Landing in Jakarta..appearances are a 3rd world nation. Slums and sub-tropical 90 F humidity as the city sits approx on the Equator. Immigration is slow and slightly amused at the customs inattention to ex-ray of baggage. What.....with all terrorist bombings at Western hotels, would expect more vigilance.   Taxi the 35 minutes to outskirts of downtown. Palatial Mullia Hotel gives a welcome sense of security. Guards check under every vehicle entering alon...

In for meetings at company and with customer.   Its called Sing-a-pour because its raining constantly.    This is a utopian mecca of shopping. Almost surreal in cleanliness and over-malled.   Every block and building is a mall. The city is a mix of every Asia culture - Malay, Indonesian, Chinese, Indian, etc. After business, I walk and walk around. Visit the reknown Raffles Hotel from 1842 where the Singapore Sling was invented. (of course I try one.....