran the place and did all the cooking were great, the food was delicious, we met some interesting people and loved the beach.  Would we go back to Agonda beach and Goa - in a heartbeat.  We would just stay down the beach at a different place.  

That wraps up this edition of our blog - until next time... M and S

Signs of Life

Greetings, can't believe it is already December.  The time is flying by and I realized I hadn't posted in awhile.

Things here are good, we are in the last two weeks of school before the "winter" holiday and it is whirlwind of writing reports, practicing for the holiday concert and counting down the days... we are off to India for Christmas and New Year's.  We plan to see some tourist sights out of Delhi at the beginning with a car and driver and then will fly down to Goa and spend some time on the beach relaxing for the rest of the holiday.  Will post our adventures when we return in January.

As mentioned before, life in Singapore is not as in your face as China or Cambodia and we often struggle to find something out of the ordinary to show you on the blog.  So this time I decided to show you some of the signs of everyday life we see here.

This is what we see in our park about every 300 yards (meters).  Haven't really seen any of the items on the poster but we will be vigilant.

This sad to say, is on our walls at school.  And we wonder why our students' writing skills are slipping?

This is the screen we watch waiting for our apartment elevator - along with the evil maid and child we have been warned not to throw things out of windows - items like TVs, sanitary products and excrement were mentioned.  Glad I wasn't standing down below...

A definite lack of editing skills abound - possibly my next career, checking signs before they are printed just to be sure they make sense?

Just in case you are unsure of what to wear while swimming...

This one is around many places... I am NOT climbing over that fence I tell you. There are two versions, this one and one where the gun is pointed at the baddie's head.  Not sure which means what but imagine there is a level of warning I can't quite read...

So, as you can see, we do amuse ourselves and often have a giggle or two on the way to and from work and play.

Guess that's it for now - wishing you a happy holiday season and all the best in the New Year.

Marilu and Simon
PS  We just signed on for one more year at ISS - so your invitation to come stay and explore is now extended until June 2014....start making those travel plans!

Bali and the Gilis

Greetings from Singapore - just got back from a lovely mid term break.  Simon is continuing the fabulous 50 birthday year and he planned the whole week and some surprises within, all in secret.  All I was told was to "pack tropical".  It wasn't until we were at the airport to check in that I saw the destination was Bali!  It had been 20 years since we had traveled through there on our "big summer trip of '92".

We avoided the now super commercialized Kuta area and stayed at Sanur Beach.  It is the older section with embassies and huge villas.  Not too crowded though and the swaying palm trees and lush gardens were very relaxing after the hectic start to the school year.

The next surprise was a boat trip to the Gili islands.  Given our luck with boats, that wasn't as easy as it looked.  Simon deliberately chose Sanur beach as that is where the boats now take off from (back in the day you had to ferry to Lombok and then get a fisherman to take you to Gili Trawangen to his "friend's" four bungalows.  No electricity, bathroom up the jungle path etc.  It has changed!)  This is Simon waiting while 7 Indonesian guys all stand around looking at a boat engine scratching their heads.

We finally got moving and it was quite a rough ride. The captain was looking nervous as we headed out to open sea and the mates were all running around listening to engines and tapping things We got to the first island stop and guess what?  The engine covers came off again and there was lots of standing around...

Not a bad place to be stranded - clear turquoise water, and bungalows on the hill.

But we got going finally and arrived at Gili Trawangen - so much had changed (it has been 20 years!) but there are still no cars on the island, just horse and cart and bicycles.  The touts were trying to give us  "cheap" accommodation but we sprung for expensive and had a lovely bungalow with a/c, a pool and great banana pancakes.  

We went diving in the warm, clear water.  We swam with turtles (amazing - they were huge and just swam right along next to you not scared or fussed at all).  We had many cocktails and sunsets. Simon ran around the island every morning - PB 36 minutes.  But best of all was the snorkeling - there is a wall right off the beach in front of our bungalows.  There is a current that pulls you gently along the coral parallel to the beach so you float along with a drop off on your left, the beach on your right and it is as if you are swimming in an aquarium - there are so many fish, big and small, rainbow and all.  The turtles swim along next to you and after about 15 minutes you get out and walk back up the beach to your chair (stopping for a cold beverage along the way).  Chill out, read a bit and do it all over again!  Paradise!

Now we are back to work - counting the days until Christmas break (that's what teachers do you know!) 

Still an open invitation to Singapore - just had some friends over from China and the UK. Great fun was had by all with lots of eating, drinking and F1 racing.  Come stay with us and then continue on to the Gili Isles - check out the links about the Gilis for more info!

All the best, 

Marilu and Simon