tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77829737816757128222024-03-05T16:05:02.979+08:00Littlerally SpeakingLives Lived and Lessons Learned in SingaporeScott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-80909509870904790062013-01-19T18:15:00.001+08:002013-01-19T21:32:08.095+08:00A Long Time Coming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-_001fdeFg/UPETR-aPXPI/AAAAAAAAHUc/TYKP-JEWc-o/s1600/DSC07638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-_001fdeFg/UPETR-aPXPI/AAAAAAAAHUc/TYKP-JEWc-o/s320/DSC07638.JPG" width="320" />In </a></div>
After a great deal of anticipation, we eagerly greeted my parents, Doug and Sheila Little, on their arrival in Singapore in November, 2012. Their trip had been a long time in the making, having been postponed by a year following the illness of my mother following her hip replacement surgery. We were so excited to have them come and stay with us for 2 months and loved showing them around Singapore and beyond.<br />
<br />
We spent the first few weeks they were here showing them around Singapore and visited a variety of places including Sentosa, the Marina Bay district, the Orchard Rd. shopping district, Arab Street, the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari. They also got a chance to see a variety of school events that included some of Haylee's basketball games (she scored 18 points in one game out of a ttl. of 25 that her team scored), and her Christmas concert, where she played the trumpet.<br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5832796071561422417%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCOyWlqaJjbLl2AE%26hl%3Den_US" height="267" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed>
<br />
<br />
After a few weeks exploring Singapore, they were ready to explore beyond the shores of the "Little Red Dot" and with Haylee in tow, they set sail on a high seas cruise to Langkawi and Penang, Malaysia. During their absence they would Skype with us each night and they couldn't stop talking about what a great time they had. It was their first cruise and they couldn't contain their excitement, so much so that I'm sure they look forward to taking another cruise some time soon.<br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5832799272481627569%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCK_kyLSu65i-ZA%26hl%3Den_US" height="267" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed>
<br />
<br />
Shortly after their return from Malaysia, we headed off for our Christmas adventure to Bali, Indonesia. We spent 3 incredible weeks together as a family. We spent our first week at a resort called the <a href="http://www.grandmirage.com/" target="_blank">Grand Mirage</a> and spent the final two weeks of our holiday in a villa. The two places couldn't have been any different from one another with our first week spent in a popular resort area that was full of hustle and bustle while our second stay was in a place of beautiful, quiet isolation. The combination of experiences gave us a true sense of the beauty and intrigue of Bali and had us looking forward to our return their some day. We did a lot of great things like surfing, golfing, biking, swimming etc. and didn't want our time together to end.<br />
<br />
But, all good things must come to an end and we eventually had to leave Bali behind. Shortly after our return to Singapore, we then had to say goodbye to Mom and Dad as they set off on the next leg of their adventure: Mexico. In their time here I think they may have discovered that a trip to Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Mexico can make the harsh Canadian winter a little more bearable and we think this may make their decision to return to Singapore some time in the future a little easier to make. Their trip had been a long time coming, but it was well worth the wait.<br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5832459632678202561%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCKygiprAnY7-GQ%26hl%3Den_US" height="267" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed><br />Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-7042765946691078562012-04-18T22:28:00.004+08:002012-04-24T13:46:26.610+08:00Deja Vu All Over Again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fRM64aY4VUM/T41NxmTPU8I/AAAAAAAAE6U/rkQ6BlHl-VY/s1600/DSCN2590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fRM64aY4VUM/T41NxmTPU8I/AAAAAAAAE6U/rkQ6BlHl-VY/s320/DSCN2590.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In April, 2012 we returned to two of our favorite destinations. Our first trip was to Cambodia, where we had a working holiday completing our second housebuilding trip. Thanks to the generous donations of family and friends, we reached our fundraising goal of $15 000 U.S. and built 12 "houses" for some of the marginalized people of Cambodia in the remote region of Pursat province.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Cambodia</b> <br />
<br />
Travelling through rural Cambodia in April was like travelling through a dust bowl. Daytime temperatures hovered in the area of 35 degrees Celsius and rainfall had not been seen in months.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HO_r0lpMyj4/T41OQ2Qe-8I/AAAAAAAAE8U/H2QV0wItegk/s1600/DSCN2605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HO_r0lpMyj4/T41OQ2Qe-8I/AAAAAAAAE8U/H2QV0wItegk/s320/DSCN2605.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Hard to believe that when the monsoon season begins in June, the area is regularly flooded, as the Tonle Sap Lake expands in size and its massive floodplains are covered in water. The weather phenomenon is part of the reason we are here. Many of the current dwellings are no more than huts that are only a foot or two off the ground. The houses we are building for the residents are 2 metres in the air, safely above the flood waters (although not by much). Of course, the history of the people of Cambodia and the complete destruction of their society under Pol Pot in the 1970s is the real reason why we came to help. Over 30 years later, the rebuilding of the nation continues and every little bit of effort helps.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YMrLi0Q0HIo/T41IxRxeWLI/AAAAAAAAEpM/RKq5NAjiES0/s1600/DSCN2454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YMrLi0Q0HIo/T41IxRxeWLI/AAAAAAAAEpM/RKq5NAjiES0/s320/DSCN2454.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We also returned to the PIO school, founded by CNN hero <a href="http://peopleimprovement.org/about-us/phymeans-story" target="_blank">Phymean Noun </a>and painted the newly completed second and third stories of the school. It's hard to believe the change that has occurred at the school in such a short time. Just a year before, we painted the first floor of the building and thought our work was done. What a pleasant surprise to find the size of the school has now tripled thanks to the donations of people from around the world. Making a difference was rewarding but seeing progress over time was especially rewarding to say the least. We definitely could see progress and it was a great thing to be apart of.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnrvHhzgkTl33Q-eRixal8QD6kqIzFF44DpjNJRT6M24g7E6yZhcJVeLL8wgul85wEL3o5LpEpzUQYIPGVaYXZJmIpOk67E0-guuMntrjB7zk5IiH57p6_7RQqTTcxKHvvm-8ozMGsRJD/s1600/DSCN2653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnrvHhzgkTl33Q-eRixal8QD6kqIzFF44DpjNJRT6M24g7E6yZhcJVeLL8wgul85wEL3o5LpEpzUQYIPGVaYXZJmIpOk67E0-guuMntrjB7zk5IiH57p6_7RQqTTcxKHvvm-8ozMGsRJD/s320/DSCN2653.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
After completing our volunteer work, we spent a couple of days around Phnom Penh and checked out the sights. A visit to the Royal Palace and shopping at the Central Market were a couple of historical highlights and we enjoyed the shopping and the restaurants. We stayed at a beautiful villa in the heart of the city called Villa Langka and lazed by the pool each afternoon.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
We returned to Singapore for 24 hours and enjoyed Easter at home. After completing an Easter egg hunt, we enjoyed brunch, packed our bags, headed off to the airport and took off for Bali.<br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5732308944417642801%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="320" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560"></embed><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Bali Ha'i</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5Sk513Xeqs/T47EcseSUiI/AAAAAAAAFnw/VgPEs4pasmU/s1600/DSCF2689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5Sk513Xeqs/T47EcseSUiI/AAAAAAAAFnw/VgPEs4pasmU/s320/DSCF2689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We were greeted at the Grand Mirage hotel in Bali by Haylee's friend Estelle and her family who joined us for the week. As we were checking into the hotel, we looked around the lobby and both Lisa and myself recognized that the place looked strangely familiar. And then it dawned on us. Back in 1997-98, when we were living in Japan, we had gone on a vacation to Bali and had stayed at this very hotel. We had long ago forgotten the name of the place and weren't entirely familiar with the location, so we were more than a little shocked to discover we had been there before. The good news was we had fond memories of the place based on our first visit and our second stay did not disappoint.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCD_lDJqFM060bgRBlh1gSJLsvFLURn9AvPgZI51TArAvTQYZus70QEYZCaeV4JyqaTd0dcOXcfjOOQvAemIcfZUF3akHhNuoOL66rhxGVtPi3UG-63A3fZOQ4QqQQ3R2qU6kk_gOZ8_hg/s1600/DSCF2754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCD_lDJqFM060bgRBlh1gSJLsvFLURn9AvPgZI51TArAvTQYZus70QEYZCaeV4JyqaTd0dcOXcfjOOQvAemIcfZUF3akHhNuoOL66rhxGVtPi3UG-63A3fZOQ4QqQQ3R2qU6kk_gOZ8_hg/s320/DSCF2754.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Located on Tanjong Benoa beach in an area of Bali known as Nusa Dua, we had a wonderful time enjoying everything the resort had to offer: kayaking, windsurfing, para-sailing, jet-skis, tubing, massages, etc.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOceg9NFkC9ghJ3O-UIXa832F_wVCeqz52fhwbCnIFgVY094HiiyvICyBvtOiEtg5GRfR_7hfUiVbxKaxCzd7_1manptJypBabca8TWny0zm2bhNhEnW3EAn1OcbdxoHByEgiET98nCfqG/s1600/DSC05176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOceg9NFkC9ghJ3O-UIXa832F_wVCeqz52fhwbCnIFgVY094HiiyvICyBvtOiEtg5GRfR_7hfUiVbxKaxCzd7_1manptJypBabca8TWny0zm2bhNhEnW3EAn1OcbdxoHByEgiET98nCfqG/s320/DSC05176.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Once again, we did a bike tour through the villages near the Mt. Batur and Mt. Agung and finished up in Ubud, which is an area featured in the novel Eat, Pray, Love.<br />
<br />
An action packed two weeks eventually came to an end and we returned to Singapore satisfied with what we had accomplished in Cambodia and well rested after our week in Bali. <br />
<br />
Aw Kuhn Cambodia!<br />
<br />
<span lang="id">Terima Kasih Bali!</span> <br />
<br />
Thank You!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5713393234837061809%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="320" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560"></embed>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-4076109863526046032011-11-06T14:10:00.000+08:002011-11-06T14:10:25.560+08:00Return to Paradise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUQRaWbeze4_mdW2_a4P1W1orCvPBpDI9QEFdjg84FHJRpYRjgcwnJaQ7fG9_spwtctBkfyk8SaTJQbuJ-cV4F-MeN1upEenL_qFNzJW67V8R0_s2xpzkThgNdXZ2GNCn2aHBZ_1Ql129/s1600/DSCF0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUQRaWbeze4_mdW2_a4P1W1orCvPBpDI9QEFdjg84FHJRpYRjgcwnJaQ7fG9_spwtctBkfyk8SaTJQbuJ-cV4F-MeN1upEenL_qFNzJW67V8R0_s2xpzkThgNdXZ2GNCn2aHBZ_1Ql129/s320/DSCF0299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>One year ago, our first trip beyond the shores of Singapore took us to Phuket, Thailand. We enjoyed our trip so much, we knew we wanted to return for more. So, during our recent October break, we once again visited the turquoise waters and white sandy beaches of Phuket and had an incredible time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Phuket - The Movie Trailer </b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/mUH2nDU4S8M?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
Highlights of this year's trip were numerous. We went for a day long snorkelling trip to the world famous islands Phi Phi Islands and a day long sea kayaking adventure in Phang Nga Bay, which included trips to "James Bond" Island and Koh Panyee or "Sea Gypsy" Island. Both of these places were featured on a recent episode of the Amazing Race.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here's a slideshow of our trip:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="550" height="417" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5668464118279366033%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-18871948193962427062011-10-28T15:03:00.000+08:002011-10-28T15:03:54.942+08:00A World Away<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://anugerahtt.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/bintan_island_map1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://anugerahtt.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/bintan_island_map1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Just a short ferry ride from Singapore lie the Riau Islands of Indonesia. Two islands in particular are a favorite weekend getaway for Singaporeans. In the past month I had the opportunity to visit both.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLavKGG3g7ZAVxxvhjnaGYhJIDHFOUpeGA8ymQ-EmY9PuX0j2RLz5URRhtga7l1HUUKGRAsQV8aBqpGroUJ5laca2RPrSnhkKerg5si11iHYJdUXLDASdMswNHkSHsaAar33nYziGT9gb/s1600/DSC04266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLavKGG3g7ZAVxxvhjnaGYhJIDHFOUpeGA8ymQ-EmY9PuX0j2RLz5URRhtga7l1HUUKGRAsQV8aBqpGroUJ5laca2RPrSnhkKerg5si11iHYJdUXLDASdMswNHkSHsaAar33nYziGT9gb/s320/DSC04266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Batam</strong><br />
<br />
I recently went away for a boys weekend and played some golf with a group of 9 guys from work. We took the short 20 minute ferry to Batam where we were met by a rep from the golf course at the ferry terminal. He took care of our golf clubs for us and quickly ushered us through security. Next thing I knew, we were on the bus and 5 minutes later we arrived at the resort.<br />
<br />
We stayed and played at the Palm Springs Golf and Beach Resort and had our own private residence which had a games room and 12 sleeping rooms. We spent the evening shooting cards and having a good time.<br />
<br />
We awoke the following morning and feasted our eyes on a thing of beauty: the resort had 36 holes and was both visually stunning and challenging!<br />
<br />
We played our first round of golf in the morning. After lunch, we played a second round of golf and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves the whole time.<br />
<br />
After enjoying some cold beverages on the 19th hole, we boarded the ferry and returned to Singapore.<br />
<br />
We did a weekend worth of living in 24 hours and had a great time doing it. Looking forward to the next trip!<br />
<br />
<strong>Bintan</strong><br />
<br />
The following weekend, Haylee, Lisa and myself headed to Bintan for our annual staff getaway. 35 of us headed out for a weekend of partying, relaxing and good times. <br />
<br />
We stayed at the Nirwana Gardens Resort and loved the place. The resort was a sprawling property with 4-5 different hotels, villas, beach resorts spread across the property.<br />
<br />
The first night we met everyone poolside for dinner and enjoyed watching some Indonesian dancers while we ate. After our meal, the dancers brought a number of guests up to perform with them, including Haylee who did a great job of dancing.<br />
<br />
The next day, we relaxed poolside, explored the white, sandy beaches and did a bunch of activities at the recreation centre including archery, target shooting and bungee trampoline gymnastics. <br />
<br />
After enjoying a buffet dinner with the group, we went bowling and had a great time.<br />
<br />
The following day we hit the beach and the pool and went back for more shooting at the range. On top of that, Haylee went on a zip-line. Lisa also had a nice, relaxing massage.<br />
<br />
We crammed a lot into our weekend and enjoyed doing it and left Bintan happy, but tired. <br />
<br />
Both Bintan and Batam were great trips. The islands are quite different from the hustle and bustle of Singapore and while only a short ferry trip from Singapore, they are literally a world away.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Can't wait to go back! </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv33frL0Ot4sj3OBsaWnpAVS-c9OZpyskvtA7zcZzXqwwizh1A2KC9BeNxcGD1uX4r_couQyUHFrnI7pQinyeOYLZZ8zHPmojbeMFodlzmKOFuVkJe9lf-I9cyLP_Z_sfFM1NP62rUTrDm/s1600/DSC04256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv33frL0Ot4sj3OBsaWnpAVS-c9OZpyskvtA7zcZzXqwwizh1A2KC9BeNxcGD1uX4r_couQyUHFrnI7pQinyeOYLZZ8zHPmojbeMFodlzmKOFuVkJe9lf-I9cyLP_Z_sfFM1NP62rUTrDm/s400/DSC04256.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-89486088554428381152011-08-13T10:39:00.001+08:002011-08-14T21:23:04.795+08:00O Canada!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln6iFWXZ92fXFWjhcrwSsLtpb7NbJNVeuGsrQUzJQ-_wDZCeTRrSCrBVozF4oNF0Y_egzo1Kxyo-h3TSUzT6XbDWZVrc_cN-FRB6cl2w3T4fc-kRMRH56ywleoaINlC6N98b_QScI2gf6/s1600/DSC04058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln6iFWXZ92fXFWjhcrwSsLtpb7NbJNVeuGsrQUzJQ-_wDZCeTRrSCrBVozF4oNF0Y_egzo1Kxyo-h3TSUzT6XbDWZVrc_cN-FRB6cl2w3T4fc-kRMRH56ywleoaINlC6N98b_QScI2gf6/s320/DSC04058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After a year living abroad, it was great to get back home to Canada. Our first stop was at Mom and Dad's place in Toronto where we were greeted by Mark, Paige, Dad and Mom. It was a tearful reunion for a number of reasons, most notably we were able to see Mom for the first time after her long and difficult stay in the hospital following her hip replacement surgery. Mom looked great and we couldn't have been happier to see her.<br />
