One. Word. Where have you been?

[SoupOrMan]

I'd go back to Singapore in a heartbeat. I've only had one bad relationship from there, so theoretically there should still be a few women my age in the city to whom she hasn't complained...

[Steamforger]

I have to confess myself a little surprised at the amount of ex military on this board who haven't been to Cuba.

Well, for one we are a little light on Marines, and Navy is probably in third place behind Army and Air Force.

Second, it only counts if you've actually spent some time in the country; and gitmo technically is not legally part of Cuba.

It's a lease, not a territory. I'm counting it.

[blackeagle603]

Where you been?

Question is, "Did they even notice you were there? Or notice you when you left?"

[Denis]

I'd go back to Singapore in a heartbeat. I've only had one bad relationship from there, so theoretically there should still be a few women my age in the city to whom she hasn't complained...

I dunno, it's not that big a place...

I really like Singapore. All the people I know who have lived there all say they would go back at the drop of a hat. It might be the nicest little dictatorship on the planet (or maybe that's Liechtenstein...).

[SoupOrMan]

I don't consider Singapore a dictatorship so much as Chicago with better varieties of food, fewer illegals, and no snow.

Ah, who am I kidding? Singapore has better turnover in their government than Chicago!

[blackeagle603]

...and it's just a hop, skip and a jump down to Kuta (Bali) for weekend surf. I wonder what came of those pix. Uluwatu baby! I miss having manufacturers in Singapore. I don't miss the boat trips across the straits to work in Indonesia factories in Batam. Blech, the natural beauty of that land juxtaposed against the poverty and oppression... Not as bad a vibe as mainland China though.

My all time favorite business hotel (The Trader near the Botanical Gardens) is there. Not for it's oppulence but for it's quiet and location for walking/running. The WWII museum on Sentosa Island detailing the battle and Japanese captivity at Cheng Mei Prison was time well spent. My first memory of Singapore is riding a liberty boat in to the downtown pier near the Merlion. I was a agog with the qty of shipping at anchor. It never ceases to amaze me. Years later I went from Sentosa on the cable car to the Mt Faber view point. The view of the harbor and city is remarkable. It's like seeing the commercial version of the D-Day fleet. Ships far as the eye can see.

[Rumpshot]

While in Singapore, don't forget to stop by the Raffles Hotel and have a Singapore Sling. Watch out for tigers sneaking around the hotel....

Got a chance to do that in 1985. Also while there got to visit the second Tiger Balm Garden. Visited the one in Hong Kong about 1972. Got pictures, but not the T-shirt.

While visiting Kenya, spent one night (one too many) in Mombasa. But the trip in-country was worth it. Photo safari through two of the most beautiful parks outside the USA. The van pulled into the middle of a pride of lions sleeping. We were backed down by an elephant that challenged our right to be there. We spent the night half way up the slopes of Mt. Kilaminjaro, inside a fenced enclosure that was fenced to keep us in.

[blackeagle603]

yeah man. Connie, Wespac 85. that liberty boat ride was wild when the evening winds came up.

[Lokidude]

Shanghai was interesting, huge city that never went to sleep, but once was pretty much enough for me. On the other hand, Taiwan, particularly Taipei, was great. I'd go back there in a New York minute. Reminded me of Seattle in a lot of ways, with fewer Communists.

[blackeagle603]

I enjoy Taipei more each time I go back. I LOVE Kaoshiung though. Usually start Taiwan trips in Kaoshiung and finish up in Taipei/Taoyuan. The island's mountains and coastline on the trip between makes me want to get lost in Taiwan for an indeterminate stretch of time. It makes the last leg o' trip home easier to fly direct to the states w/out having to do an international transfer at CKS from outlying city.