Yes, it is monsoon season in most of Asia, and whilst Singapore doesn’t really suffer from monsoons in the same away as say, India, we have all been getting rather wet over the last few weeks. It’s not cold and wet weather like we’re used to. It’s more like; go out in the morning, a few hours later dive for cover as the rain lashes down hard for about 20 minutes. Come out from under cover, continue with your day. A few hours later dive for cover and so on till the wee hours. The rains have cooled the temperatures to the extent that we are faced with the dilemma of whether to wear a T Shirt with sleeves or stick with a vest! Very warm, but not as humid.
However, the damp weather has not put a dampener on things here as we become more and more ensconced in local life. G continues to lap up the work and air miles, and I recently landed a full time job. The contracting was great while the work was there, but with less and less of it coming in, and the fear of having to join the crochet circle to network (I almost did!!) I have given up my freedom (and tag along status on G’s business trips) to help a recruitment firm set up a training academy. It ticks all the boxes in terms of challenging, opportunity to meet and make new clients/friends, “onto it” boss and, of course, regular wage. I start in October, so will let you know how it all goes.
On the fun side of life, we have made 2 dive/snorkeling trips to Tioman Island. Tioman is in Malaysia and the closest and easiest island to reach from Singapore, making it a great week ender. There’s a German guy who organises the trips, and has been diving there for many years, so knows how it all works. All we have to do is get up in 5AM for an early bus departure from Singapore at 6AM. Once we cross the border, it’s a 2 ½ hour bus trip to Mersing where the ferry departs from. The boat takes about 1 ½ hours to get to the island. So, with coffee stops and all sorts of hold up possibilities (it is Malaysia at the end of the day), it’s quite a trek. However, once you’re there you forget about all that. A lovely, sandy beach, dive centre attached to the place we stay at (so put your gear on and you’re away), and fantastic, friendly local people, most of whom I have now taken a hundred photos of (for my photo course!) make it a great week end. More importantly, big bottles of beer sell for under $3. G gets to complete 4 dives (2 each day), and also managed to fit in a night dive on the first trip, although, he missed out on the cheap beer so didn’t bother this time! Mind you, he also completed his rescue dive course and was quite knackered after spending all afternoon rescuing people who’d accidentally on purpose run out of air, lost their equipment, fallen off the boat, lost their buddy, or simply stopped breathing! It would be nice to go to Tioman for a little longer, and spend an extra day or 2 exploring the island – maybe next time.
I have now finished my photo course, but am still a member of the society which means I can take photos along on a Friday night to be judged (usually as unfit for human eye contact), and get feedback on how to “do better next time”. To be fair, I’ve come quite a way since the beginning, but only about 10% of what I take could be deemed “good”. As one of the instructors said to me, and I quote, “you’re getting better Julie, but you’re still not good”. Unperturbed I will continue in the hope of one day being deemed “good”! I’ve added a few new ones to the site, so you can judge for yourselves.
So, what’s happening in Singapore that might be of interest to you?
WHAT’S HOT
The F1 of course!! It’s all pistons go next week end as Singapore hosts it’s first ever such event. Not only that, but it will be a first ever night time event. Let’s hope Ferrari and McLaren have remembered to put some lights on the cars! They’re all going to be here – Lewis “He’s Bloody Gorgeous” Hamilton, and all the others who aren’t as cute, so I can’t remember their names……some bird called Kimi I think, and someone else????? Having attended and survived the Melbourne F1, when the course was set in Albert Park just across the road from where we lived., we have decided to invest in some ear plugs, beers from the supermarket, chicken and rice from the food centre and lock ourselves away for the week end. The noise, the people, the traffic jams, the crowded MRT. God, I sound like an old woman!! But seriously, it’s not really our scene, and it is horrendously LOUD, so we’ll leave it to the Grid Girls to entertain the crowds and soak up the atmosphere.
WHAT’S NOT
Teenage Boys and young male adults apparently!! You may recall in my last posting that Singer’s people aren’t doing their bit to keep the birth rates up. Various solutions have since been endorsed. The obvious one is throw money at young married couples and basically bribe them to have a few sproggs. This is all fine if you’re hitched, but what if you’re not and you can’t get a girlfriend? Research suggests that young males just aren’t up to the task of asking a girl out because they’re too shy and insecure. I would suggest bad eye sight, acne and thinning hair could also be a major contribution!! So, to tackle the problem they’ve come up with a new dating scheme where the parents go along clutching photos of little spotty and try to get them a girlfriend! One stop short of arranged marriages, but one way to get the darling out of his bedroom and off his Playstation. Be careful, if it’s a success there might just be one opening at a centre near you……..
As always – we hope these stories find you all safe and well, and would love to hear from you soon. Those who have emailed us, and stay in touch – thanks – always great to hear from you. Those who haven’t – please drop us a line, even if it’s only to say that you’re still alive!! Take care.
Cheers
J & G