<br />
After spending a couple of days in Toronto, we headed down to St. Thomas. Haylee was excited to see her friends after a year away from home. She wasn't disappointed in the least as she was greeted by a welcome party of her friends who had congregated at the park on Lake Margaret, near our house. <br />
<br />
We we then headed to the Chapmans, where we stayed for about a week. It was great to see Michelle, Doug, Brett and Abby and we thoroughly enjoyed our time with them. We were made to feel right at home and had a great time swimming in their pool and spending time socializing with them. What a great family.<br />
<br />
During our stay, Haylee spent a day at Elgin Court in Robyn Walker's class. She had a great time seeing her old friends and sharing some of her experiences with the class, like our housebuilding trip to Cambodia.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50q5x3APNSL8GdaZf5PY36-uW1HJmmHpFKjdbE8_m96-mlfZpHXU_rRmEZZqQtutSrReedooEIfaZjAawU4ZZKsbR-Wo10gFPDtuX4ktIIcEnlxG-R7v72xL4Ba0e8wEPybePwR-czcnK/s1600/DSC03996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50q5x3APNSL8GdaZf5PY36-uW1HJmmHpFKjdbE8_m96-mlfZpHXU_rRmEZZqQtutSrReedooEIfaZjAawU4ZZKsbR-Wo10gFPDtuX4ktIIcEnlxG-R7v72xL4Ba0e8wEPybePwR-czcnK/s320/DSC03996.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Our next adventure took us north to our cottage on Ahmic Lake. During our first week, we were joined by Haylee's friends Jessica and Cassia and together with Haylee's cousin Paige, the girls had a great time. <br />
<br />
Week two was focused more on family and Haylee had a great time with Paige, Mark, G, Grampa Louchie, Aunt Frances, Uncle Tom, cousins Patrick and Sara and her cousin Frances. After a great two week stay it was time to say goodbye to Ontario and meet up with Lisa in New Brunswick.<br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5638702970887754897%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="400" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="550"></embed><br />
<br />
<br />
We were greeted at the airport in Saint John by Lisa, Kiefer, Davis and of course, Bella! Haylee couldn't have been happier to see her cousins and her mom and was thrilled to get home to see Nanny and Grampy. <br />
<br />
We spent the next three weeks swimming, windsurfing, jogging, golfing and going to Zumba and boot camp. We had a great time visiting with Robyn, Geoff and Kate Giffen and going to New River Beach.<br />
<br />
Haylee also enjoyed the time she spent with cousins Matt, Jonathan, Calvin, Clinton and Eilish.<br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5639527347881337953%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="400" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="575"></embed><br />
<br />
Lisa's cousin Margot graciously offered to take care of Bella for the year after her brother indicated he would no longer take care of Bella. We can't thank her enough as we were in a real jam because we couldn't take Bella to Singapore because her shots had not been kept up.<br />
<br />
We departed Canada and returned to Singapore after a great summer and are now looking forward to our second year abroad. The adventure continues! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-17455106607127942722011-06-16T15:47:00.000+08:002011-06-16T15:47:16.190+08:00We've Been Everywhere, ManWe've had a great year abroad and have had a lot of great experiences during our time away from home. So, here is a review of our travels in an ode to Johnny Cash.......<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We've been everywhere, man.<br />
We've been everywhere, man.<br />
Crossed the desert's bare, man.<br />
We've breathed the mountain air, man.<br />
Of travel We've had our share, man.<br />
We've been everywhere.<br />
<br />
We've been to:<br />
Saint John, Halifax, Taipei, Toronto,<br />
Singapore, Bali, Phuket, Ontario,<br />
Batam, Langkawi, Penang, Orlando </div><div style="text-align: center;">St. Thomas, Tampa, Rawa, Malaysia, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Bangor, Cambodia, <br />
Vancouver, Hong Kong, Rawa, What a thrilla.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We've been everywhere, man !</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And here's what it looks like on a map......</div><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com.sg/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=205503416936292761506.0004a533a0c9926a2d0bf&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=57.704147,-170.15625&spn=157.666517,90&z=1&output=embed" width="500"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com.sg/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=205503416936292761506.0004a533a0c9926a2d0bf&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&ll=57.704147,-170.15625&spn=157.666517,90&z=1&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">We've Been Everywhere, Man</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
<small><span style="font-size: small;">And for all the great times we've had abroad, we are now looking forward to getting home to see family and friends back in Canada. The long journey home begins soon!</span></small>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-49155873889923135832011-05-05T15:39:00.001+08:002011-05-07T23:05:48.184+08:00Ups and Downs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WqOBKULi8j4R_O-rx9oz9pYmC-8JhC-EAo2XZzrTkc4qZs_7UT575QdZCEv3KR9Vz5mXnfhOUjPVqiaoBxxj8cR_i_pVn432Pb78tKN6gdbYVl_O90OIx6b5_N-f8tV9cDTzY3G0QzYh/s1600/DSC03630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WqOBKULi8j4R_O-rx9oz9pYmC-8JhC-EAo2XZzrTkc4qZs_7UT575QdZCEv3KR9Vz5mXnfhOUjPVqiaoBxxj8cR_i_pVn432Pb78tKN6gdbYVl_O90OIx6b5_N-f8tV9cDTzY3G0QzYh/s320/DSC03630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b>Excursion Week</b><br />
<br />
One of the things that separates an international school experience from a public school experience is some of the learning opportunities the students are exposed to. Typically, in a public school students participate in occasional day trips that consolidate some form of learning that took place in the classroom. This happens at international schools as well, but our school also has something called Excursion Week. During the last week of April, all students from grades 4-12 participate in a week long excursion to another country to participate in unique learning opportunities.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5adirzKBp9p_OA5cVx-B2TJp1CB11wsud7ZNmrp9TIxb9mz6zGhIMerPXHWQPUVQgKkyQEsxJgWIpJGKqw097A7uLTleZI9YwBXLK2zz-rOl5rx9i1EvqLAbwhaLdOFzCd_OXivEIfUxv/s1600/DSCF6973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5adirzKBp9p_OA5cVx-B2TJp1CB11wsud7ZNmrp9TIxb9mz6zGhIMerPXHWQPUVQgKkyQEsxJgWIpJGKqw097A7uLTleZI9YwBXLK2zz-rOl5rx9i1EvqLAbwhaLdOFzCd_OXivEIfUxv/s320/DSCF6973.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lisa and Haylee spent 5 days on an island in Malaysia called Pulau Besar, participating in outdoor education activities. They participated in all kinds of activities including hiking, swimming, snorkeling, campfire building and a talent show called Da Coconut Idol.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GwukhAUAlLcXVRAT6TesyRs0iPEz9QsjmeOmGyGsLm5FATM2o0awmoh7aCzrlsp8xY_75IBY_skfxGxblnhGEnCRqf9Tk31MlI1aKojzJSArDpYUdnUoO9cFNb6PELwXyCjIbWSpCnJ_/s1600/DSCF6969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GwukhAUAlLcXVRAT6TesyRs0iPEz9QsjmeOmGyGsLm5FATM2o0awmoh7aCzrlsp8xY_75IBY_skfxGxblnhGEnCRqf9Tk31MlI1aKojzJSArDpYUdnUoO9cFNb6PELwXyCjIbWSpCnJ_/s320/DSCF6969.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Haylee sang a mash-up of a bunch of different songs with her friend Estelle. Apparently the crowd really got into their performance and was singing right along with their medley of tunes which reached reached its crescendo with Kiss' I'm Gonna Rock and Roll All Night !<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7Y6qobAejd1o-duciOTT0DwPmgHDqGf1qXu3luY2TD1I_4iXL5s2oONIlqRYVqxeBmyHUIYwKLexORuyKAUeCz_YLSPV9y4qkW_kDmZzr2yU4gbSWrqfWdNV9lxq10X5M_Si8dEyFddN/s1600/DSCF6976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7Y6qobAejd1o-duciOTT0DwPmgHDqGf1qXu3luY2TD1I_4iXL5s2oONIlqRYVqxeBmyHUIYwKLexORuyKAUeCz_YLSPV9y4qkW_kDmZzr2yU4gbSWrqfWdNV9lxq10X5M_Si8dEyFddN/s320/DSCF6976.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8JUMAC_d3crNcY5q_plw35zJRWy-AnqRFrGHizbOfH-0V5ZYq92FaHufEabkmvenXm7uPJgTQ52rIvdzxgoEthFDPdkjQ2kq3ocmcTC7quFGYf-kohjgKTMgf5ozmrOuJPrsi96xIYDA/s1600/DSCF6967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8JUMAC_d3crNcY5q_plw35zJRWy-AnqRFrGHizbOfH-0V5ZYq92FaHufEabkmvenXm7uPJgTQ52rIvdzxgoEthFDPdkjQ2kq3ocmcTC7quFGYf-kohjgKTMgf5ozmrOuJPrsi96xIYDA/s320/DSCF6967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSofzBjbtEUEGnwIg4BTCJZZ-sPmyQlErDekVCmBYtdeIMlWh0-r35twKAq9FxgFm-4fT9XHuQ2KAfDFO1Ge6rHS0eGkgEGFyWPYqrw_yvvWR7a2LsZKPgfdaGmyKbOPkrIFZJeDDy8Tdi/s1600/DSC03585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSofzBjbtEUEGnwIg4BTCJZZ-sPmyQlErDekVCmBYtdeIMlWh0-r35twKAq9FxgFm-4fT9XHuQ2KAfDFO1Ge6rHS0eGkgEGFyWPYqrw_yvvWR7a2LsZKPgfdaGmyKbOPkrIFZJeDDy8Tdi/s320/DSC03585.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I took a group of 25 grade 12 students on a 9 day community service trip to Cambodia where the students worked with a number of charities supporting some of the marginalized people in Cambodian society.<br />
<br />
My trip to Cambodia provided so many unique experiences that I actually created an entirely separate <a href="http://ciscambodia2011.blogspot.com/">blog</a> to document our experiences and to communicate with parents.<br />
<br />
View my <a href="http://ciscambodia2011.blogspot.com/">Cambodia school blog here</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Family Emergency</b><br />
<br />
It's opportunities like these that made us realize what a great decision we had made in coming to live and work in Singapore. Of course, there are pros and cons to any decision. And as I am writing this blog. I am dealing with the downside of living a world away from family and friends.<br />
<br />
As I was working on a housebuilding project with my students, I got a phone call from my principal, Ted Cowan, indicating my mother, Sheila had suffered some complications related to her hip replacement surgery. After frantically calling my brother, Mark I came to learn that she suffered some heart related difficulties and has a viral heart condition known as myocarditis. Her condition is not presently a good one and I am stuck here struggling with a sense of helplessness of being a world away and unable to help. I will remain here for the time being supporting her through my positive thoughts and wishes and will return to Canada if necessary.<br />
<br />
So, far all the good that has come from our overseas experience, we are now dealing with the bad. Our only consolation is that technology has helped us to feel a little closer and we are in regular contact with family and friends at home.Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-8909793700436570392011-04-18T11:48:00.101+08:002011-08-17T16:58:31.900+08:00Cambodia - Siem Reap & Angkor Wat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjneU1qycCIJjJIwhJACyJ3_er65cQLgKHaTKmmVQzZXqzZ4348uErEmoYHqj3jNRxTNemGymidFNKVALRnos-QEXny55_mWPEXquHi-kQO4j-ZbK1gotCAI5tM7BKMa_Zr8xHqxEHWAKy/s1600/Map+of+Cambodia.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjneU1qycCIJjJIwhJACyJ3_er65cQLgKHaTKmmVQzZXqzZ4348uErEmoYHqj3jNRxTNemGymidFNKVALRnos-QEXny55_mWPEXquHi-kQO4j-ZbK1gotCAI5tM7BKMa_Zr8xHqxEHWAKy/s320/Map+of+Cambodia.gif" width="320" /></a></div>With our house building and school painting projects behind us, we had 5 days to play tourist and enjoy the sights and sounds of Cambodia. We decided to visit Siem Reap and the ancient temple ruins of Angkor Wat. Phnom Penh is about 350km from Siem Reap and so we weighed our options about how to get there. Prior to leaving we looked into booking a flight between the two cities and had a great deal of difficulty doing so. We then looked into taking a boat up the Tonle Sap river to Siem Reap. We then found out the river is not navigable all year long and that we were visiting at the peak of the dry season in which river levels were at their lowest. Foiled again. So ground transportation it was going to be. Having received some tips from friends who had previously made the trip, we were strongly discouraged from taking a bus. So, we looked into hiring a car. Easily enough, we were able to hire a car though the hotel and the price was right...only $60. Pretty darn good for a trip of that length, I thought.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWLB-w1TX4g/TapZgoJpybI/AAAAAAAAB18/CFzmVEV_Fis/s1600/DSC03392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWLB-w1TX4g/TapZgoJpybI/AAAAAAAAB18/CFzmVEV_Fis/s320/DSC03392.JPG" width="320" /></a>The morning of our departure we were greeted by our driver who was driving the car of choice in Cambodia..a mid-nineties Toyota Camry. I thought it was great! It's just like the '93 Camry we used to drive at home. My family on the other hand, was not totally enamored with the eclectic appeal of this fine automobile. Side note: Lisa is also not entirely happy with the fact that '93 Camry of yore is still technically a legal possession of ours which is currently being rehabilitated as a part of a rather lengthy restoration at the local high school in St. Thomas, Ontario.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk1g4vY57lRP83SNckFsRyqdCSQZBDdho9_7KHLA42e4QwVovGBM-wnR9zYdRBO21XLurdkosCfGjsRaX1hRNlI43lgXfYYH76ceq5G1BBRHyEVSDiH77vW20Te7OtXjlvlzL0K8EIF2h/s1600/DSCF6572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXk1g4vY57lRP83SNckFsRyqdCSQZBDdho9_7KHLA42e4QwVovGBM-wnR9zYdRBO21XLurdkosCfGjsRaX1hRNlI43lgXfYYH76ceq5G1BBRHyEVSDiH77vW20Te7OtXjlvlzL0K8EIF2h/s320/DSCF6572.JPG" width="240" /></a>In we jumped and were immediately relieved to find out the air-con worked. And so, the long journey began. Now back at home, a trip of this distance would probably take about 3 hours to cover. Our trip was considerably longer. <br />
<br />
The reasons why the trip proved a long one are numerous. First of all, there was traffic congestion. Lots of vehicles on a two-lane road. Then, there's the condition of the road. Although acceptable in some sections, large stretches of the road are extremely bumpy and the rather worn out suspension of our car didn't fare to well on these corduroy roads. Then there's the slow moving vehicles. Finally, there's the farm animals. Throughout our journey we had to slow and sometimes stop to allow grazing oxen to cross the road. These animals are still used the way we use horses at home and can still be regularly seen pulling carts and ploughing fields.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--wWBstARLW4/TapZfvwfx3I/AAAAAAAAB18/EFYCcfR0LgM/s1600/SDC15616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--wWBstARLW4/TapZfvwfx3I/AAAAAAAAB18/EFYCcfR0LgM/s320/SDC15616.JPG" width="320" /></a>6 hours later we arrived in Siem Reap. After driving through the country for such a long time, it was good to see civilization again. We headed straight to our hotel and couldn't wait to have a shower and take a look around.<br />
