corrininasia

2007-05-27T06:47:00.001-07:00

May 27, 2007

Okay, so my stint here in Singapore seems to be a life sentence! It is a good life, and I would have never dreamed that I would have found such a home, filled with great people. Ahh, but life is short, and I am hoping to be closer to home by Christmas--- It would be good to be cold for a change!

Most recently I took a trip to India for a sales conference, and we make a side trip to see the Taj Mahal. One of the hottest times of the year, the train and bus ride back and forth from New Delhi seemed to go to the end of the world. One day we went to Old Delhi. Hugely vibrant and populated, it was like being part of a virtual movie. It was good to be reminded how grateful I am to be born in an affluent country, with opportunities to live as I do. It was unbelievable and unbearable to see so many poor people. Of the billion people in India, about 65% of the population is literate, and I believe about 20% live on less than 2 dollars a day. And live they do…… India has one of the fastest growing economies, and hopefully the middle class will grow in the years to come, thanks to a democratic government and capitalist growth--- they have a very long way to go.

In April, I was off to see Whale Sharks in Donsol, Philippines! Suited up in Mask, Snorkel and Fins, and then told to jump in the water, we swam with them. Of course, once we spotted one, they enjoyed playing with us a little, but soon they would swim too deep, or out-swim us completely! Whale Sharks are not really whales at all, just sharks the size of whales. They are the biggest fish in the sea, growing up to 46 feet long and weighing 15 tons, although the ones we saw were probably 15-25 feet long. They live up to 100-150 years old as long as they manage to avoid boats!

Before then, I was in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. We saw a traditional water puppet show, and ate some of the best food for the cheapest prices, although this woman totally overcharged me for these bananas! We took a boat tour of the Mekong Delta. Now a thriving waterway dotted with fishing villages, you can almost hear The Doors playing in the background when see the side river that took us to the traditional tourist traps, which bring in the only revenue for some local villages.

Traffic in Vietnam is just like many parts of SE Asia, consisting mostly of 2 wheeled family vehicles, or scooters. The hats are most distinct and very efficient too, they really cool you down!

And, starting the year was a trip to Dubai. On a mission to see the Burj Al Arab, all I did was look at it! They didn’t have room for reservations, either for accommodations or dinner, so we weren’t allowed even on the compound. Everyone who goes to this hotel must be a customer. Fine with me, what’s in a hotel anyway—I was too busy buying carpets and sand surfing!

Last but not least I have also included a picture of a trip I took to a horse ranch in Malaysia on the back of a Harley—although not too far from home, the is sure to get you to laugh!

Crazy times and life is good!!!

2007-05-27T06:31:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T06:29:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T06:28:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T06:13:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T06:11:00.000-07:00

2007-05-27T06:10:00.003-07:00

2007-05-27T06:10:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T06:08:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T06:01:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T06:00:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T05:57:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T05:55:00.000-07:00

2007-05-27T05:54:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T05:49:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T05:48:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T05:47:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T05:46:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T05:45:00.001-07:00

2007-05-27T05:44:00.001-07:00

Another island in Malaysia, Perhentian

2006-11-04T02:12:00.000-08:00

Island Huts

2006-11-04T02:10:00.000-08:00

Dive Boats

2006-11-04T02:08:00.000-08:00

banded sea snake, false clown fish, blue ringed angel fish

2006-11-04T02:03:00.000-08:00

Elephant in the bar

2006-11-04T02:01:00.000-08:00

Death Railway

2006-11-02T07:38:00.000-08:00

don't look down!

