Tempusfugitive.com Personal Blog

All the best laid plans blown apart and a nice meal to heal the wounds...

So as almost all my blogs entries start of, let me just say SORRY. This one is a real BIG SORRY. I had such big plans for this trip. This trip was already packed with a lot of emotion for me. For those who don't know, I decided to take off some time to travel a few years back. This was supposed to only have been for a few months. Now MANY years later, I have decided I MUST return back to a day to day challenge beyond the call of travel and odd projects from time to time. Great timing, might I add. When I started these travels, my timing was amazing almost down to the day of the dot.com crash. But now that I have decided to do something full-time, I've chosen the year of the global meltdown. At least it starts with President Obama, so who knows maybe my knack for timing isn't totally off yet. Any start that leads off with George Bush leaving can't be all bad.

So in this Pre-Christmas trip to Singapore and Japan, I wanted to shower you with day to day updates filled with pictures, thoughts about all I have seen and done, as well as catch up with all my friends doing all theses things we keep pushing off. AND drum-roll please... Zip, Nada, Nothing.  Nothing pretty much went to plan. Now of course I did have a great time with my friends, but most nights, we rarely got beyond the hotel. The reasons are plenty but excuses few and the vast majority of the blame mine.

But I will leave more about this for posts to come. I will still do my recap of all my travels. I promised myself I would write all my thoughts about this amazing chance down before they fade into the background hum of normal life. What I can tell you is my trip was somewhat Groundhog Day, the film.The funny part is I'm still very much in the loop. So as I told one of my travel friends, I have no doubt there is a do-over ahead before there is some closure.

Before you wipe your deep tears of sadness aside for me (sure!) let me say this trip did include some really great simple moments. One thing that come easy to mind is catching up with all of my hotel friends.   Because I have sometime stayed as long as four to five weeks a visit, the hotel becomes like a second home and many of the staff have become good friends. If you notice from the picture of my home away from home in Singapore there appears to be something at the top. In a classic blunder this was meant to be a rotating restaurant, but when they built it, they forgot to have a place for a kitchen. Would love to have been there for that discovery. So the kitchen had to be put into the gear shaft, making it one of the smallest and weirdest kitchens I have seen.You have to take a hydraulic elevator between the two tiny kitchens. If I was a chef there, I would go postal after about a day. This also meant the restaurant doesn't spin, which is probably just as well. One of the universal truths of travel I learned is nothing good comes from places that spin.

I also spent a great deal of time in the gym. This is a must do not only to stay in shape but to allow for some really killer meals. Just one Julien meal and it's at least 2 days of 3 plus hour workouts to undo the damage. So this photo is from the Willy Wonka elevators looking down onto the pool and gym. Is it just me that thinks the pool look like a Super Mario mushroom? The gym actually sucks in the hotel. It must have been designed by the guy who planned the rotating restaurant. But my trainer has taught me how to make the best of any gym now. Here's a shot from pool level. Normally I love to swim to keep in shape, but not in this mushroom pool. If you notice how shiny it looks from above. This is because it has a polished bottom. The result is a Jame's Bond villain like device. Think of the laser scene from Goldfinger. I swam for only 15 minutes when I realized there were small red potatoes and corn floating around me as I cooked. So only night swimming is safe. Not good as early mornings are for sleeping and nights are for good meals and cocktails.

Speaking of a good cocktail after a hard workout brings me to one of the nice moments of the trip. My friend Maria joined me several times to workout in the gym. It's been a while since I have had someone else to workout with aside from my personal trainer. It does help pass the time quicker and give you extra motivation. I was quite proud of her one day, when she ended up doing the full three hour workout with me including weights, cardio, and abs. We were motivated to stick to the workout by the giant sheets of rain water falling for hours on end. We would have been drenched trying to return to the hotel. This rain diet may catch on. Maria was less happy that night when her legs deciding to go home several hours sooner than her, but after a few painful days she forgave me.

So during our last workout before leaving the weather was so perfect, but we were good and did our time in the gym. On the way out we took the time to sit at the pool. The weather was the most amazing I have seen in Singapore. There wasn't a cloud in the sky and yet there was an almost cool breeze. I have this concept of the perfect moment, where the universe aligns all the elements to give you a rare moment of perfection. These moments are so special and subtle they can often be missed, luckily this one wasn't. Most people reward their workouts with a hydrating energy drink. When at home, I'm the same, but as I'm traveling I'm going for the Olympic plan. As you can see, a couple of glasses of Veuve Cliquot beats the Gatorade any day. Remember the crazy diet Michael Phelps was on, I'm pretty sure he does the same when in hard training.  

So all this working out ensured that several great meals could be enjoyed. I already had told you about one of my meals at Julien Bompard at Ascott Raffles Place. But during that meal I wasn't able to take pictures. On this second meal, I made sure I could share the dishes with you. My dinner companions for this meal was my friend Byron, who was a bit grumpy this trip, but being this way is his muse. The other companion was the aptly named Pink Lady. She's the polar opposite of grumpy. As an ex-pat living in Singapore who works around the world on opening spas and other efforts, she endless interesting and rather pink in color and personality. As we were sitting at the Chef's counter, Chef Julien was part of the dining party too. Finally we have Chef Jason & crew working hard right behind him, perfect.

