Off to Singapore!

Flying from Hong Kong, we had a beautiful view of the North China Sea. The tropical scenery was amazing! Stepping off the plane in Singapore, I realized how hot it was there. Coming from Japan during March, it had been quite cold, so being in such warm weather really told me I was in the tropics. The airport was pretty new, and looking out the windows, I’ll never forget how “plush” everything was. The greenery of grass and bushes with pink tropical flowers surrounded everywhere I looked. We waited in line with others for a taxi.

The taxi took us to our hotel located near the Paya Labar E5 Train Station. It was right in front of the Muslim area in town. See, in Singapore, there are three distinct groups. Chinese, Indians, and Muslims. Our hotel was really nice and cheap (I had booked the nights over the internet). That afternoon, we used the train and went to the city center, which was just a 20 minute train ride. The trains reminded me of Disney Word’s Monorail system because it was above ground. The streets of downtown were immaculate, and it seemed like a really safe place to be. Signs were everywhere warning things that were prohibited. “No flammable liquid gas, FINE” “No smoking, FINE” No eating and drinking, FINE” All were fines of S$500. Those were signs just in the train station. We had a nice dinner outside while people-watching, and we noticed right away how cheap things were. Singapore I thought would be more expensive than things in the US, but it was actually very comparable, if not cheaper.

Cruise on the Singapore River

The next day, we woke up and made it downtown again for a cruise on the Singapore river. These little boats had a tape recorder that did the tour for us. When we got in the boat, the people around us were other tourists from other nations, and the tape had actually been for Japanese speakers. So while Keiko and I were fine listening to the facts of the buildings and such, the rest of course complained. So, we had to go back to shore to get the English tape. It was really interesting to see the buildings brightly painted in pastels. It looked like a fake city that is used in movies. We then did a walking tour around the city, and thanks to Lonely Planet, we saw a lot of interesting things and learned a lot of the historical sites within the city center. We saw the famous Merlion, and it was so much smaller than one would imagine! Compared to me, It was maybe 3 feet taller! But, later I found out there is a much bigger one on Sentosa Island. We spent the afternoon just wandering to the different districts within the city.

We then found the Indian sector and went to the most famous of their temples. It had an elaborate entrance where several people were carved and stacked up toward the top. We then wandered to the famous Orchard Road, the rich part of town, where all designer type shops can be found. There were also several street performers that were very entertaining.

The Huge Merlion

The next day, we headed off for Sentosa Island where the huge Merlion is found. We had to board a gondola, that took us a good 20 minutes to the island. We were so high up! When we got out, the island was like a complete theme park. It had beaches, parks, butterfly gardens, and peacocks roaming around everywhere. The biggest landmark of course was the Merlion standing perched above the highest point looking over everything. It was quite a sight. We never lost our way because you could see him from practically every point. We then went to the beach to swim a little. We found that at the beach was the Southernmost Point of the Asia Continent. So, that was fun to at least “know”. We then went back to the Merlion and went inside and climbed to the top. At the top, you get a grand view back at the main island of Singapore, and then directly opposite, you could see islands of Indonesia. You can climb to the head, or look out the mouth. After that, we wandered around more, and came upon a man with a huge snake that would let us hold it for a small price. So, of course, Keiko and I just upped the snake on our shoulders and I donned a turban and vest and did the whole charming deal.

That night, we watched a fantastic laser light show. It was right in front of the Merlion, and the lights and music were fabulous! At the end, the Merlion’s eyes turned into lasers also, and went everywhere! It was an awesome sight. That was a great end to an awesome day!

The Singapore Zoo!

The next day was planned for the Singapore Zoological Gardens. This was the best place! The zoo was so amazing! The animals roamed freely (like monkeys and such) around, while the more vicious ones had some type of natural barrier between the spectators and them. The nature within the gardens was so full of plantlife I had never seen before. Really it was like a jungle, with paths everywhere leading to different places that animals lived. We watched different shows, and I actually got to sit right next to an orangutan!

