A moving experience at every turn...Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer is a fairly new addition to the Singapore skyline (launched in 2008), however, it was well planned and is liked by the locals. They want it to be like the Eiffel Tower and say it is "set to be one of Asia's biggest tourist attractions"...we'll see. It is the world's largest observation wheel. It stands 165m from the ground and offers amazing, panoramic views of the island.

The architect (Dr. Kisho Kurokawa from Japan) worked to have the design emphasize simplicity and harmony. It takes 30 minutes for each revolution (the perfect amount of time to take a break in the airconditioned capsules). And you can see neighboring Malaysia and Indonesia - very cool! The port looks busy and beautiful (in my opinion) as always with ships coming and going, and you can see all the different (well planned) parts of the city - Central Business District (where I work/live and houses the skyscrapers), Chinatown, Little India, Merlion park, all of the highrise condo's, the rivers and more.

All in all, totally worth the trip to the Marina to see the city from above.

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, or the "Lunar New Year" is bigger than New Year's Eve here in Singapore. This year, the date was 14th of February - Singaporeans have two days off work (National Holidays) following the busy weekend. During the celebration, restaurants and stores close down, but the streets come alive (especially in Chinatown which is around the corner from me). One of the days before the actual new year, families gather (much like our Thanksgiving) and cook all day and spend quality time indoors.

This year is the year of the Tiger - so all the stores have been and are still selling stuffed tigers, Tiger figurines, the TV is reporting on how to save the wild tigers, etc. I feel at home since I'm an Auburn Tiger. And, of course, I've been told the last wild tiger in Singapore was caught underneath a pool table in Raffles Hotel in 1902.

As you walk through the city, all the stores have orange trees with red ribbons outside. And, everyone carries around red bags with oranges in them and the fruit stands are filled with oranges. I've asked and it seems oranges represent Spring and renewal.

There are all kinds of parades and celebrations. I caught a street performance with drums, symbols, and performers dressed as mythical dragon creatures and of course, a Tiger.

Gong Hei Fatt Choy (congrats and be prosperous)!

Exploring Singapore's Remaining Jungle

I talked to some co-workers about what to do over our long Chinese New Year weekend since most shops and restaurants are closed in celebration of the lunar new year. They sent me to the middle of the island to hike around the McRitchie Reservoir. It is Singapore's oldest reservoir - completed in 1868 to meet the demand for fresh water from the growing British settlement. The surrounding area is now protected forest land, so it's a great way to see what Singapore looked like before the city grew.

There is a great boardwalk that surrounds the reservoir that I walked around, and then I went into the jungle following the rocky trail up to the Tree Top Walk, a 250 meter aerial free standing suspension bridge spanning Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang which are the two highest points in MacRitchie. The bridge stands 25 meters at its highest point and offers amazing panoramic views of Upper Peirce Reservoir and the lush rainforest canopy.

After crossing the bridge, there is only one way back down to the reservoir park...1,000 wooden steps in total which is killer in the middle of a 10km hike! They built the wooden platform and steps to help protect the rainforest floor. However, along the way (thighs burning!), you can hear the peaceful sounds of the rainforest - exactly like the Brookstone CDs, but in real life! And all kinds of wildlife greets you - monkeys hanging from the trees and playing right next to you, lizards sticking their tongues out at you to check you out, turtles popping their heads up from the water and millions of brilliantly colored butterflies. All in all, it was a great way to spend a holiday!

Back into the Singapore Routine

This is my second weekend back in Singapore. I came back over for about 6 more weeks. This trip is without Matt, because we decided it's best for him to finish up his last semester of Grad school. So, I'll be keeping up the blog from Singapore, with guest posts from Matt in Atlanta. He's busy writing his thesis, studying and teaching underclassmen.

Last weekend, after church, I walked up Orchard Road to see the Botanical Gardens here. They reminded me a lot of a tropical Piedmont Park - local Singaporeans were hanging out with friends on picnic blankets and throwing frisbees.

The Singapore Botanical Gardens are huge and have been here for 150 years, "connecting plants and people" - I thought that was cute. The entrance I walked in was next to Swan Lake and wrapped around to a Bonsai attraction and lots of different beautiful trees and plants from the tropics. It was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon, too bad the humidity and temperature were nearly unbearable. I got some dinner to-go afterwards at the Hard Rock and while I was waiting, I apparently looked like I had been outside all afternoon because the bartender offered me water while I waited. :)

Trip Home to ATL - First Niece

Matt and I left our adventure in Asia for a trip home to meet our new (and very first) niece - Catherine Anne Remenick! She arrived on January 3, 2010 (while Matt and I were flying back from Hong Kong and Macau).

We arrived in Atlanta on January 8 late in the evening so we went to see Cate the next day...when she was 6 days old. We both melted when we saw her - she's just so little and sweet. She makes all kinds of adorable noises when she's laying on you.

Julie and Brian are an awesome parent team - they switch off without even speaking. Julie holds Baby Cate while Brian stops for lunch, then Brian holds Cate while Julie eats...then one changes diapers while the other is getting her blanket to put her down, etc. They look like pro's almost immediately. It's very impressive! And so exciting to see my big sis as a Mom!! :)

Gracie wanted to get in the bottom picture, I think she's taking Cate's arrival the worst... the Vet told Julie and Brian that she's stressed out! She's been getting sick to her stomach a couple times a day... she was so use to being the only "child" in the Remenick household. But, by the time I left to come back to Singapore, Gracie was showing improvement! Everyone is getting into a routine.