We landed in KL in the budget airport, and were treated to a long queue in the immigration line. After clearing that we were on our way.
We arrived at KL Sentral train station, which is more like a bazaar or market. Only difference is that they have a Kenny Rogers Roasters. Yes it still exists! Cosmo Kramer would be salavating. Anyways,we hauled our bags around smelly constructions sites onto the LRT, and finally to our hotel. The streets of KL are not made for pedestrians-the sidewalks are narrow and broken, motorcycles are everywhere, there are open air sewers, and is dirty in most places.One thing is for sure, we were not in Singapore anymore!
Once we got to our hotel, the Anggun, we were greeted with a cool minty towel, and a
cold tea. It was exactly what we needed. After settling in, we headed out to a nice Thai restaurant up the road before heading out to Chinatown. The markets on Petaling are bustling, filled with merchants trying to get your attention. If you want pirated movies, brand name knockoffs or cheap souvenirs- this is your place.
At night, we headed out to the Petronas Twin Towers, hoping to get to the top but we missed going up by 10 minutes. Instead, I took a couple of snapshots, and we headed back to the hotel by foot. Bad idea! It was hot at night, and we were already tired and dehydrated. We misread the map and headed in the wrong direction. As soon as I saw the highway, I knew we were lost but we regrouped and used my iphone as a compass and started up again.
Halfway back to the hotel, people were still questioning where we were and we started snapping at each i other.I had a migraine and was frustrated, and was acting annoyed. Andrea spit water at me, and by instinct I spit back. Not my finest hour but Linda (Andreas Aunt) was laughing so hard she almost had an accident. I promptly apologized, grabbed some fluids a 7/11, and we finished the rest of the trek with no issues.
Next episode: Into the Highlands....
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
The Big Raffle
Day 2: Singapore. We wake up at a normal-ish time this time around but everyone seems to have forgotten to do something, and we leave later than expected. We plan to head over to the Marina Bay Sands Sky Park Hotel to go to the top of those Behemoths- basically it looks like a boat is on top of three buildings. The swimming pool crosses all three buildings and it looks like the pool goes to the edge of the building. Google it, unfortunately I have not been able to upload photos yet.
Anyways, when we get to the adjoining mall (which is massive in its own right, with small boats inside it), we see a curious sight- people are skating. They are using hockey or figure skates on a plastic rink- no ice. One could wonder why they would not just use rollerblades or make some fake ice like the rest of us- but I guess this falls under the "only in Singapore" column.
After making our way through the mall, we abort our mission to go up the tower to see the view of the city and take in the gargantuan pool. I was disappointed, as this was the one thing in Singapore I wanted to see, but I relented. I was told we would return when we came back to Singapore at the end of the trip, when we could get a deal that included in the famous chocolate buffet.
In its place, we went to the ArtScience Museum which is on the same grounds as the hotel. The whole point of the place is to show the coming together of the Arts and Sciences- it helps that the building looks pretty cool as well. There was an extensive Salvador Dali exhibit but the Van Gogh Alive exhibit was nothing more than video projections of Van Gogh's life and work on the walls. It looked cool for about 5 minutes but when Andrea realized that we were not going see any actual Van Gogh's, she gave it a thumbs down and we left. There was also a shipwreck exhibit of a trading vessel that went between the middle east and Singapore centuries ago, which was filled with thousands of relics.
To cap off the day, we went to the Raffles Hotel- which is a beautiful colonial hotel was named after the founder of Singapore, and was where the Singapore Sling was created. Like typical tourists, we were convinced to have a Sling at the Long Bar at the Raffles, at a mere $26 SGD (about $22 CAN or so). It also helped that Andrea's dad was willing to pay for all of us to have one. Sitting and having a drink there was like taking a step back in time, and it was fun to throw peanuts on the floor of a bar without any fear of retribution- especially in Singapore! Ernest Hemingway and many literary giants of that era used to hang out in there, so it had to be good right? Still I was not willing to pay the $45 for a tiny bottle of premix Singapore Sling.
After another dinner at Jen's place, we rested up for the next day and a flight to Malaysia.
Next up..."Headaches in Malaysia"....