The most famous thing to do also at the zoo, is to go to the night safari, which has been recognized world-wide for its magnificence. So, of course, we went along too. It started to get really stormy though, but it was perfect. The night safari is a park with hyenas, lions, giraffes, and everything else, that you can take a little train through at night and see them in their habitat. The coolest part was after the train ride, walking through the jungles with the lightning in the background, you could see the giraffes in the shadows. It was truly awe inspiring.

This was the last day for Singapore. We left the next day at the train station for Malaysia. On our way back from Malaysia though, we stopped back through Singapore for one more day of playing in the city

Off to Singapore!

As I got on to the van for my trip to SFO, I started to get really excited about my upcoming trip to Asia. It has now been four years since I left my life back in Japan, and going to Singapore, I made sure that my transfer was through Tokyo. Also, I had some upgrade certificates that I was hoping so much that would come through to ensure that I got to fly business class. As I called a few days prior to get my seat confirmed, they noted that only my flight from Tokyo to Singapore was confirmed in business. I was quite disappointed, thinking, well, the flight from Tokyo to Singapore is really the shorter half of this long journey. So, I hoped for the best even though they said that there were 73/73 seats completely full. Once I arrived at the booking area to check in my luggage, I put on the southern charm I tried my best to sweet talk my way into getting higher on the priority list, but the best she could do was economy plus. Which was better than nothing. So, as I get to the gate, I spoke to the agent in Japanese and told them that I was really hoping to get a business class sea for the upcoming trip, and impressed as she was, I don’t know what happened, but I got miraculously bumped to business class! Once on board, and seeing another colleague back in coach, I realized that really going business class on a flight like this is truly a savior, and I was grateful for the upgrade.

The hag service from SFO – TOK
So, Joi had informed me that there were two crews doing this route-the nice Asia centric, service-providing crew, or the US underpaid hag crew. Well, we got the hag crew, and the rudeness was absolutely hilarious. Not only were they rude, but also they looked like such hags! Tons of makeup, fat, Rosanne bar talking type ladies were what greeted me to my business class seat. Quite interesting. At least I could stretch out while I was being provided with low service!

Nine and half hours later, we arrived in Tokyo. Being in Japan again was completely exciting and I was eager to use my Japanese to get around the airport. I found out that I could use the executive lounge in the terminal for United, as I was a business class passenger. I took my shower, got a snack, and got ready to embark on the last leg of my journey.

Once on board again, I flew up on the second level of the plane. It’s a smaller more spacious area with only about 10 rows of business class. It’s quieter as well since you’re farther removed from the engines. This is the level of the cockpit as well, and during the flight, the door opened for just a second while the pilot went to the restroom. They had two stewards at the door, and you should have seen the eyes moving. They were completely attentive, looked like robots scanning and looking for any type of movement. The door behind that ‘scanner’ was completely blocked and ready for opening and closing by the steward. The protection that was going into this door was quite a scene. I guess it does make you feel a little safer knowing how much attentiveness they’re paying to the security of the plane. Since my body was ready for bed at this point, I got under my blanket and got some music from my ipod to put me to sleep. Seven hours later, we arrived in Singapore, and I actually felt pretty good. Usually after a transpacific flight, especially intra Asia, I would be completely knackered, but I really did feel refreshed. Once through customs and passport control, I made my way out the doors to see someone standing with my name on a placard. We went to his car and I was driven to my housing for my stay in Singapore.

Once I arrived, I saw some of my friends in the lobby, and they e pushed me to go straight to my room to put my bags up and to go out to a bar down the street with all the others. Well, I did, and seeing all the other trainees was so great. Meeting other trainees from all parts of the world and hanging out with them was really a lot of fun. Seeing other trainees that I hadn’t seen in a while was great fun as well. After a couple of hours I retired to my room for a nice sleep.

First day in Singapore

The next morning, Rob from London, and I went out along orchard road for shopping. Those who have been to Singapore will know very well that Orchard Road is a really great place to be. So, we were really hooked up in where our corporate apartments were placed.

