July 6 to July 8, 2013 We return to Manilla, Philippines

We landed in Manila on time then took a taxi to Dave and Cal's place in Bonafacio Global City, Manila, Philippines for the last leg of Asia. Went through clothes to dispose and repackage the suitcases.

Drinks at Dave and Cal's, refreshing and delicious

We needed to do some shopping for gifts for our close friends and family back home. We missed our family and wanted to thank our neighbors friends for watching the house. Off to the mall at Green Hills.

Before we head off to the mall we need food. Golden Spoon at San Antonio Plaza, BGC, Manila

Off to breakfast first, Dave and Wayne went here before we left for the Southeast Asia trip.

George Dawkins, Jr., Keith, David Robert Citizen, Wayne, David Caldwell, Cal Smith

Our last dinner together at P.F. Changs in BGC.

George Dawkins, Jr., Keith, David Robert Citizen, Wayne, David Caldwell, Cal Smith

Our last dinner together at P.F. Changs in BGC.

We say good-bye to Southeast Asia and the Philippines on July 8th. Keith has been in Asia since 2012 and Wayne since March 2013.  We now leave for the USA.  We have had some amazing experiences and made life long friends along the journey.  We will see you all again and keep in touch through Facebook or any other online sites.

Wayne & Keith

July 2 to July 6, 2013 Singapore 3 full days with Ashley

Arrived Singapore in an hour, 55. Left in time at 6.30pm took MRT to Ashley's new apartment. Sat down at the restaurant waited for Ashley, she rode by on her bike, surprise! So nice to see her. 

Went to dinner at Mexican restaurant with Ashley and PX.

We are back in Singapore, love the view of the container port from Ashley's condo

It is Wednesday, July 3rd and so nice to be with Ashley in Singapore, she woke us at 7:20. We sat around, then went and looked at the common floor area on 8th floor. We went to Two Blur Guys for lunch. We had some really awesome burgers.  We needed to walk off our lunch so we walked around a little then decided to take a taxi to Gardens By The Bay. Ashley went to yoga while we walked the rest of the south gardens. Then we took MRT to Chinatown and Backstage Bar.  Had a drink and relaxed.

Love the architecture here along Tanjong Pagar Road

The South Garden at Gardens by the Bay is new for us. Marc Quinn's baby reborn in Singapore, within the Gardens by the Bay Park in Singapore.

Marina Bay Sands is always an amazing site to see.

Gardens by the Bay.  The super trees are unique trees of up to 16 storeys in height can be found all around the Gardens - twelve at the Supertree Grove, while the remaining six are placed in clusters of threes at the Golden and Silver Gardens.

Singapore from Bayfront

We had dinner with Ashley and PX at a restaurant in Chinatown. PX ordered fried dumpling, kang kong, Hong Kong style noodle dish. Food was really good. Back to the apartment chatted for a while then we all grabbed some sleep.

Cannot believe it is July 4th, lazy start to the day, hanging out just sitting around chatting and enjoying being with Ashley.  We went to breakfast late, took the MRT to Bedok, but the place was closed after we walked around to find it. We grabbed lunch and then headed back. We went to the mall then Ashley went to meet some colleagues. We agree to meet for dinner at Seafood Paradise for an incredible feast on butter crab, spicy crab, butter rolls, green vegetable and cereal prawns. We continued to walk around and just take in more of Singapore, hopped on public transit to Seafood Paradise.  We could see the building but there was a giant wall in front of us. Finally we made it around to the entrance.  It was so worth the meandering around to meet Ashley and PX.  As described the food was so good, actually out of this world! With full stomachs and happy heart we trek back to the apartment, it is raining again.

Butter crab and spicy crab front and center, looks amazing!

Ashley and PX

Butter crab..come and get it.

Our last day in Singapore, Friday, July 5th and we went to Toast Box for breakfast then headed to URA Museum great place to learn about the City. Really nice exhibit. We met Gaj at a Vietnamese restaurant near The Clift, where Keith, Ashley and Gaj used to live. It was so nice to see Gaj. Ashley went to yoga while we sorted expenses and converted our cash to USD, not all the cash was worth converting or they just did not want it.

Gordon Ramsey at the Singapore Hawker Center

Singapore Hawker Centre – Maxwell Road

URA Museum

Walking around Kadayanallur Street at Ann Siang Road

Ashley took us to the Marina Bay Mall since we decided on pizza for dinner so we went to Mozza for dinner, great to watch them make the pizza with fresh ingredients and mixed fusion of flavors. Had a wonderful time. Amazing to walk into a place where everyone knew Ashley and greeted her with big smiles.  Really nice last night in Singapore together.

