Singapore: Round 2

I suspected that Singapore was going to be a breeze considering it was, after all, my second trip there and Malaysia has a certain craziness that doesn't exist in Singapore. Unfortunately, Charles and I fell on some hard times in Singapore. Most notably, after enjoying a delicious Indian lunch in KL we both suffered in Singapore from various stomach-related illnesses. The situation was worsened by an absolutely brutal experience at the border crossing between Singapore and Johor Bahru which landed us about 4.5 hours late in Singapore.
Singapore is an amazing city, though. But, we felt as though we missed a lot of the city's charm because we were both under the weather. Ray, as always, was an amazing host. We had a few delicious meals along the water together and drank some of Chuckie's cosmos at Ray's apartment. We also got a tour of Ray's lab in Singapore where he works for The Diabetes Group and is working with human embryonic stem cells. His boss is the dude who cloned Dolly (unfortunately he was out to lunch when we had our tour). It was really interesting to hang out with a bunch of uber-intelligent / educated peeps (yes, they all had a PhD) who left their respective countries in favour of Singapore, a highly funded and liberal scientific community.
Last night, Charles and I headed out to the night safari, which was not to be missed. It was a lot of fun actually, despite the fact that we were both still feeling under the weather. Our night ended badly, though, when Charles had his wallet stolen. We searched the park at midnight (it being a *night* safari and all) to no avail. At home, Ray spent another worried night wondering what was wrong with the two of us who couldn't seem to keep ourselves out of trouble.
Right now I am writing from the airport in Johor Bahru, where we are waiting to catch our flight to Kota Kinabalu the main city in Sabah on Malaysian Borneo. We have planned out our last 8 days in Malaysia, which will hopefully include a stop at turtle island, Pulau Tiga (where Survivor 1 happened) and the Sepilok Orangutan Reserve...

Kuala Lumpur: Round 2

I arrived back in KL after an amazing time on the beach in Penang. I must say, after a few days of pure relaxation and no worries, KL doesn't seem so bad. I am also meeting Charles in about an hour, which I'm sure makes things seem better as well. Tomorrow we will head back to Singapore where Ray is hard at work, *I'm sure*, planning for our arrival.
Today I went to the Batu Caves on the outskirts of the city. It was one of those times when traveling alone really sucked. I had no one to split the cab fares with and guided tours through the dark caves with lots of eerie bat sounds required more than one person. Nonetheless, there were frolicking monkeys swinging from Hindu shrine to Hindu shrine, so it still made the trip worthwhile. My pics don't do the place justice, but I will post them anyhow...

Leaving Penang...

After one day turned into two, and then two days into three, I am finally leaving Penang tomorrow. It has been an amazing time. We have been blessed with amazing weather and food and a reflexologist on the beach. It is low season in Malaysia right now as well. So, the tourist flocks that Penang (especially Batu Ferrenghi) is renowned for have been noticeably absent. There are still enough older Euro / Australian men in their speedos to make it interesting, though. Phew. Tomorrow I am headed away from the coasts and into more of the mainland of the Pennisula, to Cameron Highlands, before I meet Charles back in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday night.

Simone and I getting personal on the dance floor (a.k.a. avoiding the Aussie airforce guys who infiltrated our hotel).

This is Natalie riding a horse, illegally I might add, up and down the beach. But no, she didn't trot.

Doing what we do best.

More of the beach...

This is where I have been hanging out, getting massages and working on my tan.

The sunset from our restaurant at Bato Ferrenghi, on the northern tip of the island of Penang.

Me and the girls... Me, Monique, Natalie, Peta and Simone hanging out in the hotel lobby in Georgetown, Penang.

Paradise Found...

After a couple trying days in KL, I decided it was time to get out of that hellhole. I was tired of cities anyway. I can't write long, cause I am paying through the nose for internet. But, I am in Penang, an island in the north of Malaysia. I've met 4 aussie girls who are tres cool. I'm staying in an actual resort for the night to refuel and decompress after slumming it in KL and Georgetown (also on the island of Penang). The beaches here are incredible, unfortunately the water is in piss-poor shape (pollution), which makes having the pool all the nicer. I'm home three months today...

