Day 168: We Don't Want to Leave S'pore!

The official nickname of Singapore, according to the buses in this clean town, is S'pore, which is unfortunate. What is not unfortunate is our time here, which has been the closest thing to America we have had in 6+ months. Diana, the Singaporean Diplomat, is doing a wonderful job letting us live it up in high style.

Here are some of the wonderful, wonderful things that have happened.

Shirley, Diana's maid, washed our clothes.
Shirley, Diana's maid, made Claire lots of crispy bacon.
Shirley, Diana's maid, said that Diana eats a lot for a petite Asian woman and we thought it was funny.

Here are some of the wonderful, wonderful things that have happened that do not have to do with Shirley.

High Tea at the Fullerton!
Sushi!
Mexican Food at Margarita's with another Diplomat!
Consumerism!
Taxi Rides!
Free Movie Tickets from Diana's Mom: The Devil Wears Prada!

The best thing, though, has yet to happen. Tomorrow is a zoo day. If you are a reader of this blog, you may have come to realize that Claire and Lara like zoos. For reference, here is a more complete list of the particular tourist sites that Claire and Lara are fascinated by.

Claire's favorites:
Zoos
Ghost Towns
Cemetaries
Living History Museums

Here are Lara's:
Grocery Stores
Art Museums
Botanical Gardens
Places that sell Coffee

In honor of the zoo, here is a clip that is especially targeted at our dear writing partner, Amalia, who not so secretly wants to be a zoologist. The problem with this desire is that it is based on nothing, and is similar to her desire to be Jon Stewart simply because she watches him. I (Claire) did spend several hours at the dog park in San Francisco with Amalia the last time I was there, where she likes to have heart to hearts. She does not own a dog, but it is pretty much her favorite place to socialize/write/we don't know what.



To go along with this video is another one, in which Claire discusses how important hunting is to her, and why she loves guns, and why these two things can be brought together in one fantastic activity: Hunting Small Cute Animals, to make for a great lazy Sunday afternoon. Yay Hunting!

8 comments:

OhPunk! said...

Are you guys sitll roaming the world?

** Shaun **
My awesome blog: ohpunk.blogspot.com

Allie said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Allie said...

"Claire's favorites:
Zoos
Ghost Towns
Cemetaries
Living History Museums

Here are Lara's:
Grocery Stores
Art Museums
Botanical Gardens
Places that sell Coffee"

Claire and Laura, when you guys come back to the United States, make a visit to southeastern "Low Country". The term is broad but most commonly refers to coastal Georgia and South Carolina, more specifically Savannah and Charleston. I attend college and reside in Savannah, GA. Everything from your quote that is italicized, we have-- like unique cafes, (1) art (2)museums, and some unique Asian groceries. In fact, Savannah is the most haunted city in the United States according to American Institute of Paranormal Psychology. Three of the cemeteries are listed on the Secretary of the Interior/National Park Services National Register Historical Places. Unfortunately, the closest zoo is in Jacksonville. Luckily that's only an hour or less from America's oldest city, Saint Augustine!

herewegoagain said...

Singapore! My favorite place in the world (I think!). First of all, Singapore Airlines was amazing. Secondly, we spent many lovely weeks of R and R and the Marco Polo Hotel. Is it still there? (I'm talking 20 years ago, but it was fantastic). And thirdly (is that a word?), I had my first Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel (which was sort of seedy in the 80's but I've read it's quite swanky now). Since I'm a diehard Maugham fan, it was magical.

Enjoy! And remember, "no spitting".

Anonymous said...

Allie: Claire has a deep deep desire to thoroughly explore and live in th South one day...this sounds *fantastic* truly. Do you know any good travel books about the area??

Herewegoagain: We had our first singapore sling last night, and it was delicious. The Raffles is still highly highly swanky. Diana, our Diplomat and tour guide, says that the long bar at the Raffles hotel is famous, famous and it is meant to look old school - allowing peanuts to be thrown on the floor, etc. But it's incred. exclusive, etc.

The most famous hotel in world...we wonder? But the Fullerton is catching up...
As for spitting - ALL we think about is gum!!!

Anonymous said...

You guys don't know me but I like your blog and Claire, there is a girl in Maine who has all the same favorites as you! I thought you'd like to know.

Allie said...

I don't know of any good guide books currently. However, I'll look this upcoming weekend in the local interest section of our two bookstores (B&N and BAM). It might also give me an excuse to visit all of the wonderful used book sellers here in Savannah! The task actually isquite an encouragement since I wish to explore the area a little deeper in this, my last year in the area.

Allie said...

For anyone interested in learning more about the beautiful architecture of Savannah, try National Trust Guide to Savannah by Toledano Boulhac.

For fun and adventure, Georgia: A Guide to Backcountry Travel & Adventure may be a good read.

And, especially for Claire is
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia.

There are many more guidebooks and regionally valuable books available about the region. However, these looked to be very good. Other topics to consider looking into is the Galluh-Geechee African-American culture founded in the 1700's; Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson; and the Civil War's relentless, incouragable and city-scorching General William T. Sherman.

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