One Year Ago Today

One year ago today (July 12) we landed in Singapore.  We'd filled up every inch of a Suburban and headed down the road for Dulles Airport.  Twenty-something hours later we made it: luggage, backpacks, car seats, sanity, and all.  What an exciting journey it has been!

Unfortunately there was not much fanfare or celebration at our house to mark the anniversary.  We spoke with Jeremy in Kuala Lumpur on Skype.  Allison had a babysitting job.  Sarah got off an insurance claim and sorted through bins of clothes for growing kids.  We did have McDonald's for dinner and hung out on the couch eating popcorn and watching the movie "Rio." 

Life has returned back to normal since...yes, some parts took nearly a year!

For those who want to reminisce:
http://thedastrupdish.blogspot.sg/2012/07/flight.html

Diego Garcia

Diego Garcia is that elusive place that people in the military, or in Jeremy's work, want to go to...just for the experience and to say that they've been.  Jeremy has now been twice.  We will not publicize the unfortunate, negative reasons why.  However, the rest the time on trips can be very positive.

Diego Garcia is a tropical, foot-print shaped coral atoll located south of the equator in the central Indian Ocean (between Africa, India, and Australia).  Nearby are the Seychelles and Maldives.  It is part of the British Indian Ocean Territory.  The United States operates a large support facility, ship and submarine base, air base, and communications and tracking facility.  It is about 67 square miles.  There are no commercial flights in or out.  However, it was one place where the runway was designed to be able to land the Space Shuttle.  This is a fun article to read about "tourism" here:
http://www.gwins.com/gig/articles/ISLANDS_OF_NO_RETURN.htm

If you have ever seen Transformers 2, there is a brief scene here.  That is the closest most people will ever get to seeing it.  Jeremy describes it as "paradise untouched."  There are about 2,000 military and contractors on it.  Places to eat:  the military chow hall and 5-6 restaurants run by the military (none of them chain food places).  Places to sleep:  military lodging similar to a nice hotel room.

This is a road that goes around the island.  Most people, even on the atoll, are not allowed on it.  Jeremy got to go drive on it to the other side of the island, which is uninhabited:

Donkey's are native to the island.  They were brought there hundreds of years ago and run wild:

Old coconut plantation.  Uninhabited, on the other side of the island that Jeremy mentioned earlier:

WWII British aircraft that was wrecked on the island during a hurricane:

Beach photos:

Pristine beach area that Jeremy got to swim in, including a bay area where they saw marine life:

More beach pictures:

Rough work trip!  All Sarah got (and ever will) were copies of the pictures and a t-shirt...

Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu is the capitol of the state of Sabah, located in East Malaysia.  It is on the northeast coast of Borneo.  Mount Kinabalu (the world's 20th most prominent mountain) is located here.  We refer to it as "KK" and Jeremy goes here a lot for work (meaning we've lost count of how many times).  Of all the places he goes, it the one he enjoys the most. The flight from Singapore to KK is 4-1/2 hours.  Jeremy usually stays at the Hyatt, and on occasion at the Meridian.

Different beach views from a local golf course:

Jeremy frequently eats at this restaurant at The Magellan:

The Navy visits this orphanage on occasion when they come in for port visits.  Most of the children are handicapped:

There are many great restaurants:  Indian, Irish Pub food, pizza, Italian, and satay.  It is not too expensive.  The area is known for eco-tourism.  Other than climbing the mountain, you could go Class 5 white-water rafting.  It is the only place in the world where you can go visit the orangutan and the probiscus monkey in its natural habitat/the wild.  Sometimes he gets an hour-long back or foot massage for US$20.  He keeps a list of the best places to eat in a file!

Here are some of his recommendations:

Hotels:
--Hyatt (good basic 4 star hotel.  Was undergoing some renovation in lobby but don't know if it is completed yet.  In town, but on the edge so you can walk to a lot of places still...this is where I stay while working)
--Le Meridian (good basic 4 star hotel with really good breakfast buffet.  Best location in town as you can walk most places and right across street from waterfront and great restaurants)
--The Magellan Sutera (5 Star with a golf course)
--Sutera Harbor Resort (5 star with golf course)
--Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa (5 star) ( there are two Shangri-La's in KK so make sure you pick this specific one that is close to town and not the other one out of town) (What can I say...it is a Shangri-la)

There are 2 or 3 fantastic resort hotels on Gaya Island across the bay from KK.  And I mean fantastic, but you will pay for it:
Bunga Raya Resort (isolated, quiet, phenomenal...movie stars have been known to stay here when they want to get away.  Nicest resort I have ever seen and no way I could afford it)
Gaya Island Resort (never been, but hear it is great)
Gayana Resort (Great.  Huts on the water.  Turtle and fish preserve

KK Tour Company:

Excellence Eco-Tours
Ling Ling, Vun (director of business Development)
Cell: +60 17-818 6121
Work: +60 12 833 7086
Excellence_tour@hotmail.com
uaelingling@hotmail.com

Mention Jeremy's name with his work name and that he recommended her company.  She will probably give you the name and contact info for someone working under her to take care of all the details of any potential reservations.  Company can coordinate tours, excursions, etc.

Restaurants (some, not all that he likes--which he also has on a map and slide, ask us to e-mail it to you):

• Thai Restaurant (Bulatan Perkasa— traffic circle of Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens and Jalan Haji Saman) (good Thai food.  Good prices.  Nice spot)
• Little Italy (good pizza, have not tried other dishes yet.  Good prices.)
• Bella (nice ambiance, good food.  Good prices)
• Burger King (if you need a taste of home)
• Bombers Burgers (OK burgers.  Worth trying.  Good reviews.  Good prices)
• Kohinoor North Indian Restaurant (Next to the “BED” club.  Best Indian I have ever had, and I eat a lot of Indian.  Make sure you get the Naan or Cheese Naan and the chicken tikka kabab.  Eat outside on water.  (Good prices)
• Outdoor Satay Grill (On outside deck between Shamrock’s and Kohinoor.  Great steak and chicken satay.  (Great prices)
• Irish Shamrock’s Bar and Restaurant (best fish and chips I have had, other dishes good too.  Eat on water.  Good prices.  Next to Kohinoor Indian rest.)
• KK Times Square is a covered, open air square with multiple clubs, bars, and eating places.  It is a little isolated and relaxing.  A great place to chill out and have a drink/meal.  You must use a taxi/vehicle to get there as there is no room for pedestrian traffic crossing the bridge.
• KK Times Square = Multiple clubs, small bars, and restaurants.  Some of the bars are “higher” class, but not much more money.  Vino Vino is a great Italian restaurant with fantastic atmosphere.

Fourth of July

A little bit different with a little slice of home.  We (those Americans of us here in Singapore) celebrated the Fourth of July on Saturday, June 29.  That's a little different.  I think that they try to be conscientious of our Singapore hosts (whose flag that is in the picture below being pulled by a helicopter over the event).  Late afternoon and nighttime festivities were held at the Singapore American School.  They used to be held up at the Sembawang Naval Base, but parking can be a challenge up there.  Our family came up for some of the games, returned home nearby for dinner, and then went back up for the fireworks.

Jeremy had the actual Fourth of July off.  Our other American friends who work for companies and corporations do not get it.  I spent the morning getting Allison a check-up and vaccine, and cashing in a few of her gift cards.  We spent the afternoon and evening having a new family in the office over for a BBQ...a little bit of home.