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60 years - its a diamond!60 years - its a diamond!
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60 years - its a diamond!

April - May 2024
A celebration of both my first ever visit to Singapore and my 60 years in Australia. Read more
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  • Traveler60 years - its a diamond!
    Day 1–2

    And again!

    April 30 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    After a day in the office (more of a nuisance really) here I go again! Uber Reserve, while more expensive, is at least reliable. Too often in Cairns, last minute uber/cab requests go unanswered - don't need the stress tbh. Security and the lounge were deserted and airport management put some entertainment (speccey rainbow action) for the lounge guest. Was upgraded to BC at the last knock - Its no longer a given with the new Qantas Reward Seats being thrown open. Anyway the first flight is an Embraer 190 and I have one of the single seats up front.
    These Penguin posts are going to be under pressure in the next few weeks with everyone's trips but hey - great sharing!! An uneventful transit through BNE but did get the welcome sms from Qantas that my upgrade request for Premium Economy on the hallowed QF1 has been accepted - YAY. A great way to fly long haul on an A380. Daytime too!    Read more

  • Traveler60 years - its a diamond!
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    Day 1

    Onwards and upwards

    April 30 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    Arrived at my SYD stopover with a bit of time so I decided to not go and sit in my room or a cafe but to go to the SYD Business Lounge for a coffee and a sit. A bit drizzley outside so I will do a little sightseeing tomorrow morning. Time to reflect on a big couple of weeks - BNE for work, MEL for DEA, DRW for me and now BNE/SYD/SIN.. mind boggling! I am very much on the 'do it while you can' tram! A wet track for my morning run on Mascot -packing wet clothes is not ideal. Found a large building with a covered veranda all round so did circuits (about 20) - bit like a cruise ship!! Had my free brekkie at the hotel and then had a (thankfully) dry walk to Mascot station. Went to Circular Quay for a look at iconic Sydney! Back on the train to International. I was able to check in online so security et al was quick and seamless. I looked briefly at duty free fizz but decided Singapore will be a better option. Qantas First Lounge - aah, my happy place! Great views, great fizz, good food and excellent service -one day K! When the bloke at the desk knew I had a few hours he quickly suggested I have a 45 minute spa session. Despite knowing what K would think - I declined! Had some lunch with some more Champagne Lallier (a first for me - it's very good). Buffalo Mozzarella with Heirloom tomatoes. I loved the flavours but don't get heirloom tomatoes - tough and not really adding anything. The Bao was delicious #recommended. A treat was seeing QF1 arrive at the dock #thequeen. I will upload this shortly as I will be boarding and Qantas hasn't caught up with international internet yet and I will be late into Singapore. Enjoying it all so far! Been upgraded to premium economy - another first so will report on the experience #upperdeckRead more

  • Traveler60 years - its a diamond!
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    Day 2

    Lion City - 60 years on

    May 1 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    I feel privileged to be flying to Singapore on May Day 2024. I have planned this for a while and am excited! I extended the trip a day or so so I could share some time with Kerry as she transits through to Milan. Looking forward to catching up with her! Upstairs on QF1 - A full flight but Premium Economy has a lot to like for a day time trip. Very spacious and great service. Lots of charging ports, footrests and places to store stuff. I had forgotten how smooth and quiet an A380 is. Bottled wine served throughout - all in all a similar experience to what domestic business used to be - back in the day! A welcome glass of my fave Lois Lane and then a classy WA syrah. The meal was very much (again) like BC used to be. They had run out of my Singapore option so I had slow cooked lamb with polenta - ok but needed a lot of seasoning. There was also (not shown) - cheese and crackers plus icecream. I didn't take the icecream but a very generous selection. Arrived 30 mins late but the getting through Changi to the cab was done in record time. I think I was in the cab while people were still getting off QF1! So long as the online ICA card is done there are no forms anymore and there are (I kid you not) 100s of passport kiosks in immigration. It was stormy and very wet overnight but a fine Singapore morning. Had a wonderful Singapore brekkie with my old friends at the Bersah Food Centre. A bit to do this morning (supplies/pool) then off to Changi to meet Kerry and spend a few hours with her in the Lion City. I think my daily post will now be in the morning so - here it is!Read more

