At a fine pace now

So our last 5 days or so in Koh Samui included more daily Thai massage along with a few other diversions.

Nights eating on the beach and playing cards. Going kayaking, snorkeling, and hiking on amazing islands that look like small mushrooms popping out of the sea surface. Meeting some great people and even going to a "Black Moon" party, basically a rave on the beach with about a 1000 people. Literally dancing until 8:30 in the morning, which had the effect of a profoundly harsh light on the cast of the party. Mopeding around the island, climbing through waterfalls, and more than a couple rides on jet-skis. All in all, one hell of a time on the beach for about 8 days. We returned to Bangkok for shopping in 8 story malls with what felt like 100,000 fellow shoppers. Thankfully, Tannie joined us to guide our way and barter in Thai - gotta love someone who can mid-sentence switch between any of 3 languages. Latter that night we caught up with Pop and Oak for a bit more shopping, lots of laughing, and great "Thai-Indian" food - a surprisingly fantastic fusion.

Finally we were off the next morning to a short flight to Singapore. A beautiful, clean, yet slightly sterile feeling city. Driving around, the city looks like the set from Robocop or any other cheesy, futuristic movie set. Crazy though, to see buildings like this in brick and mortar.

The first night we caught up with a British couple and went to a Seafood Expo, which was less than thrilling. Yet, Whitney and I got up on stage for salsa dancing with the carrot of "prizes". With only 3 contestants, we all won a six-pack of Tiger bear and $50 gift certificates to a seafood restaurant.

The next day was composed of more shopping, high tea at Raffles (150 year old British hotel). It was fantastic sitting where the old British "gentleman" explores used to - in the far east. Had a Singapore sling at the bar where they were invented – still too damn sweet. Last night we made it to the Singapore zoo for a "night safari", which was excellent. Driven around in a tram to see animals under artificial moonlight in pens with no fences. Much more active in the night time, the lions were awe inspiring when they roared. In the fruit bat cage Whitney and I hit the deck when one nearly landed on our heads - we felt the wind from its 3 foot wingspan on our necks! Finally a fantastic Singapore dinner of things in Chinese until 1 am with the Tony, the Singaporean hostel owner and our gift certificates. Later I ran off to tour the city until 3 am with Tony to take pictures of the skyline and enjoy my first late night prata, which I can best describe as an Indian-Muslim tortilla pancake.

Slept in late, packed our bags, and now we await our flight to Auckland (a mere 15 hours of traveling later). Two weeks in SE Asian heat, and soon we'll land in a proper Winter. Damn - I must say that I'm having fun.

I'm starting work - that dreaded word - in 6 days. I will have been traveling for 6 months the day before I start, so I'm bummed to see an end to it - or more likely an extended pause. Nonetheless, the job looks like a blast with great people in a cool city and hey, I'm going to be a freakin' ex-pat after all. So I'm really going from one lifestyle I enjoy and aspire too, to yet another - so I should be slapped if anyone catches me whining.