Singapore

I very much enjoyed my trip to Singapore, although 3 nights isn't much time to see any city. By far, this town is perhaps the most well kept city i've been in, which didn't surprise me when I heard that chewing gum was once illegal here. Along the streets there are recycling bins, something we're still trying to introduce in Abu Dhabi, and each street is lined with lush greenery and decorated with lights and cultural attire. Colonial influence is very much present, as with diversity and racial congeniality. The city began as and still is a major shipping port, as you can see several large container ships coming and going from the multiple ports around this city-state-country island. Shopping is also HUGE here, though negotiating lower prices isn't as common as both Thailand and Malaysia. It's a very nice place with plenty to see and so much to do in such a short time.

I managed to see a good bit of the city from an arial view, as I rode the worlds largest ferris wheel, extending about 550 feet into the air, taking 30 minutes to revolve. I'm not a fan of Heights, though I seem to have challenged my phobia quite a few times during this trip. One of the main streets, Orchard Street, was full of excitement, shopping, and lined with large architectually intreguing buildings. Even the sidewalks had bright colorful lights within them, making it a pretty street to stroll.

I definately recommend the Singapore Zoo, the largest 'rainforest zoo' in the world. They created this place with a wholistic mindset, hoping to give the feel of animal freedom throughout. Basically, they wanted the visitors to feel like they could get up close and actually experience the animals. One could walk through the kangaroo exibit, ride the large asian elephants (which I did), or take loads of photographs without glass or cages blurring their views. My favorite exhibit was the Orangutans. These animals were able to roam free within a giving area, allowing them close contact with visitors. Very Cool.

I do hope to make it back someday, as it was a nice city, with a very trendy feel...Many restaurant chains were open 24/7, and even the cafes offered free wireless. It is a bit pricey compared to the other places i've visited, and is ranked as one of the most expensive places to live in the world. You do however get a lot for your money, as food portions are large, and life quality is high. There also was plenty to do, as the Chinese new year was about to begin. I did view my first Chinese Tiger Dance, which was quite amazing. Different Cultures are soooo cool...it's hard to notice back in the states, because people are dominated by the "melting pot" ideology...so much is lost in cultures by combining into one. But here in Singapore, people still maintain their traditional values and experiences, offering a wide variety of excitement and adventure. I've always been adventurous...now i'm culturally adventurous.

David's Vacation to S.E. Asia

Where do I begin?

This past week has been a terrific time of relaxation, adventure, excitement, but also loneliness and sadness. I currently am traveling throughout the Malay Peninsula, visiting both Malaysia and Thailand, and now on my way to Singapore. This trip is for my spring break/30th birthday celebration. However, it's been hard and quite bitter-sweet, as my other half Mallori is back home helping take care of our nieces and newborn nephew, Josiah. So, needless to say, despite having an outstanding time so far, my mind isn't quite here, and my heart is definately in Minnesota. Maybe i'll write a song about it.

My co-worker Brian and I flew from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, where we explored the city, took in the delicious (but spicey) foods, and traveled up to one of the highest peaks via cable car. It was quite fun, though scary, as an old man who happend to be in the lift with us, who was also a regular, proceeded to tell us how there have been a few cases where the cars have dropped hundreds of meters to passengers' certain death. Let's just say we didn't like him much, and we also gasped regularly as it was quite a windy day and the workers decided to stop the car several times throughout the 20 minute ride to the top.
Islam is definately the religion of choice in this country, as we were reminded 5 times daily by the call to prayer at the mosque/masjid next to our hotel. I'm used to this though, living in Abu Dhabi. The men don't wear the same clothing, nor do they seem to wear anything that would point out that they are muslim. The ladies however wear colorful coverings, instead of the boring black we see in Abu Dhabi, and many people seem to get along, despite some religious tension that currently exists in this country. We did see several hindus around town, as we were there during the annual holiday which millions took part in by hiking up several hundreds of stairs, pulling things with hooks and piercings in their backs and other parts of their body in honor to their gods. We did not stay for this, as we found a last minute flight to Koh Samui, Thailand, a tropical island off the east coast of Southern Thailand. So I left my typical city-cruising adventure, and headed towards a more relaxing, 'paradise'-like destination.

Koh Samui - Beautiful, warm, friendly, and cheap!

