MY RECENT TRIP TO SINGAPORE, INDIA AND NEPAL (short version)

SINGAPORE The Republic of Singapore is a small island country in southeast Asia located off the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula. It has 50 smaller islands around it. It is a very important seaport and its citizens enjoy one of the worlds highest standards of living. Singapore is located north of the equator so the weather is most always hot except during the rainy season when the temperature goes down a few degrees in November through January.

Ethnic Chinese make up most of the population in Singapore. There are also many Malaysians and Indians who live there. Many languages are spoken in Singapore but English is used in administration and business. There are places of worship for all the world's major religions.

Singapore separated from Malaysia in 1965 and became a soveriegn state. It is a republic and has its own constitution, and its leaders are voted into office by the people.

Journal of Mike Bailey
September 10, 2006 - I just got off from work about 45 minutes ago. I am now on vacation. I have 2 weeks for rest and relaxation. I'm so tired and burnt out. I feel like I'm in a straight jacket. Once I get on the road I will be able to shake these shackles of work off me. I've been waiting for this for a long time. Finally the time has come for me to do some traveling. By God's grace everything will go ok. In a little bit I'm going to go to bed and sleep for about 2 hours. When I wake up I'm going to call a taxi and go to the airport and get on a plane that will take me to Los Angelos. From there I will go on to Singapore and then on to India. I will write more as I go. I'm just happy to be on vacation now, but I am so tired. I'll try to get a little rest and then I will write more.

Sept 12, 2006 - Singapore
12:20 pm. - After a grueling day of flying arrived in Singapore last night. I started from Seattle/Tacoma Airport and flew to Los Angelos Airport, then took a flight out to Tokyo. This was unexpected. I was very glad to be able to go to Japan even though it was just the airport. I watched out the window as we came closer to the ground and saw everything. An orderly nation. Rice paddys, endless gardens. Houses, city streets, lots of greenery, rivers, cars with headlights on. After about a half an hour we loaded back on the plane that took us to Singapore. From the airport in Singapore I took a taxi to the hotel on the north side of the island. I checked in and got a room. I was exhausted from traveling and was able to sleep well til about 7am. I just laid around contemplating everything for awhile and then went down to the buffet breakfast. I had some fruit and museli and some fruit rolls and some good strong coffee. There was no charge for this. Then I went outside into the tropical heat to see if I could get some shots with my camera around this area. I proceeded up the street passed small stores that were just beginning to open for the day. There was also a resturant that was getting a fair amount of business. I was sweating profusely the whole time because of the heat. I took pictures of the hotel, a Hindu temple nearby. Then an idea came to me to sit down on the nearby bench and take my journal and start writing about all the things that came to me, such as the jungle sounds that were very pleasant. The tropical birds in the trees sounded like some jungle sound CD's I have at home. There was the low buzz of insects in the underbrush.

After walking around the hotel area for a little bit I ventured over to the beach. I believe this is the uppermost part of the Island of Singapore. Maylasia sits on the other side barely seen in places. I sat on a park bench under palms trees and took pictures of a few ships and some other things that caught my interest. I wrote in my journal. Then I walked back over to the hotel and checked out, then went out and got into a taxi that was parked on the other side of the street. I told the driver that I wanted him to take somewhere where I could take some pictures of some temples. He suggested Little India. So he took me there and I took pictures the whole way over. I think I got a few good pictures. He was extremely nervous. I don't know why. We had a little bit of a conversation. He could speak English a little, but had a hard time expressing his thoughts in it. So I kept my questions as simple as I could.

After this he took me to the airport where I am now. I found this internet cafe at McDonalds. I bought a coke and was able to use the internet. This is a very friendly place. Everybody is friendly. They seem to go out of their way to be kind to you. The city seems very prosperous. There are very large building all over. It's clean. The taxis are all clean. There are people all over cleaning the streets with brooms made out of twigs and clipping the weeds out of the ditches.

I'm afraid I don't look like the typical American businessman. I'm wearing my traveling shirt with my camera in one pocket and my journal in the other. Right now my face in unshaven since I don't have my suitcase with all my shaving gearin it. It will be waiting for me in India which is my next destination.

All the street signs here in Singapore are in English. When I got into the taxi, the radio was on and American music was playing. All the kids in school learn English. It is very easy to get around since English is spoken everywhere. Everything is modeled around the American way of doing things.

Well, I will leave off writing for now. I'm going to wander around the airport a little and try to find a CD of some Singaporen music and maybe some postcards. I'll write more when I can.
Until next time, God is true and great!

