Singaporean Staples?

One of my duties while John was visiting SE Asia was to get him to try durian-the king of fruits. The only thing that everyone agrees on is that the smell of the fruit is strong. Whether it's a foul, putrid stench or a sweet, delicious aroma is where opinions mostly differ. To be honest, John's reaction was really boring. Maybe it was I who had follied by building it up too much so as to ensure an anticlimactic finish. He ate a few pieces but neither conceded to hate it nor love it as most people do, either spitting it out, vomiting or rubbing it all over their bodies in delight accordingly (I've never actually seen anyone do that last one... but the first two- yes!), and while he didn't hate it, he only wanted to eat a few pieces- not a whole one to himself. Actually, maybe not unexpectedly, his reaction was pretty much the same as mine. I never spat it out like some do and ate a few pieces the first time I tried it but didn't want more. Then every other time I tried it I enjoyed it more and more until now I love it and even crave it at times.Don't let his reluctant look fool you, John didn't hate the durian!


Despite the rumors that consuming durian and alcohol together will result in sure death we decided to risk it and try one of what is surely Singapore's most ordered drinks (by tourists): the Singapore Sling. And what other place to have it than the supposed location of it's origin- the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel where some also claim the last tiger in Singapore was shot dead.
Raffles Hotel at night
John and the the Singapore Slings. The recipe now served at Raffles is acknowledged to differ from the original recipe which didn't include grenadine, pineapple and citrus juice but the exact recipe is either unknown or debated. What is agreed on is that the drink at it's core is a Gin based drink. (not surprisingly since Singapore was a British Colony after all)

We survived the Durian and Singapore Slings though the price of the drinks nearly killed us- over $51SGD for the two drinks!
Okay, in seriousness, the Singapore Sling is not a staple for the average Singaporean and neither is durian- some Singaporean don't even like durian or alcohol, but for many, they are both undeniably enjoyable to consume...just not at the same time though!!

Another debatable Singaporean Staple though a food enjoyed by many is Chili Crab. Whether it's a staple or whether it's an official, unofficial or just a famous Singaporean dish, many people will recommend you try it while visiting...so of course I felt obligated to take John to try. Many places serve this dish, along with other types of crab like butter, pepper or garlic crab, and everyone has their favorite restaurant. We decided to have it at a place with outdoor seating along the Singapore River and had both chili and pepper crabs along with a few other seafood dishes. Maybe it's not the best place for either dish but the location is hard to beat, with the skyscrapers of Singapore's central business district rising up just along the river walkway in the background.I think he liked it, he said something like it was like the Asian version of ribs (comparing to U.S. bar-b-que style ribs)... uh, kind of- both are messy for sure but even so John would not accept a plastic bib to protect my shirt he was wearing*. I still think it's a lot of work to eat these crabs but actually it is pretty good. John liked the pepper crab more... in retrospect this is kind of surprising since he said he doesn't really like spicy food so much... (something that became really (painfully) obvious and a source of immense humor when I convinced him to try a Thai green chili with dinner a few days later in Bangkok... I think he seriously cried after eating it. Not nice since I had accidentally ate one about ten minutes before and it was way too much for me. Generally they can be anywhere from about 6 to 40 times hotter than a Jalapeño pepper which might be more familiar to you)

Of course Singapore has a lot more to offer than these "staples" and the time with John here really passed quickly. I think he was able to get a pretty good idea about what Singapore has to offer as I tried to show him around different parts of the island to get a range of experiences. John also did a lot during the days and took what sound like some good tours of different neighborhoods. I think I'll have to go check them out too.

*That's right, I found John wearing one of my shirts when we met for dinner that night. Hmm... I did offer though since all the other clothes he brought on the trip were some type of synthetic polyester sports blend. I guess it does make sense for travel in such a hot and humid region.

shortest way to do 100K

BikeAsia 2008 was in Singapore a few weeks ago and as part of it, there was a 100K mountain bike race. I entered with one of my coworkers, of course not expecting to even come close to winning. ... and actually we didn't! But it was a lot of fun. 100K race, 10 laps on the course, and a time limit of 9 hours. So it's definitely possible to do- it's just really long, and we were splittin it between the two of us. There was also a solo category but needless to say we weren't interested in that.The Course: 1 lap. It looks a little crazy, and it is. It's about a 1 square km area, but with all the twists and turns it made a 10K lap. 10 laps to finish the race.

