Gardens by the Bay

So Saturday was a big day for me; I went to Little India in the morning, hung by the pool in the mid day, and then the big event; I went to the "Gardens by the bay" designed by an amazing, cutting edge architect named Zaha Hadid. I just happened to be in another of her buildings' two weekends ago when Daniel set us up a weekend in Cincinnati. So how cool is it that I saw two of her projects within 2 weeks of each other! Thank you Daniel for making that happen :-) Little India was a little "off" for me when I first got there, mostly because when you get off the metro, it's a normal neighborhood, it's not like they have a sign that says "yo- tourists- cool stuff this way!" :-) So I had to walk around for a bit and walk down some alleys to find the "real" little India. But when I found it, I saw it everywhere! It was crowded covered walkways, filled with everything you could imagine. The whir of meat saws cutting the freshest meats, the smell of roses and marigolds from the hanging floral strands, and curries and incense everywhere. I wandered streets for 2 hrs. So many stores, so many jewelery stores! And the best part- it was real! These were Indian immigrants in these stalls selling goods, and the same buying them! This was not a display set up for the tourist trade. I hadn't seen anything like this in a very long time. So much of Dubai was just set up for Tourists, as is Vienna, and Istanbul. But this was real, and fun. After two good hrs of walking though the sun was getting really hot and I had enough, so headed to back to enjoy the infinity pool and get a nap before the big event. So what was this big event??? Well; These are the pictures from the bridge that gets you over to the "Gardens by the Bay". The bridge was soooo crowded with tourists as this was still Chinese Year year (going on till February 10), but I muscled my way towards the side of the bridge and got some pictures. Not that it was hard- I'm like a friggin giant compared to most of the people hear- they basically bounce off me then look up at me! lol The gardens are free, but you have to pay 30SGD to get into the 2 conservatories; the Floral Dome, and the Cloud Forest. I had heard from the main server at the lounge that the Cloud Forest was "a must see! They have a waterfall!!" she said excitedly. So of course, I headed there. So this was stunning. I know I keep saying "AMAZING" and stunning, but this city is so amazing! Lol It was such a shock to see such a mountain of greenery- litterally a mountain of greenery. I had pre-read that this was the worlds largest conservatory with no interior supports, and I believe it after seeing this mammoth green space! The waterfall was cool, but what was even more incredible was the lower space, where the waterfall flows into a lush green garden that looks just like Jurassic Park! Finally, the sun was setting, and so I headed to the Trees... The buildings, again, soooo cool! I can't believe I was able to view her architecture in living color and style!! They are so futuristic, and- I'm going to say it! STUNNING! So the trees- they are solar power panels that help provide power to the park- so self-sustaining environment. They are also gigantic planters, with all sorts of plants growing on their trunks. At 7 and 8, they have a musical light show, and I was just in time for the show! I got some pictures, and then some Iphone video, and the put them down. I realized that alot of moments lately are missed because we (i) and others are so focused on capturing the moment that we dont' really experience the moment. So Put them away, and just experienced it. And wow, it was so cool. The music was all symphony, new age, and the trees were lite up to the exact moments that build in the music. It was great, and again, another night in Singapore, like no other in the world. :-)

CNY!!

So Chinese New Year was Thursday night, so I had a 1/2 day work, and then wasn't sure what to expect. The architects suggested we go to 1Raffles Place, the tallest building in Singapore that has a rooftop bar. I was skeptical because it was 6 hrs before, and in NewYor or chicago that would have been impossible, but we went anyways, met up at 9pm. We paid the $30sgd entry fee, took the 2 elevators up to the roof, and voila- we were in! It was so NOT busy! I was shocked, and then I saw the views and was even more shocked! I know I just blogged photos from the top of MBS, but this was even higher, and better! After getting our first round of drinks, I might have figured out why it was only 1/2 full; beers were $20 USD, and the one guy was drinking double Chivas, which was $35USD a glass! YIKES! But, it was a once in a lifetime experience; being on the tallest building in Singapore, on Chinese New Year, so, when in rome.... So either the fireworks were really low, or we were really that high- because we were actually looking down on them! And unfortunately, it got really busy right before midnight, and we didn't end up having "prime" viewing, but we still have a view. The MBS Casino/Resort looked really cool- they had a light show at 11:30, where they lit up the roofs and had a big water show as well. All I can say is that it was awesome. Truely amazing, and the best night I've had in Singapore, and a great memory of this city, and this trip! :-)

