Kata Beach Phuket, Thailand - Travel part 2

And Next.... ah the joys of living in Singapore!!

We were invited to stay the weekend at a house on Phuket, so we flew up on Friday afternoon, caught a taxi which took us 45 minutes to a gorgeous villa overlooking clear blue water. We had a wonderful time with our friends Adele, Scott, Ellen and Amelia. Went shopping in Patong where I learned the finer art of bargaining in Thailand from Adele, and bought some clothes for Lenny and a rather nice locally made handbag. Most of the shops were 'same same but different' as they say, or really different different but same - slightly varying grades of fake leather for the rip off label handbags amongst other things. A real highlight was riding on the elephants through a rough and steep bush track past local houses. It was so peaceful and we were taken up to a wonderful lookout over the ocean and the town. The elephants did their own thing, ripping a few plants out, stopping every now and then for a rest, stepping their way delicately through muddy paths. Lenny was thrilled to ride on his elephants head for the last part of the journey, and Amelia also was left to ride the elephant, with me on the back!
Finally we had lunch on Sunday at a restaurant right on and above the water, delicious food and lovely company.

here are a bunch of photos.

A bit of traveling part 1

Yilpi came to visit us in Singapore and we caught the bus up to Kuantan, in eastern Malaysia. The bus left Singapore at 10.30pm and arrived at 5am, and I was surprised at how comfortable it was. It was like our own touring bus, the one from the movie 'Almost Famous.' Individual TV screens with good movies, and cheap as chips. Here are a bunch of photos. We stayed at the Hyatt, right on the beach!

On the racetrack, post F1

Batman and I were wandering around Singapore trying to find City Hall when we came across the race track where the F1 was held just the other day. People were walking around, checking it out, and workmen were dismantling the seating so Singapore could get back to normal. It was fun to walk on the road where those strange beastie cars had driven.

Home from Sydney, out and about in Singapore

It's been about a month since the last blog, during which we went back to visit everyone in Sydney and Byron Bay. Had a great time at home - Singapore felt a very very long way away. But coming back was easy, and I was happy to return to our apartment, and our new friends.
Since we've been home, there have been lots of things happening here. it is Ramadan still, and the Muslim population is gearing up for Hari Raya which falls next Wednesday - a public holiday. the Indians are celebrating Deepavali, and Little India is lit up like a Christmas tree. The F1 race is here now, and main roads of central Singapore have been appropriated and fenced off.
I am making a concerted effort to find some kind of work, and I have visited a voice over studio, and i have a meeting with someone from National Arts Council tomorrow.
Michael has been in India again, and is home all this week before returning to Mumbai. The financial chaos has caused much havoc and depression and Michael is writing a blog about it all. Will let you know when it is up.
Latest outings and experiences:

1. Little India - Sunday 21 September

We went with Bridgette and Mark and 4 kids, met at a restaurant and ate dinner. Beautiful lights everywhere, and zillions of people, especially Indian men who are working in Singapore on contracts. They converge on Little India on Sundays when they have a day off. The air was filled with the bubbling sounds of their language - soft and lilting. We went to a night market and checked out the cheap Indian clothing.

2. Geylang Serai during RamadanOnce again it was Lenny and me with the adventurous Bridgette and Mark family. We drove to Geylang Serai, a suburb of Singapore on the eastern side, and this particular area is Muslim. During Ramadan, big marquees seem to be set up, and lots of shops selling carpets, flowers, food, clothing, cheap toys, and more. We arrived at 7pm, which is break fast time, and it was really quiet as everyone ate for the first time since 5.30am. We ate at a hawker stall, chicken and spicy rice from enormous pots. Delicious. We walked through bazaars, hampered by sleepy kids but good fun anyway.I want to go back before Wednesday.

3. Janet goes to the theatre.

I went to SRT theatre to see a local play called Boom. I really enjoyed it, it was fast and funny and very local, so interesting for me. The acting was great. A few to many "I had a dream..." speeches, but mainly very entertaining.I love the Singapore sense of humour, it is earthy and self deprecatory, I guess a lot like Australian humour. I want to go to a lot more theatre here, especially local theatre.

Bye for now!!!

Day 3 - Friday

Right, well today was fruit and vegetables and as much soup as you want. We started with our soup and some fruit, and I drank my vinegar and water which is also supposed to be very good for you. Also had lemon and ginger tea. Michael has been suffering from sore shoulders and has been in a lot of pain, and I dont know whether the diet is helping or hindering. Anyway, he went to a chinese doctor today who did acupuncture and massage, and he felt a lot better.
I spent the morning at the office with Lee Hwa, Michael's assistant, working on getting my singpass, and completing our permanent residency applications, and starting work on the Song Dynasty Music business set up. Drank black coffee, and water.
Went home to pick up Lenny from his Science centre excursion, and ate more soup and some veges. Went to Mariko's and Lenny stayed there while I went to the gym and flogged myself, amping up the speed and the incline on the walking machine.
Ate soup and green veges for dinner.
Derek arrived with groceries, and..... a DURIAN! Suddenly the whole house was filled with the pungent cloying smell of durian.

He showed me how to open it. it really is an amazing looking fruit, snuggled inside it's tough spiky shell. But boy, does it smell!!

I tried some, it has a texture of custard, or avocado, and is a very complex taste - and definitely an acquired taste. Durians are not cheap, and are adored by Singaporeans, Malaysians and Chinese. People go into the jungles to find fresh durian!

More photos of Pulau Ubin

Michael and Lenny jam