Chapter 14

Final guests, final weeks in Singapore.....

Alan and Wendy arrived to join us for a week's experience of Singapore.
We did some serious retrospective research to get a good mix of activities and eateries to choose from while they were here.  Given that we had a pool of six months activities to dip into, it was relatively easy. Sort of a lucky dip with no bad picks!
We raised our glasses on the first night at the Lantern bar, on Marina Bay. Well not on it, beside it, to take in the view and watch day turn to twinkling night. 

View from Lantern Bar

Off then to a hawker place around the corner for an introduction to Singapore street food, literally. At 7pm every night, they close off a street in the business district and set up many satay cooking stands, chairs and tables. Locally called "Satay Street", (of course) it has a wonderful vibe. The boys organised and paid for 30 mixed satays.  As we ploughed through these, we started looking at our piles of sticks and realised that we had actually had 62 satay sticks delivered.  Embarrassingly for him, Philip's tally was 26 sticks.  Well done Philip - but who's counting (actually we all did)! 

Our Saturday plans were compromised as the heavens decided to open, all day. Because of this we spent most of the day 'indoors'. That is, shopping centres, the Singapore Flyer, Art Science Museum, lunch at  Marche, more shops.
Headed to the Arab quarter when the skies cleared, for a look around, then dinner at a restaurant called Ataturk. Dips, salad, Turkish pizza, and a grilled meat platter. Very tasty.

The first Sunday of the month is the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the gates of Istana,  (President's residence), a short stroll from the apartment.  It is based on the Buckingham Palace format and involves 36 guards and 2 commanders. To add extra " pomp", two Military bands  provide the music and marching beat.  The guards are specially selected and trained for their turnout, bearing and drill. Included in the ceremony is a Precision Rifle Drill performance by the military police, which was flawless in its execution. Fantastic!

I squeezed in a couple of extra art classes with Dipa, my teacher. A great mix of theory and practical exercises has meant I have a good solid base to move forward with. I am hoping I can experiment and create, with all that she has taught me. I will miss Dipa, as well as Sandhy and Harminder, my friends there, and the cute studio tucked away in the lush garden. 

 

A local restaurant called Nuoc was a favourite with the four of us. This Saigon style eatery is nestled in a tranquil garden setting on the rooftop of Orchard Central shopping complex in Orchard Rd, a five minute walk from the apt.  Views, a slight breeze, a table on the verandah surrounded by fishponds and wonderful food. Memorable.

The Pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia have left the building (and gone to their new $8m home in the newly opened River Safari Park next door to the zoo) but we did see some wonderful animals on our visit to the Singapore Zoo - sans Philip. Known locally as Mandai Zoo it is located next to the Seletar Reservoir in a heavily forested area and is 69 acres in size. It opened 40 years ago this year. There were some challenging odours with this heat, but we managed!  Zoo poo, ah!  
Wendy and I loved the Orang Utans, whose habitat at the zoo is a free range environment.  We quickly agreed that there was some people we both knew who closely resembled them! Scary!

We had previously been to the Singapore Cricket Club, but Alan is also a member of MCC and so the 4 of us headed back there.  Unlike the last time we went, when 2 of us ate outdoors at the bistro on the verandah, the 4 of us dined upstairs at the more up-market Padang restaurant.  All was going well until we tried to enter and the maitre d' noticed that Philip was wearing dress jeans which were on their forbidden list.  First reaction was to send him home and change, but the maitre d' sized Philip up and found an old pair of black dress pants which almost fitted.

Fashion with attitude

It was fabulous food and wine and we appreciated A&W's generosity for making this a memorable night.

A pleasant pre-dinner drink atop Marina Bay Sands hotel with our G and T's and french rose wine on Alan and Wendy's last evening in Singapore, turned into an unplanned thunderstorm and lightning show.  We were quickly whisked from the outdoor area to indoors for safety reasons. I have never seen horizontal lightning before! It was a spectacle for sure! 

Thanks for coming to visit us!

Getting close to the end of Singas now...
Until the next blog.
Love Annie 
XX