Finally, it's Friday and that means it's time for Phuket!

Finally, Friday is here and I am in Phuket, but first some further observations about Singapore.  Singaporeans love their devices!  Whether reading from a tablet, phoning from a “phablet”, playing games or texting, the “Sians” are majorly into their devices.  Not as much for the Malay, or Indo, but the A-sians have their nose stuck, face buried, and head into their devices.  They are engrossed so much so that they barely look up while negotiating the crowds in the train stations.  Tuesday I finally saw evidence of the police force – three times in one day, all in the train stations.  The look somewhat paramilitary in their green uniforms and blue berets, but they do look serious and mean business.  Other observations, light switches go up for off, down for on and the power plugs in the wall also have switches.  The hotel gladly provides tooth brushes and toothpaste, razors and shaving cream, but no clock.  You can text for a taxi if you know your location code, but if it's raining, you need to go to the hospital to find one.  It's just the way it goes...  One other BIG thing, there is NO evidence of homelessness or poverty in any of the areas I've travelled in Singapore.  Is this a utopia???
OK, moving on now.  The drive to the airport was amazing as is most of Singapore so far.  The whole expressway is lined with bougainvilleas and other assorted palms and lush greenery.  The airport itself is super clean, efficient, and modern.  Jetstar, the carrier I chose for the hop to Phuket, did me wrong with their over 10 kg combined weight for my two carry ons; a duffle and my backpack with laptop.  At first I thought everything was going smoothly, then just as I was about to enter security, some little Jetstar rent-a-cop comes walking my way with a purpose and said she needed to weigh my bags again...huh?  We already did that!  The big difference this time, was that the agent at the check in counter "didn't see" my backpack. Long story short, I had to fork over S$60 to gate check my bag.  So, it's not too heavy to go on the plane, it's just too heavy to go in the cabin.  They were afraid it was unwieldy in the overhead bin and could hurt someone. Ugh!  Also forgot my exit paperwork and the Delta shared lounge refused me entry because I wasn't flying Delta.  The last negative thing I'm going to say is they charged me S$4 each for coffee and water.  Double Ugh!!!
OK, done my bitching, on to Phuket...  Flight was smooth and short, immigration didn't take too long, found an ATM and taxi service for the ride to the southern tip of Phuket where my Dad's friends Templeton and George live.  George is mid-50s and retired.  Templeton is a designer and they both live just a hair off the beaten path in their own little Shangri-La resort.  I met the menagerie, had a swim, then off to a beachside Thai restaurant for some awesome green curry under a full moon.  Not a bad start!