Salak, um, I like ‘em

There’s some designer out there who is jealous that nature came up with the idea of a snakeskin-covered miniature pear before it could be turned into a marketable statement of authenticity. Enter the salak.

It’s not actually snakeskin, but it is sometimes known as a snake fruit, for obvious reasons. I ate one at breakfast, and it was ok, although I have a feeling that finding one outside of a hotel buffet might lead to something that is a little riper and/or a little bit more fragrant.

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The hotel has a beautiful garden on the 4th floor roof next to the pool. This archway bears the symbol of the good-humored and perspicacious Mustachio Deity, who is revered on some of the more remote islands. The path beyond leads to a simple shrine inscribed with invocations and verses honoring His Brushiness.

At least that’s what I thought it said based on my knowledge of the local language. Google Translate thinks the sacred inscription on the shrine says something about “service entrance” and “pool pumping equipment.” Whatever.

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What makes a good hotel?

I’m sure the real answer to that question is complicated, but on the index of “number of bathroom goodies” the Jakarta JW Marriott ranks right up there… and there are even more in the shower.

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In terms of saying you’ve been somewhere, there’s different categories available. I can really say I’ve been to France, for example, since I’ve stayed there for an extended period of time, interacted with French people, seen sites, watch TV, and so on. Iceland, on the other hand, gets an asterisk because I’ve never been outside the airport.

This, my first time in Indonesia, falls somewhere in between: I’m actually here in Jakarta with a visa, and will spend two nights. However, I don’t know if I will see much of anything other than hotels and office buildings. If I want to “really” say I’ve been to Indonesia, I will have to come back.

Maybe at the end of next month…

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The tour continues… Hello from Jakarta. Too tired to explore, so it’s hotel buffet night.

Recently I’ve been offered appetising bullfrog parts, fermented cow innards, and of course pig ears… so I passed on this dessert just in case.

Usually a typo is just a typo, but…

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Duty free in Changi airport … A great chance to get more snail mucus extract for your money. Don’t fail to miss it!

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Taxi driver talismans. The lights on the skull and jet in the center were hooked up to the brake lights.

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Another view of the hotel. Again hazy sky… The sun never really came out for us. The double helix pedestrian bridge was very cool. The monstrosity on the right is the casino museum. More Vegas than Vegas.

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Barricades and lighting are going up all over the city for the F1 race, the only nighttime race on the circuit.

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Marina Bay Light Show, Part Deux

Anybody can spray water and shoot lasers like the kind that annoy pilots and baseball fans. However, it takes Sheldon Adelson AND a government with a strong belief in the power of positive propaganda to take the show to the next level and the next. By the time the 15-minute commercial ended, mistily projected healthy Singaporean children grew up to run and overcome and thrive, happily passing their work ethic and mental soundness to their own adoring children. There was smoke and a bubble machine and even gouts of flame (for overcoming). The Chariots of Fire theme was quoted and then eclipsed for pure dramaticness. There were very few dry eyes. And now bring it down with a little Louis Armstrong.

And now please Sir, to return to the hotel. Gucci and Rolex and Alexander McQueen are still open if you desire, as is the casino. Indeed, what a wonderful world.

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Marina Bay Light Show, Part 1

Setup: You leave the hotel through the tunnel past the casino and into the mall. Then, exit the mall by Chanel and find a seat on the esplanade overlooking the water. Promptly at 8:00 and again at 9:30, the music swells slowly and three fan-shaped sprays appear. Cue lasers…

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