• Fly like an Eagle!

    Singapore…it’s a daredevil day for us in Asia! This year’s Halloween costumes are going to be skydiver flight suits and a simulated skydive for our ghoulish treat!

    I always wanted to jump from a plane, but I definitely am not brave enough to actually do it! On Sentosa Island in Singapore there is an IFly skydive simulator…so this is finally my chance!

    Friends Shelly and Julie were as excited as I was to try it! It’s a totally fun and much more economically way to experience a jump without all the risk! I think that step off an actual moving plane may just send me into a total panic attack!

    After a lesson and instructions from a certified jumper, we were outfitted in our flight suits, helmets, googles, and ear plugs…minutes later we were flying in the glass dive chamber! Remembering to breathe, relax, and keep your body in good posture allows the high velocity wind to make sure you soar high into the circular chamber!

    What a rush! Totally cool! Its freaky, frightful, and exhilarating at the same time! Afterwards the instructor showed off his in-flight acrobatics and we all said we would love to do it again!

    We all got our certificates and left feeling totally fulfilled! What a memorable day totally out of my comfort zone!

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  • Taking on New Shapes!

    Singapore…This modern Asian city is bursting with state of the art architecture! The skyline is starting to take on a space age look with a futuristic sensibility!

    Marina Bay Sands is the new icon of the waterfront…it’s spaceship top high in the sky holds an incredible cantilevered pool over the city with a disappearing infinity edge!

    All around the Marina Bay you can spot cool new marvels of architectural engineering!

    Standing at the water’s edge feels as if you are looking at a glossy magazine featuring creativity with an eye to the future! It is great to see a city working so hard to remain current and evolve with the times! Singapore is rapidly growing and evolving to reflect what a modern day metropolis should look like!20121030-191204.jpg20121030-191240.jpg20121030-191505.jpg

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  • Artistic Expression!

    Singapore…Esplanade Mall’s Jendela Visual Arts Space hosted an inspiring exhibit: “Celebrating Life-The Best of the Human Spirit through the Arts”.

    This tribute project is meant to recognize Singapore’s pioneers and bring their vision to the forefront of the community’s cultural consciousness! These pioneers have made significant contribution to the growth and development of the arts in Singapore. Their efforts have been consummate expressions of the human spirit!

    These pioneers may have been overlooked by Singapore’s rapidly changing landscape and this exhibit is introducing their thoughts, views, and voice to a new generation through inspired words they have spoken!

    I found many profound and memorable words to live by!

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  • A Grand Hotel!

    Singapore…One of the most famous hotels in history is located right here in Singapore: The Raffles Hotel!

    This colonial gem opened in the late 1800’s and was the first modern building with electricity in Singapore at the time. Originally only 10 rooms, the hotel was named after Singapore’s founder Sir Stamford Raffles and has expanded throughout the years, surviving several wars and even The Great Depression!

    The hotel is located at the corner of Beach Road and Bras Basah Road and has hosted celebrities and dignitaries for over a century. The famous Long Bar is the home of the “Singapore Sling” cocktail and is more than just a British Colonial bar, it’s truly an institution! The decor of dark wood and palm frond fans have set the scene for literary legends Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling, and Joseph Conrad as they indulged in the famous “long” drinks and shelled peanuts back in the day!

    I attempted to enter the lobby but the doormen are known for their strict policy of restricting entrance to only residents and I was swiftly turned away in my shorts and flip flops!

    This is a real slice of history and one of the best displays of iconic British Colonial style with its grand porches, sprawling arcade, and incredible fanlike palm trees. This hotel really is a cool piece of history and the definition of Singapore!

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  • Singapore Fling!

    Singapore…Usually the skyscrapers and mega malls define this modern yet tiny Asian country. But as a melting pot of numerous Asian ethnicities; Singapore marries Indian, Malay, and Chinese cultures that have had an extreme impact on this city’s food, architecture, and vibe!

    The modern airport of Chiangi is the welcoming point for most Singapore visitors and its status as the world’s best gives visitors the first glimpse at how Singapore works…well organized and very user friendly!

