What day is it?

Greetings Friends and Family.  My apologies to all my non Facebook blog followers for the lack of updates. Work has kept me very busy during the week and my exploration on the weekend leaves me quite exhausted.  Friday I was at the client's office until 7 PM and when they were trying to call us a cab explained that it's difficult to get a cab late Friday afternoons.  "Friday, I thought it was Thursday!"  Literally, I've been lost in a bit of a time wharp since arriving.  The time zone is 12 hours ahead of EST and my brain (circadian rhythm) is still trying to figure out what's going on.  Despite all that, I'm still loving every minute of being here. New clients, new challenges, new experiences are what makes this Buttrill tick.  Someone said I'm a "novelty seeker".  OK, so be it.
Where did I leave off?  So much has happened.  I've booked a weekend trip to stay with Dad's old friends and neighbors from Crisfield, George and Templeton.  So fortunate to have such a vast network I can find friends so far away.  I'm also looking into a trip this weekend to Tioman Island to the northeast of Singapore technically in Malaysia.  It's a bit of a long shot to get all the logistics in order; cab, bus, train to ferry, hotel, etc.  Not sure my stars will align.
Since my last update, I've almost mastered the MRT, walked the circumference of the harbor protected by the Merlion, visited and witnessed some very interesting places of worship.  Thursday night we ate at a restaurant in the financial center on the 33rd floor called Level 33 appropriately enough.  The view was spectacular!  To the right is the Marina Bay Sands, aka the big buildings with the boat on top, and the Merlion and other skyscrapers to the left.
Friday was a long day as mentioned and we (I) were (was) dying to get off the train after a long day and explore Clarke Quay (key), a food and entertainment district located off the Singapore River fed from the harbor and ultimately the South China Sea.  We were able to secure some patio seating and enjoyed the lights and festive atmosphere despite our superiors wanting an "urgent" update about the project.  Please....it's FRIDAY!

Saturday I slept in long and hard till about 10:30, unheard of for me.  Sandra, my travel partner and I had already discussed visiting Little India and Chinatown.  The two somewhat mixed and merged as we found markets and places of worship that catered to both and then some.  Again, the US has nothing on Singapore for being a melting pot.  So many flavors, scents, colors, etc.  The one thing most everyone here has in common is their hair color, which is BLACK.  No Gingers here, not native anyway.

We found a great corner patio setting to sit down for a late lunch/early dinner that had crocodile on the menu plus a few other interesting things.  The last stop was a Hindu temple that I was attracted to by the sound of beating drums - go figure?!?  Got in just as the players were going on break and I had to pay a $3 SNG camera fee to take pictures, so I only got the "horn player" - think snake charmer.
Sunday Sandra wanted to go to Mass at 7 AM and I slept in again and did laundry at $10 SNG a load; that's about $9 US each to wash and dry!  The hotel was happy to advance me $20 SNG worth of coin to take care of business.  Laundry all done, I set off to find the Merlion and get a close up look at the hotel/casino with the boat on top.  Took the train down to Raffles Place and started wandering, and wandering and wandering.  Cindy thinks it's cool I just set off with no real plan, just a sixth sense for adventure.  Boats were sailing, locals were picnic-ing, and Lions were spewing.  The one thing that fell out of the game plan was a stroll through the Sands casino.  They required passports AND, not that it affected me, but they charge the locals S$100 (SNG isn't the proper notation for Singapore dollars) to get into the casino.  Not only was I lacking my passport, I don't like to carry that around, but the line was a mile long.  Pass...
I got to see plenty including the Singapore Flyer, The Esplanade - Theaters on the Bay, The ArtScience Museum, and Gardens by the Bay.  And for those who missed it, the magnificent Marina Bay Sands hotel/casino/shopping "palace"...my words, not theirs.
Peace and Love to all...enjoy!