The race started at 8am, and after 4 hours we had finished 6 laps but just then storm clouds rolled in and a lightning storm started up very fast. The organizers were forced to call the race on account of the lightning (I was told they are very particular about lighting since it's so common here and people do get struck by lightning here, I've heard a couple people a year get stuck). So the race got canceled but they rulled that every team that had finished 5 laps would be considered finishers.... so we got finisher's medals. I have no idea where we placed overall but we didn't win any money.
The course was very muddy and it really got everywhere. about half the couse was exposed and the other half was riding through jungle trails...full of all the mud
After the race, with our bikes and our clothes sprayed clean

change is the only constant

Being away from Singapore for three weeks was a long time, and it seems longer than I expected it would. I never really thought about it before but change can happen very quickly- and sometimes unless you're away and comeback you might not even notice it. Besides seeing a few new floors completed on the condo being built next door I noticed some other changes as well. Also the price of cabs surprised me as well even though the fares had increased before I left- having arrived after midnight, I had to pay the 50% surcharge and the $3 airport surcharge. The total taxi bill came out to $24 which seems very expensive, but then again it's very cheap compared to most other cities. Walking around town yesterday I saw a lot more graffiti than I ever remember and it was mostly right out in the open. I also saw two apparently homeless bums sleeping on the side walks, also something that I recall seeing maybe once over the last year I’ve been here. Is Singapore really changing or am I just being more observant of things around me?

And then, some things stayed the same. The noise from those two construction sites next door to my apartment is still very loud. The taxi driver from the airport thought I was from Italy or France and couldn't believe I was from California. For some reason this happens a lot- people think I'm German, Swiss, French and god forbid even Australian. I don't know why. one person even thought my accent sounded South African! no one else agreed with that though. Also, the conniving taxi drivers have not changed here either. The one I took yesterday ripped me off, taking me though a separate toll area for no reason as it wasn't a short cut and it was not even the route I told him. Its times like that when their English skills suddenly deteriorate very quickly...I guess it's the best way to disarm a verbal conflict. The escaped terrorist Mas Selamat bin Kastari has still not been captured after having escaped from prison before I left for San Diego. There's really not much news about it anymore. I guess people will forget about it soon. An official report being carried out on how the escape happened, estimated to take one month, should be out soon though I doubt it will actually be released.

Overall it feels good to be back in Singapore, in my own apartment and sleeping in my own bed again. I just need to get some food for the fridge because I’m starving.

This made me try to think about what had been different in San Diego since it had been 6 months since the last time I was there. Actually nothing really jumped out at me as different which is strange. A lot of the construction on the highways that plagued my morning and evening commutes was finished and one of the bars I liked that made really good cocktails has deteriorated in quality- the Old-Fashioned I used to like there was now horrible (actually the same thing had happened in Singapore at a new bar that had opened just around the corner from my place. When it opened, the bartenders were great and they made really nice cocktails, they really knew what they were doing which I think is extra nice here in Singapore since you’re paying about $10USD for a drink. I've almost giving up on ordering mixed drinks anywhere here because either the carbonation is flat in the mixer or it's some super sweet juice mixed in with the carefully measured amt of liquor. The last time I went there, the bar staff had been replaced literally by idiots, a conclusion I based on an experience while ordering a drink. I had ordered and easy drink which was even on their bar list- Cuba Libre- nothing fancy right, and he didn’t know how to make it. After asking the other bartender who told him to look it up since he was bartender too. I ended up having to tell him how to make it and he still messed it up, dumping in an outrageous amount of lime juice instead of just a dash.) I don't know, maybe it's hard to say since the time went so fast there and I didn't really see much of the city. I’m not sure this paragraph makes much sense either. In conclusion, In San Diego it was great to see old friends and catch up.

