Well, a bit late with this month’s update but the time is starting to fly.
The last 5 or 6 week’s have brought festivals galore to Singapore starting with the Night Festival (to celebrate nighttime of course!), which opened with a stunning after dark free carnival and show. A theatrical troupe from Italy who performed at the Winter Olympic Opening Ceremony started things off. They danced literally on air (well, OK with the help of wires), flew above the crowd in massive balloons lit up to look like the moon and earth, pirouetted on top of shining white grand pianos (also dangling in mid air) to a mix of ethereal and operatic music whilst dressed in floating, delicate costumes. Just wonderful!
We’ve also had the Garden Festival, an Italian film Festival, Shopping Festival (but get those every week!) and the biggie, the one that’s been a year in the making - Singapore National Day!! This is the day all of Singapore celebrated its 43rd year of independence. Flags have been flying outside shops, apartment blocks and Retirement Homes for months now with more nationalistic fervour than England just before they get dumped out of the World Cup on penalties! Truly a day for the Nation to be proud of what it’s achieved, and to be fair, they have achieved an awful lot putting many other countries to shame with their economic boom, low crime rate, great education system, fantastic health system….need I go on?? Pride swelled in the chest, tears filled the eyes of old and young and the usual B grade TV celebs got their chance to do what they do best – get their faces on TV and talk crap for a few hours! There was a parade down the main streets and fireworks to round the day off.
But, where to next for Singapore? What about the “Youf” consuming like mad rather than saving their cash to look after ma and pa in later years? The biggest worry is birth rates. Not enough Singaporeans are having children and so the debates rage over what can be done to get people hitched and up the duff before Singaporeans become the minority race.
The expats are doing their bit to keep the foreign numbers up, including our good friends Ian and Louise Shenton. We met them in Melbourne where Gareth and Ian worked together. When we went home to NZ, they went to Japan, and years later we’re back together again as they have just re located to Singapore. Only difference is they now have a very cute, inquisitive, “touch it and I’ll break it” 2 year old called Dylan. They stayed with us for 5 days whilst “in transit” during their move. Fantastic to see them again and lots of laughs and good times ahead for us I’m sure. Dylan was reminder (if we ever needed one!) of why we decided not to have children, although it must be said, he was very good while he was here thanks to lots of hard work and expert timing by his parents to get him out and about when the energy levels rose. The pool came in very handy on numerous occasions. The locals loved the sight of this custe, little western boy and he was showered with gifts by store owners everywhere he went. They’re thinking of hiring him out if anyone’s interested…. We also had an overnight stopover this month from our property manager, Kane and his partner Robyn. Although only here for 1 day on a stopover to Bali (cheap flights – long way round in case you’re wondering), they really enjoyed it here, and for the price of bottle of gin they enjoyed good old kiwi hospitality and went on their way slightly more acclimatized (from 9 degrees to 32 in 1 go!), and well fed.
The windsurfing has taken a bit of back seat of late, but the camera club is great and I think my photos are getting better. I’ve added a few to the slideshow – see what you think. We call ourselves The Shutterbugs, but G calls us the anorak wearers – cheeky sod! So that he’s not left out, we’re off to Tioman Island, Malaysia this week end so G can do some diving -cheap bungalows on the beach and great diving – will report next time.
What’s hot
Singapore’s chance of a medal in the Olympic Games since 1960 (bit like England 1966 really!), and their first medal EVER as an independent state. Their “Paddlers”, table tennis players are up for it!
Mountain Biking on Pulau Ubin. This small island is just five minutes from Singapore by bum boat and was due for the usual redevelopment until locals protested and they decided to keep it as it – a lovely little island with lots of birds, wildlife and quarry which is the basis for a fantastic new mountain bike park. Some of the runs would even test Joe and Gerry! It's a great day out and not for the faint hearted. (You’d have been proud of me PT!!)
What’s not
Singapore’s “Shuttlers”, badminton players. All out in the first round of the Olympics after such high expectations and media interest ( a bit like the English Football Team really!)
The weather in Hong Kong. I was there last week to do some training, and had to cancel the 2nd day due to a typhoon 8 warning. 8 means bloody close, stay indoors, do not go out, all schools closed, all public transport cancelled. Quite frankly, I’ve seen bigger swells in the Cook Strait from our house, but I stayed put to be on the safe side and changed my flights home.
And finally
For those of you with Welsh connections (of which there are a few) – Gareth met a client yesterday whom he presumed had Welsh heritage – his name? Fong Jones!! Absolutely true!