We were staying at the Sokha Angkor resort and were immediately impressed with the place. Unlike our rather spartan accommodations in Phnom Penh, this place had all the amenities...pool, gym, restaurants, Irish pub etc. We also noticed as we checked in, that they had afternoon tea with complimentary choice of dessert. This was an offering our sweet tooths simply could not ignore! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqKnHJ4oeAC1ujhDpXw1_8KOIE6edSH2hvuZUy8ic7bPrITDn1WYOsXmPbHrrugoW_HUBnqZDoliZ1WupP1RrnXmgxjksuh6IqABJpYDPz7GESt95eM7DFIsUkTeM_I-5XePq_xuhtGpj/s1600/DSC03223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnqKnHJ4oeAC1ujhDpXw1_8KOIE6edSH2hvuZUy8ic7bPrITDn1WYOsXmPbHrrugoW_HUBnqZDoliZ1WupP1RrnXmgxjksuh6IqABJpYDPz7GESt95eM7DFIsUkTeM_I-5XePq_xuhtGpj/s320/DSC03223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Speaking of food, this was one of the most pleasant surprises of our trip. The food offerings at the various restaurants we went to were wide and varied and the prices simply could not be beat. For example, one night our house building crew went out and a group of 20+ people had a combined food bill of less than $300, including drinks! Even the food in our hotel was affordable. So much so that we actually ordered room service without blinking at the prices on the menu. Nice.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5hrNpLATQCw/TaMPus5a2lI/AAAAAAAAA9s/k8BymCWL_Ek/s1600/DSC03522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FpfUdpIQoM/TaQTDbqzrPI/AAAAAAAAB18/diRuHdNhabE/s1600/DSCF6568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9FpfUdpIQoM/TaQTDbqzrPI/AAAAAAAAB18/diRuHdNhabE/s320/DSCF6568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Our first night there, we were met by our Tuk Tuk (taxi), driver Pealey who was conveniently arranged for us by our Tuk Tuk driver Mickey in Phnom Penh. There are far too many Tuk Tuk drivers and not enough business to go around, so Pealey took us down to Pub Street in Siem Reap and was completely willing and prepared to wait for us while we ate our dinner so that he could give us a ride home. First, we checked out the Red Piano bar, where apparently Angeline Jolie liked to hang out when she was visiting Tomb Raider. Before we could decide on a place to eat, Haylee came down with a sore stomach and so we called it an early night. Just as well, as our next day would be a busy one at Angkor Wat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFdx2K7LooSfZ_SbuBD77vyvmzeMaRWpmSxCp9kjMRfFeUmyGS8_KG_pkuKIr0BlRJu-fSgLXbh_2XB3rN4F24d4kKAC7yEWJSi3-cJLPtpNrmpLFt0xOPmuvo0UfJXiXNMvEgGp9G7yy/s1600/DSC03465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidFdx2K7LooSfZ_SbuBD77vyvmzeMaRWpmSxCp9kjMRfFeUmyGS8_KG_pkuKIr0BlRJu-fSgLXbh_2XB3rN4F24d4kKAC7yEWJSi3-cJLPtpNrmpLFt0xOPmuvo0UfJXiXNMvEgGp9G7yy/s320/DSC03465.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The following day Pealey came to pick us up ( he was now OUR driver, as the drivers show an allegiance to their customers) and escorted by our guide, Boon Rong, whom we had hired for the day, we headed off to see the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. Note: Guides are recommended but not required for visiting the temples in order to get some background on their history and development, which, due to the sheer size of the complex is more than a little overwhelming. It was very well worth it as the information shared by Boon Rong told a story that the stones and murals/reliefs could not tell.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEI_Dd-4_XM-r4mxlHTLau_Ho_lva93sg3Atra1DHXTkh67K5U1eWJOfsP-suTkMvxtZcFoEZzU24twTnC1imzUt1yTC1YGXIre-7PXRaBoPCnzNTteSp1t3Tq-85rZdnuuPFILdtkz82/s1600/DSC03473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEI_Dd-4_XM-r4mxlHTLau_Ho_lva93sg3Atra1DHXTkh67K5U1eWJOfsP-suTkMvxtZcFoEZzU24twTnC1imzUt1yTC1YGXIre-7PXRaBoPCnzNTteSp1t3Tq-85rZdnuuPFILdtkz82/s320/DSC03473.JPG" width="320" /></a>The first day we decided to visit the the <a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/cambodia/angkor-thom-bayon-temple">Bayon Temple</a> in the ancient city of <a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/cambodia/angkor-thom">Angkor Thom</a>. Built in the twelfth century, " Angkor Thom was built as a square, the sides of which run exactly north to south and east to west. Standing in the exact center of the walled city, <b style="font-weight: normal;">Bayon Temple</b> represents the intersection of heaven and earth". <br />
(I won't attempt to re-tell or plagiarize any additional info., so check out the links for more if interested.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3UgYuwAyb0/TaMNzS-9NII/AAAAAAAAB18/PkBwmu58rBg/s1600/DSC03461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3UgYuwAyb0/TaMNzS-9NII/AAAAAAAAB18/PkBwmu58rBg/s320/DSC03461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Seeing the temples for the first time was awe inspiring. The majestic beauty of the temples and the detail in the carvings was something to behold. We found it hard to believe that a walled city that was once home to close to a million people (and the largest city of the pre-industrial age) was simply abandoned. But I guess it's simply another example of history repeating itself, as witnessed in places like Egypt, Greece, Italy etc.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGk4fbLx4__otRHNVsr-vjwssNSmBSNbC5CB73A6L0gV270nw_3XdxA6Eqn_9sCk2ffARXrbhksR50bBhfh_DusDRlsy9O3zA6uc5oNCOPqL3NeGR3xSwdfymuj5Y3keAroAdkPAvnNX0/s1600/DSC03490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGk4fbLx4__otRHNVsr-vjwssNSmBSNbC5CB73A6L0gV270nw_3XdxA6Eqn_9sCk2ffARXrbhksR50bBhfh_DusDRlsy9O3zA6uc5oNCOPqL3NeGR3xSwdfymuj5Y3keAroAdkPAvnNX0/s320/DSC03490.JPG" width="320" /></a>One the second day, we went to visit <a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/cambodia/angkor-wat">Angkor Wat</a>. It is the largest religious building in the world, originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and then Buddhist. To quote someone else's words again, " Angkor Wat is the best preserved example of Khmer architecture in Cambodia and is so grand in design that some rank it among the <b style="font-weight: normal;">seven wonders of the world</b>. It appears on the Cambodian national flag, a very rare instance of a flag incorporating an image of a building."<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We spent the afternoon wondering through Angkor Wat. It seemed like around every corner there was another incredible photo taking opportunity. In the late afternoon, our guide recommended that we visit Phnom Bakheng Temple. Who were we to argue?<br />
<br />
<br />
Before we go any further, you may have noticed some repetition in the names of places, so I'll provide a quick Khmer language lesson to fill you in. The word <i>Phnom</i> means hill, so we were previously in the city of <i>Penh Hill</i> and we were now on our way to <i>Bakheng Hill Temple</i>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOojvSIOtu-lCJH4N_hZbrJTmIdkYeVHM_Ez2rKCH10MNtJZdhZODCgRUUTx4C7rfVeQvG9ss1agO4vM_NbdyGJNlGvgB-ncmxayyVzcrR2W9Z4JEZOAbtJPGFbTYhR7IR0u9bJ1w03xM/s1600/DSCF6686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOojvSIOtu-lCJH4N_hZbrJTmIdkYeVHM_Ez2rKCH10MNtJZdhZODCgRUUTx4C7rfVeQvG9ss1agO4vM_NbdyGJNlGvgB-ncmxayyVzcrR2W9Z4JEZOAbtJPGFbTYhR7IR0u9bJ1w03xM/s320/DSCF6686.JPG" width="320" /></a>From the top of Phnom Bakheng Temple we had a 360 degree view and could see of all of the Angkor Wat complex (<i>Angkor</i> means city and <i>Wat</i> means temple) and the West Baray. The West Baray or reservoir(more like a lake) was built by diverting water from the Siem Reap River and was what allowed the ancient city to thrive. Water fed from the baray through irrigation canals to the fields allowed for year round agriculture. A prolonged two decade drought coincided with attacks from neighboring Thailand and ultimately led to the abandonment of Angkor Wat. But, I digress.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We made the long, circular walk to the top of the hill and the Bakheng Temple. At one time, there were stone stairs one could climb that kinda formed a,"stairway to heaven" on the eastern and western side of the hill. However these are now partially grown over and too dangerous to climb. We were greeted by hundreds of others who had made the journey. Unbeknown to us, this is a popular viewing site and it's not uncommon to see a thousand people their at the height of tourist season. Come to think of it, I should've figured this out earlier when we were greeted at the base of the hill by a throng of locals selling everything from cold beer to silk scarves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We watched the setting sun over the West Baray and happily made the much easier walk down the hill to our awaiting Tuk Tuk (and our faithful driver, Pealey) and called it a day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvybHqPfFu564dCKMs1brNVBMpXjt9oL6YtxFEj6LPmPkmTZ2630e8snZ7Vk3ej-Hoc6HQFLlqSrsS-CJEHqIthqcNr4W8KUipPRB8UOhQgw9rhwzBU9Orwcx_OEZqXJX8zzLfp0wZXAS/s1600/DSC03514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7p2M0Dxl-evD6Zs-apbu9M9vFCdwWRxiixJLnhxGOFF1zLQK0lQA1-oAxBCPm-0kFDQT6J6azghu_80j9cx4sooW6FKMA2R_pn2vVJLnZnUM38iywsmPP4COP0pYz9j8z6HZ8rckcY26Y/s1600/DSC03514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7p2M0Dxl-evD6Zs-apbu9M9vFCdwWRxiixJLnhxGOFF1zLQK0lQA1-oAxBCPm-0kFDQT6J6azghu_80j9cx4sooW6FKMA2R_pn2vVJLnZnUM38iywsmPP4COP0pYz9j8z6HZ8rckcY26Y/s320/DSC03514.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Our third and final day of touring the temples would take us to one of the most eerily picturesque temples of all, Ta Prohm. Located about one kilometre from Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm has been left in much the same condition as it was found. The combination of trees literally growing out of the ruins and the jungle surroundings give it a very different feel than the other temples we visited. Many scenes in the movie, "Tomb Raider" were filmed here and consequently it is a popular temple. We found that it was a great temple to visit on a sunny day because the jungle canopy offered a much needed respite from the sun. <br />
After Ta Prohm, we bade Angkor Wat farewell by taking a victory lap of sorts in our Tuk Tuk past Angkor Thom and Angkor Wat for one last look. We bade farewell knowing that someday we would be back for more.<br />
<br />
<br />
On our final night, we went out on the town and visited the Siem Reap Night Market. The usual fare of t-shirts and bootleg dvds were being sold but the interesting thing was the different 'spas' where one could get a massage. Nothing illicit or sordid here (at least not that we saw). The amazing thing was the price. The massage industry kinda has the same problem that tourist driven industry has: way too much competition. The end result is the consumer wins: big time. A foot massage or a back massage for 20 minutes would set you back for the princely sum of $1. Fish spas are all the rage over in SE Asia and there's no shortage of them in Siem Reap. In Singapore, you would ordinarily pay $15-20 for 15 minutes. The price at the night market? $2. Plus, you get a free beer! Unbelievable.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SJAA_GnzZk/TaMQNWjV1RI/AAAAAAAAA9s/WtePmxD_JJw/s1600/DSC03552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8SJAA_GnzZk/TaMQNWjV1RI/AAAAAAAAB18/i1lYyVulu9Q/s1600/DSC03552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8SJAA_GnzZk/TaMQNWjV1RI/AAAAAAAAB18/i1lYyVulu9Q/s320/DSC03552.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The following day, we boarded the plane for our journey home: Siem Reap-Phnom Penh-Singapore. We arrived home at 10:00 p.m. on the Sunday night, completely exhausted and completely satisfied with the most fulfilling and enjoyable of vacations.<br />
<br />
Ah Kuhn, Cambodia!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5594321137548587313%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCJTQjOT4pK3DGg%26hl%3Den_US" height="367" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500"></embed><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-15741639850706517332011-04-13T13:49:00.011+08:002011-08-23T14:51:11.178+08:00Building a Future in Cambodia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjneU1qycCIJjJIwhJACyJ3_er65cQLgKHaTKmmVQzZXqzZ4348uErEmoYHqj3jNRxTNemGymidFNKVALRnos-QEXny55_mWPEXquHi-kQO4j-ZbK1gotCAI5tM7BKMa_Zr8xHqxEHWAKy/s1600/Map+of+Cambodia.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjneU1qycCIJjJIwhJACyJ3_er65cQLgKHaTKmmVQzZXqzZ4348uErEmoYHqj3jNRxTNemGymidFNKVALRnos-QEXny55_mWPEXquHi-kQO4j-ZbK1gotCAI5tM7BKMa_Zr8xHqxEHWAKy/s320/Map+of+Cambodia.gif" width="320" /></a></div>Back in October 2010, we made a commitment to spend our spring break in Cambodia working on a community outreach project. This, is our story.</div><br />
On the morning of Saturday, April 2nd, 2011, our group of 37 members(18 adults and 19 children) departed for Phnom Penh, Cambodia. We were going there to perform volunteer work with two charities: Tabitha and the People's Improvement Organization (PIO). I'll tell you more about these organizations later.<br />
<br />
We left that day for Cambodia with a certain amount of nervous apprehension. We were going to a place that we knew would be considerably different from Singapore and we didn't know what to expect. We knew that we were living in one of the richest countries and we were going to visit one of the poorest, so truth be told, we were expecting the worst. We also knew of Cambodia's recent horrific past.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHcxb184BYI/TaMGa3910LI/AAAAAAAAB18/kxs8yQYyy9A/s1600/DSC03239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHcxb184BYI/TaMGa3910LI/AAAAAAAAB18/kxs8yQYyy9A/s320/DSC03239.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>In 1975, 5 years of bombing ended when the American backed regime led by Lon Nor, was defeated by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. At that time, Cambodians thought their troubles were over.<br />
<br />
In reality they were only beginning. Only a day later, their world was turned upside down when all of the cities were emptied and the entire populace was sent to the countryside. What followed was a three year genocide that saw almost 2 million people killed (20% of the population) in an attempt to return the country to an isolated, classless, agrarian society. Part of our visit here would see us come face to face with that history and we were fearful to a certain degree about what we might experience. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Our fears were quickly diverted when we met up with the 30+ strong contingent at the airport in Singapore and set off on our journey. 1 hr. and 40 min. later we touched down in Phnom Penh and headed towards our hotel by bus. We were staying at the Golden Gate Hotel in the heart of the city and very close to 'embassy row' where most foreign embassies are located. Our journey to the hotel was an eventful one, but at the same time not terribly different from car trips we had taken in other developing countries. The roads were cluttered with people on mopeds/scooters, sometimes riding solo, sometimes riding tandem and in some cases we saw people out for a family outing on one scooter. It's not uncommon to see 3, 4 and sometimes even 5 people on the same scooter. But on this particular day, we set a new record.....6!!! That's right, 6 people on the same scooter. Not sure if I have all the details correct but I believe it was something like this: baby number one on the gas tank, dad driving the scooter, then kids number 2 and 3, followed by mom and finally the eldest child on the back. I kid you not. I know you'd have to see this to believe it, by I'm not making it up.<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">The other amazing thing is the traffic flow. Picture a city of over 2 million people with nary a traffic light, except for in the busiest of intersections. Yet, somehow, miraculously, it works. Cars and scooters weave through clogged intersections with the least bit of care and the greatest of ease and it appears that no one gets hurt. No such thing as road rage here. You just go with the flow. And getting cut off, that happens all the time, but nobody gets mad about it. It just goes with the territory............ I think North American drivers could all learn something from their Cambodian brethren when it comes to driving.</div><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx3yYNAts_hU-YarP0-j2_vWzYxjJsqhm1fwjqhZIyLW0s7XZddPyvE23bSMd9DOmYZA766vWBvCXsNPQlLdQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r3oHkmicmdk/TaQPGzXW25I/AAAAAAAAAzc/V8l14lRYoWM/s1600/DSC03213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3J94KjmVJZ0/TaQPHLsGKAI/AAAAAAAAB18/ygKNwotvVps/s1600/DSC03218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3J94KjmVJZ0/TaQPHLsGKAI/AAAAAAAAB18/ygKNwotvVps/s320/DSC03218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We checked into our hotel and we were delighted with it. Located on a quaint side street, everything and anything we wanted was literally a stone`s throw away. We quickly had lunch at the most incredible rooftop restaurant and acquainted ourselves with the group. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9pFmSjH4PM2uphN-LYClLKgjV3i25s6pSUzrR3X8Cm_sb5d0-ciGDQlDi9DExdDIPQ7V-ppg4WQ57jV8XyhEDo-zol4CioiDL3qC1p-RNduzW3CNhDJ3cfA9I1pSH2SftSzPuKeUdIMP/s1600/DSC03235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ9pFmSjH4PM2uphN-LYClLKgjV3i25s6pSUzrR3X8Cm_sb5d0-ciGDQlDi9DExdDIPQ7V-ppg4WQ57jV8XyhEDo-zol4CioiDL3qC1p-RNduzW3CNhDJ3cfA9I1pSH2SftSzPuKeUdIMP/s320/DSC03235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After that, we headed to the <a href="http://www.tabithasingapore.com/">Tabitha</a> organizations headquarters for an orientation session about our housebuilding project with Janne Ritskes, the founder of Tabitha. Tabitha has a number of programs aimed at helping Cambodians become self-sufficient, one of which is providing them with adequate shelter. We had raised over $18 000 and would be building 10 homes in a small, rural village in the Cambodian province of Kandal, south of Phnom Penh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rpw9ZF1Utb8akMqynG8-7SahhbGWct4jKoODrij7Gw_lhG4As8HKz9zPAzTh39_qmg-jltAUMgCJjcVq2SmJnkusMgkwYSLep1fCPpLaAhOyaP205QoJW7iUZPqjNSnOBCUXSSGq_gf1/s1600/DSC03229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rpw9ZF1Utb8akMqynG8-7SahhbGWct4jKoODrij7Gw_lhG4As8HKz9zPAzTh39_qmg-jltAUMgCJjcVq2SmJnkusMgkwYSLep1fCPpLaAhOyaP205QoJW7iUZPqjNSnOBCUXSSGq_gf1/s320/DSC03229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Janne gave us some guidelines for when we were working in the village and we learned first hand through her own personal experiences how Pol Pot`s genocidal regime had left a scar on Cambodian society that has yet to heal and how important our work was in helping people develop self-sufficiency and more appropriate standards of living. We were inspired by her words and couldn't wait to get to work. But before we did, Janne insisted we learn more about Cambodia`s past. This would take place the following day when we would visit the Killing Fields and Tol Sleng Prison, known as S21.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5rzeHVNawLs/TaMG7A47IEI/AAAAAAAAB18/EpnfRb-GzOs/s1600/DSC03257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5rzeHVNawLs/TaMG7A47IEI/AAAAAAAAB18/EpnfRb-GzOs/s320/DSC03257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Tol Sleng prison is a converted school that was used as an interrogation centre for suspected Vietnamese sympathizers and enemies of the state. To achieve his dream of an agrarian society, Pol Pot felt he must destroy the middle class or anyone with intellect that might question his policies. So, teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, people who wore glasses etc. were routinely tortured until they made false confessions of guilt. If victims survived the torture at the hands of their captors, they were then sent to Choeung Ek (the Killing Fields) for execution. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5oft85Ixj8/TaMGiwVu4FI/AAAAAAAAB18/scTUHjMZGcs/s1600/DSC03243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_5oft85Ixj8/TaMGiwVu4FI/AAAAAAAAB18/scTUHjMZGcs/s320/DSC03243.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The visit to the Killing Fields at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choeung_Ek">Choeung Ek</a> was an informative, but sombre affair. A guide took us around and explained where and how people were killed. And as much as we could see firsthand what had happened here, it felt rather surreal. <br />