Singapore at night from Marina Bay Sands

Sadly, we must say good-bye to Ashley since it is Saturday, July 6th,  we are up early 4:15 am ready to get the taxi to airport. Said our byes to Ashley. Made to the airport and through immigration. Sat at the gate at the half an hour before boarding at 5:45. Our travels through Southeast Asia come to an end as we make our way back to the Philippines to pack and get ready to head to the USA.

We made a decision to cut Southeast Asia short so we could be home to greet our friends from Germany, Michiel and Stefan.  We thought better to not just have them come to the USA and use the house after we have been gone for so long.  We decide come home, open the house and pool and spend 3 weeks with them after 9 weeks touring Southeast Asia.

Thank you Ashley for a great time in Singapore. It was great to spend 3 full days with you.  We love you.

Wayne and Keith (Dad)

July 1 to July 2, 2013 Penang to Georgetown, Malaysia

We arrive in Malaysia on July 1st at 12.27pm off to the border, Keith got us yummy snacks before we left, sticky rice with banana and sticky coconut. Crossed border from Thailand to Malaysia 14.30, took photos at the border. Nice couple from Malaysia gave us advice on how to travel to Georgetown, and gave us money for ferry. They refused to take baht in exchange. We took photos from the van in Bakit Raya. Beautiful rice fields with mountains. We lost an hour crossing in Malaysia 16.19 here and 15.19 in Thailand. 

Crossing Thailand border to Malaysia

Welcome to Malaysia

George Town (also less commonly spelt as Georgetown^[) is the capital of the state of Penang in Malaysia. Named after Britain's King George III, George Town is located on the north-east corner of Penang Island.  The reason for our trip here is because the inner city of George Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Melaka and George Town, historic cities of the Straits of Malacca have developed over 500 years of trading and cultural exchanges between East and West in the Straits of Malacca. The influences of Asia and Europe have endowed the towns with a specific multicultural heritage that is both tangible and intangible. George Town represents the British era from the end of the 18th century. 

Bridge from Butterworth to Georgetown, we are currently on the Butterworth side

View of Georgetown from Butterworth Ferry port

Georgetown Ferry port

Chulia Heritage Hotel is in the core zone in the UNESCO WHO site of Penang

Our room at Chulia Heritage Hotel

Common area with common bathrooms, there were at least 20 separate bathrooms.

We took a walking tour of the City while looking for local place to sit and have dinner.

Love Lane in Georgetown

Sri Mahamariamman Temple, one of the Hindu temples

The Kapitan Keling Mosque is the place of worship of the Indian Muslim community which has lived and worked around the mosque for over 200 years.

Choo Chay Keong Temple, Armenian Street, George Town

Char Koay Teow on Kimberley Street. Malaysian Street food in the heart of UNESCO zone

Preparing some delicious food.

Many hawkers within the building

Quiet night walking the streets of Georgetown.  We leave the hawker center and find a cart with sweets.  A man comes up to us and explains what they are then suggests items for us to purchase and try.  The sweets were like nothing we had ever had before.

We only have part of July 2nd to tour Georgetown. So we take a tour by foot along the water looking for breakfast and cafe.  We checked out, they held our bags for us while we toured the old City before catching the bus for the airport at 15:00.

Italianesque wall artwork on our walk

In the heart of UNESCO Heritage City - Georgetown

Wawasan Open Univeristy  

Woodville is an elegant mansion along Northam Road in George Town, Penang. It was built to resemble a French château for the late Lim Lean Teng. It was designed by Charles Miller of the firm A.R.I.B.A in 1925.

Breakfast being prepared, banana rolled pancakes. This man was so popular people had called in orders and pulled up on motorcycle or by car to pick up bags of his food.

Nagore Square

Sri Mahamariamman Temple located in Little India section of Penang. It is the oldest Hindu temple standing in Penang, Malaysia. It is standing there, the same spot, since 200 years ago. Amazing sculptures of gods and goddess are to be seen in over the main entrance of the temple. Apart from the name of Sri Mahamariamman, it is also known as the Sri Muthu Mariamman Temple and Sri Arulmigu Mahariamman Temple.

Built in 1833, the Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple situated in George Town Penang is the oldest Hindu temple in Malaysia, and features sculptures of gods and goddesses over its main entrance and facade.

St. George's Church, South East Asia's oldest Anglican Church

Old railway car at Muzium Negeri Pulau Pinang  

Cathedral of the Assumption

Monument to James Richardson Logan

The old Town Hall on the Esplanade in Georgetown opened in 1880. 

Inside Fort Cornwallis   

Mee sotong for lunch at hawker center near Fort Cornellis

This was an amazing adventure, 6 countries since we started on May 1, 2013 beginning with the Philippines. Singapore tonight looking forward to this trip to spend time with Ashley before we head home to the USA. So lucky to be able to do this together and share these memories.

Malaysia was a short trip since we changed plans to join our friends coming to the USA on July 11th.  

Wayne & Keith