It’s true, I enjoy McDonald’s. My guilty pleasure. A personal Fast Food Nation and Super Size Me all wrapped into one.
When traveling, checking-out the regional menu is always fun. A few unique discoveries over the years… Samurai Pork Burger in Thailand. Rice & Beans breakfast in Costa Rica, Chicken Maharaja Mac in India. Teriyaki chicken burger in Japan.
And, my all-time favorite: The Kiwi Burger in New Zealand. It comes with an egg and a sliced beet. Yum!
Recently, a window poster advertising a chocolate pie coaxed us to stop at the local Koh Samui, Thailand McDonalds. Just to split a pie.
Tasty chocolate pudding surrounded by flaky crust. Deep fried, not baked. And it was, for sure, the best McDonald’s pie ever.
We regretted our decision to split it…
Koh Samui McDonald's Chocolate Pie
The Tokyo Narita airport knows what they are doing. At least when it comes to making travellers feel comfortable during a layover. There’s a great lounge downstairs below all the gates with comfy chairs, computer desks, clean washrooms, etc.
And, the best part? TV monitors that show live pictures of each gate.
No need to stand around the gate joining in the cattle round-up before boarding while wishing there was an empty chair since the flight is delayed. Just watch the screen in the lounge and head upstairs as the boarding line begins to dwindle.
Most excellent!
Flight is supposed to be boarding... but, I know better.
Ouch! Now I regret avoiding the man-to-man sunscreen rub on my back. At the time, Derek and I jointly reached the customary, non-verbal guy-code on this. The aerosol sunscreen spray would do just fine.
Too bad Derek only managed to spray a lazy “S” while neglecting the rest of my back. The hot Thailand sun had its way with me.
Next time I’ll opt for the rubdown.
An S-Class Sunburn
Arrgh! Two heels.
That’s all I found in the bread bag when I decided to make a peanut butter sandwich this afternoon. Not really for me.
But, luckily, I’ve got a convenient solution to this problem… a bread vending machine downstairs near the pool, right next to the soda machine.
That’s right. How easy is that?
Gardenia Bread Vending Machine
On my way home I stopped by the Singapore Blogathon, sponsored by Intel & Lenovo .
A few of my colleagues coordinated the event at TANGS, a popular department store on busy Orchard Road. They arranged for 10 bloggers to do their thing for 24 hours… all while parking themselves in the store display windows for the passers-by to watch. And, the top two bloggers will win a new IdeaPad.
While I watched everyone typing away through the window, a familiar jingle (set to different lyrics) jumped into my head:
How much is that blogger in the window? Click. Click.
The one with the ultra-thin PC.
How much is that blogger in the window? Click. Click.
I do hope that they tweet me.
I must take a visit to their website,
And leave my favorite blogger a note.
If their reply’s really entertaining,
I think they’ll win a new Netbook.
How much is that blogger in the window? Click. Click.
The one with the really tired face.
How much is that blogger in the window? Click. Click.
I do hope they stay awake.
Anyway, it was a fun time. What an innovative idea that generated a bunch of interest!
APAC PC events always seem to include "extra staff"
The Loft - One of five window displays
Sheryo - One of the bloggers (my favorite)
Elvin Ong, Intel PR - Blogathon brainchild
Sometimes at night I look out my apartment window and have a moment. A moment like, “I can’t believe I’m living in Singapore. And I can’t believe this is my view.” The whole thing can be somewhat surreal. What a big change from the sprawling suburbia landscape seen from my front porch in Oregon.
Looking South
Looking North East
Within minutes of stepping onto the Jaipur, India sidewalk these street performers found us – they seemed to walk the roads looking for willing tourists. The snake charmers kept their serpents in baskets with cloths covering the top and once they intercepted a receptive audience, they sat down, revealed the snakes and began to play a flute-like musical instrument. Their somewhat hypnotic song persuaded the cobras to emerge from the baskets and they eventually extend their hoods.
They asked for 1000 rupees, but they got 250. Not bad for 10 minutes entertainment.
Snake Charmers @ Jaipur, India
We managed to sneak in a quick sight-seeing excursion early in the morning before heading off to meetings in Jaipur. The destination? An ancient fort built in Amber, Rajasthan appropriately named Amber Fort – only about 8 miles from Jaipur. Perfect escape.
As we approached the fort my colleague commented, “Imagine trying to attack that.” Simple enough observation, but thought-provoking none the less. Back in 1592, during the fort’s initial construction, it probably did seem somewhat impenetrable.
Amber Fort
Inside the fort there was a lush, green garden that seemed very out of place in the dry, arid surrounding landscape.
Amber Fort Palace Garden
The inside walls and ceilings were adorned with intricate designs and beautiful colors influenced by both Hindu and Muslim styles of ornamentation.
Amber Fort Palace Artwork
An interior room in the palace was covered with thousands of small mirrors embedded in the wall and ceiling mosaics.
Amber Fort Mirrored Walls & Ceiling
What’s the equation to calculate horsepower into camelpower? I’m thinking about 2.4 horses equal one camel. Yes? Anyway, considered this potential equation when I saw a camel working a construction job in Jaipur, India. Given the busy, noisy surrounding traffic I was surprised how calm and laid-back it behaved… just standing there chewing its cud.
Blue Collar Camel @ Jaipur, India