<br />
Photo at right: Mass graves in front of a Buddhist stupa or monument, filled with over 5 000 human skulls exhumed from the site.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VWLs5qBOQMwBjASAulKtno2YF9T8QnenvqalXTmPtWH0J9_aZ9Fl3h3sGRGDoerMLGYIPuAGC29n7ylgyqOZ-3A1Qo09RusCuLxn8W4_bkajgEVCHLJHknDEmF7NKXeH7ddmjTDxXnEV/s1600/DSCF6539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VWLs5qBOQMwBjASAulKtno2YF9T8QnenvqalXTmPtWH0J9_aZ9Fl3h3sGRGDoerMLGYIPuAGC29n7ylgyqOZ-3A1Qo09RusCuLxn8W4_bkajgEVCHLJHknDEmF7NKXeH7ddmjTDxXnEV/s320/DSCF6539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The next morning we departed for our housebuilding trip. We left Phnom Penh and drove an hour and a half to the countryside. Quite a difference between the city and the country. The village we went to was a community of a couple hundred people with a dusty, single track path connecting the homes to one another. No stores here. The people literally live and work off the land and earn little or no income. However the people here are content and received us openly, but somewhat tentatively into their community. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FrG5SBAtLog/TaQR6ZWgVGI/AAAAAAAAB18/xtoD8LLdssU/s1600/DSCF6523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FrG5SBAtLog/TaQR6ZWgVGI/AAAAAAAAB18/xtoD8LLdssU/s320/DSCF6523.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Our group broke up into 4 teams and started building. All the materials for the build were already on site and the homes were already partially completed. The homes already had been roofed and framed and were built upon cement pilings about 2 metres in the air. Our job was to put steel siding on the buildings and to complete the floors inside. Men, women and children worked side by side on the project and with the help of local villagers, we had completed about half of the homes by lunchtime.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4YUi_8aoCiV3646gnVCH2oYyUnPjdGw8PpNDZkXQQ5RkWFUvKgo-Mi5gXtB1fUZPn1Bj2t-Rz6s5UZz4yW7sRXHwR4ov_F8pkRJIaRpjL43Z6zI-o3sXRxeKkVph2Dt8srlbApq67s-q/s1600/cambodiaskipping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI4YUi_8aoCiV3646gnVCH2oYyUnPjdGw8PpNDZkXQQ5RkWFUvKgo-Mi5gXtB1fUZPn1Bj2t-Rz6s5UZz4yW7sRXHwR4ov_F8pkRJIaRpjL43Z6zI-o3sXRxeKkVph2Dt8srlbApq67s-q/s320/cambodiaskipping.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After being in the village for several hours, the villagers felt much more relaxed with our presence. While we were eating our lunch of peanut butter sandwiches, our group of kids had a great time interacting with the village children. Some played soccer, others played jump rope and at one point all of the kids joined together in a game of duck-duck-goose. Watching the interaction between these kids while we ate our lunch was most enjoyable and was truly one of the highlights of the day.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCdgU07NNPFTqMSYtvZ4Wv8GICJ1LfasyxE-WweiIJxeFxovtjJdvuLplFJQFT7w88PmfHxzMPShHAvygTJ476uXWFNelVO6Fxkm34iN7bYSoGqdntswKujKYyBn1WEHKuuB1B98nm343/s1600/DSCF6518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigCdgU07NNPFTqMSYtvZ4Wv8GICJ1LfasyxE-WweiIJxeFxovtjJdvuLplFJQFT7w88PmfHxzMPShHAvygTJ476uXWFNelVO6Fxkm34iN7bYSoGqdntswKujKYyBn1WEHKuuB1B98nm343/s320/DSCF6518.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We got back to work in the afternoon and completed all 10 homes by about 4 p.m. Everyone converged on the final house at about 3:30 and a team of about 10 people worked together to finish nailing down the bamboo floor. It was a great way to finish off the project as we were all working together to get the job done. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudncdMGxaPJidmf5MJphcBab3OaHwSVrWShjkhxRihP53jA8BxY65Ql5rY0xIXDg2AOFRhBRf8Sxp-e0KZAh6AipPQ-KvLQNWssPtZTM4I2Ml9-7zGhnM6ulXiLJaU3wj-gUc-sbztKg_/s1600/DSCF6560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcSyhJHBn8OdupAKPDxZDq3s1O8illl3EeKF3zAkYV98RWL3N4HA16PrA42Qvw9gl98Vz6-GunhcWb9ZpJ15qLR1OJX0ajCJL7zosOhR0UL-5RK10ap-Bc2-fBmOF-bSvlldu765MUjdf/s1600/DSCF6562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcSyhJHBn8OdupAKPDxZDq3s1O8illl3EeKF3zAkYV98RWL3N4HA16PrA42Qvw9gl98Vz6-GunhcWb9ZpJ15qLR1OJX0ajCJL7zosOhR0UL-5RK10ap-Bc2-fBmOF-bSvlldu765MUjdf/s320/DSCF6562.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The group was standing around celebrating their accomplishments when we were asked to meet in front of one of the homes we had completed. We walked down the road and were pleasantly surprised to see that all the new homeowners and their families had converged to offer us their collective thanks. A few words of thanks were exchanged through a translator by both groups and then we offered each new homeowner a blanket as a housewarming gift for their new home. If there was a moment when one may have been moved to tears, this was it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MRgbow4K0LdNYG64W-Q2Y4PS_tYv8hHqDIbBsINJ2OOQd_pt6eaTBKIkuyEoOD29Qu4Sme5UGjotSfJ93DyLmFRnabmPw0CP5DGNowF87G8FUNmrqSI_7A6bCH0cC3XbASTsXf9m-vCE/s1600/DSC03316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MRgbow4K0LdNYG64W-Q2Y4PS_tYv8hHqDIbBsINJ2OOQd_pt6eaTBKIkuyEoOD29Qu4Sme5UGjotSfJ93DyLmFRnabmPw0CP5DGNowF87G8FUNmrqSI_7A6bCH0cC3XbASTsXf9m-vCE/s320/DSC03316.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Large group and small group photos were taken, many exchanges of, 'ah-kuhn' or thank you were made and it was then time to get into our vans and leave. And as muted and reserved as our welcome to the village was, our departure was enthusiastic and heartfelt. Children and adults all down the road bade us farewell and their smiles left us with the feeling that our efforts had helped to make a difference.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTi7818NRzHDAcJSfn54_YgkWJPg4dis2Ly5oHBZyGeFiZ9n-jy7CzQqVTKtdLefeAErZ0eLzebt5TFk09b0Q_zPjZ70kRAcWpk3o-FKWrpY8NExlJM0bcq1fB7D_RYPzD1zpG9u8Bsgv2/s1600/DSC03337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTi7818NRzHDAcJSfn54_YgkWJPg4dis2Ly5oHBZyGeFiZ9n-jy7CzQqVTKtdLefeAErZ0eLzebt5TFk09b0Q_zPjZ70kRAcWpk3o-FKWrpY8NExlJM0bcq1fB7D_RYPzD1zpG9u8Bsgv2/s320/DSC03337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At dinner that evening we exchanged stories and showed each other the blisters, scrapes and cuts we had as souvenirs of our day. We went to bed that night wondering what the following day would be like at the PIO school.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V52X_jdtaVA/TaMJZ8ejV8I/AAAAAAAAB18/Pcw5GLScEUE/s1600/DSC03345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V52X_jdtaVA/TaMJZ8ejV8I/AAAAAAAAB18/Pcw5GLScEUE/s320/DSC03345.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The following morning we made our way to the <a href="http://www.peopleimprovement.org/">People's Improvement Organization (PIO)</a> school in Borei Santipheap II, which is an area on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. It is a settlement area for many of the <a href="http://articles.cnn.com/2008-05-29/world/heroes.noun_1_trash-dump-trash-heap-poorest-children?_s=PM:WORLD">displaced people</a> of the riverside slum, who were forced out of the city centre by developers. We arrived at the school and were greeted enthusiastically by the students, many of whom were wearing old, previously donated school uniforms from CIS. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i56t3DcTIXw/TaMJ1-empnI/AAAAAAAAB18/MkD3KoCpdoU/s1600/DSC03356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i56t3DcTIXw/TaMJ1-empnI/AAAAAAAAB18/MkD3KoCpdoU/s320/DSC03356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Thanks to donations organized through PIO founder and <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/services/opk/heroes/cnn_heroes.html#phymean_noun">CNN hero</a> Phymean Noun , the school is expanding by four classrooms and so we donated the paint and were going to paint the new rooms. The change of pace from hammering to painting was welcomed by all as there were some pretty stiff muscles following the previous days work.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
The students not only welcomed us, they actually delivered our painting supplies!</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy5v77X3KbT0LnomEeNPf-vLb4Kn2224ldk-cZHyMsiJBrCF7a-6OA3XqWCKniiFT3rC7sCtHpeM9LqY7Leqg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInLCVWZI6a3ltyKRYUW04lz9Eko-ZQD0l_1708Qbw_ldbFuJ9aeKcIobXlUYhSf1B9yxeJdcq9wfBH22WWwfhXf_L2Z7w0ufMmb0g9bRYEX_pHvEvNikaHUMti6IRl6AOZ8chR1dPkBcM/s1600/DSC03388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInLCVWZI6a3ltyKRYUW04lz9Eko-ZQD0l_1708Qbw_ldbFuJ9aeKcIobXlUYhSf1B9yxeJdcq9wfBH22WWwfhXf_L2Z7w0ufMmb0g9bRYEX_pHvEvNikaHUMti6IRl6AOZ8chR1dPkBcM/s320/DSC03388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And then, it got interesting. We got ourselves organized, opened up our paint and got down to work. The next we know, all the kids who greeted us had grabbed paint brushes and were proceeding to help us. Picture kids as young as 4 and 5 years old randomly painting stuff, the walls, themselves, and you might be able to conjure up a picture of what it was like. In a word it was.......chaos. But, the kids were eager to help and we were only to happy to have them give us a hand to paint their school. They were proud of themselves for helping and we, although a little frustrated at times, were thankful for their help. It gave our job purpose. We weren't just painting a building. We were painting a school. THEIR school.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_btH0ijrR9E/TaMKi0hta_I/AAAAAAAAB18/3QZh2-tcoRA/s1600/DSC03376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_btH0ijrR9E/TaMKi0hta_I/AAAAAAAAB18/3QZh2-tcoRA/s320/DSC03376.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>At the beginning of the day, most of us felt that a day of painting would be much easier than our day of housebuilding the day before, but boy, were we wrong. The walls were 20+ ft. high and we were painting both the interior and the exterior of the building. The walls were bare concrete, so we spent the entire morning just applying a primer. Over the lunch hour, we looked at the work we had in front of us and didn't think we would ever get done. But, thankfully the top coat went on very well and covered very well and we only had to apply one coat. Both the team working inside the school and the team working outside the school saw instant progress and there was no second guessing what had been painted as the exterior colour was lime green and the interior colour was a yellow brighter than the sun!! We were a little leery of the colours when we first got started, by the time we finished, we all agreed it looked great.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7hJNBaZo49k/TaMK5aKGBaI/AAAAAAAAArY/uMHty2i8Tg0/s1600/DSC03384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7hJNBaZo49k/TaMK5aKGBaI/AAAAAAAAB18/ZCWu9actfUQ/s1600/DSC03384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7hJNBaZo49k/TaMK5aKGBaI/AAAAAAAAB18/ZCWu9actfUQ/s320/DSC03384.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>At the end of the day we were quite proud of the work we had done, all of which was christened when a few of the workers put up the school sign. The place looked great and thanks to a very large community effort, we got the job done. <br />
<br />
That evening everyone got together for a 'victory' dinner of sorts where we swapped stories, congratulated each other on a job well done and began minor discussions about doing it all next year!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfV7Ti_l3ChL2yLafFrtbf8JoVhFwhOyRWJMDgxrlhod5uaNsFql6uGCu4MeLksCKKw3aKxXSFtcCNb7XkIKzaAEEZRFm2tUaM5LsQhy9i5-VFWS-Ro9EOeUlYUD7jVCt7S9u8RkEV-Zo/s1600/DSC03391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfV7Ti_l3ChL2yLafFrtbf8JoVhFwhOyRWJMDgxrlhod5uaNsFql6uGCu4MeLksCKKw3aKxXSFtcCNb7XkIKzaAEEZRFm2tUaM5LsQhy9i5-VFWS-Ro9EOeUlYUD7jVCt7S9u8RkEV-Zo/s320/DSC03391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The following morning some of the group boarded a bus and headed for the airport to go home. While others, including Haylee, Lisa and myself prepared for our trip to Siem Reap Province and the ancient temples of Angkor Wat.<br />
<br />
See my next post for more about our experiences in Siem Reap...Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-85808292963393856092011-04-01T13:34:00.000+08:002011-04-01T13:34:55.885+08:005 posts and counting!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOEGxoaWljQvwu59ChHnhQS8ngqKlpcex5q5Uy95A0T3Yfh1IKxj6pOrb4pMWNKfwSlkQ2WFN1DDatuX2yBgQlxhmYhecJnBSfxYykjc1PnPrY6h_40ENukRnVGmXA7wv0mmEH9aruCR6/s1600/DSC01723-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOEGxoaWljQvwu59ChHnhQS8ngqKlpcex5q5Uy95A0T3Yfh1IKxj6pOrb4pMWNKfwSlkQ2WFN1DDatuX2yBgQlxhmYhecJnBSfxYykjc1PnPrY6h_40ENukRnVGmXA7wv0mmEH9aruCR6/s200/DSC01723-1.JPG" width="168" /></a></div>Blog Post - <a href="http://littlerallyspeaking.blogspot.com/2011/04/house-hunting.html">House Hunting</a> is now available <br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm still working in reverse and catching up to the present, so you will find the post listed in the Blog Archive under 2010 - September or you can go to it directly following the <a href="http://littlerallyspeaking.blogspot.com/2011/04/house-hunting.html">House Hunting Link</a>.<br />
<br />
Previously on Survivor...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Created my first two posts for this blog when we first arrived in Singapore in August '10 and then got busy settling in, starting a new job, getting a place to live etc. Consequently, the blog got put on the back burner for a while. Okay, a long while. But, I've recently been inspired by an e-mail I received from a good friend, Rob Turnbull, in which he shared his <a href="http://robskonadreamin.blogspot.com/">blog</a> with me. His most recent entry highlighted a recent trip that he and his family had taken to Belize. It convinced me it was time to update my blog, so here I go. If you want to get the picture here,<b> start with my first post and read the entries in reverse order to understand the chronology of our time and experiences in Singapore. The posts are arranged according to date (year-month) on the right side of this page. </b></div>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-16569654427947923032011-03-01T13:17:00.001+08:002011-06-30T03:26:21.827+08:00Chinese New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjr9vI0FEZVLPmr_vf-88EBE-ta7H5y1jszi22_sqDeb6m7504tva3YZL1iO3Z_HARlrQTEiscP-m2r-Mvj9KIXW7RnAb_1x-UxDUcQGD_8If0xL922pW-1Bp4vB-KWNjEoqGxSYM6MOtE/s1600/DSC02323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjr9vI0FEZVLPmr_vf-88EBE-ta7H5y1jszi22_sqDeb6m7504tva3YZL1iO3Z_HARlrQTEiscP-m2r-Mvj9KIXW7RnAb_1x-UxDUcQGD_8If0xL922pW-1Bp4vB-KWNjEoqGxSYM6MOtE/s320/DSC02323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Chinese New Year was in February this year and it gave us 2 days off work and a four day weekend. So, we made plans to go back to Phuket, Thailand with Charlie and Ruth. We really enjoyed ourselves the first time we were here and were looking forward to our return trip. Unlike the last time we visited, when we stayed on the west coast near Patong, this time we stayed on the east coast near Phuket Town. The hotel we picked was the Westin Siray Bay, a new hotel that opened just a few months earlier. Built on a hillside overlooking the water and a beautiful beach, we were immediately impressed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyWFDsMSTBmS-BKvWNMT-B1WktGyM6o4xugRA5fFx14V96Sn1MEFPQgYAaIul1qY9xdWpIXk-XTfwDQ0JTqIUXQ5kr-V4S6RpO3gkWzyS5dGfWlHo4wCU6Xi3urguCglXsjgVjziGpd9s/s1600/IMG_0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyWFDsMSTBmS-BKvWNMT-B1WktGyM6o4xugRA5fFx14V96Sn1MEFPQgYAaIul1qY9xdWpIXk-XTfwDQ0JTqIUXQ5kr-V4S6RpO3gkWzyS5dGfWlHo4wCU6Xi3urguCglXsjgVjziGpd9s/s320/IMG_0974.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After enjoying a welcome drink in the lobby we made our way to our rooms, which thanks to the rather steep hillside, we negotiated by golf cart. Our room overlooked the water and also had an overhead view of one of the pools which was located directly below our room. After leaving our bags in our room, we made our way up to the highest point on the property, where we enjoyed a nice lunch and went swimming in the glass sided infinity pool. And talk about hot! If we were craving the sun and the heat, we certainly found it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tG6G-VRfvC8/Td8aar-t9mI/AAAAAAAABos/bSNj8uDn39s/s1600/DSC02470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tG6G-VRfvC8/Td8aar-t9mI/AAAAAAAABos/bSNj8uDn39s/s320/DSC02470.