The tech team got called in early because other tasks completed early (a good thing ). So my plan to order a room service sandwich to take with me went awry. We got Singapore versions of McMuffins instead. They were OK.
We left around 2 PM to try to get a couple hours rest before our evening support session. So I had the second best Club sandwich in the world in my hotel and after sleeping a couple hours had Fish and Lamb in the Cantonese restaurant along with hot and sour soup. All were excellent.
We had a few issues outstanding when the "2nd" shift started tonite. We kindof resolved them and continued. We'll have to revisit them tomorrow. (today)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Whoa!!! Weather
Hit the hay around 10:15 and the outside temp wasn't too bad so I left the door open. Rude awakening around 12:30 with wild wind and heavy rains. Still raining.
Monday, January 24, 2011
A comment on the Botanic Gardens
I am posting some pics I took in the gardens. I don't think they do the gardens justice.
The problem was that I had underestimated the distance to the gardens and the effect the heat was having on me. So I was a bit lethargic going in the entrance. That coupled with the fact that there were very few flowers (lots of green though) sort of put me off.
I intend to revisit later but I'll use public transportation rather than shanks mare.
The problem was that I had underestimated the distance to the gardens and the effect the heat was having on me. So I was a bit lethargic going in the entrance. That coupled with the fact that there were very few flowers (lots of green though) sort of put me off.
I intend to revisit later but I'll use public transportation rather than shanks mare.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Singapore Food - Part 1.
I had thought that this would have been maybe my second blog entry. It turns out that it has taken me at least a week to wrap my arms around this giant marshmallow.
At first, I was overwhelmed by the variety, volume, quality and location of FOOD. Also the cost. It seems that th cost has no bearing onthe quality of the food.
This is also the only place where I was turned away from a resturant due to dress code. I was wearing nice Bermuda's and a polo shirt.
About the food:
Breakfast at the hotel is included in our corp agreement. You can get the normal bacon and eggs and they are good. You can also get variety of dumplings some outstanding, some... not so much, A variety of bread and pastry, cold cuts and custom made noodle bowls. Also juices, teas and coffees.
I only go there when I don't have to work and can sleep in. There are too many decisions to make and I don't want to eat that much that early.
My German associates pile it on but that is kind of a German trait anyway.
Lunches have been a mixed bag. I've learned not to follow my colleagues' lead as they are all over the map on taste and seasoning. We have had Indian, Thai, Malay, Japanese and food court in the 6 lunches I've had with them.
I like the noodle bowls and dumpling dishes; Indian seems to always have some very hot (spicy) surprise and Malay is still out for judgement.
Getting back to more western food, Zambuca serves the most expensive inedible food I have tasted and that is a lot.
Al Dente has some decent Lasagna but their sister restaurant Barossa...how can you screw up pasta?
Bel Mondo had one of the best Spaghetti Vognole I have ever had. Clams done perfectly, the pasta actually had a great taste, the sauce was perfect. The bowl didn't need to be washed when I finished......Wait! were there flowers there before?
Harry's, I found out is a chain. I was hoping for a good burger.
Poulaner's Brauhaus serves excellent food and has a really good Country/Asian/Mariah Carey band on the weekends. The Pigs Knuckle I had would feed a family of 4 for 3 days. Where did they find that pig?
The veal with oyster mushrooms and Rossi potatoes was outstanding (and now gone)
I also can't leave the place without the Leberknudlesuppe (Liver Dumpling Soup).
Durty Nellies is an Irish pub with the friendliest staff I've encountered in this city. Everyone says hello and they thank everyone when they leave. And OHBYTHEWAY really good food.
First day- Pastrami Sandwich with a side of sauted vegetables. The sandwich was very good but the Veggies were outstanding. They included carrots, zucchini and summer squash that were sliced lengthwise very thinly so teresembled long noodles. The green beans were sauted whole and the seasoning was perfect.
Second day at Durty Nellies was Irish Stew. It was is good as they get. If it's done right, you shouldn't be able to tell one Irish stew from another.