Below is the menu from that day. You can click on any pic to enlarge. Enjoy and be jealous.

December 15 2008 - Chef's Degustation Ala-minute Menu

Amuse Bouche- Bruchetta of tomato & Eberico Ham served with Champagne Devaux Cuvee Brut

Lobster Salad with sweet corn sauce & Gazpacho Sorbet

 Traditional Lobster Bisque with Croutons and Aioli

Tapas- served with Chateau la Nerthe 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape, France

 Langoustine with Cider Sauce

Risotto with squid ink and crab meat

Frog Leg with green pepper sauce

 Artichoke with turmeric

Mains - served with Azelia 1998 Borola, Italy

 Roast Smoked Pork Belly with Apple and Calvados Sauce

 Grain Beef Tenderloin Mushroom Parmentier & Onion Sauce

Desserts- Continuing with the Azelia 1998 Borola, Italy

 Croustade of Vacherin Cheese with Pear Confite in Red Wine (* Sorry for the poor picture, forgot the flash as I think I was too excited to eat this)

Selection of Desserts featuring Vanilla Sorbet

Coffee Lavazza or Dammann Tea with Petit Fours

So, SORRY AGAIN. No pictures of Christmas lights and countless other things missed. Like I said, this trip is in serious need of a do over. Do you think the Singapore Tourism board would keep the Christmas lights up till my next visit if I asked nicely? Oh well. Guess I will have to make it up next year. 

One last thing, there are no Japan pictures either. Sigh. That's because there was no Japan. The exchange rate was getting so bad and the fact both myself and Byron were under the weather, we had no choice but to throw Japan under the bus. Truly sad. Missing the Four Seasons beautiful gym with a natural spring water onsen bath to soothe all those dings, both physical and spiritual. A couple of rare bottles of Suntory Whiskey held under my account. The best Kobe beef Shabu Shabu to make my friend Byron happy and some of the best sakes and sushi for me, all of it very missed. Here is a Christmas picture I took in downtown Tokyo last year. I'm very proud of this shot, as I did it all on the fly. The electronic sign with the big tree builds that image from the bottom up and only holds the full image for a couple seconds. So I had to time it perfect to have the tree fully lit just as the Coca Cola truck came into frame. Enjoy. Sadly the luck of getting this image didn't hold true this year. But overall, I'm still in the 1% lucky club to have had any travel and time with my friends. So I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday and let's hope that real luck returns to all of us next year. 
 

The only benefit of the global meltdown is being a near sole focus of a killer meal

So upon just about landing I was working on how to visit my friend's recently new restaurant, Julien Bompard at Ascott Raffles place. I was lucky last trip to have been there for launch.

One of the cool ideas behind his new place is not only does it have a state of the art all induction kitchen, which means no heat or noise but it has a special chefs counter. If you check out this picture you can see the bar and kitchen. If you choose to do the chefs bar you can observe your whole meal being cooked and watch the chef right in front you do tapas ala-minute.

 

So I was very happy that Chef had room on Dec 4th 08. Well turns out, he had lots of room, like every other restaurant, things are quite slow. The only upside was having the entire kitchen staff be able to be part of the meal at some point. It also meant a very special treat from Chef Jason Tan, who is Singapore's chef for next years Bocuse D'or.

 

For those who don't know the history of the highest prize in culinary competing, click for more info here. But if you win this prize for your country, you will be among the super elite of chefs.

 

So let me make you all jealous. Sorry normally I do take pictures of the food but because Chef Jason is giving me a sneak preview of two of his dishes for the competition, I kept the camera at home. This dishes are beyond national secrets for the teams. So sorry, wont give any details even in the part of the meal, except feel free to be sorry you didn't get to try it.

 

So here's the menu...

 

Amuse Bouche & Fresh Baked Breads served with a bottle of Mumms R. Lalou 1998.

 

Velvet of Brittany Sea Urchin - Tartar of Oyster and Cured Salmon

 

A sampling of Bocuse D'or by Chef Jason Tan

 

Tapas by Chef Julien

Artichokes cooked in tomato and turmeric

Chanterelle Mushrooms & herbs

Octopus poached in olive oil

Belly of Sea Bass with a creamy sauce

 

Crispy of Risotto with Duck Medley - Foie Gras Sauce

 

Papillote of Cod Fish Escabêche - Arbois Yellow Wine Sauce

 

Pigeon from Bresse with Iberico Ham - Red Wine Sauce served with a bottle of Clerc Milon 1996.

 

Extravaganza of Desserts

 

Chocolate Sorbet

 

Coffee or Tea - Mignardises

And finally a pillow and blanket. Kidding, kinda.

 

So there you go. I should be noted prior to this meal I did a three hour workout that clocked in at about 2500 calories. My poor dining guest, my friend Maria did join for part of the calorie bomb defense quest but later grew to hate me with white blinding hatred as her poor legs all but went home before her. Hopefully the memory of the great meal with take a bit of the edge off.

