Singapore then Bali, Indonesia

Our last day in Singapore and it couldn’t be steamer!  We pack up our gear, say goodbye to our cell, I mean accommodations, and off through the market we go. 

One of the funny signs we have seen "Essence of Chicken---Our Choice"  Okay???

One of the girls at the market...Shelley was amused!

We arrive at the five-story  Buddha Tooth Relic temple and museum believed to house the sacred tooth of the Buddha.  We saw all sorts or relics such as skin, liver, brain, etc. of the Buddha (not buying it?!)  I, Shelley, had to cover my shoulders and wear a long skirt to enter the temple (provided).  Each of us found the god for our birth year—Erik an ox and I a dog (feel free to comment).  Lots of gold and very ornate sculptures, with many people mediating around as tourists gawk.  It even had a beautiful rooftop garden.

Shelley dressed "appropriately" for our temple tour

The golden buddha...lots of gold here

The largest prayer wheel in Asia, a little blurry 

A better pic.  Look at Shelley checking it out intensely

The outside of the buddha tooth relic temple

From there we explored the City Gallery, which explained the problems and solutions with overcrowding and planning in the heavily populated city.  Then off to more shops and markets, ending back at a hawkers market for some more strange delights including a snow cone with jellies, fruit juice, corn and beans.  Back on the public transport and to the airport for Bali.  Singapore was now checked off our list—check, check!

About to eat at the hawker stalls...check out my sweat and Shelley's glow.

Our dish...still not sure what it was, but it was good!

Local dessert with shiny globby fruit, red beans, corn, and shaved ice. YUM!

Arriving late in the evening in Bali, Erik negotiates with a driver who was following us and off we went from the airport into nearby Kuta in southern Bali, Indonesia.  I’ve become a walking zombie, but don’t want to go to bed yet, so the two of us explore the city along its broken sidewalks and streets.  Motorbikes zoom around cars and people, even coming up on the sidewalks.  We get our bearings and find the beach then head back.  Bali here we are!

Tsunami signs everywhere...was a funny pic considering two days earlier there was a major quake!?

Now comes the relaxation part of our trip, so there won’t be too many details to share beyond sun, pool and beach, but enjoy…

Singapore: Seeing the different cultures

We will not be eating here!!

Woke up to HOT HOT HOT sunshiny day, at breakfast, then the torrential rain began.  After an hour, only sprinkles and more heat.  Headed up the famous electronics mall, we had to check it out apparently.  8-floors of electronic stores all basically the same, but we made it to each and every floor. 

From there we walked up to Haji Lane (Arab part of town).  Checked out the boutiques and a mosque and an industrial parts area where men were taking everything and anything you could imaging (a little scary). 

Checked out St. Andrews in the middle of the city

Mosque near the Arab section of town

Next on the list, Little India.  We ventured down the tight streets with cars and mopeds flying by and us trying not to get run over.   Checked out the markets with Indian clothing, flowers for their gods hanging everywhere, raw meats and fish, spices and smells that you don’t get too often at home.  We sat down for lunch in a place where we couldn’t even read the menu.  Shelley, being the Indian food connoisseur, was not able to guide the direction of what we were going to eat, so she just ordered.  It was very authentic and very good…except no Naan bread which they didn’t seem to have.

Trying to pick out a dress, any suggestions?  Something sparkly?

Flower necklaces for me?  No Shelley, those are gifts for the Hindu gods

Look closely at the drying racks.  We must be in India now

More walking, more sights, tired legs/feet/hips, sweaty/greasy faces due to the sweat and the night was just beginning for the locals.  People out in droves and we were fading.  A couple more snacks along the way home—all sugar and no substance and for the most part not sure what each item was made of.  Dinner tonight…too bloated and thirsty.  Time for showers and our cold 6x7 room for some ZZZ’s.

Wearable art (balloon outfits)?  Will it fit me?  How much??