  • Traveler60 years - its a diamond!
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    Day 3

    Meeting day

    May 2 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    A happy meeting today- not a work type thing! K arrives at approx 3.10 this arvo. I get there early as it appears it could be early. A lazy morning at the rooftop pool. It is a nice pool but not a lot shade. Need to be mindful. I was going to have a quiet time in the hotel lobby but there were about three tour groups all talking to each other at once - very loudly so repaired to a little food centre next door and got a Tiger. I got to Changi in plenty of time - which was good because the original itinerary said T1. I started at T3 but needed to get to T2 and K was getting in early. The SkyTrain didn't seem to be where I needed it so had to walk between terminals. I was looking for another beer at this time but the sparse offerings in arrivals were ALL halal 😞 We finally met up, found the bag storage area and caught a Grab down to see Mr Merlion. The visit to pay our respects is an early must do! K hasn't seen him for a while now. We then went to Boat Quay and battled the 'hawkers'. We found one that looked good and familiar so grabbed a river front table
    Being extremely touristy expectations should be high but we were quite surprised at how good it was. Satay, Sichuan tofu and crispy roast chicken. I requested fresh chillies and he brought a veritable buffet of them!! Fresh, soy and sauce. While Kerry enjoyed the Merlion and the lunch she was going down hill quickly. Losing colour and getting quite sweaty. Managed to get a Grab and sent her back to Changi. A real shame the visit only lasted an hour or so and to be so crook - travelling like this is awful. Caught the train from Raffles Place direct to my station at Lavender. K reported in from the Silver Kris Lounge and is likely medicating with Piper Heidsieck. Day one and I am in no doubt where I am!    Read more

  • Traveler60 years - its a diamond!
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    12
    Day 4

    A little tour and then some

    May 3 in Singapore ⋅ 🌩️ 28 °C

    I promise I won't show my brekkie every day but when I turned up at my regulars - they were closed!! I looked around and there was a carbon copy almost next door. I have to say this place served Kaya toast perfection! The Kaya was outstanding, the bread flame toasted, kopi o excellent! What a dilemma - if I come here tomorrow I will be seen..... Oh well - my issue! I was doing some research in to how best to get to Sentosa Island and I noticed it said expect heavy usage sat/sun 4&5th May - so decision made and off I went. SMRT to Harbourfront then cable car to the island. The busy bit was obvious when I got here as the island golf club is hosting the Singapore LIV show this weekend! Uninspired by the Disney World type areas in the middle I went for a walk along Beach Road with the Tanjong Beach Club a destination. It was a reasonably long, pleasant and shady walk with some beach vistas - absolutely worth it. Pretty hot though so I stopped at the Beach Club, signed in, was shown a nice open air bar seat and waited, and waited. I was clearly invisible so left and caught the free shuttle back. Found the other beach club I was aware of (Ola's) and was welcomed in, given a nice table on the sand and a (not inexpensive) cold beer. I will leave here with kind thoughts. Opportune time to leave as the crowds were flowing in. Caught the SMRT Back to Lavender to the food centre next to my hotel for an eagerly anticipated bahn mi . When I visited yesterday and saw the stall, I remembered how good it was and found it was actually even better than I remembered! Crispy pork, not too full, the best pickles, pate etc
    I asked for extra chilli and you can see she responded - I didn't have to add extra! - could have been on the streets of Saigon or Hoi An #happyas. Pool time then off to the Marina. Jungle drums were sounding (thunder) but no rain yet. Into the Marina and found a waterfront bar that wasn't snooty! Had a lovely #fridayfizz couple of glasses and then wandered off to La Pau Sat Food Centre. I was hoping to catch the Friday night sate 'event' - but of course, being of the age I am, I was way too early! La Pau Sat was the first food centre we ever visited and it's certainly iconic. The food is not pretending to be Maxwell Road (the pinnacle) or Tiong Bahru, it was bustling and very enjoyable. I had oyster omelette that was really fine
    I know where I could get better, but I have had it now and my heart says thanks! So - 2 touristy things done and enjoyed. As I left I went via the sate street and was now shut to traffic and pumping! Home with an egg tart that looked (and was) amazing!    Read more

  • Traveler60 years - its a diamond!
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    Day 5

    Its tropical..