Anyways, when we get to the adjoining mall (which is massive in its own right, with small boats inside it), we see a curious sight- people are skating. They are using hockey or figure skates on a plastic rink- no ice. One could wonder why they would not just use rollerblades or make some fake ice like the rest of us- but I guess this falls under the "only in Singapore" column.
After making our way through the mall, we abort our mission to go up the tower to see the view of the city and take in the gargantuan pool. I was disappointed, as this was the one thing in Singapore I wanted to see, but I relented. I was told we would return when we came back to Singapore at the end of the trip, when we could get a deal that included in the famous chocolate buffet.
In its place, we went to the ArtScience Museum which is on the same grounds as the hotel. The whole point of the place is to show the coming together of the Arts and Sciences- it helps that the building looks pretty cool as well. There was an extensive Salvador Dali exhibit but the Van Gogh Alive exhibit was nothing more than video projections of Van Gogh's life and work on the walls. It looked cool for about 5 minutes but when Andrea realized that we were not going see any actual Van Gogh's, she gave it a thumbs down and we left. There was also a shipwreck exhibit of a trading vessel that went between the middle east and Singapore centuries ago, which was filled with thousands of relics.
To cap off the day, we went to the Raffles Hotel- which is a beautiful colonial hotel was named after the founder of Singapore, and was where the Singapore Sling was created. Like typical tourists, we were convinced to have a Sling at the Long Bar at the Raffles, at a mere $26 SGD (about $22 CAN or so). It also helped that Andrea's dad was willing to pay for all of us to have one. Sitting and having a drink there was like taking a step back in time, and it was fun to throw peanuts on the floor of a bar without any fear of retribution- especially in Singapore! Ernest Hemingway and many literary giants of that era used to hang out in there, so it had to be good right? Still I was not willing to pay the $45 for a tiny bottle of premix Singapore Sling.
After another dinner at Jen's place, we rested up for the next day and a flight to Malaysia.
Next up..."Headaches in Malaysia"....
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Singapore Slings
Sorry for the long wait between blogs but it has been hard to get a reliable net connection here in Southeast Asia. I'm actually in Cambodia now, but I will take you loyal readers back to the first days of this trip in the magical land of Singapore.
We awoke probably around 12:30pm Singapore time, keep in mind we got to sleep around 3 or 4am the previous night and we were recovering from some jet lag. We immediately hopped on to a bus to take is into the heart of Singapore. This is probably the most western country in Southeast Asia, a product no doubt of being a Commonwealth country (like Canada or Australia is). It was once a part of Malaysia but ceded from that country to become its own city state.
Enough with the history lesson. The first thing that strikes me as we take a trip down Orchard Road (the city's main drag) is that there is a lot of shopping malls- high end shopping malls. Names like Cartier, Prada, Gucci, Burberry flash at us from all sides. Of course, there is a share of the not so high end names- McDonalds, Wendy's, and KFC as well. The streets are very clean, as you really do not want to litter in a place like this, or spit out your gum for that matter. Everyone knows about caning right? Air conditioning is also a national treasure in Singapore, and you soon understand why with highs above 30c everyday plus the humidex.
That first day we explored the waterfront near Marina Bay, and took a brief trip into one of the ritzy old hotels, the Fullerton Hotel. This place as the old style opulance of the last century, it used to be a post office and was also the site of Fort Fullerton at one point. If we had all the money in the world, I am sure we have considered staying but alas it was not to be.
After a foray into the Fullerton, we stopped at one of the famous hawker stalls along the waterfront know as Gluttons Bay for some chicken satays and fresh juice. The food here is amazing for what is in all intenses and purposes street food. This is not some shady burrito stand with flies buzzing around.
After filling ourselves with a snack, we walked past the parliament buildings, and a cricket game before making to the Fort Canning. It was and and still partially used as military base, and was Singapore's first botanical garden. The brilliant flowers and towering trees make you forget the military aspect of the place, and for locals a romantic getaway (i.e. make-out point). It was an oasis in the middle of bussling metropolis.
We finished the day doing some shopping, and sitting down to dinner back at Jen's place, and we dropped like flies into bed after that.
Singapore to be continued....
We awoke probably around 12:30pm Singapore time, keep in mind we got to sleep around 3 or 4am the previous night and we were recovering from some jet lag. We immediately hopped on to a bus to take is into the heart of Singapore. This is probably the most western country in Southeast Asia, a product no doubt of being a Commonwealth country (like Canada or Australia is). It was once a part of Malaysia but ceded from that country to become its own city state.
