Mom Says I’m Running Away

A Week after Day: 338

I am now into my 23rd month of this blog; I have been on the soil of 26 countries (if I shamelessly count 2 layovers in Tokyo and a two hour drive through Canada), I have hiked hundreds of miles and worn out one brand new bike, I have slept in treehouses and national parks, fought off bears, ran out on a check, taken around 40,000 pictures, partied my ass off, learned to ride a motorcycle, and been the victim of three unsuccessful robberies. I’ve been homesick, physically sick, had eye infections and a few cases of the unnamed travelers ass. I have been packed for hours on in in buses, ferries, planes, vans, cars, and just about any other form of transport. I met hordes of new friends, been in the company of a few young ladies, people actually have paid me to blog, I’ve tried an amazing amount of food, found locals all over the world that constantly surprised me, and lived some of my greatest memories. I met a girl and I fell in love.

The last couple of years have changed me and challenged me, while at the same time they clarified who I am and who I want to be. I love photography and travel more than ever, I am inspired every time I walk through the travel aisle at the bookstore or hear a whisper of people talking about where they have been. I am constantly adding to the list of places I must go, and the worst part is I cannot foresee this changing. I am constantly looking for ways to alter and simplify my life to give me the freedom required to continue to travel. Everything I do revolves around it, from which car to drive to what pair of underwear dries the quickest. My constant goal is to be able to keep living life this way.

So, to answer the constant barrage of questions; no I am not quiting blogging or traveling. I do plan to spend the next few months at home working and spending the holidays with my family. I will most likely be out on the road again sometime early next year. So, please, do not fret.

Rob will be back to his normal wandering, I can’t see myself getting back into the “regular” life that is sold by American companies without going crazy.

I just wanted to post a few of my favorites from the last couple of years. My photography is constantly evolving and I wish I knew two years ago what I know now, but I suspect that in two years the same will still apply.

Day: 338

With my eminent early morning departure from this sweaty-hot city-state island, Felicia had only failed to show me one thing classically Singaporean (or at least created by Brits with British gin); the Singapore Sling.

• 4.0 cl (8 parts) Gin
• 2.0 cl (4 parts) Cherry Brandy
• 0.5 cl (1 part) Cointreau
• 0.5 cl (1 part) Brandy
• 1.0 cl (2 parts) Grenadine
• 8.0 cl (16 parts) Pineapple juice
• 3.0 cl (6 parts) Fresh Lemon juice
• 1 dash Bitters

Strong suggestions to all, on your next humid-hot day you to whip up a batch and do not to move for prolonged periods of time. Even better if you can get a hot lady to whisper in your ear while you drink them.

This will be the last of my Singapore posts, and probably one of my last foreign travel posts for the rest of the year. I am off to Southern California early tomorrow to work for a couple of months and rally up some more funds for the cause.

If you have enjoyed my pictures/stories the last couple of years, are fabulously wealthy, or just think I am a charming fellow, don’t be shy and kick me down with a few bucks and I’ll send you a postcard from somewhere.

Day: 337

My apologizes, my photos have been hit or miss this last week; but seeing how the primary purpose of this trip was to see a lady and I wasn’t pushing taking too many as opposed to just hanging out with Felicia. I am still having a good time.  Even if I don’t have my hard drive filled with infinite pictures of Singaporean malls.  I figure you all understand.

Day: 336

The days with Felicia are wonderful, yet the city-state of Singapore is worth about a four day visit. I am on day 10. In this giant city I find myself wandering the same streets again and again.  Fortunately she keeps taking me to all her favorite places to eat and hang out, so it cuts off most of the monotony (and leaves me so full I could die). I am fairly sure when I get home I will avoid the mall altogether for a few months; I really am a horrible consumer.

Day: 335

Rob says he has become so lazy that he doesn’t even want to write his own post.
I suspect it’s the copious amounts of roast pork and chocolate biscuits that he’s been eating — as much as he claims that it’s the heat and humidity that drains him.

Ah well, at least the pictures are still good.

Signed,

Felicia

Day: 334

We ate, then we ate, then we ate more; there really isn’t 12 days worth of stuff to see here, even for a slow tourist like me.

Tonight we were heading to one of the “prime” tourist attractions which keeps visitors here (the average tourist stays three days and spends $400), the Night Safari; basically a zoo that is open at night to watch the animals as they feed and run around in the dimly lit cages.  A relatively cool idea, and Felicias mom had given us some free tickets, so what the hell.

It took about two hours to take in everything that was offered, including the requisite animal show, and Felicia’s (the extreme carnivore) only response was “Animals are dumb…”.

I just smirked and watched the otters.

Day: 333

Felicia is scared of swans…  Some story about one trying to eat her as a child or something.  Of course, I harassed them on her behalf.