Jeepneys and Jollibee - My trip to Manila

Earlier this week, I took my first business trip outside of Singapore and therefore outside of "Asia lite" and into "real Asia" - Manila, in the Philippines.   I didn't really know what to expect in the Philippines, and was both pleasantly surprised as well as disturbed by the experience. 

The country has far more poverty than Singapore and far greater pronounced poverty than the US.  It's obvious that there is a huge gap between the wealthy and the rest of the country who have very little.  However, based on where I was staying during the week, the drive from the airport via taxi was my first, and only, real glimpse of just how much there is. 

We landed around 9:30pm on Tuesday, and for the first 15 minutes of the drive, I was shocked to see how many children were out playing in the dark, congested streets of Manila - most, in the their bare feet.  Adults were either standing on street corners, approaching taxis departing the airport begging for money, or picking through hundreds of bags of garbage for food or anything of value.  It was a very different experience than anything you'd ever see in Singapore or almost anywhere in the US....aside from maybe Detroit...(too soon??)

A few minutes later, however, the scene changed dramatically as we approached Makati, one of the business districts of Manila.  The Ayala family, Philippines billionaires, own a vast majority of real estate in the area and apparently have gone to great lengths to protect their property against crime and terrorism - in particular after a 2007 bombing in one of the more popular malls in the city.  The photo to the right is an example of what you see outside almost every major hotel or office building - armed guards who check just about every bag that comes in and out of the doors of the building.  Most buildings also have a dog sitting outside, I assume providing extra warning against explosives.

The interesting part is that these same guards were exceedingly polite, often saluting businessmen, and even took their finger of the trigger of their shotgun or assault rifle for long enough to offer directions to the Starbucks and Krispy-Kreme, both just down the street.   And of course, though you needed no help finding one, the guards would gladly point you to the Philippines version of McDonalds.....a staples for locals......Jollibee!  Now, I truly had some amazing food in the Philippines, thanks to my SAP hosts - so I didn't complain when we headed to Jollibee one afternoon for lunch.  Let's just say I'm not sure whether people in the Philippines are "smaller" because of the miniature serving sizes or because the options just aren't very appetizing to begin with......(Tuna Pie???)

Another local icon of the Philippines is the Jeepney!  This common form of public transportation can be found all over Manila, and most of the Philippines I'm told.  They originated from left over US military Jeeps, but have obviously gone through some major transformation to become what they are today.  Unfortunately, I was told they are a dying breed because they consume about the same amount of fuel as a modern bus, but carry 1/4 of the passengers.  They really add some unique character to the busy streets of Manila and if they are going away, I'm glad I got to see...and dodge......a few of them while I was in the city.

To conclude this week's update about the Philippines, however, I would be remiss if I didn't share the experience of my final night in Manila.  Following a very succesful customer event and press meeting, I took five local SAP marketing team members to dinner in the area known as Greenbelt.  This is the touristy, business district area of Makati, but was recommended by a few local people for good restaurants.  Dinner was good, but the visit to the Hard Rock Cafe in Manila was the real experience.   Apparently, Filipinos really enjoy live music....and San Miguel beer......and margaritas.  This photo is evidence of how both interacted with me at the Hard Rock Cafe, where we saw the "Mocha Girls" perform live.  (yes - that's a Mocha Girl, and I'm wearing a Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt that was purchased for and given to me just seconds before this photo was taken).   

Needless to say, it was a very enjoyable final night in the Philippines with co-workers, but I was very pleased to touch down in Singapore the following day.  I'm even more excited, as a write this, that I have only 3 days until I board a plane to head to the US to see you all and prepare to bring Jennifer and kids along with me back to Singapore!

Taking a Gamble

In a country as structured and safe as Singapore, it may come as a surprise that there are opportunities here to take a "risk".  No, I'm not talking about going out for the day without an umbrella or ordering food at the hawker center without knowing what kind of "meat" it is - though these do represent some serious potential risks.  No, I'm talking about good old-fashioned gambling and I decided to write about this tonight because I spent the weekend "gambling" in two different ways.

