Greetings Fom Singapore

[Lon]

I am at Changi Airport in Singapore, awaiting a flight to Phuket, Thailand. I love Singapore and this airport in particular, particularly with it's high speed & FREE internet access. Too bad that more cities are not as clean and efficient as Singapore. Had dinner last evening at the "Raffles Hotel" and fully expected that the ghosts of past black and white movies about the Raffles would appear.

[lady cop]

hi LON! have a great time! but the area you are visiting must be devastated, no?

[abbey]

Lucky you.
Have a great trip Lon x

[Peg]

Hi Lon. Have a great time. I have to ask, exactly how do pronounce Phuket? Who else wondered this but was afraid to ask?

[Jika]

Originally Posted by Peg

I have to ask, exactly how do pronounce Phuket? Who else wondered this but was afraid to ask?

It's pronounced: Poo~ket Peg

[Peg]

Thanks Jika!

[Philadelphia Eagle]

Hi there! Your post brings back memories! I used to visit Singapore regularly when I was living in Thailand. Changi Airport is one of the world's best. I used to stay at the Goodwood Park Hotel just off Orchard Road and go to the Raffles for a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar. Hope you don't find Phuket too badly mauled after the tsunami.
Mywife is Thai and we have friends who live in Phuket. Luckily they were not affected by the flooding They have a business there which specializes in property construction and renovation so I expect they'll be very busy over the next few months!

[Lon]

Phuket is fantastic, as is the people and the food. Have done three dives and the water temp is like off the Fla. Keys. Just about all is recovered from the December Tsunami, but the Thai's could sure use more tourists on this side of Phuket Island. Played golf this AM and aboout died from the humidity. Tiger Woods will be at the Blue canyon Golf Club tomorrow, fresh from his Masters win. That club is about 15 minutes from where I am staying. Will visit Phi Phi Island tomorrow and do a dive or two. This ole man is gonna have to slow down as these water currents are wearing me out. Leave for Christchurch this coming Sunday and back to California on the 1st of May.

[lady cop]

Originally Posted by Lon

Have done three dives and the water temp is like off the Fla. Keys. Will visit Phi Phi Island tomorrow and do a dive or two. This ole man is gonna have to slow down as these water currents are wearing me out.

i want to go diving!!!! wahhhh! *sob* hey Lon, what sites have you dived in keys? have you ever been on molasses reef or looe key or the duane and bib? or Christ of the abyss off key largo? very cool.heavy current but beautiful.

[Lon]

Leave Phuket tomorrow for Christchurch and then home to California on the 1st of May. Haven't met one single American in the past 12 days. Lots of Germans,Swedes, Indians, Pakistanis and Asians. Took about 500 digital pics, some of which I will upload when back in Christchurch. Some are taken off shore at Phi Phi Beach where many died. Seems like just about every Thai that I have met has a family member or relative that died in the Tsunami. James Bond Island was every thing it was cracked up to be. Great scenery, if you remember "The Man With the Golden Gun" film. It was interesting to get some feed back from different foreign people re: American Foreign Policy. They were cautious to express their views when they found out I was a Yank, but for the most part, their views are quite negative. They like Americans but despise our foreign policy. Six months has really flown by and frankly, I will be happy to get back to California, particularly now that the rains have stopped and warm weather is back.