Finally - a Jeepney Ride!

After dozens of trips to Manila and many great experiences from appearing on television, meeting great people, accomplishing great things for work to eating balut, the one thing I had never done was ride in a Jeepney. Jeepneys are omnipresent in Manila. Old looking beat up Jeep buses that shuttle people around town. The cost is minimal, there are no set stops and each Jeepney displays it's route painted on the side. They are each unique. Owners decorate then with the names of their wives or girlfriends, religious sayings or pictures, zodiac signs and even the names of their favorite NBA teams. It's really the people's transport.

Friday afternoon as we headed to the airport - my friend and associate Ray Soberano and his friend and driver Nestor - we pulled over, Ray and I got out of Nestor's van and waited about 1 minute for a Jeepney. We slid in though the open backside and took our place among the travellers. I looked a little out of place in my Ted Baker shirt, cuff links and black loafers. As we headed down the main drag of Sucat horns honked, motorbikes buzzed by and other Jeepneys also filled the road. Each time we pulled over someone else jumped in, paid the driver the minimal fare and off we went. Women headed home from shopping, kids on their school; lunch break and men just headed down the road got in and then later got out.

It was a great ride for me, a laugh for Ray and while I got a few puzzled looks no one really seemed to mind. Nestor followed in the van and after our ride we hopped in and he whisked me off to the airport for my flight home.

Summer in Sydney

Between Christmas and New Year we ventured to Sydney. It's a mere 7 1/2 hour flight from Singapore. December in Sydney is like June in the US, nice warm, dry days and cool nights. A fine escape from the Singapore winter (hot, wet and sticky). What better way to fly down under then on Qantas Airlines. I must admit their Premium Economy section wasn't half bad.




We stayed at the Sheraton Four Points on Darling Harbor. Not the best hotel I've ever stayed at but I'm pretty spoiled these past few years when it comes to hotels. The price was right as we used points for the stay.



We did have a sweet view of Darling Harbor, the Aquarium and the Maritime Museum.

Ok, my uploading is not great. Jump to Sophia standing on the waterfront at Circular Quay with the famous Opera House in the background. It looks a little tired close up as it was built in the 60s but it is still one of the well known symbols of Sydney.

It was cloudy that day and the Opera House looked a little bit beige.

From the end of Circular Key you can see across to Luna Park, an amusement park and another big chunk of the city.

Back near the hotel crossing the Darling Harbor Bridge.

Yep, you do need to pose now!

What would a trip down under be without seeing a guy playing a didgeridoo? This guy even let tourists sit in n his gig, for a small donation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didgeridoo

The famous (as far as you know) pig statue in front of the hospital. Rubbing his nose brings good luck they say.

The famous statue of this guy on his horse.

And this old clock tower had tremendous historical significance, I think.

On the waterfront with the Harbor Bridge in the background. As you see later I got to see the bridge up close.

At night the old Opera House does look pretty impressive.

Sophia poses in the Rocks neighborhood, site of the original settlement in Sydney. http://www.therocks.com/

All spiffed up for dinner at Cafe Sydney. The restaurant is on the top floor while the Sydney Public Library is on the first floors. http://www.cafesydney.com/

Wandering around the Surrey Hills area. Kind of reminded us of Washington, DC a bit. Lots nice streets, townhouses and little shops and restaurants.

Dining on the sidewalk at Fish Face. The best meal we had. http://www.fishface.com.au/ There was also a very cool little pub nearby where we had a glass of wine before dinner. The pubs (most are called hotels for some reason I really don't know) reminded me a lot of the bars in Milwaukee. Small, friendly and people start drinking about 9AM.

Great seafood and very fancy and tasty fish and chips. We also had sushi and some other very fresh and well prepared fish dishes.

There is very old and established Jewish community in Sydney and we walked past the old Synagogue.

There were dozens of these birds in the park. I think they may be Ibis but I'm not sure. They sure have long beaks. There were also the most amazing huge bats that came out every night near the parks and the Harbor Bridge. They were definitely the size of hawks or owls. I have to say they were extremely creepy.

So nice to be in a country where breakfast is breakfast. No noodles, fish ball soups, brionis - just eggs, bacon, pancakes and stuff. The Book Kitchen was one of the best. http://www.eatability.com.au/au/sydney/book_kitchen_the/ So nice we ate there twice.

Walking from the hotel to the bus for the beach was a pleasant experience as Sydney has many nice vistas.

In front of a very cool 60s fountain. Looked like a dandelion.

This sign truly illustrates how far away Australia is from most of the world.

Early evening. Lots of people out and about.

Ready for my climb the next morning.

Bondi Beach. Famous and very crowded surfers paradise only about 20 minutes from downtown.

Looks like California.

Looking for topless girls. I think I found one!

Dressed in a We Are Devo suit I went on the "must do" Harbor Bridge climb. It cost an arm and a leg but it was really fun and unique. http://www.bridgeclimb.com/

The money shot!

The last night we went on the Ferry. A lovely way to wrap up a nice little trip.

The bridge was all decked out for the New Years fireworks extravaganza, which we missed...

My Top 10 CDs of 2008 (and a few 2007)

#10 - SINGH IS KING - SOUNDTRACK

Bollywood is where it's at. Great mix of old, new and exotic. Singh is King may not be the best all around Bollywood soundtrack but the addition of Snoop Dogg gives it some global cache and there are just enough good beats and grooves to keep everyone on the floor in the Rupee Room until they drop!