Saturday - I made the trip from Singapore to Johor Bahru, Malaysia, with a few co-workers and new friends.  I mention this as a "gamble" only because most Singaporeans insist you're gambling with your life if you go to Johor Bahru.  I found it no more threatening than a night out in Philadelphia.  (well, you judge how much of a gamble that is)  I was, as far as I could tell, the only Caucasian within 20 or 30 miles of where we had dinner, but it really didn't bother me.

Dinner was casual, a lot of fun, and included Beef and Chicken Satay, Salted Egg Crab, Steamed Whole Catfish, and my new favorite, Pork Knuckle.    The restaurant was what they call a "coffee shop", which is very common in Malaysia.  It was open air and full of locals - most eating as families around small, flimsy wooden tables, drinking ice-cold sour plum and lime drinks, periodically laughing at the Chinese comedy / drama that was playing on the TV on the wall.

 

It was about a 90 minute drive, dodging motorbikes, to get to Malaysia, through customs, and to the restaurant, but it was a unique experience and well worth the trip.  I have several hundred Malaysian ringett, a few more stamps in my passport, and a new appreciation for just how spicy the chili crabs are here in Asian.

Sunday - I decided I would try some more traditional gambling.  From what I've discovered so far, there are three "legal" forms of gambling in Singapore.  To date, I've tried only one.....but my time here has just begun! 

The Casinos:

There are only two casinos in the country (Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa), but they are large and pretty amazing. The Marina Bay Sands is slightly smaller than the MGM - which is the largest casino floor in Las Vegas - the MBS is fairly large. 

What I find most interesting is the country's policy on Singaporeans gambling in the casinos.  It turns out that citizens must pay $100 to enter the casino, or an annual fee of $2,000 for unlimited entry for one year.  For foreigners, just show your passport and they are more than happy to take your money from you the old fashioned way at the table vs. the casino door.

Singapore Pools:

I was surprised that sports betting was such a big deal in Singapore.  Sure, they love football (soccer), but there

really isn't a ton of professional sports played in Singapore.  The "Singapore Pool" is the equivalent of a sports book in the US.  You can place wagers on motor sports, football, etc. at any one of the more than 300 "Singapore Pools" scattered all over the island. 

Of course, for me, I was very happy to see that my bovada.lv account still works here in Singapore, so I've been able to bet on my new favorite "local" sport - the Australian Football League - from the comfort of home.  (I would have noted the online account as a 4th "legal" form of gambling, but I'm not sure if it's even legal in the US, let alone here).  I've adopted the Carlton Blues as "my team" while here in Singapore - so feel free to follow along from home via yahoo sports, etc. 

Singapore Turf Club

I've been looking forward to a day at the track all week - and I was very pleased that the weather was cooperating.  In fact, I didn't even take an umbrella on this trip (ok, I actually forgot it), but I didn't need it.

The Singapore Turf Club is about 20 minutes from where we live, conveniently located at the exit of one of the MRT stations.  I paid $8 for admission into the air conditioned club, which was much more crowded than I expected.  That said, it was easy to find a beer and seat to watch the races.  After a few minutes, I got the nerve to figure out the betting system and place a few bets.  It's a little different, but you can essentially place all the same Win, Place, Show, Exacta, Trifecta, etc. bets...they're just called different things and you have to fill out a little form to show what you want to bet before going to the bet window.  (kind of like completing the SAT's with a your number 2 pencil and staying in the "bubbles" to ensure the right bet is placed)

What made it especially interesting were two things. 

1. The race call was broadcast in English in one half of the club, while the other half was in Mandarin - so you had to choose your seat carefully.  Truth is, I'm kind of superstitious when I bet on the horses (go to the same bet window every time if I'm winning, for example) - so after winning my first two bets sitting in the Mandarin section, and losing the next bet while sitting in the English section - I quickly moved back and listened to the Mandarin race call......unfortunately, my luck didn't change with the move.
2. The fans were crazy!  Aside from cheering on a Triple Crown hopeful at Belmont, I've never heard more enthusiastic fans at a race.  Every few minutes there would be a roar of screaming and arm waving as people watched simulcast races from Malaysia - followed by even more screaming when the live races went off in Singapore.  It really made for an exciting day at the races.