Enough with the history lesson. The first thing that strikes me as we take a trip down Orchard Road (the city's main drag) is that there is a lot of shopping malls- high end shopping malls. Names like Cartier, Prada, Gucci, Burberry flash at us from all sides. Of course, there is a share of the not so high end names- McDonalds, Wendy's, and KFC as well. The streets are very clean, as you really do not want to litter in a place like this, or spit out your gum for that matter. Everyone knows about caning right? Air conditioning is also a national treasure in Singapore, and you soon understand why with highs above 30c everyday plus the humidex.
That first day we explored the waterfront near Marina Bay, and took a brief trip into one of the ritzy old hotels, the Fullerton Hotel. This place as the old style opulance of the last century, it used to be a post office and was also the site of Fort Fullerton at one point. If we had all the money in the world, I am sure we have considered staying but alas it was not to be.
After a foray into the Fullerton, we stopped at one of the famous hawker stalls along the waterfront know as Gluttons Bay for some chicken satays and fresh juice. The food here is amazing for what is in all intenses and purposes street food. This is not some shady burrito stand with flies buzzing around.
After filling ourselves with a snack, we walked past the parliament buildings, and a cricket game before making to the Fort Canning. It was and and still partially used as military base, and was Singapore's first botanical garden. The brilliant flowers and towering trees make you forget the military aspect of the place, and for locals a romantic getaway (i.e. make-out point). It was an oasis in the middle of bussling metropolis.
We finished the day doing some shopping, and sitting down to dinner back at Jen's place, and we dropped like flies into bed after that.
Singapore to be continued....
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Letters from Japan
It was a dark and stormy night...no wait, a greyish morning when we set out for Singapore. First stop, Pearson Airport. After the limo got us there, we found out that our flight was delayed, albeit a half an hour. Then it got delayed another half an hour. Everything seemed to be going smoothly after that until they made an announcement on the plane while we were on the tarmac- "The mechanical crew has found a issue with one of the wheels on the plane, and it will have to be replaced. We should be in the air in 45 minutes or so". An hour or so passes, another announcement, "When the mechanical crew removed the wheel, they found an issue with one of the brakes, and unfortunately it will take another hour to replace". You could see the frustration in everyone, and the flight crew raced into action to make up for the delay and promised us free alcohol once we got into the air...the great equalizer.
When we finally got up in the air, it was a little over 3 hours after we should have been but we tried to keep our spirits up. With no information about our connecting flight (which we would surely miss with only 90 minutes to connect in Tokyo to Singapore). Nonetheless we were on our way! I will tell you 13 hours in the air is long time but it feels even longer when you've been on the ground for 3 extra hours in your seat. Feet got restless, backs and necks tensed up, and for most of us- insomnia abound. I had maybe an hour worth of sleep in the first leg of the trip. After many movies and attempts at slight, we finally landed in a hot and muggy Narita airport terminal in Tokyo. The ground crew in Tokyo was great and had a new connection ready for all 130 passengers who were connecting on our flight. We'd be leaving in 90 minutes.
Once we arrived in Tokyo, I was on the search for two things: sushi and underwear. Now, I know what you are thinking, what happened on that flight? It is a little more innocent than that. Andrea and I had been fantasizing about eating Tokyo airport sushi since the moment we had found out our connection was through Tokyo many months ago. In the short time we had on the ground it was nowhere to be found, so I settled for some Japanese Pepsi Max. As for the underwear, my friend Ben had wanted me to take a picture of the clean underwear machine at Narita- yes this actually exists- also nowhere to be found. Maybe on the way back.
After a short reprieve in Tokyo, we hopped on a Singapore Airlines flight where they treated you like gods, or as close to gods as economy passengers can be. I'm still jealous of the bed style seats in first class. They were always coming around with drinks, the female flight attendants were all done up nicely like they would be in an episode of 'Mad Men', and you could learn a foreign language while you flew. I chose Thai but all I really remember is the Thai word for zero- which is 'soon' by the way. After 7 hours in the air, and little sleep later, we finally landed in Singapore. Customs was a breeze as it was 3 am by that point, and picked up some McDonald's as we waited for Jen (Andrea's cousin who lives in Singapore). Once she arrived, we hoped in a van, took a quick tour of their beautiful condo, talked up a storm, and crashed into bed- safe and sound.
