First week....

So it's now been a week and I haven't melted yet. (of course no one's thrown a bucket on water on me)
Ok let's begin with the thing most impressed on me. I had gone online to research and learn about Singapore. Well it turns out 80% of thew info gleaned is incorrect. after thinking about this for awhile I figure it's because the information is solely directed to the downtown or southern region where most people go and the wealthy live. Turns out we are on the northern tip of the island about 20 miles from the downtown on the southern tip. So what's happening there doesn't necessarily reflect up here. Please understand it's a small island, but....To be specific about this, everyone says the English is the official language. But not everyone speaks it, especially up here in the "sticks".  If I walk a few blocks I come to the river that divides us from Malaysia. There are lots of languages floating around. The other night Hubby and I  went to the local shopping area and the local hawker chain. The gal did not speak English and bless the gal behind us who translated what we wanted.
Moving on...we are in the house, or should I say McMansion, now. These are old Royal Navy housing built in the 20s and 30s. They are huge! Originally they were four rooms elevated above the damp ground. But at some point they've had the lanai closed in to be a hallway, bathrooms added and then enlarges, air conditioned, kitchens added, cable installed. They are extremely lovely and I wish I could see an original one. Because of the value of land, these properties each are worth 8 million Singaporean dollars... that's around US$6.5 million to us. I do feel honored and blessed to live here/

While I will do a video later after our goods come and I've decorated, I do want to give you a taste of area we live in.

Our new place, or palace...

see the depth of the house

This video is out my back window, looking at the st, Lagos Circle and the neighbors with the amah (servant) quarters.....
And to make matters worse, or better...the kitchens and baths have just been remodeled in ultra modern ( not my fave).

remember, there are just the two or us...

dish drying rack

yes, that hose is a bidet....

Christy, this is your dream shower room...

So I've been meeting the gals in housing, went to (free) yoga this morning at the base fitness center two buildings down. Will hopefully check out the huge pool tomorrow. But right now I have the AC turned off. the windows are open and are letting in the cool breeze, after the rain storm.
This is my life for the moment. Or at least till the furniture arrives in two months. So I will get with the island vibe, and enjoy the ride.

Happy Birthday to me....I think?

Woke up this morning in a strange bed, in a strange country. Yesterdays (intentional) was a blur.we were up for a day and a half since we were moving quite a few times zones. So we started on the 18th, landed on the 19th afternoon, and here it is the 20th. I did get 11 hrs sleep, so that will put me closer to a "normal" schedule".
I must say, Singapore Air was great! We had decided to purchase our own tickets rather than let the Navy buy ours. Winner! One up, one down and we were there in 13 hrs. That is opposed to the near 20 hrs had we gone with their purchased ticket on Turkish Air .(Does that even exist?)  Food was lovely, service amazing. Flew on one of the two story A 380s. We got to sit upstairs, toward the rear. Very nice.

ambush photography1

On-load, offload was easy as well. They use doors on each level so there is no giant queue.

We were met by our sponsors who had a van ready for all our bags (6 in total.  The most I've hauled in years!)  Then it was north to the base and housing. We are staying at the on base hotel Sling Inn until ?? or at least till we take possession of our house/mansion is week.  Our room(s) are lovely, if not gigantic. Furnished in eastern style , it really sets the flavor for the area.

The Gilberts (sponsors) said there was a command Hail & Farewell that night. Would we like to go? Sure, why not. I have no idea what time my body thinks it is. So off we go.  The thing I recall from last time we left the UK, was on returning stateside how much culture shock I felt. Perhaps it was because I never ventured home during the duration. But I experienced here again last night. Walking into the event, which was held in the area below the house used as a giant patio, it was like "old times in the Navy" again, as if I've never been away. Scary really. It gave me the feeling that the last year never existed.  The food table almost made me laugh out-loud. Some dishes were using velveta, or the famous spinach dip, canned BBQ suace, no veg all carbs.....welcome home. (I shall keep my inner monolog silent here). I did hear one person say "oh, there's a mango tree! You'll have monkeys then". Cringe!! Monkies I can do without. There are black cobras, ants and geckos to deal with. Who needs monkies?
So a low profile today I think. Robyn, the sponsor, is a very A type person. She said she'd be up at 6am, feel free to call anytime. I mentioned I didn't know when I might be up....but I'm up and need to get moving. It's sunny, bright and warm today. Did note that I need to turn the A/Cs warmer. Don't need to freeze upon entering each room. That's the first hurtle done.....