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We spent the next couple of days lazing around the hotel and enjoying all the amenities it had to offer. Lisa and I would use the gym each morning and then we would spend the afternoons lounging at one of the two pools or we would head down to the beach. At the beach, we went kayaking and I did some windsurfing. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After that we napped in hammocks. What a rough life! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrlAQEd6QEg7F_upC_4MsgzBeJai-wFBYryznIVSb70EN9kjYWRdfMv0ysogI6vAMdxyRPrbirXvigPcNmZ6z4XgMDI7s5WJr2Hcbtmn7UhpHywDTde1d8SEu0qIPfz0EHR12k5lMvci_/s1600/DSC02387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHrlAQEd6QEg7F_upC_4MsgzBeJai-wFBYryznIVSb70EN9kjYWRdfMv0ysogI6vAMdxyRPrbirXvigPcNmZ6z4XgMDI7s5WJr2Hcbtmn7UhpHywDTde1d8SEu0qIPfz0EHR12k5lMvci_/s320/DSC02387.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzEujpUGNfZsrYNDkAPQr3sElgKO4sbOdKxNJA6vrKQfk5ix726CF2iNveTJ06AGFlHsp4ql426aeoMRaJh44y2J9YEyAK6bS1cEDpw4cTGcMfXBkbM-xcSgrHfeEUKuDFkcX1VbeMZY6/s1600/DSC02389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzEujpUGNfZsrYNDkAPQr3sElgKO4sbOdKxNJA6vrKQfk5ix726CF2iNveTJ06AGFlHsp4ql426aeoMRaJh44y2J9YEyAK6bS1cEDpw4cTGcMfXBkbM-xcSgrHfeEUKuDFkcX1VbeMZY6/s320/DSC02389.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C47LGIudThK6VS4wmrS7ok5UbNbsKqXemC-K8xJSDroFOjciMSbzeFVIXxv1Cod4hrCfcV6Y1t8MJfY92w504qpHxQW-g66RlM_Lm4xwE_sTUtpR9G6F4S5HtzW6O5USW6pOa0oZs_gd/s1600/DSC02395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C47LGIudThK6VS4wmrS7ok5UbNbsKqXemC-K8xJSDroFOjciMSbzeFVIXxv1Cod4hrCfcV6Y1t8MJfY92w504qpHxQW-g66RlM_Lm4xwE_sTUtpR9G6F4S5HtzW6O5USW6pOa0oZs_gd/s320/DSC02395.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">After enjoying the delicious, but expensive hotel food, we decided to go into Phuket Town for dinner each night. Although somewhat intimidated by the hustle and bustle on the streets, we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless and found some good places to eat. We also did a little bit of shopping at a local mall and bought some stuff from street vendors who were selling knockoffs of most designer brands including Gucci, Coach, Polo, Lacoste and Quicksilver to name but a few. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8mubs3-9XLU/Td8bGm8hfWI/AAAAAAAAByE/m12DGr9GoBU/s1600/IMG_1019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8mubs3-9XLU/Td8bGm8hfWI/AAAAAAAAByE/m12DGr9GoBU/s320/IMG_1019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Next, we set our eyes on adventure. Off the east coast of Phuket are a group of islands known as the Phi Phi (pronounced Pee-Pee) Islands, a group of towering limestone islands that are world renowned for their beauty and as a destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. We planned a day long excursion out to the islands for a tour of some of the various islands and to do some swimming and snorkeling. It was the highlight of the trip and I daresay the highlight of all of the experiences we have had here in south-east Asia. Being out on the crystal clear water in the beautiful sunshine among the islands was truly awe inspiring.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svuSwJiTkUk/Td8afNqKeGI/AAAAAAAABps/Wqo3gxeKM7s/s1600/DSC02494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-svuSwJiTkUk/Td8afNqKeGI/AAAAAAAABps/Wqo3gxeKM7s/s320/DSC02494.JPG" width="320" /></a>We packed an awful lot into our four day trip and enjoyed our time in Phuket tremendously. There were beautiful sunsets each night that proved to be the perfect photo op. In fact, there were so many great photo ops that we took over 250 pics during our short trip. Check 'em out and we're sure you'll agree that they were all worthwhile. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks to Charlie and Ruth for the visit and thank you Phuket!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5611232254475334289%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCJPw_q-Opa7v0wE%26hl%3Den_US" height="350" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500"></embed></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-68638978265498863762011-03-01T13:16:00.001+08:002011-06-29T09:37:30.850+08:00Visitors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jdiynBGT9mQ/TfYJeZCi-7I/AAAAAAAAB5U/s65ad22NLlU/s1600/DSC02127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jdiynBGT9mQ/TfYJeZCi-7I/AAAAAAAAB5U/s65ad22NLlU/s320/DSC02127.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We were excited to hear Charlie and Ruth would be coming to visit us in Singapore. They would be our first visitors and we were quite excited to show them around Singapore. We would have plenty of time to do it as they would be spending a couple of months with us. <br />
<br />
The trip got off to an interesting start. Ruth and Charlie were arriving a couple of days after New Year's at about 5:00 a.m. Coincidentally, we arrived home from Bali about 6 hours earlier at 11: 00 p.m. So, instead of going home just in time to return to meet them, we decided to sleep in the airport terminal. What a mistake. We couldn't find anywhere comfortable to sleep and once we did, they started doing some renovations on the airport and we had to listen to a jack-hammer all night long. So. by the time Charlie and Ruth got off the airplane, it was hard to tell who was more tired! The funniest part of our meeting was seeing Charlie, who arrived in the 30+ degree heat of Singapore dressed looking like the abominable snow man! I guess he didn't want to wear a winter coat to the airport when he left Saint John so instead, he wore several layers of shirts and sweaters. That was all well and good but for reasons that no one still quite understands, he wore them on the plane to Toronto, then to Beijing where they spent an entire day on a layover and finally on to Singapore some 36 hours later! What a guy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOxC9nAy8Qk/TfYJVrx-3BI/AAAAAAAAB5A/etPSw1R52LQ/s1600/ASCF6334A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZOxC9nAy8Qk/TfYJVrx-3BI/AAAAAAAAB5A/etPSw1R52LQ/s320/ASCF6334A.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The first thing we did was celebrate Christmas together. Thanks to a note Haylee had sent to Santa, we had conveniently arranged for the Big Guy to visit us in Singapore in January. So, on Christmas morning, which was actually about the 5th of January, we awoke to find presents under the tree. Haylee was quite excited when she received an iPod Touch!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAJdecKDIleSW_d3AUKVOTBVO63K8gFTqefNaPDNZnJqxjBJDYA95Tr-cTScU90XW-zrQu0JnzyZZGi7cFpjgkYhpIKQ0D89jEIm2sYjnoh0kNly0Gayl98CN9xsAEpP6LnsGxKHyGyKC/s1600/ASCF6338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXAJdecKDIleSW_d3AUKVOTBVO63K8gFTqefNaPDNZnJqxjBJDYA95Tr-cTScU90XW-zrQu0JnzyZZGi7cFpjgkYhpIKQ0D89jEIm2sYjnoh0kNly0Gayl98CN9xsAEpP6LnsGxKHyGyKC/s320/ASCF6338.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We decided to keep the celebrations going, so the next thing we celebrated was Haylee and Lisa's birthdays, which were in October! Charlie and Ruth brought a birthday cake from New Brunswick ( Lisa and Haylee's favorite kind) and we enjoyed some good Canadian pound cake with vanilla butter icing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cucGibGH1K8/TfYKvkjFTOI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/0xZiSn8haiw/s1600/DSC02975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cucGibGH1K8/TfYKvkjFTOI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/0xZiSn8haiw/s320/DSC02975.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We had a couple of days to show them around Singapore before we had to return to work, so we did some sightseeing and familiarized them with the public transit system so they could find their way around without us.<br />
<br />
We visited some of our favorite places with them like Sentosa, an integrated resort area which is actually a large island (kinda like Toronto Island but with palm trees). There's a zip line on Sentosa that we had all seen when we were watching the Amazing Race on T.V. back in Canada before we moved to Singapore.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQgYwolCS5qGGKIYTkMiS7WSoUHxGJJ5OpfYkygUfrMRKtUJMU2rApRcu-dBpGZDyQUSNBgY6BTom5sn1n-vQqpgfoKWnplXYfCIqQHu1SfCIfwWRTrGhboKp6jWqaJbygvwL3-T_fUgW/s1600/DSC02976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQgYwolCS5qGGKIYTkMiS7WSoUHxGJJ5OpfYkygUfrMRKtUJMU2rApRcu-dBpGZDyQUSNBgY6BTom5sn1n-vQqpgfoKWnplXYfCIqQHu1SfCIfwWRTrGhboKp6jWqaJbygvwL3-T_fUgW/s320/DSC02976.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> We had all decided that was something we wanted to do together and we couldn't wait to give it a try. We made our way up to the departure point and our nervous excitement about our big adventure, turned into a bit of fear once we saw how high up it was. Lisa, Haylee and myself had done it once before, so we knew what to expect, but Charlie and Ruth were a little more uncertain. But they were troopers and committed to doing it and took off down the zip line without hesitation......and they loved it! So, did we! It was a great experience to do together.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AS1ct7ctrIc/TfYK3ZarmBI/AAAAAAAAB7c/vlssShfCbf4/s1600/DSC03022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AS1ct7ctrIc/TfYK3ZarmBI/AAAAAAAAB7c/vlssShfCbf4/s320/DSC03022.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">What followed over the next two months was one great experience after another. Of course, our big adventures tended to be on the weekends while during the week, Charlie and Ruth would preoccupy themselves by doing a little sightseeing, going to the casino, going to the driving range, going to the casino, shopping and going to the casino. Does someone have a problem? Don't think so, as they only stayed long enough for Charlie to lose his allocated amount and for Ruth to win it back and then some. Ruth holds her hand pretty close to the vest, so we're not exactly sure how much money she won, but it's rumored that it may have been enough to pay for their trip to Florida a few months later? But, alas, we'll never know :)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Other highlights of our time together in Singapore included visits to the Jurong Bird Park, the Fish Spa and Underwater World, where Charlie and Haylee went swimming with dolphins! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XBqbtNiVWfu8fiEKd7BLlAEuwfV59chRaxvnagWVPSBSTt0p6J7rrPCFz6qZJ4JJErZ3kaj5tjj9NgAqrf6DGE731hdvp-GXgkR3hw6iB6WVg3s3MaRNl5RLFjdRTkbEB67uPctVhC6E/s1600/DSC02956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XBqbtNiVWfu8fiEKd7BLlAEuwfV59chRaxvnagWVPSBSTt0p6J7rrPCFz6qZJ4JJErZ3kaj5tjj9NgAqrf6DGE731hdvp-GXgkR3hw6iB6WVg3s3MaRNl5RLFjdRTkbEB67uPctVhC6E/s200/DSC02956.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMDhAMAjrBSUsZ2zwuLIRmKbrpQTXQ6hLmwVXO_K7Gc938lyBs75am3n-jvBp-ccc0OvAr8iWYkmY_q8FRtuB5KvFn84ER7MqGSiVUfvOxOdO5AHTo39DIhPgLWIL_pDFTSIThCc3M4Ps/s1600/DSC02914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMDhAMAjrBSUsZ2zwuLIRmKbrpQTXQ6hLmwVXO_K7Gc938lyBs75am3n-jvBp-ccc0OvAr8iWYkmY_q8FRtuB5KvFn84ER7MqGSiVUfvOxOdO5AHTo39DIhPgLWIL_pDFTSIThCc3M4Ps/s200/DSC02914.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We also had time for yet another party when we celebrated Ruth and Charlie's wedding anniversary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-82IhB4RhCSE/TfYK_U7QTHI/AAAAAAAAB7s/naX0xMQCCsY/s1600/DSC03038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-82IhB4RhCSE/TfYK_U7QTHI/AAAAAAAAB7s/naX0xMQCCsY/s320/DSC03038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We had a great time together and saw and did a lot of great things together including taking a trip to Phuket together. Remember how we said we wanted to go back to Phuket? Well, we got an opportunity to do so sooner than we thought when we spent 4 days there over the Chinese New Year in February. You can learn more about that experience in a separate post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When the day came to say goodbye to Ruth and Charlie we were sad to see them go. We hoped that they enjoyed their time with us and looked forward to seeing them back in Canada in July!</div><br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5617677706408832961%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCMnNxcfX7Kv9zAE%26hl%3Den_US" height="267" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-41658354749634413232010-12-31T13:56:00.005+08:002011-05-21T19:14:03.597+08:00Bali - The Last Paradise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2Bm2thbxdcSZdW8JDRfhhkhJraUHIjVkB5PWM82OUEa69hYU9e3BSwmplq6_B_Rv9iIxOGca4Js5LNaHI7liSSIR7tfkCE8-E1obMaGa35AXS5o0uNr-SVknEXjl-K9fxlRuhAWR96eV/s1600/DSC01694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2Bm2thbxdcSZdW8JDRfhhkhJraUHIjVkB5PWM82OUEa69hYU9e3BSwmplq6_B_Rv9iIxOGca4Js5LNaHI7liSSIR7tfkCE8-E1obMaGa35AXS5o0uNr-SVknEXjl-K9fxlRuhAWR96eV/s320/DSC01694.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Bali - it conjures up images of the last paradise. True to form, our experiences there were nothing short of out of this world.....<br />
<br />
We were looking for a memorable Christmas in our first year in Singapore and it didn't take us long to choose Bali. 12 years earlier, when we were living in Japan, we had spent the New Year's holiday in Singapore and Bali. It was that experience that ultimately brought us back to Singapore for work and to Bali for a second time. <br />
<br />
<br />
In planning the trip, we had to decide where to stay. Bali is a pretty big island with all types of different experiences, depending on where you stay. In our first trip here, we had stayed in a resort area called Nusa Dua which was beautiful but didn't give us much of a feel of what Bali was 'really' like. So we were looking for another locale. <br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Our choices:</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YBqz4x1_Zt09gR4MCEcquwggXasBOLGfIhcMi_yMWciNwM1WVrqmYwHOemiexDrWfWNAHdMr44ydgjKQBMAnQq7WTg5bycDkBqu0fdsF0xeom-xeCYl7iyRiWFqcJhCnthnR0GgkDfXm/s1600/bali_map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YBqz4x1_Zt09gR4MCEcquwggXasBOLGfIhcMi_yMWciNwM1WVrqmYwHOemiexDrWfWNAHdMr44ydgjKQBMAnQq7WTg5bycDkBqu0fdsF0xeom-xeCYl7iyRiWFqcJhCnthnR0GgkDfXm/s320/bali_map.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCInIM8-xeJ9NB-ls_tLD1djphTtEna9Gr5_toKDxccjjwd6ZrE9HJVtlMgquOk2m4INbk77zsyt1aPFLYwdzSjZDgOIR-m7K5QxutOuLNJMzvPrxVWkdFyPNbFG6uEhbCwaQkQlL_naFo/s1600/bali_map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><b>Kuta</b> - party central, home to all the nightlife and also where the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali_bombings">Bali nightclub bombings</a> took place. <br />
<b>Legian/Seminyak</b>- up the coast from Kuta and the 'in' place to stay. Tends to be costly. <br />
<b>Ubud</b>- the artistic heart of Bali in a mountainous region in the interior of Bali. Also where the part of the book is based<br />
<b>Ahmed and Candi Dasa</b> - a quite area on the eastern side of the island known more for its diving<br />
<b>Tanah Lot</b> - pounding surf, on the western side of the island, away from the hustle and bustle and home to the most visited of all Balinese temples.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwx9hIoNjz0ZEJpzLxCBXdUdTs51fIQ8hSRL_1oNO6Q_zot__6TA5K3wy2k5uOUNlrEFsXDtkgjRmO85R5L9z7Xbt8Mqsp7ewxKNV5QsRLM3f4mMiKYgEg8NM2XNam0HoE3fKLICmI9f-H/s1600/DSC01707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwx9hIoNjz0ZEJpzLxCBXdUdTs51fIQ8hSRL_1oNO6Q_zot__6TA5K3wy2k5uOUNlrEFsXDtkgjRmO85R5L9z7Xbt8Mqsp7ewxKNV5QsRLM3f4mMiKYgEg8NM2XNam0HoE3fKLICmI9f-H/s320/DSC01707.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We thought about splitting our time between two different locations, but ultimately decided to stay in Tanah Lot at the Bali Nirwana Resort. <br />
<br />