Cheers
J & G
Friday, August 15, 2008
Is it August already???
Well, a bit late with this month’s update but the time is starting to fly.
The last 5 or 6 week’s have brought festivals galore to Singapore starting with the Night Festival (to celebrate nighttime of course!), which opened with a stunning after dark free carnival and show. A theatrical troupe from Italy who performed at the Winter Olympic Opening Ceremony started things off. They danced literally on air (well, OK with the help of wires), flew above the crowd in massive balloons lit up to look like the moon and earth, pirouetted on top of shining white grand pianos (also dangling in mid air) to a mix of ethereal and operatic music whilst dressed in floating, delicate costumes. Just wonderful!
We’ve also had the Garden Festival, an Italian film Festival, Shopping Festival (but get those every week!) and the biggie, the one that’s been a year in the making - Singapore National Day!! This is the day all of Singapore celebrated its 43rd year of independence. Flags have been flying outside shops, apartment blocks and Retirement Homes for months now with more nationalistic fervour than England just before they get dumped out of the World Cup on penalties! Truly a day for the Nation to be proud of what it’s achieved, and to be fair, they have achieved an awful lot putting many other countries to shame with their economic boom, low crime rate, great education system, fantastic health system….need I go on?? Pride swelled in the chest, tears filled the eyes of old and young and the usual B grade TV celebs got their chance to do what they do best – get their faces on TV and talk crap for a few hours! There was a parade down the main streets and fireworks to round the day off.
But, where to next for Singapore? What about the “Youf” consuming like mad rather than saving their cash to look after ma and pa in later years? The biggest worry is birth rates. Not enough Singaporeans are having children and so the debates rage over what can be done to get people hitched and up the duff before Singaporeans become the minority race.
The expats are doing their bit to keep the foreign numbers up, including our good friends Ian and Louise Shenton. We met them in Melbourne where Gareth and Ian worked together. When we went home to NZ, they went to Japan, and years later we’re back together again as they have just re located to Singapore. Only difference is they now have a very cute, inquisitive, “touch it and I’ll break it” 2 year old called Dylan. They stayed with us for 5 days whilst “in transit” during their move. Fantastic to see them again and lots of laughs and good times ahead for us I’m sure. Dylan was reminder (if we ever needed one!) of why we decided not to have children, although it must be said, he was very good while he was here thanks to lots of hard work and expert timing by his parents to get him out and about when the energy levels rose. The pool came in very handy on numerous occasions. The locals loved the sight of this custe, little western boy and he was showered with gifts by store owners everywhere he went. They’re thinking of hiring him out if anyone’s interested…. We also had an overnight stopover this month from our property manager, Kane and his partner Robyn. Although only here for 1 day on a stopover to Bali (cheap flights – long way round in case you’re wondering), they really enjoyed it here, and for the price of bottle of gin they enjoyed good old kiwi hospitality and went on their way slightly more acclimatized (from 9 degrees to 32 in 1 go!), and well fed.
The windsurfing has taken a bit of back seat of late, but the camera club is great and I think my photos are getting better. I’ve added a few to the slideshow – see what you think. We call ourselves The Shutterbugs, but G calls us the anorak wearers – cheeky sod! So that he’s not left out, we’re off to Tioman Island, Malaysia this week end so G can do some diving -cheap bungalows on the beach and great diving – will report next time.
What’s hot
Singapore’s chance of a medal in the Olympic Games since 1960 (bit like England 1966 really!), and their first medal EVER as an independent state. Their “Paddlers”, table tennis players are up for it!
Mountain Biking on Pulau Ubin. This small island is just five minutes from Singapore by bum boat and was due for the usual redevelopment until locals protested and they decided to keep it as it – a lovely little island with lots of birds, wildlife and quarry which is the basis for a fantastic new mountain bike park. Some of the runs would even test Joe and Gerry! It's a great day out and not for the faint hearted. (You’d have been proud of me PT!!)
What’s not
Singapore’s “Shuttlers”, badminton players. All out in the first round of the Olympics after such high expectations and media interest ( a bit like the English Football Team really!)
The weather in Hong Kong. I was there last week to do some training, and had to cancel the 2nd day due to a typhoon 8 warning. 8 means bloody close, stay indoors, do not go out, all schools closed, all public transport cancelled. Quite frankly, I’ve seen bigger swells in the Cook Strait from our house, but I stayed put to be on the safe side and changed my flights home.
And finally
For those of you with Welsh connections (of which there are a few) – Gareth met a client yesterday whom he presumed had Welsh heritage – his name? Fong Jones!! Absolutely true!