INDIA India is the worlds seventh largest country and is located in southern Asia. To the north are the worlds largest mountains and on it's east and west there oceans. There are about one billion people living in India making it one of the most populated countries in the world. There are many cultures and religions. 15% of Indians are Hindu, 12% are Muslim, 6% are Christian, 2% are Sikhs, 0.7% are Buddhist and 0.4% are Jains. It has a 9,000 year history. There are eighteen major languages spoken in India but they come from two major family of languages; Indo-Irainian, and Indo European. There are at least 1,500 Indian mother tongues. Eighteen of these are official languages recognized by the federal government. English is one of them. Hindi is spoken by 40% of the population. English is spoken by 5% of Indians.

There are three major rivers that flow throught India, and the Ganges is the most sacred to it's people. There is an abundance of plant and animal life. The climate is also diverse. The northern plains has cool winters and hot summers. There is a big population problem in India that doesn't seem to be getting any better.

Many people in India die of diseases like malaria, typhoid, cholera and diarrhea because of poor sanitation in the water supply. India has a rich history of arts, literature architecture, music, dance and now theater and film. The economy is gradually evolving from agrarian to industrial and commercial. India is a democracy and has a government similar to the United Kingdom and the United States. It's armed forces is all volunteer. India is a country of vast contrasts in geography, religion, people, history and life styles. You will find it all here.

September 13, 2006 - I made it to New Dehli last night after a five hour flight from Singapore. I was met at the airport by the travel agency and took a 40 minute ride to the hotel where I am now staying. I spent the day touring with a guide and a driver. We went to many sites. First of all we toured the Red Fort which was built by the Mogul dynasty. The guide explained everything to me, but when I get back I will have to look up the history. It was very facinating. We went to a large Muslims Mosque, then Gandi's memorial and finally to a Hindu Temple. I enjoyed that the most. We also went to many other places of
interest.

After having a drink of lime soda in a resturant we went outside and found a snake charmer sitting next to a wall acrossed the courtyard. The man invited me to sit down next to him. Then he wanted to drape one of his cobras around me and have me hold it. I didn't want to do that and had to be very firm with him as he was very persistent about it. I just wanted to get some pictures of this guy with his snakes. These are just a few of many things that happened today.

It is very hot here. It reminds me of the good old days in Vietnam. I had to ask the guide to slow down. At my age I just cannot go at a fast rate in this oppressive heat. More later.

September 16, 2006 - I am here in Jaipur. I've been here the the last couple of days. My driver Subhash and I drove here 2 days ago from New Dehli. Yesterday I took the elephant ride at the Amber Fort. It was built a few centuries back. A tour guide took me through the palace and explained the history of the place.

I also visited the Hawa Mahal, the city palace and the observatory next to it. This city is a very great place. I will never forget what it is like in the city. It is jammed with people, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws, cars, trucks, shops, resturants and temples in the middle of the street. It's just a beehive of activity. It will take me a while before I can adaquately describe it.

This morning I had breakfast of scrambled eggs, tomato & cauliflauer, Asian pear sliced, toast, black tea and curd, which is yogart. I am now waiting for Subhash to arrive. I will be checking out of this hotel and me and Subhash will be on our way to the city of Agar, and tomorrow I will see the Taj Mahal, which some say is the most beautiful building in the world. This is all for now. I will write more as time allows. Signing off, Mike Bailey

Sept 20, 2006 - As I left off writing the last time I wrote I was on my way to see the Taj Mahal. I saw it and touched it with my own hands and now know how to get there and what the town of Agra is like.

After the Taj Mahal we went to the Fort in Agra and learned many things about it. Then later in the evening I wanted to try some betelnut, so Subhash found a good place and a man made some.

That night I took a train to Varanasi. This is the place where all Hindus desire to come to bathe in the Ganges River. Once there I took a tour of the place where Buddha preached his first sermon after being enlightened. Then the next day I took a boat ride on the Ganges to view the people in the morning bathing in the Ganges, and going through their rituals. I saw a few people being cremated in a funeral pyre. A man took me to the place where this was happening, so I saw it up close. Then I saw Vishnu's foot prints. He is a high god in the Hindu religion. Then after that I saw the Golden Temple, which is the most important temple in this area.

Then later in the day my new driver Raja and I started out for Bodhgaya. This is the place where Buddha was enlightened. That evening I met my new guide and he took me to the ancester of the tree where Buddha had that experience. I can remember as a small child when I first heard of Buddha, I wanted to go to that tree and sit under it. My dream came true last night when I sat under it.