2006-11-02T07:35:00.000-08:00

POW graveyard

2006-11-02T07:32:00.000-08:00

Bridge over River Kwai

2006-11-02T07:29:00.000-08:00

2006-10-28T21:22:00.000-07:00

October 29, 2006
It’s the end of the dive season in Malaysia and I was just getting started! I have now taken an underwater photo class and a fish identification class—not doing well in either. The fish swim too fast to be photographed and I still can’t get past “it was a small pretty yellow round fish” which doesn’t clearly identify much at all.
These pictures were taken at the Perhentian group of islands. Lots of jungle and the South China Sea are met with a little beach that I called home for this dive trip. The row boats we dove from had all the modern conveniences: air conditioning and a motor (the faster the motor, the higher the air-conditioning.
I celebrated my 35 (??) birthday in Bangkok, and would like to start the explanation of that with “so I’m in a bar in Bangkok, and in walks an elephant” Now that is something I never thought I would say… or would ever be true. But it was, and it happened twice! I was beginning to think I was being followed when I realized that even an elephant in Bangkok wouldn’t notice me. Thai women get much more attention, if you know what I mean! Well, there he was this elephant. It was dark so a picture was difficult, even with flash.
My birthday trip was off to see the bridge over River Kwai. About 2 hours out of Bangkok, my friends Melissa, Jan and Caroline came to visit the historical bridge, forced by the imperial Japanese army to be built by POW’s and civilians of Asia, who also were forced to work on the death railway linking Burma to Thailand. This train is still in limited use (after some rebuilding since the 1940’s) 13,000 allied prisoners and 80,000 Asian laborers who died building the railway.
6,982 POWs are buried in the cemetery shown here, the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, most of them in their early 20’s. The conditions of the POW camp probably left few survivors. Those that did go home sent pictures they drew from their memory to the JEATH museum set up by Monks who want to preach memory of war, and a push for peace. The drawings are remarkable, and really show you the life conditions, vs. the propaganda of the photos that were taken then. It would be good if the Monks get their wish for peace.
After looking over the past listings on this blog, as it has been awhile, I know what you are thinking….that I must love that green shirt! I would like Asia so much more if I actually liked to shop. So perhaps I will go to a store and get a new shirt today!
I’ll be home for Christmas… hopefully see you then!

2006-06-22T07:43:00.000-07:00

TEAM: Steel Buns!

2006-06-22T07:15:00.000-07:00

Well I did it!! I swam in a relay sprint triathalon (i swam, and had a bike rider and runner and we finished as a team. 750 meters of rough current... it was the longest 26 minutes of my life, and i came in about 20th from LAST! My big goal was to finish, and that i met (some peolple had to be pulled from the water because the current was so bad!)

Perhaps i will try a full triathalon soon! Not sure about the swim though. yuck!
More later!

2006-06-07T06:17:00.000-07:00

yes, thats me in the middle

2006-06-07T06:16:00.000-07:00

Swim Starting Line

2006-05-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

May 12, 2006

April marked a year of my SCUBA certification, and to celebrate, I decided to get my advanced certification on an island called Dayang, Malaysia, about 3 hours from where I got my original certification (prior blog entry) and about 1 hour from an island used in a Survivor series. Through a bizarre chain of events, including failing and malfunctioning equipment, I managed to pass all qualifications—and now looking forward to the next trip! Accommodations included running water (although about 5 minutes from my hut) and a cook (another 5 minutes from my hut). My friend Veronica and I were roommates and later buddies once I passed. We had to sleep under a rainstorm on the night boat trip on the way to the island—Thank GOD I own a waterproof sleeping bag!!
A few weeks later I met a friend who was sailing around South East Asia, and flying out of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I was very happy to finally stay in a five star hotel that actually had sheets and shampoo! I never take nice accommodations for granted. The monument below is the largest war monument in the world (and in Malaysia, I noticed they seem to have the widest streets, and the tallest buildings too). Could be a fish story, although it was very big! We also went to an Indian Temple in a cave, on top of many stairs that had to be climbed to the entrance.
Last week I was in Shanghai. English was not an option in this cosmopolitan city, where all the goods are fake—See the picture of the knock off KFC! I was a novelty, attracting the interest of many locals who stared, waved and tried to touch me! “Lady, Lady, Lady” and “So Cheap” is about all the English they spoke to me, especially in the “knock off” market, where you can get everything from LV, to Fendi, to TAG, and Rolex for about US$10. Mary, my friend from NYC, was here and we took on this market. Not feeling so good after a long night of “bottoms up,” we walked around the market, stopping in each booth that had a chair for met to sit! Mary got some lovely items and I had a lovely afternoon—if you don’t mind being grabbed and pushed around all day, that is.
One of the famous rituals of doing business here is drinking an alcoholic beverage that I cannot name. It is a cross between turpentine, linseed oil, gas, and Kerosene. Not anything that could pass my lips, but it was fun to see my colleagues imbibe this “power drink” without having to take a trip to the hospital like many executives that come here to conduct business.
We went to a beautiful Buddhist temple, where you will see the pictures of folks worshipping. The golden orbs are little triangles of origami that they burn to worship their ancestors and appreciate their Gods. We had a little Tea ceremony where I found all teas are different and many have medicinal value. I will let you know in a month if they work… I bought the “loose weight” tea ;-)

2006-05-12T08:36:00.000-07:00

Veronica, and the front of the boat where we slept

2006-05-12T08:24:00.001-07:00

Are the docks ever safe in Malaysia???