Third day. Irish Goulash. The jury is still out on this because it is supposed to contain the beef, of course, plus potatoes and veggies. All I got was the meat and sauce. I have to say that it may be the most tender beef on the planet and the sauce was excellent. I'm going back to complain on Monday.
More restaurants later.
There is a grocery store that I go to that has really good ciabatta, laughing cow cheese, sausage (that I'm now tired of), and pork/mushroom balls. These little things are addicting. They are not meatballs. Rather they are a much smoother consistency and are they delicious. I am rationing my self to one bag a week.
The other new item I've tried are Top Shells. I got a can of them in a soy sauce and devoured them all in one sitting. I found out later that they are snails that live in abundance on the rocks along the Singapore Strait.
I'm getting hungry again.
More later with pictures.
At first, I was overwhelmed by the variety, volume, quality and location of FOOD. Also the cost. It seems that th cost has no bearing onthe quality of the food.
This is also the only place where I was turned away from a resturant due to dress code. I was wearing nice Bermuda's and a polo shirt.
About the food:
Breakfast at the hotel is included in our corp agreement. You can get the normal bacon and eggs and they are good. You can also get variety of dumplings some outstanding, some... not so much, A variety of bread and pastry, cold cuts and custom made noodle bowls. Also juices, teas and coffees.
I only go there when I don't have to work and can sleep in. There are too many decisions to make and I don't want to eat that much that early.
My German associates pile it on but that is kind of a German trait anyway.
Lunches have been a mixed bag. I've learned not to follow my colleagues' lead as they are all over the map on taste and seasoning. We have had Indian, Thai, Malay, Japanese and food court in the 6 lunches I've had with them.
I like the noodle bowls and dumpling dishes; Indian seems to always have some very hot (spicy) surprise and Malay is still out for judgement.
Getting back to more western food, Zambuca serves the most expensive inedible food I have tasted and that is a lot.
Al Dente has some decent Lasagna but their sister restaurant Barossa...how can you screw up pasta?
Bel Mondo had one of the best Spaghetti Vognole I have ever had. Clams done perfectly, the pasta actually had a great taste, the sauce was perfect. The bowl didn't need to be washed when I finished......Wait! were there flowers there before?
Harry's, I found out is a chain. I was hoping for a good burger.
Poulaner's Brauhaus serves excellent food and has a really good Country/Asian/Mariah Carey band on the weekends. The Pigs Knuckle I had would feed a family of 4 for 3 days. Where did they find that pig?
The veal with oyster mushrooms and Rossi potatoes was outstanding (and now gone)
I also can't leave the place without the Leberknudlesuppe (Liver Dumpling Soup).
Durty Nellies is an Irish pub with the friendliest staff I've encountered in this city. Everyone says hello and they thank everyone when they leave. And OHBYTHEWAY really good food.
First day- Pastrami Sandwich with a side of sauted vegetables. The sandwich was very good but the Veggies were outstanding. They included carrots, zucchini and summer squash that were sliced lengthwise very thinly so teresembled long noodles. The green beans were sauted whole and the seasoning was perfect.
Second day at Durty Nellies was Irish Stew. It was is good as they get. If it's done right, you shouldn't be able to tell one Irish stew from another.
Third day. Irish Goulash. The jury is still out on this because it is supposed to contain the beef, of course, plus potatoes and veggies. All I got was the meat and sauce. I have to say that it may be the most tender beef on the planet and the sauce was excellent. I'm going back to complain on Monday.
More restaurants later.
There is a grocery store that I go to that has really good ciabatta, laughing cow cheese, sausage (that I'm now tired of), and pork/mushroom balls. These little things are addicting. They are not meatballs. Rather they are a much smoother consistency and are they delicious. I am rationing my self to one bag a week.
The other new item I've tried are Top Shells. I got a can of them in a soy sauce and devoured them all in one sitting. I found out later that they are snails that live in abundance on the rocks along the Singapore Strait.