We arrived at night and were immediately impressed. The place has a Greg Norman designed golf course and so after you exit off of the main road you meander for app. 1 km through the golf course to the resort. About one-third of the way in, there is a guard house where the undercarriage of all vehicles is inspected using a mirror to ensure there are no bombs. This was a bit of an eye-opener for us, but understandable based on past events in Bali.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6t84FQFdXOHOjLp8qivpuQqaczwSZADYHsXgudkV2tSW8EQ0pxHFIxNX9WRilo5jIGQnL4SJRwV4jtfB5QVYXMg-etMT2BBCE-AeHt2rBrI95I99FRIi8_vqhelhoiPY6Skt4BV6jipE/s1600/DSC01581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6t84FQFdXOHOjLp8qivpuQqaczwSZADYHsXgudkV2tSW8EQ0pxHFIxNX9WRilo5jIGQnL4SJRwV4jtfB5QVYXMg-etMT2BBCE-AeHt2rBrI95I99FRIi8_vqhelhoiPY6Skt4BV6jipE/s320/DSC01581.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Got to our rooms around 1:00 a.m., fell asleep and woke up the next day to a beautiful, sprawling resort centred around a series of interconnected lagoons, complete with a waterfall. And just when Haylee didn't think it could get any better, she discovered.....the waterslide! Many hours of the day were spent doing up and down the slide with her new found friends Greta, Jack, Ally and Maddy. Greta and Jack are from Melbourne and we became friends with their parents and spent a lot of time together. Ally and Maddy are living in Hong Kong by way of London and the Phillipines.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2vZhC88X9OA?rel=0" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGPMVpv2Md258sPwwc6xoY_4R_jMrRhs5LuKPPAFNvR7jVQF0uaYWvDh0jTn2lX3eUJNT_UYDtbEKPmBfiiGcAWIgnHF3cFUvGjU14_9Vxyvf7aTUwJ5_jeNUjpvdkkco7_K33YNq5v3O/s1600/DSC01664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGPMVpv2Md258sPwwc6xoY_4R_jMrRhs5LuKPPAFNvR7jVQF0uaYWvDh0jTn2lX3eUJNT_UYDtbEKPmBfiiGcAWIgnHF3cFUvGjU14_9Vxyvf7aTUwJ5_jeNUjpvdkkco7_K33YNq5v3O/s320/DSC01664.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We were looking for some unique opportunities during our stay and selected a few things that we felt would be both memorable and enjoyable. Our first adventure was to go horseback riding. Getting anywhere in Bali is a slow process, so we chose a place that was close to our hotel. We weren't disappointed with our choice as we had a great afternoon riding on the black sand beaches and exploring a beautiful Balinese village. A couple of times during our trip we were given a bit of a scare. The first one came when someone set off fireworks in the village we were riding through. As you might imagine, this spooked the horses and scared us too. The final incident happened when we were almost finished. A group of local kids was playing a game of soccer and as we approached the game, the horses became increasingly uneasy. It turns out, one time a kid had kicked a soccer ball and hit a horse and now the horses were fearful of it happening again. Just as we got close, the loud 'thud' of a foot kicking the ball could be heard and this terrified Lisa's horse, which we were to find out later, was the one that had been hit in the incident I described earlier. Lisa held on for dear life and thankfully settled the horse down. So, as advertised, our horseback riding certainly proved to be adventurous (and a little harrowing too). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgJgquX2PUloGytMVeMDT3Pj6ZOvM-Wdi1-pQqnYs__5AQjUbapL6vYHFLJ3w1x40GFbMxzxrcglwjpAYlHmcroI_wbPeQARiKHmKfqpDhQEEN-e4yNL9WhahB7HxT1zaPbxv5IwWxPIf/s1600/DSC01754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqgJgquX2PUloGytMVeMDT3Pj6ZOvM-Wdi1-pQqnYs__5AQjUbapL6vYHFLJ3w1x40GFbMxzxrcglwjpAYlHmcroI_wbPeQARiKHmKfqpDhQEEN-e4yNL9WhahB7HxT1zaPbxv5IwWxPIf/s320/DSC01754.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><b>Happy Bike Tour</b><br />
<br />
A second, highly recommended excursion we went on was a day long cycling trip in Central Bali with a group known as <a href="http://happybiketour.com/our_tour.html">Happy Bike Tours</a>. Our first stop of the day was to a coffee plantation in the foothills of Mt. Agung, a volcanic mountain. We saw vanilla plants and cinnamon trees and how a specialty coffee called Kopi Lumak is made. One of the most expensive coffees in the world, Kopi Lumak or Civet Coffee is made by feeding coffee beans to a civet, who digests them and then defecates the coffee bean. The beans are then collected from the feces of the civet, cleaned, and dried in the sun. I kid you not! Needless to say, we took a pass on the offer to try a drink.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNPRg9MLPpe3YQaljWa5U2CCv0h9XO2mffnpwQMBc0qzhyphenhyphenE-E8lNJHFe_8ltlbScJ3jvp98CQqEnYCh4vziWN0hQQuoZ6xKY5WAN-9vdVvFhTRg33HEIbt2WJdxlQjmVyYbjEW3s-pY2t/s1600/DSC01729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNPRg9MLPpe3YQaljWa5U2CCv0h9XO2mffnpwQMBc0qzhyphenhyphenE-E8lNJHFe_8ltlbScJ3jvp98CQqEnYCh4vziWN0hQQuoZ6xKY5WAN-9vdVvFhTRg33HEIbt2WJdxlQjmVyYbjEW3s-pY2t/s320/DSC01729.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Next, we went for breakfast at a restaurant that overlooked the volcanic mountains of Mt. Agung and Mt. Batur and a lake that separated the two. It was incredibly picturesque and we took many great photos here.<br />
<br />
After breakfast we began our bike tour. Peddling the back roads of Bali through rice paddies and villages and alongside mountain streams and river valleys, the downhill ride was full of the beauty and imagery that many people envision when they hear of Bali being the "Last Paradise on Earth".<br />
<br />
Riding through beautiful mountain villages, we were happily greeted by everyone we passed and what we saw was a way of life that has been untouched by consumerism and the modern ways of life. Recently harvested rice was laid out on tarps by the side of the road to dry in the hot sun, people carried home fresh fruits in baskets on the tops of their heads and children played merrily in the streets.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> See what it was like for yourself....</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxSAV6lYBHLyhjReM0zqaeqjn3VxZkLaWb0kimivrzPI8gngEd5irSVzHIGw88R7AzgrIorJvJM1ILCaVX1Zg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<br />
After hours of riding through the countryside and enjoying every minute of it, we visited the family compound of the tour operator where we were treated to a traditional Balinese lunch and learned about family life in Bali.<br />
<br />
It was the most incredible experience and something we would certainly do again were we to return to Bali.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bUw8GQnriV4HuWm9-OMWj0uafjC4-yhui3NaszO2kSrZMwn8FfJm0LcyuHBaD-ApvcCYLdqJFMDBYEFi1GQg7paCtJTQws_e0JgVl-8-zBc6IA-1L8dZPrIAqNidkHFqHKfPE1TDhSQY/s1600/DSC01811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bUw8GQnriV4HuWm9-OMWj0uafjC4-yhui3NaszO2kSrZMwn8FfJm0LcyuHBaD-ApvcCYLdqJFMDBYEFi1GQg7paCtJTQws_e0JgVl-8-zBc6IA-1L8dZPrIAqNidkHFqHKfPE1TDhSQY/s320/DSC01811.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><b>Christmas in the Tropics</b><br />
<br />
Celebrating Christmas away from family and friends and without snow was a little different, but our Christmas and New Year's proved to be quite memorable. The hotel was decorated for the season and featured a massive gingerbread cathedral in the lobby. The restaurant had a large Christmas tree and had a Santa and his reindeer suspended overhead. On Christmas Eve, we went to a special dinner which featured a children's choir from the local orphanage.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eEa2hjYD7w-nhwRRCpFbMBjgoGZnHKTMDo0cE8_qw7pjOp9NzkaA_Idkse0v57vBs4Ha1GSaxWxc6knSA4mD3jbbugACVlufFpyS-fdBqkik1YsTdd6_f5_6ZmqD-Qz1BIxMrFtMK0S4/s1600/DSCF6237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eEa2hjYD7w-nhwRRCpFbMBjgoGZnHKTMDo0cE8_qw7pjOp9NzkaA_Idkse0v57vBs4Ha1GSaxWxc6knSA4mD3jbbugACVlufFpyS-fdBqkik1YsTdd6_f5_6ZmqD-Qz1BIxMrFtMK0S4/s320/DSCF6237.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>We made our own Christmas tree using the branches of a tropical plant and decorated it with flowers. Our haul of Christmas gifts was a little light as we had instructed Santa to visit our place in Singapore after the holidays so that we would celebrate Christmas with Charlie and Ruth when they arrived in early January. <br />
<br />
<br />
New Year's was a good time too. We had met two other families during our stay and went out for dinner with them at the hotel pub and restaurant. After a late meal, we went next door to the conference centre for a countdown to midnight that couldn't be beat. There was live music, free champagne and decorations and party favors galore. Haylee and her new found friends spent the rest of the night on stage singing and dancing to the music with their own microphone!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AcnOY3Z3jctkwApfSlXQrePBCKxwe5RZuA8rFS9MFiKmfKBcYI9_C1japBA3rwkY212DL-Zh7OmEJZs3M8ClOSiE_jnhIlcuIgipslWk2vbXTF5RxtO93rZFZDy2Vb058vNmXMFlD1MC/s1600/DSC02080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AcnOY3Z3jctkwApfSlXQrePBCKxwe5RZuA8rFS9MFiKmfKBcYI9_C1japBA3rwkY212DL-Zh7OmEJZs3M8ClOSiE_jnhIlcuIgipslWk2vbXTF5RxtO93rZFZDy2Vb058vNmXMFlD1MC/s320/DSC02080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b> Seminyak</b><br />
<br />
A couple of evenings during our trip we travelled to Seminyak, a popular restaurant area where we found an Italian restaurant called <a href="http://www.balinesia.co.id/default.asp">Ultimo</a> that we fell in love with. The food was spectacular and the prices couldn't be beat and the atmosphere was pretty cool too.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpIIhMOHqObbcinFOVBfcS_-yR9eX_SFq22By9iIY87VNEePiMO83cFphJ3YHYZOwtYYWxbIG7m6Yzsb5ZGMMpREsW2fxmigmooyI9y4JvyfB5BxBXIqYjh6DLuu4Q6bgXtLFNre0o_hR/s1600/DSC01903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpIIhMOHqObbcinFOVBfcS_-yR9eX_SFq22By9iIY87VNEePiMO83cFphJ3YHYZOwtYYWxbIG7m6Yzsb5ZGMMpREsW2fxmigmooyI9y4JvyfB5BxBXIqYjh6DLuu4Q6bgXtLFNre0o_hR/s320/DSC01903.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b>Kuta</b><br />
<br />
As I said earlier, Kuta Beach is a bit of a tourist trap that is popular with western tourists and is infamously known as the site of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali_bombings">Bali bombings</a> that took place in 2002 and 2005. As a result, it's an area that we were somewhat hesitant to visit. Nonetheless, we ventured there one day and had a good time here enjoying a Starbucks coffee, doing some shopping and visiting Waterbom water park. All three of us had a great time at the water park and spent the whole day going up and down the waterslides. Even a torrential tropical downpour didn't slow us down. Running and playing in the rain was great fun and made us feel like kids again ( Haylee didn't have to work too hard at this ). We finished off a great day in Kuta by enjoying dinner on the beach before returning to our hotel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXD3jl5SoH0MhkR9uImQU56-ZlxN2AWVZ4uhgyS4wQis61Qb_mbeI8QGoz3gmK0EvX5SMmzLT8BrU2Q7Gww1YA1QZSvS2DBG7LouqzkW_gFN80mknKQvQAA48qWFIMVEsqFX64enK4AgYw/s1600/DSC02095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXD3jl5SoH0MhkR9uImQU56-ZlxN2AWVZ4uhgyS4wQis61Qb_mbeI8QGoz3gmK0EvX5SMmzLT8BrU2Q7Gww1YA1QZSvS2DBG7LouqzkW_gFN80mknKQvQAA48qWFIMVEsqFX64enK4AgYw/s320/DSC02095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><b>Golf</b><br />
<br />
The Bali Nirwana Golf Club surrounds the resort and has some of the most picturesque golf holes I have ever seen. There are three holes that play right along the ocean, one of which is a 200 yard par three with a 180 yard carry over the water. In the background, you can see the <a href="http://www.tanahlot.net/home/">Tanah Lot temple</a> which is one of the most visited temples in Bali. I played the course two times during our stay and just loved it. I would definitely like to play this course again sometime.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The opportunity to spend 2+ weeks in Bali was an incredible experience and what some would call the trip of a lifetime. Fun, food, new found friends...who could ask for anything more?</div><br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5590109713791680353%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCJvVr9u57MryGQ%26hl%3Den_US" height="300" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500"></embed><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-42024426421724831462010-10-30T13:03:00.276+08:002011-06-12T21:57:47.648+08:00October Break in Phuket<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pattayavillaholidays.com/images/thailand-map-2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.pattayavillaholidays.com/images/thailand-map-2.gif" width="272" /></a></div>Two months after starting school, we had a week long holiday known as the October break. Shortly after arriving and getting our lives in order, Lisa started investigating potential holiday destinations in South-East Asia and we decided to spend our first vacation in Phuket, Thailand. We had heard a number of things about Phuket through the media, none of which were terribly complimentary. First of all, it's an area that has some notoriety for the child sex trade and it's also the unofficial meeting place of the transgender crowd. On top of that, it is an area that was devastated by the horrible tsunami that struck the area during Christmas 2004. However, after talking to a number of people from Singapore who strongly suggested it as a holiday destination, we decided to take a chance and give Phuket a try. We are happy to report that we were not disappointed with our choice.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNhWq2jduRQ/TdjZ6zsRbGI/AAAAAAAABZM/kwu_QFKoQM8/s1600/DSC00943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NNhWq2jduRQ/TdjZ6zsRbGI/AAAAAAAABZM/kwu_QFKoQM8/s320/DSC00943.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We chose to stay at the Le Meridien Hotel and Resort on the west coast of Phuket, just outside the city of Patong. Our hotel room had a view of the pool and looked out on the beach and the crashing waves of the Andaman Sea.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileQWvSPSGStHgxDypJ1qyWts7SdQ6IUQKx7p1C8nN3aIvZ_DbTSmD5zjBobQFRxBIhDCUqrg2KAOhDY0bgoat-8BkZuIwgKyMWChjxZFPMpsRwklqXsRgrQEIse2UPhdvpcrNmsFZwNyZ/s1600/DSC01285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEileQWvSPSGStHgxDypJ1qyWts7SdQ6IUQKx7p1C8nN3aIvZ_DbTSmD5zjBobQFRxBIhDCUqrg2KAOhDY0bgoat-8BkZuIwgKyMWChjxZFPMpsRwklqXsRgrQEIse2UPhdvpcrNmsFZwNyZ/s320/DSC01285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We spent the first several days exploring everything the hotel had to offer. We tried scuba diving in the hotel pool, did some climbing on the rock climbing wall, practiced archery, shot some hoops on the basketball court and worked on our golf game at the driving range and practice facilities. When we were in a less active mood we lazed poolside or relaxed down on the beautiful sandy beach.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4S6TmemuJ8/TdjZyfFT4eI/AAAAAAAABYM/afJVdYLAlR4/s1600/DSC00795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4S6TmemuJ8/TdjZyfFT4eI/AAAAAAAABYM/afJVdYLAlR4/s320/DSC00795.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The food the hotel had to offer was excellent. We started each day at the buffet breakfast which was served poolside in an open air restaurant. We typically didn't eat much for lunch, but would return to the same venue in the evening to eat one of theme based dinners that was always accompanied by a live entertainment show that we always enjoyed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SCUdO3DSvo/TdjaOf0swTI/AAAAAAAABb0/9-Rz1dPKV_s/s1600/DSC01253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8SCUdO3DSvo/TdjaOf0swTI/AAAAAAAABb0/9-Rz1dPKV_s/s320/DSC01253.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After spending some time admiring the waves from afar, we finally ventured into the surf and had a great time body surfing on the waves, which were an ideal size to give you a bit of a thrill without worrying whether you would be injured or sucked out by the undertow. After a day or two of body surfing, Haylee rented a Boogie board which only added to the excitement. We spent countless hours splashing around in the surf enjoying the beautiful, sunny weather and riding the waves. It was great to feel like a kid again or in Haylee's case, to be one.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TwleRSFeXOg/TdjZ962qvUI/AAAAAAAABZk/f2lYnHB-NAc/s1600/DSC00954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TwleRSFeXOg/TdjZ962qvUI/AAAAAAAABZk/f2lYnHB-NAc/s320/DSC00954.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We next set our sites on some adventure outside the resort and decided to go on an elephant trek. We weren't really sure what to expect, but had a great two hour jungle trek with Haylee and Lisa riding on one elephant and myself on another. Speaking of elephants, I failed to mention that we were visited daily at the hotel by a baby elephant named Lucky who was led by his keeper through the hotel lobby and around the pool. Haylee really looked forward to seeing Lucky each day and would always to stop to get a kiss on the cheek. Yuck !<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVVoYHVaC2qBBhCYkAymjKo6q21ggL9iuFh2MYu4iLee2uZbTKmAr2W3zLgkrYTT8IVoTTrfrsYiav6Dyn_VtQ7Hd-Js03aecAYOF0JuKdKTZ2ibt2TdrWz7KymdbWdbNSSFNRmlbmohu/s1600/DSC00932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVVoYHVaC2qBBhCYkAymjKo6q21ggL9iuFh2MYu4iLee2uZbTKmAr2W3zLgkrYTT8IVoTTrfrsYiav6Dyn_VtQ7Hd-Js03aecAYOF0JuKdKTZ2ibt2TdrWz7KymdbWdbNSSFNRmlbmohu/s320/DSC00932.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The city of Patong was only five minutes from our hotel, but we had avoided it through the trip thus far due to a bit of nervous apprehension on our part about what we might encounter there, particularly with Haylee being with us. If you recall me mentioning before, the area is renowned for transsexuals and Patong is where they go to party. But after talking to a number of guests who allayed our concerns, we decided to go there for dinner one night. To put it mildly, the place is a bit of a circus and there is the occasional freak show, but on the whole it was a lot of fun. Most of the bars have some transgender types who are trying to encourage you to drink at their establishment and on occasion we would see the odd 'lady-boy' dancing on top of a table. Trying to explain what a 'lady-boy' was to Haylee was an interesting conversation to say the least, but one that she handled remarkably well, although every once in a while she would still puzzle about why a lady-boy had facial hair.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKtZgpfxwdc/TdjZ3n5un4I/AAAAAAAABY0/OPhxQXjnemg/s1600/DSC00948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pKtZgpfxwdc/TdjZ3n5un4I/AAAAAAAABY0/OPhxQXjnemg/s320/DSC00948.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Seemed like every place was selling t-shirts or knock-off handbags and watches, or wanted you to buy a suit or give you a massage. If they weren't trying to sell you something, they were offering to take you some where in their Tuk Tuks, which are a form of taxi. This feeling was so pervasive that one of the more popular t-shirts for sale said, "I don't want a massage, I don't want to buy a suit and I don't need an F***'in Tuk Tuk!"<br />