2006-05-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Dayang Malaysia

2006-05-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

Dayang Malaysia

2006-05-12T08:22:00.001-07:00

The Boat...

2006-05-12T08:22:00.000-07:00

...And my Class

2006-05-12T08:21:00.000-07:00

our Hut!

2006-05-12T08:20:00.000-07:00

View from our hut

2006-05-12T08:18:00.000-07:00

Entrance to Temple in Caves... see the stairs?

2006-05-12T08:17:00.000-07:00

Temple in a cave

2006-05-12T08:16:00.000-07:00

The existing twin towers

2006-05-12T08:15:00.000-07:00

biggest War Memorial-KL Malaysia

2006-05-12T08:14:00.000-07:00

Starbucks is Everywhere!

2006-05-12T08:13:00.001-07:00

Old city, New City

2006-05-12T08:13:00.000-07:00

knock-off KFC!

2006-05-12T08:12:00.001-07:00

tea ceremony

2006-05-12T08:12:00.000-07:00

worshipping

2006-05-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

sacrificing oragami

2006-05-12T08:10:00.001-07:00

worshiping

2006-05-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

temple in Shanghai

2006-05-12T08:09:00.001-07:00

selling Veggies

2006-05-12T08:09:00.000-07:00

shanghai landmark

Feb 18, 2006

2006-02-23T06:49:00.000-08:00

Feb 18, 2006

One of the best things I have done is started this blog! I was recently one very rare statistic in Singapore—my laptop was robbed! Some creep lifted it from the coffee shop in the building I work. If caught, I am sure he will suffer a great sentence, so I feel he has much more to loose from his actions that I did. How funny is the police department who sent me a letter saying that he still isn’t caught, but they are trying. With my laptop gone, so are all my memoirs and pictures of my entire on goings since I arrived in Asia. This blog that I share with you is now the only record I have!

To celebrate 2006, I was in Koh Samui, and was blessed with the presence of Kerry who was visiting from New York! We had a good group, and we took a crazy boat ride to an even crazier island to bring in the New Year. Sorry, no pictures—but I can tell you that the pole dancing, celebration, daily massages… not to mention the wonderful hotel… made it a fantastic way to bring in 2006. This was a great follow up to a heart-felt whirlwind visit to NYC --- I was thrilled to be home, even with the transit strike… I kept thinking “who lives in Asia? Not me!”

This wonderful festive season was followed up by celebrating Chinese New Year, which just ended last week. To celebrate this year of the Dog, I went to Hanoi with my friends Sue and Melissa—those pictures I managed to salvage from my camera, not yet downloaded to the computer! Vietnam was a thrill, the people were friendly, and the town was a madhouse with the New Year. We got to see the Hanoi Hilton, the old jail that is now a museum. The propaganda describes how horrible the French were when they ran the prison and captured the Vietnamese, while it proudly shows how benevolent the Vietnamese were when they captured US pilots. John McCain was here the final year the prison was in operation and his picture, along with other prisoners is on the wall.

Last weekend here in Singapore was Thaipusam, which I don’t really too much about. It has something do with a Lord Siva and a Lord Murugan who try to expel demons of evil that plague the world. Thaipusam is an act of painful body piercing penance and Lord Morugan makes sure individuals feel no pain or bleeding, and that they heal with no scars. In this festival, they pierce their cheeks with long steel rods that are about a foot long, from one side of their face, through the mouth and out the other cheek. Another spear goes through their upper lip, tongue, and lower lip, so they cannot speak. They also carry a decorated Kavadi (the big metal decorated thing around them) which is supported by wire threads that are pierced in their chest and back. Where there is so much famine, natural disaster and high mortality that plague a region, faith is extremely important and taken seriously. The participation in this festival marks the depth of their faith, and if they bleed or feel pain, they are considered unfaithful. What a test!!! The loud music, and cheers from the crowds must fill their minds. It reminded me of the NYC Marathon!

