One last early morning buffet breakfast in the Lobby Coffee Shop at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok and then it was on the bus to the airport. Today, we were flying to Singapore for the last stop on our tour. P checked us in at the airport and waved us on our way.
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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Imagine being a same sex, gum-chewing couple who desperately need the toilet in a broken elevator. The long hair thing surprised me a little from the 1982 forbidden list. I really love your photo of The Raffles Hotel, what a stunning building it is, inside and out. I stayed at a modest hotel, also on Orchard Road, just a short walk from Raffles. One afternoon I made sure to duck in and, like you, order a Singapore Sling. You certainly had some swanky lodgings, am I right in thinking that The Mandarin is still going?
I like how you pulled that all together Leighton. This was before the age of cell phones, the internet and Google. How could you know what the current list was. The hair thing also surprised me. A few years earlier, I would have had to get a haircut, now I would just have to get some hair. Raffles was a great place to visit for the famous Singapore Gin Sling. We thought it was expensive then (the tour guide paid). What must it be now? The place we stayed is still there and now there are several other Mandarin locations. The two least swanky places we stayed were in Hong Kong and Taipei, but the location was great, so no complaints. Thanks for your comments and for reading. Allan
Singapore was clean for sure, but the gum law was only recent and we could see gum all over sidewalks, so can understand why they needed to do something. Thanks for reading Lyssy. Allan
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Can’t wait to read all about your adventures in Singapore, Allan!
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Glad you are enjoying. I will be doing a similar series on Greece and Europe soon. Thanks for coming along Aiva. Allan
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Imagine being a same sex, gum-chewing couple who desperately need the toilet in a broken elevator. The long hair thing surprised me a little from the 1982 forbidden list. I really love your photo of The Raffles Hotel, what a stunning building it is, inside and out. I stayed at a modest hotel, also on Orchard Road, just a short walk from Raffles. One afternoon I made sure to duck in and, like you, order a Singapore Sling. You certainly had some swanky lodgings, am I right in thinking that The Mandarin is still going?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like how you pulled that all together Leighton. This was before the age of cell phones, the internet and Google. How could you know what the current list was. The hair thing also surprised me. A few years earlier, I would have had to get a haircut, now I would just have to get some hair. Raffles was a great place to visit for the famous Singapore Gin Sling. We thought it was expensive then (the tour guide paid). What must it be now? The place we stayed is still there and now there are several other Mandarin locations. The two least swanky places we stayed were in Hong Kong and Taipei, but the location was great, so no complaints. Thanks for your comments and for reading. Allan
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I’m guessing Singapore was especially clean with all those rules! Sounds like a great first day in Singapore 🙂
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Singapore was clean for sure, but the gum law was only recent and we could see gum all over sidewalks, so can understand why they needed to do something. Thanks for reading Lyssy. Allan
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