Thoroughly enjoyed my last days in Singapore. Went to the Singapore Turf Club on Friday night, thanks to an invitation from the Fairmont Hotel, where I stayed. Actually, they invited Mike, who's on their board, and he brought Paula and me. Had a great time. It was "Canadian Night," for some reason and it happens that a lot of the principals at the Fairmont are Canadians. We enjoyed a buffet dinner and all drinks we wanted (I had both beer and wine). You didn't have to go outside to view the races, as there's a overhang behind glass with easy chairs and drink holders. There's also a huge televised race view. We all bet a bit and Mike and Paula won--not much, however. I lost fifteen bucks, but didn't care in the least--it was such fun. After, the president of the club took us down to see the horses as they walked for viewing, then to drink champagne with one of the winning owners.
The next day--my last in Asia--I partially packed in the morning, went out for a bit, then the whole entourage came over to the Fairmont. Although it rained on and off, Mike and the kids went in the pool. We then had them eat dinner there--at The Alligator Pear, which is next to the pool--after which, Vicky took them home. Mike, Paula, and I then went up to dinner at a wonderful Chinese restaurant that is located right on the third floor--I never knew it was there. I wanted duck and we had that for appetizer, along with noodles, a wonderful soup, and other delicacies.
At Mike's suggestion, I settled up the bill--much less than I thought it would be for such a long stay at this wonderful hotel--and he and Paula left.
Got up at 5:00, Mike came an hour later to take me to the airport, plane left for Tokyo at 8, had a layover, then boarded Continental, which landed at Newark at 4:30 pm. Was picked up, stayed over up north after a good chicken dinner, and driven home; was in before 8:00. Have unpacked all, assembled some stuff, am continuing washing clothes, called Betty, and generally getting back to normal.
Much as I loved the luxury of Singapore, I enjoyed as much the more Spartan lifestyle of Tokyo. As for Vietnam, it was fascinating for a variety of reasons. The whole trip was the experience of a lifetime. Wish I could have stayed a month--oh, that's right, I did stay a month. Wish I could have stayed two months.

Went back to the National Museum in the morning and enjoyed what I saw--I'm afraid I maligned it unjustly, as this part was better: old photos, different foods of Singapore, etc., which I enjoyed.
Later, went on a riverboat cruise yesterday, along with Mike, Vivian, Violet, and nanny Grace. It rained quite a bit, but we didn't mind. It was great fun going down the Singapore River for 45 minutes. After, went back to Mike's, hung out, had dinner, then to hotel.
Today, went with Mike and Paula to Vivian's school, for a "student led" conference. Well, maybe "conference" should be in quote marks, too. We met the teachers, but essentially, just chatted with them. Vivian showed us around, then showed us her papers and so on. According to her parents, they have little inaction with the teachers when it comes to Vivian's progress.
After, I took Vivian to the library while Mike cleaned up some work at home. He and Vicky then picked Violet up at school and we met at the restaurant downstairs from my hotel. Surprise: Paula happened to be there at a meeting, so she joined us. Violet, however, was tired and cranky, and kicked up a fuss. Mike banished her home and Vicky went with her. I had a lovely linguine with clam sauce lunch and a nice time.
Mike and Vivian went home and I'll go back to the hotel for a rest and to get showered and changed--going to the races tonight!

Note: I finally realized I've been mispelling the name of my hotel: It's "Fairmont," not "Fairmount).
Spent the early part of the day at the National Museum, not far from here. It's okay, but kind of oddly laid out, not easy to negotiate, and dimmer than I like. It's not as mediocre as the Art Museum here, but close.
Took a cab to Mike's about 3:30. He was home and I hung out, enjoyed seeing Vivian interact with two friends she had over, and Violet being her usual spirited self. Paula got home about 7 pm. She had been in Bejuing for 24 hours and regaled us with an account of her presentation to the hotel person (successsful) and the dinner and obligatory "Mai Tai" drinking and big, fat cigar smoking after. (She had some of the former, but not the latter, at least.)
Mike showed me pictures of Nanny Vicky's farm in the Philippines. I was amazed; she has mango, pineapple, and other fruit trees, a herd (?) of ducks, water buffalo, goats, chickens, rice paddies, and a host of other farmy things, as well as a husband. He lives on, and runs the farm. They have a house there, too, which he's building in part or in whole; it's in cement, which makes sense in a tropical country. It's a work in progress, but will be very nice when finished. Vicky commissioned the carving of two wooden doors that are beautiful. One has a peacock on it, the other an eagle, along with Vicky's first and last ("Ibe") name. She has several people working for her and what's more, owns two other farms.
We had a great dinner, thanks to Vicky excellent cooking--fish in onion sauce, salad, rice, greens, and others sides--and had a little farewell party for Nanny Grace, who is moving to Denmark. Mike and I went to the mall to buy a cake and we all enjoyed it.
Speaking of leaving, well, somebody else is leaving somewhere and going to another company and another country--who could that be?

