“What’s up with Saipan?”

That’s what the Immigration agent in Guam asked me, as he leafed through my passport seeing all the entry stamps when I landed, on my way to Saipan. I’ll tell you the same thing I told him: “Pretty women, nicer weather.” (He gave me a shocked look implying, perhaps, that most folks aren’t as honest when asked that question)

So, what am I doing on Saipan? Well, for now, I’m staying with a friend while I look for a new apartment. I also have an event coming up on April 5th that I’ll tell you more about as the date approaches.

In the meantime, I’m just basking in the heat and sunshine, enjoying the scenery, reconnecting my cell phone, reconnecting with friends, and chopping open coconuts.


Thailand-style veggie meal! I’m so lucky!

“It’s not over!” said the Jamaican back on Saipan.

How dare you assume that the Jamaican in China adventure is over!?!! I’ve gotten emails that say, among other things, “I’ll miss your emails,” “When are you coming/going back?” etc.

Does that mean you think I have nothing interesting to say or experience if I’m not Jamaican in China??? Shame on you!

I’m offended! I’ll have you know–thank you very much–that my life and commentary can be just as compelling, creative and captivating whether I’m in Kunming or Croatia!

With that said, I’m now Jamaican on Saipan..again! Now my friends in China will get a perspective of my life outside of China. So, first order of business (bear with me if you know this), is to let you know where Saipan is located. 

Saipan is located in the western Pacific Ocean, about a 3.5 hour flight from Japan, and about 5 hours direct to Beijing.  It’s in a region known as Micronesia. It’s the capital island of a 15-island chain officially known as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI, for short).

I first moved to Saipan after my Escape from New York in 2006. I chronicled that escape and a lot of general Saipan information in my book, Jamaican on Saipan. You can also read more on Saipan’s wikipedia page. (I’m honored to say I’m mentioned on that wikipedia page as co-author of a book titled Chicken Feathers and Garlic Skin, which chronicles a period in Saipan’s recent history.) You can also get an eclectic overview of life on Saipan by visiting my WeLoveSaipan.com site.

Let the adventure, um, resume!

 

The Singapore Seating Puzzle

Now, you know I’m not one to cause trouble, but I need a little help with something I saw while I was Jamaican in Singapore.

As an enlightened, ever-advancing global society, we’ve all agreed that there are people with severe disadvantages and life situations who require our sympathy, and pity, and furthermore, as a public show of our condescending attitude towards such individuals, we offer them a tiny seat on a bus or congested subway system so they can at least be comfortable (and clearly identifiable with a big arrow pointing towards them) while they wallow in their obvious, understandable and pitiable misery at being different from the rest of us normal people. I support this.

So, with that said, this is a reserved seating sign on a train in Singapore.

Singapore seating puzzle
Reserved seating sign on Singapore MRT

You with me? So far so good.

Now, here is the same sign upon closer examination.
Singapore seating puzzle
Reserved seating sign on Singapore MRT; the plot thickens

Additionally, as the afore-mentioned advanced society, rather than waste valuable ink using words and sentences to describe the types of people we want to put in the “look at me I’m different, debilitated, or otherwise dependent or desirous of special consideration” seating, we use graphic  icons.

These icons are cleverly designed to be universally self-explanatory–given our increasingly global, multi-lingual and culturally diverse society–and I’m proud to say, being the intelligent and sophisticated world traveler I am, I’ve been able to figure out most of them. They’re rather easy, really.

Singapore seating puzzle
Please give your seat to men with
argyle socks, carrying dinner trays
(Don’t YOU prefer to sit if you have to eat on the subway?)

Singapore seating puzzle
Please give your seat to men with
ill-fitting dresses, or women who are obviously
hiding stolen items beneath their skirts.
(presumably so the Singapore police can
easily locate and deal with both these types of social deviants)
Note: I also support caning.

