Singapore 22 January 2011

I am writing this final instalment in the business class lounge at Singapore Airport ready to embark on our long homeward journey. Crammed in some more sights and sounds of Singapore this morning before packing our bags. We had one last open topped Heritage bus tour to complete. This was of the historical, cultural and business districts. We need another week here so will include Singapore with a visit to Phuket sometime in the future. There is just so much to do here. Our last taste of Singapore was a ‘last supper ‘of chilli crab at Boat Quay, very similar to Melbourne’s river boardwalk. It ended up being a very messy interactive process (especially if you have long nails) where you first choose your live crab (at least you know its fresh) and then it is prepared how you like it. As your crab is weighed by the kilo and at $48 a kg we decided to share. The crab is not boned so you are given the tools to do that and being very messy you have dipping bowls for the greasy mitts. It was delicious and overcame any guilt of being that cute little crab’s arch nemesis.
There is also another festival being celebrated here. It is a Hindu Festival called Thai Pusan. Not that pleasant. The devotees pierce themselves with skewers all over their bodies, and then walk 5km along the streets showing how devoted they are. Following this the skewers are removed and if you are truly devout you don’t bleed afterwards. Please don’t try this at home.
Well signing off now. Until next time….

Singapore 21 January 2011

A big day today. Along with our Night Safari ticket Bill was able to purchase a package which involved two other Parks. Jurong Bird Park and Singapore Zoo, so decided to do both today. Jurong Park has a strong conservation leaning which is good. It has had a few captive breeding programmes, the most notable being the endangered 12 wired Bird of Paradise. It also has bird shows with trained birds along with the largest collection of south East Asian hornbills. In one of the big aviaries they have built the tallest manmade waterfall which is reportedly in the largest walk-in aviary. It also has an air-conditioned Panorail that can get you round the park. A lot of walking and then we did the zoo
The Singapore Zoo is next to the Night Safari but is a totally different zoo, and is on a Peninsula bordering the Selatar Reservoir which you can also take a boat trip on. Many of the animals are uncaged and up close and personal. Just a selection of the photos that are particularly cute. By the end of the day we were weary and footsore, took a taxi back to the hotel and tumbled into the pool after a quiet dinner in the Executive Club lounge. We will relax in room tonight. Might draw myself a bath.

Singapore 20th January 2011

Another hot day. Today we decided to see the sights of Singapore.To orient ourselves with the city we decided to take an open top bus tour. Like the Sydney Explorer its a great way to have a quick look around and get on and off as you please. We took advantage of this in London, Bath, Bristol, York, Paris and Rome. We bought a two day pass which gives you access to 3 bus routes so tackled two today. We also rode the Singapore Flyer, Singapore’s answer to the London Eye and according to the literature it is 5 metres higher. Absolutely no queues which is the way I like it. The Wheel has 28 pods which hold 28 people and goes Clockwise rather than anticlockwise like the Eye. The commentary is straight out of a Feng Shui lesson, but despite that the views are breathtaking. There is a heap of building happening and the new developments and land reclamation shows that Singapore is a go ahead place. Our bus tours took us to the old and new parts of Singapore. Bill is very tempted to do a Ferrari/Lamborghini tour but will see what time we have. We only have a full day and a half left. We have both decided we need to come back to Singapore for a few more days. We also did a river cruise from Clarke Quay which took us down the Singapore river and out to Marina Bay. Had a wee walk down Orchard Road which is out of this world expensive but hey we can say been there, done that.