Thanks to a couple exacta winners, I did win enough to cover all my bets, the cost of a couple beers (a great deal at $4 each), and my entry fee - all in all, a pretty successful day at the track.

That's about it for this week.  I head to the Philippines on Tuesday for a few days of work - so I'll send another update with my perspective on Manila next Sunday........

Hopping Around the Island on Easter Weekend

This was my first holiday in Singapore - not counting St. Patrick's Day - and thanks to Sue and Carmen DeVito's invitation to dinner, I felt right at home.  Well, except for the fact that I'm halfway around the world and none of my own family was there.  Honestly, I can't thank Sue and Carmen enough for welcoming me into their home.  It was a really great way to close out a weekend that had me all over the small island of Singapore.

Easter in Singapore isn't all that different from the US, except that very few things are actually closed completely.  The diversity of religions is evident and nearly all stores, restaurants, etc. operate just like any other day.  And because there is a pretty large population of American and European expats, the grocery stores have a small selection of the Easter candy you'd find at any local US store. 

What was surprising to me was the number of places, namely the large malls, where special activities were available for kids to color Easter eggs and make Easter related crafts.  No Easter bunny photo ops, however, otherwise the photo to the right would have been much more entertaining.

In addition to Easter dinner with the DeVito's, I spent the weekend preparing a few things for my trip back to the US and the arrival of Jennifer and the kids.  I know that seems a little crazy, considering it's more than two weeks away, but my workload the next two weeks is worse than usual, including four days in Manila the week of April 16.  It won't be very exciting for any of you to hear the details, but one task I was happy to cross off the list was figuring out how to get dehumidifiers to run while I'm away.  Not very exciting, but required considering the 99% humidity every day - otherwise, we'd come back to a home full of mildew.

Aside from that, I did get to see some new parts of the island.  Here are a few highlights from two of my "adventures"....Mustafa Centre and the Handa Singapore Classic.

Mustafa Centre in Little India:

I have to apologize that I don't have any of my own pictures from this trip, but honestly, pictures can't adequately show what this place is like.  Here's one I found online.... but really, it doesn't do this place justice:

In general, Singapore is very organized, structured, and controlled.  (see my "following the rules" post).  You can throw all of that out the window when you're in Little India where there's little rhyme or reason to anything.  No place is this more evident than Mustafa Centre, the largest shopping mall in this part of town.

I don't know if I would call it a mall - rather - it's one giant store spanning the equivalent of the inventory of Walmart, Home Depot, Office Depot, Barnes and Noble, Dicks Sporting Goods, and a grocery store.  The crazy thing about this place is that it is five floors tall, but not near large enough to fit all the stuff offered for sale.  There's everything from furniture, DVDs, health and beauty supplies, traditional Indian clothing, souvenirs, sporting goods, a custom tailor, jewelry, and a full grocery store.   And that's just scratching the surface.  But that's not what makes it odd......what makes it odd is that you'll find a $7500 Tag Heuer watch in a display case next to a shelving unit full of DVDs, spray deodorant and 25 pound bags of rice.  There's basically no logic to what is where, which is what adds to the "fun" of shopping at Mustafa's.   Oh - and it's hot, kind of dirty, crowded, and the aisles are at most 3 feet wide, so you practically have to walk sideways through the store -which is what makes it not fun to shop at Mustafa's.

It's just madness, and something you have to see to fully comprehend...which you will if you come visit!

Handa Singapore Classic:

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is the Orchid Country Club, where I enjoyed a few hours watching the Asian Golf Tour play the 3rd round of the Handa Singapore Classic.  A co-worker offered me tickets, so I decided I would check it out.  Not quite the Masters, but I didn't complain about a nice afternoon of walking around a beautiful golf course and seeing some pretty good golf.

Located about 30 minutes away from home, I got a glimpse of the northern end of Singapore, where you really see the tropical rain forest that Singapore was built upon.  It's very green, very wet, and there's a lot of open space.

There are two things you'll probably note in these pictures from the course.

1)  There's little to any crowd attending the tournament. 
2)  This beautiful country club, like most others in Singapore, has lights on every hole!  Apparently members take advantage of early morning and late evening golf when the temperature is much cooler.

