Nancy and Doug Trips

At the close of our tour we walked down the small streets in our neighborhood where the guide pointed out medieval streets: a gutter runs down the center of the road, the lower floors jetty such that waste water would be pointed away from buildings. Women walked under the jettied out area. Beth got a baguette sandwich and Nancy wanted to try a shawarma from the same place she had lunch in 2023. We debated going on the Vedettes du Pont Neuf Seine cruise but felt the timing would be too tight so we enjoyed our lunch amongst a rambunctious group of French kids who were pretty typical of kids at recess everywhere. A likely local lady sat contentedly in the sun across from us doing Sudoku. We were glad we got timed tickets for Notre Dame which re-opened last year after the fire of 2019. The stone is beautifully white inside and the brass lanterns gleaming.Read more

MUSINGS ON SINGAPORE
A must see, unique, technologically advanced and futuristic city! The leader of this country for fifty years seems to have been a “benevolent dictator” to get so many things done. Of note, it is documented in the biography that Nancy started to read that he donated $12 million of his money to help set up 2nd language schools to help preserve and promote Mandarin (giving some indication as to how much money he built up over time). We’ve been able to see the multiple HBC (low income) houses, no street people, feeling safe, extremely clean environment and witnessed lux public transport and organized green spaces. Amazing to think we saw a Kingfisher Bluebird fly on to one of the high-tech trees at Garden’s By the Bay. We have tuned into the Asian News network and there seems to be a lot of momentum towards solving the plastic problem, green technology and attention to promoting the physical and mental health of people (eg if you reach the desired step count on the government program app, you get paid back in credits to buying healthy food!). We both felt much inspiration and hope to be found in this financially rich country that has optimized its special position as hub in East West shipping. Some would be critical of the over regulation and forced change and there is no doubt loss involved in the move to skyscapper vs kampong living. We found that people are not as genuinely warm, but very helpful, perhaps a reflection of a large city with "rules". We would stay in the Bencoolen area again as it was very convenient with the MRT at our doorsteps. Similar to the last locations, coffee and breakfast could open earlier for us, so something on site would be preferable to get going given that it is almost always hot and humid here.Read more