This morning The guide and driver came at 0830 and we spent a few hours going to the different monastaries in the area. I went to the Vietnam one since this is the place where I was first exposed to Buddhism. I'm afraid to say I could never become a Buddhist, becasue they don't believe in God. Buddha didn't believe in God and thought that this belief was the result of superstition. Even though he didn't believe in God, some of his teachings were good, and he was a great example in being peaceful and living a peaceful life. So I don't mind spending the money for this trip. I believe it was well worth it.

Tomorrow we leave for Kushinger. This was the place where Buddha died. I will try to write again as I am able. Mike Bailey

NEPAL Nepal is a constitutional monarchy. It is a small country between India and Tibet. Forests cover 27% of the land. The climate varies according to the elevation. They have rainy summers and dry winters. The indigenous population consists of Indo-Napalese and Tibeto-Napalese. Most of the people are Hindu by religion, but there is alot of Shamanism and Buddhism. The founder of Buddhism was also born here in the town of Lumbini 2,500 years ago. Along with Hinduism and Shamanism and Buddhism there is a small population of Muslims.

The people live mostly in the rural areas of the country. Rice is the staple grain and barley, millet and potatoes are widely used in the Himalayas. Their art reflects their religion. Many temples and shrines are found in the Katmandu region. Music and dance are a favorite recreation. Nepal is one of the least developed countries. It is landlocked and has a rugged terrain with few natural resourses and a poor infrastructure. Economic growth has been slow and the country depends heavily upon foreign aid.

The ecomony is dominated by agriculture. Rice and corn are the major crops. Tourism is a growing resource to the economy and is growing in popularity as a tourist destination, but still has an underdeveloped network of roads. They have no trains except along the Indian border. The main means of transportation is a network of foot paths and trails that interlace the mountains and valleys.

September 22, 2006 - Got up this morning at the Imperial Hotel in Kushinagar. We headed to Lumbini, which is in Nepal. It is 173 Kilometers and takes five hours. We passed more Indian landscapes. People are all over the streets. Boys and men are taking a certain branch from a tree and brushing their teeth with it. People are getting ready for the day. My driver honks at people, sacred cows, lambs that are laying in the middle of the road, cycle rickshaws, motor rickshaws, trucks, buses, and sometimes at nothing. The only thing he doesn't honk at are policemen.

We passed all the morning activity and stopped for teas once. Finally we came to a city that looked different. The people looked the same but the buildings were different. This was the Nepal/Indian border. There was a long line of trucks clogging the street. The driver weasled his way as far as he could, then I had to get out of the car and go to Indian immigration to report that I was leaving India. Since I will be in Nepal for only one day I didn't have to pay for a visa. Then as we inched forward and Raja found a place to park the car. I then had to go to the Nepal immigration office to show them my passport etc: I got a three day stamp. There was a one hour delay at immigration office, so it was suggested that I go over to a nearby resturant and take lunch. I wasn't hungry so I just had a cup of tea. Some friendly guy helped me change some of my Indian rupees to Nepali rupees.

Finally after about an hour Raja was free and we were able to go into Nepal. The road in Nepal has only room enough for one vehicle, so everytime a car or truck came the other way someone would have to go off the road a little bit. After about a twenty minute drive we made it to Lumbini which is the place where Buddha was born. Immediately I hired a guide and a cycle rickshaw to get into the Buddhist site which seemed to be about a half a mile away. It was raining and the guide had an umbrella so he held the umbrella over my head while I took a few pictures.

I went in the temple and saw the pile of bricks and the stone which King Asoka laid on it. The spot where Buddha was born. After that the guide wanted to take me to some nearby temples. We went to two of them; the Nepali and the Tibetian temples. I had seen so many temples in Bodhigaya that I didn't want to see any more, so we came back to the car. I stayed in a hotel in the city of Lumbini and then we came back to India and started for Balrampur.

BACK IN INDIA

Sept. 26, 2006 - After Balrampur and some more Buddhist sites there I stayed over in the hotel and got up early in the morning and started out for Lucknow. Once there I stayed overnight and the next morning met a guide in the hotel lobby and he took me on a tour of the city. This was to last most of the day. He took me to mostly Muslim Mosques. This was all great and everything, but I was starting to get tired of walking in the sun and trying to keep up with a 20 year old. I made him slow down and instead of walking and talking I requested that we sit down in the shade on a park bench, and there he could tell me the story of these ancient sites.

