October 15, 2001

So what are the first impressions???? Well ? we?ve both been here lots of times before, so were prepared for (crappy Taxis ? never there when you want them; crappy service in restaurants ? you have to initiate every waiter/diner discussion; general equatorial laid-back approach; general narrow-mindedness etc?) ? but on the positive side:

• We got a great flat (pictures) on the East Coast ? 14^th floor, 2,700 sq ft, basically 4 bedrooms ? but one has been converted into a play room/open area, big balcony, ocean views out the front and general Singapore city views out the back, even our own private elevator!! Check out where we are....type in our Zip code when asked... 437920 Here's an independent viewing of one of the pads in The Sovereign.. and another.... and this is a view from Makena (next door), our block is on the right with Downtown Singapore in the distance...
• I?m really getting into the Singlish ? having slipped easily into the ?CAN?, ?CANNOT? method of replying to virtually everything?.. ?Is it possible to bring my Three-toed Sloth in here?? ? ?CAN?!! ?Why don?t you install the Internet Connection at the same time as the Phone Line?? ? ?CANNOT?!! ? ?But why not??? ? ?CANNOT?!! One problem I?m finding with this reduced use of the language is where the replier means ?It isn?t generally true/sensible ? but you could try your luck? ? as in ?Is it Ok for me to pat this Tiger on the head?? ? ?CAN?!! I?ll have to work on this variant.
• The weather ? is generally the same as Hong Kong summer ? basically 32 degrees everyday ? but, I haven?t put my finger on it yet, it just feels much cooler, more livable. I don?t think its because of reduced humidity, because weather forecasts say its anywhere from 60 to 95%, virtually everyday ? but I think it may be due to more of a breeze. Being close to the coast (like 200 yards), and leaving most windows open all the time? don?t need air-conditioning during the day ? super!!
• Hawker Stalls ? I never really got to like them before ? but have tried 2 recently ? and you cannot beat the value for money ? less than 2 quid for a big plate of Curry or Noodles etc.. ? brilliant!!
• One negative (I mean BIG negative) is the cost of booze!! Particularly Vodka ? 15 quid a bottle (and that is the cheap stuff ? Smirnoff etc costs 20 quid plus) for the same stuff (King Robert) which used to cost 5 quid in HK. Also red wine ? cheapest is about 6 or 7 quid a bottle ? am experimenting with these ? mostly French. The Hardy, Sangre de Torro and Jacobs Creek that I used to buy in HK for 5 to 6 quid all cost 10 or 11 quid here.

Its all been very easy ? but with lots of time ? where nothing much was happening ? and with all possessions locked up in a ship on the high seas (or at least not available to us) ? difficult to stay in contact, and not much to report anyway.

And what now?.???

• Get out walking the East Coast.
• Maybe buy a bike and cycle the island.

March 25,2002

An update...... have bought the bike - and cycled lots. Full circuit is about 45/50 Kms Outbound / Inbound along East Coast Park for 8 to 10 Kms, then alongside Changi airport - dead straight for 6/7 Kms, into Changi Village across to Pasir Ris, round the air-base and then back home through the traffic.

July 31, 2002

Just done another trip, this time (in red)  up to Punggol Point (site of a WW2 massacre of 1,000 Chinese civilians). Only found a small plaque commemorating and the rest of the place was like a refinery or tanker port - Malaysia just 1 Km across the water.

August 9, 2002

Another trip (in green) south west to Sentosa Island. Again, most of the way there was unpleasant traffic, cycling, but once on the island - most enjoyable. A bit up and down (unusual), and some lovely beaches, palms, cycle tracks etc..

Dark brown areas are built up - very unpleasant cycling!!

February 28, 2004

I'm off to Europe for 8 weeks - back on 2nd May, 2004.... byeeee!!

June 2004

The Yellow trip was to pick up something and I decided to bike it!! Wish I hadn't - very unpleasant all the way. Too much traffic, lots of dust and construction, very hot and it took 5 hours there and back!!

Here's a chart I found which gives an idea of the Climate here - basically its the same everyday - 32 degrees and 70% humidity... lovely.

20 April, 2005

Well its hurry-up and wait - time... we have to move flats - The Sovereign has been great 2,600 sq feet and great ocean views, but now we have to go down-market (to save some money) and in about 7 days time will be moving to a smaller flat (1,500 sq ft) just 1 mile away (can see it out the kitchen window). We've done all the change of addresses, and had quotations in for the move - now its the lull before the storm....

New place is Dunman Place at 439204 - check it out here

May 2005 onwards..

The move out of The Sovereign...

My old "mess room"..

Balcony - hope the plants survived...

lounge looking towards the kitchen and my mess-room beyond.

Lounge looking towards the front door.

And then... into Dunman Road...click here..

approx - Mid September, 2005

Would you Adam & Eve (believe) it?? Singapore!! The most law abiding, safe town/city/country in the world... off I go to the library, on my bike.. spend 15 minutes inside - and on my exit.... bike..... stolen!!

Of course I didn't lock it.... I'm going to the library!! People who frequent areas of town that contain libraries - aren't crooks!! Also - this is Singapore - people are sensible and law-abiding!

I walked home and phoned Janet to tell her the disastrous news.... there was a loud scream at the other end - I think she fell off her chair - laughing would you believe!! - and she immediately said "check with either the police - tell them to look for a man/boy with only half a brain - or the refuse collectors"!! Well!! I'd expected some sympathy, instead my poor old beloved, rusty, dirty 18-geared (of which only one worked) bike was being derided!!

It took me a day or two to get over the shock - but then I went to the bike-rental place in the East Coast park that fixed my punctures etc in the past - and they sold me (for S$50) one of their old bikes that they would be throwing out soon - Shimano gears and brakes - happy!!

January 2006

Paul  and Dorothy Tucker visited

February/March 2006

I did another UK trip - this time only to Britta and Inga, Brian/Vonnie and Roger and Elaine.

April/May 2006

Lots of comings and goings Marga and Antonio, Ralph and Rowena.

Janet and Marga decided to have one of those Glittzy hair-do's, lots of warpaint skin moisturising etc etc.. - then photo-session type makeovers...

Its weird... no matter how far and wide I search - I cannot find the "after" piccies. we took photos of them before then went for the makeover - and we've paid for and received the "after" photos - but they've got lost - weird!! Anyway - here are the "BEFORE" photos....

June 2006

Martin Cocker visits

Just finished reading Bill Bryson 's "A short history of nearly everything" - excellent - makes you think - check out some of the facts he presents.....here...

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