I celebrated the fact with an appropriately titled cake.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Singapore - Birthday
A Year Older, A Year Dumber....
I celebrated the fact with an appropriately titled cake.
I celebrated the fact with an appropriately titled cake.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Kuala Lumpur - Petronas Towers, Cont'd
Reaching the Top
When they were completed in the late 1990's, these were the tallest buildings in the world - about 100 feet taller than NY's twin towers. In just 11 short years, they've been pushed down to fifth place. Ahead of them now are the Burj Kalifa in Dubai, Taipei 101, the Shanghai World Financial Center and Hong Kong's ICC.
When they were completed in the late 1990's, these were the tallest buildings in the world - about 100 feet taller than NY's twin towers. In just 11 short years, they've been pushed down to fifth place. Ahead of them now are the Burj Kalifa in Dubai, Taipei 101, the Shanghai World Financial Center and Hong Kong's ICC.
Kuala Lumpur - Petronas Towers
First Stop, the Bridge
When you visit the top of the Petronas towers, you make a first stop at the 45th floor bridge that joins the towers.
When you visit the top of the Petronas towers, you make a first stop at the 45th floor bridge that joins the towers.
Kuala Lumpur - Old Buildings
Outside the CBD
Just a few blocks outside downtown, old KL comes into view. Interesting old buildings, weather beaten and tired.
Just a few blocks outside downtown, old KL comes into view. Interesting old buildings, weather beaten and tired.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Kuala Lumpur - Riding the Tram
With the Colonel
I always like to try out each city's public transportation. KL has a subway and monorail. The monorail passed right by our hotel. It connects two subway lines together. The stations are covered to protect from rain and sun.
I always like to try out each city's public transportation. KL has a subway and monorail. The monorail passed right by our hotel. It connects two subway lines together. The stations are covered to protect from rain and sun.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Kuala Lumpur - Keeping Your Cool
While Walking Around
I thought the walkways in Bangkok were good but KL takes it up a notch. They are totally enclosed and air conditioned.
I thought the walkways in Bangkok were good but KL takes it up a notch. They are totally enclosed and air conditioned.
Kuala Lumpur - The Petronas Towers
They Dominate the Skyline
No matter where you go in KL, you see them, the twin towers. They cast a huge shadow across the city. I walked from the hotel to them today.
No matter where you go in KL, you see them, the twin towers. They cast a huge shadow across the city. I walked from the hotel to them today.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Kuala Lumpur - Landed
Accompanying the Ball and Chain
Dodomode found out on Thursday afternoon that she had to be in KL today for a meeting. We got up early to catch the short 1 hr flight. We'll stay until late Saturday evening.
Dodomode found out on Thursday afternoon that she had to be in KL today for a meeting. We got up early to catch the short 1 hr flight. We'll stay until late Saturday evening.
Singapore - Roof at Night
Condo Rules Are So Much Fun
When you buy a condo you get a book of rules to go with it. Ours is no different. There are all kinds of rules, some good, some dumb. An example of the latter would be the rule that maids cannot swim in the pool. Can you imagine? I might go get a maid just so I can break the rule. I would take her swimming every night. One of the big rules is you cannot do anything to change the building "facade." So, my roofing guy had to draw up designs and get a sign off from condo management. They were approved with the caveat "as long as you cannot see it from outside."
When you buy a condo you get a book of rules to go with it. Ours is no different. There are all kinds of rules, some good, some dumb. An example of the latter would be the rule that maids cannot swim in the pool. Can you imagine? I might go get a maid just so I can break the rule. I would take her swimming every night. One of the big rules is you cannot do anything to change the building "facade." So, my roofing guy had to draw up designs and get a sign off from condo management. They were approved with the caveat "as long as you cannot see it from outside."
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Singapore - Roof
The Perfect Test
Just as the foreman said "we're done, come have a look" a large thunder clap punctuated his sentence. Perfect timing. I ran up and got a quick tutorial and in no time it was pouring rain. I stood inside my newly created cocoon and watched and waited. It was a typical afternoon deluge but not as windy as usual.
