Singapore
Thursday, November 01, 2012
Singapore, Singapore
Tuesday Nov . 1st
We had to get up at 2:30am to get ready for our early flight to Singapore. The taxi picked us up at 4am and off to the airport. Once again I set of the security machine and had to be patted down again.
Our flight stopped in Kuala Lampar and we were suppose to have a 3 hour layover but it ended up being over 4 hours. The flight to Singapore was an hour and there was no change in time which was nice.
We got settled in at the hotel which is at least a half hour drive from the airport. Then we were off exploring as we just wanted a light supper and an early night.
Our room is over looking the harbour which is dotted with freighters as far as you can see.
We have noticed there have been alot of changes here since we were here last year.
Friday Nov. 2nd
We took our time getting going this morning and then we finally decided to walk over to the new Marina Sands beach Hotel which we had seen being built last year. The white lotus leaf in front of the hotel houses the Artscience Centre which we didn't do . There is a new bridge to walk over the bay and we could see the soccer field which we can only see the back from our hotel. The umbrellas are in the Botanical Gardens which would take afew hours to explore and this we didn't do. It is very hot and humid so you don't want to be outdoors for too long.
Once we arrived at the doors to this hotel which is built on 3 towers with what looks like a boat joining the three towers on the 56th floor. We walked several floors here and finally got to the elevator that take you to the 56th floor. The elevator ride was earpopping as we went up very quickly. We even had to pay to take the elevator ride. I guess the hotel has to help pay for this massive expense somehow.Once we got to the top we were rewarded with a fantastic view of the harbour as well as the skyline. We could even see the pool which looks like the water is running over the side but of course it isn't
There is also a water way here in the mall complex on the lower floors of the towers with gondolas moving up and down the limited canal .
We couldn't go into the casino as we didn't have our passports with us.I think Eric was disappointed but we couldn't do anything about it.
We found a spot for a great cup of coffee and I had the best iced decaf latte.This place leaves Starbucks way behind. (Joe, you would love being with us as there are more malls then one can imagine unless you have been here.) There is even a DeBeers store and we have never seen one of those before.
We the started to walk around the circle to the lion (the mascot in the harbour in front of the Fullerton Hotel) and back to the hotel. After lunch we went to find the German restaurant to make reservations for dinner tonight. Now it is rest time as it is very hot.
Had my reflexology for an hour and it was good (Susan, you can't talk here so it wouldn't do for the two of us would it.)
Went off to the Gaushaus for our schnitzel which came red and had to send it back to get cooked abit more.
Got some yogurt for breakfast tomorrow and then watched the symphony of lights over the bay from our balcony . It was lovely.
Shower and bed.
Saturday Nov.3rd
This morning it is overcast, hot and humid.
After breakfast we went down to the lobby to ask how to get to Sentosa and were told the free shuttle was right there at the door. Fortunately we had our passports with us as the only way one can ride the shuttle free is to be a foreigner so you have to show your passport.
Sentosa is an island for recreation, sort of like Disney World on a minor scale. We arrived at the Sentosa World Resort which houses 3 hotel, a casino, restaurants and shops.
When we arrived up from the car park we saw the big globe for Universal Studios and decided not to do that. We wandered off to the harbour front and around to the historic ships. A lady asked us to join here as we had a tour of the junk (dwoh). The builders found that bamboo stays drier that other woods and the sails were made of bamboo and folded up accordian style back in the 1300s.These jucks could withstand monsoons and travel across to India and the Trade Route .
We left the resort area and wandered up to the Imbiah lookout and it is starting to rain. Here is home to a butterfly park, the luge run on pavement, cable cars and the skytower. Alot of these got shut down due to the weather and so we had to scrap our cable car ride. You couldn't even see the skyline as the ceiling was so low. The skies really opened up and thankfully I had raincoats and an umbrella with me as we needed them.
We made our way back to the casino and here we had our passports with us so we could go in. The security was nearly as bad as the airport. Eric last his &20.00 ( which is all he ever bets) really fast but it was interesting to go in and just walk around. Most of the people in there were oriental as they love to gamble.
After lunch we headed back to the bus depot and it took over an hour to get back to the hotel as the traffic was heavy.
Went for a massage (I llike the ones I get from Floyd in Belleville better) and then off to dinner. Unfortunately it wasn't the same as last year as the restaurant had been sold.
Got some more yogurt for breakfast and then back to our room so we can start to pack up for our departure tomorrow.
The symphony of lights was much later tonight.
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