What happened in Singapore? Well that's for the next adventure.
That's all for now,
Steven
Steven will return in 'Singapore Slings' or 'I forgot how close we are to the equator'.
p.s. pictures will be on the way once I have time to upload some.
When we finally got up in the air, it was a little over 3 hours after we should have been but we tried to keep our spirits up. With no information about our connecting flight (which we would surely miss with only 90 minutes to connect in Tokyo to Singapore). Nonetheless we were on our way! I will tell you 13 hours in the air is long time but it feels even longer when you've been on the ground for 3 extra hours in your seat. Feet got restless, backs and necks tensed up, and for most of us- insomnia abound. I had maybe an hour worth of sleep in the first leg of the trip. After many movies and attempts at slight, we finally landed in a hot and muggy Narita airport terminal in Tokyo. The ground crew in Tokyo was great and had a new connection ready for all 130 passengers who were connecting on our flight. We'd be leaving in 90 minutes.
Once we arrived in Tokyo, I was on the search for two things: sushi and underwear. Now, I know what you are thinking, what happened on that flight? It is a little more innocent than that. Andrea and I had been fantasizing about eating Tokyo airport sushi since the moment we had found out our connection was through Tokyo many months ago. In the short time we had on the ground it was nowhere to be found, so I settled for some Japanese Pepsi Max. As for the underwear, my friend Ben had wanted me to take a picture of the clean underwear machine at Narita- yes this actually exists- also nowhere to be found. Maybe on the way back.
After a short reprieve in Tokyo, we hopped on a Singapore Airlines flight where they treated you like gods, or as close to gods as economy passengers can be. I'm still jealous of the bed style seats in first class. They were always coming around with drinks, the female flight attendants were all done up nicely like they would be in an episode of 'Mad Men', and you could learn a foreign language while you flew. I chose Thai but all I really remember is the Thai word for zero- which is 'soon' by the way. After 7 hours in the air, and little sleep later, we finally landed in Singapore. Customs was a breeze as it was 3 am by that point, and picked up some McDonald's as we waited for Jen (Andrea's cousin who lives in Singapore). Once she arrived, we hoped in a van, took a quick tour of their beautiful condo, talked up a storm, and crashed into bed- safe and sound.
What happened in Singapore? Well that's for the next adventure.
That's all for now,
Steven
Steven will return in 'Singapore Slings' or 'I forgot how close we are to the equator'.
p.s. pictures will be on the way once I have time to upload some.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
New Voyages
So here we go. I have been told that I need to do this, have to in fact. When writing a blog for the first time, you always find yourself towing the line between being overly dramatic and just finding the right words. These entries will not be about past regrets, celebrity gossip, or getting back at people from High School (cue generic tv talk show episode "I was a nerd and look at me now"). No, simply put, this will be a travelogue- nothing more, nothing less. There will be good days and there will be bad, but I want to share whatever moves me to write along the way.
In two days, the journey begins with my first trip overseas- 28 days in Asia. We start in Japan (although it's only a 90 minute stopover), then on to Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and a taste of Indonesia (Bintan). Its really starting to hit me now- the excitement, and the nerves. Months of preparation have gone into this trip from combing through guide books to being bombarded by e-mails to group Skype conversations where everyone seemed to be talking at once or the video just refused to work. I can't remember how many pages of flight or hotel prices I looked through. It is all a blur.
One thing is for sure, after all the group of us have put into this trip, we are not going to let a silly thing like an airline strike get in the way.
In two days, the journey begins with my first trip overseas- 28 days in Asia. We start in Japan (although it's only a 90 minute stopover), then on to Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and a taste of Indonesia (Bintan). Its really starting to hit me now- the excitement, and the nerves. Months of preparation have gone into this trip from combing through guide books to being bombarded by e-mails to group Skype conversations where everyone seemed to be talking at once or the video just refused to work. I can't remember how many pages of flight or hotel prices I looked through. It is all a blur.
One thing is for sure, after all the group of us have put into this trip, we are not going to let a silly thing like an airline strike get in the way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)