Singapore 5.7.12

 

We had a good flight with Jet Star and more legroom than we expected. We arrived in Singapore on time, had no problems through customs and immigration and caught a taxi to Libby and Eric's condo. We arrived at 10pm just after they arrived home from work as planned. Then followed hugs and kisses and a veritable talkfest until we realized we were all hungry. We went to their local Makan to eat excellent food. It was great to see them so happy, healthy and relaxed.

The next six days were crammed with activity and late nights.

We explored Little Arab street and poked through shops with every kind of fabric you could imagine. There were vividly colored saris, beads and

baubles of every description. The precinct around the mosque was busy with men making their way to Friday prayers.

We ate a delicious lunch of murtabak upstairs at Zam Zams before Lib and Eric went to work and we continued taking in the visual richness of the area.

Next day we negotiated the MTR ( mass transit rail) without a problem after being tutored by Lib and Eric the day before and found our way to Little India. Explored interesting little shops and found a corner table and ordered cold beer while we waited for L and E who were meeting us after work. Dined on delicious Nepalese food at The Everest Restaurant.

Next day we ventured down to the Marina Bay area and were amazed by the development of the area since we were there last for the Inaugural Int. Breast cancer survivor's regatta. There is now a double helix bridge spanning a waterway ( designed and engineered by an Australian company), a museum and the Marina Bay Sands Hotel which has a boat-shaped roof above three towering pillars. The shopping complex has all the high end traders.. Gucci, Prada, etc. etc. plus a canal, arched bridge, and gondolas a'la Venice!!! Phenomenal! All of this development is visible from the Singapore Flyer.. Highest in the world to date.

We then found our way to to L and E's workplace and saw them in action with their classes of 8-12 or so students.. Poor things!! And then went to dinner with some of the staff. Among them were Wayne and Pauline Ash who were fellow teachers in Butterworth and it was good to catch up on all their news. Also met a colleague of Glenn' s from the Central Coast.Small world!!

Next day we braved Bukit Timah- the highest peak on the island with L and E' s walking group. It was mostly uphill and then of course downhill through picturesque tropical rainforest and we enjoyed it immensely. We spent sometime soaking out the tiredness in the spa at the Condo. Dinner that night was at Chomp Chomp Hawker stalls where we ate satays, been hoon and stingray flaps which we first had in Sarawak. Delicious!

Tuesday was along overdue sleep-in for us all after which we went to the new Gardens by the Sea. The government is building a 'city within a garden' and very successfully I think. Although still under development, the area is brilliant. There are two indoor, domed areas. One is a rainforest area and the other a series of gardens typical of many countries.. Eg..Austalia with Gum trees, Wattles, boabs, bottle brushes and kangaroo paw. There is also a series of super trees which are huge sculptures in tree form which will eventually be covered with plants. They are absolutely amazing and on such a grand scale.

That night Libby was committed to her book club so Eric took us to Raffles Quay where we had a cold one by the river and then ate at Lau Pa Sat which offers hawker food at ground level with the towering business centre all around us! Fabulous.

All too soon our last day arrived. We spent the morning relaxing together before Land E had to leave for work. Lib helped me set up a blog ( thanks so much Lib). The men organized digital books, music and movies. We had last minute instructions on how to leave the keys behind and then went to the local Makan for Chicken rice lunch. We said our farewells to our lovely friends who had to go to work and we went back to their condo to pack.

I left behind a pair of much loved and well-worn shoes and am glad to hear they have a new owner. Aren't they comfortable Lib??? So glad they fit!

We got to the airport with time to spare, had an uneventfull flight to Darwin, taxi to Luke and Talia's and crept into bed in the van about 2am.. How lucky we are to see such special friends Libby and Eric in their new environment.. Terrific hosts as usual.