Singapore seating puzzle
Please give your seat to men
with ventriloquist dummies
on their laps, or to Mike Myers
and “mini me” should they happen to visit Singapore.
(we must make our artists and celebrities comfortable)

See? Like I said, fairly simple. However, here’s where I’m a little perplexed. I seem to be having a little trouble with the next icon, and this is where I need your help.

Singapore seating puzzle

Could you tell me what exactly is that, um, thing that appears to be originating, protruding and hanging out from this man’s crotch area that’s causing him to be noticeably pulled forward?

Like I said, I’m not one to cause trouble, but IF I’ve deciphered this icon correctly–being a Jamaican man, you understand–I’ve always considered such a condition to be rather advantageous rather than debilitating to tell you the truth….

However, had I known before leaving that such a condition would guarantee me a seat whenever I’m in Singapore….

The “Jamaican in China” Singapore Restaurant Review!

>crunch…slurp….gulp…smack, swallow.<..huh?? what?? Oh, hi!…>burp<
Ahem…Forgive me…Got a little distracted there….Ahem..Now, then…

Hi!!!! My name is Walt F.J. Goodridge, Jamaican in China! Welcome to today’s episode entitled “Vegan Heaven in Singapore!”

Because of both the Buddhist and Indian influences, there’s absolutely no shortage of vegan and vegetarian restaurants here in Singapore. In order to fully appreciate the plethora of pigless perfection, the fantasy of fleshless feasting, the cacophony of cruelty-free culinary cooking that is Singapore, I suggest to you that the appropriate unit of measurement is “square inch,” as in “there are more vegetarian restaurants per square inch in Singapore than in any other city in the world, and that includes New York, Los Angeles and Beijing!” (However, my research shall be ongoing)

Now, while many restaurant signs in New York squeeze in the word “vegan” in small letters in what amounts to a reluctant, fearful whisper, so as not to alienate the majority population; and while some restaurants in Beijing simply add two or three dishes, or–if I’m lucky–a whole page (wow!) of “vegetarian-friendly” options (which means they’ll be friendly to you while they remove the pieces of visible meat from the dish you just ordered, so you can be happy, you fanatic freak),  here in Singapore’s Little India, it’s different–I counted several blocks, each with 4, 5, or 6 different restaurants one right next to the other each with the word “VEGETARIAN” as an integral part of the restaurant name, in big, bold letters in what amounts to a proud and unapologetic scream for all the world to hear! Yes, Singapore bulges with a buffet of beefless–oh, oops, I already beat that style of description to death already…..

This is Vegetarian Heaven, “supersized” at no additional charge! This is Vegetarian Heaven with a deluxe/elite ticket option upgrade! This is Vege….okay, you get the point. As such, the challenge has been to sample as many of the restaurants as possible in the few days I planned to stay. In fact, I had to leave Singapore for a short four day trip, but then I returned just so I could eat at more restaurants! I kid you not.

As I related in an earlier post, the first restaurant I found on my first afternoon in Singapore (found through HappyCow.net) was Fo You Yuan on Kitchener Street in Little India.

Fast service, clean, healthy meals! I went back every morning for their yam paste and gingko nut porridge.


“Take photo first. Eat second.” “Take photo first. Eat second.”

Fo You Yuan gets the highest marks for sweetest wait staff!
 

The next day came Zen Japanese Vegetarian Restaurant on Middle Road. It’s on the second floor of Midlink Plaza.


a few of the staff at Zen Japanese Vegetarian


If you’re fortunate enough to also know and dine with my friend, Michelle, then you’ll also have some cool conversation…otherwise, you’ll simply have to envy me! Zen wisdom: Envy is a dish best served slightly warmed… with noodles, edamame and a bit of ginger to aid with digestion.


Zen gets the high marks for most exciting assortment of meals!

While strolling through the streets, I came across City Center Mall, Singapore’s first eco-mall and found Four Seasons Organic store on the third floor. I didn’t eat full meals there, but it became part of my daily routine to pick up food bars and fresh squeezed green juice.


Spinach, carrots, apple and ginger….life is great!