What you can't see from the pictures is just how accessible the players are.  In fact, when I arrived at the course, I was directed to walk down a set of  steps where I found the players locker room and about 40 players enjoying lunch with their families on the outdoor patio.  Bags of clubs were set right next to the tables and caddies mingled with each other before heading to the practice range with their players (to hit off the artificial grass matts).  Bottom line - a very different experience than what I have witnessed at the PGA, US Open, etc. in the United States - but the golf was pretty good overall and it made for an enjoyable day.

So, that's another weekend for me in Singapore.  Tomorrow, I'm back to the office and continuing the countdown (now only 17 days until I'm back in the US to see family and friends).  I hope you all enjoyed a good Easter and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Getting "Localized" & Going to Hell!

After about one month in Singapore, my co-workers have told me I'm getting "localized", referring to my daily use of public transportation, eating at the hawker centers, and overall willingness to step outside the "bubble" many expats stay within.  You all know I'm pretty conservative, so don't take it the wrong way - I'm not in any way adventurous, but being here on my own has forced me to "localize" pretty quickly to keep myself entertained and avoid boredom / being homesick.  Luckily, there is a lot of "new" to explore and experience in Singapore and this weekend was evidence of that! 

Last week, a co-worker from Australia gave me a great book: an expats guide to Singapore called "Living in Singapore".  It covers everything from advice on moving your personal belongings to Singapore, to regional travel, shopping, etc.  It's a really great book and I've recently found it both a humorous, entertaining read as well as a great reference.

As a result of some of the advice in this book.....my weekend included a reluctant introduction to "bubble tea" (bottom picture on the left), dinner next to a wall of fish tanks full of sea cucumber and giant Australian crabs (some of which found themselves on our plates), a visit to the local wet market, a round of golf, meeting new neighbours, consuming green beer (said to have medicinal qualities from a plant called spirulina), and a visit to a very unique park called Haw Par Villa.

I have to save a few of these stories so I have something to talk about with everyone when I get home......but I'll continue to share some of the more unique experiences on a weekly basis.  For this week's update, I have to share my experience at the later - the oddest / most interesting place I've visited so far, Haw Par Villa. 

Haw Par Villa (Villa of the Tiger and Leopard), originally known as Tiger Balm Gardens, was built in 1937 as a private residence by Aw Boon Haw, one of the founders of Tiger Balm, now sold in the US and worldwide.   

The property was later converted to a park with over 1,000 colorful statues intended to teach Chinese values, folklore, history, and Confucian ideology.  The statues on display include animals, sumo wrestlers, Chinese gods, A Statue of Liberty (yeah, that confused me too) - and, well........just about anything else you can imagine.  In most cases, the statues are part of a "scene" depicting a historic or legendary Chinese battle - or depicting some crazy folklore.....usually involving some half man / half beast Chinese character.  The most unique and disturbing area of the park is the "Ten Courts of Hell" exhibit (which puts my last post about the laws and fines of Singapore in perspective) - more to come on that.

The park is located just steps from the aptly named Haw Par Villa MRT station, making it a very easy place to find.  Admission is completely free - which is odd considering you have to pay extra for a napkin at most restaurants. 

Honestly, Haw Par Villa reminds me of a giant miniature golf course - absent the miniature golf course - because I'm fairly sure the sculptures are made from the same stuff that most miniature golf course sculptures are made of.  That said, it was much more fascinating than any miniature golf course I've ever played.......in fact, I bet I could make a fortune if I bought the place and converted it......(anyone hit that Powerball Jackpot and want to invest?)

Anyway, at Haw Par Villa, just like most miniature golf courses, the statues were not necessarily built to withstand the climate for an extended period of time, and some are beginning to show signs of age.  Still - as decorative and colorful as everything was, I was amazed how many remain in very good condition.

