Singapore Highlights - March 14-28

Without a doubt, the highlight of my two weeks in Singapore was spending time with the staff that I was there to help train. The team of Vanessa, Wynne and Dilip (see photo above, along with Lorene from the US enjoying fishhead curry) are delightful, engaging, much fun and very generous and gracious hosts. Much of our time together was spent training and troubleshooting, ensuring that they were ready to go when the office officially opened on April 1. But much time was also spent eating as they were quite determined to have me try as many local dishes as we could possibly squeeze in (with no complaints from me!) So from Roti Prata to delectable seafood, fish head curry, chicken rice, noodles, clay pot, Indian, Chinese, Malay, the list was delicious and endless and I feel I barely scratched the surface. Though I have been to Singapore several times before, this was the longest I had spent which gave me a little more time to get to know the city/country.

I really appreciated the insights and answers to my many questions from Dilip, Wynne and Vanessa. Dilip also invited me to hang out with his wife, Maureen, and Liz (another friend) several times which also gave me a view into a little more of their lives. So, people, food and the final highlight…animals and birds. I was able to go to the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and the Bird Park – all of which are quite amazing. Liz, Maureen and Dilip (photo below) joined me at the night safari.

(Above photos: cascading orchids at the Bird Park entrance, quiet scene in the bird park)

Two other "people" highlights included having two days with Lorene (see photo above), one of my US supervisors who had begun the training. Lorene is great and I was thankful to have the two days overlap with her before she returned to NC. The other highlight was spending an evening with Fi, a childhood friend who I started first grade with at Chefoo continuing all the way through highschool together. We had seen each other one time since high school three years ago when we were in Cambodia. Fi is actually Anne/Nini’s sister mentioned previously in this trip. It was really encouraging to just talk and talk and talk. I am so thankful for true life long friends.

Though Singapore is a major cosmopolitan city, there is so much lush greenery throughout. I’ve always been a fan! Still am. I was able to do alot of walking taking in the sights ranging from older traditional buildings to the modern and outrageous - like the new Marina Bay Sands Casino/Resort. (see photos below)

Then it was back to Bangkok this past Wednesday to gather up and pack everything for my return. After final goodbyes to Pi Fai at Union Tower, Bonita and Roy and Fern and Fink, I was soon catching my 2AM taxi to the airport for my 10,000 mile journey back to Durham.
Duncan