Apologizes to Quito

It's been way too long since my last post. Many fabulous trips have come and gone and while the memories will always remain, I have neglected to give them their proper attention. So Mr. Quito, please accept my apologies. If it wasn't for Mr. Mansour and the lovely Veronica--who met at my Tastefully Simple party in 2006--I wouldn't have even visited you!

The hike to your 12,000 ft volcano was amazing. I really enjoyed sipping your cocoa tea (which I managed to smuggle back into the USA), and I was able to capture that John Jones "Ofoto Moment" on the Equator. But I must be honest, you could have warned me about the Otavalo Market. I mean, really? The market by the Hilton was a million times better and I wasn't confined to a 6 hour bus trip. Storm tropping three malls with two attorneies looking for the perfect Tribu purse took less time. Yes. really.

Sincerely Yours,
Mrs. Jones

Post Holiday Thoughts

While my tan may be fading in this Southern California "June Gloom", the memories of my recent South East Asia tour never will. It really was an amazing trip. I am very lucky to be able to travel the way I do. The private islands, speed boats, luxe vehicles, butlers are just the icing on the cake. I really am experiencing a slice of life that few do.

So, what are my thoughts on Travel? Thailand? Singapore? Life?

I do recommend that everyone travel as much as they can. It is my passion to travel and EXPERIENCE as many cultures as I can. There is something to be said about a well-traveled person. After you do the Rome-Venice-Florence-Paris-Madrid, go off and experience some untouched places. Places that are still raw and free of tourism and the commercialization that comes with tourism.

Thailand was amazingly beautiful. It was a bit more commercialized than I expected. It was a far cry from the unspoiled beauty I experienced last year in Vietnam. None the less, it was amazingly beautiful and the people were very kind and welcoming.

Singapore was expensive! And it really wasn't that pretty (I think that is how Bill's ex-wife described me the first time she met me...) Singapore is the Long Beach of islands. The beaches were not really swimmable (is that a word?) and everywhere you looked--on all sides of the island there were large oil tankers, cargo ships, containers, cranes--Singapore is a major port, afterall. The shopping was plentiful, but even as the locals told me, they all go to Bangkok to shop as it's much less expensive.

And one final note, Singapore Air is not all it's cracked up to be. I was not impressed. Save some money and fly Cathay Pacific....now there is an impressive airline!

4,3,2,1

The day that we all regret--the last day of holiday....sweet sorrow. Over the past 12 days, I have experienced four (4) fabulously luxurious resorts, three (3) remote islands, two (2) amazing countries, and one (1) wonderful holiday! (don't forget the three days of travel time as part of the adventure too!) I've tried new foods, learned new words, bought new shoes (ha!) and absorbed culture. (And....I totally put my workout/eating schedule to the side as well--will feel that 5am Monday morning!)

This evening started out with a luge ride. A ski lift--which I find terribly ironic on this island off the coast of an island--took us on a "sky ride" to the top of the mountain where we were fitted with helmets (yes, child size for my peanut sized head). It was fun, but I disagree with the marketing for this attraction "One time isn't enough." One time was well enough!

Dinner and $12 beers were at the Siloso beach bar, Cafe Del Mar. For those of you not familiar (that's you Erik) Cafe del Mar is a music collection by Jose Padilla--straight from Ibiza (I believe?) Chill, lounge music, mixed by the best DJs around the world.....but I digress....Apparently there was a private party tonight, so we were told we had to leave by 9:30. At 9pm a girl came on the stage and started singing with the mixes--she was terrible. I think they purposedly put her up there to sing and clear out the place!

9:40am flight--land at LAX at 1pm. Wishful thinking that the flight will only be 3 hours, 20 minutes. I'd like to forget about the 15 hour time change.

I hope you all enjoyed reading my posts. I enjoyed sharing my experiences and getting all my thoughts down as they happened. If you plan on taking holiday in Western Thailand or Singpore--give me a shout. I'll share more:)

Until my next gallivant...

AC

Shoes and durian fruit: Love and hate

Our last full day in Singapore. There have been quite a few things I have fallen in love with: Charles & Keith shoes, Kaya (a spread made with pandan leaves and egg yolks), and Capella. (Capella, where we are staying) is the new six star hotel that opened less than 60 days ago. ) There are a few things that I don't care for so much: Jack Fruit, $12.50 beers, and Durian Fruit (the most repulsive thing I have ever ate--yes, even after Sea Urchin).

I feel like we've been in SIN a lot longer than we were in Thailand, but it was actually the opposite. Today was Shopping Day. We headed out to the famous Orchard Road to get a real taste of shopping in Singapore during the Great Singapore Sale. The malls, one on every block and five alone on Orchard Road, are quite organized. By organized, I mean that store location is dictated by price. The top and basement levels are always food courts. After that, the lowest level is "budget" (GAP) and the highest level is "designer" (CHANEL). Erik and I stayed on the lower levels as they tended to have the actual Singaporean stores and stuff we can't get back home.

Many hours were spent in Charles & Keith today--to Erik's delight (joking). But three pairs of shoes later, I am quite happy and decided the chaos of the place was worth it. The store is a mad house--all the time, but I swear it is the most popular store in SIN.

Local foods 101

Finally was able to experience some of the many "local foods" of Singapore this afternoon: Ice Kacang/Chendol (shaved ice with red beans, ground palm sugar, and coconut milk), Fried Hokkien Mee (fried noodles with prawn)...and of course Durian Fruit.

Never did have a chance to try chili crab, Ba Kut Teh (pork ribs), Nasi Lemak (rice and coconut).

Drinking from a bloodbag--is this DisneyLand?

I'm excited to see what the last full day in Singapore will bring! Looking forward to buying shoes, dresses, and clothes...not so much the $12.50 beers. This place is very expensive! Everything is ridiculously priced....except taxi rides. We went back to Clarke Quay last evening after learning that TEENAGERS would be at Zouk NightClub....ugh! Clarke Quay was not exactly our speed either. Too many tourists, and young Asian women looking for, well, Erik types. White rich men. BLAH! We had one beer, a 10 oz Carlsberg, at a CHEESEY bar called CLINIC. The chairs were wheelchairs and the mixed drinks were served in blood bags and you sipped it through an IV. I refused to do this..but did get a quick pic to show how sick it really was!

There is no sea access from this island

I am staying at a new 6 star property, Capella Singapore. It opened less than two months ago and is absolutely amazing. I'm sitting in the lap f luxury, yet it feels like Alcatrez. And my ATL friends, I am not referring to Miggie and Smoochie's old apt.

Singapore is an island. Off off this island of Singapore is another island, Sentosa island. That is where I am. The view is of this amazing turquoise water for miles and a few Indonesian island on the far off distance. There are also oil tankers, and construction, and the LongShoreman cranes. Loos like my view as I lay on my home beach of Long Beach. There are "fake islands" off the coastline so the resort beaches are "preserved" from the erosion of waves. I cannot even walk down to teh beach that I can see from my room because itis fenced off. I am n an island, but cannot swim in the sea. Anyone else find this ironic?