Margaret and I got engaged at the Keppel Marina at a restaurant called Prive on May 30th over a 9 course meal with wonderful wine parings. We saved the menu (click on it below)! First the Amuse Bouch and the Crudo - So good we didn't take a picture! Next the Spanish Ham, Figs and deliciousness! Then out came our friend Exec Chef Wayne Nish to say hello and introduce his specialty assortment of foie gras! So good Margaret was in heaven and I decide it is a good time to pop the question.The RING!Then the main course of Wagyu Shortloin and 21 day dry aged NY Strip! Then after the specially prepared cheese platter the Molten Chocolate Souffle! My mouth is watering just writing this. She looked happy! Even though it was along night and a slight bit chilly inside we were happy!Then we went outside to the Marina to call our friends and family until 2 am! We were a little tired and stuffed. Coming to your neighborhood soon: June 29 Long BeachIsland NJ, July 2 Franklin NJ, July 7 Wiscasset Maine, July 13 New York City.
The spring seems to have flown by. It’s hard to believe that rest of the world has transitioned pretty much out of the cold and into warmer weather. For Easter we escaped the heat and went to Hong Kong for the weekend. The cooler weather was fantastic and we had tons of insider tips (a bonus of Singapore is that you (photo left-Singapore) meet lots of people who have lived in Hong Kong). You may think Hong Kong and Singapore are similar but they really aren’t. The best comparison would be Singapore is LA and Hong Kong is New York. Also, our trip came with a bit of culture/fashion shock. We realized that we weren’t in Kansas; or should I say the sub-tropics, anymore when we were turned away for tea because we had sandals on. Hong Kong is a booming metropolis. In a very high-end jewelry store I leaned over the counter and asked the saleswoman, “Who is buying these huge gems?” She looked around and I got very excited because I thought she was going to tell me something juicy like, Madonna sends her people here. Instead she told me that their jewels are sold mostly to main-land Chinese and some (photo right-Hong Kong) Russian tourists. When you think about it, it is juicy that citizens of a so called communist state are flocking to Hong Kong to buy jewels tax free. What would Mao and Stalin think? We had some good food on the trip, but nothing too exceptional like Singapore (need more inside tips Evan and Rodney). We stumbled upon a steak joint from White Plains, New York called "BLT" and jumped at the chance to eat a hamburger. Our other memorable food moment was at a famous Cantonese restaurant where they are known for their 100 year old eggs! They aren’t actually a hundred years old, but they are old none-the-less. Ammonia is used to ferment the egg and then it is buried until it becomes a kind of jelly consistency and black in color (we didn't eat them). Not only did we spend time exploring the city of Hong Kong, but we took the hills and hiked the Dragon’s Back trail with our former neighbor George from Singapore. The trail had sweeping ocean views and strong winds. We made our way down the trail and had a fantastic lunch in a beach town called Shekko. That night we were wiped out from hiking and on a whim asked a maitre-d' if he knew where we could get a massage. The next thing we knew we were whisked away in a cab and found ourselves at a 24 hour spa. One level was for men and the other for women. You could order any sort of food or drink you wanted, relax in the steam room or sauna, and best of all get a massage. John opted for a foot and leg massage and Margaret opted for a full body-it was glorious! The woman actually walked on her back! Upon returning to Singapore we found the Easter Bunny had made a visit. I was surprised to find all the Easter supplies in Singapore. Frankly, Singaporeans seem to be more into Easter than Valentine’s Day. Besides our cultural experiences while traveling, we also kicked up our culture experiences here in Singapore a notch. One lovely Friday evening, we took in Jazz on the Sentosa beach. We also saw a performance of Romeo and Juliet by a small British Theatre group. The performance was held at the famous Raffles hotel. Before the play John and I decided to try the hotels famous Singapore Sling. The $23 SGD price tag threw us off so we luckily opted to split one. As we sat at the bar I noticed the bartender pull out a plastic half gallon jug of a no-name brand fruit punch. Basically we had just paid for Kool-Aid and rum. April also included my birthday. John surprised me with a lovely jewelry box and a trinity band ring and took me to China Club. The club is really a restaurant, but you need to have a corporate or individual membership (we don’t have one). It just so happens that the restaurant is located on the 52nd floor of John’s work building. We ended up with the best table in the house; a corner table with a 180 degree view of Singapore. The food was delicious, Wagyu beef and Razor clams where among the dishes we tried. I have to say Razor clams are more like calamari than a clam. As for May well, I have become head of my volunteer project at a girls home and taken up playing Mahjong, which is a Chinese tile game. We have now officially been living in Singapore for one year! Boy does time fly. I think we finally feel settled or as settled as you can feel in this transient city. We are both returning soon to visit the US and are really looking forward to it! Lastly on a happy note, our foster kittens Gladdys and Oscar got adopted from the SPCA. We took them back to the shelter and within a week they were snatched up! Good thing because I wanted to keep them :)
It’s hard to believe that April is just around the corner. March has seemed to have flown by.With everyday being a bit like Groundhogs Day, sunny or rainy, we almost missed St. Patrick’s Day. Not to worry we found a bar with Guinness on special and fish and chips to die for, who could complain. I forgive them for not having corn beef only because the fish and chips where so good. This month we continued to deal with fallout from our landlord’s ineptitude and cheapness. We have been through three washing machines in month. Our electric and water bill doubled, between the washing machine constantly running, the water leak and running the dehumidifier for a month! I think what annoys me the most is that we try to conserve and with Earth Day around the corner, I can only think what waste. More exciting and interesting things did happen this month.
