Blogs from Singapore, Asia - page 361

I'm at Changi airport writing this. Leaving Singapore I thought it was a good time to go back and mention a few of the cool, funny and last things I've noticed and not written about yet. First of all, Dengue Fever There are big posters everywhere. Like at bus stops and inside train stations. They say "Stop it now Before it kills." "Get rid of stagnant water around your home or workplace." Buses I usually find catching buses in foreign places the most scary thing. I don't know why. Catching buses in Singapore isn't very scary. You can check the cost exactly, before you get in, on the poster at the bus stop. Plus you can find exactly where you want to go, including what the bus stops in front of or opposite. And the stops ... read more

I had a lovely time at the Botanic Gardens today. It is a large and very beautiful area, with a large variety though at least half the people DO come for the orchids. ORCHIDS The orchids ARE beautiful, ... and hopefully you can get some of an idea from the photos I've included here. The orchid - the Vanda, to be precise - is the national flower of Singapore. A hybrid of the Vanda hookeriana and Vanda teres. Some of the famous orchids can be found in the VIP Orchid Garden, where hybrid orchids, made here in Singapore, were given names of famous people, occassionally to commemorate particular events, in the hope of promoting International friendship between Singapore and the countries of the famous politicians and royalty chosen. These orchids include: * The Masako Kotaishi Hidenka ... read more

I've seen two movies while I've been away so far: Land of the Dead and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Land of the Dead was great. It had some great actors in it, including an Aussie even, and had a good story and everything. It WAS really scary, as in, it made me jump heaps of times, cause those things always just come out of nowhere right behind people. I wasn't sitting with anyone, which wasn't a great idea. But the subtitles help you to stay sane, thinking "It's just a movie." A good continuation of the others, Night of the Living Dead, Day of the Dead and whatever they are all called. A good A Grade horror movie, I still prefer B Grade movies, if they are the horror genre. Now, about Charlie and the ... read more

I love parties! I love it that I can use it as one of my many justifications to break my diet, binging on wine, vodka, cheese, greasy onion rings and sugar-loaded pastries, without ever thinking about calories. (Because I tend to put weight easily) I also love hosting parties - organizing it, putting out invites, cooking and just chatting with guests. This may be because I grew up in a family who are sooooo into parties. In Tondo, Manila during the fiesta in honor of the Santo Nino (the Infant Jesus) - which is held mid-January, my parents, my aunts and uncles, my cousins and household help will all pitch in to prepare food for more than 50 guests who come in and out of my lola's house. Some of my titas and household help ... read more

I'm leaving for Chiang Mai on Tuesday to join a backpackers group for a three week sojourn in Laos. To my friends and colleagues who are reading this blog: I may not be able to update this blog in the next few weeks. But I'll sure post new stories and pics once I'm in Bangkok (late-Aug). ... read more