Kuala not-so-clean...

Right now, I was supposed to be lying on a beach in Pulau Tioman... but, it didn't happen. I arrived in Johor Bahru with no problems. But, I had missed all the buses to Mersing, where I would've caught a ferry to the island. Johor was absolute madness, made worse by the fact that I was the only white person for miles and my discovery that I had grossly overpacked. I had to come up with a plan B relatively quickly as Johor was not the best place to be caught alone at night. So, I decided to head to Kuala Lumpur to re-evaluate and reorganize. KL has been nice. Especially after I calmed down from icky-Johor. I won't lie though... after squeaky clean Singapore, KL was a shock to the system. It's dirty and seemingly dangerous. Everyone I talk to says it's one step down from Bangkok, which makes me really excited to go there! Today I went all through Chinatown, ate shark fin soup, and then headed to the twin towers. I have pics of all this, but this computer is an asshole, so it'll have to wait for a while. After 2 days in KL, I've decided that I am done with city life. I am headed for grander and sandier things. Penang is in the north of the country. Apparently it is pretty touristy, but I could handle meeting some new peeps. I could also use a tan and some R&R time on the beach. I'll meet Charles back in KL on Saturday, which I am excited about. Until then, I will head to Penang and then Cameron Highlands, where I am meeting a friend I met here.

Petronas at night...

Me in front of the Petronas Towers, formerly the highest buildings in the world, at midday.

Apparently my apparel wasn't appropriate for entering the Mosques in KL. Thank heavens, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to wear this snazzy robe.

Goodbye Singapore... for now.

Tonight is my last night here in Singapore... at least for a week. I'll be back with Charles for a night next week. Tomorrow I am heading up through Johor Bahru into Malaysian and over to Mersing, on the east coast. Ray, my amazing host with the most, keeps saying really silly things like, "stay as long as you want!", "you're always welcome in my home!", and "my house is your house!"... I am, therefore, fighting off the feeling that what I should really do is drop anchor and move and become a permanent sponge in Singapore. ahem.
Seriously though, Ray has been the most amazing and gracious host imaginable, which has alleviated my mother's stess level considerably...
Tonight Ray and I are heading out for a night on the town, which will include a Singapore Sling (where better?)...

Day 3 in Singapore - The Colonial District and Orchard Road

Today has been my best day yet in Singapore. The Colonial District was by far the most impressive area I have seen yet (although I have heard that both Chinatown and Little India are remarkably different on the weekend). There was an incredible mixture of the remainders of British rule mixed with the Jetson-like skyscrapers, which make up the impressive Singapore skyline. I started my day along the Singapore River and weaved through the shops and cafes until I reached what must be the business district. From there I went along the piers and through some beautiful parks.
At Raffles Landing, where "Raffles" (I assume) is looking rather pensive. I need to brush up on my Singaporean history (a.k.a. take the time to read those pesky information plaques scattered throughout the city...).

The Merlion Statue with the Clifford Centre in the background...

The Merlion statue from an opposite view.... over looking the Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay.

The Fullerton Hotel in the heart of the Colonial District...

The Singaporean Nuclear Family hanging out in Boat Quay...

Little India...

I have been craving curry since I arrived in Singapore. I have been off Indian food in general after a not so appetizing wall-climbing cockroach incident at an Indian Restaurant in Itaewon. Luckily, I'm out of Korea now and spent today taking in Little India. The area was buzzing, especially in comparison to Chinatown. The smells from yesterday were more pronounced. It seemed as though curry was cooking, Bollywood-esque music was blaring and incense was burning on every corner.
On top of that, today was a scolding hot today. Even the Singaporeans seemed to have their tongues hanging out of their mouths. Suffice it to say, by 2:30 it was time to head home and hit the pool... God Bless Ray Dunn.

Curry deliciousness... all of the Indian men around me were eating with their hands. However, the waiter handed me a fork and looked at me as though I was supposed to use it. So, begrudgingly, I did. :(

Food for thought... who doesn't love motivational quotes randomly placed throughout the city? I sure do!

