Flying around always tends to beat the living daylights out of you, not matter how long or how short the trip is, BUT, I've now found something new, something that will alleviate the pain and refocus the need for sleep elsewhere...it's called sheer boredom. Ladies and Gentlemen, let me welcome you to the capital of Brunei, Bander Seri Begawan! Oh yeah ! The rocking, beating heart of this sultanate is a piddly 24hr cafe that may, or may not, serve fish in a 'fish shaped' dish. There is sense of calm on the streets however andnonchalant, peaceful ways of its people only suggests to me that that their inner fortitude and need for well being is kept in check but some external influence, what could that be I wonder? Perhaps a ferocious and non too benevolent dictator that dishes out his on hardcore form of justice. This is but a perception and has not yet been confirmed on our part but I'm putting my money on this being the case as I haven't had a citizen from Brunei take me for a quiet chat in a bar as yet (tough finding a bar in a Muslim country, believe me!).
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque - Bandar Seri Begawan - State of Brunei Darussalam
'Get me outta here' - The very sedate passengers lounge - Brunei International Airport - Brunei
Jase @ 'The Long Bar' - Raffles Hotel - Singapore
Singapore Sling time - Long Bar - Raffles Hotel - Singapore
Bandar boredom aside, the real aim and starting point of our excursion was always going to be Hanoi, via an $85 drinks stop in the Long Bar of the Raffles hotel in Singapore. Is there any better way of spending a few hours in Singapore then taking up residence at the Raffles with a few speciality Singapore Slings to keep you company? Did you also know, by way of urban myth, that the last Asiatic tiger was shot under one of the tables in the Raffles long bar? Legendary, of course, but still an interesting story.
Everyone loves a winner, even a champion vindaloo eater - Singapore Airport - Singapore
What to say about Hanoi then ....what to say ? I'm sure the first thing that grabs most people and the aspect that initially sent my head spinning is the traffic. It's relentless, it's chaotic, heavy and makes you wonder how the hell people get to any place without coming to grief more times than you actually witness (which has been zero thus far). The city rings with the sound of car and bike horns almost 24/7 and you've got to think that the meaning associated with its use is lost on everyone because a 'get the f*** out of my way' horn blast only lasts for the duration of the next person in front or behind you. Multiply that effect by every second person on the numerous streets and alleyways and you'll start to get an idea of the street scape activity.
'Static motion' - Hanoi - Vietnam
'Contemplation' - Hoan Kiem Lake - Hanoi
Aside from that, Hanoi Rocks - it's a great place to get lost in. Small back streets, vendors street side cooking up all sorts Asian wonders, thin / tall terraced buildings, a kind of shabby but quaint feel that suckers you in from kick-off. For right now I'm going to leave my impressions for some time later in the game because I've got to go and find a little resolve on the local brew for $1.10 a pop (ouch :)
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