Singapore...what a beginning to our Asian Invasion

  Singapore, Singapore
Sunday, June 8, 2008

So....this is my first real travel blog entry as I guess the one in Stamford doesn't count since there really isn't anything exotic or semi-interesting about S-Town.

To best explain what happened in the past 3 days of my life, I must put things in chronological order. But before I start, get comfortable and grab some popcorn and soda 'cause this is good!

-June 6th I left home at 8:30 to get on the shuttle to LGA. Check in went smooth, to find Dominique I had to ask a stranger for the cell and they gave me the look you'd give someone as you are about to stab them. After 5 seconds of serious contemplation he allowed me to use his fancy Iphone and I found Dom (Dominique).

plane

-June 6th @ 11:35 everyone's on the plane and off we go to.....Minneapolis (yeah, the exotic places are not in sight yet)
-June 6th @ around 3 we board the second flight to Tokyo, a 2 stories planes with 670 seats juct in economy class. We find Shady on the plane who proceeds to talk to her new friend and at least 45-year old teacher in Korea. What are the odds?!?!
-June 6th or 7th (I have no clue what the date was as I was delirious on Nyquil, lack of sleep and rubbery chicken they serve on airplanes). Oh, also the 12 hour time difference DID NOT HELP!
-June 7th (at some point during the day) we arrive to Tokyo just to be sent directly on another flight to Singapore. I guess it would have been nice to walk around after an 11 hour flight but no luck.
-June 7th the flight to Singapore went smooth, watched a bunch of movies,a nd got excited to see my uncle.
-June 8th at 12:50 AM we arrive at the arrivals part of the airport, look around and well, there is not tall european figure waiting for us. It is ALL asians (obviously I guess).
-June 8th between 12:50 and 2 AM w keep looking for my uncle but nada
-June 8th until 3:30 we try to get in touch with the US so they can find out where the heck my uncle is but through a chanin of calls we find out his phone is off or on silent. None-the-less we find out his full address 9or what we hink is his full address so after a cab ride we get to his building.
No luck at his building as we are missing the most important part of his address, the apt. number. As we sat down by the elevators in the lobby in full disbelief at 4 in the morning in a country far far away from home,  at which point a young Indian couple coming back from the bars looks at us, first tells us that our best bet is to return to the airport and sleep there, then 5 minutes later tells us they have a room and we are more than welcome to go there and chill for the night.
At this point we are incredibly greatful to these complete strangers returning from the bars. Exhausted we go up with them and pass out. In the morning we chatted with them, exchanged experiences and FOUND MY UNCLE!

dom and shades

That day, our first day, included some typical foods like Kya Toast, Tiger Beer, Satay. Also we booked flights to Bali, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur. Hostels are semi-booked.

merlion

Today we left the apartment at 11M ad wth ublic trasportation we made it downtown to get set on what would become a 6 hour walking "taste" of Singapore. This city is incredibly modern (unless you go to the beutiful chinatown or hectic little india). There are buldings being built everywhere. The weather is hot and humid but the sian food is very good and a bottle water handy will always give you some support.

singapore

Next, we are going out to dinner tonight then to Clinic, a bar designed like a hospital where you sit on wheel chairs etc. Pics will be posted but I expect it to be a pretty weird bar experience. Following that we are going to see Italy-Netherlands and pull an all nigher since tomorrow at 6AM we have a flight to Bali. there we can relax and enjoy some beaches and sun.

This is all for my first post.
On a last note, Dominique has slept 12 hours in the past 4 days. Thought I'd put that in there 'cause she's outrageous.