Sentosa
Friday May 31, 2013
Obelix (of Asterix and Obelix fame) has a penchant for visiting foreign countries and exclaiming that the locals are crazy. Well, here I am in Singapore and yes, these Singaporeans are crazy. They work too hard. They rush everywhere. It's a high stress environment and it's not healthy. They have signs on the bus and trains explaining the correct way to board and alight (give way to people alighting!) because there's always such a mad rush to get on.
I met up with Ted and Amber last night for dinner at the Ion Food Court on Orchard Road. Still wasn't feeling 100% due to the food poisoning, but I tried to eat as much as I could stomach. It helped that it was close to 9pm as Ted had only finished work about 30 minutes prior. It's silly. He works 12 hour days for pittance. Dinner was great, and I enjoyed the mango salad the most. There was plenty to catch up on and it was interesting, yet a bit sad, to hear how they were finding Singaporean life. We left the food court close to 10.30pm and went for dessert at Somerset, before saying our goodbyes. It was close to midnight when I got home and was shocked to hear my cousin was in his bedroom on a conference call to his work.
These Singaporeans are crazy.
Today we spent at Sentosa Island, visiting the Merlion, exploring the SEA Aquarium, riding the luge (the Rotorua one is way better!) and watching the water and lights show. It has been an exhausting day. We got caught out by the thunderstorm a few times but overall the day was filled with fun. The SEA Aquarium boasts the world's largest oceanarium, and it was certainly impressive to witness thousands of fish coexisting in this gigantic tank. Though much of the aquatic life was similar to what Chicago's Shedd Aquarium has, there was plenty more to distinguish the SEA Aquarium from the aquariums I did visit in the US.
Tiiiired.
Posted by Jeremy at 3:19pm on Friday May 31, 2013 :: 0 comments :: 
Singapore
Thursday May 30, 2013
Just arrived in Singapore and the weather is predictably hot and muggy at 30 degrees, with thunderstorms on the forecast. I'm feeling much better than yesterday but still not 100% unfortunately. It was pretty grim.
Looking forward to hitting Orchard Road later today and hoping to meet up with the ever elusive Ted, who never even told me he had left New Zealand to go overseas!
Posted by Jeremy at 5:20am on Thursday May 30, 2013 :: 0 comments ::
Blerg
Wednesday May 29, 2013
Yesterday: went swimming. Got out. Lazed about on the deck chair. Fell asleep. Majorly sunburnt. Went snorkelling. Saw heaps of fish and corals. Had a great time. Had to tow my cousin to the boat because she was being swept out by the current. Went to bed at 6pm with no dinner. Was suffering from exhaustion.
Today: woke up with food poisoning. Having a bad time. Tired and lethargic. No appetite. Saw the doctor. Pumped up on drugs. Feeling better. Went for reflexology. Sore.
Tomorrow: leaving for Singapore. Back to civilisation.
Posted by Jeremy at 8:36am on Wednesday May 29, 2013 :: 0 comments ::
Stars and Lights
Monday May 27, 2013
I had yet another buffet dinner today, but thankfully I didn't feel too obliged to stuff my mouth silly on this one since it's part of the Tioman vacation package. I am however, pretty full, but at least I didn't over eat.
It's nighttime now and being in the middle of the South China Sea, light pollution is low and I was interested in what the constellations would be like here. On one side of the sky I can clearly see the Southern Cross and its pointers, and it reminds me of home. On the opposite side of the sky sits Ursa Major, the "Big Dipper", but unfortunately Malaysia is still too far south to spot Polaris, the North Star. The night sky here is interesting because the constellations are different, but it's definitely not as clear as what you'd get in Wellington. I can't see the Milky Way at all and the chances of seeing shooting stars is slim.
There's something else on the horizon that's catching my eye, though. There's a tropical storm all the way west, over the mainland. I can see the thick thunderclouds illuminated against the pitch black night sky from continual lightning strikes - we're looking at close to three or four strikes per second. The brilliant flashes of electricity pierce the darkness and reflect off the water, yet unfortunately my iPhone camera isn't good enough to capture any of the action.
Stunning.
Posted by Jeremy at 2:04pm on Monday May 27, 2013 :: 0 comments ::
Pulau Tioman
Monday May 27, 2013
I slept three hours last night. I would like to blame the delicious Japanese buffet from Midori at the Marriott Putrajaya. I've been there three times in total (that's twice on previous trips back to Malaysia) and have always overeaten to the point where it's hard to breathe and move.
Anyway, we took a plane from Subang to Pulau Tioman and arrived just before noon. The island has some fantastic beaches and the water is invitingly warm. Temperatures are still hanging around the mid thirties. We're overlooking the west side of the island so tonight when it starts to cool down, we'll watch the sunset and have an explore. I've got a snorkelling excursion planned for one of these days too!
I am not missing the weather in New Zealand right now.
Posted by Jeremy at 8:44am on Monday May 27, 2013 :: 0 comments ::