 

For those who are not yet my facebook friends, you can follow along on the photos I'm posting this trip in my Facebook photo album - click to view. If you can sign up to be a friend, as you will find it easier to track when I update something.

 

By the way, in case my personal trainer reads this, do note this entire blog entry was written while cycling in the gym on my normal off day. This came at the cruel sacrifice of not waking to Bloody Mary's or Champagne this Sunday.

 

But of course there's next Sunday. :)

Some random thoughts...

I thought for today I would be a bit subject hoping. The brain power has been somewhat reduced by this thing called breakfast, nearly being squashed in the gym, and time is flying too fast this trip.

This trip has a bit of gravity to it. In a way it's an end and the beginning of some new challenges. So later in the trip, I will start to reflect on how one trip turned into years of travel and what I have learned, seen, and still don't know. Sure that last part is endless, but will focus those point to this big journey I accidentally took.

Random point #1: You should only wear a Speedo if your in the Olympics.

So this trip, I'm using the hotel gym, which looks out onto the pool. So pretty much no matter where you are your looking out to the water. Sure there is a random event of someone who looks so good it really makes you realize why you need to be in the gym. But pretty much, it's taking all my strength to not scream out, MY EYES! Wow, hey I'm all about loving your body no matter what shape or size, as have been all of them. But there other options than wearing a skin-tight day glo Speedo. Clearly life guards should consider this part of their duties.

Random point #2: Breakfast still sucks!

So today was attempt two at this breakfast thing. First, I'm not a fan of most common breakfast foods. So the idea of a Japanese breakfast at least has some charms. Not sweet and pretty much like eating dinner, perfect. But again, it made me feel like I'm a sack of bricks. What was most discouraging is I noticed my calorie burn that is tracked by my hear-rate monitor was half the normal rate. See breakfast is evil!

Random point #3: What happened to private affairs?

One perk of travel is being a voyeur of course within limits. I love sitting in hotel lounges and watching the various dramas of life unfold. I really could write a book on what things I have seen and heard. Okay as adults, we know some married people have affairs. The concept was you did this hidden from the eyes of others. But yesterday, once again this hotel guest, 45-50yrs old guy was with a girl who may not clear the 18yr old bar.

Clearly she was his "special" guest for this stay but yet he was bragging to the staff about his visit a month ago with his wife and kids while all but making out with her in front of us all. Maybe it's because in this new information age there a no secrets. I'm no prude, in fact far from it. But maybe some discretion still has a role.

Random point # 4: Ever see a movie so bad you want to give its star a serious groin injury?

One thing about lots of hotel & plane travel is you get stuck watching all forms of random content. Case and point, last night with nothing on but Rachel Ray's talk show re-runs that empty the soul and other junk like infomercials I tuned into Star Movies. This channel is the waste-land in Asia where bad movies go to live in replay-retirement. So up comes this movie called The Wicker Man staring Nicolas Cage. Granted this should have been enough to trigger my fight or flee response, but he can deliver on rare occasion. To the court I present Leaving Las Vegas.

But this film I'm sure was created as a torture aid for the Bush administration. Please, water-boarding would be kinder. So Nick Cage, your'e on notice. Either I get those two hours of my life back or if our paths cross at some airport, you better protect the man-sack if you get my drift.

Okay on that knee to groin point, I think this is enough random for one night. So what have we learned. Well, no Speedos unless your swimming for gold Breakfast sucks.
Don't be showing pictures of your kids to staff while on vacation with the rent-a-mistress, and Nick Cage needs a swift kick in the nads. So much to meditate on! ;) Wishing you all to a wonderful random day.

Life in the slip-stream...

Well it's happened again. That magic only travel can do. You go to sleep one person and wake another.

I always worry I like the Asian or European version of me, much better than the original.

I know this seems like some deep existential thoughts. But I like some others I have met along the way, have a set of chameleon travel genes. We absorb and are changed by our surroundings.

In my case, I have the nagging feeling there's three of me at any given time. Case and point is today. I woke knowing what I wanted to do like any other day. I have no sense of loss on how to do that. Actually, I'm often more confused back in the US than when I travel.

Anyway, enough of boring you from the couch. I believe my session is up. But lets just say, I'm enjoying my quick immersion back into me, 2.0 or 3.0 is it.

Here's some stuff I have seen since changing the channel back here to Singapore. Business at all levels is down. No shock, but last trip they were defying gravity.

The airport here is filled with many people who can't get home to Bangkok or have modified their India flights. What a mess and so sad. I have such a deep appreciation for both of these cultures being rooted in such ways of peace & kindness, so it's so painful to see all this happen.

The Obama goodwill is in effect for travelers. Lot of questions about him, Hillary, and Sarah. Nothing yet on John. Pretty much crickets for him. In the idea of unity won't repeat the Sarah questions, enough said.

Too early to see how retail stores here are doing, but not looking good. Lots of restaurants & stores have gone under in the past months.

Will of course take Xmas lights pics all along, but hotel is just starting to put up now. So will work on more interesting things for you to see as the trip goes along.

So that's it. Forgive the boring entry. A combo of jet-lag and a tic-tac sized brain. Hopefully some sushi, sleep, & late cocktails will blend me back into coherence.