<br />
But as crazy as this place was, we absolutely loved it and spent most of our evenings there for the rest of the trip. Lisa and Haylee discovered that you could go to an esthetician for a facial for a very cheap price and they would go almost daily. In fact, I actually went once myself.<br />
<br />
We also found that the restaurants in Patong were a lot cheaper than at the hotel and we enjoyed some really good meals at a great price. The downside? I actually got food poisoning at Subway one night and spent the next day in bed :(<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://motosai.com/files/2009/07/800px-PhuketTukTuk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://motosai.com/files/2009/07/800px-PhuketTukTuk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We also really enjoyed riding in the Tuk Tuks. They were dirt cheap and pretty cool to ride in. They tend to be a little different everywhere you go, but the ones in Phuket were like a pimped out version of an old Ford Econoline van.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Our week in Phuket came and went pretty quickly but we made the best of our time there and had some great experiences. The weather was great and the sunsets were incredible. And as the sun set on this trip we talked about coming back for more.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5609472390821284561%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCNyr9NidqdaxswE%26hl%3Den_US" height="267" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-46711376234579736492010-10-12T20:41:00.001+08:002011-06-22T07:01:00.281+08:00School Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-daJ5psZdBZI/TdjiLzHGCdI/AAAAAAAABic/3uFvhs9jLbI/s1600/DSC00570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-daJ5psZdBZI/TdjiLzHGCdI/AAAAAAAABic/3uFvhs9jLbI/s320/DSC00570.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After arriving in Singapore, adjusting to the heat and finding a place to live, it was now time to focus our attention on why we came here in the first place, work. Or in Haylee's case, school. During the first two weeks we were here, we lived in a hotel in downtown Singapore and completed some training related to operational procedures and expectations of the job. It was now time to hit the ground running.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ynWjuIdEles/TfMc5s2mxdI/AAAAAAAAB2c/kirDRcaoWts/s1600/DSCF5914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ynWjuIdEles/TfMc5s2mxdI/AAAAAAAAB2c/kirDRcaoWts/s320/DSCF5914.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The Canadian International School where we teach is a school of 750 students from grades 4-12. We are currently located at a temporary campus while the new campus is being built. The school is essentially two schools in one with a middle school wing, where Lisa is teaching grade 5 and Haylee is a student in grade 5 and the high school wing, where I am teaching grades 9-12. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6lHLtggIZqNglrqj2bJutEpRMDEIZHfaeyZdUGgUG85npfr-3Kndgi4rGRd9UnRcVcaUBqatt8flQEQq0CeNHQvDQX0K0GP4_krqc_f9HYtZi9wNnkzbZD1zk9lZV6uUh4L4zQS9nsFB/s1600/DSCF5916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6lHLtggIZqNglrqj2bJutEpRMDEIZHfaeyZdUGgUG85npfr-3Kndgi4rGRd9UnRcVcaUBqatt8flQEQq0CeNHQvDQX0K0GP4_krqc_f9HYtZi9wNnkzbZD1zk9lZV6uUh4L4zQS9nsFB/s320/DSCF5916.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>One of the fundamental differences for Haylee was the fact that she would now be wearing a uniform. And while most kids wouldn't be terribly excited about the prospect, Haylee was positively elated! It certainly made life easy for us, as we didn't have to think about what Haylee is going to where to school each day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FlU0K3BlWqWDHgpTSHhmlC3TWcB4ar8Qjo8mHLHJCn8g82ObiLg7xauDzM-00AIOWOCPbRnmEjyvc2kl0urPZ4H32kjz2ML0lF0oi8RKW8UJ_wo9Z9Z4bYAiCWcGul1or50CZMUU8W_b/s1600/DSC00597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FlU0K3BlWqWDHgpTSHhmlC3TWcB4ar8Qjo8mHLHJCn8g82ObiLg7xauDzM-00AIOWOCPbRnmEjyvc2kl0urPZ4H32kjz2ML0lF0oi8RKW8UJ_wo9Z9Z4bYAiCWcGul1or50CZMUU8W_b/s320/DSC00597.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We have a number of options in terms of how we get to school each day, none of which involve driving a car. There's simply not a need to own a car as the transit system in Singapore is incredible. So, each day, we travel to school by either bus, bicycle or taxi, depending on what type of mood we're in and what the weather's like. Travelling to school by bike, we drive along a bike path through and sometimes we see some interesting things along the way........like monitor lizards!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rMHDmvSiN-0/TdjiKnLamVI/AAAAAAAABiU/xxZ1UB5w_dw/s1600/DSC00568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rMHDmvSiN-0/TdjiKnLamVI/AAAAAAAABiU/xxZ1UB5w_dw/s320/DSC00568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Our current school is a beautiful indoor/outdoor campus that has a real tropical feel to it. The classrooms are all air conditioned but the hallways are actually outdoors. The school has a number of facilities including a track, a large gymnasium and performing arts stage. There's also a full cafeteria so the students have the option of either bringing a lunch or purchasing food from the canteen. The school day is quite similar to Canada with a start time of 8:50 a.m. and a dismissal time of 3:30 p.m. After school the students have the option of participating in ECAs (extra-curriculars) that the teachers run that include everything from art lessons (Lisa offered this) to golf (which I offered at a nearby driving range) to knitting to dance (which Haylee participated in).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k4Un9Qo20qQ/TdzZ0Br567I/AAAAAAAABjw/r0nuaFNr3FA/s1600/DSC02198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k4Un9Qo20qQ/TdzZ0Br567I/AAAAAAAABjw/r0nuaFNr3FA/s320/DSC02198.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Just like any other school, there were all kinds of different themed days that we participated in, the biggest of which were the United Nations Day and Carnival. Carnival gave students a chance to participate in a lot of fun games, like soak the teacher. On UN Day, there was a parade of nations where students wore clothing that was representative of their culture/nationality. It was a pretty incredible experience as the student body is made up of students from all over the world. There are students from Canada, the United States, Korea, China, France, Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Japan, Indonesia and Australia, to name but a few. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-erk3ZhD7RM4/TfcM7vRAZRI/AAAAAAAAB8g/Dlw6CCDdU14/s1600/DSCF7119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-erk3ZhD7RM4/TfcM7vRAZRI/AAAAAAAAB8g/Dlw6CCDdU14/s320/DSCF7119.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Haylee participated in a lot of different extra-curriculars including being a member of the school swim team and participating in track and field. She won medals in swimming and was very successful in track and field as well. Her relay team finished in 3rd place, she finished 2nd in shot put and discuss and she finished 1st in javelin. Well done, Haylee!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cis.edu.sg/cis/images/jw.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="http://www.cis.edu.sg/cis/images/jw.gif" width="400" /></a></div>And as nice as our campus was this year, next year we will be moving into a new campus that is only 10 minutes from our condo. We'll be able to walk to school next year and are quite excited about everything that the new campus will have to offer. So here's to a great year and looking forward to next year in the new digs.<br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5609481922033608273%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCKv3td_Tq63E3QE%26hl%3Den_US" height="350" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="500"></embed><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-79764700749701061872010-09-22T20:37:00.193+08:002011-06-04T12:07:36.693+08:00Rawa - Malaysia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dromoz.com/image/sketch/sk44ab59efb32c8666677877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.dromoz.com/image/sketch/sk44ab59efb32c8666677877.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>Six weeks after first arriving in Singapore, we were ready to take our first trip abroad. We headed to Rawa Island in the South China Sea, off the coast of Malaysia. The trip was organized by our school social committee and was an opportunity for some weekend R and R and a chance to get to know many of our fellow staff members.<br />
<br />
We were picked up in vans on Friday afternoon after work and headed out on our adventure. There are two bridges that connect Singapore with Malaysia and we crossed from Singapore into Malaysia at the city of Johor Bahru. You can't help but immediately notice the difference between the two places. While Singapore is a picture of order and cleanliness, JB is not. We were immediately engulfed in a mire of congested roads and an uncountable number of scooters which made our trip a slow one. After eventually getting through JB, we began the 3+ hour trip north along the east coast of Malaysia to Mersing, where we would get a ferry to Rawa.<br />
<br />
Our van was filled primarily with a number of Canadians who, like ourselves, were new to Singapore. There was Kate Potosky, a teacher from Toronto, Michael Black from Hamilton, Ian Nisbet from Bracebridge and Sally Monteith who has a summer place in Katrine, Ontario to name but a few. The nightmarishly long ride on twisting and turning roads with a driver who passed slow vehicles regardless of whether there was on-coming traffic or not, was made more bearable by the free flowing conversation and alcohol. Of course the drinking did tend to slow us down some, as a number of people with weak bladders had to stop regularly to relieve themselves.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMxBBBMcYwsN6qcZUxy4k8cW_mjh9CmgJ5bgCrZalPwEIJ4cKEQEKuxeMgAMeu9u-Yg3PuVOZxUBEifjHTQrKHn2TSOwizb8uQFNsj2GCbK3LbXir0bmA21SEfTQb15Bz2ZdeKXl_sZoi/s1600/DSC00650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMxBBBMcYwsN6qcZUxy4k8cW_mjh9CmgJ5bgCrZalPwEIJ4cKEQEKuxeMgAMeu9u-Yg3PuVOZxUBEifjHTQrKHn2TSOwizb8uQFNsj2GCbK3LbXir0bmA21SEfTQb15Bz2ZdeKXl_sZoi/s320/DSC00650.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We finally got out of the vehicle in Mersing, Malaysia and after meeting up with the remainder of our group who were in a number of different vehicles we boarded our ferry for Rawa Island. It was so nice to be out on the water in the tropical evening air and we made the journey to our destination under the cover of darkness.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-sj156FRG4/Tdjc4U-yynI/AAAAAAAABeU/_YDb1PGQoNI/s1600/DSC00658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_-sj156FRG4/Tdjc4U-yynI/AAAAAAAABeU/_YDb1PGQoNI/s320/DSC00658.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After making landfall around midnight, we had dinner in the large, open air dining area and retired to our quaint little sleeping cabins for the evening, eagerly looking forward to seeing the place in the daylight the following morning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMxBBBMcYwsN6qcZUxy4k8cW_mjh9CmgJ5bgCrZalPwEIJ4cKEQEKuxeMgAMeu9u-Yg3PuVOZxUBEifjHTQrKHn2TSOwizb8uQFNsj2GCbK3LbXir0bmA21SEfTQb15Bz2ZdeKXl_sZoi/s1600/DSC00650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JScgoNhQOBQ/TdjdBAe4z4I/AAAAAAAABfA/L-fHuenp6R0/s1600/DSC00669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JScgoNhQOBQ/TdjdBAe4z4I/AAAAAAAABfA/L-fHuenp6R0/s320/DSC00669.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>We awoke the next day and were simply blown away by the beauty of the island. We went out onto the balcony of our cabin and were greeted by a peacock. This was our first of many signs that we had arrived in paradise.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HfS1Y9RxnLU/TdjdI2rUFZI/AAAAAAAABfc/1aO9b-Q7Qpc/s1600/DSC00679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HfS1Y9RxnLU/TdjdI2rUFZI/AAAAAAAABfc/1aO9b-Q7Qpc/s320/DSC00679.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> We went out and explored the place and were greeted by crystal clear waters, palm trees and sandy beaches....truly the stuff dreams are made of.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIs55hJRvzSHzHLrzhMCTR4IToXI1sowXqim47AIlN3Ef65___4FFVfysjeI9CV3rsp6vBhTePzV_d_jRXbxQCAazVlMXcKg_cKOFqAzrP6GhxAIVC0gYvBcLTFnInwRzvG_RL-TidjdxI/s1600/DSC00660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIs55hJRvzSHzHLrzhMCTR4IToXI1sowXqim47AIlN3Ef65___4FFVfysjeI9CV3rsp6vBhTePzV_d_jRXbxQCAazVlMXcKg_cKOFqAzrP6GhxAIVC0gYvBcLTFnInwRzvG_RL-TidjdxI/s320/DSC00660.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> We spent the next two days swimming, snorkeling, playing beach volleyball and having a great time partying with our new found friends and co-workers. On the Saturday night, an impromptu party on the dance floor broke out and Haylee was front and centre dancing around on my shoulders. Everyone had a blast.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7474mm5Gic/TdjdZW5UN_I/AAAAAAAABgk/WaJOzu96sWs/s1600/DSC00696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7474mm5Gic/TdjdZW5UN_I/AAAAAAAABgk/WaJOzu96sWs/s320/DSC00696.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Our ride home was far more relaxing than the trip there and as we rode home in our air-conditioned coach bus we reminisced about the delicious food, the spectacular scenery and the good times we will remember for many years to come.<br />
<br />
Check out all our photos below ! <br />
<br />
<embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&noautoplay=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F109083121137449103701%2Falbumid%2F5609475993284057761%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCJrVl6en8ufTOw%26hl%3Den_US" height="267" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></embed>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-12634799795158554752010-09-03T13:27:00.000+08:002011-04-01T13:29:20.824+08:00House Hunting<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.asiahotels.com/Common/ImageGallery/HotelImage.aspx?hid=1350&s=0" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" r6="true" src="http://www.asiahotels.com/Common/ImageGallery/HotelImage.aspx?hid=1350&s=0" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elizabeth Hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After our arrival in Singapore, our school put us up in the Elizabeth Hotel for 10 days. After spending the first few days sightseeing and recovering from jet lag, we now had to get down to the job of finding a place to live. The school provided us with a property agent who had arranged to show us a number of properties in the western part of Singapore know as Jurong West. We were looking for a location that was close to our current school as well as our new school next year. We were also looking for a place close to the subway line and other conveniences.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hMtK6luW44jfM3khV3WYW9uHMy3h6IwjuJwS-a_YsLDSOO9wzLnTfaxAadI8WD1KskxxpNr-rIsW9bUojk-lAc8zMADxmckIKCemxMUTHKOZXIFQzbHTIBbsxqM8Hlzsk0ShaHvwq7Om/s1600/DSC00712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hMtK6luW44jfM3khV3WYW9uHMy3h6IwjuJwS-a_YsLDSOO9wzLnTfaxAadI8WD1KskxxpNr-rIsW9bUojk-lAc8zMADxmckIKCemxMUTHKOZXIFQzbHTIBbsxqM8Hlzsk0ShaHvwq7Om/s320/DSC00712.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parc Vista</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After looking at a few places, we quickly realized that our living accommodations would not be like when we lived in Japan... they would be tremendously better! Our place in Japan was about the size of a postage stamp (200 sq. ft. - no lie) whereas the places in Singapore are built to western standards. <br />
<br />
<br />
I guess I should tell you that our only choice was to live in an apartment, as houses, for all intents and purposes simply do not exist (that is not unless you have several million or more to part with).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-w7-W14BF2zKHmunp3Aswvstxyoz5JLlNlqvyIXVl7xCeknWh82dpY-rbMWEhRnf3qq5UruTTylW7z8d_cOBURtJQ6VsqI6R9ExhzEMWRgo5tVIuSYyylV6DbmbxZXOaQPfVrmcPWzQl/s1600/DSC00297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-w7-W14BF2zKHmunp3Aswvstxyoz5JLlNlqvyIXVl7xCeknWh82dpY-rbMWEhRnf3qq5UruTTylW7z8d_cOBURtJQ6VsqI6R9ExhzEMWRgo5tVIuSYyylV6DbmbxZXOaQPfVrmcPWzQl/s320/DSC00297.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Main Pool and Clubhouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
