Rising in Phoenix

I reached Phoenix, Arizona at around 6.40 PM. I headed straight to the baggage claim section, and before I even got to the carousel I saw Cheryl and her husband Doug. Of course, I've only seen a picture of Cheryl and have spoken with her over the phones a few times during out tele-conferencing, but I recognized her almost immediately. Apparently she did too as she got up and walked towards me with a big smile.

Doug and Cheryl are two of the nicest people a person could ever meet. They were warm, and friendly and absolutely charming. After getting the luggage, we walked towards their car and were discussing on where to go for dinner. Having already "google-earthed" the area, I knew a few interesting places to eat around Mariott's Residence Inn where I'll be staying. One of them (which one of my colleague back home strongly suggested as well) was the Mexican food restaurant called Abuelo's. Cheryl's jaw dropped when I suggested we go there, she was extremely surprised that I even knew of Abuelo's.

We drove through the town of Phoenix, it was a sight to behold. We reached Abuelo's and just as Cheryl had been worried of, the place was packed. However Doug did say that it wouldn't be too long of a wait so we went in anyway - and sure enough we got a table within 10 minutes. When I had the menu in my hand, I felt as is I was reading a Mexican newspaper. I didn't know any of the items in the menu...but then I had a second look. Of course, I know what a fajita is...and then there was a buritto...and enchiladas. But that was about as far as I got. Taking into consideration my food restrictions, Doug suggested I try the Fajita Chimichanga. I thought the name had a nice ring to it. He was right, I loved it!

So what a Chimichanga is, is basically a deep fried burrito (chicken / turkey fillings) with some salad, refried beans and some Mexican rice. However, what I really enjoyed in Abuelo's wasn't the main course...instead it was the salsa and the tortilla chips which they served as the appetizer. I was immediately hooked on them!

After dinner, I checked in to the hotel which was right across of the Chandler Fashion Mall. Quite a nice area, for someone who is not familiar with the left hand side driving to be able to explore on foot!

Sleepless in La La Land

After an almost 18 hours flight, I was hugely relieved to reach the Los Angeles International Airport. According to Wikipedia, LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world - but that doesn't necessarily make it the best airport in the world. Compared to Singapore airport, even the KLIA, I personally think LAX pales in comparison.

Getting through customs wasn't a problem. That happened very quickly - as soon as I got out I looked around to figure out where I should stand to wait for the shuttle that was supposed to take me to LA's Sheraton Gateway. First time in LA, all alone, cold and a bit confused, it took me about 20 minutes to figure out what I had to do. I saw the shuttle pass me by twice and I hoped it would stop but it just drove by. I asked someone, and he told me I have to hail them. I did so, and pretty soon I was on my way to the hotel.

I got to know soon enough that this weekend is the Oscar weekend. Which means, Hollywood would be bustling with activity. What a great time to visit that area...I was contemplating on going to either Santa Monica (where the infamous Route 66 ends) or the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The choice seemed obvious, but unfortunately I ended up going to neither place! (more on this later)

I was extremely hungry when I reached the hotel, and not knowing where to go for dinner, I did the most obvious thing - order room service. Of course, all I wanted was a burger and a bowl of onion soup. That's what I ordered...but what I got was this:

The onion soup isn't even in the picture - I had to move back just to take this shot. My very first American dinner - and it tasted like sawdust (the turkey on the burger). The onion soup was very good though, and I would have really enjoyed if only they had not smothered it with cheese. After such a dinner, I needed to sit for a while and relax.

The bed was very inviting, but unfortunately I couldn't sleep all night - it was daytime back home and evening in the US. I was extremely tired, wanted to sleep so much so that I can have that much needed rest but the evil of all travel kicked in - the jet lag.

When I woke up (well if course I didn't sleep at all, I was just lying down on the bed very much wide awake) I was so tired I could barely walk. I took a shower and got connected to the Internet. Wasn't as easy as I thought - the connection was very bad and I kept getting disconnected. I made a mental note to mention that in my company's hotel review website.

Highly irritated, I then switched on the TV and watched some news - then got dressed and wanted to go out. The moment I stepped out of the hotel, the cold weather engulfed me and I felt chilled to the bone. The weather was particularly bad this day, I tried walking around the hotel but I was shivering. How am I going to get to the Hollywood Walk of Fame in this condition? Add to the fact that suddenly I felt so sleepy and didn't quite know the lay of the land, I decided to turn back and embrace the comforts of the bed. I had better get some sleep before catching that plane to Phoenix. Hence ends my LA adventure.

At Changi

Free Internet access everywhere in Changi airport! The Singapore airport is equipped with many computer terminals where Internet access is provided for travellers, but only for 15 minutes mind you. That's not so bad - still better than nothing.

I took the 10.25 a.m. flight out of Bayan Lepas earlier today, and reached Changi International airport by noon. I got the window seat, but unfortunately the only view I had was of the plane's wing. It was nice and sturdy, and I felt really safe.

As soon as I landed, I walked around and noticed that the airport was more like a mall than any other airports I've been in. And boy, are the staff friendly! It seems like they read your body language, and out of nowhere they appear to help you (with a smile) if you look like you're stumped (i.e. you don't know where to go or what to do).

I'm using one of those 15 minutes Internet stations to post this, one that's near the Hard Rock Cafe. I'll be boarding my next flight to LA soon.

But of course, not before having some lunch. I discovered a nice little place in this huge airport named Breks. They serve good coffee and wonderful pizza, and you could even look at the airplanes while you eat.

Travel Time

I’m busy getting ready for a two weeks trip to the US. I should finish packing tonight as my flight out of Penang is at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow. I see a long and tiresome traveling period – Penang to Singapore, a 5 hour wait in Changi after which I board a 14 hours flight from Singapore to LA which stops for an hour at Taipei, Taiwan. I should be arriving at the Tom Bradley International Airport at around 6.40 PM, on the same day! How weird is that.

Before I arrive at my destination in Chandler, Arizona, I get to spend one night in LA’s Sheraton Gateway. If time permits and if I am not too tired, I plan to visit the Santa Monica Pier and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Santa Monica Pier, at day and night time

So many plans, so little time. Let’s see if I manage to take my own picture of the Pier and Walk of Fame. The ones above were taken from Flickr.