A Taste of Singapore
Thursday 18th July
It’s busy in the breakfast room as we all connect. Soon we are off to the Singapore Flyer to enjoy the views as we slowly circulate high above the city. Weather is perfect and the views endless. Skyscrapers one way, the sea the other and below us the F1 racetrack which will be in full swing for the Grand Prix mid-September. Marina Bay Sands “ship” hotel really is an eye-catcher.
Next we go for a short peaceful cruise along the river to see everything from a different perspective. The Merlion, in its bright white iconic splendour, spouts water as crowds gather round for photos. The historic buildings of Clarke Quay house riverside restaurants and add a pop of colour.
We have a free afternoon and, in the true spirit of things, a group of us head for a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar at Raffles. Others head to a hawker market for some authentic local food and yet others enjoy the stunning Gardens by the Bay.
Back at Raffles ... The hotel is under going renovation and we take a seat in the temporary Long Bar - it goes back to its original location when the hotel reopens next month.We eat peanuts with abandon, and enjoyour Slings with their slightly spicy cinnamon overtones. We chat and laugh and really feel like we’re on holiday.
Our taxi ride back to the hotel is cheap and cheerful - we laugh and banter with the driver and somehow find ourselves singing “Money Money Money”. We have just paid a ridiculous $40 for a drink - but really, we bought an experience. The taxi cost just $6.
I tend to some admin and go for a short walk which takes care of the rest of the afternoon and then it’s time to check out and meet Patrick in the lobby at 6pm. We are off for a Cantonese meal and it is delicious - love the sticky pork and deep fried prawns, the tangy chicken and tasty duck. Not so sure about the lotus root soup (bland) or the avocado mousse pudding (unusual) ... Pat is vegetarian and he has his very own delicious banquet for one!
We head for the airport, fill the time till we board easily enough (some walk to the newly opened Jewel) and hop on board. We fly off into the night sky just after midnight. Time for some sleep ...
I’ve had many sojourns in Singapore through the years en route to somewhere - and always a Raffles Sling thrown in - and this little stopover has been another pleasant experience. Memories of an IPPF conference long ago in the 1980s are strong in my mind - lots of work done and many SS’s consumed!
OBSERVATION OF THE DAY: Patrick gives us much local information. We are astounded that you are eligible to purchase a state-subsidised apartment if you earn less than $14,000 per month. Yes, you read that correctly - that is considered the breadline! Housing is expensive, as is owning a car, but food and goods are cheap, public transport excellent and the environment user-friendly. By 2030 citizens are promised that there will be a metro station within 5 minutes walk no matter where they live. Construction is well under way, and the planning for that vision began years ago. Come on New Zealand - stop procrastinating and start planning our grandchildren’s future NOW!
It’s busy in the breakfast room as we all connect. Soon we are off to the Singapore Flyer to enjoy the views as we slowly circulate high above the city. Weather is perfect and the views endless. Skyscrapers one way, the sea the other and below us the F1 racetrack which will be in full swing for the Grand Prix mid-September. Marina Bay Sands “ship” hotel really is an eye-catcher.
Next we go for a short peaceful cruise along the river to see everything from a different perspective. The Merlion, in its bright white iconic splendour, spouts water as crowds gather round for photos. The historic buildings of Clarke Quay house riverside restaurants and add a pop of colour.
We have a free afternoon and, in the true spirit of things, a group of us head for a Singapore Sling in the Long Bar at Raffles. Others head to a hawker market for some authentic local food and yet others enjoy the stunning Gardens by the Bay.
Back at Raffles ... The hotel is under going renovation and we take a seat in the temporary Long Bar - it goes back to its original location when the hotel reopens next month.We eat peanuts with abandon, and enjoyour Slings with their slightly spicy cinnamon overtones. We chat and laugh and really feel like we’re on holiday.
Our taxi ride back to the hotel is cheap and cheerful - we laugh and banter with the driver and somehow find ourselves singing “Money Money Money”. We have just paid a ridiculous $40 for a drink - but really, we bought an experience. The taxi cost just $6.
I tend to some admin and go for a short walk which takes care of the rest of the afternoon and then it’s time to check out and meet Patrick in the lobby at 6pm. We are off for a Cantonese meal and it is delicious - love the sticky pork and deep fried prawns, the tangy chicken and tasty duck. Not so sure about the lotus root soup (bland) or the avocado mousse pudding (unusual) ... Pat is vegetarian and he has his very own delicious banquet for one!
We head for the airport, fill the time till we board easily enough (some walk to the newly opened Jewel) and hop on board. We fly off into the night sky just after midnight. Time for some sleep ...
I’ve had many sojourns in Singapore through the years en route to somewhere - and always a Raffles Sling thrown in - and this little stopover has been another pleasant experience. Memories of an IPPF conference long ago in the 1980s are strong in my mind - lots of work done and many SS’s consumed!
OBSERVATION OF THE DAY: Patrick gives us much local information. We are astounded that you are eligible to purchase a state-subsidised apartment if you earn less than $14,000 per month. Yes, you read that correctly - that is considered the breadline! Housing is expensive, as is owning a car, but food and goods are cheap, public transport excellent and the environment user-friendly. By 2030 citizens are promised that there will be a metro station within 5 minutes walk no matter where they live. Construction is well under way, and the planning for that vision began years ago. Come on New Zealand - stop procrastinating and start planning our grandchildren’s future NOW!
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