tourist – Page 2 – Gene and Susan's Asian Adventure

Rural Ubud Bali Indonesia

We went on a beautiful 4 hour walk in the hills of Ubud (Ah-bood) just off the main street where rice fields and artists’ shacks dotted the landscape. We loved the swaying fields, huts where the farmers lived, numerous scarecrows that resembled farmers working, and palm trees set against the mountains. We met a number of fascinating people: several talented artists working in their small studios, a generous organic farmer, and a shy spice grower. We saw lovely holistic spas and retreats along the path and situated deeper in the fields and forests. I’m afraid we’re not good at actually getting any spa treatments. We even had one free massage from our hotel spa which we didn’t take the time to do! (see photos below the text).

The hike started up a large hill that opened to rice fields and became a very skinny, meandering path with some locals on motorbikes who were coming to and from town. And, as usual, it was hot, very hot. There was a variety of structures along the way. Simple tents and shacks, one room art studios, and lovely two story retreats.

We had a lovely but also slightly disconcerting interaction with the organic farmer. He came over to chat with us in limited English and showed us the farm’s many fruits and vegetables that they grow for their restaurant downtown. He pulled a turmeric and ginger plant out of the ground to show me since I told him I enjoy cooking. He also gave us fresh peapods out of the ground to eat. I ate mine while he showed me around. Afterward, Gene and I continued our walk and she said “I’m glad I remembered we’re not supposed to eat anything grown in water here so I tossed mine.” “Crap, I ate mine,” says I. Ok, if I’m going to get ill eating a tainted peapod at least this walk was worth it; fortunately I was fine. We’ve had several friends get ill in their travels in Asia and in Bali specifically. So far, only Singapore seems to have safe drinking water that I am aware of, for travelers anyway.

The walking paths were so minimal that we took a wrong turn and ended up on a path by some small houses on the way back to town. we came to a lovely stream and small waterfall a few feet off the path where a handsome young man about 17 was standing bathing nude. He watched us pass and didn’t seem to mind the old white ladies walking by.

You may notice in some photos, and the feature photo above, small offerings to Hindu deities. Twice each day, Hindus in Bali (mostly women I believe) create baskets of flowers, fruits and other significant symbols and place them at entrances wherever they are, work or home. Bali is one of the thousands of islands in Indonesia; I’ve read anywhere from 13,000 to 17,000 plus islands, but 8 of the islands have large populations. It’s one of the few inhabited islands that is predominantly Hindu (85%), the other islands have became predominantly Muslim, and Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world.

Walk along the rice fields

A farmer’s hut surrounded by rice fields

Huts/houses behind rice fields

Rest stop, refreshments along path

The narrow walking path

Organic farm for restaurant downtown Ubud

Gene and organic farmer

Organic farmer showing us a tumeric plant

A cute dress shop with offerings placed in the shrine wrapped in yellow.

Spa Retreat

Wood carver making masks out of Hibiscus wood.

An amazing painter

Artist studio, small offering in entrance

An artist in his studio showing me his current piece (in studio previous photo)

Farmer selling vanilla, cinnamon, coffee along path

Farmer’s vanilla drying

A flooded rice field

Farmer plowing

On the way back to town.

Bangkok Thailand: May’s Cooking Class

One of the many highlights for me on this trip to Thailand was our cool cooking class in Bangkok. Deb and I learned how to make nine Thai dishes and we hope this experience has a lasting impact on our cooking! I’m happy to learn a great way to cut and not mangle mangos, and discovered a cool tool that makes thin ribbons from vegetables. I am using these tips in Singapore with the many exotic fruits available year round.

Finding May Kaidee’s cooking school was its own adventure. Our Thai host, Patcharin, Deb’s niece, made a valiant effort to make this place easy for us to find because there are so many small cooking schools in Bangkok. She flagged a cab and went with us to the school which we weren’t expecting her to do. After the cab dropped us off at the school, we found out that we were at the wrong one. Fortunately, the owner was familiar with May’s school and gave us directions to it about 10 blocks away. We did pretty well walking until we were about two blocks away. The major streets crossed with alleys that were packed with businesses and we weren’t sure where to go. After asking a couple of people, we found the school on an alley and never did see a street sign. We were only 10 minutes late. I always say that getting lost or taking detours are the best way to learn your way around. We certainly saw parts of Bangkok we wouldn’t have seen without this experience (so don’t fret Patcharin).

Click on the photos to scroll through.

Thai Cooking class in Bangkok

Other two students, a couple from northern France, and teacher

Class cooking black sticky rice

Mango with sticky black rice

Morning Glory, our new favorite vegetable

Freshly made Papaya Salad

May’s cooking school

Cooking stations

Susan and Deb making Papaya Salad

Ingredients for one of the nine dishes

Students trying our creations

Afterward, I got crowned

Chinatown

There are many Chinatowns in the USA and other countries and, of course, they are quite different from each other, however, Singapore’s Chinatown is one of the oldest in the world.