Working in Singapore

Well I had an amazing 2 days off, and am SO happy that I came in early to explore the city before I had to work. Monday morning, like I have done so many times before, I took a cab to the corporate office of a company I do not know, and enter a conference room filled with people I don't know, and Presto-chango- I'm going to be their best friend! :-) It is a little daunting, I have to say. This time especially because there is already the VS business here, and that business is a powerhouse. Strict, to the book, hardcore retail. So that is not my style- I'm the easy going, have fun sister-brand where everything is colorful and happy. But of course, after the past three days of training together, the team and I are getting along great, and they are having fun. :-) Monday night, the brand manager and I went out for a drink with the architect who is here from Columbus, so was nice to hang out. We did it up- straight to the top of the Marina Bay Sands towers, where they have the amazing infinity pool and bars and restaurants. Drinking our bottle of wine, and talking, I looked around at where I was. Night was falling over the city, the cool breeze was blowing in from the ocean, the skyline of Singapore was in full panorama infront of me. It was incredible. It was a moment that I will never forget, a true moment of beauty, and reality....... And now back to the normal stuff :-) They love this kind of coffee here that is thick as mud, and cut with condensed milk, sweetened with Powered condensed milk. The picture is how it is made, and yes, that server making the coffee is mixing the coffee in the condensed milk can! AH! I just threw up in my mouth typing that. lol I can not even tell you how much it grossed me out to watch her making the coffee that way. She obviously saw my horrified look because she pulled out an actual metal steamer cup (like at starbucks) when she made my coffee, thank goodness. They don't have the cardboard sleeve's for the cups, they use a little plastic hammock thing! Carzy looking (picture) We had lunch the first two days at this new building where the main floor has many different restaurants. First day we had a great amount of dishes that were cantonese. Shrimp and pork pancakes, beef and noodles, and dimsum with chicken or pork. The second day we did a quick box lunch which was actually really good pork and vegetables. So, so far, I'm having a good time, and am so excited for Thursday night; CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!

Shopping on Orchard Avenue

Sunday's are the day for BRUNCH! I learned that all the hotels have a big brunch special, similar to Dubai's Friday Brunches. After experiencing the amazing fresh fruits and and bacon, I headed out to the big event; shopping on Orchard. Orchard ave is the Michigan Avenue of Singapore, or the 5th Avenue, or whichever place you consider the mecca of all shopping. I took the metro, and was surprised how many people were already out at 11am! The train kept getting fuller and fuller every stop, and then once we got to "ION", the entire car emptied. Ion Orchard is the ultimate mall, where everyone goes, and now I know why! It is 12 stories of shopping! 6 of which are below ground, and there is a definite pecking order to where the stores go. Main floor and +2 are the high end retailers, Louis, Dior, Chanel, etc. Basement 1-3 are what I'd consider the normal stores; Zara, Mossimo Dutti, Victoria's Secret, Aeropostale, and the further down you go, the stores get less prestigous. Level B6 was just dry cleaners, pharmacy, and mom and pop stores. The top floors are food courts and cafe's. This was true for every mall I went into, and I went into alot! Orchard has mall, next to mall, next to mall. It is crazy! They all have exactly the same stores too! I found a local department store called Robinson on Orchard, and it was the best place I went all day. Mostly because every store I went in to, they had size s, m, and xs. No large, or xl, so just like in Bangkok, I shopped the accessory stores. :-) Until I got Robinson. The store is huge, 8 floors, and looks like Barney's New York, but is priced like a Macys'. I started finding a few things, and then more things, and then a super nice sales associate came over and found more for me, it was like that scene in Pretty Woman and I was finally getting to shop! :-) It was great, I got some unique stuff, new colors that I never wear, and it didn't end there! Then I realized there was a home store too! Ah- well I can't disclose what I got there because it is some presents for later, but it was, without a doubt, the best shopping experience I've had in years! After that, I went to a New Years Shopping Market. It was super busy, as Chinese New Year is Thursday night, and it was fun! There were a lot of booths that had decorations, candies, some real- and I mean REAL cuisine; eel, octopus, snakes... I can't unsee some of the things I saw in there, but for the most part it was good to experience some local shopping too. I got some great souvenirs out of there too! By the time I finished my shopping, Orchard avenue was hopping! The sidewalks were packed with people, an the metro was even more jammed than before.

