Saturday, January 18, 2014

Up at 7am and enjoyed cappuccinos on the deck overlooking one of the busiest harbors in the world.  Bacon and eggs and showers and we were off by 9:30am .... We have a busy day planned !!

We did a driving tour of the city get an overall sense of things.   First impressions are that it is clean, busy and “well-groomed” in that all the beautifully planted public spaces (and there are MANY) are meticulously manicured and very lush.  The buildings in the downtown core are magnificent ...  creative, interesting designs, shapes and materials.    Singaporeans take great pride in their city –and it shows.

 

 

First stop was Mount Faber – a beautiful, short hike to the top a hill overlooking the city ... just to get our bearings.  It was very windy, thankfully, as that made the temps very pleasant .... crazy wind though. There is a beautiful statue of a lion atop the mountain.  Singapore’s symbol is the lion... singa meaning lion and pura meaning city... city of lions.

 

On to Keppel Island for a walk around the marina and another perspective on the city skyline.  This beautiful residential complex is called Reflections .... and its not my camera lens that is skewing the buildings !!  Cool eh ??  (Oh !!  And that's Cam's next boat, in the foreground ... hahaha )

 

Next ...  the Malay Heritage Center, where Dina volunteers as a docent.  It is a beautiful old building that used to the sultan’s residence.

 

 

Then we were off to enjoy mirtabak at ZamZam’s, a local favorite...  Mirtabak is DELICIOUS and very fun to watch being made.  It’s a dough that is stretched very thin, plop on top, a raw egg , spread the egg around by hand, add  fried onions, chicken (or lamb or deer or sardine or veggies), fold it up, put it on a fryer, plop another egg on top, swished around by hand and fried crispy.  YUM !! ... Washed down with fresh limeade made from steeped fresh limes that are the size of large olives.  GREAT lunch !!

BTW ... Cam is SO far outside his comfort zone right now ... its funny to watch. 

BUT ... he's being a real trooper and is trying EVERYTHING.

 

 

Into the downtown core and off to the MBS (Marina Bay Sands- hotel and convention center)... this is one of my FAVORITE buildings in the city ... waaaaaaay cool.  The boys headed off for a beer while Dina and I checked out an art show, then we met and went up to the lounge at the top of the MBS for a magnificent view of the city and  very expensive drinks !!!  The spectacular viewing made it worthwhile !!!

 

Gardens by the Bay was next, and the Supertree Grove .... Large tree-shaped structures with beautiful plants growing up and thru the structure.  It looks like something out of Avatar !!  Gorgeous park.  (The photo below shows the MBS in the background beyond the "trees" !!)

 

 

 

We watched a ceremonial Lion Dance then headed to the Newton Circus Hawkers stand for dinner, which is like a big “food fair” with all sorts of eating options .... Cheap and cheerful and delicious .... Served with refreshing,  freeeeezing cold beer !!