jitle you, jitle me, jitle.us

Tape delay from Singapore.

There are two reasons I was really good at getting out updates from Tokyo.  One, I had free high speed internet in my room, haven’t since.  Two, it was my one time of the day to only think in english, kept me sane-ish.

So, now I am finishing up my third destination and haven’t posted anything about my second.  I’ll try to fire through.

First, I am finally travelling with some eager compatriots worthy of their role allong my vessel.  A top notch crew all eager for whatevery comes our way.  Me and 4 champions to set the scene.

Singapore in a word, surprise!  The level of development in Singapore is mind boggling.  There seems to be what can be described as an entire district of malls.  All packed, all jamming with commerce, with a huge variety of products from the multiple Cartiers in one mall, to the most amazing Eastern style food court imaginable.  Another large surprise, for me atleast, was the strong Indian presence.  If America is the world’s mixing pot, Singapore is definitely specializing in India and Asian stew. 

When people think Singapore, they often think of strict rules, no spitting, and not the awesome rules that have been some how left off, open container.  We took advantage of one, and kept our mouths closed on the other.  A botanical garden is never more beautiful than accompanied by great friends and amazingly cold beer.  My favorite was an entire park within the park of orchids.

At night we would go to a section that is supremely difficult to describe both in concept and just massive space.  Imagine taking all of the flamboyant Las Vegan restaurant/clubs of the different casinos with their crazy and unique themes and bumping stereos.  Now take them out of their big brothers and plop them all on on singly block all freshly built and specifically to cater to your young and hip needs.  Clearly not to the Vegas scale, but insane to say the least.

Final highlight was the Zoo.  It just doesn’t make sense how close you are to the animals.  Lions and Tigers and Bears…Oh I think I can almost reach.  Every time you turn a corner it seemed like another majestic beast was within striking distance, and it made you appreciate how special and grandesque each breed truly is.  If you told me you had 4 minutes in Singapore, and wanted to know what to do, I would say to bring a small child to the White Tiger exhibit and watch how the Tiger’s size up their prey, pace the grounds and even jump into the moat seperating you to get a better smell.

Singapore rocked, and plenty of more and better stories to come.  Hopefully some pictures to better give you an idea of the blabber above.

Much love friends and folks, off to another adventure