Singapore

We caught the lovely comfy coach from KL to Singapore (D’ja vue in reverse!) and took the short walk from the golden mile where the bus dropped us, to our accommodation in the Arab quarter - Sleepy Sam’s. We were expecting a lot from this place as they seemed to have such a high opinion of themselves when we booked it. Unfortunately our opinion did not match theirs as we were met by a frosty young girl with a huge chip on her shoulder about something. Thank goodness we didn’t see much of her. This is second time around in Singapore for us as we were here briefly in April. This time though we had more time so planned to spend it out seeing stuff. The Arab quarter is so very picturesque and like Little India it is situated in old Singapore buildings. The benefit of being here though, is that it is just across the road from the Mongolian Embassy on the top floor of The Batman Building as it is known locally. You can understand why when you see the photo. It is straight out of Gotham City. So first thing Tuesday that is where we went to apply for a visa. We had planned to go to the Chinese Embassy for visas too but wombles that we are, we forgot that we would have to leave our passports at Mongolia so wouldn’t be able to! Never-mind we will do China when we are in Seoul, South Korea. We wandered over to China town - somewhere we didn’t get to see before and we had some great cheap food at a street restaurant there. Bryan spent the rest of the day dragging Jody around the shops looking at cameras and lenses. Oh Joy!!! All the photos you will see from now on that have round edges - well you know where they come from now! So Wednesday was spent trawling around the shops on Orchard Street (very famous street for shops) looking for a wedding present for Bryan’s son and his future wife who get married on the 27th June (hence the reason for going to Seoul). Mission accomplished and with sore feet, we headed out to the airport at 10.30pm as Bryan’s parents were flying in to spend a few days in Singapore with us before we all left for Korea. We turned up at the airport with our Vietnamese hats on as disguise so we could surprise them. Then we all back to the city for a good night’s sleep. The next day, Bryan’s Dad wanted to check out tailors to get a suit made ready for the wedding so back to China town we went as we had seen lots there the day before. Not able to quite make up his mind we headed off to a temple (The Buddhist Tooth Temple - don’t ask, we don’t know!) before having a lovely supper in Little India. Friday 17th we all had a late start as our little legs were worn off, and first stop was Mongolia again to pick up our visas. Yes!!!! Then Bryan’s dad had finally made a decision about his suit so yes... we went back to China Town again. We love it there actually, loads to see and browsing the lovely shops is a must - every time! From there we went to the harbour as it isn’t too far and to the newest attraction in the city - the £8billion Marina Bay Sands Hotel and Casino. Its the one in all the pictures that looks like a ship has landed on the roof of some tower blocks. I must say though, inside is lovely - very modern light and airy (and expensive!). We took a lift to the top where the views were very impressive. You could see practically all of Singapore Island. We really liked the infinity pool on the roof too, in the photos it looks as if the people are really going to fall off the edge! We had dinner in the food hall in the basement and when we came out of the tower it was dark. And oh so pretty with all the lights. We did take too many photos today i know! We saw the famous half mermaid half lion statue - the Merlion that guards the harbour and then all made our way back to our beds as another day of endless walking had made us all sleepy. This was our last night in Sleepy Sam’s as tomorrow we have a treat lined up! Sleepy Sam’s B&B Room rating: 4/10 - bugs! - not bed bugs. no glass in the window either and wailing man going off at 5am!! Location: 8/10 - a lovely street in the Arab quarter Staff: 5/10 - 1 girl lovely, the other was horrid Value for Money: 4/10 - way too pricey for what they offer Other comments: only 1 shower and toilet available on the top floor which had over 40 beds!!! Stay again? Not if i had an alternative Overall area experience: 8/10 We have really enjoyed Singapore this time around. If we had more money we could experience the nicer things the city has to offer