And, of course, there are other reasons to keep going back….


4 Seasons gets the high marks for greatest assortment of “other reasons” to keep going back! Ladies, next time I promise I’ll bring copies of my books for you to see!

Next stop was 7 Sensations, also in Little India on Madras Street

Korean rice, yam soup, veggie roll wrap, green juice. 7 Sensations gets the prize for most esthetically pleasing presentation! The restaurant, the meals, and the menu are all expertly designed and presented! Try the durian cake and avocado/tofu cake for dessert.

See you on QQ, ladies!

Just a short walk from the hostel I was staying, is Big Bites Pure Vegetarian Restaurant. Many of their pastries and snacks have ghee (butter), or milk, but I did find a few snacks made from dahl and spices. So, that became part of my daily routine as well.

No….Just take the picture…that’s the point, I don’t want to look at the camera….I’m trying to look cool….while I pose next to my empty bag of just-eaten masala snack

Next was Lao Di Fang Vegetarian Restaurant in the Park Mall


in the basement of the Park Mall, Central Singapore


It was a little out-of-the way from where I was staying, so I only went there once, but next time….oh, man, next time….!

Next was Nature Vegetarian Delights – Hougang, Northeast Singapore…a buffet-style restaurant.

So that’s how I spent my days in Singapore, green juices, food bars, vegan dining and bunk beds in hostels.

Encore at Fo You Yuan

>Looks like fun, doesn’t it? Blissful, right? Yup. Uh huh… WELL YOU’RE WRONG!!! Those few days in Singapore were extremely stressful!! Why? Well, every other place I’ve lived, I would find one, perhaps two restaurants where I can eat, and then life is easy.

Monday? Restaurant ONE.
Tuesday? Restaurant ONE.
Wednesday? guess what…same restaurant! This I can do.

OR, if I feel like I can handle a bit of increased complexity I might do:

Monday? Restaurant ONE.
Tuesday? Restaurant TWO.
Wednesday? Restaurant ONE again.

Tricky, but manageable. This is what I’m accustomed to.

Here in Singapore, however, I have the stress of choice. On my last day, I was actually on my way to one restaurant, had a change of stomach, made an about face on the sidewalk and then started walking to another restaurant, then ended up going past that restaurant and ending up at a third restaurant where I finally had my meal. I don’t know if I could handle that sort of stress on a daily basis. I might go mad.

That’s the advantage of life on the lunatic fringe. Predictability. Now I know how omnivores feel!

 

As lengthy as this post is, there are still some other shops, stores I didn’t include in the list. Like I said, Singapore is heaven for vegetarians, but beware….You might not be able to handle it!

Now, as I wrap up this episode, I’d hate for you to think I was biased only towards vegetarian restaurants. I, and my blog pride ourselves as being fair, non-judgmental, ecumenical, all-inclusive and exercise political correctness and compassion and tolerance for all, regardless of their lifestyle, culinary and dietary choices. So, with that said, if you’re not into vegetarian fare,

I imagine you can always eat here:

In case you can’t read the sign, it says….”Free coffee with every purchase of a bowl of Pig’s Organ Soup.”

Nothing like a hot cup o’ joe to chase down the pig’s organ. Bon apetit!

 

Until next time, this is Walt F.J. Goodridge, Jamaican in China!

See you in Singapore!

CUT!!

Ok…are we done? Good…roll the credits, and don’t disturb

me again, ok?!!!

>crunch…slurp….gulp…smack, swallow.

Forgive me for asking, but….

Forgive me for asking, but...
Excuse me, ma’am, forgive me for asking, but is there also a height requirement for eating here? (China)

Forgive me for asking, but...
Excuse me, ma’am, forgive me for asking, but what exactly DO you do here in the Head Building? (China)

Forgive me for asking, but...
Excuse me, sir. Forgive me for being naive, but what kind of services DO your clients require exactly? (Singapore)

 

Forgive me for asking, but...
Excuse me, ma’am, forgive me for asking, but um, er…oh, never mind… (Singapore)

Scene in Singapore!