After walking around most of the park and trying to decipher the old Chinese stories (most have English description signs, but many do not), I hesitantly headed to the "Ten Courts of Hell."  The "Living in Singapore" guide book noted the graphic / unsuitable for kids nature of this part of the park, and I didn't quite know what to expect.   It was, well, eye-opening.....and I kind of felt weird taking pictures.   Here are a few I did take, which should give you a sense of what I found in the "Ten Courts of Hell":

Let's just say that the attention to detail displayed outside in the rest of the park was also exhibited in the Ten Courts of Hell.  Each "punishment" was on display in graphic, colorful sculpture....definitely not something Cooper and Sophia would have enjoyed.  Anyway - after completing my tour of the first Nine Courts of Hell, I was relieved to find that the Tenth Court was the Wheel of Reincarnation.....a somewhat happy ending to an otherwise disturbing view of Chinese cultural beliefs of hell.

After that final stop on my tour of Haw Par Villa, I was happy to get back in the sun, on the MRT and headed home.  Even better, I found a great little area in Holland Village (minutes from our home) with more restaurants, a cheese shop, pet store, cooking school, and ice cream parlor.   It's a great little spot I didn't know existed, but is now part of my options for dinner after work.  On this day, it was hot and since I had just returned from hell, I figured a scoop of chocolate was just what I needed.......

I hope everyone is doing well - I'll see most of you in 23 days!

Following the Rules

When we told people we were moving to Singapore, one of the first things we heard as jokes from friends was "don't take any chewing gum......".   The fact is, a total ban on the import and / or sale of chewing gum was enacted in Singapore in 1992, apparently an attempt to reduce maintenance and cleaning costs throughout the city.  Since being here, I've realized that the "gum law" is just one of many seemingly crazy and overboard laws in Singapore.   Don't worry Mom and Dad - I know this because there are signs everywhere.....I haven't been arrested.......yet.

In addition to the gum laws, it's also illegal to bungee jump, walk around your own home nude, or smoke in public places.   You definitely are not permitted to do all three at the same time - but that's just common sense........  Ouch!

My personal favorites.....you are not permitted to pee in a public elevator, and you can be fined if you use a public toilet, but don't flush it.  I'm not quite sure who "polices" these last two, but whatever.

While most of these laws are things you don't need to worry about, it is evident everywhere you go just how serious Singapore is about its laws.  For example, before you even get off the plane in Singapore, the front of your immigration card informs you, in big, bold letters, "IMPORT OF DRUGS IS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH."

As bizarre as some of the lesser laws are, what I've found most unique are the hefty fines for what would seem to be relatively minor infractions.   But, hey, with a population of about 4 Million, it is one of the safest and cleanest cities in the world, so maybe they're on to something.

For this week's update, I thought I would share some of my favorite signs from around town, hoping to give you some idea of what I'm talking about.  And for anyone who decides to visit us, these are some things "not to do" unless you're looking for a really expensive vacation.

The first set of signs below are pretty typical.  The littering sign and the grouping of four on the right are seen pretty much everywhere, in partcular in and around the MRT (subway) stations.  There are also television campaigns that highlight the importance of not littering.  One of my favorites of these commercials is one where a family talks about how proud they are of their son, his education, his girlfriend, etc. - then they break down in tears as he walks out of the house in a litter clean-up bib.......in addition to fines, if you are caught littering 3 times, you must works for several weekends cleaning litter throughout the country.

The one in the middle makes me laugh.  The fact that I've seen this sign in more than one location is humorous to me. How often do you need to be reminded not to go to the bathroom on the side of a building or in a stairwell or elevator?  Truth is, I think this sign is a form of entrapment, because every time I see it, I'm reminded that I have to go.......

Here are two more than make me laugh when I see them.  The first I see every day on the bus.  The first 3 symbols from left to right are pretty standard.....pay your bus fare, don't smoke, and don't vandalize the bus.  The fourth is the one that makes me laugh.  I'll admit, there have been multiple times I've sprinted to catch a bus in the sweltering heat and humidity, only to have the door shut and the bus pull away seconds before I get there......as frustrating as this is however, I've yet to "assault the bus captain"? 

The last one is common when you head north in Singapore, towards the military base and some of the protected, "natural" areas.  These signs are reminiscent of what I would expect to see around Area 51.  This one is relatively plain, but I've seen others where the figure on the right appears to be fleeing while the soldier shoots him in the back!  Like I said, they take the law very seriously over here.



In addition to these, there are traffic and directional signs literally everywhere.  In my opinion, it's difficult to get lost in the city due to all the signage.  For example, bus and MRT stations are clearly marked, with signs that point out the distance and direction to the nearest one - sometimes up to 500 meters away.

