Chapter 8

Hellos and Goodbyes.

New Years Day saw us say goodbye to Chris and Sal, who flew back to Sydney.  We had a great time together, and enjoyed many culinary experiences. Food and a foreign land seems to be the foundation of our times spent together.

Laura returned from Kota Kinabalu, and we were able to have her to ourselves for two days, which we really enjoyed. Lots of cuddles and chats.  She arrived without an Orangutan which was a relief.

Did some last minute exploring and shopping with her.

We waved goodbye to Laura, while mopping eyes, and said hello to Sasha and Tim the following day. Again, mopping eyes!

We were at the airport many times in just a few days!  Just as well its on our train line.

Tim was keen on eating Singapore Noodles here, and was on a mission to find them, so took him to a Hawker food centre the first night.  No luck.  We did find Hong Kong noodles though. Singapore noodles must  be an Australian dish!
Enjoyed a great meal at Bella Pasta with Sasha and Tim the next evening. Nice change in cuisines. Pizza, gnocchi and lasagna, with a rocket salad, washed down with an Italian red.

Sasha and Tim's  first wedding anniversary was on the 7/01, so they spent 3 days at a hotel on Sentosa. (Where did that year go?)  Philip flew off to KL, and I was on my own.  Seemed strange, after a house full.  Nice to have some home cooked meals though!

Singapore tests your senses in every way, but none more so than the Durian fruit. You can smell it 500 metres away! (In Malaysia, it is banned on public transport and in hotels).

Philip was determined to taste it, after being told it was the "King of Fruits". It has a strong and penetrating smell even when the husk is intact. Comparisons of the smell range from almonds, to rotten onions and gym socks!  

I found some, already prepared, and brought it home. By that I mean, out of its husky shell-like cover. The centre resembles a spoonful of custard around a stone.  It absolutely stunk out the Apt, and after it was tasted, and spat out, it was disposed of downstairs in the bin! The stomach churning smell lingered for 2 hours, and Philip could still taste it long after that. It's such a "King of Fruits", they wanted to charge me $3 to take the photo!  

We finally went to a restaurant called "No Signboard Seafood".  The legend behind this story is as follows....
The owner started a hawker stall with no name and was too poor to put up a signboard. Customers began to refer to it as "the store with no signboard", and a running joke started.
Today their are 4 restaurants in Singapore, with the original just down the road from us, and ironically, they are lit up with neon lights in abundance.  More than making up for all the years without a sign.
Philip and Tim enjoyed the famous  Chilli Crab, and by the looks of them at the end, did it proud! Orange mouths and fingers, and a tingling tongue! The crabs are imported from Sri Lanka, in a range of sizes, and are priced at about $80 per KG. Our seafood feast was delicious.

We did a return trip to the Orchid gardens with Sasha and Tim. The displays never cease to delight.

Our last evening with Sasha and Tim saw us back at the restaurant Sky on 57 on top of Marina Bay Sands for dinner. We took Laura  here for lunch, and it was where we celebrated my birthday. Very special place and you cannot beat the view!  The food is a gourmet delight, and the service excellent. We had a table by the window overlooking the lights of the city and the bay.

After dinner we had a look in at the casino, downstairs. Wall to wall gamblers!  It was packed. A low level cloud of cigarette smoke hits you when you enter, which we are not used to.  We needed our local ID to gain entry, and Sasha and Tim their passports. They checked these documents at two points upon entering, and again when we left.  Very strictly controlled. Sasha came away with a tiny windfall, to which I think I donated! Bit of fun.

After a month of visitors, we are sad to say, that there were no takers for the Frog Porridge experience!  Philip will now have to consume this on his own. I will watch and take photos!  Will let you know the outcome........

Come on Gerloffs - this is up your alley isn't it?

And finally ........Hello to another 3 months here!!  Yes, we will be here till mid April!

Love Annie
Xx