I'll take all three balloon dresses thank you!

Can you find Erik and Shelley?  Quit playing around you two.

You can see the sweat on my face even in a dark picture

Yes, that is how I feel about this picture

Videos Part 2...YAY!!

Melbourne, Australia:  Victoria Market

Melbourne, Australia:  Victoria Market 2

Melbourne, Australia:  Federation Square

Christchurch, New Zealand:  First Day

New Zealand:  Campervan Intro

New Zealand:  Mt. Cook

Queenstown, New Zealand:  Cable Car Ride

Queenstown, New Zealand:  Top of Mountain

New Zealand:  Milford Sound

New Zealand:  Milford Sound Waterfall

New Zealand:  Tasman Sea snack time!

New Zealand:  West Coast drive

New Zealand:  Abel Tasman

Singapore:  Chinatown

Videos Part 1...FINALLY

Sydney, Australia:  Our favorite...Manly Beach

Sydney, Australia:  Sydney Harbor

Sydney, Australia:  Botanical Gardens

Sydney, Australia:  Botanical Gardens 2

Sydney, Australia:  Sydney Opera House

Sydney, Australia:  Blue Mountains Walk

Sydney, Australia:  Olympic Pool and Luna Park

Singapore: Exploring

Woke up and it is HOT!  Time to get our bodies acclimated to the heat and humidity.  Ate a FREE breakfast at the hostel (don’t get the grand illusion of a luxury buffet)…cereal, toast, and coffee.  But it was right up my alley, Free. 

Started our sweaty day journey by walking through our home base of Chinatown.  We stopped at a Hindu temple and had a chance to see a service in progress—we had to take off our shoes out on the street and tourists were limited to what/where they could go.  Headed downtown towards the Marina Bay and got a light greasy snack of fried peanut butter ball and fried sweet potato ball at an old “hawker center” (food market).  If that doesn’t start your system, nothing will.  Handi Wipes were next on the agenda, to try to keep some semblance of cleanliness for both hands and face.

Can you spot Shelley below?? (Hindu temple)

That's what happens when a big American sits on an Asian bench?!

Off to Marina bay to see Merlion Park to see the “built to bring in tourists” lion fish spitting water.  No meaning to the Singapore people except to have something for tourists to photograph.  We saw the Esplanade Theatre on the Bay that resembles a Durian fruit which supposedly tastes good but smells bad.  Shelley tried some ice cream later on with this flavor and it tasted as bad as it smelled.  Don’t believe what people tell you?!

Saw a floating soccer field, walked over a double helix designed bridge (cool), checked out the ArtScience Museum (clear copy of the Sydney Opera House—is there anything the Asians aren’t able to copy?), and the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (three huge buildings with what Shelley calls a boat sitting on top).  You can go to the top for the lovely price of $20 a person, skip that one.  Not paying $40 total to ride up an elevator.

Floating soccer field

Shelley grabbing the ArtScience Museum

Merlion trying to get us wet...if the water was clean, we'd be all for it

Marina Bay Sands Hotel--$20 per person to go up...yeah right!

Esplanade Theatre:  Shaped like a Dorian fruit that smells terrible and tastes worse

Shelley liking the indoor plastic floored ice skating rink asking "Can I go?"

Another beauty nap to be taken by the lily pads outside the ArtScience building

A more panoramic view of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, ArtScience Building, and the Helix bridge (left side)

I'm hot, sweaty, tired and need a drink...

Much better, you see the smile on her face

Cool architecture along the on the river.  Upscale restaurants and pubs are in this area

Look carefully at all the air con units. Can you imagine the electric bill??

Whole fried ducks, yes we are eating things like this everyday!!

Stopped at the Ritz to check out the art and ask why our reservations weren’t taken for the presidential suite.  Saw the oldest bridge in the city, walked through the different quays (areas by the river) and checked out the different restaurants/bars/ shops/boats. 

