SHEMYAKID

Visit To The Far East
In 1978 the company I was working for at the time sent me to Singapore for troubleshooting a product that we made. The company that used this product was located in Singapore, but the product was also installed in Thailand's Royal Navy helicopters. I had contacted the Chief Engineer at the Singapore company and said that I was 6'7" and to look for a large man at the airport. He later told me that he had spotted someone who fit the image and walked up to him and said, "Chuck?" It wasn't me, and the guy, obviously from Australia, said "Piss off, Mate!"

Customs in Singapore asked me only one question; "Do you have Playboy or Penthouse magazines?" I replied that I did not. I was later told that one or the other magazine had done some bad articles about both Singapore and Thai government rulers.

At Singapore, the Chief Engineer informed me that I and a group from his company would be leaving on a flight to Thailand, where the technical problems occurred. I was able to see a little of Singapore, and I loved it; charming people and beautiful country! The next day, about 16 of us flew to Bangkoc, Thailand. I stayed in a beautiful hotel for one night, and then we all got into several vans and headed for Utapou (SP.?), which was a former base for U.S. B-52s but had been turned over to Thailand. I spent 14 days there, and in that time we solved the technical problems. Customs in Thailand also asked if I had Playboy or Penthouse magazines; alas, I did not. We stayed in a beautiful hotel in Phattaya Beach (SP.), which is probably as close as I'll ever get to the charms of Hawaii! I very much enjoyed it there during my stay; also charming people and a beautiful site. I had previously announced to the "guys" that I wanted to saample all the exotic fruit in that part of the country, so they played a prank on me, ordering a Geruan (SP.?) for me. I burped that taste for about three days!

The first part of my trip was an overnight layover in Japan. This was in September of '78, so it was very humid. The countryside that I saw was beautiful, and the few people in interfaced with were very nice. I remember going to a Chinese restaurant in my hotel, and after the meal handing the waiter a ten thousand yen note, assuming that he would give me whatever change I had coming. Instead, he bowed repeatedly with a huge smile, so I guess that I wound up giving him a good tip for his service!

I also remember awakening at four A.M. Japan time (much later my body time!) and watching Mr. Spock from the TV series "Star Trek" speak Japanese; that's a curture shock!

From Japen I flew to Hong Kong with my legs up against the aircraft bulkhead in the passenger section; that seat, the only one available, was not made for a 6 foot seven inch man! I spent four hours in the Hong Kong airport and paid $5.00/US for a small glass of orange juice. Drink soda water instead!

All in all it was a great trip with golden memories. I'll always remember the nice, lovely people and beautiful country of the Far East. SHEMYAKID

Gatorade Frost

Fascinating story about your travels. I'll keep your tips and culutural comments in mind if I ever make it across the ocean.

__________________
I got in a fight one time with a really big guy, and he said, "I'm going to mop the floor with your face." I said, "You'll be sorry." He said, "Oh, yeah? Why?" I said, "Well, you won't be able to get into the corners very well."
Emo Philips