Here and There Blog

Sun getting low, evening clouds moving in. Tourists disappearing. A good time to be at the beach!

 A day like this makes exercise easy! No crowds, warm sun, great views!

Located in San Marcos, CA, The Lost Abbey tasting room offers multiple beer choices on tap for $4-$5 for a pint or $1 tasters. There are no seats so find a barrel and guard it closely as there are no tables either. What they do have is plenty of space and a variety that will find something for everyone. Featuring taps from both Lost Abbey and Port Brewing, you can also purchase hard to find bottles (22 oz), or fill up a growler to take home with you for later enjoyment. Cheers! Karen, Lisa, Keith, Becky, & Gretchen!

Back to the battle with wildlife, both plant and animal varieties. The weeds tried to take over which I don't get since no rain, no water should = dead plants.  I guess no one told the weeds that they need water to grow. The squirrels have nibbled the red plants, where there were two, only one still stands. A damaged warrior at that. Life after months of travel is hectic! Smog this car, then get the notice that the other car needs a smog! Dental appt. finally met, kill spiders, eliminate dust, and now the TiVo is whirring like the hard drive is about to detach and spin off into space. If this keeps up I may have to leave again to recover from home!

Harry's Bar @Dempsey's.  Thursday night, with friends after a good day at work! Tried the beer, it was the usual lager, but worked for a warm night!  Bonus for a local beer!

I like shrimp. I like noodles. Adventure eating in Singapore included Hokkien Hae Mee with Prawns, a stir fried shrimp noodle dish with various seafood. I'm not sure what all went into this dish, and I'm sure I'm happiest not knowing but it was a tasty meal after a long day at work!

Oh Sentosa! The transformation from muddy mosquito area to a true attraction is amazing! Many years ago, when I first came to Singapore, everyone said "go to Sentosa". So I did and it was a place where the best thing was the ride on the sky train to leave. Today, the island has been transformed into Universal Studios, casino action, hotel mecca, and a place to spend time and money. Where else can you find fun art?  A candy store with everything and a way to get you in!  And Adam & Eve, reinterpreted Complete with an apple!

A river runs inside the Marina Bay Sands mall and the turnaround area contains a splash zone. As the sanpan goes by the occupants are waiting for the fall from above. Right as they go around, the 5:00 pm water fills up and is released below.  Almost like Shamu without getting wet. Water falls every 2 - 3 hours. We were lucky on our timing.

The Marina Bay Sands complex is part of a large "Integrated Resort" theme that revolves around the Sands Casino, of Sands Las Vegas fame. I find that funny given that the Las Vegas Sands didn't survive as a mega-destination but the reinvention in Singapore has upped the ante for building design. Behind me is a museum and the marina. Below, the walkway to the resort which consists of a convention center area, hotesl and the upper part has an infinity pool. Very expensive but probably incredibly cool to go swimming here. I didn't go into the casino (looked the same as every other casino) but I'm sure if you like to gamble, then it would be fun. This dessert has no relation to the resort or changing face of the nation but sometimes, even though you know you won't like something, you have to try it. I'm not a fan of gummy, jelly desserts but the rainbow drew me in.

I find it amazing that Jakarta can go from peaceful batik to 1000% chaos on the streets. I'm back in the hotel room and even above the streets, all I can hear are non-stop sirens, horns, and police mega-phones. It can take 30 minutes to transit around the traffic circle, longer if you don't have 3 people in the car.

Day 1 Jakarta - off to the office to set up the classroom. Well, here's the office, all nice and blue and tightly locked up. We hung out for a bit and waited for the guy to unlock the door. Turns out there are 3 security doors and it's an art to get in the building.  First meal - salmon. I must be thinking of Brad since that's his official first meal in each new country.

Anyone who really knows me, understands that I can't cope with bugs especially if those bugs look anything remotely like a cockroach. So those people will all completely get my 2 hour obsession with seeing a bug in my suitcase, the trauma of dumping out all the contents and doing a search, repacking everything in ziplock bags and then jumping on the luggage to try and squash the bug or get it to run out. The bug was moved in and secure in one of the many cracks and seams. I went inside the airport but nothing was open. So I repacked as little as possible into that bag, moved everything else to the bug-free bag and thought about how I was going to have to unpack in the bathtub of the next hotel. Luckily when I went to T2 to check-in a luggage store was open and waiting. I know I had an obsessed look because all three people were staring at me opening suitcases and checking seams to make sure I could find something that would be semi bug proof or at least easy to spot bugs. I found ...

Oh Asia, it's green, it's hot. I spent the night at the Crowne Plaza Singapore airport hotel. See the view from the room, all tropical with an airplane hiding behind the foliage.  See my suitcase on the floor empty. There's a bug in it that I can't get out. Now I'm going to have to buy a new suitcase and repack everything. Can't take any chances!  Darn airport stores don't open till 10:00 am! Everything has been transferred into zip-lock plastic bags for immediate inspection and new suitcase upon arrival in Jakarta later today.

Home long enough to grab a beer with friends! Cheers!