One thing that I enjoy about these two destinations, is how the currency exchange makes one to feel rich, as I have hundreds of thousands available to me for my trip...of course, inflation doesn't mean much if the prices are jacked up as well, however in these countries one can eat very well for very cheap. My hotel room, in downtown Kuala Lumpur cost me about the price of a Motel 6 back home. I can't pay that little anywhere in the states for a downtown room. When I went to Koh Samui, I paid even less, for a nice room right on the beach. Taxis cost only a few bucks to go across town, I could have had silk suits made for only a couple hundred dollars, and my cell phone sim card...well, it was given to me for free. It's nice to know that not all of the world is out to take your money....however, this concept changes in the evening.

At night time, both places totally change. K.L, though in a Muslim city has quite the nightlife, with plenty of strange ladies walking around looking for 'fun.' Koh Samui is more like a tropical Las Vegas, as a man could easily get 'anything' he wanted. It's so sad that some of the most beautiful places i've ever been to can become so ugly as the sun goes down. The beautiful beach in K.S. even turns into a haven for hecklers and con-artists after dark. Kids who should be home in bed are out trying to sell you necklaces or play you a game (connect 4) for money. They walk around as if they are being pimped by someone and cannot come home until they've made their quotas. These kids are smooth too...especially the little girls, who say they'll cry if you don't buy their beads. Other people are walking around with monkeys, birds or lizards, placing them on your shoulder, trying to get a picture with you and the animal, then charging you for it. They didn't like when i tried taking my own pictures without paying...poor monkeys, they were too cute! Just like in Vegas, the city is fun and exciting, but a lot of trouble if you allow it to be...Which brings me to the best part of Koh Samui....

The other side of the Island!

It's fun to be around lots of people, but Koh Samui is much more beautiful when you go out and explore on your own, away from the tourist garbage. I rented a motor bike for 2 days and decided to drive around this small but colorful island. I was told that it is about 55 Km around the island and that it should only take about an hour to make it around. I knew that i would want to stop and take 'a few' pictures, but didn't truly plan my route as I wanted to be spontaneous. Six hours later, I found myself tired, sunburned, and cramped from being on the bike ride of my life. A few miles into my ride, I ventured onto some smaller roads, heading towards the south side of the island, where many of the locals still live undisturbed. I found a few beautiful muslim villages which are rare as buddhists dominate this island, and met a few buddhist monks as I visited several temples. I visited a small secluded school, met with the teacher and students and tried to understand why the curriculum involved puting up tents instead of teaching math or science. I spent time watching a local couple pick coconuts, and another man cuting them open with a huge sword-like knife. I passed several gorgeous beaches with terrific views of nearby islands...this part is the vacation I longed for.

Usually I am excellent with Maps and directions (Mallori will vouch for me), however, I made a few wrong turns half way into my trip. I planned to go up the mountain towards an Elephant park, then cut back down another smaller road towards the north side of the island...Somehow the roads kept getting smaller, and I found myself on dirt roads which became dirt paths, somewhere in the middle of the jungle. I kept going up, higher and higher, hoping that i'd run into the desired road, but no road existed...only more dirt paths. This part was easy, though when I noticed that my fuel was getting low, and I was quite far from where I began, nor did I know where a gas station was, I got a little nervous. Nervous turned to scared as I now needed to go down these same dirt paths and my tires on the bike were fairly bald with little traction. I spent most of my ride down, sliding, skidding, and nearly flying off steep cliffs, clutching to the brakes, praying that God will protect me. I wasn't as interested in taking pictures, as no photo is worth my life, though I still stopped once in a while to get a good valley shot. Now and then i'd pass some local person, who didn't know any English, and they'd point me in the right direction, though not able to tell me how far away I was. I also passed several birds which seemed to be laughing at me, waiting for me to give up so they could eat better. However, I managed to make it safely (by the grace of God) down the mountain with only a few bruises and scrapes. The Next Day I went with Brian, and we stayed on the main road...not quite as exciting, but at least I got the chance to make it all the way around this time.

So now, I find myself sitting in the beautiful outdoor airport, surrounded by flowers, beautiful birds, greenery, and an occasional noise of a plane taking off or a cash register opening in the duty free shop nearby. We are due in Singapore in just a few hours, where I hope to resume my city walking, photo-snapping, urban enjoying vacation. I will try to blog again when I have more pictures. Not sure yet where we'll go after Singapore, but i'm sure it'll be an adventure! Thanks again for reading all of this. Enjoy the Pictures!

D