Fish Tales

Happy Diwali

Living in Singapore allows me to appreciate a variety of customs and traditions – primarily because it’s a melting pot of Asian cultures.

Chinese descendents represent the overwhelming majority at nearly 75%. But, the remaining population provides the diversity. Malays, Indians, Eurasians, Arabs and, yes, even some Americans comprise the remaining quarter.

This heterogeneity accommodates a religious assortment that includes Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Taoism and Hinduism.

Definitely a different mix than I experienced living in the US.

Last weekend we visited Little India for dinner. After eating some tasty chicken tikka masala, vegetable curry and butter naan, we decided to check-out the holiday decorations.

Diwali represents a special, spiritual holiday during the Hindu festive season. Known as the “Festival of Lights”, this celebration encourages an awareness of your personal, internal light. Individuals strive to realize their own true nature and accompanying oneness of all things. And ultimately, an increased sense of joy and peace.

But, what’s the best part? The fireworks! And, the streets are filled with colorful decorations.

What does that say about me?

Diwali street decorations, Little India

Diwali holiday market, Little India

Keeping the track safe

Something felt different at the F1 races this year. It was hot. And I was sweaty!

What a big change from the air-conditioned hospitality suite I enjoyed last year. No matter. I still managed to have a good time. Just, not quite as good.

One bonus. The track location.

Rather than being situated along a random corner, I sat directly across from Pit Lane. Right where all the action happens.

Another bonus. Experiencing all the non-race sights.

I’d like to say sounds too. But, even with earplugs, it was almost deafening at times. So, let’s just stick to sights.

People watching seemed way more fun. The crowd in the grandstands felt more authentic than all the corporate mojos.

A size too big

Watching the pit crews refuel the cars and change the tires was amazing. About twenty people working in perfect harmony for less than ten seconds.

For those of you counting, that’s exactly 29 minutes and 50 seconds longer than Jiffy Lube.

Ferrari pit crew

And watching the people supporting the race was fun too. I can’t believe they weren’t melting in those suits and protective gear. And, I was complaining while wearing shorts and a t-shirt.

Pit Girls

Checkered flag

Mine... all mine.

I’ve spent fourteen months scouring the island for Cherry Coke. Chasing shadows. Following whispers. Tracking rumors.

All leading to nowhere. You can’t find it.

How can that be? There are five million people here. Does no one prefer Cherry Coke? Seriously, people!

Because of this, I’ve been relegated to the lesser Coke. Just the plain old secret formula. Yawn.

I’ve officially given up searching. The rollercoaster ride is over. I’ve accepted my fate.

I even talked to one of the main Coke distributors here. There’s a reason why I can’t find it. Apparently, Singaporeans think Cherry Coke tastes too much like cough medicine. And, it sits on the store shelves.

Cough medicine?

So, there I have my answer. Either I import it myself, or go without.

Luckily, fortune happened upon me this morning. My manager, visiting from Hong Kong, bestowed a charitable gift upon me. Never has a six-pack of Cherry Coke been so valuable.*

*Apparently, I will be receiving Cherry Coke in lieu of stock options this year.

Singapore is known for its many laws. No gum chewing. No littering. No spitting. No forgetting to flush a public toilet. And, so on.

The list is long.

In addition to the moderately enforced laws, you’ll find lots of… shall we say, suggestions.

Don’t enter or you may be shot. Don’t swim here or the polluted water will eat your skin away. Don’t feed the monkeys or they’ll rip your face off.

Okay, two of those were (mostly) fake.

Today we saw a funny suggestion at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. A sign at the top of a not-so-steep hill cautioned visitors not to run.

Umm… okay.

We decided the person who posted the sign must’ve imagined Singaporeans running, slipping and rolling all the way to the bottom. Knocking over people along the way. A trail of bodies strewn everywhere. Bloody noses, bruised limbs, stubbed toes, torn hangnails.

Maybe not the exact image, but that’s how we imagined and laughed about it.

Oh. And, yes, I ran down. Just because they told me not to!

Almost bit it.

I’ve been staying in my apartment for over a year now and every time I leave the building I pass by a variety of beautiful, tropical flowers. For some reason, they always seem to be in bloom. I guess that’s just how it works when you live on the equator.

I’m not complaining. It’s nice.

I’ve often wondered what the flowers are called. Clearly it hasn’t been eating away at me or anything… but, it would be nice to know. So, I finally did something about it today.

A few snapshots and about thirty minutes on the Internet answered my question.

Plumeria

Heliconia

Spider Lily

We have quite a few reptiles taking up residence at our apartment. They’re everywhere. Turtles swimming in the pond, lizards creeping in the grass and geckos crawling on the walls. And, of course, they all take lots of sun bathing breaks.

It never gets old seeing them.

And, I’m sure there are a few snakes, but I haven’t seen them yet. Let’s keep it that way.

Enjoying the afternoon sun

Extra long tail

“I’ll eat you.”

I’m sure that’s what this little guy was thinking. All while muttering under his breath, “Just if I was a little bigger. A little bigger”.

I enjoyed the stand-off with him. It reminded me of those kitschy 60’s Japanese horror films where overgrown insects take over Tokyo. Just minature. And not so scary. Because, if he were overgrown I would’ve been running in terror.

Just like in those movies.

But, in fact, this preying mantis is a vegetarian. He lives in Penang. And he’s designed to be perfectly camouflaged when resting in a tree. Even his wings look like dried leaves.

Stand-Off

Miniature monster/alien villan

When the tide goes out in Penang strange creatures show up. And I mean strange.

Are these fish? Mutated half-breeds resulting from the heavily polluted waters? What are they!?!?

That’s what I kept asking myself as they flopped, crawled and scooted across the soft mud. And effortlessly darted in the water whenever I got too close.

Good thing for Google. After about ten minutes of searching I learned they are called mudskippers. An appropriate name.

Mudskippers breathe through their skin, as long as it remains moist. During high tide, they maintain an air pocket inside their burrow, which allows them to breathe in low-oxygen conditions.

Freaky mudskippers

Tide out, thousands of mud burrow holes

I don’t normally enjoy zoos all that much because I end up feeling sorry for the caged-up animals. But, before visiting the Singapore Zoo several people informed me that it was different. Well, not so much the case. All I have to say is polar bears on the equator. No need to say more.

But, feeding the kangaroos provided a fun interlude. I really enjoyed having them eat from my hand! The kangaroos were so gentile and happy to get some treats.

Yum, yum.

Gimme more food!

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