Singapore -- Third Time's A Charm -- October 18, 2011 to ?, 2012
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Yes, we have moved to Singapore once again. It is our third time, the first time from 1975-78, and the second from 1997-99. We expect to be here until March, 2012.
It's like coming home. There have been many changes since we left in 1999. To date we have seen them only in emails (we arrived only a few days ago), but intend to remedy that soon.
In about mid-September Paul was approached by Caterpillar Logistics to help with the implementation of a warehousing project in Australia. We were excited about the prospect and said, "Tell us more!" There were then a few weeks of waiting as things fell into place, or out of place as it turned out. The Australia opportunity was put on hold. But there were other things happening in Singapore, and we were asked if that place might be of interest. While Oz would have been the preferred location, the opportunity to return to Singapore was not something we could turn down. Within about three weeks of everything falling into place, Paul was re-hired, oriented, and we closed up the house and were on a plane for Singapore.
We left Minneapolis at 2:45 PM on October 16th and arrived here at 1 AM on the 18th. This was after 13 hours from Minneapolis to Tokyo, an hour and a half layover there and about 7 more hours to Singapore; somewhere en route we lost October 17 after crossing the international date line flying west. It was daylight the entire way to Tokyo. We flew over Alaska -- the last time we will see snow for awhile:
We got to the hotel about 2 AM, to bed at 3, had breakfast at 9:30, and at 11 Paul headed to the job. He had to interview a prospective candidate for one of the warehouses at 2:30 that afternoon. From that time onward, Paul has left for work about 7:15 AM and returned to the hotel about 6 PM. Needless to say, he is back into it!
Last weekend we went down to Clarke Quay for a looksee. Singapore has changed its skyline dramatically from the time were here in 1975, and even significantly since our last stay in the late '90s.
Here is a picture of Joan with one of the newest buildings in the background. This ship-looking hotel/casino/entertainment center (the Marina Bay Sands http://www.singaporecasinohotel.com/marina-bay-sands-hotel) has been on the internet featuring the rooftop swimming pool which looks like it disappears over the edge. We have not been closer than this so far, and have heard one has to pay S$20 (US$16) to go to the top.
Following are a couple of pictures of the streets around Clarke Quay.
Here is a picture of Joan at a restaurant on the Singapore river.
For those of you who have never been here, it is always hot and humid. Singapore is 1 degree north of the equator. Daytime highs are in the high 80s, evenings in the low 80s, and humidity levels are around 80%. Fortunately, this is the time of year when it's a bit (very little bit) cooler and ranier. Thunderstorms are very dramatic.
This picture, which shows the condensation on the window, was taken from inside our hotel one morning. The humidity levels are generally higher in the mornings, ie, higher than 80%.
Yes, we have moved to Singapore once again. It is our third time, the first time from 1975-78, and the second from 1997-99. We expect to be here until March, 2012.
It's like coming home. There have been many changes since we left in 1999. To date we have seen them only in emails (we arrived only a few days ago), but intend to remedy that soon.
In about mid-September Paul was approached by Caterpillar Logistics to help with the implementation of a warehousing project in Australia. We were excited about the prospect and said, "Tell us more!" There were then a few weeks of waiting as things fell into place, or out of place as it turned out. The Australia opportunity was put on hold. But there were other things happening in Singapore, and we were asked if that place might be of interest. While Oz would have been the preferred location, the opportunity to return to Singapore was not something we could turn down. Within about three weeks of everything falling into place, Paul was re-hired, oriented, and we closed up the house and were on a plane for Singapore.
We left Minneapolis at 2:45 PM on October 16th and arrived here at 1 AM on the 18th. This was after 13 hours from Minneapolis to Tokyo, an hour and a half layover there and about 7 more hours to Singapore; somewhere en route we lost October 17 after crossing the international date line flying west. It was daylight the entire way to Tokyo. We flew over Alaska -- the last time we will see snow for awhile:
We got to the hotel about 2 AM, to bed at 3, had breakfast at 9:30, and at 11 Paul headed to the job. He had to interview a prospective candidate for one of the warehouses at 2:30 that afternoon. From that time onward, Paul has left for work about 7:15 AM and returned to the hotel about 6 PM. Needless to say, he is back into it!
Last weekend we went down to Clarke Quay for a looksee. Singapore has changed its skyline dramatically from the time were here in 1975, and even significantly since our last stay in the late '90s.
Here is a picture of Joan with one of the newest buildings in the background. This ship-looking hotel/casino/entertainment center (the Marina Bay Sands http://www.singaporecasinohotel.com/marina-bay-sands-hotel) has been on the internet featuring the rooftop swimming pool which looks like it disappears over the edge. We have not been closer than this so far, and have heard one has to pay S$20 (US$16) to go to the top.
Following are a couple of pictures of the streets around Clarke Quay.
Here is a picture of Joan at a restaurant on the Singapore river.
For those of you who have never been here, it is always hot and humid. Singapore is 1 degree north of the equator. Daytime highs are in the high 80s, evenings in the low 80s, and humidity levels are around 80%. Fortunately, this is the time of year when it's a bit (very little bit) cooler and ranier. Thunderstorms are very dramatic.
This picture, which shows the condensation on the window, was taken from inside our hotel one morning. The humidity levels are generally higher in the mornings, ie, higher than 80%.
posted by Paul and Joan at 8:25 AM
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