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Singapore and Thailand

November - December 2018
The Delaneys are travelling to Singapore and Thailand with Wendy and Allan Schmidt. Read more
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  • TravelerSingapore and Thailand

    Six days to go!

    November 10, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 2 °C

    Six days until we leave! I decided to collect what I wanted to take. I am hoping to get it all into a carry-on size suitcase. Take a look at the picture. What do you think; will I be successful or will I have to leave some stuff🤔Read more

  • TravelerSingapore and Thailand
    Day 3

    What is an island, a country, a city?

    November 19, 2018 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    It’s Singapore, of course! Our trip was a series of firsts; first time on Cathay Pacific (very nice); first time leaving at 1:20 a.m.; first time getting hit on the head by a suitcase (Brian and he’s ok); first time in Singapore and finally, first time at the ParkRoyal on Beach Road. It was warm and humid when we landed. The hotel is contemporary and very nice. The staff are fantastic. We splurged for the concierge level and already they are using our names when they see us.

    After unpacking and having a shower, we went for a brief walk to stay awake. We are on the edge of the Arab district, Kampung Glam. As we wandered, we came upon a wedding procession. The Malasian bride was beautifhul. A long sleeved, high necked white wedding dress. They were followed into the reception by a percussion band and the wedding party, much to the delight of all of the tourists.

    Returning to the hotel, we had a light dinner in the lounge. Then Melatonin and straight to bed.    Read more

  • TravelerSingapore and Thailand
    Day 3

    2 Kms but it took all day

    November 19, 2018 in Singapore ⋅ 🌧 27 °C

    ‘We can walk’ I announced brightly at breakfast and so we did. Granted we had to get to the start of the walking tour and we got lost but that 2 km route took us 5 hours! But we had a great day. Our destination was the Gardens by the Bay.

    Brian and I were not sure about doing this but what a great experience. The gardens include two domes, one for flowers and one called the cloud dome. Both had beautiful plants, interesting displays and were fascinating. Getting there and home, we walked the circumference of the bay, walked through the Marina Bay Sands hotel ( the one with he roof that looks like a ship ) and stopped at The Fullerton for a (very expensive) Singapore Sling. Then a cab home for a nap.    Read more

  • TravelerSingapore and Thailand
    Day 4

    Civic District and National Museum

    November 20, 2018 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    We are sitting beside the pool after another hot day of walking. Our hotel is on the edge of the Arab Quarter so around 4:00 each day, we hear the call to prayer.

    Today we took a cab to St Andrews Cathedral to start our self-guided walking tour of the Civic District. St Andrews is plain by most cathedral standards. It’s white walls are coated in a mixture of egg white, egg shells, coconut husk and plaster. It fits into this district where many of the buildings are of the colonial look favoredby the British. Next to the church are the originall court house and the original city hall. They are beautiful granite buildings in a neoclassic style. They now are joined together as the National Gallery. Our guidebook told us of a free observation deck in the New Supreme Court building so we headed there next. It did provide a nice view of the area but unfortunately, photos were forbidden.

    After a brief stop at the spot where Stamford Raffles made his original landing, thereby changing Singapore’s future, we walked up Fort Canning Hill. This is a high point where a fortress and governor’s mansion was built, overlooking the port area. But many of the historic sites were being renovated so it was a lot of stairs for nothing.

    We had some time before lunch and chose to use it for the National Museum. The museum has a very good exhibit on the history of Singapore (short version: it kept getting invaded by a variety of neighbors because of its strategic value) culminating in the invasion by the Japanese in 1942. The island was captured in 7 days. After the end of the war, Singapore joined with Malaysia for 2 years before becoming an independent country.

    On to lunch at Chijmes, a renovated convent which houses dozens of restaurants. We ate at New Ubin Seafood, having noodles, chicken satay, chicken wings and salted caramel ice cream.

    Across the street was Raffles Hotel which is undergoing an extensive renovation. Only the famous Long Bar is open (it struck us all as not particularly long). We chose not to have a $35 Singapore Sling and headed home for a rest before the Night Safari at the zoo.

    Later....the Night Safari, while an interesting idea, was disappointing. For Christine especially, the animals were hard to see. The “show” was much like that at other zoos. Oh well, live and learn!    Read more

  • TravelerSingapore and Thailand
    Day 5

    Peanut pancakes in Chinatown

    November 21, 2018 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Today we did a half day walking tour of Chinatown offered by The Original Singapore Walks with Poh, a wonderful guide. She grew up in Chinatown and was generous in sharing her own history as well of the Malay and Chinese cultural history. Singapore has a majority Chinese population so really the whole city is a Chinatown.

    Unlike other Chinatowns we have been to, Singapore has designated its ‘shop houses’ as historical buildings. If an owner changes the exterior, it must be changed back to its traditional look before being sold. Whole streets are preserved to look as they did in the late 1800s. Highlights of the day were tasting peanut pancakes (delicious), visiting a traditional medicine shop and touring the Chinese Heritage Centre. The Centre is a re-creation of the harsh living conditions of the Chinese economic migrants. Small rooms (about 8’ x 10’) housed families of 6-8 people and also functioned as places of business. Cooking was in a communal kitchen shared by 4 or more families. Fascinating.