Singapore Day1, Morning

I got up at 8:30am this morning, after only 6 hrs of sleep. I'm really trying to get acclimated to the time zone before Monday, and it seems to be ok. The hotel is stunning in the daylight, I'm really happy I found this place. No one from our team had stayed yet, they all choose the Ritz or the 4seasons, but because I'm a starwoods hotel points junkie, this one is tops on my list :-) (Picture of the lobby on the 32 floor of the building, the hotel is on floors 35-45. Lobby bar, and then the SPG Lounge which had a great breakfast buffet and you can sit and look out at the sea while you enjoy your coffee) Looking at the map, the city seems really manageable, and everyone that has been here said it was very small and that after 19days, I'll know it like the back of my hand. I was surprised when I asked the concierge how long it would take to get over the Marina Bay Sands which is where we are putting our first store, because she looked at me with a pained look "It will be 30-40 minute walk", and suggested I wait for the shuttle bus at the top the hour. I said thanks, and went down to the front entrance, where again, the doorman tells me at least 30 minutes! Well, I again couldn't believe this, so asked which road to take, and started walking. It was a gorgeous morning, 75 degrees out and wind coming off the ocean. Walking along, it seemed like every angle was a perfect picture opportunity, and it continued the whole morning. Before I knew it, ten minutes had passed and I was at the Marina Bay Sands, hadn't even broken a sweat. :-) The three tower complex is Marina Bay Sands. The top floor has an enormous infinity pool and bars which I'm sure we'll be heading up to later next week. The mall is gorgeous and huge, it is one of the top malls in South East Asia, and therefore our first location. The spikey looking building is their theater, and Esplanade mall.

Columbus to Singapore!

It was a surreal moment on Wednesday when I left the office at 2:30pm, saying goodbye to everyone, and them wishing me good luck and safe travels. As I was walking out to my car it really hit me- I'm going to be in Singapore in 36 hrs! I have been working on this South East Asia launch since October- all the meetings, creating and following up on schedules, more meetings, ordering and sending all the training tools, for months- to a point where this was just something "out there", but not something that was really going to happen. Thursday morning, the alarm went off at 3:45am, and I was up instantly! :-) I was nervous, and anxious, and a little delirious from being up this early. Daniel was a good boyfriend, and got up with me to take me to the airport, which I was very thankful for since it was 0 degrees out, and I didn't want to lug my 3 suitcases and 2 carry ons from my car to the bus, to the terminal (Yes- i know it's a lot of bags- but i'm going to be gone for 19 days and need; training clothes, merchandising clothes, tourism clothes, store opening clothes, and then dress clothes for all the dinners! :-) My flight path was Columbus to Newark, Newark direct to Tokyo, then Tokyo to Singapore. I'm writing this as I sit in Tokyo. The longest flight is over, 14.5hrs. I was able to sleep on and off, but I coulnd't bring my normal sleeping pills because they are not allowed in Singapore, which was sad because the new one I got only knocked me out for 5 hrs, not 9 like my other ones. But overall it was a good flight. Food was good, normal United Int. menu, with steak, ice cream for dessert and good wines. Tokyo is 10hrs ahead, so when I landed it was 1am in Columbus. I'm surprising not tired, I think it is because the sun is out, and it's the afternoon here. I'm trying to get onto their time schedule, so will not sleep till i get to the hotel tonight. I'll end up in Singapore at 1am their time, 1pm in Columbus. 12 Hrs time difference... that is going to cause this be a weird 19 days! When you guys are just getting up at 8-9, I'll be getting into bed! (Hopefully, if all goes well with the store openings). Here are a few pictures from the trip so far. There will be plenty more to come! :-) The last picture was what Tokyo looked like when we were landing.