Cuba Libre

It was a hot sultry night but aren't they all in Singapore? Two of my colleagues and I decided to go out for some dinner after our first week working there and some wine led to some higher ambitions so we headed off in search of some fun.

We strolled around Clarkes Quay in the steamy night, just trying to take it all in. Finally we found somewhere to perch outside at a table and ordered a round of Mai Tai's. One colleague was foolishly convinced there was not much alcohol in them and gave in to his thirst, guzzling not one, but two down.

At this point there was no stopping us and we headed off in search of some music. I could hear the music pouring out into the street and knew we would make a stop wherever that salsa music was coming from. It was a bar called Cuba Libre and it was love at first sight.

Antonio, as we came to know him, was singing seductively and we came at the moment when the crowd at the tables started to crowd the dance floor. Whether you could dance or not, you couldn't resist and next thing you knew the set had ended and you were hoping, praying even, it wasn't the last.

I spent many an evening at Cuba Libre in Clarkes Quay Singapore. Antonio always remember me and with a mischievous glint in his eye would dedicate me a song, 'to the most beautiful woman in the world'. I'm sure he said that to all the ladies but I loved it anyway.

On my very last evening in Singapore, I went to pay a final visit and say goodbye, but he had gone on holiday. Just as well. I hate goodbyes.

Posted from Ashford Kent

Breaking From Basel

The apartment is starting to look unrecognizable. My first home in Europe and the place where I have spent the longest period of time in my adult life is being scrubbed of all traces of me. It's an interesting process, the breaking down of a home. Tucked into drawers and closets are all kinds of memories and it's not unlike an archaeological dig to bring it all up to the surface again.

A small group of us gathered for dinner last night at Trois Roi. With some wine and some toasts, we dug out our memories from the last 3 to 4 years. I am proud of my time here. I grew a lot as a person and I grew a lot in my career. The early volatility of some of the relationships has aged like a fine wine and I can leave here at peace with how things turned out.

I finished my work in Singapore on August 22. From there life took an unexpected twist and M. and I parted ways or are on a break, depending on how it all turns out. I extended my time off to end of September, set up in Singapore with some friends, and started planning some travel around SE Asia. It was an amazing experience, that I will post about. Now I am back in Europe, packing up and sorting out what comes next...

Posted from Basel

Pulau Bintan, Indonesia

45 minutes ferry from Singapore, a perfect escape for a quiet couple of days at the beach...last night coincided with a full moon and more fun photography experimentaion.








Posted from Singapore

The Final Days

It's a working weekend for my team; hopefully the last. So far, so good and we are getting sleep at night so that is always a good thing.

I've been having a nice time in Singapore once again. I would not hesitate to come back for work anytime and its a perfect base for seeing Southeast Asia. For the colleauges who have been located here for the last months they have really taken advantage of the cheap travel and nearby locations, seeing Bali, Bintan, Lankawi, Phuket, Ko Phi Phi, Hong Kong, Borneo, not to mention work travel to Taiwan, Shanghai, Tokyo, Australia, Bangkok, and more. So far I have stayed only in Singapore but it looks promising that I can go to Bali next weekend with a colleague from Spain. She went a couple weeks ago and wants to head back so why not?

No new leads on what I will do for my next project but I will probably start the full steam search/campaign next week. It's a lot to juggle - career objectives, personal preferences, M.'s wishes, what's available - it can be a stressful time in the career of a consultant.

One thing is for sure is that I will take a 3 week holiday at the end of this project and make a tour of the Philippines. M. is joining on August 22 in Singapore. We have our itinerary more or less settled now, although some details we will have to wing when we get there and we need to make a few final bookings still in the next week or two.

At the risk of trying to see too much or staying too long somewhere, here is the plan:
August 22-24 Singapore
August 24 Manila
August 25 - 29 Rice Terraces/Trekking/Hiking (North Luzon)
August 30 Manila
August 31 - Sept 4 Sangat Island (Palawan)
Sept 4 - Sept 7 Boracay (Visayas)
Sept 7 - Sept 11 Bohol/Panglao (Visayas)
Sept 11 - Return to Singapore
Sept 12 - Return to Munich

It will be hard to come back to reality after the 2 months in Asia!

Posted from Singapore

3rd and Final

It's Saturday night and I am back in Singapore. I arrived on Thursday morning and went to work for the afternoon. It's smooth sailing so far and almost too quiet on the work front as we approach our project grand finale. No complaints here though!

The details are coming together on our vacation afterwards too but there is still some work to do. We decided to do some hiking & trekking in North Luzon then a couple of weeks of island hopping. It's low season so has been easy and cheap to book so far but we'll see how the weather is. We bough back packs for all our stuff so now the challenge is to pack lightly so we can haul it around. I am not sure whether M. or I will struggle more with that.

Now just need to decide whether or not to go out with the yahoos tonight.

Posted from Singapore

Singapore Redux

Clarkes Quay Steamy Evening, June 2008

Singapore is growing on me. I met a nice mall this weekend. With lots of shoes, beautiful, beautiful shoes. I probably have a shoe fetish but have cut back in recent years due to lack of closet space and not loving the styles in Munich. Here the shoes are girly and sexy and, oh, so hard to resist.

There is a lot of energy here. I like sitting outdoors at the big Borders store bistro and reading my new books on a Sunday(!) afternoon and watching the people go by. There is a big screen TV across the street where crowds gather to watch UEFA 08 games while breaking from shopping.

I made friends with the Spanish mafia this weekend - colleagues from our Barcelona office - they are nuts. Don't plan to go to bed before daylight if you spend an evening out with them. Of course they don't get started until after midnight so maybe its not that impressive. We went salsa dancing, then tried out the Ministry of Sound, the 2nd of 3 clubs in Singapore I wanted to check out (Zouk, MOS and St.James Power Station).

On Saturday we barbequed Singapore-style on Saturday night - me and another international couple (French-Polish). Singapore-style BBQ is nice. Fish wrapped in banana leaves, satay, chicken wings, egg rolls, steak and more. It takes quite some effort to get the grill going with all the humidity but it is worth it!

I even had a girls night out last night and we saw Sex in the City and had amazing sushi for dinner beforehand. How long has it been since I've had a real girls night out? Sigh.

I started running again for real too. Every other day to the gym for a 30-60 minute run.

When I just need a break from it all, I can count on a gorgeous tropical downpour with thunder and lightning to snuggle in bed and watch from the hotel high rise.

Sometimes I think I am so travel-fatigued, I barely care where I am anymore. Sometimes, like now, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Posted from Singapore

So Long, For Now

I'm down to my final hours before I head for home. I must say I really enjoyed it here. Work was fun and Singapore isn't a bad place to spend a few days.

As much as I enjoy writing about what is different compared to where I come from, I am left with the impression that, in the end, people are people, wherever you go. And there is something comforting about that.

The colleagues from Asia-Pacific on my team:


Posted from Singapore

Stroll in the Jungle

Friday Night in Singapore

Friday Morning

Not looking too promising for the weekend