Anyway, don't get me wrong, it's not a big rant I'm on about Singapore or change on about how things were 'back in the day.' Besides, I read The Secret while in Sedona and now I'm only thinking positive thoughts so only positive outcomes will be attracted to me. Sure, it sounds crazy but it's working. I experienced several otherwise improbable occurrences which I'm attributing to my positive thinking. I won't get in to all of them but here's just one example- when I flew from Phoenix to Portland it was a late flight scheduled to arrive around 11pm and I didn't want to be wasting a lot of time at the airport. So I was really trying to imagine my luggage being off the belt first so I could get out to the rental car and on the road. You know, ‘using the secret.’ I was also hoping for a Mustang convertible for the car but actually not so much for the convertible since I knew it would be cold in Oregon and I probably wouldn't get to put the top down. So what do you know? once the baggage starts up, mine is the third bag on it which has never happened. Thanks very much. Picked it and went out to get my rental car which had been assigned as a Mercury Grand Marquee. Obviously that wasn’t going to work. So I walked back to the desk and the guy there said I could have a Mustang (hardtop) for the same rate. One of the most important parts to the Secret is being thankful for everything you have and really spending time to acknowledge that thanks. Regardless of all the other talk about the Secret or Law of Attraction I think this is important just for living a happy and fulfilled life.

speak cryptic

More graffiti from the SGPC

Support Your Troops, on Middle road a few blocks from my place. Stenciled on a covered sidewalk

Speak Cryptic, posted on a light post across from Raffles Hotel and CHIJMES

Cinco de Mayo

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Aiaiaiaiiiiiiiii

Not too much celebration here in Singapore for Cinco de Mayo. There is some kind of celebration at a place off Orchard Road called No.5 They're going to "celebrate the liberty to Mexico with samba percussionists" according to their website. I guess you have to celebrate something even if it's not exactly right. It's not really a Mexican bar but there are a lot of Tequilas on the shelf and it's as good as any, if not better, to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

more random Life in the SGP

one funny thing about Singaporeans is that they call themselves Spores (actually S'pores since the somewhat official abbreviation in the media for Singapore in Singapore is S'pore but they mostly just write Spores or worse yet: spores) . I think this is horrifying and would never willing call myself a spore. I think they like it... like it's some kind of sci-fi thing or they're going to take over and multiply... it's kind of ironic since the birth rate is so low here and the population isn't on track to even sustain it self moving forward. I guess all the women want to have a career here or something. At work we use the abbreviation SGP which is think far better and more humane.

Camera phones have really changed the way people... well, use their phones. To quote The Streets "
Ahhh see
Right see the thing that's got it all fucked up now is camera-phones.
How the hell am I supposed to be able to do a line in front of complete strangers
When I know they've all got cameras?

I've seen a few articles in the paper encouraging people use their camera phones and post images to the STOMP webstie of the Straits Times. Interesting. Never miss a chance to report your fellow citizen breaking the law. It turns out I am Big Brother and I've signed on for a two year contract with the phone company. Actually everyone is more Big Brother than me and He doesn't even have to do anything...probably wasting away in Bali. Well the point of this entry was just to post a bunch of photos I've found on my camera phone that I've taken since I arrived. There's nothing much special about them but I guess I thought they were interesting enough since I had decided to commit the space on my camera for them until now when I've taken them off.

Indian food is often served on a washed banana leaf. It's claimed to be more hygenic since one can never be sure a plate had been washed and cleaned enough...but if it's a banana leaf, be assured it's nice and clean. I guess maybe it's the same reasoning why you should eat with your right hand only.

Archipelago Brewery is a very good craft brewery here in Singapore. I met the brewer at a tasting he was hosting a few months ago and he's from California as well and related to a co-worker of mine. He's using a lot of local SE Asia ingredients in the beers like lemon grass, ginger, and other spices resulting in very nice beers and a lot of press.

Cabs with my name written on them. I am some kind of bank loan called 'James'

your ordinay Lizard traping box next to the rest of the pest control. I haven't seen any geckos in my apt here up on the 7th floor but the are all over the place.

