Another year older and another year wiser!

October 2008 has almost passed and I have turned fifty. The big 5O. I am not really someone who goes hard out about birthdays. I always think of them as just another day when the clock ticks over, you get reminded that you have plenty of things to see and do on that list and less time to do it in. Turning 50 seemed to emphasize this even more and except for the fantastic week of my birthday I really don’t feel any different than after any other birthday. I did enjoy not just the birthday but the whole week.

We enjoyed the company of our youngest son Logan during the week of my birthday. It was great to be able to spend some time with him and to trip around some of the spots we have enjoyed during our time in Singapore. My birthday the 13 October just happened to fall on my day off so we could really make the most of it.

We started on Sunday evening after work by heading down to Lau Pa Sat via Little India. We felt Logan had to experience Little India on a Sunday evening. With the lights on for Deepavali it made a great little stroll. He was blown away by the numbers of Indian men, as we wandered through wave after wave of them. Lau Pa Sat was another new experience that I always enjoy made even more pleasant by the fact that there happened to be a group of teachers from Bishan enjoying the evening there as well. From here we decided to visit “Devine”, the fairy bar, where the fairy flies up and get your wine. It was almost midnight and it was the only time I would be turning 50 so Ruth ordered a bottle of NZ wine. It was a great idea because we got special service from the fairy. A great start to a new decade.

My big day and the celebrations continued with a trip to town and a Singapore sling at Raffles in the Long bar. We sat enjoyed the surroundings soaking up the atmosphere while I wondered about the various famous people who frequented this hotel in days gone by. Logan was not impressed with the peanut shells all over the floor.

From here we did wandered to the Merlion and up the river. We had planned to meet friends at a little bar we enjoy called Check In for few drinks to celebrate. It was a typical warm Singapore afternoon so we did stop and have a couple drinks as we wandered. The atmosphere along the river is always pleasant and I enjoy this area very much. Logan seemed to enjoy the sights, we made a point of taking a bumboat ride as well, these are reasonable in price and give a commentary of interesting features along the river.

As evening fell we made our way to Check In and enjoyed the company of friends. It was great to spend the time socializing with friends. A number of the younger members offered to take Logan on the town but he declined. He did seem to be enjoying taking it easy and kicking back with his parents. We actually got home at a reasonable time having enjoyed fine drinks, fine food and great company.

There were many other highlights for the rest of the week Breakfast at the zoo with the Orang Utans before work on Wednesday. The MASC birthday cake, by the way my only birthday cake this year. High Tea at Shangri La on Friday. A great birthday pack from Beth and her family, Pineapple lumps, Marmite, fishing Magazine and DVD. My first chance to wear the all blacks silver fern even if it does say number 50 on the back.

For me the celebrations were rounded off with the MASC Dinner at the Ritz Carlton on the Monday following my birthday. I will remember my 50th as a great week, in a special part of the world, with some very dear people. Thanks all those people who helped to make it memorable.