TAXI!!!!!

With so many people living on such a small island transportation is a topic of conversation in Singapore.  In my opinion it is really easy to get around in this city, there are buses, subway lines and taxis galore.

Taxis come in all sorts of styles and some are better than others as far as quality of the car goes.  Every taxi is safe and every taxi has a meter so you know how much you have to pay.

  Some taxi drivers own their cars some drive for other owners but they all go through the official Singapore taxi companys so you can be assured that there are regulations and oversight for your driver.  You can also be assured that a taxi is available 24 hours a day every day of the year.

When you want a taxi you usally can just go along the side of the road and wait for one to come twards you that has a green TAXI light on then simply put your arm striaght out and they will stop.

 If there is not a green TAXI light on then the cab is busy or is on call for someone else.

 It is possible to call and book a cab to come and get just you, then the cab may say "ON CALL"  if someone is in the cab already it will say "HIRED" they also can say "BUSY" and I am not really sure what that means but it does mean they will not stop for you, Caleb thinks it means that they are on a break.

Also there are taxi stands all over the place,

at a taxi stand,  you just wait in line and get the next cab that comes and they come and come and come, it is really amazing how many taxis there are on the road. Look at this line of cabs waiting to get you from the taxi stand.

We have only had a problem getting a taxi when it is raining out.  During a down pour it is nicer to take a taxi and get door to door service than it is to take a bus and walk for blocks and blocks.  I noticed a trend in not finding a taxi in the rain so I asked one of our drivers why that is.  He said that when it rains customers dissappear to get out of the rain, they are not standing on the side of the road waiting for him, also the chance of an accident increases in the rain and the taxi drivers are responsible for their cars.  According to my driver when it rains out he and many other taxi drivers come off the road and go to the coffee shops to have some coffee and wait out the rain.  While I see his point it has left us in a delima before.


We are learning that around 4 pm is not a good time to try and get a taxi because it is shift change so unless you are going where they need to change drivers they will not pick you up.

Also there are times when you will wait long for a taxi to come along, one day I was late for a doctors appointment and the cab that came along was like this

yes, a Mercedes, well I took it because I needed to get to my appointment, wow it was nice, they had cold water for me, nice music the airconditioning was perfect the driver opened the door.   I was thinking oh my goodness how much am I going to have to pay for this ride, much to my surprise it was only $3.00 more than other taxi rides we have had, not bad.

The boys and I have decided that IF this cab ever comes along we will definitely take it!!



No Tipping Please

Before moving to Singapore we read a lot of books on the culture and we had an eight hour cultural training course that we went through.  One of the things that is very different here than in the U.S.A. is tipping.

Tipping is not done in Singapore, at all.  It is really strange to just walk out and pay the bill exactly, and not include a tip.  I feel a bit like I am being mean or something.

Having said this I really like the no tipping policy, now some restaurants do include gratuity in your bill so the server is getting a predetermined amount but it is not something that you have to decide on.

At first I wondered if this would affect the kind of service you get, I mean as a former waitress I know that you work for those tips, you make small talk, try to make a connection, fill the water glass, clear the plate check to see if they need anything, push dessert, and drinks because the bigger the bill the bigger the tip.

We find that we actually get very good service over here but they serve you because that is what they are suppose to do, they are not getting a tip but it is in the culture here to want to please those who you are serving.

  It is not uncommon to have a server pull out my chair for me before I sit, and sometimes they even place the napkin on your lap.  They will not bring the bill unless you ask for it but when they bring it they do not just drop it and leave, leaving you sitting there wanting to go, waiting for your server to come back so you can pay.  When they bring you the bill they stand at the table and wait for you to get payment ready, they want you to look over your bill to be sure that all is right.

We have run into some difficulties with this wanting to please nature of the culture especially when it comes to asking directions to somewhere.  Several times now we have gotten directions from a smiling face and they have been totally wrong!  As you can imagine this is very frustrating.   Not because they purposely told us the wrong way but rather because they want to please us so they just tell us something and smile about it.  We love the GPS, it is usually correct, although it does not smile.

So I will admit, I have given a few tips because I can't just not tip them, it seems improper, the tips we have given have been met with much delight and that..... makes tipping a pleasure verses giving someone who is expecting a tip a tip.

Brave Eats!

Singapore is known for its food, the locals will tell you straight out that Singapore has good food and good shopping. 

As a whole our family is not what you would call "adventurous" in our eating, don't get me wrong, we love to eat good food but..... well, there is a lot of really unusual things that one can consume in this country.

Today for lunch we went to the Adam Road Hawker Center, it has become one of our favorites and we noticed that each of us had a new level of adventure going on in  our food choices. 