Just as the foreman said "we're done, come have a look" a large thunder clap punctuated his sentence. Perfect timing. I ran up and got a quick tutorial and in no time it was pouring rain. I stood inside my newly created cocoon and watched and waited. It was a typical afternoon deluge but not as windy as usual.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Singapore - Condo Update
Cover from Sun and Rain
I felt sorry for the workers. Not only was it hot and sunny but they had to hand carry a lot of the equipment and materials up 17 flights because it wouldn't fit in the elevator. I thought one of them was going to pass out. He sat on the floor outside the door to the stairs, head bent, huffing and puffing.
I felt sorry for the workers. Not only was it hot and sunny but they had to hand carry a lot of the equipment and materials up 17 flights because it wouldn't fit in the elevator. I thought one of them was going to pass out. He sat on the floor outside the door to the stairs, head bent, huffing and puffing.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Berlin - Day Two
Architecture and a Good Film
I like a lot of the buildings in Berlin. They are odd and surprising. Case in point is this strange number, which I caught on my way to breakfast. It was around the corner from the famous Zoo station on the west side of the city.
I like a lot of the buildings in Berlin. They are odd and surprising. Case in point is this strange number, which I caught on my way to breakfast. It was around the corner from the famous Zoo station on the west side of the city.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Berlin - Up Early
Getting the Festival Rolling
I'd managed to secure a handful of tickets via the internet from Singapore but I wanted to pick up a few more. So, I jumped on the train and headed over to Potsdamer Platz.
I'd managed to secure a handful of tickets via the internet from Singapore but I wanted to pick up a few more. So, I jumped on the train and headed over to Potsdamer Platz.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Berlin - The Eagle Has Landed
K-Pop is Taking Over
An annoying bunch of Korean teenaged boys sat behind me on the short flight from Paris to Berlin. They giggled and laughed and fondled their mobiles. I couldn't wait to get off the plane. I was the first one down the stairs and as I jumped on the waiting bus I watched them board. They were so prettified, with their blond streaked hair and tight jeans. When I bounded off the bus into the terminal there was a crowd of teenaged Asian girls waiting. The bulbs started to flash. I then realized I'd been traveling with a famous Korean boy band, B2ST.
An annoying bunch of Korean teenaged boys sat behind me on the short flight from Paris to Berlin. They giggled and laughed and fondled their mobiles. I couldn't wait to get off the plane. I was the first one down the stairs and as I jumped on the waiting bus I watched them board. They were so prettified, with their blond streaked hair and tight jeans. When I bounded off the bus into the terminal there was a crowd of teenaged Asian girls waiting. The bulbs started to flash. I then realized I'd been traveling with a famous Korean boy band, B2ST.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Paris - Notes from the 3rd World
Strike Up the Band!
It didn't matter than I'd checked the Air France website twenty minutes before arriving at Changi airport. When I saw "Cancelled" next to my flight I knew the strike was real. Air France went on strike to protest a new rule that would require them to give 48 hrs notice to go on strike. Can't say I blame them - you should be able to strike at will. There was a scrum of smelly Frenchies yelling and screaming at the Singaporean staff, who were doing their best to calm them down. Being a Platinum trillion mile flyer helped me out, I think - they swapped me over to the Singapore Airlines midnight flight. That, my friends, is like hitting lotto. Going from Air France to SQ is like moving out of the slum into the penthouse.
It didn't matter than I'd checked the Air France website twenty minutes before arriving at Changi airport. When I saw "Cancelled" next to my flight I knew the strike was real. Air France went on strike to protest a new rule that would require them to give 48 hrs notice to go on strike. Can't say I blame them - you should be able to strike at will. There was a scrum of smelly Frenchies yelling and screaming at the Singaporean staff, who were doing their best to calm them down. Being a Platinum trillion mile flyer helped me out, I think - they swapped me over to the Singapore Airlines midnight flight. That, my friends, is like hitting lotto. Going from Air France to SQ is like moving out of the slum into the penthouse.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Berlin - Here I Come
Berlin Film Festival
I land in Paris on Tuesday morning for four dreadful work days but by Friday night I'll be in Berlin for the weekend. I'm going to the Berlin Film Festival. So, as depressed as I am to be heading to Paris for two weeks, at least I am going to get a fun weekend out of it.
I land in Paris on Tuesday morning for four dreadful work days but by Friday night I'll be in Berlin for the weekend. I'm going to the Berlin Film Festival. So, as depressed as I am to be heading to Paris for two weeks, at least I am going to get a fun weekend out of it.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
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