Iluma: Scenes from a Mall

I walked into this place, looked at the floor, looked up, and said to myself, "holy fuck."

Cell phone pics (click to enlarge, if your eyes can handle it).

Parkview Square, Singapore

As they say, I don't know much about art, but I know what I like. I like art deco, so I like this building, Parkview Square, in Singapore.

Cell phone pic.

Travel Tip: Singapore and Smokes

I meant to mention this yesterday, but... If you're planning to visit Singapore, don't bother trying to bring in any duty-free cigarettes (purchased innocently enough at the international lobby of your point of departure). Yesterday when I went through customs I said that I had nothing to declare. I honestly thought I was telling the truth--I mean, that's what "duty-free" is, right? Wrong. At least in Singapore. They found the smokes that I'd made no effort to conceal. They weren't heavy-handed about it, or anything. In fact everyone was quite friendly about it (I imagine it happens a lot here). Still, I had to pay 70 Singapore dollars duty on a carton of smokes that I'd already paid 2300 yen for. Ouch. "Still cheaper than smoking in Canada." That's what I keep telling myself...

Smokers should also take note that Singapore is about the unfriendliest place I've been to for indulging your habit. It's occurred to me that a couple of whacks across the ass with a cane for illegal smoking might make for an interesting blog post. I'd probably have a hard time explaining it to my family and employers, though...

My Day in Cell Pics: Things Getting Blurry in Singapore

The wet bar is looking good...

My Day in Cell Pics: Walking Around Singapore

A very upscale but somewhat sterile eating/drinking area. Lots of people jogging. There's no mistaking that I'm in Asia, though--Chinese, Malay, Philippine, Indian, Arabic, any face you can imagine, and wearing all manner of clothing. Maybe tomorrow when I hop into a cab and go over to Johor Bahru I'll get a less sanitized version...




I had a burger with fries and a caesar salad at the place below. It was a delicious meal (served with brewed-on-the-premises beer). You can't get a good burger anywhere in Miyazaki, so these rare opportunities must be used wisely...

My Day in Cell Pics: The View from My Hotel Room in Singapore