Fortunately for you, I have friends who have been to China, Laos, Singapore, (all the places I’ve been to), and all over the rest of the world. These friends have cameras, AND, also quite fortunately for you, they use THEIR cameras for taking stunning and captivating photographs of the places they’ve been. So, while I’m taking photographs of coffeepots, sea salt, supermarkets and backpackers sleeping on sidewalks, they’ve taken actual photos of these destinations. Who does that??!

I met Eric G. as he was passing through Saipan, and we’ve kept in touch and shared photographs since. Here are Eric’s own “Frenchman in Singapore!” shots for you to appreciate where this Jamaican in Singapore is right now! Thanks for sharing, Eric….saves me the cost of the taxi ride to these places!

In order to preserve the stunning colors, I haven’t compressed the photographs (for fast online viewing) as do for my own photos, so they’re a little larger than normal. You can also click on the photos to view them larger.

Frenchman in Singapore

Frenchman in Singapore

Frenchman in Singapore

Frenchman in Singapore

Frenchman in Singapore

Frenchman in Singapore

Frenchman in Singapore

Frenchman in Singapore

First official review! (The Coffeepot Cookbook)

Because The Coffeepot Cookbook was inspired by my time in China, I gave ChinaTravel.net the first official review copy of the book. I just received an email from Aimee Groom, ChinaTravel editor, with my first official review: Yay!!! Thanks, Aimee.

“I wish I’d had a copy of The Coffeepot Cookbook back in 2009 when I lived four days a week in a back-of-beyond Nanjing hotel on a diet of spicy beef instant noodles and rice crackers! Feasible, functional and fun, the ever resourceful Walt has hit upon a genuinely great idea for the frugal and health conscious traveler and delivers it with his trademark humor. Plus he’s added a few new terms to the culinary lexicon along the way… silk-steamed spaghetti anyone?”–Aimee Groom, Editor, ChinaTravel.net


p.s. Nice work on the book, Walt! It’s a lot of fun!

 

Singapore days! Singapore nights!

Here in Singapore, I’m doing things a bit differently. As mentioned earlier, I’m staying in hostel dorms rather than singles. Prices are a bit higher here, so a bed in a 6 or 8-person dorm costs from $20SGD to $30SGD/night. The exchange rate between US and Singapore is 1USDollar = 1.28SGD (Singapore dollar). So, a $25SGD room is about $19US. Since I’m still thinking in Chinese RMB, that’s about 125RMB, about what I was paying for a single hotel room on Hainan, and WAY MORE than the 40RMB I was paying in Xishuangbanna. Yeah, yeah, I know it’s a different country, but I’ve been spoiled!


That’s NOT my bed, I swear. I don’t wear sneakers.

In any event, it’s not so bad. It’ll only be for a few days, and people pretty much keep to themselves (or maybe it’s just me). And, anyway, as a nomad writer, I’ve got to experience new things and survive to write about them!

I wanted to take a photo in front of a “definitively Singapore” landmark, but I’ve been told that the famous Merlion Statue is under construction.
[The Merlion is an imaginary creature with the head of a lion and the body of a fish. This half-lion, half-fish sculpture rests on undulating waves. The lion head alludes to the legend of Singapore’s founding by Sang Nila Utama, a Palembang Prince who, on his arrival on the island, saw what he thought to be a lion and thereafter renamed Temasek, Singapura or “Lion City”. The fish-tail represents Singapore’s links to the ancient sea-bound island which was Temasek and its long and successful association with the sea, reflecting how the forefathers traversed the oceans to come to Singapore and the nation’s subsequent dependence upon it as a port.]


So, if it weren’t under construction, my photo would look like this, except with less people, and with a Jamaican hue. (Use your imagination) And to answer your question, I have no idea who these people are, but that’s what can happen when you post photos to a public blog.

