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).

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?

3am sleep or party. Police.

We had a plan last night. We really did. The plan was to go to Vivo City, eat some local Singaporean food in the food court, get a cab to Geylang--the Red Light District--buy durian fruit (stinky fruit) and take it from there. None of that happened.

We ended up at a German (how ironic, right?!) bar, Brotzeit, where two guys--an Aussie and a Brit started chatting us up. They bought us a drink and then invited us to a Latino Club across the street. St James Power Station was lame with about 5 locals trying there darnest to get their groove on. Matt and Paul then invited us to go dancing at Club 72--the top floor of the Swissotel. Sure, why the hell not! Before we knew it, it was 3am.

Advertising

As a habit, I always "tune into" advertising when I travel. I love seeing the creativity (or lack of at times) and the way marketers everywhere grab attention. The advertising here in Singapore is hilarious. Everywhere you look, there are these crazy characters telling you to " Don't Play Play, Wait for me to come out" (On the subway). At the food courts--signs remind you to clean up your tray with "Goodness Gracious Me! This Mess is Not OK" I'll have a whole section of photos dedicated to these crazy, certainly attention grabbing ads.

Singapore =shoppping, and more shopping and more shopping

My legs are killing me... We literally walked all of Singapore today. Started at the infamous Merlion (my Halloween costume this year for sure!) and then headed to the Mandarin Oriental for lunch at Dolce Vita. Chef Marco was delighted to speak Italian with me :) Then it was off to Haji Lane in the Malay part of town to see the Muslim Sultan Mosque. Then we headed to India Town for more culture. We stopped at the Fountain of Wealth, put our right hand in the water and walked three times around. Let's hope my silent wish comes true!

There are shopping malls--LARGE shopping malls on every corner here. I am a bit overwhelmed. And starting two days ago, the Great Singapore Sale is happening. I'm in heaven! One pair of shoes down, looking for a smashing dress now.

Party all the time

We are now in Singapore! After checking into the Rasa Sentosa Hotel--which I don't recommend, but then again, I've become quite the hotel snob, we headed into town to check out Clarke Quay (pronounced "key") Wednesday night looked like Friday night--people partying it up, clubs with lines a mile long, and bands playing in pubs. We were quite tired so we only lasted until about 12:30am at The Pump Room and The Crazy Elephant.

12am sleep or party Police

Five days on two private islands and I still have yet to take a swim in the sea....is this what happens when you live 4 blocks from the beach year around? Well, it rained all morning and our excursion to Phi Phi Island was cancelled. Yep, we flew half way around the world to see Phi Phi Island...and no Phi Phi Island. Damn!

Erik and I went into the touristy town of Ao Nang for some shopping. Ao Nang reminded me of Nha Trang Vietnam very much. Then we headed to the local hang out of Krabi Town. The weather here is disgustingly hot and steamy. My curly hair is not happy. We ended up finding this "very popular brand" of clothing called POLICE. The shirts have sayings on them that are in English and make no sense. For example, my shirt says: "12am sleep or party Police." Erik's says: "08:41am working time has started Police." We cannot wait to wear them everywhere!