Singapore, 18 - 21 June 2009
Trip Start
Feb 13, 2009
1
39
Trip End
Jun 22, 2009
Where I stayed
Singapore, Singapore
Friday, June 19, 2009
Enjoyed checking out the different traditional pockets of Singapore (Chinatown, Little India, Arab quarter). There's not a lot left and they are surrounded by skyscrapers but it was fun. We picked up a "Best of Singapore Food" pamphlet at the airport Tourist Info which was good reading for the many different food specialities and where to find them. We tried quite a few!
Singapore must have the best variety of food in the world ... and at the best prices. Dishes in the Hawker Centres and Food Courts are mainly between 1 and 3 euros - delicious! We particulalarly liked the Hawkers centres at Maxwell Street (great variety, near Chinatown) and Lau Pa Sat (surroundings, Satay stalls outside). Great murtabaks at Zam Zam in Arab quarter too.
Singapore Sling at Raffles was a disappointment on last evening (27 Singapore Dollars and tasted more like a "mocktail" (= no spirit!)). However, found a Bacardi Mojito evening in Clark's Quay near hotel on way back (10 Singapore Dollars and delicious) - great Latino band and excellent dancers in the local crowd too. The area near the hotel was a real bonus - very lively and picturesque in the evenings - Clark's Quay, Boat Quay, Riverside Point (with good microbrewery) ...
Last day today ... going to check out the Colonial area, sample a microbrew or two, food court for late lunch, make way to airport for late night flight ... ...
Now, in September, I am finally completing this entry!
Although we had checked out of our rooms, we had an hour by the pool and showered and changed there before it was time to head off to Changi airport. The taxi was not expensive to the airport and much easier than the metro (long walk to station + several changes). There's a decent outdoor bar to savour those last Asian moments before the long flight back to Europe ...
... then ...
a few weeks on less exotic travels on a tour to visit friends and relatives round France and England and then ... back to work! At least we live and work in the Cote d'Azur, which is not a bad spot!
We could not have hoped for better from our two trips (to South America and Asia/Oz) during sabbatical break from work.
There's a wonderful world out there - its rude not to see it if you get the opportunity!