In the early 1800’s, with only a small Maylay and nomadic population, Chinese started to settle on the east coast of Singapore and this area would evolve into Chinatown. With extensive land reclamation around the waterways beginning in the mid-late 60’s, soon after Singapore’s independence from Great Britain, Chinatown is now significantly inland. Currently, Singapore’s population is nearly 75% Chinese with the other major cultures being Malaysian 13.3%, Indian 9.2%, and other 3.3% (Phillipino, Indonesian and Westerners). While Chinatown has a higher concentration of Chinese there are also Indian and Maylay residents.

After living in Singapore for eight months, we’re getting a better understanding of the neighborhoods beyond the few things they are known for. Singapore’s Chinatown has its ubiquitous narrow, crowded and fun pedestrian shopping streets, two types of hawker’s markets/food vendor streets, and an upscale restaurant area, besides the shopping area more like State Street. It is one of the prominent gathering places for observing cultural celebrations each year.

Last weekend (early February) Gene and I went to see the decorations for Chinese New Year (first day of the lunar calendar is February 19 and it’s celebrated for 15 days) which is a very important holiday in Asia and preparations start very early. Each New Year is represented by the sign of the zodiac. This is the year of the goat; the appearance of hundreds of giant illuminated goats down the center of the main street in Chinatown and its image all over is the tip off. Every extra space in the markets are inhabited by vendors selling New Years decorations and items to bring good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year (see photos below).

It feels like a combination of Christmas and New Years Eve. Asians from different cultures tend to go back home to their parents’ home and feast. “Symbolically, new clothes are usually worn to signify the new year. It is also the tradition for every family to thoroughly clean their homes to “sweep away” any ill-fortune, making way for the arrival of good luck. Chinese New Year also brings people together, and is marked by visits to kin, relatives and friends, a practice known simply as “new-year visits”. The highlight for children and younger members of the family during these visits comes in little red packets, or “hong bao”, filled with money.

“Chinatown’s stunning streets are lit-up, night markets and decorations are the focal point for Chinese New Year celebrations in Singapore. This is when lion dancers, fire eaters and female dance troupes grace Kreta Ayer Square with their mesmerising performances. Armed with giant paper fans and intricately patterned umbrellas, they will provide you with street entertainment that you are unlikely to forget.

Folklore is very much at the heart of this festival. All across the city, you’ll notice dragon and lion dances everywhere – lending a cheery, festive atmosphere to the occasion. Dragons and lions are prominent characters in Chinese mythology; its roots originating in ancient China when Nien, a mythical beast which tormented villagers was discovered to be afraid of the colour red.”

Gene, her mom and I in Chinatown pedestrian shopping area.

Chinese New Year decorations shop

Chinese New Year Street with goat decorations

Chinese New Year street decorations at night

Chinese New Year main street in February

Chinatown dress store

Lanterns above Pagoda Street

Looking down on Pagoda Street and MRT entrance

Tea shop of aged pressed tea

Sharkfin shop, an Asian delicacy (although going out of favor)

Traditional shop fronts

Custom tailor shop

Shops with tall, narrow apartment building in center

One of the pedestrian shopping streets

Friend, Mandy from Hong Kong, Gene’s mom and Gene.

Hawkers Food Markets on both sides and down the middle

Chinese Temple

Chinatown roof tops against downtown skyscrapers

Paper lanterns painted by children

Decorations above street for Mid-Autumn Festival in September

Moon cakes central to the Mid Autumn Festival

Sculpture in Chinese Temple

Moving to Singapore

Not long ago we sold our house in Maple Bluff, put everything in storage, moved to a friend’s unoccupied house, and started hunting Madison’s Eastside in our old Marquette neighborhood for our next home. Then Gene got an offer from her previous employer to plan a new 27-story cancer center in Singapore and to get there as soon as possible. We both thought this was an opportunity of lifetime. I had the difficult realization that I would need to leave Second Harvest Foodbank.

Fortunately, since we needed to declutter to sell the house, we began donating clothes and big stuff to St. Vinnies and other places when we first put the house up for sale nearly a year earlier. With all that done, we had random things we had to figure out like what to do with our kayaks and all the equipment, our two cars, and our cat, Lulu.

Our great friends and boating buddies, Deb and Mary, have friends we also know who live in Chicago and they were happy to take care and use our kayaks until we return. We sold our mini van to our niece, and lent our other car to Gene’s youngest son. Gene’s oldest son who lives in Minneapolis took our sweet cat and is really enjoying her company. We had frequent visits with friends and family, including Gene’s mom who visited from England for two weeks!

With most of our worldly goods in storage, we have packed our lives into three suitcases. We are downsized, packed, and off to the airport! Thanks Deb and Mary for the ride. Thank you Melina and George for lending us your home while you were away. It was the perfect place to be for our last six weeks.

It was a circus at times, but amazingly it all came together pretty well considering the massive changes that needed to happen in quick order. Selling the house shortly before this move to Singapore really made a difference. We are having a wonderful time.

We left on July 1, 2014, and will be here for 16 months; and should be back around November 15, 2015. We will also come home to visit once or twice. We look forward to seeing you!