My Birthday – Asia Style
I love how every week here is totally different than the one before! Talk about getting out of a rut. It’s funny, I knew I was in a rut before I left but now I see how scheduled I was…Life is so much more interesting and FUN when you just got with the flow of things – everything always has a way of working itself out anyway.
My birthday celebration started on the 1st of August – just 2 days before my actual birthday. Growing up, my mom always told us a month long celebration is always important when celebrating your birthday – I guess I still follow that!
I had booked a 9 AM flight for Singapore to meet up with one of my best friends, Ellen. Me being me – I arrived at the airport before 7 AM to make sure I checked in not rushing. As soon as I got to the counter I was told the flight was delayed until 6PM!!!!!!!! Of course, they only offered 1 return flight on Sunday at 1 PM. I could either suck it up and wait, not go at all because I’d barely be there, or try to buy a 1 way ticket from another carrier. I chose the later! It was totally worth it and the original airline is refunding me half of what I paid, since it was their error!
I arrived at the hotel by noontime. What an amazing hotel Ellen was staying at, I totally lucked out to be staying at the St. Regis, we are talking lap of luxury here! I dropped my bag off and headed straight out to Orchard Road, where all the shopping malls are. Still, I cannot believe how much Singaporeans shop and eat. The city is so modern, clean, and international. I almost felt like I was in a US city somewhere because everyone came from a different walk of life, spoke English, and had many of the same shops we have at home.
While waiting for Ellen to arrive from Hong Kong, I made great use of my time exploring the city. We were definitely on the same timing, as she was pulling into the driveway – I was walking along the driveway to the lobby. Talk about perfect timing! We were served tea in the lobby while our room was prepared. By around 5 we hit the streets again headed for Bugis Station. This is a stop along their subway system; it flows into another huge shopping mall with a huge food court that has every sweet imaginable. I even tried a few things; it was my B-day weekend after all!
The plan was to leave for the famous Night Safari around 7, and that we did. What a scene it was when we arrived. There were fire dancers on a stage twirling and throwing flames into the air on a stage. We got our tickets for the tram and waited in a loooooong line for the tram. I could not believe how many people there were.
Time went fast and soon we boarded our tram. We soon made our way into the “jungle” and began seeing creatures of the night around every twist and turn. I tried not to freak out that we were in an exposed vehicle with lions about 10 feet away from us. They must sedate them or have electric collars around their necks, sad when you think about. It was like being at the zoo in the night time and instead of walking you got escorted around in a tram, not bad by me.
We finished up a little bit after 10PM and headed straight to Clarke Quay/Riverside area. What a cool area this was. There were tons of restaurants along the water and it was so relaxing. After taking a peek into every restaurant we found one that we thought would be perfect and that it was! This was also the night area. So convenient, you finish eating and all you have to do is walk around the corner to your bar, club, or lounge of choice. For those being a bit more daring there is also extreme bungee. It’s this tower and you go inside this ball thingy with other people that is attached to a huge elastic like structure and you are flung up, down, and all around. It looked awesome – too bad the line was so long though!
By 2AM we found ourselves back to the St Regis. I could not wait to shower! After being in the night safari, I was ready for a shower. But I have to tell you, it was well worth the wait. The shower was the best shower I ever used, I need one installed whenever I own my own house, there were these jets coming from every angle, and it was just the best! We continued staying up until around 4AM and ordered some yummy dessert consisting of coconut sorbet and chocolate ice cream with a chocolate mousse dish. This was paired with some champagne. I mean why not really go all out?
The next morning was pretty rushed since I had to leave pretty early for my flight. After breakfast at the hotel, I had to head to the airport. Check in was mindless and I found a lounger in the middle of the airport near the gate to relax in. I got back to the HCMC airport in no time at all.
I have to say my team here really threw a nice b-day celebration for me on Monday. I actually had to give a presentation on Monday morning – after that the team surprised me with a yummy cake, cards, and xylophone. We then all crammed into one of the cars and headed for lunch. We went to Fifo – this great traditional Vietnamese place that is inside of an old house. They have cuisine from all the different parts of Vietnam. Each region is known for a different dish. Food kept coming out – it was such a delicious feast!
I’m sure the rest of the week is just going to fly by! I booked a last minute trip to Da Nang and Hoi An Friday night through Sunday night. I am so excited to check it out. Saturday I planned a tour to see My Son (ancient ruins), China Beach (where the US soldiers first landed), and Marble Mountain (you can trek it; you know I’ll be happy doing that!) Not to worry – I will post pics of everything!
Next week I am looking forward to some of the US team coming here for a development trip. Kendall and Megan are staying a bit longer to play – yay – I cannot wait!
I hope you all are taking advantage of summer and having some of your own fun!