I'm getting hungry again.
More later with pictures.
Lady Luck or Good Planning
It's Saturday and the project had gained two days as of this AM which is pretty phenomenal considering we were 7 days behind last Monday. There are a lot of good people on this project and an outstanding project manager.
My team's involvement was to perform several critical tasks next Tuesday. Because we are so far ahead we ended up being ready to do them today. The first task was projected for 2 hours and was completed in about 6 minutes. The second task was projected to start tonight and run into the early morning. We all went back to our hotels at 12:30 to rest. We got the call to come in at 4:30 PM. Fifteen minutes later (I was already in a taxi) we got another call saying don't bother. Our initial collective thought was that the team had found problems and was delaying our step.
Au Contrair - they had reviewed their output and our input and Everything was green at the outset - we had no adjustments to make, don't bother coming in.
We have now gained 3 days - yippee.
Enough about work.
Observations of Singapore
NO bugs, mosquitos, flies. I have seen two large bees.
Very few birds. No Pigeons in the park.
In general, the flowers are very small although the foliage is very lush.
No chipmunks, squirrels etc that are normally found in city parks. Also no rats.
I found out from some of the locals that these are all connected. There was a lot of Malaria and Dengue fever in 1965 when Singapore was kicked out of Malaysia (different story). The government went on an eradication program to get rid of all disease sourced from wildlife and essentially fumigated the city. Even today there are special police to sniff out homes and businesses that have standing water pools that are not changed out every couple days. The fine for having such is $1000.
When any particular insect makes an outbreak they send in an army of exterminators that use an environmentally safe, water soluble substance to eradicate the pest. Just this last week, there was an annoying fly that resulted in the spraying of all the banks of Bedak Reservoir in the city's east end.
They mean it.
My team's involvement was to perform several critical tasks next Tuesday. Because we are so far ahead we ended up being ready to do them today. The first task was projected for 2 hours and was completed in about 6 minutes. The second task was projected to start tonight and run into the early morning. We all went back to our hotels at 12:30 to rest. We got the call to come in at 4:30 PM. Fifteen minutes later (I was already in a taxi) we got another call saying don't bother. Our initial collective thought was that the team had found problems and was delaying our step.
Au Contrair - they had reviewed their output and our input and Everything was green at the outset - we had no adjustments to make, don't bother coming in.
We have now gained 3 days - yippee.
Enough about work.
Observations of Singapore
NO bugs, mosquitos, flies. I have seen two large bees.
Very few birds. No Pigeons in the park.
In general, the flowers are very small although the foliage is very lush.
No chipmunks, squirrels etc that are normally found in city parks. Also no rats.
I found out from some of the locals that these are all connected. There was a lot of Malaria and Dengue fever in 1965 when Singapore was kicked out of Malaysia (different story). The government went on an eradication program to get rid of all disease sourced from wildlife and essentially fumigated the city. Even today there are special police to sniff out homes and businesses that have standing water pools that are not changed out every couple days. The fine for having such is $1000.
When any particular insect makes an outbreak they send in an army of exterminators that use an environmentally safe, water soluble substance to eradicate the pest. Just this last week, there was an annoying fly that resulted in the spraying of all the banks of Bedak Reservoir in the city's east end.
They mean it.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Festival Time
Well, its festival time in SE Asia. An Indian Festival started yesterday with processions (long ones) up my major route to the hotel. Didn't get a chance to get pictures. Today that festival continued and a Malaysian festival started. So now we can't get hold of any of our Malaysian staff.
Lunar (Chinese) New Year festivities started last weekend but most of the celebrations will occur the first several days of February. Our team lead and another team member (not SAP folks) have made it clear they will be unavailable to work those days, leaving a large part of the upgrade tasks that week to me and one other person. I WILL take time to watch the Fireworks out my hotel balcony.
I found out something interesting about our office building today; the elevators are double decker. the elevator you are on at floor 15 may also be serving passengers at floor 16.
