Live From BBC ASIA it's Rico Hizon

Good Morning. Live from the Best City in the World!

So I recovered wonderfully, eating wheat bread for most of Monday. And then went all out and had the most amazing Chicken Tikka Masala and Garlic Naan in a back courtyard in Pasir Panjang with Caroline, Carlee, Anita, Olivia, Patty T, Elliot, and Katie. With the spices back in my belly, I was ready to take on Tuesday's morning adventure to BBC ASIA!

We went to the headquarters of this hub only to be surprised at how small the actual newsroom and office space was. With about 6 interchangeable producers and anchors, the tight office was cluttered with personal photos, newspapers, post-its, and hair gel. Yes, hair gel - in every form - mousse, spray, gel, and wax. We met with newsman Rico Hizon, Singapore's finest anchor straight from the Philippines. He presents the Asia Business Report and anchors one edition of the World Business Report live from Singapore Monday to Friday (http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/biographies/biogs/bbc_world/ricohizon.shtml).

Hair Gel Galore!!!Behind the Scenes!

Seriously - Patty T and I look professional.
Thank you for corresponding, Rico.
Your BBC Asia Co-anchors for 2020??

Technicolor Travels

I will always have vivid memories of Malaysia, but these pictures share with you a glimpse of the colorful town of Malacca!

Fresh flowers... I've never seen a blue flower before - questionable freshness.

Technicolor Tuk-Tuks!

Some of Malacca's colorful travelers.. Olivia, Catherine, Carlee, Anita, and Patty T... word.

Oh Just a Python chillin in a Tuk-Tuk... Why does it always have to be snakes..

The Dutch Sheeeep with a high speed Tuk-Tuk caught in motion

Aerial View of a flower by the Mangrove Forest

Bright Flower

Bright Fence

Bright Produce

Bright Fruits!

Nice Work Gumshoe!

So after the "Merlioning" I was trying to trace back my day to find the source... And sure enough all I needed to do was look at my camera - it had done all the investigating for me.
From our dinner to by the sea - seeing the fish we would eat pulled off the boat - to the wet market - with ultra pungent produce and poultry - there were many variables in the situation.


It could have been the fresh, but overwhelming seafood lunch we had...
or the fresh stingray sighting in the wet market...

Or the crabs crawling out of the wet market...

despite having their feet attached, the chicken wasn't walking but was certainly smelling...

The fresh fruits were fresh just like the fish...

soooo.... It must have been Olivia - in charge of frying the chicken... Funny how she offered me the first bite of our concoction...

Thanks Olivia - Love you lots.
[The next cooking class we had - I made every dish... Olivia felt ill after the meal most likely from overindulging in our rich spread of curries. Needless to say, Karma!]

Before things got Malais-ian...

There was a good afternoon spent in Malaysia before my blog stopped. I apologize for the halt in updating... it was not the recovery time, but the other activities going on that delayed me. I will load some pictures for now, and fill in the blanks later. Sorry to keep everyone waiting!


Which Way Would You Go?

Colleen and I by our AMAZING coach!

Patrick Toomey (appropriately renamed Patty T) and I
in front of propaganda for tourists

You know - One of those Monkeys that shows up around Asia.

Mangrove Forests

Philosophical Thoughts On the Lookout Post

Chillaxin' on the Southernmost Tip of Mainland Asia

Deja Vu - Didn't I already go to the Southernmost Point in Asia (Sentosa) well I guess that just clarifies that I went there regardless of which country holds the record

Alyzza, Patty T, and I: "Thasss Wuzzzup"

Some clothes drying next to our restaurant table.

Well, the health care is decent...

Greetings from a Malaysian Hospital - I bet not that many people can add that to their list of things done over the summer. Well, somewhere between the Leisure Hunt and the Night Market, the devil disguised as an ice drink attacked me. After seeing my Malaysian cuisine more times than intended Friday night, I thought I'd be better by the morning... so I walked down to the lobby and promptly vom-laysia-ed in a pewter flower pot by the koi pond. Still persistent to join the countryside bike tour, I put on my helmet for the bike trip but passed out on some Malay woman's love seat instead. Everyone kind of figured I needed more assistance than a nap, so off to the clinic I went. Despite my brave attempts, I could not overpower the diagnosis of food poisoning and severe dehydration. About twelve checks of my blood pressure later, I was sent to the ER for 2 bags of fluids, intended for a check out time within 4 hours. At about the 6 and a half hour mark, the nurse removed the second bag with a good 100cc's left, joking that we should split that bag among my visitors to speed the process. Although my souvenir shopping was limited by my firsthand account of foreign health care - Andy did buy me a lovely sunflower to brighten my day. I was accompanied by my loyal friend Caroline Fisher - endless thanks for laughing at my morbid hospital jokes while I was hooked up to the IV. As well as photographer, Sarah, and comedian, Andy Reynolds. What a wonderful memory of Malais-ya. Now what to do with all those Malaysian ringets I cashed out?

Sentosa (The Trashiest Part of Singapore - In both Senses of the Word)

I'll come back to this one - but I just need to have day markers in place.

Barrels of Monkeys in Bukit Timah!

Caroline, Maggie, Daniel, and I take a hike to Singapore's Highest Peak!!

It was a steep incline for 10 minutes and then we hit the top.
Look a Monkey! Not your average creature to spot on a Monday hike...Lots of free range monkeys and foliage.I felt like Fern Gully ! But whatever you do... DONT FEED THE MONKEYS!! Ceci - our program directors ' daughter dropped her banana at a monkey - trouble at one and a half - her passport has been tagged by the government.