Last day in London...

So here we are… the last day in London. Oddly, we’re hiding out in the hotel. Why? Cause it's freaking warm today. I packed clothes for the freezing aeroplane (Brit speak) and I don’t want to soil them with sweat. I’ll be living in these for the next 24 hrs. Let’s not offend people on board with BO! Just saying….

Yesterday we took to the town to do a few last things. Banqueting House  ( RHP) was on our list. Whitehall, here we come. It’s so good to see and enjoy the beautiful design of the city.

Banqueting House ceiling by Ruebens

A 'mock' throne, used by James I, Charles I & II

View of Horse Guards from the Hall

And there was the Foodie Fest across the street at Battersea Park to attend. Vendors of cookware, new and old food and drink, gadgets and food stalls all awaited the crowds pouring in to enjoy the sunny day in the park.

Really???

Yes please!

Hubby's on board with this one, literally

yes it really does exist

bloody good. we got some!

We also went for drinks with Mike & Sophie, then back to Kensington for drinks with the McCracken’s.  The night got later and later, and not having more than a yogurt  for lunch, I was famished. So stopping at our favorite and only local kabab shop, we gorged on Sheesh kabab and chicken doner. A fitting last dinner in London – street food.

Regency Park done....

I finally made it to Regency Park this week, yay! And yes, siisy, it is beautiful. In fact  uch better than Hyde Park I think! I assumed it would be quite similar to Hyde Park, layout and all, but it wasn't. The surrounding area is gorgeous as well. Beautiful white washed Recengyg buildings surround the park. One can imagine carriages rumbling through the park's interior lanes.
All this walking has made us humgry, so after looking at the park map we storrled up Braod Walk to the Honest Sausage. It is a free range sausage shack serving traditional sausages dishes from Glouchester. Mmmmm, sausage and mash, that's what we both had. Hunted through the park for soft serve since other people were eating them. Never did find one though we did see some gorgous garden beds and juniper walkways. Alas...no pictures. Camera was packed in the suitcase back at the hotel.

Taking a break....

I'm doing it...taking a break. We are two days from the removers (Brit speak) coming to pack us up. Here I sit, with my glass of wine, finishing off abottle that wont ship, doors and windows open cause there's a lovely breeze. It's a fab day, sunny, breezy, around lower 70s. Queen is playing on the ipod and I've completed "pre-packing" the house.  What that entails is going through each room, sorting things, putting lids on, sealing containers, wrapping things I need to know are secure, taking down pictures and grouping them for the crates. There is much to do. While it is not required, I find it much easier on the other end to find things or know where the bits and pieces to items are. In the past I have freaked causes I thought the screw was missing for something, but located it later in a garden/kitchen/bathroom box. Somewhere where it had no business being. So call me crazy or OCD but I've done this enough to know how it works. Of course the movers somehow usually surprise me with something new and unexpected.

Fini....

It's over! The last of the walking tours has been completed ( at least by me). Docklands East was done this morning and we had a great day. The weather was perfect: sunny, cloudy, a few drops of rains, but  breezy throughout.
This tour began where the other left off. So back to Wapping. ( for you that don't know how it's said, it's said as Whopping)

tube ride with the Metro

 So out of the station and along the Thames path once again. We both fell in love with this area. I could definitely live here, especially if it's along the river. Luckily today the tide was out and we got to go down the steps and walk along the river's edge. Careful of the not-too-clean water though!

steps down, at low tide only

note high tide line on left

converted wharf

Thames "finds" - slate and a bit of pottery

 Wandering down we were taken by the Prospect of Whitby pub. Out back hangs the gibbet from where many a pirate was service justice for his crimes ( new rope I'm sure). Passing Shadwell basin and King Edward park there are more wharves and warehouses, some left over and converted from the East India Company.

look for noose

converted EIC warehosue

Also got to visit a lovely little church, St. Pauls, "church of the sea captains". There are 75 buried in its vaults. Captain James Cook was a parishioner here.
On down to Limehouse Basin, once called Regents Canal Dock. Limehouse Cut runs behind the lock and canal boaters are still using it for travel.