Arrived back in Singapore the night before last (Monday, here)to be greeted at the Fairmount drive-up by the director of sales and two of her assistants, all of whom accompanied me to my room. When we opened the door, there was a young woman in a silken gown in the foyer, holding a silver tray with a glass of pineapple juice and a cool cloth. Both were refreshing after the trip from Vietnam. This is the kind of wonderful surprises the Fairmont has treated me to since I got here.
Yesterday, Mike worked, so I hopped on a "hop-on"--a sight-seeing bus. Got off at various stops, including the botanic gardens, the riverfront, Chinatown, and Orchard Road. Had lunch at the latter, then hopped back to the hotel. Took a shower, dressed, then Mike came in and we went upstairs to the wine and appetizer Hospitality Room. I just made that dinner, enjoying pasta, delicate little ham slices, rice, and fruit, along with white wine. I was surprised that the staff didn't challenge Mike; in fact, they greeted him enthusiastically, as if they knew him. While we were eating, Mike was greeted by two men, the general manager of the hotel and another executive. Mike introduced me and they chatted. I found out that Mike sits on the hotel's board of advisers--hmm, guess that's why I'm paying about half the going rate for my fabulous accommodations.
After our delicious--and gratuitous--meal, I asked Mike if we could go across the street to the Long Bar at the historic Raffles Hotel to have a Singapore Sling. This has been a lifelong ambition of mine. (Well, it's been an ambition since I started reading up on Singapore the first time I was here about eight years ago.) Anyway, we went and sat in the Long Bar, which was crowded and noisy with other sucker tourists. I paid close to thirty bucks for a Singapore Sling and the privilege of throwing peanut shells on the floor. Mike doesn't drink and just had water, but sipped a bit of my Sling and said it tasted like cough syrup.
But so what? I saw Somerset Maugham and Noel Coward as they hoisted a few at the next table; Graham Greene strolled in to join them, and I was in the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel in the Orient drinking a Singapore Sling.

Arrived in Saigon (Ho Chi Mihn City) on Friday and will return to Singapore tomorrow (Monday). Having a wonderful time--Vietnam is so different from Singapore and Tokyo. Went today to the Chu Chi(?) tunnels, where the Viet Cong hid out for so long. They cover an incredible 150 miles underground and show such ingenuity and skill, it's no wonder the Vietnamese prevailed. Yesterday, we went to what used to be call "The War Crimes Museum," but now has a less combative name. It's sobering to see the death and destruction that humans inflicted on other humans, including carpet bombing and agent orange.
Also today, went to several old, old Chinese temples, but also have been enjoying great Vietnanes food at wonderful restaurants.
Very crowded streets; for every car, there are probably 500 motor bikes and crossing the street is worth your life. But it's so much fun here and so interesting to be in a Communist country, albeit with very friendly people. They're poor, though, and just starting to come up in the world.

Mike went to Hong Kong today for a meeting, as he does frequently (four-hour flight there, four hours back), so I was on my own. Had an enjoyable day exploring various places. Went to the Singapore National Library, a large building with all the latest in library amenities. Am now in an Internet place where you pay to dollars (Singaporean) for a half-hour on the computer. There's a free one at the hotel, but for some reason, it won't let me sign into this blog--I did yesterday's entry at Mike's.
Speaking of yesterday, nanny Vickie, assisted by nanny Grace, made a wonderful dinner of chicken cordon blu (dunno how to spell it) last night, accompanied with rice, a big salad, other sides, and wine. 'Twas delish.
And, okay, speaking of wine, I just came from the Fairmount's every-evening wine and appetizer spread on the 23rd floor. I just made the appetizers--pasta, ham, little rice squares, plus chocolate fondue and other desserts my dinner--heavenly!
Tomorrow, Mike, Paula, and I have lunch reservations for a fancy restaurant down by the waterfront. Also tomorrow (evening), Vivian will join me at the hotel for a sleepover--what fun! Then we all live for Vietnam on Friday.
Note: I really like Asia. It still seems a mysterious and somehow hidden part of the world. Singapore's first language is English, which makes it easier to get around in than Japan and, of course, I'm being greeted everywhere by smiling, courteous people. But what are they thinking?

After a seven-and-a-half flight on the wonderfullest airline ever--Singapore Air--arrived in Singapore on Sunday evening. Have spent some great time here, especially with my two darling granddaughters. Today, went with Mike and Paula to take little Violet for her first day of pre-school. She wasn't what you'd call enthusiastic about it. Saw Vivian off on her school bus, then Mike and I had a sumptuous breakfast at my hotel. After that, he took me to the waterfront, where we enjoyed the scenery; he had to go to work at noon. No problem, as Singapore is very easy to navigate on foot. Went to the famous Raffles Hotel complex, right across the street from the Fairmount, where I'm staying. Saw their museum and walked in the hallowed footsteps--I told myself--of Somerset Maugham and Noel Coward, who used to hang out here.
After, had lunch at The Alligator Pear next to the pool. A club sandwich and glass of Tiger beer was--gulp!--$37 dollars. Freshened up a bit, then walked to the Singapore National Library; very large and lots of dedicated readers there.
Got a cab to Mike's, where I am now, and offered my condolences on the death of Musha. The little warrior (her name means that in Japanese) was 17 years old. They found her in Savannah, on a bridge, in the rain and she lived with them in Savannah, San Francisco, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Rest in peace, Kitty.