What completely surprised us was not only the size of the apartments (they are quite large) but the amenities they offered....swimming pools, exercise rooms, tennis courts etc. What a treat! Boy, were we ever excited!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZ2SRE9xzR-vSNtUPJ69XynCmf60U1_SwBxzDkqDUjIiVvmfUQXez3gWh2tas0eY3dTZHEIFOBxHTDxeQa1hIWN7M7SxNepvgkrqQYyp3051O-r39ShGNu6s5oqb0RM8FJNBp76FgfaQy/s1600/DSC00275+%255B640x480%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitZ2SRE9xzR-vSNtUPJ69XynCmf60U1_SwBxzDkqDUjIiVvmfUQXez3gWh2tas0eY3dTZHEIFOBxHTDxeQa1hIWN7M7SxNepvgkrqQYyp3051O-r39ShGNu6s5oqb0RM8FJNBp76FgfaQy/s320/DSC00275+%255B640x480%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lap Pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After Lisa and Haylee finished playing a little game of, "Which place should we take?" with friends on Facebook, we finally decided on an apartment in a place called Parc Vista. Our apartment is huge, with 3 bedrooms (for when people come to visit), over 1800 sq. ft. of living space, and 12 ft. ceilings. In addition to how nice the place is, it is in the perfect location. We couldn't be happier with our choice.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Did I mention that rental accommodations are a little pricey? Doesn't matter where you go, the prices ain't cheap. Without getting into numbers, take a rather sizable mortgage payment, double it (yes, I did say double it) and you MIGHT be close. The good news is that our school provides us with a housing subsidy which makes the place quite reasonable.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And so 10 days after arriving in Singapore, we moved into our new digs.</div> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_fQJgf755N4WeRup8fFjn_FNYjQNJ8lRYe0SHMX20W6WJOdLktWOOmu45OsN-VONReWjAXQQ4S9JTrMWRCNQYVA0LjgAWU_oMG3YqutBywg-9SfRzHvWevvppD5sl-Y_WXEBgGoasCyf/s1600/DSC00282+%255B640x480%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_fQJgf755N4WeRup8fFjn_FNYjQNJ8lRYe0SHMX20W6WJOdLktWOOmu45OsN-VONReWjAXQQ4S9JTrMWRCNQYVA0LjgAWU_oMG3YqutBywg-9SfRzHvWevvppD5sl-Y_WXEBgGoasCyf/s320/DSC00282+%255B640x480%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">master</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSm-aU2sYUpc8vmIn6t4D8_Jd7BVHRqCSV1KYbxHL2ZTlk42FxRQ9CBwNXTSXn6oqDpZu-oHPqXzP4G65rSd1n1eiO60HR992UMbRuy6YaF7p-j7RVKChjTBLoQznjfncYjtNgaFEVYJJ/s1600/DSC00283+%255B640x480%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSm-aU2sYUpc8vmIn6t4D8_Jd7BVHRqCSV1KYbxHL2ZTlk42FxRQ9CBwNXTSXn6oqDpZu-oHPqXzP4G65rSd1n1eiO60HR992UMbRuy6YaF7p-j7RVKChjTBLoQznjfncYjtNgaFEVYJJ/s320/DSC00283+%255B640x480%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">dining rm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplazfJWza2WodDGeDmQFPQGo5SMyHCIdInCusr9GbfGiBX2EaRMuLQXMQ2ZRcDABdcEcGfM7wXwNPCg7FgJ59bKnTK4_3aI44jzf63K5R9h7PrzHezDxZ75snQbEWsJhYEO5tq_0a3UhW/s1600/DSC00279+%255B640x480%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjplazfJWza2WodDGeDmQFPQGo5SMyHCIdInCusr9GbfGiBX2EaRMuLQXMQ2ZRcDABdcEcGfM7wXwNPCg7FgJ59bKnTK4_3aI44jzf63K5R9h7PrzHezDxZ75snQbEWsJhYEO5tq_0a3UhW/s320/DSC00279+%255B640x480%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">living rm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1UORkiZTLdlmQjsRAziy_mdM8KUXONETkk3iWwjbs8_8yZoSp_OvEFNa0rNUJSJQn3vpNWRMvaYA19kp1Zn0w24KXeQ000QQJ6eaWx5CqM0m2Bz2eBPvRK4-O0jjk6K_F9SAC2Xtd-ov/s1600/DSC00288+%255B640x480%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1UORkiZTLdlmQjsRAziy_mdM8KUXONETkk3iWwjbs8_8yZoSp_OvEFNa0rNUJSJQn3vpNWRMvaYA19kp1Zn0w24KXeQ000QQJ6eaWx5CqM0m2Bz2eBPvRK4-O0jjk6K_F9SAC2Xtd-ov/s320/DSC00288+%255B640x480%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">did I mention the putting green?</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4hiE9MUPV1vJU8YzLtdG4VgpSGYG0h2o6xtfEaBgCyMHPXeSCuLWhVIVr4Wx3DOMkOrNuNpYXrS3p0xTa_v3-go-ElDbAj1Td2R7jcDH8LKHsm2Rtc8lWrX8Z50vysDfn50rTdkbcicC/s1600/DSC00285+%255B640x480%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4hiE9MUPV1vJU8YzLtdG4VgpSGYG0h2o6xtfEaBgCyMHPXeSCuLWhVIVr4Wx3DOMkOrNuNpYXrS3p0xTa_v3-go-ElDbAj1Td2R7jcDH8LKHsm2Rtc8lWrX8Z50vysDfn50rTdkbcicC/s320/DSC00285+%255B640x480%255D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haylee, Lisa and the property agent</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-25292209318180680402010-09-02T10:01:00.007+08:002011-03-27T10:40:35.153+08:00Sights and Sounds<div style="text-align: right;"></div>As I stated in an earlier post, we did the touristy thing when we first arrived and did some sightseeing. Here are some of the highlights:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FSAiZX7YizTIEAIsgaTKAm8geVQcm7w2lv3SvhkZYHF1154Vs-PAvLcDLUl3mkUgzDtkkTRL0E_43aFSjsh5EgCeGl3KshEZWcSQwUrHaL8H-IuQy2Vn7_ew3Puq6zKJz0FPPE_LnBrb/s1600/DSC00209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FSAiZX7YizTIEAIsgaTKAm8geVQcm7w2lv3SvhkZYHF1154Vs-PAvLcDLUl3mkUgzDtkkTRL0E_43aFSjsh5EgCeGl3KshEZWcSQwUrHaL8H-IuQy2Vn7_ew3Puq6zKJz0FPPE_LnBrb/s200/DSC00209.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The Singapore Flyer - each 'car' on the ferris wheel is a capsule that holds 20 people. Sometimes people rent out the capsules and will have a dinner party as they take in the Singapore skyline.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZLXAVy_F6r5xqu4BEinAyZosUcNQ4eZRfh6Aw20lJBaL4E6lXkQhwl19s3rTnyYo3Iz4foT7Jv60UpciDol3GwaNMHhfuQAF2XTLEU1l9m7cB5xbOlqJH8oKvOcNn_SxgZIw8HU1ZAV-/s1600/DSC00370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWZLXAVy_F6r5xqu4BEinAyZosUcNQ4eZRfh6Aw20lJBaL4E6lXkQhwl19s3rTnyYo3Iz4foT7Jv60UpciDol3GwaNMHhfuQAF2XTLEU1l9m7cB5xbOlqJH8oKvOcNn_SxgZIw8HU1ZAV-/s200/DSC00370.JPG" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The Marina Bay Sands - a hotel and casino with a 'skypark' in the shape of a cruise ship on the roof complete with a large, infinity pool.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipjc9SoXeCV3ZlQDPHA38o48A6k1rvjB43VvtQq2kpNiomvii6JT7G5Iw1mTr63QdN6mSyIzdLRpsGsdOpm9c3bnB2t3vOl0lwE026H_MgKTI0gjOQqnDz0K4YetdpuTD5Hx7y5wr0483/s1600/DSC00389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipjc9SoXeCV3ZlQDPHA38o48A6k1rvjB43VvtQq2kpNiomvii6JT7G5Iw1mTr63QdN6mSyIzdLRpsGsdOpm9c3bnB2t3vOl0lwE026H_MgKTI0gjOQqnDz0K4YetdpuTD5Hx7y5wr0483/s200/DSC00389.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: right;">The 'Sands' at night, with a bumboat in the foreground.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4z8xRCcbIGU75dN4ylrsAznYPHI-RKvTTQ2WUsOBX5lXaqKew8XqeIlZ5f4MjlN6AiImpj7EIAc_UXH5_cg2OBAuY4VxCdDa_ZzSnDTOYHyBJbbNmGZo-7OWaFdMNdB8F0EOlAaLDJBq/s1600/DSC00380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4z8xRCcbIGU75dN4ylrsAznYPHI-RKvTTQ2WUsOBX5lXaqKew8XqeIlZ5f4MjlN6AiImpj7EIAc_UXH5_cg2OBAuY4VxCdDa_ZzSnDTOYHyBJbbNmGZo-7OWaFdMNdB8F0EOlAaLDJBq/s200/DSC00380.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">Singapore skyline</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcwN8Swh0n6Ez35rnpcSn1Qx7LxiqMU1zPtGwh9RnyJndvtD8RbWO3ziozaxc2I-OSOWJDIQXfpPj2QVjsWwLkvr5ah72y2yrWA7HQHjbiFRTFzdX4lVPbnacDVd03WbXolOUlXOX-r5h/s1600/DSC00396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcwN8Swh0n6Ez35rnpcSn1Qx7LxiqMU1zPtGwh9RnyJndvtD8RbWO3ziozaxc2I-OSOWJDIQXfpPj2QVjsWwLkvr5ah72y2yrWA7HQHjbiFRTFzdX4lVPbnacDVd03WbXolOUlXOX-r5h/s200/DSC00396.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">The Merlion - the mythical creature of Singapore with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. The name comes from 'mer' meaning sea, and 'lion' which is representative of Singapore's original name, 'Singapura' or 'Lion City'.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsHeXKgH3V1PAJI1OrSm3N8LxH5lNsmJrQhCkiwq5vSQIhPDn_wk-PI6tPnLVMv2s87gV4ovC3jHyu_AdfLcinvUMiXGFPmyFsBDEbDAWJi3pDjBoAtFhDCSE-Z2V98GMuzsnb8n0b551/s1600/DSC00243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPsHeXKgH3V1PAJI1OrSm3N8LxH5lNsmJrQhCkiwq5vSQIhPDn_wk-PI6tPnLVMv2s87gV4ovC3jHyu_AdfLcinvUMiXGFPmyFsBDEbDAWJi3pDjBoAtFhDCSE-Z2V98GMuzsnb8n0b551/s200/DSC00243.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">Clarke Quay - once the commercial centre of Singapore, it is now a restaurant and bar district.</div>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-6094405941734842272010-09-01T09:41:00.003+08:002011-03-27T09:48:39.123+08:00Lay of the Land<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQKEJbmQOTcQWDXwvaIVEy2L1yjULzAWAdUt9FlgpvLbMvKSvjfHBcwOeBYkEcZ30s0xuQ42ME_3mBJx2j-IfTKP3rjg8ouEDy2krrPKleOTd9nHxXAEyIUQlFGjZ_HJeg8DDGTWiPthb/s1600/DSC00221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQKEJbmQOTcQWDXwvaIVEy2L1yjULzAWAdUt9FlgpvLbMvKSvjfHBcwOeBYkEcZ30s0xuQ42ME_3mBJx2j-IfTKP3rjg8ouEDy2krrPKleOTd9nHxXAEyIUQlFGjZ_HJeg8DDGTWiPthb/s200/DSC00221.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Spent the first week of our time in Singapore getting a feel for the place. We stayed at the Elizabeth Hotel in the Orchard Rd. shopping district. What an exciting place! Talk about Bright Lights, Big City! We were all a little wide-eyed, but nobody more than Haylee. But, she was certainly not intimidated by it. Quite the contrary. She easily adjusted to the crowds and chaos( a very orderly k-os, I might add).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzSjCNmx25bYeNPDH2vdgcd9m2OVGHMC_NnBxk1m8vhrJNkJMrZWGxTsiAVvt8Vl7Z2lZwRDNPRZyjQuJV5PojgO1s1xlStB-3aWEZk1nmsOe6riwoYY598Uj8OlxFltS_x6jb0ZLy1oS/s1600/DSC00211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzSjCNmx25bYeNPDH2vdgcd9m2OVGHMC_NnBxk1m8vhrJNkJMrZWGxTsiAVvt8Vl7Z2lZwRDNPRZyjQuJV5PojgO1s1xlStB-3aWEZk1nmsOe6riwoYY598Uj8OlxFltS_x6jb0ZLy1oS/s1600/DSC00211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUzSjCNmx25bYeNPDH2vdgcd9m2OVGHMC_NnBxk1m8vhrJNkJMrZWGxTsiAVvt8Vl7Z2lZwRDNPRZyjQuJV5PojgO1s1xlStB-3aWEZk1nmsOe6riwoYY598Uj8OlxFltS_x6jb0ZLy1oS/s200/DSC00211.JPG" width="200" /></a>One down side was getting over the jet lag. Our internal clocks were messed up royally...sleeping when we should be awake and vice-versa. However, three days later and we had finally adjusted. <br />
<br />
Other preoccupations of the first week included some workplace orientation stuff, some sightseeing and the rather daunting task of finding an apartment ( I'll tell you more about that later).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUNWmkXOQgW1z7UYQzpZ2Dr7W_YYzFAyVUCB1S4TokDDkSrVrfZ5D3J8rVq1JYo3OgUWw2wwvs6T-sfI9OlUcF2rrhCZFjXBhT_Fiw0bovogB4XjD1nugF5OS3pW4GeJJpn1G3clLf-qO/s1600/DSC00218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUNWmkXOQgW1z7UYQzpZ2Dr7W_YYzFAyVUCB1S4TokDDkSrVrfZ5D3J8rVq1JYo3OgUWw2wwvs6T-sfI9OlUcF2rrhCZFjXBhT_Fiw0bovogB4XjD1nugF5OS3pW4GeJJpn1G3clLf-qO/s200/DSC00218.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
The sightseeing was great. I've got to take my hat off to the Canadian International School and in particular, Charla Marshall, who did such a great job of welcoming us to town. We truly felt like we were visiting dignitaries. It was an enjoyable start to our stay here and helped to distract us from any apprehension we may have had about starting a new job. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrd_dsQjtoS3NZaibUsbNreTxRWZO6fuvXlP1cZhpzo7MIeHQ-BpJoZhEFs_09kmt2w6-uKzJ_aTI3j4Zp567QTS1obWBtB1JsoX2DiVgt4irEEFmG-DoA820JXGZXaZwcjCEZvTPEQCC/s1600/DSC00357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrd_dsQjtoS3NZaibUsbNreTxRWZO6fuvXlP1cZhpzo7MIeHQ-BpJoZhEFs_09kmt2w6-uKzJ_aTI3j4Zp567QTS1obWBtB1JsoX2DiVgt4irEEFmG-DoA820JXGZXaZwcjCEZvTPEQCC/s200/DSC00357.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haylee with the McDonald's<br />
Tracy, Clancy & Maizy</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Some of the highlights of our sightseeing included: a double-decker bus tour of the city, a bumboat river cruise and a couple of great parties : one at a place called Glutton's Bay and another at in an area called Dempsey Hill...free food, free drinks and a chance to get to know our co-workers. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;"></div> <br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPMbwa4M_Tmj9v8Iu9iQWJMZ7MZl7xWzRVcnQFpDjEI9BEP1qFwpfr5CTmC5gadq_YBcfkHpJmnXQmO3vTtUk18LoKp79Ac4PrZAC_kDd2-as00-NqUuT2kKN2czJY4imBrDkSVldbzGn/s1600/DSC00409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPMbwa4M_Tmj9v8Iu9iQWJMZ7MZl7xWzRVcnQFpDjEI9BEP1qFwpfr5CTmC5gadq_YBcfkHpJmnXQmO3vTtUk18LoKp79Ac4PrZAC_kDd2-as00-NqUuT2kKN2czJY4imBrDkSVldbzGn/s320/DSC00409.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let the adventure begin!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-91785238494351314612010-08-31T20:33:00.029+08:002011-03-26T13:41:59.917+08:00Are we there yet?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8wOarKwGbI1PSBXCrvTt5ERkdkcc4rX3V_pMjUcwECcMgx5M0G9mwT1dha_IlQUPXozciDGdMsKz91wPVrHeyHnIfh6ev8j2lPf7i3I42DQNG0PXjGqtFw9VawZPi8-nDA70p8c_dSJm/s1600/DSC00202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8wOarKwGbI1PSBXCrvTt5ERkdkcc4rX3V_pMjUcwECcMgx5M0G9mwT1dha_IlQUPXozciDGdMsKz91wPVrHeyHnIfh6ev8j2lPf7i3I42DQNG0PXjGqtFw9VawZPi8-nDA70p8c_dSJm/s200/DSC00202.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">are we there yet?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So, you want to go to Singapore? It's not as easy as it sounds. <br />
Let me tell you about a trip.<br />
<br />
Saturday, July 31st - we wake up in Saint John, New Brunswick and begin packing the van (thanks Judy!)<br />
<br />
11:00 a.m. - after a great sendoff and a few tears we begin the first leg of our journey. Destination Halifax.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmCXLHvTQ4iFpAIWTiLmhMS0LfGOmU1PocFYzBXDTFvIrU1_tzSUj6oP_NGXW6Z3kCPPWlXdCIhMMDcVISiJSLs0s8myR72EeP5QZ7GOXGekzECIgPLIIlJvY-mcB6zLohTK53iuGbWrm/s1600/DSC00195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmCXLHvTQ4iFpAIWTiLmhMS0LfGOmU1PocFYzBXDTFvIrU1_tzSUj6oP_NGXW6Z3kCPPWlXdCIhMMDcVISiJSLs0s8myR72EeP5QZ7GOXGekzECIgPLIIlJvY-mcB6zLohTK53iuGbWrm/s200/DSC00195.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taipei</td></tr>
</tbody></table>3:00 p.m. - we arrive in Halifax and say tearful goodbye to Charlie and Ruth. We arrived a little early for our flight so that Charlie and Ruth could get back home in the daylight.<br />
<br />
8:00 p.m. - we leave for Toronto. 2 hours later we touch down in Toronto<br />
<br />
1:00 a.m. - we leave Toronto on a 15 hour non-stop flight to Taipei, Taiwan. You heard me right. 15 hours! Try sitting in coach for that long! <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwzQofn1HggHZVhhazJL2i5PhJ95rgbsg3T9SqVmzJG28kLICJIY0J2o5Nn-ALz32DvGmQoBvSBCyck9xnJzlvStzEY7mJv2FkpmL_oJMSSkNuX3knh4EGEhEnEGqkSHaYPohYNaq2giL/s1600/DSC00197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwzQofn1HggHZVhhazJL2i5PhJ95rgbsg3T9SqVmzJG28kLICJIY0J2o5Nn-ALz32DvGmQoBvSBCyck9xnJzlvStzEY7mJv2FkpmL_oJMSSkNuX3knh4EGEhEnEGqkSHaYPohYNaq2giL/s200/DSC00197.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taipei</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We arrived in Taipei at about 4:00 a.m. Taipei time and had a 3 hour layover before our flight to Singapore.<br />
<br />
10:00 a.m. - after a 30 minute delay on the tarmac, we finally departed for Singapore and arrived art 1:00 p.m. Singapore time.<br />
<br />
Talk about an epic journey. Total Length of the flight = 31 hours<br />
<br />
You add in our transportation time to Halifax and our wait time there and the trip was closer to 40 hours.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoocJL4niMUf005q0ObWYQTJJzBuLfOWEDbWxjSNkAJxwGrsNZpsNkfq3dYN5I6grn_Sm1cm3Mfzjzw4ysRQ1anmz_UMXAxg78Wq7glCvrOPpn-X8lqO_oamjeByR3HYa9bfczwAf6zhXP/s1600/DSC00205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoocJL4niMUf005q0ObWYQTJJzBuLfOWEDbWxjSNkAJxwGrsNZpsNkfq3dYN5I6grn_Sm1cm3Mfzjzw4ysRQ1anmz_UMXAxg78Wq7glCvrOPpn-X8lqO_oamjeByR3HYa9bfczwAf6zhXP/s200/DSC00205.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singapore Airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Do you think we we're happy to arrive ? You betcha !<br />
<br />
Singapore at last !!Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7782973781675712822.post-13133899836710261832010-08-31T19:54:00.004+08:002011-04-01T12:11:27.370+08:00Where to begin ?<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsTMlvMTR3BLr_VfmSIRg5Rdra-dDLekUftJ-dt1MVa2tZXGaf8loC5KVoCLHxkAPcHeMF0hc8rLTGNs4_v9GrnSJq2N_tP92ZmA8Jf6pdkIpHNx8jdunHMt6sImDfIo4Bo_JZrrOVj5z/s1600/Singapore+Map.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsTMlvMTR3BLr_VfmSIRg5Rdra-dDLekUftJ-dt1MVa2tZXGaf8loC5KVoCLHxkAPcHeMF0hc8rLTGNs4_v9GrnSJq2N_tP92ZmA8Jf6pdkIpHNx8jdunHMt6sImDfIo4Bo_JZrrOVj5z/s1600/Singapore+Map.gif" /></a></div>Where to begin ? As in every story, the beginning seems a good spot. But where is it ? </div><div></div><br />
<div>It's difficult to pinpoint when our family made the decision to rid ourselves of our worldly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">possessions</span> and to travel half way around the world to start a new life in Singapore. I'd say the idea first got its wings in October 2009, when we started investigating overseas teaching opportunities in Europe. That investigation led us to the Overseas Teacher Recruitment Fair at Queen's University in Kingston. Ontario in February, 2010. It was there that we were hired by Dr. Glen <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Odland</span> of the Canadian International School of Singapore and the direction of our lives took a dramatic change. So why the change ? We could have easily continued to live our very comfortable and predictable lives in St. Thomas, Ontario but our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">adventurous</span> spirit was calling us and we felt that there was no time like the present to explore the world. </div><br />
Please check in every once in a while and be prepared to laugh and quite possibly be perplexed at our stories and experiences during our time in South-East Asia.<br />
<br />
<div></div><br />
<div></div>Scott Littlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03642111579102752276noreply@blogger.com0