    We walked along the street which had been the original shore line, Telok Ayer Street. Singapore has reclaimed blocks of land and continues to do so. We visited the Temple of Heavenly Happiness which includes Taoist and Confucius deities. The temple was built without the use of nails. Much of the paintwork has been restored. Poh shared with us the importance of bats in Chinese culture (they are seen as bringing good fortune). The word for bat is very similar to the word for good fortune and are seen as a sign of long life.

    After a break for coffee we stopped at the Lee clan house. The clan house functions as a social club but originally helped newcomers (who shared the same name) to find accommodation and work.

    At the market, we eyed the frogs, eels and turtles destined for a cook’s kitchen. At the traditional medical clinic, Brian and I bought a ‘balm’ for our sore backs and knees and Wendy bought 7 Flower tea to rejuvenate!

    Poh recommended Lamb Noodles for lunch and we had a delicious lunch of hand worked noodles and dumplings. Delicious!

    A very satisfying day; back to the hotel fora much needed break.    Read more

  • TravelerSingapore and Thailand
    Day 6

    1 city, 2 worlds

    November 22, 2018 in Singapore ⋅ 🌧 29 °C

    Today we visited the Little India neighbourhood and Orchard Road, the high end shopping street. What a contrast,

    Little India was our least favourite experience, so far. Unlike the rest of Singapore, it seemed more rundown, with the first garbage we have seen on the streets. It did not help that most of the stores were just starting to open at 10:00 a.m. and we could not go into the mosques as we had shorts on. But we visited one Hindu temple before heading off to Orchard Road.

    Today was also our first trip on the subway. Not surprisingly it was clean, fast and efficient. Lunch was at Food Republic, a food court in one of the malls. While we were eating, there was a rain storm complete with thunder and lightening, our first day-time rain in Singapore. We all had some variation on chicken and rice; all cheap and delicious.

    We took pictures of 2 fun signs, one construction ‘worker’ and one that sums up Christine’s thoughts about golf.    Read more

  • TravelerSingapore and Thailand
    Day 6

    Cruising down the river

    November 22, 2018 in Singapore ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    We returned to the hotel for a 2 hour rest then took the MRT to Clarke’s Quay for the river cruise. The sun came out and it was a lovely, leisurely trip to the bay and back with a running commentary about the city. Afterwards, we strolled along the river walk to look for a place to eat dinner. We chose a Thai restaurant and the food was quite good. The free Tiger beer went down quickly and a second round was had by all.
    The sun set as we made our way back to the bay to see the light show at 8 p.m. It was a bit anticlimactic (Disney has nothing to worry about) and we were glad we hadn’t spent the big bucks for the Light and Laser show option with the cruise.    Read more

  • TravelerSingapore and Thailand
    Day 7

    Bangkok Busy

    November 23, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Our driver arrived promptly this a.m. to drive us to the airport. Our stay at the Park Royal was an unqualified success and we will miss being spoiled by the staff.

    The airport in Singapore wasn’t too busy and we sailed through without incident. The flight to Bangkok was filled but uneventful and we met our new driver immediately after exiting the baggage claim. The drive to the hotel was long (rush hour ?) and the traffic was chaotic. (what we eventually came to realize was normal).

    The hotel is an oasis amidst a street of 7 eleven’s, massage parlours, laundries, and a HUGE hospital. The best part of the ambiance is the street vendors selling various foods.
    We sampled a Roti made with an egg that was reminiscent of French Toast; delicious.
    We strolled around the block to find 2 large open air restaurants selling fish. You pick your dinner and they cook it right before your eyes. I’m sure we will have some before we leave.

    It was still rush hour and the traffic was horrific. Like Rome, all the scooters weave to the front at every red light and zoom away like the Indy 500 at the first opportunity. Like Peru, the electrical wiring is all above ground and resembles a plate of spaghetti atop the hydro poles. Alan was amazed.    Read more

  • TravelerSingapore and Thailand
    Day 8

    Wat Pho

    November 24, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ 🌙 28 °C

    Wat Pho is the temple of the reclining Buddha. The Buddha is 46 meters long and 230 years old. He is gold-plated cement. The temple grounds also houses chedes or pagodas each of which house the ashes of a prominent family. This temple is also an important centre for the teaching of Thai massage and Thai medicine.

    It was very crowded and VERY hot. Our guide, Air, blamed the crowds on it being Saturday.

    All of the temples today required us to remove our shoes.    Read more

  • TravelerSingapore and Thailand
    Day 8

    Bankok’s rivers and canals

    November 24, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ 🌙 28 °C

    From Wat Pho, we jump on a long tail boat for a cruise up the river and canals. While the relief from the heat was welcome, the river crossing was a bit scary. The river is very busy so there are swells from other boats. We saw a wide variety of houses from barely standing to prosperous looking. We also saw herons, a very large lizard, and lots and lots of kids. We were apparently just in front of a Buddha statue coming down the river by boat, so lots of people were out watching the river and feeding the river fish.Read more

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