Let's start with the least adventurous one: Randi she had a new fresh juice blend of beet, apple, and carrot and then some really good and safe lemon chicken.  The juice was pretty good, different but good and very healthy so it will probably be ordered again.

Next we have Scott:  he is usually the more adventurous one in our family today he tried the Fish Ball Noodle Soup , he said it was good and said he thinks his Mom will enjoy it when she comes to visit us next winter.

This brings us to Keegan:

he tried a bite of the Fish Ball Soup and he even tried what Caleb had today...... wait and see.  Keegan has also stated that he prefers chop sticks over fork and spoon eating now, he is getting very good with his chop stick skills!

OK now for Caleb, I must say this boy amazed me today with his choice of.. MUTTON BRAIN SOUP!! We told him that sheep are not known for their brain power but since there is no Ape Brain soup on the menu he went for the mutton.

Yes, that is indeed a piece of brain on his spoon and yes he did eat it, Scott and Keegan also tried it, as I said, Randi is not so brave.  I was so impressed with Caleb and his bravery that I took a video of his first bite of soup, here it is for you to view. 

Don't fear, if you do come to Singapore there really is a lot of good food to eat, and if you are so inclined maybe you too will try some Mutton Brain Soup, or perhaps some Pig Organ Soup a local favorite.

A City Underground

Each time we leave our apartment and go out into the world of Singapore we learn something that makes it easier the next time we have to go somewhere.

Today we had chiropractor appointments with a small break and then the boys had their language lesson.  The language lessons were about ten blocks away from the chiropractor and since it was not raining out we decided to walk instead of taking another bus. 

There is a spot on Orchard Road right by the ION mall that you can not cross the street, the sidewalk is on the other side of a wrought  iron fence.

In the past we have walked down a different road for a couple of blocks crossed the street and then walked back the couple of blocks to end up four blocks later right across the street from where we started, but on the right side of the iron fence.

Today we learned something new!  There is an escalator right on the sidewalk that said "underpass" to the ION, hmmm wonder if you can cross the street under ground.  Why yes, you can.

It gets even better not only were we able to cross the street under ground, out of the sun, and in air conditioning, we were able to walk the other 5 blocks to Ngee Ann City, where our language lessons are, under ground, out of the sun and in the air conditioning!!

There is a whole nother city under ground, many shops, eateries, etc... and down there are really whether it is raining or blazing sun out, walking under ground in Singapore is a good move.

We love learning new things that make our lives easier, but in order to learn these things a risk must be taken.  When we entered that tunnel we had no idea where we were going but we just kept going towards our final destination and..... ta da..... there it was. 

So now next time we have to cross the street by the ION we will for sure just scoot our selves under the roadways and enjoy shelter and air conditioning.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Our family had the distinct privilege of being invited over to the home of one of Scott's co-workers for a Chinese New Year celebration dinner.

Our evening started by going to a nature preserve and hiking into a quarry lake, as always it was beautiful

The park was not far from the home of the Tan Family, they have three lovely children making for a fun hike.

The weather was beautiful, I will admit it is a bit more intimidating when someone suggests a hike in Singapore because it is hot and humid but we are learning to deal with the heat and the Tan Family brought in some drinks for us, staying hydrated is so very important here and a never ending battle.

 We were blessed with a nice breeze and a setting sun.  This is something else you learn, do not hike while the sun is high in the sky.

I think these are dragon fly eggs just waiting to hatch.

And we saw some bananas growing along the trail.

We are used to having flowers grow in the spring and summer in WI and then they are done for six months, but in Singapore they bloom all year long and I never tire of looking at them.

After our hike we headed back to the Tan Family home for a delicious and very expansive meal!  A lot of work went into this meal and we were honored to be included at the table of the Tan family.

While the meal was being put out we enjoyed watching this little one explore her environment.

She is sooooo cute and soooo curious!

The dishes were numerous, we had chicken, beef, pork and mutton, vegetables, rice, bread, tea, dessert, I am sure I am forgetting something, no one left the table hungry and the conversation was delightful too.

After dinner it was time for the adults to enjoy some tea and for some board game playing for the boys.

Ahhh she finally warmed up to Caleb and much to his delight she let him hold her :), lucky boy.

Thank you Tan Family for included The Miles Family in your Chinese New Year Celebration!

Pulau Ubin Island

There are many small islands off the coast of Singapore that are part of Singapore,  Pulau Ubin Island is one of those places.  It is relatively undeveloped and only has a population of 100 people. 

In order to get to the island you must take a Dumboat, it costs a whopping $2.00 and the boats run frequently.

This boat was our boat so we climbed aboard  singing the "Gilligans Island" theme song, ready for our adventure for the day.

