Third Visit in Singapore plus flowers, water and anger - Wednesday 13 July

I am tired. Actually I am exhausted 13 days into this round the world trip. I meet Mike each morning at 7.30am for a breakfast meeting and then we spend several hours on site. I do take a long lunch but afterwards I am sending emails etc and what with the heat I am just exhausted!

Hot = drink water
I have not been drinking enough water and I have paid for it. Dehydration is no joke. I have learnt my lesson.

Solo site visit
I went to the site alone today and Mike has flown to Malaysia early. As much as his lack of understanding of some of the things got on my nerves. I actually miss Mike's standard "yes yes" and "it's cold in here" as the cab driver would crank up the air conditioning even more. I turned up at the site and what frustrates me the most with these site visits is they know I am coming so leave my BLOODY name with the security guards. It's the same rountine:

Security guard "who you want see?"

Me: "Mr x he is the EHS Consultant."

Secutiry guard "what, who, I call reception" talks in another language and then passes me the phone "talk, tell him"

Me: "who is on the phone?"

Security guard thrusting phone in my face "TALK"

Me: "Hello, my name is Ros and I am here to see Mr X [long pause on the phone]"

Mystery person at the other end says "No he no work here you at wrong site"

Ros: "No I am at the right site, he came here today"

I pass the phone back....more talking and finally I get shown away from the guard house and told walk up to the reception.

I should point out that the security guard stays in the nicely air conditioned guard house whilst I slowly cook in the heat of the 9am sun. At least on the Chinese sites they let me come into the guard house!

Flowers

After the bullshit of the site visit I decided I am tired of being alone I want to look at something pretty. So I took myself off to the Singapore Botany Garden which is free.  It is simply stunning and if you ever come to Singapore tear yourself away from the shops and come and see this. It is not commercialised and just an oasis of calm. It really cheered me up!
Aprés la merdie du visite de site je me suis allée au jardin de botanie à Singapore. C'est magique. Si vous venez à Singapore il faut y voir. Ca m'a fait du bien!

Crane fountain

Me

Curtain of roots

The bandstand

Anger
Yes yes it is fabulous to be sent round the world. I feel privileged but I am working and with little support. Big boss told me he was my contact if I needed anything. Well the fact I have to visit industrial sites on my own is not what I agreed to.  I sent him an email. He told me he was in a meeting. I told him I had to get up at 4am tomorrow morning to fly to Malaysia so he needs to respond to me.  He told me there is nothing he can do about me going alone and therefore "be strong and enjoy this wonderful adventure/ courage ros c'est un belle aventure!" I responded to him and let me say he now understands why flippant remarks in stressful situations aren't wise!

Next stop Malaysia for a day!!