I saw two snails in the last two days! and I had never seen a snail here before that. these look like sea snails. At least the shells do. I've never seen snails like this before on land so I figured they must have crawled up from the sea but this one was on the wall just at the subway (MRT) exit by my place...that's basically the center of the city so it had a long crawl. The other one looked just like this one but I was late to a meeting so I didn't take it's picture. Now I wish I would have. I'll look for it tomorrow.

My morning commute. This was a strange time when there was NO one else on the MRT platform. It rarely happens and it only lasted less than a 30 seconds.

A rainly day though a cab window

another rainy day though a cab window.

strange stuff

I saw a few things today that make you think how ridiculous this country is.
This is some Tiger Beer on SALE! Okay, not really that strange in it self. It's not the price that's the shocker but that the special is a 25 cent (Singapore cents) discount ! in U.S. terms that's like 15 cents off a $10 six pack of beer. This isn't such a great special but this is the kind of special that's always going on at the stores... really bad sales just making you want to buy more since you're getting a deal which is really what it's all about here. If you pay too much... you're just a sucka.

I was also supprised to see Budweiser at the store today there with all the other premium export beers. This grocery store across from my apartment seems to be one of the worst in Singapore for their stock and selection so you could imagine my excitment to see they started stocking it. I thought it is was funny when I was in St. Louis last summer and realized the 'local beer' was Budweiser and now it's been reinvented as an export to me. Although the logo here does seems a little off; I'm pretty sure this is not the same Budweiser label I've seen in the U.S.

This is the famous Busweiser beer. We know of no brand produced by any other brewer which costs so much to brew and age. Our exclusive Beechwood Aging produces a taste, a smoothness and a drinkability you will find in no other beer at any price.

Maybe I've been out of California for too long but I just don't remember ever reading that before so I guess they've handcrafted that message for the locals here to make sure they know they're getting an exceptional value when making this purchase. It also seems strange that I was so excited to buy Budweiser and I can't wait to drink some

Little India scout

It was a sunny day again so I decided to go out and walk around Little India. I've been looking at a lot of apartments w/ my relocation agents since I arrived trying to find something that I can afford and also something that's decent and in a good location. I saw one yesterday that would be really good and it's pretty central to Little India, Orchard Road and the marina. I've walked through Little India before but I wanted to explore the area a little more to see what it would be like living there. I took a shuttle from my temp apt to Harborfront MRT (subway) station and then took the MRT to Little India since I would do the reverse trip for part of my commute to work on the subway. It wasn't bad; only 5 stops so it went pretty fast.

Little India is supposed to get packed on Sundays and it was pretty crowded for sure. It was also hot. It turns out the apt would be in a really good location and close to a lot of things to do, and the subway. The only downside to the apartment's location is a construction site across the street where they're building a shopping mall. It's pretty loud work they're doing but I figure it could only last a few months...plus that is why the apartment is affordable since otherwise it would definitely be shown for more money. I got some very delicious Indian food for late lunch then headed back. What an exhausting day!

Botanic Gardens

The rain let up today and it was so sunny I decided to spend some time outside at the botanic gardens. These gardens are a real haven from the rest of the busy city and plus they're very nice! I had never been here on any of my previos trips to Singapore and I wasn't sure what to expect because they never seemed that exciting but after seeing the park I was really impressed. I think it's a lot like Balboa Park in San Diego: a huge maintained garden open to the public in the middle of a busy city.

The Tanglin Road entrance to the garden

Singapore national flower: Vanda Miss Joaquim. It's a hybrid between the Vanda hookeriana and Vanda teres orchids. Apparently Miss Joaquim owned the garden where the hybrid was first made.

It's amazing how much diversity exists in the park. There is a Sun Garden featuring different types of cacti and succulents...
...then only a few yards away it's a rain forest.

Some turtles hanging out on a wooden walkway

A reflexology walking path. It feels good.

A waterfall. It feels nice and cool under here.

Welcome to Singapore

I've already landed in Singapore to start a long term work assignment and I could be here as long as 3 years... which is now really seeming like a long time. Some people may be thinking it's very strange for me to be writing a blog like this instead of leading very secretive life as normal but this may be the best way to keep in contact w/ everyone back home.