Lunar (Chinese) New Year festivities started last weekend but most of the celebrations will occur the first several days of February. Our team lead and another team member (not SAP folks) have made it clear they will be unavailable to work those days, leaving a large part of the upgrade tasks that week to me and one other person. I WILL take time to watch the Fireworks out my hotel balcony.
I found out something interesting about our office building today; the elevators are double decker. the elevator you are on at floor 15 may also be serving passengers at floor 16.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday Jan 16.
I heard that project is having some issues - but don't they all???
Anyway, it gave me an opportunity to just get out and get used to the heat and humidity, orient myself, get some food I can actually enjoy (not Indian), walk my legs off and see some new sights - oh and meet new people.
So I actually walked to the office - once I get building access I will probably do that every non-rainy day. It's only 2.5 Kilometers - maybe 20 minutes but only because of traffic lights. They are very strict here about following the walk/don't walk signs.
I ate in the same fish market that our group ate at on Friday but I spent more time exploring and had a great prawn and noodle soup that filled me up, didn't burn me up and wpould have fit into Rachel Ray's $40 a day budget even at Singapore rates.
Then I aimed for Chinatown but ended up going thru Ann Siang Hill park. Very small but beautifully lush. The remarkable thing about it is that the folks in Singapore place a high value on "hill" land and this still became a park.
Chinatown was being pre-CNY celebration crowded and noisy but I saw a lot of shops, markets, crowds, veggies, hanging meats and poultry and in one place - Durian Fruit. I have to find out the rules regarding it because I want to at least try it so I can say I did, but I know it is outlawed in some places because of the smell. Andrew Zimmern won't eat it but Anthony Bourdain does.
Met a dude west of Boat Quay name of Chuang. Turns out he's from Minneapolis and was in Singapore on a layover from Menneapolis to Tokyo to Perth Australia. Nice guy and wanted me to take his picture with the Casino in the background.
My team lead's mother died last week so he will be in bad shape. It is probably a good thing there are other issues with the project that will alleviate pressure on him. I was prepped to guide him regarding best practices and potential pitfalls this week but I expect that he will be delayed a bit.
Anyway, it gave me an opportunity to just get out and get used to the heat and humidity, orient myself, get some food I can actually enjoy (not Indian), walk my legs off and see some new sights - oh and meet new people.
So I actually walked to the office - once I get building access I will probably do that every non-rainy day. It's only 2.5 Kilometers - maybe 20 minutes but only because of traffic lights. They are very strict here about following the walk/don't walk signs.
I ate in the same fish market that our group ate at on Friday but I spent more time exploring and had a great prawn and noodle soup that filled me up, didn't burn me up and wpould have fit into Rachel Ray's $40 a day budget even at Singapore rates.
Then I aimed for Chinatown but ended up going thru Ann Siang Hill park. Very small but beautifully lush. The remarkable thing about it is that the folks in Singapore place a high value on "hill" land and this still became a park.
Chinatown was being pre-CNY celebration crowded and noisy but I saw a lot of shops, markets, crowds, veggies, hanging meats and poultry and in one place - Durian Fruit. I have to find out the rules regarding it because I want to at least try it so I can say I did, but I know it is outlawed in some places because of the smell. Andrew Zimmern won't eat it but Anthony Bourdain does.
Met a dude west of Boat Quay name of Chuang. Turns out he's from Minneapolis and was in Singapore on a layover from Menneapolis to Tokyo to Perth Australia. Nice guy and wanted me to take his picture with the Casino in the background.
My team lead's mother died last week so he will be in bad shape. It is probably a good thing there are other issues with the project that will alleviate pressure on him. I was prepped to guide him regarding best practices and potential pitfalls this week but I expect that he will be delayed a bit.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Singapore - Day off - Jan 15
 |
| Front of the Raffles |
It seems I'm getting over my jet lag. I went out to the Singapore Flyer this morning. It's one of the largest if not THE largest Ferris wheels in the world ( 165 Meters High) and according to the narration it's also the luckiest. It has 28 Capsules that hold 18 people each. 8 is the luckiest Chinese number as it's pronunciation in Chinese rhymes with someting really good. I'm glad because I was born on the 8th in 1948 so .......
