Christmas in Singapore

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Happy Holidays from Singapore!

I arrived in Singapore just in time to celebrate Christmas with my American friends, the Sauer Family. It was exactly what I needed after almost 3 months away from home. The Sauers live in Singapore with their 3 kids, and Christmas was a blast with them.

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Photos

Christmas tree at the Tanglin Mall
All of the ornaments on this tree were made from recylced plastic bottles!

The Merlion Fountain on the Harbor
The "Merlion" is Singapore's mascot. Legend has it, that the first explorer to land on its shores saw a lion. The fish-body represents the importance of the sea.

City view from the river
Singapore is the smallest country in Asia. It's all contained on one island as a city-state and it's located on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, only 85 miles from the equator.

The Sauer Family - My hosts in Singapore
Lena and I were sorority sisters at the University of Washington. Her husband, Kevin, works for Microsoft in Singapore. Their kids are Ethan, Davis and Lydia.

"Snow"-blowing bubble machines
An annual Christmas tradition in front of Tanglin Mall. It's supposed to look like snow, and the kids have a blast.

Real snow back home
My friend, Karin, emailed this photo from my house in Bellevue, Washington USA. They got record snowfall, while I was sweating in shorts and a t-shirt in Singapore!

Snow dogs
Toby (my dog), Abby & Barney. My parents are taking care of Toby while I'm traveling. I miss him, but I know he's having a great time.

Back in Singapore...
View from Kevin's office at Microsoft on the 24th floor.

Entering Chinatown from the subway
Singapore has the most amazing Chinatown I've ever seen! The neighborhood was buzzing as the Chinese New Year approaches.

Hindu temple in Little India
Singapore is multi-cultural, and has 4 official languages: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil (Indian dialect).

Shop windows in Little India
Every effort is made by the government to make sure all the different religous sects get along - Hindus, Budhists, Islams and Christians all live peacefully together in this tiny land of 5 million people.

Growing, thriving city
Singapore is the 5th wealthiest country in the world in terms of GDP per capita. It's also the "city of fines" - $500 fine for littering, $500 fine for not flushing a public toilet (who gets to enforce that one?), public caning for graffiti and execution for possession of drugs.

Wild monkey on the sidewalk
Lena and Kevin live near a park, and often see monkeys hanging out next to the streets.

Christmas dinner with the Sauer Family
Lena is a great cook, and it was really nice to have an American Christmas Eve dinner.

Laura and the Sauer kids
Ethan (9), Davis (7) and Lydia (5)

Comments

[Lara Stone]

PLEASE SAY HI TO LENA FOR ME!!!!!
I hope all is well! We've had feet of snow, lots of skiing, great fun. It's so fun to see Lena and her family! Please send her my best. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[karin]

Merry Christmas!
Glad to hear you've been enjoying warm weather - nothing like a hot, sunny, humid Christmas! Thanks for all the effort with the web posts - I love seeing the updates!

[Julie Polt]

Great Photos
Merry Christmas! What wonderful photos and great times! You must be having a blast. Keep sending photos....I love looking at your experiences! Have a wonderful New Year and take care!

[Toni]

Christmas
Laura, you missed a VERY white Christmas in Seattle! Looks like you are having a great time on your travels. Your pictures are great!

[freddy sierra]

dogs
i think that these are thebest show dogs ever