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Indonesia and then back to Singapore
Jun. 3rd, 2013 02:25 pmIt is so easy to go from Singapore to another country - I really like that. Last weekend we went to Indonesia. We took the ferry over, sort of like a bus ride on water. They showed one of the Die Hard films, but w subtitles and no sound. It didn't look too interesting. The crossing takes about 90 min and the customs and immigration on both sides are very efficient and easy. We stayed at the Aston Tanjung Pinang hotel on the outskirts of town. We got to try several Indonesian foods that we hadn't had before, including small bananas cut up, rolled in pastry, and then fried. It was delicious. We were on the island of Bintan, the northern half is resorts in the club med style, the southern part is more down to earth. A very easy trip from Singapore and now I have another 90 days on my tourist visa.
I'm reading Singapore Grip and watching Downton Abbey - just finished season 2. I have also been spending a lot of time over at Lasalle art college - the graduation art show is on. I saw all the films in one marathon viewing and they were really very good. I also like a lot of the work done by the design students. There is so much to see. I have already spent two days there and might go back for a third. Last night I saw a film that China has tried to ban called When Night Falls - sad - about a mother enduring the execution of her son. I finished reading Winter Journal by Paul Auster, which I quite liked.
We went to an artists market yesterday - it was great seeing what local artists are doing. Charles bought a pair of shoes http://koom-koom.com/home.html
On Saturday we found our new favorite coffee place - http://www.nyloncoffee.sg/
Earlier this week we went out to MTR - the famous Bangalore restaurant has opened a branch here and we met someone there who had grown up in BLR, so we got to be all nostalgic about all the wonderful things in Bangalore.
I think it is interesting how you learn things in a new place. We move in ever widening circles, and look for clues - like which direction people are going, what bags people are carrying. It takes quite a while to really learn a place. We are just now starting to improvise on taking a bus. And just this weekend we found a huge market of produce and meat (Tekka market) just a few blocks away. Nobody really introduces you to a neighborhood - or they don't always know what you are interested in. You have to explore. the internet helps, but you don't know what to look for exactly. We are living in a great location - lots of things are very close to us.
I'm loving being able to get around by myself, and the washing machine, and the wonderful swimming pool. Our apt. is very quiet during the day, and the AC keeps the temp comfortable. The fast speed internet is very seductive - I don't spend as much time reading as I used to.
I'm reading Singapore Grip and watching Downton Abbey - just finished season 2. I have also been spending a lot of time over at Lasalle art college - the graduation art show is on. I saw all the films in one marathon viewing and they were really very good. I also like a lot of the work done by the design students. There is so much to see. I have already spent two days there and might go back for a third. Last night I saw a film that China has tried to ban called When Night Falls - sad - about a mother enduring the execution of her son. I finished reading Winter Journal by Paul Auster, which I quite liked.
We went to an artists market yesterday - it was great seeing what local artists are doing. Charles bought a pair of shoes http://koom-koom.com/home.html
On Saturday we found our new favorite coffee place - http://www.nyloncoffee.sg/
Earlier this week we went out to MTR - the famous Bangalore restaurant has opened a branch here and we met someone there who had grown up in BLR, so we got to be all nostalgic about all the wonderful things in Bangalore.
I think it is interesting how you learn things in a new place. We move in ever widening circles, and look for clues - like which direction people are going, what bags people are carrying. It takes quite a while to really learn a place. We are just now starting to improvise on taking a bus. And just this weekend we found a huge market of produce and meat (Tekka market) just a few blocks away. Nobody really introduces you to a neighborhood - or they don't always know what you are interested in. You have to explore. the internet helps, but you don't know what to look for exactly. We are living in a great location - lots of things are very close to us.
I'm loving being able to get around by myself, and the washing machine, and the wonderful swimming pool. Our apt. is very quiet during the day, and the AC keeps the temp comfortable. The fast speed internet is very seductive - I don't spend as much time reading as I used to.