Shao Yi, a couchsurfer I met online, gave me a little tour of the Little India part of town, and told me where I could find a “reasonable facsimile” of Merlion…

Shao Yi…(Let me know how the book develops, Shao Yi)

According to Shao Yi, said facsimile exists at a tourist spot called Sentosa where I took these photos…

Thanks to my friend, Greta, in Beijing (who’s originally from Singapore), I made some new contacts here. We met for dinner and then headed to a friend’s birthday party. A fun time was had by all!


Walt, Emilie, Kay and Michelle dining in Singapore.

By the way, how do you like my new shirt? This is my favorite style, so I bought three, and may go back and get some more before I leave Singapore. So, don’t set your fashion expectations too high as it concerns the diversity of my wardrobe in upcoming posts. No names, but some of you (Ken!) have a tendency to comment on this as if it mattered to me.

Ketan, the birthday boy!


Luigi, from Italy! Great conversation, Luigi. I’ll let you know when the Dating in China for Foreigners book is out!


Kay, Emilie (with the Ukelele) , Michelle, Ketan

 

 

Announcing: The Coffeepot Cookbook!

The coffeepot cookbook

Here’s the second book I’ve been working on…and you thought I was only kidding!–Walt (This is a special preview for my blog visitors! If you order the paperback, I’ll give you a free peak (full copy) at the ebook right away, but the actual paperback will ship to you after April 5.

THE COFFEEPOT COOKBOOK! A Humorous, yet Actually Usable Traveler’s Guide to Preparing Healthy, Hearty, Happy Meals on the go Using Nothing but a Hotel Coffeepot…. and a Little Ingenuity!

by the Jamaican in China!

TOP TEN REASONS TO ORDER THE COFFEEPOT COOKBOOK, LIKE NOW!


10. Perfectly priced and sized for budget and backpack!
Weighing in at 6oz, 6″ x 9″ and at only $14.24*US,
The Coffeepot Cookbook is the perfect gift for money-and-space-conscious backpackers and other travelers who want an entertaining, yet indispensable tool for the adventure (with real recipes, commentary, back-stories, travel tips, 1 dating suggestion, and more!)

9. Ideal for the chronically or situationally cheap.
You don’t have to be a backpacker, a nomad or a frequent traveler to enjoy saving money on pots, appliances (no more cancer-causing microwaves), or utensils.
The Coffeepot Cookbook can can be used effectively right in your own home, apartment or section of the trailer park.

8. The perfect “going away to college (finally!)” gift!
It’s about time! You’ve been wanting to use that freeloader’s room as a home office, a guest room or storage closet. But just so you won’t feel guilty for not paying for a meal plan for the kid, give junior something useful for his dorm room: The Coffeepot Cookbook! See? You’re not really bad parent after all.

7. The perfect “time to live on your own (finally!)” gift!
It’s about time! You’ve been wanting to use that freeloader’s room as a home office, a guest room or storage closet. “Here. Take this book and get out.”

6. You need proof!
Think about it. No one is ever going to believe you that a book like this actually exists. But, you’ll get the next to last laugh when it shows up delivered to their doorstep. THEY’LL get the last laugh when they read it!

5. The coffeepot makes the man!
Display
The Coffeepot Cookbook proudly on your living room coffee table the first time you invite her over, so your date knows what sort of experience she’s in for with you as a boyfriend.

4. The coffeepot makes the woman!
Men invariably set their expectations high when it comes to the women they marry–particularly when it comes to their skill in the kitchen. Can’t cook? No problem. Display
The Coffeepot Cookbook proudly on your living room coffee table the first time you invite him over, and let’s nip that bad boy in the bud from the get go!

3. The revolution will not be microwaved!
Come on. Admit. You’ve either done it or thought about doing it last time you were in a hotel and getting fed up with a steady diet of ramen noodles. You knew there HAD to be more uses for this thing “the man” didn’t want you to know about. Power to the people!! (No justice! No peas!)

