Blogs from Toa Payoh, Singapore, Asia
A Singapore Sling - From The Rubble to the Ritz
Published: January 28th 2012Asia » Singapore » Toa Payoh
January 28th 2012
This is how it felt!...As soon as I boarded the plane and was handed the drinks menu (yes, I know...a drinks menu in economy!) my eyes scanned the list and as they fell upon "Australian Sauvignon Blanc" I did a tiny yelp of delight! Finally White Wine! Bring me 3 please! I'm staying with my Singaporean friend Irene for 3 days whom I haven't seen for nearly 4 years! She meets me at the airport and we get a cab back to her beautiful apartment in the city. The first thing I notice is how quiet the traffic is...No horns, no screeching of brakes, no zipping in and out of tuk tuks, no near death experiences (always a bonus); Singapore is beautiful! Everything seems brand spanking new and clean and shiny! I love it! We go ... read more
September 26th 2010
After breakfast, Julie and I did some pilates on the balcony and then we all headed down to the pool for a swim - a first in the new condo for all of us. It's a great facility and would get plenty of use from me if I was living here! Roger and Julie took me out to dim sum lunch at The Grand Shanghai in Havelock Road up from Robertson Quay. The food was sensational with pork dumplings, chicken and mango pastries, wonton chilli, fried dumplings with chives and custard tarts, all with jasmine tea. We walked across the river where Julie had an iced coffee latte and then headed out to Thompson Road to do some plant shopping. Roger and Julie found bought four Calatheas and some red pots while I wandered around the ... read more
November 26th 2008
I was only in Singapore for 5 days but I can tell you the two main things I will remember Animals and the Heat The humidity in this place was ridiculous, I couldn't stay out in the sun for a minute without already sweating. Even in the evening and at night you had to wear shorts, I only had jeans on once during the stay and that was the last night when me and Rowan (from New Zealand) went out for a few drinks. I met Rowan at the hostel I was staying in he arrived a day later than me and we were probably the only two staying in the hostel who were travelling. He is on his way to Europe and the cold now. Sentosa Island & Tiger Beer I bet in a few ... read more
August 2nd 2008
thought this would be my last blog, as im flying home tonight. ive enjoyed writing them but dont think i can get away with keeping on going once i get home! um ive had an enjoyable week of chilling out in singapore. its been a really nice way to end the trip, in style. it was good to visit the 'Geyleng' area - seeing old, cute, chinese guys playing Mahjong on the sidewalk and the women shopping for durian. i visited Changi museum and was actually affected by what i saw. it was so much more real seeing it at the actual site, but the photos of starving POW and the conditions they lived in, and also the way in which they faced the adversity of the Japanese's torture - building a makeshift university, drawings etc. ... read more
September 23rd 2007
What started out as a dream has become a reality. Without dreams, life would have been a mistake This was a mini class gathering for 6 of us @ Shallene's sister's aka Audrey Food Addict Cafe @ Blk 185 Toa Payoh Central. One year on, all of us are relatively comfortable with our current jobs. Some took on a couple of jobs before settling down. Others were luckier, their first job was a right on. For others, being their own boss meant 200% more commitment and 200% more overtime than usual office workers like us. Anyway, few people would expect a cafe to exist in an unexpected spot along a stretch of beauty salons and handphone shops. While seated outside that evening, we observed that it has managed to attract no less than twenty curious looks ... read more
