2023 August - Singapore

Paul Myers 70th birthday and our 7th Wedding Anniversary.

10 days in Singapore. A brilliant amount of time to get to see most of the sights!!!

One of the highlights was Afternoon High Tea at the Singapore Raffles Hotel with a visit to the Long Bar. Thanks for the shout Paul and Susanne.

Day1-2 flight to Singapore - first Drink n Dinner - Big bus tour - Sentosa Island

(Aug23-24)

Singapore Airlines did not disappoint. The crew looking after discovered our trip was also for our wedding anniversary. So they took up by surprise with a very special treat.

We caught up with Susanne and Paul at Clarke Quay for a first drink then headed off for dinner.

On Thursday Theresa and I took the Big Bus on the "red route" which took us around the old parts of the city. A great way to get our bearings in 40minutes.

Then took a taxi to the Chair lift for Sentosa Island. Taxis are amazingly cheap. Our destination being the Van Gogh exhibition. We could not get into the centre in Amsterdam so booked this one whilst in Australia. Sentosa Island took a little navigating but we found it eventually.

The Van Gogh expedition was really good. Lots of paintings and detailed explanations. Multi-million dollars paintings.

Sadly we lost Theresa's beloved hat on the chair lift. Means another trip to Eumundi to hopefully find another unless we can find another in Singapore.

Day 2 - Exploring Chinatown and Dinner (Aug24)

We were hosted by Judith who went to school with Paul/Susanne's daughter. Judith took us through our first visit to Chinatown. Great fun. We found lots of interesting shops, well worth a return.

And a tailor.

Quite a place at night.

And we definitely returned a few times! So close to our hotel.

Day 3 - Exploring Orchard Road (Aug25) and booked Jumbo seafood

Orchard Road is one of the premier shopping districts in Singapore with a plethora of up market brands.

We decided to walk from the Furama. An easy 3km stroll past an interesting and very welcoming Hindhu Temple. We dropped into the Catholic Church further on and it was austere and empty by comparison to the wonderful Temple.

Orchard Road did NOT DISAPPOINT.

We took a slightly different route home and visited the Fire Service museum.

Then found a robot policeman at the Attorney General building near our hotel.

Day 4 - Exploring China Town and then Gardens by the Bay (26Aug)

We needed to revisit China Town to explore all of the shops and to visit the Tailor. The Tailor would make the outfits needed for the Peaky Blinders themed birthday party for Theresa in November.

China Town had a mix of typical tourist shops, a plethora of interesting restaurants, some unique stores, a department store and market stalls.

We visited the Temple there. Equally interesting and very welcoming. As with the Temple the previous day, we found ourselves chatting to one of the worshippers who hailed from Sydney!

Then we headed to Gardens by the Bay to visit the Avatar experience. Both Theresa and I love Sci-Fi so this was a must do. And did not disappoint.

Day 5 - Haw Par Villa then Chinatown (27Aug)

The MTR whisked us away from the CBD out to Haw Par Villa.

Built by the brothers who are famous for TIGER BALM. A really interesting attraction showcasing Chinese culture and history.

Then we all went to Hell!

And then we escaped to Chinatown for dinner at Yellow Chair and more shopping.

Day 6 - Raffles Celebration for Paul's Birthday (28Aug)

Paul's day has finally arrived. And it is off to Raffles Hotel. Yiihaaa.

An absolutely brilliant venue. Has not lost its traditional feel despite the years.

Arrived early which meant we could adjourn to the Long Bar. A walk through the hotel grounds. Interesting bars and dining options.

The Long Bar did not disappoint. And we got to toss our peanut shells onto the floor without risk of being arrested! The Slings are sensational. The service immaculate. So much fun. A great way to commence the 70th celebration.

Then off to High Tea. WOW. An enticing array of delicately prepared sandwiches. Cakes. Scones. Cream. Glorious champagne. More stuff. The birthday cake with a lone candle (where's the other 69?!!!!). A really good venue and smashing company.

Can we return for your 71st Paul?

Cannot remember what else we did that day!!!!

Day 7 - Exploring Little India and Cie La Vie Restaurant (29Aug)

The obligatory rain in Singapore caught up with us, but we walked to Little India anyway. Interesting sights along the way. A vertical car storage building. The spectacular marina precinct. Our venue for this evening's dining experience sits atop - Cie La Vie.

Little India was a very enjoyable walk. And then we explored the various alleyways and shops. A visit to the museum did not disappoint.

Cie La Vie Restaurant

Two words - MUST RETURN.

Day 8 - Hiking in Singapore (30Aug)

We decided to hike the southern ridges. Did not expect such an interesting walk through extensive parklands in Singapore. Well worth the effort.

Theresa and I finished off with a visit to our favorite cocktail bar!

Day 9 - Exploring Marina Bay area (31Aug)

Another fabulous day exploring Singapore on foot. Our hotel is so conveniently located. This time we headed towards Marina Bay. Walked past the Merlion then off to the shopping centre and the Science Museum.

The Science Museum is definitely worth a visit.

And a visit to Theresa's favorite handbag store: Luis Vutton.

Was great fun walking into this very up market store in our hiking clobber. Staff not sure what to make of us. Attended to by a senior team member who then passed us on to a junior when Theresa only expressed interest in a low cost wallet.

Then Theresa spotted a not so low cost handbag. Junior team member thrilled with a combined sale. The handbag is for Theresa's 60th in November.

Moral of the story "Don't judge people by their hiking clobber!!!".

Theresa and I love to experience different things. Through Kris Flyer I received an email promoting a dining experience called ABSURDITIES.

Definitely different:

a. a random dining location

b. a random menu

c. wear clothing suited to climbing and crawling

d. different rooms for different courses

What could possibly go wrong?

ABSOLUTELY SENSATIONAL!!! Thoroughly enjoyed our evening spent with a smattering of GP's, a Psychologist and several EM physicians. Sadly no Pain specialists, we would have recruited them!!

Day 10 - Little Malaysia and the Arab quarter (1Sep)

Sadly our Singapore time is coming to an end. But a little more to explore! Yihaaa.

Day 11 - Depart for Brisbane (2Sep)

WOW. What a week!!!

An absolute pleasure to share it with Paul (the birthday boy!), Susanne, Rosemary and John. Such an easy to travel with bunch of people. Loved every experience.

HAPPY 70th PAUL.

And happy to return. Theresa and I have got unfinished business in Singapore.

Here's a few photos of places Theresa and I did not visit, but our travel mates enjoyed.

Finally, alongside every GOOD MAN (that's definitely Paul) there stands an even MORE AWESOME LADY (that's Susanne).

Sincere thanks to you both for allowing Theresa and I to invite ourselves to join you both in Singapore!!!

And for "security" at Raffles allowing us all into the hotel.