Singapore 19 January 2011

It is hot but prepared for this sort of weather. Check out time at the Roxy is 12 noon so we have a wee wander around. It is a shame that it is more in the Suburbs, but we had a brief pleasant stay. The Taxis are very reasonable here and a great way to get from A to B especially with our luggage. Our Hotel “The Fairmont” is well situated in Bras Basah Road across the road from Raffles Hotel. As expected our room was not ready as we had arrived early. While our room was being prepared we spent a couple of hours lounging in and around the pool. Life could be a lot worse.
On collecting our key we discover that the hotel has given us an awesome upgrade to Executive Club Level, situated on the top of the Hotel. It is a hotel within a hotel. Our room is wonderful as the photos show with not just all the extras but a coffee machine. We also have unlimited internet access plus the exclusive use of the club lounge which like a business class lounge everything is laid on including dinner which is a tremendous saving as eating out in Singapore is expensive. We both feel very blessed.
Had a wonderful evening. We caught up with Mark and Lisa from Atlanta who we met on the ship. We spent an evening together and went to the Night Safari which on many recommendations was fantastic. It lived up to our expectations, so enjoy the photo selection.
A late night for us. Our bed is the same comfort level of what we experienced in the Royal Suite on the Splendida and fits to our bodies. Extremely comfortable. Slept like logs.

Bangkok to Singapore 18th January 2011

Today we depart the ship and continue on the next leg of our holiday. We have put down 5% for a future cruise which is open ended and refundable if we change our minds. We have made some wonderful friends & have exchanged addresses. The crew got to know us pretty well too and the big difference was they knew our names which we found really special. Our planned Alaska experience may go on hold as we have decided we may consider the Caribbean- Panama Canal- South America part of the world. A whole group of us plan to catch up in the next year. The hardest thing was packing the bags, and relinquishing our suite for somebody else to mess up. We will be catching up with Mark and Lisa when we get to the Singapore. We are planning to do the Night Safari together.
With our flight being later in the day we elected for a tour/ airport transfer with 9 other passengers only possible if your flight departs after 4 pm. This tour takes us to the King’s Palace ( a re visit for us) and the Temple of the reclining Buddha, a wee shop if we had time then a drop off to the airport so we thought it a good plan to fill the day.
Our guide took us to the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. I guess being Christians you don’t know what to expect but this monstrosity to Buddhism is enormous as the photos show. A cement statue covered in Gold leaf. I guess ever mindful of scams I was amused by the 120 or so donation bowls in each of which you may put a coin which equates to one wish and they have the bags of coins precounted for you in order for you to place a coin in each bowl. Despite this the buildings and architectural decoration are amazing, as our selection of photos show.
The King’s Palace was bit more of a mission. There was a protest happening outside the Palace. 6 people had been arrested by the time we got there. Apparently there are 5 political prisoners ‘accused’ of espionage in Cambodia which incurs the death penalty. Thailand and Cambodia traditionally do not have good relations with each other. The protest was about releasing these prisoners. The area was gridlocked; some local knowledge, determination and a drive by drop off got us there in the end. I passed the ‘dressing modestly’ this time test which did not delay anything. It was very hot and one of the ladies in our tour was displaying signs of Heatstroke. We found the heat comfortable as long as you consumed gallons of water. A few photos to rekindle the memories.
Observations on Bangkok. For my second visit I had a different experience. Bangkok is a lot cleaner than 4 years ago which impressed us greatly as our tour took us through China Town and the Flower Market. We also managed a quick shop for a silk shirt for Bill so all good.
It was then to the airport. The tours flights ranged from us at 4-45 to 7.30 at night. We are flying Air Asia for this leg, a 2 hour 20 minute flight to Singapore. We had prebought a 30kg allowance as we are flying Economy so that issue was covered and we are at that limit now. Air Asia use Singapore as their hub & is like Virgin Blue and Jetstar. Very budget and pay as you use although they are rated the best budget airline. The toilets are free though unlike Ryan Air in the UK. This is economy for Asians. The width of the seats is cozy and the legroom is terrible & worse when the seat in front reclines. Fortunately it was not a full plane so Bill and I could spread over 3 seats. I couldn’t wait for the flight to end, and end it did Yay….
Changi as always is very efficient. However like K.L is undergoing massive renovations adding 18,000 square feet to Terminal One. It should be awesome once it’s finished. Tonight we are staying at the Grand Mercure Roxy which is a free night, compliments of Accor. If it was closer into the city centre we would have stayed here the whole time. It is very nice and we were able to get a late dinner at their Chinese restaurant. You may or not be impressed to know; Bill and I are getting pretty good with chopsticks. They also gave us an upgrade to a deluxe Room. We gain one hour so we are now 4 hours behind New Zealand.