Later in the afternoon this guide helped me onto the train at the Lucknow station. The train ride was 6 hours and I was met at the Delhi station by some TCI agents who took me to the hotel. And here I am in the lobby typing. I have a few hours before a driver will arrive and take me to the airport where I have a long journey back to the United States and everything I know. I will be flying to Singapore again, and then from there we will go to Tokyo again, and then to Los Angelos. Then from there to Seattle. I am tired of touring and am anxious to get back to work and resume my life with many great memories of India and the great people who live here.

Note: I got along fine in India with out knowing Hindi. Everything was understood by using hand gestures and speaking pigeon English and smiling alot. I love it here. The people are great. The culture and the customs are amazing, but I am anxious to get back. I really am homesick for the good ole US of A. Signed, Mike Bailey

BACK HOME AT LAST

Sept. 27, 2006 - I ended up waiting 8 hours for the driver to come and take me to the airport at the hotel in Dehli. I sat in the lobby of the hotel and read and wrote, and watching the world go by around me. The driver and a guide came at 8pm and took me to the airport. Once there I checked my bags in and and waited for the plane. Luckily I was tired because I slept most of the way to Singapore. In Singapore I waited a couple of hours before getting on a plane headed for Tokyo. On the way into Japan I saw Mt Fuji rising up through the clouds. The sun was also a red ball hovering over the horizon. Then it was time for the 9 hour and 45 minute flight over the Pacific Ocean to Los Angelos. Once there I got on a flight headed for Seattle in about 2 hours. Once in Seattle I took a cab home. Now I can resume with my mundane life.

THE SPIDER The other day I came home from work and was met by this spider just outside my apartment door. I went in and got my camera and took this picture. I don't mind spiders as along as they don't try to suck blood from my neck while I'm sleeping. After I took the picture I put newspaper under my door incase it had designs of crawling under the door and into my apartment later in the evening. I've never seen a species like this before. I think of all the species of spiders, I like daddy long legs best of all. They're friendly and don't bother humans. I also like Mosquito Eaters. I think that they are an interesting winged creature. They are friendly and they also eat mosquitoes.

GEORGE WASHINGTON'S VISION I don't remember where I got this article, but I've had it for a long time. I recently started thinking about it and thought I would find it and put it on this site. Fortunately I found it very easily because I had scotch taped it in a bound book that I have sitting on a shelf that I haven't looked at in years. I have also looked it up on the internet and I found many different versions of it on quite a few different sites. So here it is. Interpret it however you will.

THE VISION OF GEORGE WASHINGTON

The last time I ever saw Anthony Sherman was on the fourth of July 1859 in Indepandence Square. He was then ninety-nine years old and becoming very feeble. But though so old his dimming eyes rekindled as he gazed upon Independence Hall which he came to visit once more.

WITHHELD MESSAGE DISCLOSED

"Let us go into the hall", he said. "I want to tell you of an incident of Washington's life- one which no one alive knows of except myself; and if you live you will before long see it verified. Mark the prediction, you will see it verified.

From the opening of the Revolution we experienced all phases of fortune, now good and now ill. One time victiorious and another conquered. The darkest period we had I think was when Washington after several reverses retreated to Valley Forge where he resolved to pass the winter of 1777. Ah! I have often seen the tears coursing down our dear commanders care-worn cheeks as he would be conversing with a confidential officer about the condition of his poor soldiers. You have doubtless heard the story of Washington going to the thicket to pray. Well, it was not only true but he used to often pary in secret for aid and comfort and God brought us safely through the darkest days of tribulation.

One day I remember it well. The chilly winds whistled throught the leafless trees though the sky was cloudless and the sun shone brightly. He remained in his quarters nearly all the afternoon alone. When he came out I noticed that his face was a shade paler than usual and there seemed to be something on his mind of more then ordinary importance. Returning just after dusk he dispatched an orderly to the quarters of an officer who was presently in attendance. After a preliminary conversation of about half an hour Washington gazed upon his companion with that strange look of dignity which he alone could command, (he) said to the latter":

AN UNINVITED GUEST

"I do not know whether is is owing to the anxiety of my mind or what but this afternoon as I was sitting at this table engaged in preparing a dispatch, something in the apartment seemed to disturb me. Looking up I beheld standing opposite me a singular beautiful being. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause for the visit. A second, a third, and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but recieved no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of the eyes.

By this time I felt strange sensations spreading through me. I would have risen but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible. I assayed once more to speak but my tongue had become useless as if paralyzed. A new influence (which was) mysterious, potent (and) irristible took possession of me. All I could do was to gaze steadily, (and) vacantly at my unknown visitor.

