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Published: June 10th 2011
Singapore = A Fine City
Death penalty warning for drug trafficking on the immigration card we had to fill out on the airplaneI've never blogged before, so bear with me.
Since a few days have already passed, I'll just give a few highlights from my perspective.
Our two week vacay in Singapore started with a day long plane ride. Anyone who knows the relationship Josh has with airplanes recognizes that it felt MUCH longer than 24 hours in the airplane. The first leg to Moscow was the worst. I held Josh's sweaty hand for quite some time as he held back tears. We had discussions of finding "inner peace" and determined that the fear he harbors revolves around turbulence. I felt a little silly at times during those discussions, but I tried my best to be supportive and patient. That's love. The second leg went much better. I think he tired himself out quite a bit and managed to close his eyes and sleep a little. I think the way home will be no problem--he got some low dosage sleeping pills from Katie (thankfully!). As for me, I watched movies, played Tetrus, read, and slept.
The first day (Monday) was mostly an adjustment day. We walked around Orchard Road and SunTec (a giant mall). We had amazing Thai food (green
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on the Singapore Flyer curry is my new favorite). We quickly realized that Singapore is even more materialistic than the US. They are all about brand names (the very expensive ones). Everyone walking about on the street is very high fashion, making us look like major slobs. It's so amazing how modern all the buildings and transportation are here. It feels very Western as well.... For example, there is a Seven Eleven on every corner. We've also seen an Applebee's, Outback, Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Starbucks, etc. etc. etc.
Not only is Singapore very modern and technologically advanced, it is extremely clean.
For example: There is no eating or drinking allowed in the metro (MRT) station or on the metro. We didn't realize how strict this law was until Josh almost got his first fine of $500 Sing dollars. We had just bought pastries for breakfast before entering the MRT station. Josh had his out in his hand rather than in his pocket or in a book bag. As soon as he swiped his card to get into the station and walked through, a security woman stopped him and told him to go to the booth where he then had to talk with
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Singapore a man. Luckily, the man was very nice and simply explained you can't have ANY food or drink (not even water) out. The sign behind him said the fine would be 500 big ones. Thank goodness he was a nice man and just explained the law rather than giving us the penalty. I really think we were lucky on that one.
Other random Singapore tidbits: Chewing gum is illegal. You can't buy it here. If you throw trash on the ground and an undercover cop sees you, he will fine you. You can't jaywalk unless you want a fine. You get the death penalty for drug trafficking.
The next day, we toured around with my Mom, Christian, Katie, Allie, and Aloysius GuGu (spelling?). We got a great view of the city on the Singapore Flyer and took a Hippo Bus Tour. We took some pictures at the Marina Bay where you can see the latest hotel that just opened up in the last year. It is the one that has the ship at the top with the infinite edge pool. There is a casino at the bottom. I might try to convince Josh to splurge so we can
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Allie, Christian, and Josh on the cable car going to Sentosa stay there one night. For dinner we had amazing satay with peanut sauce. YUM.
We've also been to Sentosa island and Chinatown. We rode the cable car across to Sentosa and went to the aquarium. We layed out on the beach and enjoyed the water. Unfortunately, I couldn't get Josh to go past knee deep (despite the fact that there was a blocked-off swimming area that was protected by a net to keep out the sharks and jellyfish. We raced down a track on luges (Josh won) and visited the southernmost point on intercontinental Asia. For dinner we met up with my family for chili crab (delicious!).
I bought a bunch of goodies in Chinatown. Josh was so sweet and carried around my bags while I shopped. He managed to buy one thing for his mom (Mrs. Atkins, I think you're going to love it!). Josh is also collecting random souvenirs for his family members along the way. I don't want to spoil what they are, but they make me laugh every time.
We've spent a lot of time touring around with my brother (Christian) and his wife (Katie) and Katie's sister (Allie). I am happy to
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Allie, Katie, me, and Aloysius GuGu touching the fish and sting rays at the aquarium at Sentosa see that my brother and Josh are getting along very well.... sometimes too well, with all their side laughter and suspicious looks. My uncle, Aloysius GuGu, has been very generous to us and showing us around town. He is here visiting from Australia and will go back after my Opa's birthday party tonight. It's so nice being around family who I haven't seen in almost ten years.
Today Josh and I are taking it easy. Walking around ALL DAY the past few days has tired us out. So, today we are doing laundry and hanging by the pool. We might sit on Silvia EE's rooftop terrace and read as well. Tonight is my Opa's 80th bday bash, which should be full of food and fun. My Opa is quite a character.
Thanks for tuning in and making it to the bottom of my long post. Hopefully it wasn't too boring!
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Jody
non-member comment
Hey guys, Sounds like an awesome vacation. Karin- I completely sympathize with you. I was the one that had to hold Josh's sweaty hand all the way across the Atlantic last year. Also, you should probably just go ahead and take over the blogging duties. Josh tries, but the poor guy just isn't much of a writer