THERE was one thing that Survivor Fiji winner Earl Cole wanted to do in Singapore when he was here on a recent trip: Meet women.

"Where can I meet some real Singapore girls?" the 37-year-old bachelor asked eagerly at an interview with my paper at the Link Hotel in Tiong Bahru where he was staying.

When told that he could meet them at nightspots in Clarke Quay and Orchard Road, he responded thoughtfully: "I'll have to check that out, then."

A check with a Channel 5 spokesman - who helped with Cole's media promotion - later in the week revealed that Cole, who was laid-back and charming during his interview, had indeed visited Clarke Quay.

There was no update available on what Cole thought about the Singaporean women he might have met. But it can be safely concluded that women like him. After all, the Kansas-born reality-TV star was voted one of People magazine's sexiest men alive in 2006.

Cole, who is now based in California, was in Singapore on a round-the-world trip that included stops like Egypt, Dubai and Japan.

He had used his US$1 million (S$1.43 million) prize money for the trip, saying that it had been "fascinating" to travel to what he described as "exotic places".

Life has changed somewhat since the former advertising executive won the reality show. He gets recognised almost everywhere he goes, for example. He was initially spotted by a talent scout at a restaurant, who asked him to take part in The Amazing Race. Cole turned it down as the date he was with could not make it for the filming schedules.

But several days before filming began for Survivor, the same talent scout called to invite him to the show.

Cole said yes, because he had always wanted to visit Fiji. The reality show puts its contestants in an isolated wilderness with only basic essentials and limited food. They are then progressively eliminated by their teammates until one is named the sole survivor.

The series is known for its backstabbing contestants, but Cole maintains that he never did anything that went against his principles.

He was part of a group that voted off his long-time ally - Malaysian- born Chinese competitor Chan Yau Man. Cole was later unanimously voted as the winner of the show by a panel of contestants who were voted off - including Chan.

"The game plan is to win. It's about putting strategy into play, that's all," Cole says firmly of his choice to vote off his friend.

The two are still in touch, he added.

And since they both live in California, they meet up occasionally.

One thing that Survivor has taught Cole is to live simply, he said. Other than his travels, he hasn't splurged on a house or car despite his hefty cash prize.

In fact, he has kept his house in California, where he has been living for over 10 years.

"I've learnt it is possible to survive without an iPod," he joked.

The next Survivor series, Survivor 17: Gabon, premieres next Friday on Channel 5 at 2pm, with a repeat telecast at 11pm.

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