Well, the latest news here in Singapore is ----- we have an apartment! The first apartment we made an offer on simply got to be too much of a hassle to deal with. The original apartment we made an offer on was a penthouse on the 30th floor. It was pretty neat, but looked like it was decorated in the 80’s after someone had seen the John Travolta “Staying Alive” movie – it’s main decor, from floor to literally the ceiling, was done in the 80’s disco style, if you can imagine this. Shag carpet, movie screen comes down a wall, mirrored ceiling – no not in the bedroom for those of you, and you know who you are, who immediately thought of that - more than likely all done when the owner was still a bachelor. We asked for several things to be done, as is standard here. It’s been empty for at least 6 months, so we thought he might be receptive to a reasonable offer and to do a few things.
From our negotiations we have learned he was still very taken with the disco era. Negotiations drug on for 8 days at which point we called the realtor and told her to line up more apartments for us to see. We also told her to end all negotiations with the penthouse guy and his realtor. Funny thing is that as hard as he was to deal with; less than an hour after our realtor broke off negotiations; she got a phone call saying he was willing to do more of what we wanted. Basil and I decided if he was that difficult to deal with trying to get the apartment – just imagine what he’d be like if something broke or needed to be repaired!! Basil said no and the search started again.
The next day we found two apartments a little closer to the part of town we wanted to be around, both with fabulous views. Three bedrooms so plenty of room for company – hint, hint and 2 bathrooms. The living room and dining room open to a very small balcony with an absolutely spectacular view of the bay – you can see the lights of Indonesia at night when it’s not raining. Off the master bedroom is a nice size balcony with a view of the bay and of the downtown area behind us. We’re told that’s the direction most of the fireworks are done for all sorts of occasions. We are thrilled with the apartment. Oh and we’re on the 24th floor.
Many of the large apartment complexes here are gated; they are comprised of 4 to 6 high-rise buildings in the complex, each of which has great security. You need a special card or code to get to the lobby where the elevators are or you need to be buzzed up. This is the safest place so we haven’t figured out yet why all the security. Each complex has its own pool or pools, at least one or two play areas for children, a work out facility, convenience store, a restaurant and sometimes a cleaners. These facilities are only for the residents of that complex. Our complex is average size – 4 buildings, 28 stories each one – a total of somewhere around 1,094 units. The picture on the left is our new apartment - the 24th floor.
Christmas around here – decorations, music, sales, etc – doesn’t end until January 6th. I know that in Louisiana Mardi Gras officially starts on January 6th, but don’t know the reason here behind the date. So we’re still in the midst of the holidays here. The next really big holiday everything and everyone gears up for next is the Chinese New Year.
You would not believe the businesses here that are familiar to Americans: we have found there is a 7-11 store, exactly same logo, on every other corner. There is Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, McDonalds, and Pizza Hut – except they don’t deliver. The Australian pizza places do though and their not bad! Auntie Ann’s Pretzel place is at the mall just like back home, as is Famous Amos cookies. Also found the lotion I forgot to bring at The Body Shop. I’ve also found Borders Books and the Outback Restaurant!!!!
There is a road downtown we drove down - it looks like everything from Rodeo Drive in California and Fifth Avenue in New York was just picked up and moved here. You can literally buy anything from the most major, exclusive brands going then to the sidewalk vendors where there is no telling what you are buying!!! Amazing!
It’s still raining. It is, of course still the monsoon season. It should last until the end of January and then we should see the sun again!
I’m leaving Singapore tonight – New Year’s Eve and I’ll be back in Louisville. I expect to stay there for 4 to 6 weeks to tie up some loose ends, then I’ll be back here. More than likely you’ll get no more Singapore adventure updates until I get back here. By the time I return I’ll make sure everyone has email addresses, VoIP telephone number along with a schedule of what time it is where you are vs what time it is where I am, and an address for snail mail.
I hope everyone has a great, happy and safe 2007!!!!!
And a note to Heather – yes I am in the future here. And yes, Bush is still the president.
Here I come Abby!
Love to all!
From our negotiations we have learned he was still very taken with the disco era. Negotiations drug on for 8 days at which point we called the realtor and told her to line up more apartments for us to see. We also told her to end all negotiations with the penthouse guy and his realtor. Funny thing is that as hard as he was to deal with; less than an hour after our realtor broke off negotiations; she got a phone call saying he was willing to do more of what we wanted. Basil and I decided if he was that difficult to deal with trying to get the apartment – just imagine what he’d be like if something broke or needed to be repaired!! Basil said no and the search started again.
The next day we found two apartments a little closer to the part of town we wanted to be around, both with fabulous views. Three bedrooms so plenty of room for company – hint, hint and 2 bathrooms. The living room and dining room open to a very small balcony with an absolutely spectacular view of the bay – you can see the lights of Indonesia at night when it’s not raining. Off the master bedroom is a nice size balcony with a view of the bay and of the downtown area behind us. We’re told that’s the direction most of the fireworks are done for all sorts of occasions. We are thrilled with the apartment. Oh and we’re on the 24th floor.
Many of the large apartment complexes here are gated; they are comprised of 4 to 6 high-rise buildings in the complex, each of which has great security. You need a special card or code to get to the lobby where the elevators are or you need to be buzzed up. This is the safest place so we haven’t figured out yet why all the security. Each complex has its own pool or pools, at least one or two play areas for children, a work out facility, convenience store, a restaurant and sometimes a cleaners. These facilities are only for the residents of that complex. Our complex is average size – 4 buildings, 28 stories each one – a total of somewhere around 1,094 units. The picture on the left is our new apartment - the 24th floor.
Christmas around here – decorations, music, sales, etc – doesn’t end until January 6th. I know that in Louisiana Mardi Gras officially starts on January 6th, but don’t know the reason here behind the date. So we’re still in the midst of the holidays here. The next really big holiday everything and everyone gears up for next is the Chinese New Year.
You would not believe the businesses here that are familiar to Americans: we have found there is a 7-11 store, exactly same logo, on every other corner. There is Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, McDonalds, and Pizza Hut – except they don’t deliver. The Australian pizza places do though and their not bad! Auntie Ann’s Pretzel place is at the mall just like back home, as is Famous Amos cookies. Also found the lotion I forgot to bring at The Body Shop. I’ve also found Borders Books and the Outback Restaurant!!!!
There is a road downtown we drove down - it looks like everything from Rodeo Drive in California and Fifth Avenue in New York was just picked up and moved here. You can literally buy anything from the most major, exclusive brands going then to the sidewalk vendors where there is no telling what you are buying!!! Amazing!
It’s still raining. It is, of course still the monsoon season. It should last until the end of January and then we should see the sun again!
I’m leaving Singapore tonight – New Year’s Eve and I’ll be back in Louisville. I expect to stay there for 4 to 6 weeks to tie up some loose ends, then I’ll be back here. More than likely you’ll get no more Singapore adventure updates until I get back here. By the time I return I’ll make sure everyone has email addresses, VoIP telephone number along with a schedule of what time it is where you are vs what time it is where I am, and an address for snail mail.
I hope everyone has a great, happy and safe 2007!!!!!
And a note to Heather – yes I am in the future here. And yes, Bush is still the president.
Here I come Abby!
Love to all!
