The
past few days since we got married had been crazy. We returned home on the 12th
May from the Moon Garden where we had stayed for 2 nights to find the house
being disassembled by the gang from the province. Turned out that they basically
looted the place and took loads of stuff that I doubt we will see ever again!
We managed to box up some stuff to save for when we return. Hopefully it will
be kept safe, but I taped it up and wrote messages on the boxes.
Saturday
15th May was the proper beginning of our honeymoon. No real idea how long we
will be away, and only a rough plan of the itinerary. Left the house at 3pm and handed the keys back...a deserted space after
over 1 year of it being home, and strange to think
we will not be returning here.
We
went to Shiera's parent's house to say goodbye and wait for the bus outside.
The normal journey by bus and taxi to Ninoy Aquino airport, with plenty of time
to spare. It was good that we had spare time as we had a hassle with Shiera's return ticket at check-in.
Turned out that to board the flight to Singapore, Shiera needed an onward or
return flight, whereas I do not. After much argument with the lady in
charge, she went to get the rule book and
showed us 'Rule2' on page something or
other. Had to run and buy a ticket from Bangkok to Manila which would be wasted as the cheapest option. Cost 4,800php. What a start to our honeymoon!
Cebu Pacific
flight 5J803 departed at 8:30pm bound for Changi airport in Singapore. No time
difference and arrived at 11:55pm local time. I had pre-booked at the Robertson
Quay Hotel for 4 nights and arrived there around 1am. Quick check-in and off to
bed.
Sun 16th May
- The view from our room was lovely along the
Singapore river going west. First duty of the day after breakfast was to cancel
Shiera's flight that I had to buy in a hurry. Cost 2,500 pesos to cancel and was
given the remainder as a credit, which can only be used over the counter at a
Cebupacific office or by phone to Manila. Must be booked within 3 months in her
name and for use within 1 year. In other words a totally wasted flight as
cannot meet the conditions. This is so frustrating!
I
wish immigration would have an injection of intelligence when it comes to this.
Why force us or anyone for that matter, to waste time, money etc for no reason.
Just because you have a flight booked doesn't mean you are going to use it or
leave. If you want to stay longer you can if you apply. A total waste....get
your act together immigration....a continuous pain in the ass!
Off
to explore along Singapore river thru Robertson
Quay and Clark Quay, down to the Merlion park with an awesome view of the new Marina Bay Sands
complex. Designed like a marooned Ship on top of three hotel pillars...it is
just stunning. The closer you get, the more
amazing it becomes. It was still being developed and won't be finished until
much later in the year, but it is possible to get to some parts of it. As you
an imagine, the casino is the first part to open as this is the breadwinner...the
cash cow that will fuel this place for years to come, so it has to start paying
for itself as soon as possible. The courtesy shuttle buses are already in
operation to ferry in the wallets with people attached.
Off
next to another famous landmark of the Esplanade theatre (locally
known as the Durian for its spiky shape and
design) to see what is on as it is the month
of the Arts festival, and then on to the Marina
Bay Sands Casino over the amazing double
helix bridge.
As
if we hadn't had enough, with so much to see Singapore is relentless on your
feet...Suntec City Mall
with its claimed 'World's tallest fountain'. It was dry the last time I came
here....and it was dry this time too...how about the world's shortest fountain?
Return
along the Padang (Singapore Cricket Club). Started to
rain so headed back to hotel.
Mon 17th May
- Any walk through Little India and the Arab quarter is an
overdose to your senses. The aromas as you pass one restaurant or cafe after
another that makes you want to indulge in yet another meal, no matter how full
you are. The sheer beauty and refinement of the Indian and Arab ladies clad in
gorgeous saris and two-piece suits in the colours of the rainbow. Gold
adornments that go perfect with their dark sultry complexion to make it
difficult to not look.
In
the Arab quarter, my favourite Bussorah street where I stayed the last time at
Sleepy Sam's, which is now under new ownership. At the head of the street is the 'Sultan mosque', which
we couldn't enter as it was prayer time and tourists aren't allowed in.
The
walk back to the hotel passed one of Singapore's most famous of institutions,
and one of the city's best know benefactors...the Raffles hotel. On my last
trip here I indulged in a Singapore sling in the Long Bar....at SG$26 it is the
longest drink you will have in your life. With a box of peanuts to unh your way
through and discard the empty shells on the floor, I remember the crunch under
foot as you wade through the bar! Colonial styling at its best with waving ceiling
fans and with the moustached Indian gentleman doorman at the hotel entrance, it
harks back to an era of elegance and refinement that was just...so British!
Had
to give it a miss this time as it really is too pricey for what it is....a
cocktail.
Tue 18th May
- Another area of this wonderful city to explore
today...Chinatown. A beautiful Taoist temple
across the river from the hotel was our starting point. The proprietor was keen
to give us a talk on the features of the building and how it fits into their
religion. The male and female dragons at the entrance...the female on the left
has the baby dragon. The door step which you climb over and bow as you do so,
makes you show respect to the deity. The symbology of the ornate design
including the white tiger panels and the Chinese stone circles...all bestow good fortune on those who enter.
The
rest of Chinatown is a labyrinth of streets filled with mysterious drug stores
selling bits of twigs, dried mushrooms in dozens of varieties and a myriad of
objects that defy description and must take a lifetime to understand their
properties. Chinese medicine is anient and full of mystery to the uninitiated.
