Singapore - TC, Nick, and Tookie

Wow I just got off the Airbus 380xx. For those who are not aviation aficionados the A380 is airbus new double decker jumbo jet. It is the largest airplane in the world bigger than the Boeing 747. And I got to say Singapore Airlines rocks. Their economy class is almost as good as United's business class. They feed you 3 times on the flight over and give you hot towels for each meal. The entertainment system is second to none. Love you Singapore Airlines. The A380 is a modern marvel I walk upstairs and downstairs to check it out. Their first class has private rooms. The upstairs is as roomy as downstairs. The jet is super quiet when it flies. Loved it!

I get into Singapore and catch a cab to my college buddy TC and his wife Tookie's place in Singapore. I arrive at TC's manor and it is a 3 story house with a little yard which in Singapore is saying something because space is such a premium. His place is in the suburbs of Singapore outside the city. I don't even want to know what he pays for it but nevertheless it's nice and comfortable. I get my own room and bathroom so I am stoked. The next few days are spent living it up in Singapore city style.

I head to the city to visit Nick a buddy of TC's who I became friends with back in San Francisco. Nick has a great apartment in Singapore right in the city. It's on the 16th floor with great views and is small but nice. Nick is doing well but in true Nick fashion he would argue his life is in flux and he needs to figure things out. Ah how I miss Nick's cynicism. We have a great time catching up.

Nick's Pad In Singapore

Private pools in Nick's apartment building

Best view for doing squats ever!

Couple of observations about Singapore. Wow has is changed since I was last there for work in 2006? There are buildings everywhere and I mean literally everywhere. The Singapore skyline is filled with two things tall buildings, and sky crane's. Since 2006 they built the Marina Sands Hotel a fixture and national symbol for Singapore's skyline. The Marina Sands is this huge shopping, casino, and hotel complex, with what looks like a giant cruise ship sitting on top of the 3 buildings. It's a wonder to look at. Secondly, Singapore is expat central filled with tons of people from all over the world. In some neighborhoods it doesn't feel Asian at all. Thirdly, the locals do not seem to be happy with the influx of outside settlers. Singaporeans just don't give me the warm and fuzzy. In any case Singapore is very much a metropolitan melting pot that is leading the way in urban architecture. A must visit.

These buildings didn't even exist the last time I was there

The famous Marina Sands from a distance. Looks like a boat on top of buildings.

Nick and I pose for a shot with Marina Sands

Inside the Marina Sands Shopping complex very much a Vegas feel to it.

Up top on the boat at Marina Sands

Front of the gigantic boat

Doru a buddy from college who is going to be traveling with me in Singapore and Thailand joins me after the second night. Nick, Doru, and I head to this ultra posh Singapore club where a buddy of Nick's is celebrating his girlfriend's birthday. This girlfriend comes from a well to do Chinese family as she puts down major cash for these oversized bottles of Moet Champagne. It felt light Vegas and we partied it up with the locals who rock out to the same stuff we listen to back home. It's nice there is always a piece of America everywhere you go.

Our last day in Singapore we head to Sentosa Island for a beach party at the beach club. Again it feels like a Vegas pool party. Lot's of alcohol, loud music, and bikinis. Singapore is certainly a party city and after 5 nights there I am ready to move onto the quieter beaches of Phuket.