Cricket
A few Saturdays ago, John convinced me to go play a casual game of Cricket. I jokingly told him that it better not be with professional players and he said no, no it’s with two corporations, just some fun. As we arrived on the field at 7:30 in the morning, we soon discovered that my intuition was more or less right. As we approached the practice area, I quickly and quietly told John not to mention a word about me playing. The teams consisted of former semiprofessional cricket players mostly from India and Australia, dressed in their gentlemanly whites. John got right into the swing of things gearing up and asking questions. I was quiet impressed with his ease, even if had never really seen and definitely not played the sport. The game lasted till about 12:30 just in time as the cool morning breeze had given way to the scorching sun of Singapore.I walked way not only understanding Cricket, but discovering my favorite part, half time or should I say tea time. There was a supply of tea sandwiches and earl grey tea for all.
Kittens
The same Saturday as Cricket, we went and picked up two foster kittens from the SPCA. The kittens had been found abandoned; some idiot apparently had thrown them in the garbage.The SPCA gave us the kittens and our start supplies and off we went. When we got home and opened the basket we found two very terrified kittens. They were little ragamuffins, skinny and dirty little things.
The seemed so damaged the first few days, that I still think back to it and become very frustrated with Singapore’s cruelty to animals culture.I also can’t help but to think of basic psychology, when a human hurts a defenseless animal just because the can, it’s often a sign that they are capable of elevating their violence to another human.What does it say about Singapore that there is epidemic cat torture? Food for thought…
I am happy to report that the kittens are doing exceptionally well. We had to teach them how to use the litter box, yes it was as exciting as it sounds. They now love human contact and meow for attention. Their coats are nice and shiny and they are growing. All in all they have been a delightful pleasure.
Indonesia
Lastly, we took an overnight trip to Bintan, Indonesia. It’s like going to Martha Vineyard, except before getting on and after getting off the ferry you have to through immigration and customs. Indonesia has a bit of a racquet going with their $10 Visa upon arrival, which the visa itself takes up an entire page in your passport.There was some confusion trying to get to the resort and we almost ended up being taking to the wrong one. Once we got things sorted and pulled out of the ferry terminal parking lot, we knew we weren’t in Singapore anymore. We drove along a nicely paved road surrounded by lush jungle and quiet, which you don’t find here. Within fifteen minutes of us getting in the car were at the resort sipping lime and ginger refreshments and checking into a cabana. The cabana came with a bay view and a Jacuzzi. There was also a monkey on the roof, but he came on his own. The hotel thought of everything, they had a library with books, dvds, and internet. A “buggie” (golf cart) took you anywhere you needed to go on the resort, which was situated on a cliff. The beach was pristine -amazing since Singapore’s water is quite polluted. The resort promotes eco-tourism and they have a conservation lab with scientist on the property. At this particular resort the scientific focus is on maintaining the surrounding rain forest. A yoga session was included in our stay, which ended up being more relaxing than expected. We did our practice in a cabana with the doors open and thunder and rain outside.The food of course was delicious, of all things we opted for the lobster pizza for dinner. Breakfast offered a mix of Asian and Western cuisine, champagne and the best ginger tea on earth. All in all not a bad way to end the month!
After a rather quiet start to the New Year came the booming celebration of Chinese New Year, which much to our chagrin lasted for three weeks. In the beginning we were excited to learn and immerse of ourselves in this unique culture tradition after all we live in the heart of Chinatown. The streets became more crowded and bright throngs of locals, who apparently only visit the market area once a year came to collect flowers, kumquat bushes, pussy willows, golden Buddhas and red signs of luck to decorate their homes and businesses. The local Buddhist Temple that holds a holy relic of Buddha’s tooth opened up for us to explore. Acrobats came from China to show off their almost super hero like flexibility. Our apartment also looks over a small Buddhist temple that hung lanterns and covered the trees surrounding it with red lights. On the first night of the New Year it stayed up past twelve, including a puppet show. Inside the temple they were selling bags of New Years offerings of tangerines and incense. For the next two days Singapore virtually shut down, many businesses remained closed for the entire week. As the week went on, for us the excitement wore off. The temple across from our apartment often remained open with constant drumming or singing until about two in the morning. This might have not bothered us so much, but at the same time a massive pipe located between our bedroom wall and the bathroom broke leaving a water mark that in the end was about twelve feet by six feet. We had to move out of our bedroom and live in the office which faces the temple and its banging drums. Our landlord ignored our reports for three weeks and it wasn’t until we sent photographs that she very reluctantly showed up, made some odd comments questioning if this was our doing, but as a “Christian” she would do the right thing. I am still not sure what God had to do with the situation, although he may intervened and I was able to let the comment slide. Valentines came and went in Singapore with a subtly that I did not expect. Perhaps it’s because so much pressure is put on people here to celebrate both Christmas and Chinese New Year with consumer products, large dinners and cold hard cash. John surprised me by taking me for Pecking Duck something that I had been craving for months. We ate four different duck dishes and I don’t think my belly had ever been so full! The restaurant was located in the Rochester Park Restaurant area. The restaurants are all located in a neighborhood of iconic black and white houses that have been converted to restaurants. It was a nice quiet evening as no cars are allowed on the street so you can stroll.
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.
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.
First the Amuse Bouch and the Crudo - So good we didn't take a picture!
Then out came our friend Exec Chef Wayne Nish to say hello and introduce his specialty assortment of foie gras! So good Margaret was in heaven and I decide it is a good time to pop the question.
The RING!
Then the main course of Wagyu Shortloin and 21 day dry aged NY Strip!
Then we went outside to the Marina to call our friends and family until 2 am! We were a little tired and stuffed.