Now, if they would only post signs to clarify what kind of meat is hanging in the store window at the local Hawker Center I'd be set.  Until then, I'll keep eating whatever it is because it tastes good!  Speaking of which, for my next update, I'll venture into the some local wet markets and hawker centers (food courts).....and show you the fish mongers, butchers, and local food available all over the city.

Around Town - March 17

St. Patrick's day has a different feel around Singapore - though there are plenty of Irish bars dotted around the island where the holiday is clearly celebrated.  I did my part and enjoyed a Guinness with my dinner, but after several hours of running required errands (still getting the house organized) I wasn't quite up for a late night by myself, surrounded by college age Irishmen who had started "celebrating" before noon.....I guess I really am getting old!

I did have an enjoyable day, however, relaxing by the pool in the afternoon, picking up some things I needed for the house, and checking out the shopping / restaurant / bar area around Orchard Road.

Since I've shared some pictures around the SAP office and some samples of food around town, I figured I would now share some shots from one of my new favorite areas in town.  It's called Emerald Hill, and though it's in the heart of the busy Orchard shopping district, it's just far enough removed from busy Orchard Road that you can avoid the traffic, throngs of people, and overall "hussle and bussle" of Singapore.

First, let me describe Orchard Road and the surrounding shopping district.  Basically, think of an ultra-modern King of Prussia Mall - then multiply the number of stores by 20, add every high end brand name retailer you can think of (inclusive of a storefront offering only Steinway Pianos for example) and change the location from Route 202 in the Philadelphia suburbs to the middle of Manhattan.  Oh, and think of the temperature being 90 degrees when you're outside the mall and about 60 when you're inside.  That's basically what Orchard Road is like. 

Now, with that as the backdrop, you'll get a sense of why I enjoy the quiet, more secluded courtyards of Emerald Hill so much.  There are probably 8-10 restaurants located in the Emerald Hill area, each in what was originally a private residence built in the 1920's.  Nearly all have outdoor, open air seating which is suprisingly comfortable due to the shade and fans.  There are a few residences in the area, a little bit further removed from Orchard Road, and they are among the most exclusive in Singapore. 

Wealth is very apparent, with a Mercedes or BMW - and in more cases than seemingly possible - a Ferrari or Lamborghini parked in the tiny driveway.  Orchard Road is just a few steps away, but the area is relatively quiet and secluded from the traffic and noise. 

Like most other places in Singapore, it's also very green, which is probably why I like it so much, and it's considerably cooler just a few steps off of the main road, away from the crowds and traffic.

It still feels like Asia, but there is a distinct, western feel to Emerald Hill, most likely because the crowd tends to be a more evenly distrubuted mix of Europeans and locals then what you find in the malls and food courts on Orchard Road.

There is a great mix of food to choose from - everything from western bar food to more local, Thai and Malay options.  I've only eaten at a couple places (the Alley Bar and Number 5) - but so far the food is very good.  Another places that always draws my attention, though I haven't yet stopped in, is enticingly named:  Ice Cold Beer - which in Singapore is really quite difficult to pass up in the heat and humidity.  I'm fairly sure I'll be stopping there next weekend to see if they offer anything other than their namesake.  Likewise, for anyone who visits us, this area is on the list of places we'll visit for dinner and a break from shopping.

Finally, I have to share a photo of the parking lot of a restaurant / bar called KPO - so named because it's located directly next to the Killiney Post Office.  This is where I stopped and had dinner on Saturday evening and enjoyed my Guinness to celebrate St. Patty's Day.  For some reason, I don't think these belong to the guys who deliver the mail in Singapore.  It's just one of many signs of the wealth that exists in Singapore. 

That's all for now - I'm headed for an afternoon swim and then out for dinner later this evening.  I hope everyone is well back in the US and I'll share more soon.

-Jason

Looking Back on Week 1 - Ahead to Week 2

It's Monday, and I can't believe I overslept and missed the live NCAA Selection Sunday show!  I guess this is evidence that I'm finally on a "normal" sleep schedule and have become accustomed to the time difference here in Singapore.

