Happy New Year

It has been a very busy end of the year for us here in Singapore. In October we had our first out of town visitor, my cousin, Chris. Together we explored not only the sights and sound of Singapore, but also traveled to Cambodia. We ate and ate while Chris was here. We went to a “No Reservations” recommend restaurant here in Singapore called the Sin Haut Eating House, which is a very nondescript whole in the wall, that offers no menu and out of this world seafood prepared Chinese style.

In Cambodia we continued to eat amazing food which I would describe as Thai food but with less to no chilies. We had our own private tour guide, Vanna, who was filled with detailed knowledge about Siem Reap. Vanna had been recommended to us by friends and we are grateful. Vanna truly helped make our trip! We had three very intense days of touring. One morning even called for us to begin before dawn so that we could see the sun rise at the famed Angkor Wat. We were surprise to find out that Angkor Wat is not one temple, but totally different temples that sat next to each other. We decided to venture to the capital city, Phnom Penh, via a five hour bus ride with driving sticking mostly to the opposite side of the road! Phnom Penh is a wild city with mopeds zooming from every corner and UN trucks with food making their rounds. It is a city that feels full of life, but there is also a strong feeling of darkness that looms just below the surface. We decided to take a tour of the Pol Pot Regime’s killing fields. It is the most horrific thing I have ever seen. Beyond having thousands of skulls on display in a temple, there were human teeth, clothing and bones scatter throughout the area. The mass graves were so shallow that they still turn up human remains and clothing when it rains and sometimes floods. I found it to be so haunting that I personally could not suggest that everyone should go there to learn. I also found it disturbing that site is operated by a private for profit Japanese company and it is unclear where the money goes and it certainly doesn’t look like it trickles down to the citizens who need it. Privatizing heritage sites in now common practice in Cambodia and it’s an extremely ironic considering the extremes of Marxism that were enforced only 30 years ago. On a lighter note one of the highlights of our boat tour to a floating village. It was magical and humble to see these fishing families so connected to the water, not land.

In November John and I were very excited to head back home to celebrate Thanksgiving. Of course being home was an absolute delight the only difficulty was that the time just flew by. My dad hosted a lovely welcome back party for John and I. We got to take time and enjoy John’s family’s newly renovated lake cabin. We were even lucky enough to have a brilliant fire, a bit of snow and bagels and of course a loving family! I headed up to Maine on a mini road trip with my brother Matt and got to enjoy a bit of fall in Maine with my mom and siblings.

In December we returned back to Singapore, decorated the apartment and enjoyed the rest of the holiday season. We did how ever leave for another trip. This time we headed an hour north to celebrate Christmas on the island of Koh Samui, Thailand. We relaxed on the beach, played lots of travel scrabble, spent an afternoon on a private island and indulged in spa treatments as well as the uber-fabulous Thai cuisine (if you are ever there you must go to Poppies for dinner).

It was back in Singapore to ring the New Year with a relaxing evening of my mom’s potato encrusted salmon (yum), drinks at our local favorite –The Screening Room and home in time to ring the New Year with a bottle of Champagne and calls to family.

So here we now are in 2009, may it bring joy, happiness and prosperity to you all.