    The shopping and high rise mania doesn’t excite me, so I wanted to experience the more ethnic and historical heart of Singapore! A walk to the Kamplung Glam introduced me to Arab Street and area surrounding the Sultan Mosque. This Malay area dates back to the turn of the century and is beautifully lined with multi color historical buildings!

    I loved the color combos of the buildings and especially how each shuttered facade is painted in a different unique color combo!

    My first sampling of Singapore revealed a different side of this city and the cultural diversity that this city holds!

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  • Monkey See, Monkey Do!

    Bali, Indonesia…Ubud has an aura…the spirituality and respect for nature is evident everywhere you go here! Animals feature predominantly in Hindu beliefs and statues abound of every kind of animal…

    I love Monkeys! The Balinese do too and there is a Monkey Temple inside Ubud’s famous Monkey Forest! I had to visit these mischievous cuties in their habitat…

    The Monkey Forest is swarming with a huge population of monkeys and they are smart enough to know that visitors come bearing gifts…BANANAS!

    They are relentless and will stop at nothing to get a banana…jumping on you, trying to steal your bag, go in your pocket, you name it…all in the name of scoring a tasty banana! You can’t outsmart these feisty animals!

    I think they are too cute, others are scared to death! I had them crawling on me, jumping at me, hissing at me, and following me to get one of the bananas I kept in my bag! They really can jump like no body’s business! I almost got bit by playing too hard to get…

    I am a Monkey in Chinese astrology and have always had a kinship to these animals and they never cease to fascinate me!

    This place is their sanctuary and they get what they want! I was playing by the monkey’s rules today!

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  • A Sarong to Remember!

    Bali, Indonesia…another day in this magical place! Today we wanted to see some of the traditions of the Balinese!

    A ride through amazing terraced rice fields was picturesque…many of the fields were being harvested so they weren’t as lushly green as they are some other times! But they are still beautiful and seeing the vibrantly dressed ladies working the fields was a neat experience!

    We arrived at the one of the most important temples in Bali…the water temple “Tirta Empul”

    The sacred waters cleanse many ills! The spirituality was palpable and it was an incredible sight seeing all the locals filling the holy spring pool. One by one they submerged themselves under the spout after delivering their offering to the Gods!

    Bali is home of deep Hindu traditions, a gentle and lovely people, and a serene sensibility. Luckily our driver supplied an array of batik sarongs for us to wear and made sure we were appropriately outfitted for this holy site! Ienjoyed wearing Balinese attire and taking part of these beautiful and moving traditions!

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  • An Elephant of a Ride!

    Bali, Indonesia…after a great start this morning, I joined my friends and we were off to explore this exotic land!

    An elephant ride through the jungle to put us in the Bali mood! These elephants are so cute…they even serenade you with the harmonica at the end of the ride!

    The bumpy walk took us through lush vegetation and then through a small river! I finished off my ride high atop my 24 year old elephant by rewarding her with some bananas that she happily grabbed with her trunk!

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  • A Bali High!

    Ubud, Bali, Indonesia…the rooster crowed to the sun rise in Ubud as I woke up in Bali! I was so excited to be in Ubud, Bali’s cultural capital, that I took a 6 am bike ride around the hillsides of Ubud…

    The morning light, the green rice fields, the morning offerings, and villagers starting their day were all on full display!

    It feels special here…what a beautiful morning!

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  • Hipster Haven!

    Melbourne, Australia…this city really hooked me today! I went beyond the tourist route to experience hipster’s Melbourne…I am totally into the creative energy I discovered today!

    The Fitzroy/Collingwood area is too cool! This former working class heartland has become the home of the city’s artists, trendsetters, and visionaries! Bars, bookshops, design stores, new & vintage fashion, and restaurants pulse with great energy…

    I loved this area…the vintage look mixes with the gritty graffiti and industrial chic to create an eclectic urban neighborhood that is equal parts East Village, Notting Hill, Marais, and Williamsburg!

    Walk along Gertrude Langridge, Brunswick, and Smith Streets to soak up the edgy creativity storefront after storefront! I even made a purchase of a cool pair of pants at local fashionista spot Assin!

    Creativity and off the beaten track discovery really excites me…Melbourne’s coolest neighborhood totally ignited me and I could totally see living here!

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