As I had mentioned, I got a once in a lifetime opportunity last week to go on a business trip to Singapore and Malaysia! Wow, definitely an opportunity I didn't want to pass up! And just to clear up any confusion...Singapore and Malaysia are two different places. Singapore is actually what is called a city state...basically its own city, state, country all on its own. It is located on the same island as part of Malaysia...Malaysia is actually split between two different pieces of land. Confused yet? I was!
The unfortunate part about this trip is that it was very quick and very busy with work. And the really unfortunate part is that I don't have many pictures and really no very good pictures. I may be able to swing another trip to introduce the new HR Partner once I get her hired, but I am not going to bank on that. So, my few stories and few bad pictures will have to do!
I went on this business trip with the head executive in the Australia office, Rick. I am very thankful that I got to travel with him, as he has been to these places several times and I would have been lost without him. So, we headed to Singapore on Monday...about an 8 hour flight. It was still day-light when we arrived, so I immensely enjoyed the car ride from the airport to the hotel. The first thing I noticed about Singapore is how absolutely beautiful it is...extremely clean, some different and unique architecture, very lush and full of trees, bushes and flowers everywhere I looked! I later found out just how much Singapore prides itself on being clean...chewing gum is actually banned from Singapore because they don't want it to get on the streets or sidewalks. I think I chewed some guy while I was there...oops! Our hotel was on one of the main streets in Singapore and was definitely surrounded by lots of shopping and restaurants. After settling in at the hotel, Rick and I walked down the street to grab a quick dinner. To my delight, Singapore was ready for Christmas...there were so many Christmas decorations everywhere, so it was very fun to walk around and look!
We went into the (very small) office on Tuesday and had a day full of meetings. We literally didn't get to go outside for lunch and I wanted to take a few pictures from the office before I left, but was being rushed out to the cab to get to the airport. Sad. Rick had a meeting at the airport once we got there, so I had some time to walk around the airport for a while...and also did a little shopping there! Again, the airport was very decorated for Christmas and even had live performers that would put on little Christmas scenes and sing! There were also gorgeous gardens all over the airport, so I had fun looking at those.
I loved loved loved Singapore and cherished the cab rides, so that I could look all around. I would love to go back there, whether for business again or on vacation, so that I could actually explore a little more.
On Tuesday night, we headed to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia...also known as the 'KL'. It was less than an hour flight, but was dark when we got there. As soon as we landed, I could tell...this was the first time in my adventure over here on the other side of the world that I TRULY felt like I was in a completely foreign country. Malaysia has the largest Muslim population in the world, so that makes for a different culture right there. The airport was huge and crazy and felt like we walked forever and took buses...again, I would have been lost without Rick. We then took a 40 minute train ride into the city. I kind of felt like I was on The Amazing Race...trying to navigate in a foreign country, all of the signs were in multiple languages, etc...was kinda fun!
Another busy day of meetings on Wednesday and a team dinner that night for the whole team. We went to a buffet type of place that had lots of different cuisines...Japanese, Chinese (which is pretty different than the Chinese we all know), Indian, etc. I tried to be a little adventurous and everything I tried was pretty good! The team dinner ended pretty quickly...it isn't a part of the Muslim culture to have long dinners and enjoy drinks...in fact, they don't even drink at all! Rick had been telling me about a place he wanted me to see and experience, so we headed to Chinatown after the dinner. Oh my, we had fun! Chinatown is basically a long block or two crammed with lots of stalls of Asians selling knock-offs of all sorts of stuff! Definitely the kind of atmosphere where they yell out at you as you walk by to try to get you to come to their stall and they expect you to bargain with them. Rick had told me of some of the good items and some things to steer clear of. Some of his favorites were movies, jewelry/watches, ties, purses/bags, perfumes/colognes, etc and some of the ones to steer clear of were clothes and shoes. I did make several purchases, including some Christmas gifts...we'll see if you all can tell the knock-off gifts from real gifts!! Every once in a while, we would pass a little food spot or alleyway that had some food. There was one that we passed that was the most foul smell I have ever smelled. Rick turned to me and asked if I was hungry, ugh. I couldn't even look, but he said there was a women that was stirring a large pot and it was probably some type of fish soup, where they put the whole fish in. I don't know what it was, but it was disgusting. We had a great time there, although it was so hot and humid, it got a little uncomfortable after a while...
Rick and I just worked at the hotel on Thursday morning and had a nice lunch outside by the pool area. Our hotel was gorgeous and had very nice views. I took some pictures from my room to try to show the surroundings...there are low, pretty mountains in the distance and again, quite a bit of foliage around. KL was nice and it was fun to experience Chinatown...but I don't think I will be rushing to make any vacation plans to head back there any time soon!
Rick and I had a quick flight back to Singapore and then flew overnight back to Sydney. In fact, I was probably close to the end of my overnight flight when most of you were eating your Thanksgiving meals! I certainly did feel worlds away this Thanksgiving, but am very thankful to have had the opportunity to visit 2 new countries in Southeast Asia! And I was also very thankful for Rick...and I know him on a whole different level now...after sitting right next to him on all of the flights except the first one...eating every meal with him for 3 days...working in the hotel together...and walking around Chinatown where one of the stall workers said "Stop and buy your girlfriend a necklace and I guarantee she will kiss you!" We got a good laugh out of that one, ha ha! This was definitely a different Thanksgiving week, but one I will remember forever!
Sounds like an AMAZING trip! Thanks for posting...I have actually been chomping at the bit for an update! Glad things are going well!!
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