So I thought I should right a follow up blog post on my first instalment around my 3 month secondment in Singapore capturing some of the things I have been up to or have seen.
So I have been here around 2 months now, and I’m just starting to think about home and Christmas with the family. Believe it or not I am looking forward to a long holiday (yeah I know…you’ll say “but you’ve been sunning it up in Singapore for 3 months”) but its still hard work here!
Some recent highlights….
Below are some recent highlights from my time here, in no particular order and without any particular flow. Just some things that made me laugh or were particularly enjoyable and recommended if you ever get the chance to come out here.
Inappropriate T-Shirts
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to take photographic evidence but something that has amused me recently is the inappropriate t-shirts I have seen around the place, particularly considering how strict Singapore is.
A couple of weekends ago I saw a smiley, happy boy who must have been around 15 with his little old grandma. I was highly amused by his t-shirt, which stated:
“I love to stalk”
This weekend just gone I saw something that topped that off. A little old man, probably at least 70 was wandering along the street with a t-shirt that stated:
“Dummies guide to blow jobs”
Brilliant!!
Russell Visits
My commander in chief recently came across for a weeks holiday, sorry I mean to work and learn about the APAC business. Gave me the chance to show him the sights, which was good fun.
Particularly amusing trying to tempt him to eat proper Asian cuisine such as Pig organ soup and Chickens feet. Needless to say he refused (he wouldn’t even eat soft shell crab). I am ashamed to say he ate McDonalds, Burger King and Chicken chop with chips. We did manage to convince him to try the Katong Laksa, Wonton Noodles, and Chilli and Black pepper crab.
Not to bad for a Yorkshireman!
Trip to the top of the Swiss Hotel
If you make it out to Singapore then you must take a ride up to the 70th floor of the Swiss Hotel, the view is absolutely amazing. If you go before 9pm its free, but after that point you have to pay to stay up there.
I’m sure it doesn’t sound particularly exciting, but the lift is pretty cool. Goes from the ground floor to floor 70 in less than a minute and you never feel it move or stop, but your ears start popping on the way up and down!
Singapore Zoo & Night Safari
Whilst the zoo was really well put together and the animals clearly well cared for, I was slightly disappointed with the zoo when compared to all of the hype that had been built up by those I spoke to about it. Once you’ve seen one tiger, you’ve kind of seen them all.
I did find this sign particularly amusing, but maybe that’s just me:
The Night Safari is a really interesting and unique way to see animals after hours. If you had to choose between the night safari and the zoo then I would say the night safari is the better of the two simply because its unique. The show they put on was also excellent and the presenter was extremely funny.
The best idea is to visit the Zoo later on in the day, around 3pm maybe and then after the zoo go to the Night Safari around 7pm. This way you can catch both in a single trip and appreciate the difference more.
Jurong Bird Park
Loved the bird park and in my opinion it was far more interesting than both the zoo and night safari. The walk in aviary in particular was awesome (pictured below).
If that wasn’t enough, meeting a parrot that could speak better English than most English people was also pretty cool. He could count to 10 in English and Mandarin, and sing 3 songs in 3 different languages.
Bukit Timah
Bukit Timah is Singapore’s highest point, but at only 163m its basically a small mole hill. Still if you’re looking for a reasonably hard thigh, quad, and butt work out then its a good place for a stroll on a weekend.
Getting to know the APAC folk
As well as spending time getting used to life in Singapore and seeing the many benefits it has to offer I have really enjoyed getting to know my colleagues in APAC. Here we are after enjoying fish head curry. They are a great bunch and they have looked after me and made me feel so welcome in Singapore.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Great read Ben. Good to see everybody who works in the APAC team. You able to put names to faces to further increase my understanding
Ryan
Not everyone unfortunately, but far left front is Michael Chia (I know you’ve worked with him before), Valerie Francis (this was her leaving do unfortunately), Adeline Ng (crazy little lady, does web analytics. The Simon Kirkham of APAC), Patricia Gomez (Business Analyst).
The front row are my lunch buddies basically.