This is the crappiest flea market I have ever seen. It was on the outskirts of Little India (which was marvelous). So, I thought, accordingly, that the flea market would be buzzing, with an array of cool trinkets to buy. Oh boy, was I wrong. Half of the salespeople were passed out from the heat, which would make sense as I am sure there isn't a huge demand for old, wilted teddy bears and shoes with holes in them...

China Town...

My first day in Singapore was spent rummaging through China Town. As I walked downtown, I was taken aback by all the different scents. Most delicious was the creamy curry smell that seeped out of Indian Restaurants. And, it's not the bad curry smell... like the kind in a rundown, Brampton apartment complex. But, the good kind... the kind that makes you hungry. The incense from Chinese temples can be smelled from a couple blocks away, too. Having been to China, I found Chinatown a little disappointing. Singapore is a city that is going through a serious reurbanization process (or so it felt on the first day). China town had a *new* feeling, instead of something more traditional, and it didn't have the bustle and busy feeling that I actually felt in Beijing. Chinatown is tucked in the middle of huge skyscrapers and even some of the temples themselves have been reconstructed. For lunch I stopped into a little noodle shop where I was watched intently and occassionally offered a fork (apparently my chopstick skills aren't up to snuff). In Singapore, though, foreigners aren't on display. I walked down the street and I felt a little awkward. Why is everyone speaking English? Why is no one staring at me? Why aren't children pointing and whispering about me? Coming from Korea, it was all a lot to take in.

Relaxing in a park on the outskirts of China Town

Shopping in China Town...

Sri Miriamman Temple, Chinatown
I think this is part of the Thian Hock Keng Temple. But, it was hard to tell because even the temple itself was under construction... it seems everything in Singapore is being refurbished, remodeled, or rebuilt.
Wak Hai Cheng Bio Temple, Chinatown. This is one of Singapore's oldest Chinese temples... appropriately tucked in amidst skyscrapers and surrounded by construction sites left, right and centre.

Safe, Sound and *Set Up* in Singapore...

After being told at Incheon International Airport that there was a good chance I would be turned away by Singaporean officials because I didn't have a Visa or departing ticket, I boarded the plane and spent the next six hours sweating that I would have to actually come back to Korea. Ick. Of course, once I arrived, I realized all my worrying was for nothing. The lady barely glanced at me, offered me a candy and ushered me through. Isn't Singapore, like, the most strict place on earth? After that I headed to Ray's place. Ray is a friend of my good friend, Mike Henny, who graciously offered to put me up for a couple days. Well, thank heavens. Ray has a gorgeous two bedroom apartment in downtown Singapore. Screw guest houses. I have my own bathroom, bedroom, gym and swimming pool all at my disposal. Ray even has a guest cell phone...

Ray and I eating at a hawker style street restaurant in Singapore.

Life's rough... hanging out at the pool at Ray's condo...

Angelic, frolicking children...

Okay, so the thing is, these are the cutest damned kids I have ever seen in my whole life. I'm serious. This is our youngest class hanging out with Charles Teacher. They brought me presents and yelled "Matt Teacher, Canada NO!". Evidently, while I failed on the English front, I was more than successful in training them to come with gifts / compliments.

Save the Last Dance.

The night lasted until 5 in the morning...

This is at the end of the night... but, aren't we looking incredibly fresh?

Jamaal and Myha.

Me, Sam and Chuckie.

Me, Rachael and Lori...

The Last Supper...

The time has finally come for me to leave Korea. It seems amazing that I have spent 18 months here. I seem to remember saying something about "trying it for 3 months". I have eaten a lot of kimchi. Anyway, here are some pics from the going away party Charles and I had together on Saturday, September 3rd. We had an awesome turn out. The party was quite possibly our best yet. First, we had dinner at maybe the only restaurant with a terrace in Itaewon called "Our Place".

Howie and Me at Our Place. His last name is "Titzel". Tee hee. Oh, and he's a captain. So, that's Captain Titzel to you.

Brian and Stacey looking tres cute at dinner.

This is Reese. I love this girl a whole lot.

The table at dinner. This is me looking natural and unsuspecting. Convincing?