As planned,
we arrived in Singapore the evening of Dec 4 and checked into the OMF (Overseas
Missionary Fellowship) guesthouse, a lovely and affordable (especially by
Singapore standards) haven for international workers and another wonderful
opportunity to meet new people and hear more fascinating stories.
 |
| Singapore Botanical Garden |
 |
| Singapore Hotel/Casino and Flyer (by day) |
 |
| Same location at night |
On Dec 7 we
boarded the Costa Victoria cruise ship for an 11 day trip to ports in Thailand
and Malaysia including Kuantan, Koh Samui, Malacca, Penang, Phuket and
Langkawi. Highlights of the trip - soaking in the sun on some phenominal
beaches, spending countless hours reading, getting caught in a monsoon downpour
and huddling inside a small shelter with a Norwegian man and several Thai
folks, eating all the seafood I could possibly want and just experiencing the
culture in these countries. The only downside, Olive was briefly seasick on the
trip up the eastern side of Thailand.
 |
| Phuket, Thailand (cruise ship in background) |
 |
| Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui, Thailand |
On Dec 18
we returned to Singapore and after spending another 2 nights at the OMF
guesthouse, we have now moved into an apartment for the next 2 weeks in which
we are house and pet sitting for a British couple who have returned to England
for Christmas. We are taking care of their cat, Alfie, a 12 year old white and
black feline rescued from a shelter in Malaysia. Of course to be understood, we
have readily learnt some common Malay phrases which roughly translate as. ...
quit using the couch for a scratching post; no, you can't have a treat until
later; and, would you prefer to be scratched behind the ears or on your belly?
If you can
believe it, we have now been travelling for just under 3 months and up to this
point all of our meals have been prepared for us. However, that will now change
and fortunately there is a supermarket only about a block away from the apartment
and lots of nearby eating places. We are looking forward to spending Christmas
here and hope to take in some Christmas church services.
As those of
you who have spent Christmas in a hot climate will know, it seems strange to
hear "I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas" as we wandered down Orchard
Road, an elaborately decorated street that has choirs and musicians performing
free outdoor concerts. At one mall, in addition to reindeer and a Santa Claus,
the mall has foam generating blowers that blast out fake snow to the delight of
youngsters and admiring adults.
We wish all
of you a blessed Christmas and a happy new year. If you are on Skype and would
like to have a face to face over the holidays let us know, we would be
thrilled.
Our plan is
to stay in Singapore until Jan 3 and then head to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