    May 4 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    As I started my run it was the lightest of drizzle. A kilometre in it begun to bucket - drenching with thunder and lightning thrown in. A classic tropical downpour. It was still raining when I went go to breakfast so grabbed an umbrella and took off. When it's not cold and windy you can carry on! Well - just when you thought I would stop with the Kaya pics my apologies - I have a new project. I have dealt with my dilemma by deciding to visit a different kopi stall each day and then going to my #1 on the last morning. There are 4 in the Bersah Food Centre and number 3 is going to trouble no 2 for the flag so far! Excellent toast/jam and the best kopi o so far. The boss is friendly as well (not a prerequisite at these places!) I waited a bit then set off in light drizzle to visit Maxwell Food Court. Used the new TE line that Sandy alerted me to - Maxwell station is virtually joined to the food centre - luckily, as the skies had opened. Undercover into the food centre and to the congee stall. No queue!!!!! By the time I was served there was one and it was the customary stretch around the corner. The fish congee was delicious and a HUGE serve for $4. I decided a whole bowl was way too much so went for some equally excellent chicken rice. Two excellent Maxwell 'brunch' experiences for less than $10. The rain had eased to just there so I wandered through the people's market and through Chinatown. Very quiet as you would imagine. Back to Lavender and my hotel. I read the Straits Times and stuff at the pool (spotting rain). Went to the hotel bar for my welcome drink - I knew from all last time it was a mocktail but it wasn't bad. I looked for a glass of fizz for a sundowner but was distracted by a familiar Provence Rose. I had a couple of glasses and took the rest to my room. Rain had stopped and a lovely fresh evening. Checked all the food options on the way towards Bersah and decided on none having eaten well today. There is a big soccer game at the stadium close by so a bit busy but not a noise issue. I think I knew what I wanted and yes - fried oysters (not omelette) at Bersah. I have had it several times before from this stall and it is peerless. Here, and a Bangkok place I go to, do this dish to perfection. (ps- the chillies I bought, although larger than I normally prefer, are serious chillies! I noticed in the market there were no other types on offer)Read more

  • Traveler60 years - its a diamond!
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    Day 6

    Sunday in the garden

    May 5 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    No rain this morning - sunny start and already warm. My soaked running shoes will dry! Kopi stall no 4. This is where the posh people go for their toast and kopi fix at Bersah FC. Good in a Ya Kun Kaya sort of way - won't make the Big Dance! Booked an online ticket for the Gardens at the Bay and gained a 15% discount for using my debit visa - discount AND no international fees! Sandy's new SMRT line goes to the gardens. Still a fair walk in a hot sun but the gardens inside are so air-conditioned as to be almost too cold! Saw a couple of sections and they took a while. The direct way to those amazing 'trees' was diverted due to maintenance so 'having seen them before' I bought a lime juice and retreated. My plan had been to go to Little India for a look around but at 12.30 on a hot Sunday with the known mayhem LI is known for, I couldn't do it! #maddogs but no englishman this time. So I stayed on Sandy's line to the new Tiong Bahru station, Havelock. A much better idea!! Did the circuit, the kueh line was huge, I avoided the fried kway teow as Kerry would tell me noodles are wrong and settled on a rojak from a stall who said established 1965. Johnny come latelys I reckon- even I was in Singapore before then! Rojak, if you haven't had it is a dish of ripe and unripe fruit and veg with crushed nuts and chilli/soy sauces. This wasn't a fruit salad (think Penang) but very savoury and spicy. I loved it and it is quite light. I am glad I deviated to TB - a good tick! Some pool time but still couldn't escape some afternoon thunder. 3 Singapore Airforce F35A Fighters having some fun LIV I expect. I didn't get to Little India so a little place nearby I have been looking at was the go for dinner. A mutton set with dahl, spiced rice, yum potatos, pappdums and naan looked yum for $8 - and it was. I added onion pakoora for $4 and it was excellent but too much. Enjoyed the meal, left enough to be not horribly full and $5 beers finished me off! I love this place! A lesson though...if the place sells a dish then they think that is probably going to be enough. You add stuff and.....#yourperilRead more

