A few days before Christmas 2010, I took a flight from Kuala Lumpur airport – which may not look like much, but is now one of my favourites – over to Changi airport in Singapore – which is definitely the world’s number one!
Tripadviser had confidently confirmed to me that the “Pan Pacific” was the best hotel in Singapore and, seeing as this might be my only chance to see the country, I thought I might as well splash out a little on nice accommodation. However, I saved plenty of money by only using public transport (or walking) while travelling around the town.
Arrived in Singapore tired and hungry. Cheered up when I saw this. The view of the Singapore skyline from my hotel room. It is an impressive place and thanks to its extremely harsh punishments for relatively minor crimes, it’s an incredibly law-abiding place.Arrived in Singapore tired and hungry. Cheered up when I saw this. The view of the Singapore skyline from my hotel room. The Marina Bay Sands dominates the Singapore skyline.The hotel’s koi pond, as seen from my bedroom window in Singapore.The Marina Bay Sands seems to be visible from every corner of Singapore. You can catch glimpses of this architectural marvel again and again during your journey around the city.
I did make time to visit the top of the Marina Bay Sands hotel. It’s expensive but worth doing just to see the city from the best possible vantage point. What blew my mind, however, was that there’s a rooftop pool there, with a glass bottom, so you can float 200 metres (650 feet) above the street. A truly terrifying experience and one I don’t want to try personally!
The Marina Bay Sands seems to be visible from every corner of Singapore. You can catch glimpses of this architectural marvel again and again during your journey around the city.The Marina Bay Sands seems to be visible from every corner of Singapore. You can catch glimpses of this architectural marvel again and again during your journey around the city.The Marina Bay Sands seems to be visible from every corner of Singapore. You can catch glimpses of this architectural marvel again and again during your journey around the city.A view of Singapore from the TOP of Marina Bay Sands.The world-famous Orchard Road, which features pretty much every shop you would expect in any Western shopping centre, including a Marks and Spencer.I really don’t know what they sell here. But I didn’t dare go in for fear of what products I would have shoved in my face!Introduced to a strange food combination in Singapore’s Orchard Road. An “ice cream sandwich”. That’s a slab of ice cream inbetween an actual piece of bread! WTF??The Masjid Angullia in Singapore’s Little India district. Sadly, I never got to go inside. My time there was just too short.The Mustafa Centre* in Singapore – the first 24 hour shopping centre in the country.
*Yes they do use the correct British style spelling here.This impressive Mosque seems to be at the heart of Singapore’s Muslim community and organises regular community events. Hope to get to know it better when I next visit.This impressive Mosque seems to be at the heart of Singapore’s Muslim community and organises regular community events. Hope to get to know it better when I next visit.The financial district of Singapore has a skyline as impressive as any you can find in the West. However, thanks to government regulations the height of skyscrapers is restricted to 280mClarke Quay in Singapore, which features many bars, pubs, restaurants and bizarrely a branch of Hooters. It also features the G-Max bungee jump. No, I didn’t try it. I did take a cruise along the Singapore river though.No, this isn’t a very public example of teenage bullying. It’s actually the “Five naked boys” sculpture that has been installed next to the Fullerton Hotel.
It represents a time in the history of Singapore when this would have been quite a common sight. (No naked girl artwork though as that’s never been a common sight, not now or ever before.)The Esplanade, which strangely reminded me of the Selfridges building in Birmingham UK.The Merlion.
This mythical half-fish, half-lion symbol of Singapore guards the river as it opens into Marina Bay.The Merlion.
This mythical half-fish, half-lion symbol of Singapore guards the river as it opens into Marina Bay.The Merlion.
This mythical half-fish, half-lion symbol of Singapore guards the river as it opens into Marina Bay.The Merlion.
This mythical half-fish, half-lion symbol of Singapore guards the river as it opens into Marina Bay. Behind it you can see the skyscrapers of the Singapore commercial district.Sentosa Island (aka “Peace Island”)
A peacock on Palawan Beach. Palawan beach is the Southern-most point of continental Asia.Sentosa Island (aka “Peace Island”)
Kids playing frisbee on Palawan Beach. Palawan beach is the Southern-most point of continental Asia.Sentosa Island (aka “Peace Island”)
Kids playing frisbee on Palawan Beach. Palawan beach is the Southern-most point of continental Asia.Sentosa Island is the southern most point of continental Asia (allegedly!)Sentosa Island (aka “Peace Island”)
Looking out from Palawan beach towards the continent of Oceania. Palawan beach is the Southern-most point of continental Asia.Sentosa Island (aka “Peace Island”)
Palawan beach is the Southern-most point of continental Asia.Sentosa Island (aka “Peace Island”)
The view from the cable car that travels from the Island to the Singapore mainland.Sentosa Island (aka “Peace Island”)
The view from the cable car that travels from the Island to the Singapore mainland.Every corner of Singapore seems to throw up interesting architecture. This is just some random Chinese inspired building I came across while taking a bus across town.Chinatown Point, Singapore.Kandahar Street, Singapore, in the heart of the Arab district of the city.Baghdad Street, Singapore, in the heart of the Arab district of the city.Last night in Singapore and the place looks majestic in the night-time. Very sad to have to leave.
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