No matter what trips I make, they don’t beat being in New York’s biggest snowstorm on all of recorded history!! How I loved the pictures some of you sent. I felt I was there… Mano-mano--- I could use a good snowday!!

Love you lots, and remember, write to me direct to my account, not the blog, individually!

2006-02-23T06:46:00.000-08:00

love hostess!

2006-02-23T06:43:00.000-08:00

valentines chocolate shoe

2006-02-23T06:42:00.000-08:00

valentines day party!

2006-02-20T06:03:00.000-08:00

family support

2006-02-20T06:02:00.000-08:00

see the mouth? Thaipusam

2006-02-20T05:58:00.000-08:00

Holding up the Kavadi

2006-02-20T05:57:00.000-08:00

Pierced Thighs?

2006-02-20T05:55:00.002-08:00

cars make polution!

2006-02-20T05:55:00.001-08:00

flowers on the street, Hanoi

2006-02-20T05:55:00.000-08:00

Hanoi Hilton

2006-02-20T05:53:00.000-08:00

everyone wants peace!

2006-02-20T05:51:00.000-08:00

not exactly a hotdog stand, but very refreshing friut. Beach, Koh Samui

2006-02-20T05:50:00.000-08:00

taking home the orange tree-for good luck on CNY. Hanoi.

Birthday--the begining of the next 40!

2005-12-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

December 18, 2005

What can I say…. I am now 40. My birthday party was well attended, held safely on an Island in Malaysia. I say “safely” because a sister island held a wedding party the same weekend and the attendees of that party were held hostage by knifepoint by employees of a competitive resort. Due to low tide the police couldn’t come (the boats cannot get near the islands in low tide!)

The only events at my party were fun ones! We took a speedboat from the mainland to this island--- in the dark. It looked as remote as Gilligan’s Island! However, the bartender greeted us with cocktails and sandwiches to start our weekend.

Breakfast was perfectly presented NYC birthday style, with bagels, lox, and a “Schmea” of creamcheese, as well as a NYC cheesecake! This meal would not be complete with out the morning newspaper, the Village Voice (a miracle that it got through customs)! The party continued with reading, relaxing and scuba diving! Then, of course, the sun went down and video screen went up, revealing a video of many folks from my life wishing me a happy 40^th—In English, Chinese and German, using many forms of media! Am trying to upload the video here, but not been successful. A Saturday night full of shots, twister, musical pillows, and bar dancing ended with a Sunday that left most of us, especially me, immobile. It was raining, so Sunday didn’t count anyway!

The ride on the boat from the island that afternoon made me happy to be 40—Up until then I was feeling old, and this boa tride made me say “I’m too young to die!” Taking on waves that about kicked our luggage over the side, we sat clasped to one another, grasping each others arms, legs and whatever else just to remain upright. At the beginning of the trip we wore plastic bags in an attempt to keep dry…. By the end of the trip, the bags were ripped to shreds…. Along with our nerves.

The perfect thrilling end to a relaxing weekend! What am I going to do for 50!!

2005-12-17T08:05:00.000-08:00

main hut

2005-12-17T08:03:00.000-08:00

view from my hut

My "birtday suite"

2005-12-17T07:58:00.000-08:00

the birthday crew!

2005-11-12T04:10:00.000-08:00

2005-11-11T17:56:00.000-08:00

fun game, butt not a pretty sight!

2005-10-01T03:14:00.001-07:00

Definately Dreamland!

2005-10-01T03:14:00.000-07:00

Dream land: those waves are worse in person!!

2005-10-01T03:13:00.000-07:00

Elephant at park

2005-10-01T03:12:00.001-07:00

Kids at "church"

2005-10-01T03:12:00.000-07:00

Rice Patties

2005-10-01T03:11:00.000-07:00

family in Bali village

2005-10-01T03:10:00.000-07:00

Very simple toys

2005-10-01T03:08:00.001-07:00

Bali view

2005-10-01T03:08:00.000-07:00

Bali beach

2005-10-01T03:07:00.000-07:00

View of village from Bali Divesite

2005-10-01T03:05:00.000-07:00

lost in translation!

