Beoz

I wonder who troubadour will blame this time given the misfortune of spending all his time in second rate joints.

Beoz

Another joy of heading to the armpit of Asia. You should have stayed in Singers.

the troubadour

So how's it going Vasco? (De Gama) I sense the adventure you feel leaving footprints in a place few white men have walked....the exotic intoxication of the East. Or would have been 150 years ago. Singers, is just another commercial city these days. Probably on par or close to with Australia. For a bit more 'adventure' Vasco you should cross the causeway .....far more interesting.

the troubadour

Could have stayed in Sydney almost only venturing to Singers. Although, I admit Singers, out classes Sydney on most all measurements.

moneypenny20

Our local beach sculpture exhibition. As with every year there's some that I have no time or interest in, some that make me think but not necessarily good things and some I just love. Also it's a great hour's walk on one of the best beaches I've ever visited and that never gets old. Not a fan of my beach being crowded but they'll all be gone next week.

Beoz

I could have made more money staying in Sydney, however months of nagging to get to Singers coupled with some pit passes to the grand prix was the clincher. Been doing the Singers trip 4 times (at least) per year for a long time. However things are booming in Sydney and that's where the cash cow is right now.

caretaker

Nice, what is the big dingo made of?

moneypenny20

I didn't buy the catalogue so not sure other than metal. I have a look don't touch policy but the guys in front of me were stroking it. A lot.

paulry

Yeah, true. But it's so much cheaper in the armpit.. And all those motorcyclists travelling across the causeway is a sight to behold. One hand on the throttle and the other on their iPhone!

the troubadour

But life isn't just a monopoly game you should have begin to realise. Sydney booming? A house of cards on quick sand comes to mind. Singers is way in front of Sydney. In location, in business, in everything I can point a finger at. Okay place to be an ex pat, with all expenses, otherwise forget it, far prefer KL anyway. But Singers, a city I first went to many decades ago as an eighteen year old back packer, at a time when Singers was still holding out as cheap, with hordes of Aussies attracted for that very reason , being cheap and Asia in miniature, has changed probably more than any other city I can think of on the planet. KL would rank close to it. I suppose smaller cities like Malacca are up there as well, but hardly well known.

I still think a trip across the causeway would be beneficial. My only question being, if true, for someone who claims to travel to Singers four times a year, be so uninformed about Malaysia, to address it as the 'arm pit' of Asia?

ozzieeagle

Up to Coburg, buying cheap Strawberries.

the troubadour

Strawberry fiasco now apparently entrenched in WA as well. Expect some heavily price reduced as a result. Probably lucky to break even some growers depending on discount being given.

paulry

I know Malacca very well. When I first went there it was a rather sleepy old place but now it's a tourist trap, maxed out with property developments and chock full of cars thanks to near zero town planning and greasy palms. It's still a great place to visit though.

As for going across the causeway into JB, what a shocker of a mess they've made there with all those Chinese-built apartment blocks.

the troubadour

Well how about that? Malacca was once my honouree 'home town'. I lived out of town but great location. Such friendly people to top it off. Locals back a few decades ago referred to it as 'sleepy hollow'. A lot of changes, with the river side development, and indeed speculators have tarnished the image somewhat. Far less cars actually in later years around the historical Dutch buildings, a shame what they did to St Pauls Hill as well. Indeed a lot of tourists these days, mostly from KL and Singapore but also China.
I have quite a 'history' in that state so it'll always be a special place. Malaysia is great overall with Penang offering a broader range of possibilities , but has become a little claustrophobic IMO at least from past times. KL has really come into its own though.
Never liked JB even in the 'old days'. Always been a little edgy I suppose but parts of Johor state are fine. .

Amazulu

I went there in 1994 and it was a great place

Hate to think what it's like now