Cheers
J & G
The last 5 or 6 week’s have brought festivals galore to Singapore starting with the Night Festival (to celebrate nighttime of course!), which opened with a stunning after dark free carnival and show. A theatrical troupe from Italy who performed at the Winter Olympic Opening Ceremony started things off. They danced literally on air (well, OK with the help of wires), flew above the crowd in massive balloons lit up to look like the moon and earth, pirouetted on top of shining white grand pianos (also dangling in mid air) to a mix of ethereal and operatic music whilst dressed in floating, delicate costumes. Just wonderful!
We’ve also had the Garden Festival, an Italian film Festival, Shopping Festival (but get those every week!) and the biggie, the one that’s been a year in the making - Singapore National Day!! This is the day all of Singapore celebrated its 43rd year of independence. Flags have been flying outside shops, apartment blocks and Retirement Homes for months now with more nationalistic fervour than England just before they get dumped out of the World Cup on penalties! Truly a day for the Nation to be proud of what it’s achieved, and to be fair, they have achieved an awful lot putting many other countries to shame with their economic boom, low crime rate, great education system, fantastic health system….need I go on?? Pride swelled in the chest, tears filled the eyes of old and young and the usual B grade TV celebs got their chance to do what they do best – get their faces on TV and talk crap for a few hours! There was a parade down the main streets and fireworks to round the day off.
But, where to next for Singapore? What about the “Youf” consuming like mad rather than saving their cash to look after ma and pa in later years? The biggest worry is birth rates. Not enough Singaporeans are having children and so the debates rage over what can be done to get people hitched and up the duff before Singaporeans become the minority race.
The expats are doing their bit to keep the foreign numbers up, including our good friends Ian and Louise Shenton. We met them in Melbourne where Gareth and Ian worked together. When we went home to NZ, they went to Japan, and years later we’re back together again as they have just re located to Singapore. Only difference is they now have a very cute, inquisitive, “touch it and I’ll break it” 2 year old called Dylan. They stayed with us for 5 days whilst “in transit” during their move. Fantastic to see them again and lots of laughs and good times ahead for us I’m sure. Dylan was reminder (if we ever needed one!) of why we decided not to have children, although it must be said, he was very good while he was here thanks to lots of hard work and expert timing by his parents to get him out and about when the energy levels rose. The pool came in very handy on numerous occasions. The locals loved the sight of this custe, little western boy and he was showered with gifts by store owners everywhere he went. They’re thinking of hiring him out if anyone’s interested…. We also had an overnight stopover this month from our property manager, Kane and his partner Robyn. Although only here for 1 day on a stopover to Bali (cheap flights – long way round in case you’re wondering), they really enjoyed it here, and for the price of bottle of gin they enjoyed good old kiwi hospitality and went on their way slightly more acclimatized (from 9 degrees to 32 in 1 go!), and well fed.
The windsurfing has taken a bit of back seat of late, but the camera club is great and I think my photos are getting better. I’ve added a few to the slideshow – see what you think. We call ourselves The Shutterbugs, but G calls us the anorak wearers – cheeky sod! So that he’s not left out, we’re off to Tioman Island, Malaysia this week end so G can do some diving -cheap bungalows on the beach and great diving – will report next time.
What’s hot
Singapore’s chance of a medal in the Olympic Games since 1960 (bit like England 1966 really!), and their first medal EVER as an independent state. Their “Paddlers”, table tennis players are up for it!
Mountain Biking on Pulau Ubin. This small island is just five minutes from Singapore by bum boat and was due for the usual redevelopment until locals protested and they decided to keep it as it – a lovely little island with lots of birds, wildlife and quarry which is the basis for a fantastic new mountain bike park. Some of the runs would even test Joe and Gerry! It's a great day out and not for the faint hearted. (You’d have been proud of me PT!!)
What’s not
Singapore’s “Shuttlers”, badminton players. All out in the first round of the Olympics after such high expectations and media interest ( a bit like the English Football Team really!)
The weather in Hong Kong. I was there last week to do some training, and had to cancel the 2nd day due to a typhoon 8 warning. 8 means bloody close, stay indoors, do not go out, all schools closed, all public transport cancelled. Quite frankly, I’ve seen bigger swells in the Cook Strait from our house, but I stayed put to be on the safe side and changed my flights home.
And finally
For those of you with Welsh connections (of which there are a few) – Gareth met a client yesterday whom he presumed had Welsh heritage – his name? Fong Jones!! Absolutely true!
Cheers
J & G
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