#9 BONNIE "PRINCE" BILLY - LIE DOWN IN THE LIGHT

I really liked "Prince" Billy's 2006 CD so I thought I'd give the new one a try. This singer/songwriter has a quaking anguished voice and his lyrics really have bite. I like that this one is a little more upbeat but still has the sound of a troubled guy with more issues then newspaper. Earthy and dark but pleasantly uplifting too.

#8 - SUBMARINES - HONEYSUCKLE WEEKS

Bouncy, breezy fun tunes form this nice couple are hard to resist. They lyrics are cute and the singer, Blake Hazard, has that waify voice I like. I particularly like the track Swimming Pool.

#7 KD LANG - WATERSHED

Kd Lang has been around for a long time. She has made some great CDs over the years and while her style changes with each different album her lyrics and voice are a constant. I wouldn't say this is her best but it does find her in top form. It is very mellow and dreamy. Songs like Sunday and Close Your Eyes are great to kick back to with the newspaper or a latte. Nice stuff from KD, her first album of new tunes since 2004.

#6 SIA - SOME PEOPLE HAVE REAL PROBLEMS

I have loved SIA's voice and phrasing style since I first heard her sing the song Destiny with Zero 7. She still contributes to that great chillout lounge band but now has a couple of albums of her own out. She found a bit of success as one of her songs was used in the final episode of Six Feet Under, but luckily she didn't hit it too big and sell out. Some People Have Real Problems is SIA at her quirky yet very listenable best. Bouncy tunes like Little Black Sandals and Playground mix nicely with more serious stuff like the beautiful, You Have Been Loved and Beautiful Calm Driving. This is really a nice one to listen to over and over and over....

#5 MO' HORIZONS - TEN YEARS OF REMIXES

Wow do I love this! Every song is so loaded with percussion, bass, flutes, vocals and grooves that it is really hard to sit still and listen. the songs can all be found on other Mo' Horizons albums but these mixes are all really terrific. It's kind of retro and futuristic all at the same time. I really like Sunshine Today, My Bombombomb and Tu Fiesta Personal. Put this on and dance or at least move around in your airplane seat like I do when listening on my iPod.

#4 Karsh Kale/ Anouska Shankar - BREATHING UNDER WATER (2007)

This is not new but it is new to me. I really love Karsh Kale's CD Broken English (2006) and thought it might be nice to hear this DJ, mix master guy teasm up with one (and at least for one song two) daughter of the legendary sitar player Ravi Shankar. This fine mix of old and new is really great. Not that I am an expert, but Anoushka is a very respected sitar player herself. On this album there is a cameo by her half sister, Norah Jones, and another by Sting. I'm not a big Sting fan but I love the track he sings on. Sea Dreamer. There are also a few tracks where old Ravi strums in as well. Nice stuff to chill to.

#3 GROOVE ARMADA - SOUNDBOY ROCK (2007)

I rank this #3, not because every song is great but rather because some of the songs are really great and the others aren't bad. Groove Armada always gets great guests and puts out an eclectic mix of funk, hip hop, reggae, R&B and whatever else pops up. GREAT SONGS - What's Your Version, Song For Mutya (Out Of Control), Love Sweet Sound, Lightsonic and Save My Soul. The rest ain't bad either.

#2 LAMBCHOP - Oh (OHIO)

Let's start by saying I think Lambchop is the absolute best band there is. The musicians are amazing and leader Kurt Wagner's lyrics are quirky and deep. That said, many people don't get it (Sophia for one) and can't get past the fact that Kurt isn't going to win the American Idol contest anytime soon. He probably wouldn't even stand a chance on Singapore Idol (which is so lame it's laughable). My number 1 album of all time if Lambchop's 2004 Is A Woman. This new offering is up with their best. Great sound of country, jazz, rick, folk and the kitchen sing mixed with great lyrics full of mystery. Songs like Sharing a Gibson With Martin Luther King, I'm Thinking of a Number and Slipped, Dissolved and Loosed top the list but it's all good here in Lambchop land.

#1 SKYE - LIVE ATR KCRW

Skye, the former singer with ultra chill Morcheeba is in great form on this short live set. She mixes some old Morcheeba stuff with a few from her own really solid album, Mind How You Go and even a few new gems. Every song is really a knockout. She even does a nice version of the Gorillaz - Feel Good, Inc. This is my top little gem of 2008.

Like I said, you may not like all of any of this but it is what is getting most play on my pod as I traveled Asia in 2008. I'm looking forward to more great stuff in 2009, might need a few more gigs on the pod though....

A few more.....

I just got a few shots in from our friend Carla. Here is a good portrait of the entire Xmas Eve crowd (except for whoever was actually taking the picture).

Me with the Jimenez sisters - Carla and Ivy

Presents!

Before we open stuff we need to eat. Myrna whipped up a very nice French Toast souffle, bacon, fresh fruit and Teh Tarik from our favorite Tea Stall.

Sophia is out of order! We haven't even eaten. OK, I just posted out of order..not her fault.

She sits at the table but her mind and eyes wander over the the big stack of gifts.

From the tech savvy Wii Fit to the Chinese traditional Lion Dance mask, I hit the jackpot!

Myrna, wearing her new dress over her clothes, sniffs her nice Aveda lotion compliments of the Milwaukee Gimbels.

Jhoey overjoyed with his new basketball. Ready to hit the courts.

Myrna gets a cat shirt. I guess it's because we now have those rascally cats and Myrna gets to feed them.

Getting my Dragon on. I need to perfect my act before Chinese New Year.