SouthEast Asia for Days: Singapore

it’s hard when those you love so dearly are so far away; souls with who you would entrust your children at any moment, who share ideals and outlook similar to yours, literally live halfway around the world. luckily we had the opportunity to visit this year, for as soon as we departed in our cab to Singapore, our extended family was packing for a new adventure in a much colder climate, closer to home and Western cultures.

image

as soon as we said our goodbyes our cab was crossing the straits over to Singapore, the city of skyscrapers and shopping malls.

image

immediately, we were in a different world, one where our straw hats and flip flops suddenly seemed out of fashion, and where every inch of every square foot of the city was clean, impeccably shiny and slick with fragrance.

image

and while the flood waters rose back home, our hearts were heavy, and yet somehow we felt connected, drenched in cold rain as the day wore on.

image

later that evening, in his renowned remarkable way, the sommelier managed to find a rillette bar nestled in between the historic convents, modern business buildings, and colonial patches of Singapore heritage.

image

and we engulfed the tender pates, confits, and carefully crafted rillettes with loyal passion and hunger.

image

Aligote condensed in our glasses at it hit the moist air, the tart acid bringing life to our mouths and memories of home to our heads.

image

that night we dreamed of an army of ten thousand Buddhas in fog filled river basins, tirelessly fighting imaginary armies of dragons and devils. and we awoke to a brighter sky and warmer hearts longing for home.

image

we climbed the tallest building in the city so we could view the scenery. the thing about Singapore: you see skyscrapers in every direction.

image

and when you’ve had enough of the concrete and shopping malls and high tea sets and eventual rain, a trip always awaits at Gardens by the Bay.

image

the flowers abound in fresh crisp air, sending their scents into the atmosphere as they dance to lively music.

image

the cloud forest, cool and dark in its presence among the sky, mimics gardens found at the top of the world, lush with green caverns and purple waterfalls at night.

image

and in this Singapore, the trees become electrified, providing a nightly dining escape for deserving young and old alike.

image

the backdrop views of the cleanest city in the world are astonishing.

image

contemplating our long journey home, the next morning we lounged and rested and wandered the local streets, often finding hidden treasures in her secrets.

image

we stopped to say a prayer for our safe return, and give thanks for our bountiful trip.

image

and while we strolled our last minute walks through Chinatown and revelled in life size Buddhas, we thanked the Universe again for the opportunity to experience the world in this way.  to know this Southeast Asian culture, and find happiness in its belly.

image

cheers, y’all.

 

next up: what we ate in Southeast Asia.

Malaysia for Days: the streets of Georgetown, Penang.

the sommelier, knowingly and aware of my vivaciousness, left the 2016 trip planning to my care. after researching various sources, and gaining insights from Houston friends, I decided that Georgetown, Penang, would be our final Malay holiday. perched on an island just south and west of the border with Thailand, Penang is known as “the Pearl of the Orient.”

image

in no way did we doubt this claim as we checked in to our historic 1818 hotel, Chaong Fett Sze, otherwise known as, The Blue Mansion.

image

immediately we swept the streets, intaking the street art, vast amounts of temples, colonial heritage, and mosques that line the roadways.

image

we were ingratiated into the culture in an instant, feeling soft and supple and appreciative of the art and culture that built the city.

image

although named for King George III in 1786, the renowned trading post was home to many Chinese immigrants who built the small city and worked in its changing industries. the jetties, a row of clan (family) houses that run into the water off the bay, still exist today.

image

everywhere you turn in Georgetown, art lines the streets.

image

after our stroll in the afternoon sun, we loaded our sweaty bodies into a trishaw to be taken back to the comforts of our air conditioned room.

image

and into a beautifully designed, elegant meal infused with local flavors.

image

      (scallop with cucumber and kefir lime)

the next morning we climbed the largest hill in Penang, expanding our sights out the sea and breathing in the fresh, crisp air.

image

and after our jaunt on the longest singular finicular track in Asia, we sidestepped to Kek Lok Si, the largest Chinese Buddhist temple in Asia.

image

at the top of the large hill, the giant Buddha stands tall over Penang, eyes perched out to the sea.

image

we descended into even more elaborate temples, and later learned there were over 10,000 Buddhas that align this holy place.

image

we stopped to pray for favors and light incense to release our anxieties into the world.

image

because this part of Malaysia is home to many Buddhists, we stopped at the Thai Buddhist temple soon after, to view the 3rd largest reclining Buddha in the world.

image

needless to say, we had an amazing time in Penang, and could have spent many more days here.

image

namaste, friends.

image

next up: Singapore Sling.