I have many pictures from that but they are a little dull from the curvature of the glass.
I also went to the Raffles famous Long Bar and had a Singapore Sling. It's worth doing just to say you did it but you don't have to go there twice.
This city has a ton of underground passages and shops that connect the Metro and keep you out of traffic. If you think you have a good sense of direction, put that thought away before you start going down escalators here.
BTW - Scott, I have a special photo for you. You will recognize it.
 |
| Ring a (closing) Bell Scott? |
Day 1 at work.
Well, I met up with a couple colleagues this morning and we shared a cab to the office. I felt fine at the outset - had a good night's sleep and a decent breakfast of shrimp and scallop dumplings. They were not as warm (temperature) as I prefer but they tasted great.
After my morning meetings, I started fading fast. I needed to scan my computer for viruses in order for the client to give me access. I started it at 11:15 and we went to lunch.
The temps were in the high 80's F and these guys were wearing long sleeve shirts. So naturally the restaurant of choice was an open air food court and Indian food. The counter clerk said the cabbage was not spicy but I'm guessing it was about 200,000 on the Scoville scale. Scared the snot out of me on the rest of the food. Didn't eat much more than the naan.
Bought a SIMM card for my cell phone on the way back to the office. At first install it didn't work so I have to call ATT tomorrow. (tonite?).
The scan on my computer was still going strong at 1:15 PM and the progress chart made it look like it would go all night. No network access today. I hit the jet lag wall and bailed and started the scan back at the hotel. It has all weekend to run.
My timing was impeccable as a large storm dumped on the city about a half hour after I got back here.
I found out that my associate Dominic had negotiated a package for all of us including room type, breakfast, laundry and other amenities. One was to have balcony rooms so we could view the Lunar New Year's fireworks from our rooms. Bottom line - they put me on the other side of the building when I checked in. So I had that changed and I will move tomorrow. Much better room.
A little rest, but no sleep is helping out with jet lag. Since the rain stopped, I'm thinking of gettout for dinner.
More later.
After my morning meetings, I started fading fast. I needed to scan my computer for viruses in order for the client to give me access. I started it at 11:15 and we went to lunch.
The temps were in the high 80's F and these guys were wearing long sleeve shirts. So naturally the restaurant of choice was an open air food court and Indian food. The counter clerk said the cabbage was not spicy but I'm guessing it was about 200,000 on the Scoville scale. Scared the snot out of me on the rest of the food. Didn't eat much more than the naan.
Bought a SIMM card for my cell phone on the way back to the office. At first install it didn't work so I have to call ATT tomorrow. (tonite?).
The scan on my computer was still going strong at 1:15 PM and the progress chart made it look like it would go all night. No network access today. I hit the jet lag wall and bailed and started the scan back at the hotel. It has all weekend to run.
My timing was impeccable as a large storm dumped on the city about a half hour after I got back here.
I found out that my associate Dominic had negotiated a package for all of us including room type, breakfast, laundry and other amenities. One was to have balcony rooms so we could view the Lunar New Year's fireworks from our rooms. Bottom line - they put me on the other side of the building when I checked in. So I had that changed and I will move tomorrow. Much better room.
A little rest, but no sleep is helping out with jet lag. Since the rain stopped, I'm thinking of gettout for dinner.
More later.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Dinner Day 1
Al Dente wasn't open yet and when I've been up awhile, I need carbs. So I found a neighboring restaurant and ordered Seafood linguini. The New Zealand green lipped Mussels were very good as were the shrimp. But if you find me in the hospital in the morning, blame it on the sauce. Only two bites but it was as sour a sauce as I've ever tasted and can't believe they were after this flavor. This stuff is history. I haven't tried the Veggies yet - I hope they are better.
