Phang Nga Bay in Phutket

To unwind after 2 months apart, Courtney and I went to Phuket for a few days break. A highlight was the spectacular Phang Nga bay where limestone islands jut from the sea. After haggling for a 40% discount (not having enough cash gave me motivation) to hire a long boat we were off with the sea in our faces.

I wish I knew more about the geology but from what I gather, over 300 million years ago, the entire Southeast Asian region was a huge coral reef. Then through a combination of plate tectonics, sediments from the rest of Thailand, rising sea levels and tourism...voila!

More at: http://www.seacanoe.net/naturegame.htm



We stopped at the famous James Bond island (which is smaller than anyone expects, certainly not enough to house a solar death ray).

Courtney also found this fabulous resort that had a soft opening for almost 50% off. Great to relax and chill out. The only downside? Courtney got food poisoning.

How an apartment becomes a home

Here's how we found it.

Our stuff arrived and we made do with what we had.


Courtney made it home. More metamorphosis images



The view from our study
More Pictures

I spent 17% my year in Indonesia

Indonesia is the 4th most populous country in the world. There are 17 thousand of islands on the archipeligo, 300 different ethnic groups, glorious glorious food. Jakarta is home to around 10% of the population and on the island of Java.

I wish I could say I saw more of Indonesia in my 2 months here but I really spent my time between work, the hotel and in a taxi among the mass of humanity in this enormous, pulsating city. The people feel like they come from another time, yet thrive in our modern world. I cannot fully explain it, only that the spectral footprints of those who came before, the ancients, the arabs, the khmer, the chinese, the dutch--these all seem to infuse the consciousness of the society like incense. And time wafts between the tendrils of smoke and mirrors, and shadows and lights.



Now, the mystical aspect aside, Jakarta was a challenging experience, workwise, environmentwise and being away from Courtney. I have even fewer pictures from my time here, all are random.


There is a safari near Jakarta. We were trying to get to the botanical gardens. Got to love these tour guides....

Nothing really stops here. I didn't capture the motion blur but those vehicles are speeding towards the pedestrian crossing at full speed. Life is cheap here. Especially for the fool who crosses and takes a picture in the middle of the road.

Whew where'd the time go?

I started work in September, then went to Jakarta on a project in October. I spent about 2 months there and just rolled off beginning of December. In the interim, Courtney's set up the home, visited Indonesia, went to Australia and found organic veggies. We relaxed a few days in Phuket. Spent Christmas in Bangkok. Where did all the time go? I'll put a few of the best memories up over the new year's break.

Went to Malaysia

Here's a restaurant in Malaysia I last went to almost 12 years ago. Fried tofu. Sweet and Sour Fried Fish. Steamed Fish Teochew Style. Kang Kong veggie. Butter Prawns. Mmmm...

.

It's by the sea. It sits on stilts. The seafood is fresh and...'seafoodie...'

Lantern Festival Time. It's all about the moon. The lanterns appear to represent the moon. They serve moon cakes.

There's the goddess of the moon.

First haircut in Singapore

They really get it. Fast, cheap, efficient. And I really look 'ok'.

Try the non-salon barbership. Buy a ticket. "Queue" in line. Then get your hair cut. Options: Short. Medium. Long. Then, rather than shampoo, get all the excess hair "hoovered" (ie vacuumed) off you. I kid you not. It works. 10 bucks. You won't be a trend setter but you can't look bad. After all, everyone who cuts their hair at QB House looks just like you.

http://www.qbhouse.com/concept/index.html

I Miss Open Spaces

Satay at East Coast Park

Did you know that all the beaches in Singapore are technically public beaches? Now, this means the choicer spots are all part of the Singapore Park Service. With that come places to eat, picnic tables. Courtney and I had the benefit of trying our the East Coast Lagoon Hawker Center (now known as Food Village).

Satay is kind of a Javanese Kebab served with crisp cucumbers and onions and a spicy peanut sauce. Mmmm...

The Monaco of Southeast Asia

The Singapore Grand Prix brings F1 Racing. Most of you in the US won't catch it. Nascar is too popular. But like Soccer, the REST of the world is really into it. Singapore hosts the Formula 1 Race and has will shut things down come late September. More at: http://www.singaporegp.sg/

Factoid: Formula 1 racing consumes about 3 miles per gallon. That's about the same as an M1 Abrams tank. For my money, I'd prefer a cannon with 3 mpg.

Apparently the best place to work

This is my first week at my new job. Everyone's been friendly and helpful. I'm not entirely sure what my first project will be. However, I'm sure it will stretch me, challenge me, and get me drinking the Kool Aid quickly. (They don't wear suits here, by the way. This is probably the first and last time you'll see me in a suit in Singapore....it's an occupational health and safety issue. Too hot!)

Dim Sum at Shang Palace

It’s good, it’s yummy.

Courtney and I had dim sum at the Shang Palace. The roast pork was DIVINE.

Here’s a great blog we found on another person’s experience.

http://www.camemberu.com/2008/07/weekend-dim-sum-brunch-at-shang-palace.html