2. We have a money-back guarantee (visit the site to read it very very very very carefully)

And the number one reason to order
The Coffeepot Cookbook right now…..drum roll, please…

1. Get it before it’s banned!
Let’s face it, you’re not going to find this trend-setting book next to your Gideon Bible in the bed and breakfasts, motels and hotels around the world. In fact, once the International Hotel Owners Association gets wind of these coffeepot recipes, chances are they’ll move to get it summarily banned in all continents and all languages. Get it now before the book burnings begin!


6″ x 9″; 52 color pages; $14.24* plus shipping for the paperback!

Click the button below to order the paperback

(Fast one-page checkout! Delivered to your doorstep in 7 days!…give or take)

Coffeepot not included.

Or Order ebook
*NOTE: I really wanted to make this cookbook full color AND charge only $12.00, but to do so, would mean I would lose money on every sale. (That would be like ME paying YOU to read my book. And how silly is that!!?) Then I thought about making the cookbook black and white, but whoever heard of a black and white cookbook???? So, you get a full color cookbook for the painstakingly-researched, consumer-friendly yet still marginally profitable price of $14.24–Walt

Anyway, there’s more fun stuff on the site!

Jamaican in Singapore!

Someone made the following comment on the previous “Last Days in China” post: “Good luck on your trip home. I enjoyed following your travels.”

Home? Who says I’m going home? But for that matter, where is home? As I say in Living True To My Self, I’m a minimalist, vegan nomad. “I function with less, won’t eat any flesh, and my home’s where I rest.”

The story is simple: my China visa expired on March 7, so as is, um, advisable, one should leave when one’s stay has concluded. In the famous words of Felix Unger: “Never overstay your welcome, or you’ll never be welcome to stay over.” However, I do plan to return for more fun and excitement.  In the famous words of Walt Goodridge, “There will always be a Jamaican in China!” (And the blog title will be the same wherever on the continent I roam…

Which brings me to, drum roll please….Jamaican in Singapore!

I’m in the area. It’s a quick flight, and Singapore, Bali, Indonesia, Malaysia have been on my list for quite some time. So, off we go!

My escape from China started with an early morning 5:30AM taxi ride to the Sanya train station. It takes about 30 minutes and costs 25RMB (on the meter) from the UFO Hotel.

Jamaican in Singapore

I have to take the high speed train to Haikou since that’s the international airport on Hainan. Cost of train ticket: 88RMB. Length of ride: 1 hour 20 minutes.

Jamaican in Singapore

Jamaican in Singapore

Sunrise from Sanya.

Jamaican in Singapore

Conveniently, the MeiLan station puts you in the basement of the Haikou airport. So a few escalators up and you’re there! In order to make the 20kg limit on checked-in luggage, I had to throw away a few items…final weight: 19.8kg.

Jamaican in Singapore

Whew! That was tiring….After I took this photo of my plane departing, I had to run real fast to get back on it before takeoff. But the pilot was a real nice guy.

Jamaican in Singapore Hey! Is that the same little red car I spotted on Day 1 in China, Beijing??? Hey, are you following me?

I land in Singapore and change 300RMB to Singapore dollars (SGD) (Exchange rate: 1 RMB = 0.20SGD) so I ended up with about 60 Singapore Dollars for my taxi ride to my hostel.


Jamaican in Singapore


Jamaican in Singapore

My friend, Greta, had suggested Prince of Wales Hostel as a place to stay. This experience will be a bit different as I booked a bed in a dorm! The cost is 22SGD/night. That’s about 17US dollars per night. That’s about what I was paying for a single room on Hainan, so I didn’t want to go higher than that. That means I’ll be giving up my privacy and actually sharing living space with people!! Haven’t done that since….well, I’VE NEVER done that! Okay, that’s not true, when I was a homeless, entrepreneur upstart, I did “couch surf” with friends until I got on my feet!

