Singapore Dear Glcarter,
You write very well! The Esplanade is like two hedgehogs taking a nap. We locals call the two bubbles 'the durians', with their prickly round roofs.
Skp
End of Jouney Hi,
Does not seem possible that you're on the final "leg" of 33,000 miles!! Don't forget to drop your Xmas letter to Santa as you travel over the North Pole. Be sure to call me on Cell phone from ORD. We will be at "Taste of Lexus" in Arlington Park this p.m. Love DAD
Keep It Clean Kevin and Judy, as the author said; this is a family blog. Guess Judy actually has missed the old man.
Another great descriptive entry for the journal. Can't match a little US hospitality when traveling. I will take you up on the details of the Bankok visit. Ruffcorns are calling the states tomorrow so we can get some of the scoop then. We are planning our Christmas ski vacation. The Weaver boys are already talking about it. If we can make it injury free we will consider it a success.
Gary, looking forward to seeing you this weekend even if it is for a short visit while you get reacclimated. Our friends are coming in town this next week so you and Judy have to make plans to join us for one of Josette's feasts.
Looking forward to reading about Oz.
Take care.
Good thing it is late here! I read the blog from Singapore and actually laughed out loud thinking of you on the skylift. Now, I cannot stop chuckling, kind of the Saturday Nights All Right for Fighting laugh! Then to think of you singing I will survive, I lost it! Hence the reason I am glad it is late -- my family might have had me committed! I know you are in Sdydney now and hope you are enjoying yourself. South Haven was fabulous! Weather in mid-70's and clear/sunny skies! Talk to you over the weekend upon your return to the states!
Carter Bangkok Travels All I can say in response to Pearce’s query about whether Gary and I had any late night adventures in Bangkok is, “You don’t travel half-way around the world and then eat at McDonalds every night”. It’ll be interesting to see how Gary describes the sights, sounds, and smells of Bangkok.
Howdy! Well it happened! Sox officially won the division today! UGH! Sure isn't the same though, this town went crazy two years ago and today I asked a couple Sox fans and they were like "oh did they"??? That is a Sox fan though. Still weren't selling out even in the end! Going to South Haven for our get away weekend tomorrow! Cannot wait! Dad and Marguerite will be at my house with the kids! Hope Sydney is treating you well!
Guess Who Just Clinched The Central? Had to leave you a quick comment to let you know the Sox clinched the Central today (finally....). You should be happy to hear that the Astros are likely to get the wildcard, though not quite a Cubs October this year. I've got tickets for the third home game in the playoffs.... if that happens. Don't drink the water and avoid ice cubes.
Catching Up Been a while since I could get back on. As you know we were spared the worst. Rolling black outs now with 100 degree temps. No holiday.
Great reading on your travels to Bankok. Glad to see that the Ruffcorn's extended their typical welcoming hospitality. Can't wait to hear the details of the sights etc. in Bankok. Did you and Kevin have any late night adventures?
Have to throw one Illini jab. Nice game against MSU. I think they may have won the coin toss. Could be a long sporting season for IU and UNC.
I know you didn't want any Buddha jokes however they did come to mind viewing the pic. with Nick and Matt. Guess you have given up exercise and salads on your trip. We have some work to do when you return.
Travel Safe. We miss your smiling face. Need some good laughs with the BS at HA. You could not have picked a better time to leave.
Singapore Gary, Carl and I have enjoyed your trip through your comments. If you had said that Singapore reminded you of Miami, Minneapolis and SEATTLE, I might have to visit there. We just got back from Seattle and a short visit to the San Juans. Nothing to compare to your adventures, but it was beautiful. Have a great last week and a safe trip home. We will see you next month (that is if the Ilini and Bears are still pulling you back to Illinois)
Food and Lake Alatoona Garo: Spoke to Derf today. He was wondering if they have good Chinese food in Singapore. I'm not going to answer that!
Here's an odd thought (imagine that), do you remember when we tricked you into jumping into the bubbles in the lake near the damn and it was FREEZING?! That was a riot. Just wanted to make you laugh half way 'round the world!
SQ We flew SQ during the relocation to Bangkok and I agree with all your comments although I think the FAs are still called stewardesses on SQ. I swear they had memorized my name two minutes after boarding the plane. Shortly after boarding, I leaned over to Matt and said the flight attendants were pretty. Matt looked at me like I was a dumb-a## and said, “Dad, they’re hot”. Nothing like having a fifth-grader point out the obvious. Maybe the US airlines should bring back the restrictions might help them come out of bankruptcy.
Don't buy me a pair either Skip the Oakley's for me. I just bought a pair of prescription sunglasses about 3 years after losing my last pair. I think I lost them within 2 months, and I really was very diligent about caring for them. Nuts!
Keep up the good work. - Jon
St. Paul's Hi,
Enjoyed the updated blog. Need one clarification - St. Paul's was hit during WWII.
I was there in 1949 and part of the roof was still open, You're correct - St. Paul's Just being there and surviving meant so much to the Brits at that time (and to the Yanks who were stationed there).
Love DAD
Apology I know many of you look forward to Gary’s blog updates as much as I do. Therefore, I apologize as Lori and I have kept him extremely busy in Bangkok and this has prevented him from blogging as much as he would like. Hopefully he can submit updates on his 10-hour flight from Bangkok to Sydney.
Back to Normal Lest we get too excited about the improving fortunes of our favorite football teams, both the Illini and the Bears came thundering back to earth this past weekend. The Illini got spanked by Michigan State 61-14 on Saturday and the game wasn't as close as the score indicated. (Does FireRonZook.com still exist?) And the Bears didn't fare much better with a high school offense that produced 5 interceptions for the opposing Bengals and a feeble defense that gave up one big play after another. Very frustrating. Very typical. Hurry back so you can share my misery.
P.S. Glad to hear everyone is okay in the Woodlands post Hurricane Rita.
Buchner Gary,
In case you are getting homesick for the sport highlights Mike has watched football all day Saturday and today. Isn't good to know that some things never change! Good to hear everyone in Houston is okay and you are doing well.
Anti-climatic I actually slept through Rita. She proved to be a non-event (thank goodness). The highlight of the storm was watching a mother squirrel scamper down a tree to rescue her baby that fell from her nest. She rolled her "hamster size" youngster into a ball, placed her gingerly in her mouth, and ran back up the tree. Sigh. . .all was right again in the world. As for your travels, I've lost track of your whereabouts, but am thinking you've left Singapore by now. Will anxiously await stories and pictures from that part of your journey. Stay safe and enjoy!
Woodlands Hi,
Appears Rita has spared The Woodlands from the really bad stuff. Kudos to Judy and her outstanding ability to handle these situations. Knowing that Pearce, his wife and family were there for support and help made me feel so much better. I will now accept the fact that NC beat Illinois! I am sure the Bullock family must be equally as nice. Take care and get some rest in Bangkok! Love DAD
Smelly Smells I'd just like to add that it's interesting that Doris mentions Gary and "smelly smells" in the same message. Coincidence?! I think not...
Wish I could join you in a Pub or two - take care!
As I ponder what to do next in my life after finishing a nearly 20 year career in consulting, I'm going around the world to see good friends and new sights.... full info
Martha Jo Ruffcorn
non-member comment
Bangkok, Oriental
What a wonderful article. Can't wait to visit there myself.