Singapore and Indonesia

October 29th and 30th Singapore

Today I had IPM during the day, but luckily was able to go off during the night since the next day we had to leave by 10 am. Eli and I were both stuck on board until 4, but then wandered into the terminal (which was a huge mall) to look for Jess. We really just wanted to go and get food, so of course, thinking with our tummies, we wandered to a part of town called Clark Key (not sure how to spell that). Eli had explained that this was the best place to go get drinks and food. When we got there, it looked alot like a swanky outdoor mall. Kind of like the Block of Orange. It had really wonderful cultural restaurants everywhere, but all of them were pretty pricey. All of a sudden, we had a hankering for good indian food. So, we took a taxi to a part of town called India Town. In Singapore, they have all sorts of cultures meshing together and several little areas dedicated to specific cultures. So, we got to this amazing area, which looked like it came out of Mumbai, but it was less scary. They were still celebrating deepavali, so it was beautifully lit up with lights and colors. I was brought back to India with the scrumptious vegetarian meal we shared. After that, we wandered around town a little longer and went shopping. I didn’t buy much, but it was fun to look. Then we got into a cab and asked them to take us to Sentosa island, where a night of halloween festivities awaited us. Our cab driver was this funny old man who played Madonna and made us laugh. When we got to Sentosa, however, the haunted house was sold out. We decided to look around anyway, even though we really just wanted to be spooked by some asian horror. Come-on, we all know that asian horror films are the best.....anyone seen ringu? (the ring) or the grudge that they did? Way scarier.....if you didn’t know that, rent them:) We were kind of disappointed with the island. Though it was really cool with indoor skydiving and some pretty killer theme park attractions, it all seemed so fake. I wasn’t about that. We then went down to the beach on the island and found this cool restaurant on the ocean, where a Singaporean Adele was crooning us for a while until we had to leave because we saw the price of the drinks. It was short lived, but she really did sound and kind of look like Adele. So that was pretty cool. After that, we knew that it was Halloween here in Singapore, so we went back to Clark Key for some Halloween festivities. We got there, and everything was so busy! We couldn’t find one restaurant outside near the band to sit at. We were all pretty tired, and the drinks were expensive, so we didn’t stay long. Just long enough to have one drink and people watch all of the crazy costumes of the night. 

After a full night of wandering and exploring, I started to wonder if Singapore had any of it’s own culture. I really didn’t see much of what Singapore had to offer, with such limited time, but really it was not very thrilling. It was very western and very clean. Give me the slums of India, the marshy waters of Vietnam or the raw culture of Brazil any day. I feel the same way about Singapore as I do Dubai. Same Same. I think culture is what excites me. Different is far more interesting. 

Jakarta, Indoniesia

11/1/11

Today I was also on IPM (I have alot since we left China) but I was ok with having it today. Today, I was a lucky crew member because I got the opportunity to help several of the crew members onboard the ship with family from Jakarta sign their families on the ship for the day. I kid you not, this was a love fest. I was tearing up because I saw fathers meet their babies for the first time, daughters being re-united with their mothers after 11 months of hard work and brothers holding each other so tight. It was a blessing to be a part of this re-union. Ericka, one of my close friends on the ship had her whole family on. I got a chance to meet her elegant mother and family full of boys. I was their tour guide for the afternoon and later Ericka told me that her family had no idea what I was talking about and they thought I was funny cause I laughed all the time and my face turned red. haha nice. I also got a chance to meet Yulien’s (another one of my friends on the ship) father and nephew. Her father said “I love you” to me. I laughed and smiled.        

The whole day was a thrill, and I am so thankful I got to witness these glorious reunions.  

I know what it is like to be gone from family for a very long time, but they have it much harder on the ship. I am very fortunate to have the time to spend with my family. Every moment counts. I miss you guys. Soon I will be home to hug and kiss you all.

Java (Borobudur) 11/2/11

Today I took a trip to the ancient building of Borobudur. It took Brad, David and I about 2 hours to get there and 3 hours back. It was breathtaking. And I met a couple from Aliso Viejo, which is right next door to me at home. It reminded me that the world is incredibly small...once again. When we walked in. they gave us wraps to cover our legs....it was incredibly hot, I just had to wear shorts. But this was a holy place and it was rude to not be covered. But Brad and David had to wear the cover too :) 

Next stop Bali! in other words....heaven! We have our last performance of Las Vegas Nights tomorrow.....so it’s the last time I will be wearing my lovely Dolly Parton costume and wig.....I may cry.