It is a short boat ride but very interesting on the way, a quite beautiful too.

We arrived on the island with full sunshine, meaning it was HOT!  We were pleased to find ample shade along our way today.

This island is known for biking, you can rent a bike for cheap, like $4.50 for the whole day and you can ride to various parts of the island

There are literally 100's of bikes for rent, we were pleased that it was not too busy of a day on the island.


Since it is during Chinese New Year it is common to see shrines all around the city, this island was no different.

So off we rode, now you must be careful and not go too fast, Randi was almost taken out by a man riding way too fast, but.... all is well.

Since the island is not developed there is lots of wild life to enjoy, we were really hoping to see something today and were thrilled that this guy wanted to play "peek a boo" with us through the tree branches.

Then he decided to come down to the trail to get a closer look

Our mission today was to ride to the coastal boardwalk trail head and then walk the trail along the coast and into the Mangrove forest. No bikes are allowed on the boardwalk so you basically just park it and go.

 When we arrived at the trail head, we were met by this wild boar who was enjoying some crackers that were laying on the ground, yes.... we kept our distance from him in case he decided to charge but we just had to take his photo

The coastal boardwalk just like everything else in Singapore does come with its list of rules.



The walk is beautiful and right in the water offering a very nice breeze and view.

Then we went into the forest, the trail is a bit more wild as you are walking through rain forest, we were on the lookout for snakes etc... but didn't see any.

The Mangroves are cool and everywhere giving ample space for critters to hideout.

Of course there was lots of cool botany to enjoy it never ceases to amaze us  the beauty we see in creation.

And these palms had a spear type thing that the boys and Scott were really enjoying.

We would recommend a visit to Pulau Island if you get to Singapore, but be sure to bring plenty of water with you and a light snack, the trail is enjoyable and shaded with some benches along the way to stop and eat.

When we got back to the trail head we were very tired and then very disappointed to find out that someone took off with Scott's bike, we went through all the bikes and sure enough his was not there, this left us with three bikes to ride back to town so Scott and Keegan shared a bike and we all walked our bikes at some points along the trail. 

We did not want to deal with them trying to make us pay for this bike!!  We got to the bottom of the trail just before the main town and there along the side of the road was Scott's bike.  Whew!

On our boat ride home we were relieved to see this sign:

but......let's just say it would be a good idea if you know how to swim, well, really the boats are safe and they do have some kind of floatation device on board.

Like always at the end of these adventures some good ole lime juice and hawker food is just perfect before going home to a nice cold shower.

Chinese New Year

Welcome to 2011, The Year Of The Rabbit:

According to the Chinese Zodiac 2011 is The Year Of The Rabbit, the streets are lined with people and red lanterns to scar away the bad

we are seeing rabbits everywhere in the city so we took some pictures for you. 

There are some cute ones

and some not so cute ones

But they really are everywhere, even in the department store dislplays

It is Lunar New Year's Eve today, the city is shut down as people are preparing to have their reunion dinner tonight.

 New Year's Eve is reserved for just family, the husbands side of the family.  They gather from far and near to have a dinner and celebrate the year past and the year to come. 

There are several tradtions that lead up to the New Year.  The house is given a thourogh cleaning to sweep away all that is bad and make room for all the good and luck and fortune that is coming for the New Year.  Many will get a hair cut to symbolize a fresh start. 

New Years Eve is focused on the reunion dinner, foods will include duck, fish, pig, sweets etc... it is a big feast. 

At Midnight fireworks are let off to scar away all the evil spirits and make room for all the good to come in the morning, the new year.

Children are given red packets with money that they are to save so it grows and they prosper, people will dress head to toe in new clothes to signify that they have pelanty for the year to come and red is the color of luck and fortune so red will be worn and black, the color of death will be avoided.

Chinese New Year is actually a 15 day long celebration with each day having tradition and meaning.

So what does it mean to be "The Year Of the Rabbit"?  Besides all of these cute bunnies all over town

There is a focus on abundance, prosperity and luck.

The Rabbit, or Hare as he is referred to in Chinese mythology, is the emblem of longevity and is said to derive his essence from the Moon.

The Rabbit symbolizes graciousness, good manners, sound counsel kindness and sensitivity to beauty. His soft speech and graceful and nimble ways embody all the desirable traits of a successful diplomat or seasoned politician.

Many couples get married so that they can have a baby in the year of the rabbit as it is believed that a person born under this sign will lead a tranquil life, enjoying peace, quiet and a congenial environment. He is reserved and artistic and possesses good judgment. His thoroughness will also make him a good scholar. He will shine in the fields of law, politics and government.

As we usser in the Year Of The Rabbit I will leave you with the verse that our church in Singapore has memorized together.

Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.