So Not Lost!

As I mentioned in my previous entry, I had the pleasure and honor of watching the opening ceremony of the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) live. I bought a ticket that seated me close enough to the center, and arrived at the venue early enough to be seated as close to the stage as possible.

The ticket said that the gates would open at 4pm, so I dashed to the Promenade entrance right after work, arriving at around 3pm. After relaxing for an hour at the nearby Millenia Walk, I joined the entrance queue at 4. We were allowed entry at 4:30pm (the excuse being that seats were wet following an early afternoon shower, and thus had to be dried).

entering The Float @ Marina Bay

Entering The Float @ Marina Bay took us on the scenic route around Marina Bay, giving us a view of the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, and the Helix Bridge. The entrance had airport-like security, and upon passing it, we walked on the Helix Bridge towards the Youth Olympic Park and onwards to The Float.

at the Youth Olympic Park

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The inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) will officially begin tonight, 14 August 2010, right here in Singapore. 3,531 athletes from 204 countries and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will be participating in the first ever Summer YOG.

For the past month or so, all of Singapore has been decorated with all sorts of YOG stuff. Flags bearing the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games logo have been flying or hanging along almost every street. Countdown clocks have been slowly ticking away towards the opening ceremony. Logos, Olympic rings, and even the official mascots Lyo and Merly can be found almost everywhere in Singapore.

YOG arch at Orchard Road

YOG promotions on Cavenagh Bridge

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It’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere, which means it’s time for people to pack up their backpacks and go to an “exotic” destination of their choice. Americans head to Europe, Europeans head to Southeast Asia, and Southeast Asians… generally stay in Southeast Asia. It’s also that time when the classic debate comes up, either online or in hostels around the world: Are you a traveler or a tourist?

Much has been said about what typifies a tourist, and what distinguishes a traveler from them. There always seems to be a sense of pride from those who identify themselves as travelers that they’re not like every other backpacker holding a Eurail pass or following the Banana Pancake Trail.

In some ways, I agree with their point-of-view, and if at all possible, I try not to be so “tourist-y.” But there are some things that “typical tourists” do which I do as well. Sometimes, it’s a bit unavoidable, but generally, I made a choice to do them. And even if it marks me as a “tourist” instead of a “traveler,” I’m not ashamed to admit that I do these five things.

(Before you proceed, note that this is not an indictment of any style of travel, whether it’s as a “tourist” or as a “traveler.” I believe that each person traveling has his or her own personal travel style, and that there’s no one “right” or “proper” way to travel. That said, feel free to poke fun at me for these things I do!)

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I was coming home from a quick trip at work when I noticed this HUGE ship at the harbour. Eventually, I found out that it was the Russian tallship Pallada, currently berthed at VivoCity, a mall in Singapore.

I snapped some photos of it, and even managed to take a photo of an authentic Russian sailor!

I found out that you can get on-board the Pallada for free! You can take a free tour of the Pallada tomorrow, March 13, at 10am, 11am, 12nn, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm. Be sure to bring your passport (if you’re a foreigner) or your IC (if you’re Singaporean).

Some info on the Pallada, via SchoonerMan:

Flag: Russia
Rig: Full-rigged ship
Homeport: Vladivostok, Russia
Normal cruising waters: Worldwide
Sparred length: 356′ 4″
Draft: 22′ 4″
Beam: 45′ 9″
Hull: Steel

Pallada is the fifth ship of the Dar Mlodziezy-class built in  Gdarmsk, Poland during the 1980’s. Unlike her white- hulled sisters, Pallada has a black hull with false gunports and resembles the great Russian Barque Kruzenshtern. She is named for the Greek goddess Pallas Athena. She is owned by Dalryba, a conglomerate of fishing companies, and offers sail training to foreign marine-college cadets.

I’ve been negligent in my blogging for the past few months, but I swear I have a very good reason for it.

I’ve moved to Singapore.

It is not a permanent move (my contract to work here is until November 2010, but I’m aiming to renew it for at least one more year), but I did have to pack my bags and relocate, and adjust to my new surroundings.

I am here because of work, and wow, I’m having such a GREAT time working here! I work for Universal Studios Singapore as a performer and I’m having the time of my life here.

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