Blessed on Day 1

Singapore....finally.  I had a long, unexpected delay in HongKong but that just resulted in a shorter wait in Singapore for the sun to come up.  I had opted NOT to get a hotel room for last night in a gamble that I might be delayed.  And so it was.

BUT...then here I am.   Thrilled to be wandering the streets.  I have a hostel in the Indian neighborhood of Singapore.  So my first adventure was along the streets and into a Temple & I was blessed by the "priest".  A wonderful omen for my trip!!

Then I found a great lunch spot in the Indian Food Court -- and had a murtabak (very thin pancake stuffed with fish, onions, and seasonings) and chai iced tea.

But I had a brutal reminder to watch my step -- I took a tumble while I was looking at the street life.  I'm ok and even more importantly, the camera seems to be ok.  That would have been a major "revolting development."

Next up:  a shower, a sleep, and a huge mango for dinner.  Oh yes.

Women leaving the Temple

Some sort of "ritual" appeared to be happening.
I got in line for a blessing (mark on forehead).
Can't hurt!!

Strands of flowers are taken into the Temple

Self Portrait

Lunch!

Singapore Bound!

All packed up and ready to fly.  Well, to sit still and be patient and get to Singapore.

The backpack with a LOAD!

Ready, Set .... Pack

Pack.  How light can I pack up for 3 months?  How much is too much?  How much is not enough?

I opted for a backpack/daypack and a small roller suitcase.

Everything that I REALLY don't want to lose is in the backpack.  And it weighs only....15 pounds.

And the suitcase has everything else and it weighs less than 15 pounds.  And has lots of space.

The backpack has

2 cameras
3 lenses
misc camera gear like filters
1 laptop
1 guide book
1 Nook
1 cross word puzzle book
and enough cables to rewire an entire house.

I guess I have to try lugging all this stuff around and figure out if I like the photography enough to warrant the load.  Once at a guesthouse I will be able to lock up most of the stuff and explore with a lighter load!

The suitcase has

2 changes of clothes
toiletries
jacket
rain poncho
bathing suit

SOOOO....off I go!

Planning....sort of....for 2015

Time to take stock and pencil together a schedule for 2015.  Lots of options -- what should we do when?  Here is the current draft with WINTER a solid commitment.

WINTER --  I wanted to ride an elephant; Alan wanted to ride his bike.    So I will be spending time in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and Malaysia.  Alan will join me for a few weeks to explore Thailand.   He will return to Arizona and base again in Tucson.

Off I go!

SPRING & SUMMER--I will return from Asia and we will wander slowly north.  We did way too much driving last year so plan to scale back and stay on the West Coast this year.

 FALL -- Time to jump on the airplane -- this time for Western Europe.  We are thinking just wandering from Paris to Berlin and then south to Vienna.  I plan to follow the chocolate, cheese, and  tour guidebook.

WINTER -- while it seems a long way off, we figure on basing next winter in Arizona.   

Like all plans....subject to change....so stay tuned!!

Happy New Year!

I think it is going to be a fabulous new year.  Here is my fortune -- courtesy of a Chinese New Year's Eve dinner.  I taped the fortune into my moleskin (blank journal) and hope this sets the tone for 2015.

Well, the traveling part is for sure.
And the fortune?  I hope it is health & calmness & good humor.

I am going to refocus on keeping the blog up and chock-a-block full of pictures.    Join me for the adventures!