After shopping and lunch, we went back to the hotel for our meeting. 29 of us have gather for this conference of training from all around the world. We all did introductions and saw the presentation of what we were to expect for the next 2 and a half weeks. This program is going to be quite intensive.

After the presentation we went to dinner and had a nice evening.

Steamboat Dinner? Not quite.

The first day of CLP (Centralized Learning Programme) was quite intensive, and just a preview of what the next week was going to be like. We already had assignments and presentations that we have to prepare for, and class is held from 8 until at least 6. By the time we get back from the office, it is already 6:30 – 7 and after dinner it’s almost 8. Then with whatever assignments we have to do and such, we’re left with absolutely no time to enjoy ourselves here. This is really making the time go by quickly.

After class, one of our colleagues offered to bring us to a strip of restaurants down at Marina Bay South. It was to be a really nice area and a great view. Once we got off the subway, there were some random Steamboat BBQ people with vans there waiting to offer us all we can eat for S$10 ($5). So, since there was a group of us for about 13 of us, we decided it would be ok (except me, who has been in Asia and knew what we were getting into). Once we got to the ‘steamboat’ which was just a name and nothing near the water or anything inside a boat, there were a bunch of picnic tables, and makeshift grills that you were to cook your live shrimp, and raw meat picked up from a common plate in the main ‘buffet’ area’ to cook yourself. Since it’s the beginning of the trip, I opted not to eat any of the meat, and stuck with the fresh vegetables.

Classes… ugh

The day seemed to grow even longer with the lectures and activities of learning about ships, ships, ships, and more ships. Whoever thought that there was so much theory involved in planning, placing, and doing shipping. Well, there are, and I have the feeling we haven’t even begun to scratch the surface for this week. After listening for 9+ hours, we were let go at 6:30 and arrived back at 7. WI did a nice little workout at the complex, and then headed out with a few people to dinner. I had a group meeting for our presentation that evening, so I couldn’t go too far. Once back at the complex for the group project meeting, we worked until about 11:45 to when we called it a night. I went straight to bed as I felt my eyes completely stinging the entire day today.

Port Tour & Little India

Today, after our lectures we were taken to the port for a tour by PSA. This has been a really interesting trip this time?my first time to be on business and the scope of the things that I?m seeing is really ?work centric?. When else would I have gone to the International port of Singapore? When would I have gone inside the port to see all the gantry cranes and ships being discharged? It was truly incredible. Especially cool is the fact that this is in an industry in which I?m working, so it meant a lot more to us than t would the normal tourist. After we got back home, Karthik, one of the Asian trainees and I ventured to Little India for dinner and shopping. He took me to a really traditional Indian restaurant and I got Puri! This is doughy type bread in the shape of a bubble that you eat with vegetables. So, here, I hate with my hands and ate an all-vegetarian meal. It was a lot of fun, and really felt like I was in India. After leaving the restaurant, we headed toward a place called Mustafa, which is supposedly the biggest thrift type store, that has good prices on cameras, cell phones, down to socks and shoes. It was a huge Wal-Mart type thrift shop and was quite an experience. It was really interesting just to peruse everything. After that, I went to a traditional saree shop, where I got some great deals on some nice sarees. After returning back from Little India, I rushed back for my group presentation and started my laundry. These days are long and filled!

Wake up call for one, please!

This morning, the morning of my presentation, Elger and I didn?t receive our wake up call. I naturally woke up at when? Oh, 10 minutes before I was supposed to be on the bus for our ride to the office. Yes, the stress of the presentation, the frazzledness of being awakened and getting ready in 5 minutes, no food, made for quite a horrible start of the day. Luckily, we did make the bus and we were on our way to the office. Our presentation went fairly well, the professor said we did a really good job with presenting our subject matter, which seemed to be quite abstract compared to everyone else?s topic— rate stability in concentration and contestable type markets? Um, yah. Real glamorous.