Since this blog was created more than 15 years ago, 2.92 million individuals have visited this site from 221 countries.  There there are only 195 actual countries, but there are domains for places like Antarctica, so there are 26 locations not considered to be nations.   For a reason I can't explain, more people/million from  Singapore  visit this blog site by a very large amount : Singapore   75,161 USA   706 Canada  450 Australia  319 UK   292 Netherlands  236 Denmark  216 France  141 Germany  140 Japan    76 Thailand   50 I will be visiting countries shown in  BOLD ( blue)  print on this global adventure. The key question is why is Singapore so far ahead?  Maybe because English is the dominant language of the country. But that's also true for many other nations.  Anyone in Singapore:  send me an e-mail if you think you know why.   PATKENTAK@HOTMAIL.COM   ...

Me?  I've been here at least a dozen times.  But something about this current one convinced me that everyone should come here at least once, preferably just before Christmas, for it is not as hot, and those holiday lights are awe-inspiring. While safety is only one big plus, a  recent study cited these as the safest cities in the world : Reykjavik (Iceland) Copenhagen (Denmark) Montreal (Canada) Amsterdam (The Netherlands) Seoul (South Korea) Singapore (Singapore) Tokyo (Japan) Berlin (Germany) London (England) Sydney (Australia) Barcelona (Spain) Honolulu (Hawaii, the USA) Rome (Italy) Dubai (The UAE) Paris (France) I would, though, like to interject my input.  Paris and Rome are NOT so safe.  From gypsies to pickpockets to worse, I now refuse to go there anymore.  In contradiction to the above article is a more  recent report  (23November2022) that headlined: Paris and Rome entered the top most dangerous cities in the world Also, see Barcelona, ...

The prime attraction for Singapore is their annual   Christmas on a Great Street   lights.  Along Orchard Road from ION Orchard to Ngee Ann City, as well as outside Wheelock Place and Far East Shopping Centre, this is the 39th year of festive cheer.  On every night until January 2.  Simply dazzling! The Marriott Tang Plaza is right in the middle of this all.  During the day the view from our hotel room on the 26th floor. At night we took a walk along Orchard Road.  First, free drinks and snacks in our M Club.  Then, see that photo immediately above?  Here is a night photo. Swarms of people also walking on Orchard. Entertainment along the way.  Noticed signs showing how many parking spots were open in these buildings. Almost walked 10,000 steps. Then dinner.  Wagyu or Popeyes?  The latter won.  We had two beers and peanuts supplied by the hotel, so ate in our room with a view of the lights. The free breakfast buffet is bett...