  • Traveler60 years - its a diamond!
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    Day 7

    Ch Ch Ch Changes

    May 6 in Singapore ⋅ 🌩️ 32 °C

    After a hard fought season it came down to this - the 2 best faced off in the big one. Bersah Kopi stalls 2 & 3 were in the final and the winner
    - on the siren - was Kopi stall 2! No 2 had it all - grilled toast the right thickness, excellent jam with slabs of butter, both light and sweet soy, great Kopi in a mug AND (the goal on the siren) old school attitude and ambience! No 3 gave away the last free by trying too hard - had the goods but could have been anywhere - lacked the Bersah grunt! Walked to Kampong Glam - a place best seen early before the crowds I find. There is some love being given to the buildings which is excellent. Quite a hot walk back so into the pool and then a smoked duck bahn mi. Packed and caught a Grab to the (Swissotel) Stamford. Personalised check-in then up to my suite on the 59th floor (you only have birthdays once a year!) did a few laps of the room (it's huge) deciding which balcony I preferred. Down to level 8 for a couple of hours at the pool. Lots of people but very civilised. Changed then up to the club on level 65. This is continuing to be a b/day week to remember. The hotel, room and pool are spectacular - and now the lounge. I arrived (fashionably late) at 5.40 and was first there!!! Picture this Shangri La Sydney!! I was pounced on and offered a special chefs treat (salmon on Paris mash). The Maitre D offered red or white - I asked if there was sparkling and he had to check if I was special enough. Well - I got sparkling!! (Champagne Henriot to be precise) The room is huge and spreads the length of the 65th floor. Great views of the city. The food was great quality and variety. The Italian white and red were savoury and tasty without being outstanding. The head man presented me with a little Stamford gift for my loyalty - happy enough with the add ons I have received already! I then stayed en premise and had a glass of Cote du Rhone at the Brasserie - now looking forward to tomorrow.Read more

  • Traveler60 years - its a diamond!
    11213
    Day 7

    The lounge -pics

    May 6 in Singapore ⋅ 🌩️ 32 °C
  • Traveler60 years - its a diamond!
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    21323
    Day 8

    One day in a week long celebration

    May 7 in Singapore ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Into the Club for breakfast after a nice run around the Marina. Window seat overlooked Singapore River and the Bay. The congee was excellent (no bread!) then a perfectly cooked omelette from the station. I held back on brekkie as I didn't want to be full - so enjoyed the room and the view. Booked tix on line for a Singaporean art exhibition at the National Gallery close by. The Gallery comprises the magnificently renovated City Hall and the Judicial Building. The exhibition was great and was a great showcase of the development of modern Singapore. Checked out of the Stamford and headed for Raffles. Good job it is next door as the heavens opened at that moment. Borrowed an umbrella and forded the road safely. Greeted into the splendid Tiffin Room - colonial style! Last time Kerry and I were here it was a full on Indian buffet. Since the 'issues' and new owners it is now a la carte. I ordered the Tiffin selection and a bottle of Pol Roger. The somm tells me the Pol Chef de Cave is holding a master class in house in July (wonder I am doing in July? 🤔). Appetisers were fish and paneer (remember the fish K?) the main was lamb cubes, dahl and the featheriest long grain rice. The lamb fell apart and the taste..... My phone decided to have a little rest so I couldn't take any pics of the Tiffin bowls in their carry stack, the dessert of gulab jumon and a salty sweet curd thing. The Pol was a perfect match being a fuller and fruit rich style. I had spotted a Chateau Palmer by the glass on the list. It was their Alter Ego (second Wine) and was interested! (I had both Pol and Ch Palmer for my 21st with mum and dad.) The somm told me it was an excellent example of the house and the excellent vintage (2017) and he wasn't wrong. A superb example of a Margaux at its best. Finished up, had wander around the grounds and (of course) into the Long Bar for a Singapore Sling. Caught a Grab home and settled in for a quiet afternoon at the pool. The rain had stopped and it was overcast and pleasantly humid. My overnight stay and birthday went brilliantly and exactly went to plan. Thank you all for your best wishes!Read more

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