Tripping Around Singapore

Thursday 18^th

First thing for the day, find breakfast. One mistake already and it’s only 9:30. There are heaps of eateries near our hotel, the one directly under it had good advertising but the reality looked unappealing. We found one we’d walked past last night and sure enough the Breakfast advertising board was out the front and the place was open but when we went in we were the only people and the staff looked quite bemused, finally the chef said they only had Croisants or what was in the display case, very creamy looking Cheesecakes etc. It was clear that we were out far too early, very few places open before 11:00. We kept walking until we came to a place on Orchard Rd, I found a Fresh Juice Bar & Alex found Subway so we were both happy.

We decided to get a special bus ticket that entitled us to tours along three different routes and we could get on and off at any stop. We became quite familiar with several areas, landmarks and even security workers sitting outside some worksites. We walked around “Little India” & also enjoyed a trip down the river on a “Bum Boat” and although the commentary on the boat was a very stilted recording it was informative. A couple was having their wedding photos taken at the big Merlion statue, we presume it’s considered a lucky place. The Merlion is the symbol of Singapore.

Singapore has the most amazing modern architecture, real works of Art but they’ve also maintained old buildings and the contrast between the two adds to the charm of each. In some places there are real slums. There are also great contrasts in employment, with old people sweeping the streets with spindly brooms, a cobbler working under an umbrella on his little makeshift spot on the footpath, people with their sewing machines on the footpaths outside their tailor shops and a scattering of rickshaw drivers. Overwhelmingly though the image is of prosperity and I’ve seen more radically fancy cars here than I’ve ever seen before anywhere. (Alex says Dubai had more & he’s probably right.)

Dinner back at Sidewalk, really in amongst the locals this time as it was later so no free tables but one very smiley, maybe a bit affected by Tiger Beer, invited us to sit down at his table.

One of the buses we used today.

At Raffles Hotel

The old and the new.

Skyline

According to the spiel we’re not to worry, they’re not real children!

Early morning.

In Canning Park.

Bum Boats

Very impressive architecture.

Singapore

Wednesday 17^th March

OK we’re on our way but we could be in for a bit of trouble. Our trip started with Alex hugging his bag in the back seat of the taxi because he decided the best bag to take was his Golf Bag travel cover and it was too long to fit in the boot. Some obviously shady looking character who shall remain nameless was picked out from the line to be scanned for traces of explosives at the first checkpoint then as we headed to the Departure gates that same someone decided it was better to use the right side of the travelling walkway, unfortunately as soon as they stepped on it the thing moved back towards them necessitating some pretty fancy Zumba style footwork. Next checkpoint saw them called aside because they had a suspicious looking bottle in their hand luggage, and it was said to be just shampoo but the security guy found potentially explosive sunscreen hidden in a ziplock lunch bag. It was confiscated.

It was a relief to get into the plane where the someone was kept amused, fiddling with the various gadgets, including the remote control which once freed from its cradle was as keen to go back in as toothpaste to its tube.

I’m really pleased we decided to stop in Singapore for a few days, even though we had good seats we were both counting down the minutes until we could get off. The onscreen flight path tracking is great.

We’ve walked around the block and had a delicious meal at Sidewalk a mini Hawkers Corner.  We didn’t fancy the Pig’s Organ Soup or Pig’s Kidney and Liver dumplings. We weren’t absolutely sure what would be in our choices but the photos helped and we just asked for a number 1 and a number 17. I had Soup with Noodles and Chicken Dumplings, Alex has Spare Ribs & something. He is quite taken with Tiger Beer and had a big bottle with his dinner. On the plane he enjoyed a Tiger Beer and a concentrate ”Singapore Sling” but now he’s keen to try the real thing at Raffles. Lucky the bankcard folks have offered him extended credit!

Not to our taste.

Spare Ribs etc & a BIG Tiger Beer.

Dumpling Soup

Ah, a man and a gadget!