I love how every week here is totally different than the one before! Talk about getting out of a rut. It’s funny, I knew I was in a rut before I left but now I see how scheduled I was…Life is so much more interesting and FUN when you just got with the flow of things – everything always has a way of working itself out anyway.
My birthday celebration started on the 1st of August – just 2 days before my actual birthday. Growing up, my mom always told us a month long celebration is always important when celebrating your birthday – I guess I still follow that!
I had booked a 9 AM flight for Singapore to meet up with one of my best friends, Ellen. Me being me – I arrived at the airport before 7 AM to make sure I checked in not rushing. As soon as I got to the counter I was told the flight was delayed until 6PM!!!!!!!! Of course, they only offered 1 return flight on Sunday at 1 PM. I could either suck it up and wait, not go at all because I’d barely be there, or try to buy a 1 way ticket from another carrier. I chose the later! It was totally worth it and the original airline is refunding me half of what I paid, since it was their error!
I arrived at the hotel by noontime. What an amazing hotel Ellen was staying at, I totally lucked out to be staying at the St. Regis, we are talking lap of luxury here! I dropped my bag off and headed straight out to Orchard Road, where all the shopping malls are. Still, I cannot believe how much Singaporeans shop and eat. The city is so modern, clean, and international. I almost felt like I was in a US city somewhere because everyone came from a different walk of life, spoke English, and had many of the same shops we have at home.
While waiting for Ellen to arrive from Hong Kong, I made great use of my time exploring the city. We were definitely on the same timing, as she was pulling into the driveway – I was walking along the driveway to the lobby. Talk about perfect timing! We were served tea in the lobby while our room was prepared. By around 5 we hit the streets again headed for Bugis Station. This is a stop along their subway system; it flows into another huge shopping mall with a huge food court that has every sweet imaginable. I even tried a few things; it was my B-day weekend after all!
The plan was to leave for the famous Night Safari around 7, and that we did. What a scene it was when we arrived. There were fire dancers on a stage twirling and throwing flames into the air on a stage. We got our tickets for the tram and waited in a loooooong line for the tram. I could not believe how many people there were.
Time went fast and soon we boarded our tram. We soon made our way into the “jungle” and began seeing creatures of the night around every twist and turn. I tried not to freak out that we were in an exposed vehicle with lions about 10 feet away from us. They must sedate them or have electric collars around their necks, sad when you think about. It was like being at the zoo in the night time and instead of walking you got escorted around in a tram, not bad by me.
We finished up a little bit after 10PM and headed straight to Clarke Quay/Riverside area. What a cool area this was. There were tons of restaurants along the water and it was so relaxing. After taking a peek into every restaurant we found one that we thought would be perfect and that it was! This was also the night area. So convenient, you finish eating and all you have to do is walk around the corner to your bar, club, or lounge of choice. For those being a bit more daring there is also extreme bungee. It’s this tower and you go inside this ball thingy with other people that is attached to a huge elastic like structure and you are flung up, down, and all around. It looked awesome – too bad the line was so long though!
By 2AM we found ourselves back to the St Regis. I could not wait to shower! After being in the night safari, I was ready for a shower. But I have to tell you, it was well worth the wait. The shower was the best shower I ever used, I need one installed whenever I own my own house, there were these jets coming from every angle, and it was just the best! We continued staying up until around 4AM and ordered some yummy dessert consisting of coconut sorbet and chocolate ice cream with a chocolate mousse dish. This was paired with some champagne. I mean why not really go all out?
The next morning was pretty rushed since I had to leave pretty early for my flight. After breakfast at the hotel, I had to head to the airport. Check in was mindless and I found a lounger in the middle of the airport near the gate to relax in. I got back to the HCMC airport in no time at all.
I have to say my team here really threw a nice b-day celebration for me on Monday. I actually had to give a presentation on Monday morning – after that the team surprised me with a yummy cake, cards, and xylophone. We then all crammed into one of the cars and headed for lunch. We went to Fifo – this great traditional Vietnamese place that is inside of an old house. They have cuisine from all the different parts of Vietnam. Each region is known for a different dish. Food kept coming out – it was such a delicious feast!
I’m sure the rest of the week is just going to fly by! I booked a last minute trip to Da Nang and Hoi An Friday night through Sunday night. I am so excited to check it out. Saturday I planned a tour to see My Son (ancient ruins), China Beach (where the US soldiers first landed), and Marble Mountain (you can trek it; you know I’ll be happy doing that!) Not to worry – I will post pics of everything!
Next week I am looking forward to some of the US team coming here for a development trip. Kendall and Megan are staying a bit longer to play – yay – I cannot wait!
I hope you all are taking advantage of summer and having some of your own fun!
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