In any event, Audrey shows me the accommodations, share the rules. (No outside food allowed on the premises; no food in the dorm. So I guess there’ll be no coffeepot cooking here.
Jamaican in Singapore

First order of business after settling in: food! (I don’t eat airline food, and I typically don’t eat less than 24 hours before a plane flight) I checked Happycow.net and found a list of vegetarian restaurants. On the way to check out one on the list, I discovered this one, which was a bit more inviting. It was a bit before the evening shift, and the cooks were sleeping, but my new best friend (whom you’ll meet soon, was nice enough to get the cooks started a little earlier than usual. I simply had to wait about 20 minutes, and while I waited, I had some dessert.

Jamaican in Singapore

Have you noticed how “flat” some of the photos appear? I’m wondering if that means the lens is sub-par and thus an indication that the camera in China might be a knock-off. What do you think the chances of that are?

 

Jamaican in Singapore

Chloe, my new bestest friend, and first official Jamaican in Singapore photographer. She just started working at the restaurant a few days before.

Jamaican in Singapore
The food

Jamaican in Singapore
The fan

Jamaican in Singapore
the finale

I should tell you that Singapore seems to be the most vegetarian friendly place I’ve ever been! There are huge vegetarian signs everywhere!!! I mean everywhere! There will be no shortage of places to indulge my proclivities.

Jamaican in Singapore

Later in the evening, I met up with some couch surfers and we hung out on Arab Street in Little India until about 11:30pm! Great first day in Singapore! Stay tuned!

 

Last Days in China….

The last few days in Sanya, have been a bit hectic. I met a lot of nice people, finished a second book I’ll be announcing soon, found a great, reasonably-priced apartment (with a kitchen) for anytime I return to Sanya, and two days before I was scheduled to leave, my camera died, which meant I had to do something I hate doing: shopping. (I think I have evidence the camera I got is knock-off…stay tuned.) But before I tell you where I’m off to next, I’ll share some shots from The Last Days in China.


Met up with couchsurfer, Gemma at one of the hostels  in the area!


Met a new friend at Wang Hao Supermarket and we hung out a few days later at the amusement park near the UFO hotel. Turns out the ladies are new Mary Kay reps in Sanya! I have a warm spot in my heart for Network Marketing companies, as the one I had joined many years ago helped free me from corporate confinement to live true to my self!


Hang on, ladies!


Afterwards, we had dinner and a great time!


Said a few goodbyes to the ladies at Wang Hao who had gotten in the habit of seeing me come to buy my raw cashews every day at the same time!

I met June at Wang Hao supermarket. She was right behind me on line and helped me out when I was having trouble asking for change for the bus. She ended up being a vital part of my gastric happiness in Sanya (think “sea salt,” but keep it a secret)….


June also helped me purchase the camera I now use to document my travels. Yes, this shot was staged with the camera I had just purchased.


The sales girl who took my money!


Hung out with June and friend at a cafe overlooking Sanya Bay!


Posed for the obligatory Jamaican in China photos


and again…and again….

dinner in Sanya
Norway meets China. Harald, from Norway and Pan Hui, from China! Harald and Pan Hui helped me look for apartments…Harald, a dentist from a former life, is a great thinker and conversationalist..


Solved the world’s challenges with Harald…..(Next time, look at the camera, Harald!)

dinner in Sanya

Had the greatest vegetarian meal in Sanya, courtesy of a dinner invitation from my friend from the beach, Norwegian artist (painter) Jan Erik, and author wife Feng Xian Lin. They’ve also co-authored, designed and published various books. You can check out Jan’s paintings at www.willgohs.info

Hunan cooking and culture Feng Xian Lin

One of the books Fenx Xian Lin authored is a Hunan cooking and culture book. So you know I was treated to some great food….my last night in Sanya…darn….Now, I’ll have to wait until I return to show up un-announced with my chopsticks in hand and nothing in my stomach!

China meets Romania

Beijing transplant, Sandy and Romanian expat, Adrian…Can’t wait to hang a bit longer next time!

Eyes on Singapore…..Did he say, Singapore?????