No Pictures of this one.
No Pictures of this one.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Pics about prep and arrival
I've now been in Singapore for about 14 hours. Jet Lag still governs but I have met my PM on the project and have a meeting scheduled with my team lead at 5 Singapore time.
I have a few pics showing where Eileen and I were the weekend prior to my trip and some of Singapore on a brief morning walk today.
Enjoy.
I have a few pics showing where Eileen and I were the weekend prior to my trip and some of Singapore on a brief morning walk today.
Enjoy.
What a trip!!
I have never had a more pleasant LONG trip; not even on Lufthansa.
Relatively on time out of Grand Rapids. Eileen dropped me off at Ford International at around 7:00 AM Eastern time with temps at ~20 F.
The flights were LONG and mostly uneventful. I strongly recommend Business Class (if you can get someone else to pay for it.) The 747-400 seats fully reclined and it was more comfortable than some hotels I've stayed at (Sheraton 4 Points Manhattan for example) The food was OK so I guess that's 4 star for an airline. I did have the worst Red Snapper in my life. How can you cook a Red Snapper to the point it has 0 flavor.
On the plus side, the flight crew (pilots etc ) were very friendly and informative while we were waiting at the gate for an airplane. The attendants were attentive and polite throughout the 29+ hour flights.
It's about 2 AM here in Singapore - temps around 85 and humidity at levels requiring scuba gear. I can't sleep yet so I'm watching a Soccer match (Futbol to you) in a snowstorm in Freiburg Germany.
I hope to start posting photo's tomorrow. I have an 11 AM meeting and then on Friday I expect to spend a good deal of time at the client's office. As I understand the schedule I read at O'Hare, it looks like I'll be free on our weekend.
More Later
Relatively on time out of Grand Rapids. Eileen dropped me off at Ford International at around 7:00 AM Eastern time with temps at ~20 F.
The flights were LONG and mostly uneventful. I strongly recommend Business Class (if you can get someone else to pay for it.) The 747-400 seats fully reclined and it was more comfortable than some hotels I've stayed at (Sheraton 4 Points Manhattan for example) The food was OK so I guess that's 4 star for an airline. I did have the worst Red Snapper in my life. How can you cook a Red Snapper to the point it has 0 flavor.
On the plus side, the flight crew (pilots etc ) were very friendly and informative while we were waiting at the gate for an airplane. The attendants were attentive and polite throughout the 29+ hour flights.
It's about 2 AM here in Singapore - temps around 85 and humidity at levels requiring scuba gear. I can't sleep yet so I'm watching a Soccer match (Futbol to you) in a snowstorm in Freiburg Germany.
I hope to start posting photo's tomorrow. I have an 11 AM meeting and then on Friday I expect to spend a good deal of time at the client's office. As I understand the schedule I read at O'Hare, it looks like I'll be free on our weekend.
More Later
Monday, January 3, 2011
More Prep T-8
I have now gotten advice on many fronts.
For soup dumplings I have been pointed at Din Tai Fung - they have a branch close to my hotel.
It looks like I have a couple days to acclimate myself but that is still up in the air.
I just found out I left my shaving kit at the Marriot in Ottawa 3 weeks ago. I NEVER do that. They are sending it back to me.
Looking forward to Pepper Crab and Fish Head soup. I will not try Durian fruit. We'll see about Laksa.
No pictures yet. Unless you want to see Cannonsburg Michigan under snow - which is normal here.
For soup dumplings I have been pointed at Din Tai Fung - they have a branch close to my hotel.
It looks like I have a couple days to acclimate myself but that is still up in the air.
I just found out I left my shaving kit at the Marriot in Ottawa 3 weeks ago. I NEVER do that. They are sending it back to me.
Looking forward to Pepper Crab and Fish Head soup. I will not try Durian fruit. We'll see about Laksa.
No pictures yet. Unless you want to see Cannonsburg Michigan under snow - which is normal here.
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