WHAT I LEARNED ABOUT SINGAPORE.

Some things I learned through observation and others from my shuttle van driver.

Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino

Lotus shaped Art Science Museum

• The architecture is incredible. Got a sore neck trying to look at some of the tallest buildings.
•  Most buildings look new and very modern.
• The country is about the size of Lake Taupo with 5 million people.
• It does not look like too much of a concrete jungle because there are green and flowering plants everywhere. Some buildings have gardens built into them.
• Every brand name shop I am aware of was in Singapore. From the high end shops of Orchard Road to the every day ones we are familiar with at home. Even a Harvey Norman store!
• English is the first language. I saw tiny tots at the library being asked questions in English.
• Not as safety conscious as Kiwis. Construction workers mosly wore helmets but no high vis vests. No helmets on bike riders. People sat in the back tray of small trucks.
• Taxis have different charges. They all have a flag fall cost attached to their windows. I saw them from $3.20 to $5.
• Nobody can have a vehicle that is aged over 10 years. They must be scrapped. This is to prevent pollution. My driver told me the cheapest cars – like a Suzuki Swift cost around $70,000. Vans like he was driving – with all the bells and whistles cost about $200,000. He said that was okay as they earned good money. $4,000 a month gross and $3,500 net. Good money??
• The majority of people live in high rise apartment buildings. They cost about $200,000 to buy or $800 a month to rent.
• The cost of vehicles really stuns me. You could buy a home for the cost of a van.
• Education is affordable – not sure at what cost though.
• Doctors cost $50 a visit and this includes any medications.
• Evidently the government has plenty of money so they are using it to make Singapore the best place to be. Hence building is going on everywhere.

EXPLORING SINGAPORE

Shops don't open until 10 or 10.30 so there was no point in going out too early. Fortunately there were several shopping malls close to the hotel. I spent most of the day wandering around the shops – much cooler than outside. Had my first local meal. It was hard to choose as so many meals had things I didn't fancy eating. Settled on a chicken curry. It had a half cooked egg in it!. Not too sure about that idea.

Vietnamese Chicken Curry

It was really surprising to find things cost about the same as in New Zealand. The dollar is almost equal.

In the evening I went to the Night Safari. The bus from the tourist hub seemed to be rather late so I was concerned how long it would take to get the tram through the park. After waiting in the line for 45 minutes I had my ride. Saw some really unusual animals. There was just enough time to catch the shuttle back to the hotel. TM5.

The next day I needed to walk from my hotel to the tourist hub by the Singapore Flyer to catch an Hop on Hop off bus ride. Should take me about 20 minutes. I am sure it would have too, if they didn't have road works everywhere. Because I had to walk in the opposite direction before I could cross the road I discovered a lovely souvenir shop where I got a cute little orchid in glass. TM6. That walk took me about an hour and a quarter. The temperature was over 30 of course – this is Singapore!

By Singapore Flyer to catch the FunVee bus.

Arrived with a few minutes to spare for the next bus. TM7. Managed an inside top level seat with air conditioning. Bliss! TM8. Saw a lot of Singapore in comfort. After doing the city loop I had something to eat. They had a lot of these “Toast” shops. I had a cheese and kaya toast. Kaya is a traditional jam made from coconut and eggs. Tasted good but on a very tiny bit of toast. Had an iced chocolate with it.

Kaya Toast

After eating I went on the Chinatown bus so I could get off closer to my hotel. TM9. Check out time was 3pm so I needed to clean up and get out of my room. My shuttle pick up was not until 6.45pm so I left my suitcases and walked to Raffles City Mall. It appeared the Apple Watch was going on sale that day as there was a line of people waiting outside the Nubox store.

Got taken by shuttle to the airport. I was the only passenger so I asked my driver a lot about Singapore. When I stepped out of the van at the airport my glasses fogged up. The contrast was so great between the air-con of the vehicle and the humidity and heat outside.That ended my 2 days in steamy hot Singapore.

ARRIVING IN SINGAPORE

When I had been moved up to Premium economy, my bag was left behind  above where I had been sitting. So even though I could get off the plane early I had to wait until everyone had got off so I could go back and retrieve my bag.

I finally got through customs to see my name held aloft and discovered the other people on my shuttle had traveled first class so they had been waiting some time for me – oops! They were off on a tour around China, Vietnam etc.

Still waiting to meet Mr X

My hotel room

Arrived at my hotel around 8am. Thought I would have to leave my bags and come back for my room later as check-in time was 2pm. Fantastic – my room was ready so I could go in straight away. TM4.

I stayed at the Peninsular Excelsior Hotel in Coleman Street. It was close to a few shopping malls. 

Here are some views from my hotel window. I was on the 8th floor.