Since we are trying new things every day, decided to get some cooling off drinks.  Can’t remember the names but mine was gut wrenching and Shelley’s was bearable (hers had lychees in it, like her favorite cocktail. 

Orchard Road was the next destination, and it is essentially a dozen gigantic malls that are 10+ stories up and 3+ stories down.  And many of the same stores in each (in the US, these malls would be empty due to redundancy of stores).  There was a Michigan Avenue feel in one of the areas, to cater to us rich people (we skipped by it).  We did go into one of the largest malls and made it to all levels.  There was actually a Garrett’s Popcorn (who knew??), a DIY cake decorating station, a baker that filled the donuts in front of you, and every overpriced store you could imagine.  Finally, Shelley dragged me away from the stores and we headed back to Marina for the night light show.

Shelley always making friends with the locals.  Put your suit on first! Marco Polo anyone?

Did I mention it was HOT!!  I think I was in a state of haze the whole day with all the sweating (a shower would definitely not be needed as I was wet all day).  They had a laser and water show which Shelley was underwhelmed by, but I told her this wasn’t Vegas.  We ate some more great tasting food from a hawker center (“Gluttons Bay” which was a perfect name), and walked off the food on our way to the hostel.  Good night Singapore, we look forward to another great day tomorrow.

Singapore: Night of Arrival

Got up super early in Christchurch and left for Singapore.  TWENTY long hours later and we arrived in Singapore at our hostel.  Southeast Asia was supposed to be cheap…well not Singapore?!  Even the hostels for two people are $75 a night.  The food prices better make up for it—and they did.  Shelley and I ate for $11.50 and were stuffed (sigh of relief).

Can you tell that after over a month in Australia and New Zealand, we were looking for some fiscal relief in terms of lodging, transport, food and drink?  

First sign we see...End of Travellator?? Are we done already?

The good news, the weather is warm, people are friendly, signs are easy to follow and it is a new culture for both of us.  We walked around Chinatown (70% of the population here is Chinese) and the many stalls and restaurants for a while before crashing as Singapore is 4-hours behind New Zealand.  

Our 6x7 hostel, no window but we do have air con

More exploring tomorrow

Easter in Kaikora and last day in New Zealand

Easter morning and we wake up to dolphins jumping in the ocean right outside our van window.  We get ready and off to church we go for the Easter celebration.  Not quite the same we’re used to back at Park or Willow and St. Vincent’s,  but after we shared a cup of coffee and conversation and thanked God for giving us this day.  We explored Kaikoura some more and went on a four hour hike along the coast and countryside—more seals and cattle spotting and some misjudgment on my part while walking on the rocks resulting in soaked socks and shoes—just my luck.  It’s all about the journey though and we’ll never forget it!

After church, took a long walk through whale/dolphin country

Right after giving Shelley a spin on the wheel of naseau

Our last night in the campervan and we work our way down the East coast.  Strange, but we actually had some competition on the road, otherwise known as traffic.  That existed in NZ?  Erik drives on and passes with speed and we freedom camped another night along a small fishing pond. 

Our last day in the campervan (small tears in our eyes) and we make breakfast near the beach in a park and find a sandy beach!  I can’t help but to run into it—an actual beach with sand, the first without rocks.  Cleaning out the many brochures, maps and leaflets we had accumulated, we clean up Snappy and make our way for our final destination—Christchurch.  Petrol, LPG (Erik almost blew up the entire gas station, thank goodness for safety latches) dump our gray water (sink water), some light cleaning, lunch in the park and back to Wilderness base camp we went.  Goodbye Snappy, we love you!

Both of us looked forward to a night in a real bed with a real shower/toilet and of course, laundry time!  Bright and early, Singapore awaits us tomorrow!  Thanks New Zealand, you’ve showed us so many beautiful waterfalls, lakes, animals, expensive prices ($79 for a crayfish dinner), mountains, sandflies and the tons of fun we had in our campervan!