This weekend was a little rough - now a little more settled, I didn't have the distractions of work or the requirement to go shopping for food, cleaning supplies, etc. for the house.  I have to admit I was pretty homesick and wanted to talk to Jennifer, the kids, and Mom and Dad any chance I got.

I met a few more people at the pool this weekend and that really helped me.  Almost everyone I've met is from New Zealand or Australia, with a few Swiss, Dutch, and one American mixed in.  I'm amazed that there are so few Americans in our neighborhood, but not upset about it.  The families I've met so far have all been extremely friendly and I'm really looking forward to Jennifer and the kids getting here so I can make introductions.  I know once we're all here, we'll have lots of new friends to visit with by the pool and around town.  There are kids EVERYWHERE and Sophia and Cooper will be in heaven with all the kids to play with.

As much as I hate when people post on facebook or twitter about what they eat each day - one thing that is absolutely true about Singapore is that the country's two favorite pastimes are shopping and eating.  The later is pretty much all I did this weekend.

On Saturday, I met a new friend on Singapore's east coast - an area very different from the central part of the island where I live.  Her name is Mia, and she's been in Singapore about 6 years, by way of Hong Kong and California.  She is the friend of a co-worker back in Pennsylvania and it's been very nice to have an "instant friend" to show me the ropes of Singapore.  She was nice enough to invite me to dinner (pizza) and to meet a few more of her friends.  The highlight of the night was the ride home....sitting in the front seat of a british racing green mini-cooper, driving on the opposite side of the road - Let's just say it was quite an experience!

On Sunday, I decided to relax and didn't make it to the golf course.  I checked out a few local restaurants in the area called Dempsey Hill.  (This is the area with the giant fish I mentioned in my first post.)  There are so many places to choose from, but I'm on a mission to try them all.

Jennifer and I ate at Jumbo Seafood when we visited in January - so that one is checked off the list.  We enjoyed this GIANT Chilli Crab during that visit along with some fried rice and some kind of egg coated prawns (I think) - and of course, a pitcher of Tiger Beer.....Singapore's finest.

This weekend I tried two additional places in Dempsey, both times ordering breakfast or brunch food - even though it wasn't really breakfast time.  I'd like to blame this on me catching up with the time change, but really it was just a matter of what looked good on the menu.

The first place I checked out is called "Roadhouse", which doesn't sound all that appetizing really, but it was good.  There's not much of a view offered, but the menu is full of "american style" diner food, with a uniquely Asian touch. 

It's precisely what I was looking for and though I was dissapointed that Bloody Mary's were not available, the Eggs Benedict gave the "Big Daddy" at Buckley's Tavern a run for it's money......and that's saying something.  This place will be on the list to return with Jennifer and the kids as well because they have a pretty good selection and the prices aren't as astronomical as other places in the area.  My meal was only $40 for breakfast.....

I also checked out a place called "Red Dot Brewhouse".  This was a recommendation from my boss, who knows the owner.  It's one of a few micro-breweries I've found on the island, each of them swearing it is the original micro-brewery of Singapore.   Each of them are different with different styles of beer, so who really cares who was first??  I was there for a late lunch and ordered the brunch menu.  I was able to eat a little of everything, including what might be the best French Toast on the planet....go figure, I found it in Singapore.   Red Dot also had a very nice atmosphere and we'll being going there again for sure.  The entire place is open air, no doors, no walls - and the patio has a small kiddie pool for children to cool down, as well as weekend cooking classes for the kids on Sundays. 

However, the best part of this place is the Monster Green Lager.  It's not the best beer I've ever had, but it's green, so its perfect for St. Patrick's day....and is contains Spirulina - which is said to provide 10x the beta carotene of a carrot.    Why eat vegetables (Jennifer) when you can get your daily allowance in a green beer??

After eating all day, I wrapped up the weekend with a quiet night at home.  My TV is finally hooked up, so I've been enjoying the few channels of government approved American sit-coms and a multitude of Discovery and Science Channel shows available.  Sophia will love it!  The slingbox is also working pretty well, so I'm looking forward to recording and watching NCAA games over the next few weeks.

More posts later this week.....I hope you're enjoying them.