Back out to the Thames Path we stopped at The Narrow, Gordon Ramsey's pub. It was time for a pint and since it was noon, why not some food. We ordered a few nibbles: capriese salad, salt & pepper squid, Scotch egg ( huge!) and some sausages. Washed it all down with a few pints. The really thrilling thing for me was I noticed Gordon used the same loo rolls I do! Too cool.

where we sat and ate, once the Dockmaster's house

ordering the nummies

wanted to steal it from Gordon

 This brought to the half way point. From here east it's all the ultra new and modern Canary Wharf area. This area was developed a few decades ago and is now rivaling the City for prominence in the financial world of London.

Nothing truly took my fancy to shoot as it is all modern, that is until we hit the eastern edge of the Isle of Dogs ( on which Canary Wharf is built). There were some Regency era home and the The Gun pub. Legend has it Lord Nelson, who boarded a few houses down, would meet his lover Emma Hamilton. eh, it's a good story none the less.

note the pub sign on the right. yes, that's a hole

  Dodging The Suits we made our way back to the tube station and home again out west. A rather bittersweet moment, as it all comes closer to the end of our time here. sniff, sniff

Marco....polo....

Second day of Olympic fun. We were off to the Olympic Park today and the water polo arena. But how to get there? The London transportation site said take the tube out to West Ham , then walk for 25 minutes. Ummmm. I had heard from a local cabby, that the high speed Javelin train runs om St Pancras to the Stratford International station in 7 minutes. It is right outside the Olympic Park. Hmmmm. I know the tube ride there is only 30 minutes or so. So needless to say, we tried it. Just under 1 hour later we were there. It actually drops you at the Westfield mall. Ha, since we had time to kill...

inside the mall

 And the mall was full of athletes and officials, as well as spectators (and shoppers). Then it's exit the mall and into the OP. wow, that was easy. This main entrance puts us right next to the water sports. Since we have time we wandered around. The London 2012 Mega Store had an hour queue, so we didn't bother.

made it in

Portuguese fans

canal through the OP

Wanting to get into the venue and find our seats, we rolled in. First stopping at the water fountains. This is another tid bit we picked up. No liquid allowed in- but empty water bottles are ok. And there are water fountains around the park. So filled up, we headed to the stands. What a great pool. It's in a temporary building and we wonder if they will fill the pool in afterwards. Our tickets weren't issued together, so hubby sat on the other side of the media box and I on the other.

who's who

beginning niceties

great view

First game, Serbia (yeah Nikolic') vs. Montenegro. What an exciting game! It was close the whole way and end with...

the best final score

What a Wapping day....

needing to finish off our walk book, we headed out during the Olympics to the Docklands. There are two walks, and while we planned to do both in one day, the threatening weather said otherwise. But we did get  the first one finished. Starting off at St Catherine's Docks, (near Tower Bridge) which is now home to luxury condos but once was the original port for London back in the 1730s. Being centrally located did it no favors and soon it outgrew it local. the docks moved eastward, but what was left were these deep water basins and great sea walls. now it's home to a beautiful marina. the Danish had invaded for the Olympics and set up expat head quarters.They had some great displays!

cool old wa

Marina with Victorian warehouse & tower

a pub

yes, it's Lego and it was turning....

some Danish culture

But no time for dawdling. Much to see. We wandered down along the Thames Path which is the public path on either side of the river. This lead us to Wapping. I'm familiar with the name because of Wapping Road in Middletown RI. I used to drive it all the time getting from A to B. But here I am now! That's the cool thing about the UK, stumbling across  names we know and seeing the original.

bollard

old and new

Georgian lock keepers cottage

unused basin

Wapping is a tiny area along the north Thames which used to be a bustling dockyard. Now it appears to be all condos and a commuters haven. But hidden on the streets of the High streets are some gems.

Old Customs House #3

our lunch pub

Tobacco basin

Tobacco Dock's gate

St George's in the East church

Raines Charity School 1719

This is one of those walks that has a lot of history to it blah blah blah. But what I enjoyed immensely was no matter where you looked, there was stunning Georgian architecture if not earlier. Not going to see much of this in Singapore. Did I mention the packer come in under two weeks. Time to soak all this in as much as I can. It's about to end....