Round 2, Part 2 (KL, Malaysia and Singapore for the last time).....

I spent Wednesday evening through Saturday morning in Kuala Lupur. Arnold traveled from Manila to join me in KL.

Thursday mid-day, Freddy Lee gathered a large group for a traditional lunch. We drove about 30 minutes to a restaurant called Kedai Minuman Dan Makanan. The primary menu item served there is a pork stew. It was served in hot pots delivered to the tables along with rice. As an added bonus, they provided “innards” which I couldn’t stomach (pun intended.... as it was the stomach). Arnold is seen here enjoying a tasty bite of intestines.... Not for me. It was the perfect ethnic lunch with this group of new friends.

Thursday evening, most of the same group gathered for a dinner at a very nice seafood joint. At this restaurant, we visited the tanks to choose our food. There were many interesting selections, and all were very good.

I particularly liked the Scotland Clams, aka Bamboo Clams. The food and company were fantastic.

Friday was a good day spent in client engagements. After a long day of meetings (ending at 8 PM), Freddy and the group wanted to take me to Karaoke! Justin is the owner of the "STG van" (for you non-IBM'ers... STG is Systems & Technology Group, our business division). We all pile in this vehicle to get to our destinations, both client and fun. Anyway, what a blast!! This is not like any Karaoke I’ve ever done. We had our own room and our own mic’s! It was a great way to let lose after a very long week.

I traveled back to Singapore on Saturday morning. I enjoyed a lovely lunch with Irene. And after that, I went back to the hotel to work (boring).

On Sunday, I worked in the morning, but again the housekeeper kicked me out so she could clean the room. I went to the

Hard Rock Café (around the corner from the hotel... and ya, big surprise – over the 2 months here, I’ve become friends with the staff). This photo captured a nice tribute to MJ. This was where I spent a Saturday afternoon after his passing.Later, I went to the Singapore Art Museum. It was GREAT! It was a very 21^st century art experience, in that there were many digital photography and video exhibits.

I closed out my business on Monday with the group in Singapore. I had a very bitter-sweet day saying goodbye to my friends, all the while knowing I was only a day from going home. I said goodbye and many, many thanks to Irene who took such great care of me while I was here. I also said goodbye to the ladies and gentlemen who received me every morning and evening at my hotel in Singapore. They were so very nice to me. They even gave me a cheesecake Monday night before my final checkout :)

Tuesday was spent working from the hotel room in the AM, having lunch with Lynnette, and finally packing my bags. My plane left Singapore at 10:40. I was so tired before the flight that I fell asleep in the JAL lounge... I set my alarm on my cell phone to wake me 45 minutes before the flight... but I did not wake up. One of the stewards had seen me in the lounge and ran to get me 10 minutes before the plane’s departure. We ran to the gate – and yes, I was THAT ONE that was holding up the flight. With the help of my steward friend, George – I made the flight. I slept the entire way from Singapore to Narita, where I am now writing this blog entry. I am in the lounge here for 9 hours, and then to LA. Almost home.