2005-10-01T03:02:00.000-07:00

temple building

2005-10-01T03:01:00.000-07:00

Enter the temple, Bob and me

2005-10-01T02:59:00.000-07:00

a word from our sponsors

2005-10-01T02:57:00.000-07:00

2005-09-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

sumo

2005-09-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

September 30, 2005
What have I been up to? I have no idea…I do want to take this time and focus on being home sick.
August’s main event was a trip to Bali with my new friend Chris—the scuba diving, dining and nightlife was fantastic. We visited the area of the 2002 Bali bombings to support one of the nightclubs that took a hit. It is still a very empty area, as many still shy away, and no wonder, a day after writing this, the 2005 Bali bombings occured. The beaches at Kuta and Jimbaran were just hit. Areas that I have now visited twice (see pictures from the last trip). It is so important to embrace life and and every second of the experiences we encounter. I am glad to have introduced Chris to “Dreamland”—a surfer beach with waves that crushed us. 5 feet from shore, 10 foot waves and over my head… I couldn’t get out. After swallowing too much salt water, and finally finding which way was up…. I managed to get air! This happened three times before I figured I’d rather drink a Pepsi than the ocean!

This month, I also tipped up to SKYDIVE SINGAPORE. Only for one week a year, they allow skydiving here. So skydivers from all over the world came to Singapore and I teamed up with one on a tandem jump. 8,000 feet in a helicopter, I only looked down once. We jumped out together, and there was the helicopter floor, and then it was gone. Not like falling, but more like being in a wind tunnel. We did a few flips, and I immediately felt car sick…. Scared? Not me…. sick… definitely. Finally we settled into a nice falling position that I got enough air and felt better… and then once the parachute was open, we spun more, and more… We landed and I was thrilled—what a rush, what a trip, HOW LIBERATING! Err…Dramamine next time.

Last weekend I went to Japan with my dear friend Bob from New York. You can take the boy out of the US but not the US out of the boy. Bob, I think you finally had fun on the day you knew you were leaving! Japan is a long way from home, while still being a cosmopolitan city with an energy just like NYC. We watched some of Lost in Translation to commemorate the trip. Of course, we went to the temple that the girl goes to (what’s her name?) and to the bar that he goes to (Bill Murray that is...Even I can get his name right).
The highlight of the trip was the semi-final rounds of Sumo wrestling. We couldn’t quite figure it out. Rather slow moving, the two wrestlers squat down (lifting one leg and slamming it to the ground—I think it was a threat). Then they stare at each other, and walk away from each other… to just do this again, and again….till finally they wrestle until one is pushed out of the ring. Not understanding a thing, I did a little research to explain it better—Bob, this is for you in case you thought of taking it up as a hobby!

Apparently, SUMO wrestling was a means of negotiation of land ownership. According to legend about 2,500 years ago, two gods Takemikazuchi and Takeminakata wrestled, and the Japanese God won…making the island of Japan-Japanese…. Or something like that. With no written records until the 8th century, does anyone really know? Prehistoric paintings indicate that SUMO wrestling was performed mainly as an agricultural ritual to pray for good harvest. And of course, rumor has it that in ancient times, it was a fight to the end… the end of the loser.
There are ranks of sumo wrestlers, so when someone wins, they move up in rank in the SUMO society. They all live together, with lower ranking doing the chores. They practice five hours per day—slamming into each other, and into polls and that kind of thing—and I assume eating!
First they face and stare at each other, and when they are in synchronized timing, they can agree to start. Otherwise, the referee (or the gyoji) flips the fan (gunbai) he has in his hand.Well that’s it for the SUMO lesson!

I am watching SAC and it is the final episode where Carey lives in France (we are a little behind here). I still cannot keep a dry eye when I watch this show. Somehow she finds her way home to NYC, which is where my heart ends up all the time.

2005-07-25T08:40:00.000-07:00

Yes, I karaoke now--someone shut the mike off!

2005-07-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

tall buildings built to stay up!

2005-07-25T08:38:00.000-07:00

crowded city Tokyo

2005-07-25T08:37:00.000-07:00

Still standing, Tokyo!

2005-07-25T08:36:00.000-07:00

those who ventured out after the earthquake!

2005-07-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

Mr. Sqiggly Octopus, our waitress, and Hiroshi