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Published: February 4th 2009
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Singapore Sunflower Garden
Located at terminal 2. Terminal 1 is where the swimming pool is. Hello!
Yesterday at this time, I was just arriving. From the time I left home until I got to my hotel room, 36 hours passed. By a stroke of intuition, I asked about an exit row seat from Hong Kong to Singapore. They sounded apologetic when they let me know there was only a middle seat left? As I was attempting to tell them I would stay where I was, they asked if I wanted my own row? My own row! Of course! So, I got caught up on some sleep on that segment.
San Francisco to Hong Kong was just under 15 hours. I watched several movies and parts of two others. I got to see the "Hollywood Chihuahua" movie and the new "Max Payne" movie with Mark Walberg. I tired of the noise from the headset so was ready for sleep on the next flight.
I couldn't find the counter for Singapore airlines so was helped by a man in San Francisco. He personally took me to the counter. His first question was "you are traveling alone"? I explained to him that I was by myself but never alone and he was the first new friend I
Massage room
Just pretend you can hear the gentle water wall behind during the relaxing massage. would make. Interesting background as he was born on Fiji, his name sounds like "Fazel" and is Arabic, he is a muslim an dlives in San Francisco. He was curious when I told him I'd have many new friends in the next couple days.
Waiting in line in Hong Kong after getting off to stretch my legs, I met a Doctor from India and his wife. They have been in the US for 2 months visiting a daughte rin San Jose. While they loved visiting their daughter, it was a hectic world for them to be part of. Much noiser and busier than life in Southern India.
In Singapore, I was looking at the flight schedule for my flight to Bali and couldn't find it. I turned to my right and saw the lady standing there with the Guatemalan bag I had seen in San Francisco. She (Sonny)was headed to Bali as well and is from Glenwood Springs (and works with GarCo at times Phyllis!!!).
She asked me if I knew about Singapore Airport. There is a swimming pool on the roof, an orchid garden with huge Coi fish, a relaxation lounge and we found chairs with free music to listen to, another area with free music video's and there were free internet terminals throught the airport. Trust me, if you were to have a layover somewhere during one of your trips, I recommend it be Singapore!
We found the right terminal via the tram and sat outside at the "Sunflower Garden" chatting between flights. She's just completed a Masters in Spiritual Psychology which she incorporates into her work. Very nice connection, wonderful lady and perhaps we will link up at some point later on. She's in Bali for the month as well but meeting a daughter and friends in a different part for now.
Last night, I slept over 12 hours. Let me HIGHLY recommend that as it helps jetlag immensely. I've had a very relaxing day. The taxi stopped on a main road last night and pointed me down a dark alley toward my hotel. The alley was flooded. Had I not walked those alley's before, I would have been concerned. The sign for my hotel was visible just 40 yards or so down the way.
Very nice hotel for low budget. The "shower" actually didn't materialize but the bath tub did. They moved me to an airconditioned room for some reason and the noise from that helped me sleep last night. Because of all the rain, the courtyard is flooded (a foot or more). Thus, there was no breakfast this morning.
I woke barely in time to walk to my massage and was quickly reminded to take directions with a grain of salt here. "Only 30 minutes" to Jari Menari. An hour later, I was approaching. I was two minutes early. The 90 minute massage was outstanding and relaxed everything that was tight.
Another set of directions got me lost and into another hour walk before I suddenly found myself back on the street I had started on but several kilometers closer to my hotel and by an organic restaurant/grocery. They recommended something unique for me which was wonderful. I thought of you Jim (hopefully you were able to get to this technology without hurting yourself) when they recommended the Bali Coffee. Similar to Greek, perhaps stronger but definitely smoother, less acidic. You'd enjoy it as well Ken.
Once I waded back to my room, I put on shoes. My feet aren't ready for all this walking with my sandles yet! Then, I strolled the main area of Kuta where tourism here started. I found a famous restaurant that has been here for 28 years and had another vegetarian meal that is typical of Indonesia. Yum! On the way back, I toured through the streets of Kuta. Can't imagine it when it's really packed. It's crazy enough now.
I found a fresh Gellato place and ate while reading momument to the victims of the bombing here. Touching spot!
Do you have any idea who the elected officials of Bali are? Who's in charge of this country? Probably not. However, everyone here seems to know about us. At least half-a-dozen times today someone has asked where I was from, they responded with "America. Oh! Ooooobama!" Everywhere I 've been, that has been a response. Do you think simply having Obama has shifted the image of the US in the eyes of the world. Certainly feels like it has here.
The final man who said that to me was at a travel agency. I had stopped at one earlier and asked about flights to Yogyakarta. The man stared into the air and pulled a number out which was double what I found on the internet from home. This man apologized and told me he couldn't give me a price because the airlines were closed and he would have to call them in the morning. I told him I'd come back in the morning and he assured me he would have information for me. He had trouble pronouncing Larry but did a galant job. His name, I NEVER thought I'd actually meed YODA but I DID! Tonight! At a travel agency in KUTA! I'm hoping he'll enlighten me about what it takes to be a Jedi.
His real name is Yuda but he wanted something that would be easy to pronounce and remember so he adapted it. I'll keep you posted on the Jedi training!
Ciao...Larry
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Phyllis
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As I watched your flight status for 2 days and saw that you finally arrived I wondered just how many new friends you would make along the way....my questions have been answered. Sounds like you are enjoying paradise. I look forward to the news of your next adventure in Bali. You're not the only one enjoying the warmth of the sun, it was 70 here yesterday or whatever day it is where you are! Beware of the Jedi's!!!! Phyllis