Gradually the surrounding atmosphere seemed to fill with sensations and grew luminous. Everything about me seemed to rarefy. The mysterious visitor (was) becoming more airy and yet more distinct to my sight then before. I began to feel as one dying, or rather to experience the sensations which I have sometimes imagined (to) accompany death. I did not think. I did not reason. I did not move. All were alike impossible. I was only conscious of gazing fixedly, vacantly at my companion".

THE REVELATION

"Presently I heard a voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn', while at the same time my visitor extended and arm eastward. I now beheld a heavy white vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold. This gradually disapated and I looked upon a strange scene. Before me lay spread out in one vast plain, all the countries of the world- Europe, Asia, Africa and America. I saw rolling and tossing between Europe and America the billows of the Atlantic, and between Asia and America lay the Pacific. 'Son of the Republic' said the same mysterious voice as before, 'Look and learn'.

At that moment I beheld a dark, shadowy being like an angel standing, or rather floating in mid-air between Europe and America dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand. He sprinkled some upon America with his right hand while with his left he cast some over Europe. Immediately a cloud arose from these countries and joined in mid-ocean. For awhile it remained stationary and then it moved slowly westward until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashes of lightning gleamed through it at intervals and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people". (This may have been the Revolutionary War then in progress).

A GREAT VICTORY

"A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it out as before. The dark cloud was then drawn back to the ocean in whose heaving billows it sank from view.

A third time I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic look and learn'. I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing up one after another until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted with them. Again I heard the mysterious voice say, 'Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh, look and learn'.

And this time the dark, shadowy angel turned his face southward. From Africa I saw an ill-omened spectre approach our land. It flitted slowly and heavily over every town and city of the latter. The inhabitants presently set themselves in battle array against each other. As I continued looking I saw a bright angel on whose brow rested a crown of light on which was traced the word 'Union'. He was bearing the American flag. He placed the flag between the divided nation and said, 'Remember ye are brethern'.

Instantly the inhabitants, casting down their weapons became friends once more and united around this National Standard.

Again I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn'. At this the dark, shadowy angel place a trumpet to his mouth and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean he sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia and Africa".

FRIGHTFUL-INCREDIBLE

"Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene. From each of these continents arose thick black clouds that were soon joined into one and throughout this mass there gleamed a dark red light by which I saw hordes of armed men. These men moving with the clouds marched by land and sailed by sea to America which country was enveloped in the volume of cloud. And I dimly saw these vast armies devastate the whole country and burn the villages, towns and cities which I had seen springing up.

As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannons, clashing of swords, and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat I again heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic look and learn'.When the voice had ceased, the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet once more to his mouth and blew a long and fearful blast".

HEAVEN INTERVENES

"Instantly a light as of a thousand suns shone down from above me and pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud which enveloped America. At the same moment the angel upon whose head still shone the word 'Union' and who bore our national flag in one hand and a sword in the other descended from the heavens attended by legions of white spirits. These immediately joined the inhabitants of America who I percieved were well nigh overcome, but who immediately taking courage again closed up their broken ranks and renewed the battle.

Again amid the fearful noise of the conflict I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn'. As the voice ceased, the shadowy angel for the last time dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it upon America. Instantly the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious.

Then once more I beheld the villages, towns and cities springing up where I had seen them before while the bright angel planting the azure standard he had brought in the midst of them (and) cried with a loud voice: 'While the stars remain and the heavens send down dew upon the earth, so long shall the Union last'. And taking from his brow the crown on which (was) blazoned the word 'Union', while the people kneeling down said, 'Amen'.

THE FUTURE

"The scene instantly began to fade and disolve and I at last saw nothing but the rising, curling vapor (that) I first beheld. This also disappeared and I found myself once more gazing upon the mysterious visitor who in the same voice I had heard before said, 'Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted:

Three great perils will come upon the Republic. The most fearful for her will be the third. But the whole world united shall not prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and Union'. With these words the vision vanished and I started from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein (it) had been shown me the birth, the progress and destiny of the United States".

"Such my friends", the venerable narrator concluded, "Were the words I heard from Washington's own lips, and America will do well to profit by them."

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The following are some web sites that recount this same story. Some of these version state that a woman appeared to George Washington. The account that I have just says it was a beautiful being. Everyone seems to have made slight changes in the account. I know I did too. I did a lot of changing of the punctuation. I took out about half the commas that was in my version. But the story seems to be consistent in each verson.

www.geocities.com/athens/aegean/2444/gwvision.html

www.veracity.org/Legend2.html

www.ad2004.com/prophecytruths/Articles/Prophecy/Washington.html

www.propheticroundtable.org/vision_of_george_washington.htm