|
 |
I have just returned from a
very quick 3-night 4-day visit to Singapore and I wish to share my notations and
sentiments with you.
Singapore
Airlines, on both long haul flights, was excellent. From check in to touch
down, I can only applaud their services. In flight entertainment is
excellent, showing movies that are currently on circuit, together with
present sitcoms, and news and sports updates. Seating is 3 across, with
various seat adjustments and even though I am a “big girl” economy seating
is comfortable. There must surely be a toilet “fairy” on board as they were
always impeccable, well stocked and squeaky clean!! Meals were very
tasteful, well prepared and presented, with stainless steel cutlery!! |
Changi Airport is
equivalent to arriving in an orchid garden, and yes, all that you see is
real!! I had to stop myself from “testing” the orchids to see if they were
real, and the airport is user friendly and baggage handling excellent. By
the time I had cleared Immigration, the luggage was waiting for collection
on the carousel. Airport downtown taxi ride is about 20 - 30 minutes
depending on traffic and costs SGD16 - 18 R68 - R78).
To me, Singapore is set in a
huge park with buildings everywhere! There are trees, and trees, and more trees
– towering above you, interlinking over you – interspersed with buildings and
roads. And yes, Singapore is exceptionally clean. I must make mention of the
construction truck exiting into traffic from a construction site – before being
allowed onto the road, the tyres were washed clean from building debris so as
not to dirty the roads!! All road signs are in English and clearly marked,
traffic flows well, and as a pedestrian, walking on the pavements and crossing
of roads was very “rustig”. No big city pavement congestion and hustle and
bustle. At most traffic lights, there is a “timed” pedestrian crossing
indicating how many seconds you have left to cross the road!!
The MTR – metro – works well,
is spotlessly clean and orderly with clear markings as to where to stand for
entry and exit into the train. You do not dare to eat, drink, litter or catch a
free ride.
The heat is excessive and I
have never experienced such humidity and heat! When I exited out of an
air-conditioned building (a necessity, not a luxury) my spectacles would
immediately “steam up” from the heat and I would have to wipe them clean!!
I now know why Imelda Marcos
has a passion for shoes – it was like I had died and gone to “shoe heaven”. On
my!! What pretty and beautiful ladies shoes. They are, undoubtedly, the most
delicate, beautiful, prettiest shoes I have ever seen with a selection that
“skriks vir niks” – I must have spent hours picking up shoes and looking at
them. Hundreds of square meters of store space is allocated to ladies shoes. If
only I were tiny, petite and had a delicate foot.
|
For an electronic fundi,
Singapore is a delight – offering everything that opens and shuts, and the
latest on the market. Luckily I was not in the market for this type of shopping,
as I could quite easily have “lost it” – once again, the choice is overwhelming.
But oh!!! The shoes!!!
Singapore is a melting pot
of Asian cultures, with a strong British background – you can dine out on
almost every type of culinary delight! Regrettably wine is very expensive
with an average Australian Merlot costing SGD50 (R215) in the liquor store!
The renowned “Singapore Sling” in the Long Bar at the world known Raffles
Hotel, the home of visiting nobility, celebrities and statesmen, is part of
the Singapore Experience. Expect to pay SGD 16 (R70) – and enjoy the free
peanuts on offer – shell them, and then throw the shells on the floor – all
part of the experience!!!
|
Merlion Fountain Park at Sentosa Bay |
A delightful, exciting but
tiring visit – a full 4 days with morning sightseeing tour, hotel
inspection
visit, Sentosa Island with Cable Car ride visit, walking in and out of air
conditioned stores, malls complexes, shopping emporiums, markets, MRT
stations, taxi rides, eating local fare, drinking Tiger Beer – has proved a
memorable experience.
Tessa
Hattingh |
