Last day in Singapore and the last day of our trip!

15/12/16

Last night we had a great dinner on the verandah. Good wine and food, great company, the Marina Bay Sands light show and a big full moon.

Today we were up and out relatively early, hoping to beat the heat to visit Gardens by the Bay. We walked down to the barrage first and then wandered through all the garden areas. The gardens are lovely, lots of tropical plants, lovely ponds, clean and tidy, very picturesque but they gave us a slightly uncomfortable feeling. Is the proliferation of artificial plants and animal sculptures (as opposed to the real thing) a portent of the future? Stopped for a “nice cup of tea” at the hawkers markets there but foolishly said yes to milk, which of course turned out to be condensed milk. Not so nice!

We then took the overhead bridge through the Marina Bay Sands Hotel for a sticky beak before heading to the Rasapura Masters food court for lunch. So much yummy Asian food! One of the things we miss in Canberra. Next was a visit to the Merlion to try to recreate a photo from our honeymoon. Didn’t quite work. No, not because I am older but because Singapore has changed so much!!! 

Took our final MRT trip back to Mark’s place to start the packing. Once the boys were home we played a bit of touch footy – someone has to educate these children about “proper” football – and hung out by the pool before dinner and then our trip to Changi Airport.

We are now home from our fabulous trip – 65 days; wonderful places, people and food; travel on planes, ships, trains, ferries, busses, cars, funiculars, cable cars, wicker baskets and on foot; plenty of adventures and a few trials. Now to start planning and saving for the next one!

Our evening view

Christmas decorations and trees Singapore style

One huge ponytail palm!

Gary in imminent danger.

Singapore view

Dale and a lot of bull!

Portulacas for you, Ian. Brought back memories!

Dale and the Merloin - trying to recreate the honeymoon photo.

Singapore

12, 13 and 14/12/16

We arrived in Singapore early on Monday morning and caught the MRT to meet my cousin Mark, who is currently living here. Unfortunately, I think there was something dodgy about the ham I had with my baguette on our last night in Paris (or it could have been the plane breakfast, or both) because soon after arrival severe diarrhoea and then vomiting set in. Not a great way to spend your first day in a new country and visiting someone! 

On Tuesday I was a little better, so we took a stroll along the Singapore River to Liang Court shopping centre to buy some shorts. I had come prepared for European winter, not tropical Singapore. We then continued on to have a look around Clarke Quay and had some lunch before strolling back. In the afternoon, I had enough energy to go Pokemon hunting with the kids and in the evening we went out for a lovely Chinese dinner in Tiong Bahru.

Today we took a bus and then the MRT to the National Museum of Singapore. It has an interesting if somewhat potted history of Singapore, aimed we suspect at a local audience. It is very slanted towards a patriotic “look at what we have overcome”, without a lot of detail about what led up to each event. There was also an interesting exhibition of photos of old trees in Singapore, along with the stories of people associated with each tree. We then walked back to Mark’s place through Fort Canning Park, discovering an archaeological dig and a gun for Gary.

Mark and family live in an apartment high in a block right next to the Singapore River. It has amazing views. We can see the Singapore Flyer and Marina Bay Sands from the verandah and have views of the river and over the city as we shower! 

Where we are staying

View from the verandah

View from our shower

Pokemon hunting on the Singapore River

Clarke Quay - Christmas decorations in the tropics just aren't the same!

Seen in a cafe. Only in Singapore would they need this. (Where Ms Tan is from, of course!)

Obviously need a fruit sculpture outside your museum. In Canberra we have pears.

Archeological dig in Fort Canning Park

Found a gun for Gary

Fabulous tree roots, Fort Canning Park

Paris

10/12/16

Our last day in Europe! 

We decided to visit the Cathedral Sacre Coeur as we haven’t been before. When we arrived at the Metro station it was clear and sunny but by the time we climbed up to the cathedral the fog had closed in so the views weren’t great. There was also a very long line to get in so we didn’t go inside but walked around the outside and visited a nearby garden. We then took a circuitous route back down to the Seine and along to our hotel.  

We have spent the afternoon packing (yes, squeezing in a few Christmas trinkets, Lucie!) and are about to head out for our last European evening stroll. Early tomorrow morning we head to CDG airport.

Scare Coeur - sunny from the bottom

Foggy from the top

Great gargoyles!

Look what I had to eat, kids!!!

All to myself, none for you! 

Santa and reindeer made from Lego, outside the Lego shop.