The (Dirty) Old Man Visits

The title does not refer to the Singapore Pepper Crab that my dad enjoyed with great relish, stating "This is the best meal I've worn lately!"

It's actually the job title on his business card.

At 82, my dad might possibly have some people thinking he's my older brother. Perhaps a much older brother, but definitely not your ordinary octogenarian.

Dad's trip was scheduled over the Chinese Lunar New Year. It's a two-day national holiday, and unlike the other national holidays, the majority of stores and restaurants really do close up so the large Chinese community here can observe their many traditions and celebrations. It's worth reading over a couple of Google search results to appreciate the depth and complexity.

We spent the afternoon of "new years eve" wandering around Chinatown. There were plenty of interesting foods to sample: melon seeds in various flavors and colors (for good luck), Chinese sweets in various shapes, sizes, and textures, and some things that -- well -- we opted to pass on. Exhibit A: "peanut buttered squid" (click on the photo to the right and look under Slice Octopus).

We'd learned & practiced saying "gong xi fa cai" and enjoyed saying it to the bewilderment of the people we greeted. I guess it came across something like the pronunciation equivalent of "lee sho-NUFF TOE-vuh."

Raye's friends here also helped welcome Dad, inviting us to various dinners, get-togethers, and club lunches.

And we got to do many of the "tourist things" like visiting the Night Safari, the world's first night zoo, and shopping for electronics at Sim Lim Square. And of course, we drove past Orchard Towers a couple of times, which became a running joke as the "tourist destination" we never found time to visit. (remember his business card or do your own Google search...)

We also dug into the rich variety of Singaporean cuisine: mutton briyani at the Banana Leaf Apolo, Samsui ginger chicken and ginseng herbal chicken soup at the Soup Kitchen, hot & sour soup, pepper crab and steamed fish (for Raye and me) at Long Beach Seafood, Japanese curry at Curry Favor, a variety of eating adventures at the Takashimaya Food Hall, Indonesian food at Garunda Padang, chicken rice at Boon Tong Kee, fish briyani at the Ulu Ulu Safari Restaurant, a great Chinese seafood dinner at Quayside Seafood, and a memorable meal of Vietnamese, Laotian, and Cambodian dishes (including an unusual "hot and sour soup" and a terrific curry dish) at Indochine Waterfront.














But probably one of the more memorable outings was the trip to Har Paw Villa on Chinese New Years Day, where Dad hammed it up with the various statues. It was one of the few places that was open.

We enjoyed an evening at Jazz on Southbridge to enjoy the trio, the singer, the atmosphere, but not "the stingiest drink I've seen in a long time!". We also got to go bowling -- using the Wii that Erica & Jackie delivered in December. And Dad got to experience the S$10 / 10 minute Japanese hair cut. His barber in Cincinnati was on vacation.

We enjoyed the visit very much! And Dad said he had a great time. And as evidenced below, agree or disagree, Dad always calls them the way he sees them!