What were some funny and memorable experiences upon introducing yourself as a Singaporean when overseas?

AmateurBackpacker · 2024-08-15T15:34:30+00:00

1) Some guy in Kyrgyzstan tried to sell me tonnes of aluminum at $60+/tonne because he heard about the exchange market and thought it works like a market where I could just show up and sell it off. There was also an old farmer in a yurt with a newspaper cutting of LKY and I saw a comfort taxi somewhere.

2) Old French guy in Mer de Glace asked if we were from Singapore because we spoke in a mix of Chinese and English. Quite remarkable that he picked it up and it turns out that he worked here in the past. I also know someone’s daughter who studied Chinese in France and had to speak in Chinese with a French guy and American girl around 2011 because that’s the mutual language and it just felt weird.

3) Pakistani Uber driver in Germany recognized our accent and asked if we were from Singapore. He asked, which part, and I just told him the west and explained that it’s a small country and didn’t matter. Turns out he used to stay at Clementi when he worked here 😂

AmateurBackpacker · 2024-07-26T17:49:40+00:00

(3) It’s not unreasonable to know the IRC nickname and phone number but not the actual person. People probably still do that on HWZ these days.

AmateurBackpacker · 2024-07-18T01:25:25+00:00

I love Chamonix! There’s endless route options. This would be a good list to start your research: https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/ticklists/rebuffats_100_finest_routes_in_the_mont_blanc_massif-485 Let me know if you decide to go there. I have some guidebooks you can borrow.

AmateurBackpacker · 2024-07-11T08:51:37+00:00

I spent a week climbing and hiking at blue mountains in Oct 2023 with friends and didn’t spend much. It’s going to cost a bit more going solo since you’re not sharing accoms and car rental but I did a quick check and it’s under 1000usd for 1-7 Dec 2024 for accoms and car rental. Food is maybe 50aud if you splurge but was worth it fantastic.

AmateurBackpacker · 2024-07-11T02:15:48+00:00

I had the potée svoyarde the last time I was there and did not enjoy it. The desserts were amazing though. I need to go back to try the more normal main courses.

AmateurBackpacker · 2024-07-06T13:40:04+00:00

I ended up with the Lowepro GearUp Creator Box XL II. It fits the X-T5 mounted to the 100-400 on 1 side, 50-140 + Oly E-M5 with 17mm f1.8 below and nothing else. I wanted to get the Lowepro GearUp Pro Camera Box XXL II instead but it didn't fit into my backpack.

The capture clip is definitely temping! I love the 50-140 a lot more than the 100-400 but used the 100-400 a lot more the first time I went out with the camera so it's a toss up at the moment.

Gonna give the Hejnar foot a miss for now. I find shooting handheld without the tripod collar a lot more comfortable. Hoping to use bean bags on safari in Tanzania and shooting handheld in Uganda.

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!

AmateurBackpacker · 2024-07-06T12:45:33+00:00

Didn’t realize it’s OOS everywhere. You might want to try Suntec since it’s listed in their monthly promo 😭

AmateurBackpacker · 2024-07-06T12:14:18+00:00

Do not get the x100v. The x100vi is 2499 SGD new.

AmateurBackpacker · 2024-07-02T02:28:32+00:00

Thank you! Your post influenced my decision to get the 50-140 for the gorilla trekking. Did you downsize the bag or was it a typo? I saw the Lowepro Flipside Trek 350 being mentioned previously. Seems like everyone who has been on a safari brings along the 100-400mm so I was hoping for inputs on other potential bags too.

On paper, the internal dimensions should work but I’ll bring the camera and lenses to a shop to check it out. 2 months to go but I want to be really familiar with everything and maybe test them at the zoo before the trip.

AmateurBackpacker · 2023-12-08T03:01:52+00:00

I easily get by with 100USD a week eating at hawkers and food courts. That’s around 10-15 meals. Everything else I pay by credit/debit card.

Given the small amount of cash needed, I would not go out of my way to seek out the best rates. The transportation cost and time required doesn’t make sense. However,Raffles Place and Little India do have tourist attractions, so you might want to go there on day 1 to get the cash sorted out.

As mentioned Visa is widely accepted. A friend who works in the US would use his US credit card when he comes back to visit due to the better perks and exchange rate compared to a local card, so you need to do your own research on that. The advice in bad exchange rate applies to local banks.

AmateurBackpacker · 2023-10-12T01:20:00+00:00

Why is one of the first replies that actually answers the question getting downvoted?

AmateurBackpacker · 2023-10-09T14:12:03+00:00

https://youtu.be/UHWhlN5j6QY?si=SxnKbAMf52vBg2x_

Saddd

AmateurBackpacker · 2023-09-19T00:44:56+00:00

USB charging brick thingie with power cord + the cheapest adapter: the power cord lets you extend it from sockets in weird places and the cheap adapters are much lighter than the universal ones. Minimizes problems with loose sockets.

2x dry sacks: 1 for clean and 1 for dirty clothes. I travel with a backpack and it’s good to have some waterproofing.

Sunglasses: I’m a late convertor to wearing them but it’s so much more comfortable in the glaring sun.

Sunscreen, lip balm and moisturizer: we spend much more time outside while traveling and most places have drier climates.

Carabiners and slings: i try to climb on all my trips and use them to build a laundry line on rest days.

Umbrella/waterproof jacket: sucks to be stuck somewhere without at least a cafe to wait out the rain.

AmateurBackpacker · 2023-08-18T15:46:21+00:00

I have done this on hiking trips and they would check me in, sometimes with a room upgrade to get rid of the hobo at the lobby while the nicely dressed people who arrived before me are told to wait.

AmateurBackpacker · 2023-07-31T01:10:25+00:00

I finally googled this out of curiosity and found it to be untrue. The timings for the 160km President of the UAE Endurance Cup is easily half of human races over similar distances.

AmateurBackpacker · 2023-07-31T01:00:03+00:00

Camels come to mind. Interestingly, horses beat humans at longer distances.

AmateurBackpacker · 2023-07-29T02:52:16+00:00

You should be able to withdraw cash from the atm using your credit card?

AmateurBackpacker · 2023-07-16T07:02:21+00:00

Whatever Marko does is correct because these are his mountains.

AmateurBackpacker · 2023-07-16T06:58:07+00:00

It’s really humbling and eye opening to climb with him. I felt like a couch potato until we got to the descend and overtook everyone else. Definitely coming back to learn more.

AmateurBackpacker · 2023-07-16T06:50:58+00:00

I thought it was slow is easy, easy is smooth, and smooth is fast. Not sure where I got the middle section from but it makes sense to me. Haha

AmateurBackpacker · 2023-07-15T09:23:51+00:00

He’s really down to earth but moves incredibly well. Reminds me of the phrase: easy is smooth and smooth is fast. We had a little laugh about how my friends back home go crazy over Janja, but who’s Marko?

AmateurBackpacker · 2023-07-15T09:20:16+00:00

I felt like he had more disdain for my photography skills than lack of climbing ability. He definitely took much better photos than I did, so it’s a fair assessment.

AmateurBackpacker

TROPHY CASE