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Published: April 29th 2016
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My first visit to Singapore was back in January 1996,this was also my first encounter with Asia. At the time, I was staying in a backpackers place, 6usd for a bed in a dorm in Bencoleen...I don't even think the place still exist. Little did I know that my adventure in Asia would last more than 20 years! While leaving in Saigon from 1996 to 2000, Singapore was also a great way to escape a place that still had close to zero shopping/culture available. Than in 2001, Leslie had his first birthday party at the Ritz Carlton Millenia in the executive lounge....that was a good 14 years ago!
This time, we are stopping in Singapore on our way to Manado for a single night, as well as on the way back, this time for a really nice week-end.
On both ways, we are staying at the new Westin in Downtown. I have had the chance to discover most of Singapore and its attractions over the year,s, but the new developments around the Marina will offer many new discoveries this trip. The Westin is a truly beautiful hotel. No huge suites upgrade this time, but high
floors, gorgeous bathrooms and amazing views. The Westin has on top of this a truly nice breakfast, and trust me, I've became pretty fuzzy when it comes to hotel breakfast! And just after the breakfast, time in that fun swimming pool, perched on the 35th floor would do it too!
On my way back to Singapore from Manado, I was more than happy to go back to hot water, decent wine, cuddles, and some serious culture dose. Sadly, I cannot say that we have access to an amazing array of culture while living in Bangkok. While checking the Marina with Leslie, we stopped by the new Esplanade opera hall. And yes, the best show of the season is matching my next stay less than 10 days later. They still had decent tickets for Carmen of Bizet, and I grabbed them fast!
So on the way back on Silk Air to Singapore, Leslie went straight on to home and I stay for one more week-endin the Merlion city. As you will find out in the pictures...that was a great week-end! Carmen by Bizet was just great...full house, and a more modern interpretation where the center
stage was left to the Orchestra. This was my second encouter with Bizet, I saw Carmen last time back in Moscow in 2013!
Next, we spent time going from one swimming pool to the next. You all have heard of the swimming pool at the Marina Bay Sands. The hotel has 2600 rooms and a huge casino. We never made it to the casino! To be honest, I'm not a big fan of these hotels. But the only way to enjoy the spectacular swimming poolat the Marina Bay Sands...is to sleep there! We had a room with a cool view to the Marina and the city. Pretty cool view! The room was large, but nothing really much to rave about, it's nothing more than a clean 4 stars hotel. The swimming pool is something very different. It is perched on the 57th floor....and the view from the swimming pool is just insane. Good for us, the place never actually felt overcrowded. They have a part for adults only, and they do enforce this pretty well. We never made it to the sunset, as it was time to get to the Opera. Sadly in Singapore, nobody is really
dressing up for the Gala night of the season....so we made sure we simply blend.
On next morning, after another early visit to the swimming pool and breakfast in bed, we walked all the way to the National Museum. The place has opened to international rave at the end of last year....less than 6 months ago. Historic buildings, including the Supreme court, have been encased in a new shell. The collections are massive and mainly from all over South East Asia...but here, the building is truly the star! Great job Singapore!
For lunch, and before flying back home, we made our way to Little India! Love Indian food, but wanted to do it the Singaporean way, in a hawker center. No aircon here, it's just an amazing food court at the Tekka Center....and that food was something! Took me a little longer to get home than expected... four hours delay for technical reasons on a SQ flight...blame you Singapore Airlines to ruin the end of such a great week-end!
Next entry will only come in just over a month time...May will be for me between Bangkok, Congo and South Africa! It's
Tiffany time again!
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Home and Away
Bob Carlsen
Time for an introduction!!!
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