Makes for wonderful photographs though. The predominance of red in the
architecture and lots of dazzling clothing is always exciting. You just have to
smile continuously as you walk around this place.
Dressed up for dinner out In a local Restaurant, with an
awesome choice of dishes.
Wed 19th May
- Re-located to 'The Mitraa' on Racecourse road in Little India. About 5 minutes walk from Farrer MTR station. Out
to explore...
It
started to rain heavy, so we stopped for a street lunch
of Indian curry and chapatis. Part of a tree collapsed in front of us, with a near
miss of a couple of passing guys, who managed to run quick enough to escape.
A
stall opposite our table was selling Betel nut leaves...a common mild narcotic
favoured by Indian guys and cost 40 cents each.
Blisters on
our feet, we hobbled back....
Thu 20th May
- Poor night's sleep and late out of the Mitraa.
Visited the local temples on Racecourse road. Sakaya Muni Buddha Gaya
temple...aka Temple of 1000 lights, which houses a 15m seated Buddha.
Walked
to Lavender street bus station to Book tickets to Melacca for Monday with
Singapore-Melacca Express costing $20 each leaving at 10am. Should take 4hours.
On
a walk lover to Little India we passed the alleyways around Desker road which
are famed for its brothels. They are fairly discrete with the ladies never
venturing outside, but winking at every male to pass, me included. A constant
stream of clients wandering up and down is what makes it obvious.
Friday
21st May - Sentosa Universal studios for most of the day. MTR to the Vivo city
complex and then transfer to the Sentosa bus for SG$2 return. There is also the
mono-rail to get there but we will use that another time. Sentosa is one of
those wow resort places that hits you from when you arrive. Singapore just
knows how to impress. The Resorts world complex at the entrance is still under
expansion, but the Merlion is accessable as was uch of the gardens and the
lookout area. The cable-ar that connects back to the mainland was closed until
late in the year.
The
main ride at the studios was closed today which was a disappointment. Still
plenty to do though...Shrek 4D movie, thrill rides, the Steven Spielberg
introduced light, camera action set, the excellent rock'nroll live show in the
Hollywood theatre. Plenty...
In
the evening the musical fountain (Lake of dreams) at 9pm that lasts about 20
minutes.
Saturday
22nd May - Sentosa beach but this time we went by mono-rail from Vivo city
complex for SG$3 return. Sooth and efficient....what else!
Filipino
actors recording for a TV programme on the beach.
In
the evening we saw the awesome 'Sounds of the Sea' show on the beachfront. SG$15
including snack and drink from the 'Oscar Oscar' store. The most amazing water
effects played out to music I have ever seen.
Sunday
23rd May - Jurong bird park SG$18 entrance. Can pay extra for the monorail, but
didn't bother as this sort of place has to be done on foot. Was surprised
though that the monorail was sponsored by Thai airways. Japanese and Chinese
gardens
Slight
mess up with the room as we had forgot to extend our stay. When we got back to
the Mitraa they were waiting for us. Had to move to a dorm room sharing with 2
other couples (SH$20 each). The private room had cost SG$59 per night with
shared facilities, so it saved a bit and was only for one night as we leave
tomorrow morning.
Monday
24th May - Move on to Malaysia today. Had pre-booked tickets with the
'Singapore Melacca Express company' bus from Lavender street bus station for
SG$20 each departing at 10am.
The
Mitraa lived upto its name, as Mitraa is Sanskrit for 'Friend'. I would
certainly recommend it as a convenient place to stay, being within easy walk to
Little India and Farrer park MTR station.
Singapore
is a fantastic place...a city, a country, an amalgamation of rich cultural
diversity from Indian, Chinese, Malay, British, Australian, Filipino and just
about every other Asian culture you an think of. Exiting, beautifully kept, and
proud of itself, it is a great place to start any tour of Asia. It comes at a
price though. This pristine economical giant has to be paid for, and with quite
a price tag. A social life here , can be bank breaking. Eating itself can make
you wince at how fast your ash will evaporate. Want entertainment...then take
an extension on your mortgage first. To survive here you really have to be
working here, and preferably as a high roller. I hadn't seen so many expensive
cars in one place as I have here.
The
bus arrived at the Singapore immigration at 10:45am and in true Singaporean
fashion, we were through the exit stamp within a few minutes and back on the
bus. Singapore is separated from the Malaysian mainland by a causeway. I
remembered my last trip through here and how crazy it was. It took about an
hour and was a mess of bodies and luggage pushing through. This time it was
different. I think they have changed the building arrangement as we whizzed
through in a few minutes including the baggage scanning and were back on the
bus and on the road in Malaysia at 11am. I got the usual 90 days visa allowance
and Shiera got 30 days (which can be extended to 2 months maximum). This is ok
as we will only be covering the peninsula on this occasion. The expected
arrival time in Melaka would be 3pm allowing for a lunch stop along the way.
So we have 30 days to explore the peninsula. I
have been to some parts of it before, so will try to go somewhere different
this time. One of our aims is to get our
visa for India in Kuala Lumpur as soon as we can, and that takes 5 working days
from application, so the itinerary will include a stopover in KL for that as
well as a return to fly out to India.
That's all for now..... bye
