A Traditional Chinese Breakfast, Dim Sum

No matter what country or time zone, everyone starts their day a certain way. There was no better way to kick off our first weekend together than with a traditional Chinese breakfast, dim sum.

Matt demonstrating a traditional breakfast activity.

Shrimp Dumplings

Spareribs

More dumplings

Scallop Dumplings

We like trying new things, and that's no exception while we're traveling. The Mutton with Fried Garlic was the best dish of the whole meal. The mutton was very tender and did not taste gamey.

Mutton with Fried Garlic

Fish

Shrimp Steamed Rice Roll

Pork Dumplings

Jade Palace Seafood Restaurant: 583 Orchard Road, B1-13, Forum the Shopping Mall

Din Tai Fung, Singapore

Don't expect to find good deals on cars or clothes in Singapore. On the other hand, food seemed to be pretty reasonable and quite easily accessible. We made a reservation at Din Tai Fung. Din Tai Fung first opened a branch in Los Angeles and now has multiple locations throughout Asia. They are known for their Shanghai steamed dumplings, also known as xiaolongbao or soup dumplings. We didn't order tea, but they served it to us and then charged us for it.

Din Tai Fung's place setting. Slivered ginger spotted at 12:30 and tea at 1:00.

Shrimp on top of the pork soup dumpling.

The shrimp was a bit over done; so un-Chinese of them.

Din Tai Fung: 435 Orchard Road, #02-48/53 Wisma Atria

Singapore = Humid-a-pore

Singapore's Merlion greeted me upon my arrival. Created by the Singapore Tourism Board, it embodies Singapore's ancient fishing town name, sea-town, and Singapore's new name, "lion city."

After 27 hours of travel, I exited the plane and was enveloped by the city's nearly unbearable humidity. I knew from that moment, I would need to shuffle from one air conditioned building to another in order not to melt into a puddle of sweat. To reacclimate my body with the tropical weather, I walked very slowly.

On my first day, I walked very slowly to several shopping malls. Unfortunately, the Christmas decorations lining the street did not make the heat feel any less hot.

A shopper can easily find three of more identical fashion houses within one or two blocks from one another.

For lunch, I wandered down to ION Orchard Shopping Centre's food court.

Food courts are popular in Singapore. They had over 25 different stalls to pick from in ION Orchard. I choose Fried Kway Teow. It is a popular dish in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, consisting of flat rice noodles, crispy roasted pork and squid or oysters.

Fried or Chow Kway Teow. S$4.50 = $3.25US.

Fatty Weng Fried Oyster: ION Orchard Turn, #B4-04M, Singapore

For a later snack, I picked up a popcorn chicken pastry. The bread was very soft, very much like the texture of a fresh loaf of white bread. The popcorn chicken was not very crispy and the orange drizzle turned out to be cheese. It made for the unique flavor combination, but dare I say, too much for one bite.

Popcorn Chicken

Bread Society: ION Orchard Turn, #B2-19, Singapore

My early morning arrival would not be complete without the mention of Matt. He picked me up outside of Customs with open arms and a bunch of fresh flowers. For our stay in Singapore, we were housed at the Orchard Hotel. We recommend their Signature Club Deluxe with access to their Executive Club.

Briefly, he got stuck in the bathroom door.

Heading Overseas

The day has finally arrived. I am on my way to join Matt in Singapore.

On my way down the Western seaboard, I spotted something gold off the California coast. It must be the sun reflecting off the sand. I took a photo, but deleted it accidentally while I was experimenting with the new camera. Ops. On the flight, I sat next to a gorgeous woman, who I bet was once a man. The beautiful woman had a very narrow face, but soft features and voice. I couldn't help be blinded by her black crystal encrusted watch and the 3+ carat diamond engagement ring, completely pavéd, on her slightly less than feminine hands.

SFO is not your typical international terminal. It is lined with stores like Burberry, Gucci, Coach, Mango and Swarovski. I had roast beef sandwich on sour dough bread for lunch. Photo lost. There, I saw a Buddhist monk.

On the flight from San Francisco to Tokyo, United Airlines served Chicken Teriyaki on white rice with peas and carrots. Surprisingly, this did not taste off putting, as many years of Lean Cuisine has prepared my palate for airplane food. Again, this photo was tragically lost during the camera experiment. Business class was served something with curry. The smell is distinct.

Flying over the Pacific Ocean.

Thirty minutes upon arrival to Tokyo's International Airport, I spotted a mountain peak popped through the clouds. Must be Mount Fiji.

During my three and a half hour layover in Tokyo, I wanted to purchase a bottled water from a vending machine, but most credit card companies in the States have opted out of adapting to the Smart Card. The vending machine does not have a magnetic strip reader. I am thirsty, because credit card companies in the States want us to live in the past.

Waiting for my flight to Singapore.

I wandered into an Origami store:

I passed a designated smoking area.

Smoking area.

I don't smoke, so I went in the opposite direction.

An oxygen bar.

The oxygen nozzle. I didn't have to stick it in my nostrils.

A refreshing combination of spearmint and pear.

I experienced both physical and mental effects. I felt refreshed and energized after laying back and putting my feet up, but I felt that I should feel that way because I paid for it. The salesperson was nice and offered to take a photo of me. I declined.

After my allotted time, the salesperson handed me this note.

I immediately accepted.

I had some obligatory maki roll before boarding for my my final flight leg to Singapore.

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3

Javier and I went to the International Rose Test Garden. Here's a glimpse.

We got a new camera today. This is our test subject. For the cat readers, Brunswick's in the back.

Banana-ana-ana-ana-ana

I am delighted to report that gigantic bananas are now available in select stores. Due to modern science and genetic modifications, farmers are now growing these topical fruits to over 2.5 feet long. Lift with the legs people! These babies each weigh in over 20 pounds.

I am less ecstatic to report that the said banana urinated on the grass today. Much can be said for modern science nowadays.

Earrrrthquakkkkke

Last night Matt wrote, "It might be my imagination, but I think this building is swaying around. The windows started creaking. Maybe that was an earthquake. I'm sure I'll hear about it. People do not look too alarmed down on the street." Several minutes later he emailed, "There was a 7.9 earthquake off of Sumatra, about 250 miles from here. That is what I felt. Cool! I heard that some highrises were evacuated in Singapore. Not mine, though. Still standing."

A 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia on Wednesday, revising the preliminary reported 7.9 measurement.