Monday - August 2nd

WINSLOW After a post breakfast 2 hour nap, we struck out by taxi to Chinatown. Again we have yet to see any police or private security presence in this utopian town that reportedly has many undercover government agents who keep a zero tolerance policy toward any antisocial behavior. There is a Disney feel to the whole place. As noted so eloquently above, we had an active day of walking tourism and exposure to Hindu temple and way of life. After a unique dinner at the Banana Leaf restaurant, where I shared a Sri Lankan spiced curry crab with Donna, we settled back into the hotel for some National Geographic nature TV viewing, enjoying the local Asian commercials on TV which the kids thought were corny. Allison and Jenna decided they wanted to check out the action outside where five by two blocks of state park along the marina sea wall to the Singapore River had been converted to plywood over the grass huge outdoor carnival with shops selling everything from exotic ethnic foods to electronics to cars. This area is the national celebration park for fireworks and festivities that celebrate National Day- the country now celebrating 39 years of independence. Interestingly, Lee Kuan Yew was the first elected president, a Cambridge educated academic of Chinese descent and once at the helm, he appointed educators, city planners and engineers as his council. As it was 9:30 on a Monday night, it was very quiet and un-crowded. As noted previously, again there we no visible security but the atmosphere was relaxed and family oriented. It was very bonding to be halfway around the globe with my girls just enjoying being and doing things together and remarking how much Mom and will would have enjoyed the experience. She stayed back at the room with Will and they were excited about sharing with them later on the trip.

BananaLeaf2 Originally uploaded by DonnaM123.