Hi everyone, I have been able to make another trip to one of my favourite destinations. Singapore at present is hotter than usual (36c) but what a magical country it is. I have been coming here off and on for the past 40+ years and the development of the island state has been quite remarkable.
For a nation of around 5.5 million people they have created a vibrant city/state with a public transport system that shames what our short sighted pollies have failed to do. One can buy a single pass that works seamlessly with trains/buses; the system runs 24/7. Safe, clean, cheap; what a way to get around on holidays.
The land reclaimed from the sea is amazing, along with what is then built on it. google Gardens by the bay to see what they are close to completing.
Did I mention the food? The hawker stalls (air conditioned malls) are simply fantastic for a wide range of asian foods at amazing prices, eg, rice,meat&veg dinner for 2 $10.00.....Singaporean dollars that is; the exchange rate works in our favour, todays rate $1.26 to the aussie dollar.
Today we visited the Kranji war memorial to pay our respects and found it to be a very moving experience. It is a lovely final resting place on a hill overlooking the Singapore Straits. The cemetery staff of local Singaporeans do a wonderful job in stifling heat and everything is absolutely immaculate and pristine. We should have no fear of neglect.
Where ever you are I trust your travels are as satisfying as the one I currently enjoy.
Safe travels everyone,
cheers,
ozi2
_wombat_ said
03:02 PM Jun 26, 2012
Great place Singapore, and the gardens offically open this coming Friday 29th June, here are some pics of the area
My son and his girlfriend are living and working over there and they just love it heat and all lol and have no intentions of heading back here in the near future. I'm really excited about visiting them in August, it will only be for a week but hopefully I'll get there for a second visit and be able to stay a bit longer
ozi2 said
06:09 PM Jun 26, 2012
Hi gillyb, you will have the time of your life in singapore and if you do just 2 things then the Singapore flyer & Gardens by the bay will thrill you but there is just so much to see and do.
If possible, dont worry about money exchange until you get to the Changi airport. the rates in Australia are a ripoff. Todays rate here is $1.26 to the aussie dollar, we declined the Gold coast money exchange rate of$1.10.
Lots of fluids/sunscreen/hat required.
Have a wonderful time.
cheers,
ozi2
ozi2 said
06:11 PM Jun 26, 2012
G'day Wombat, thanks for supplying the link for Gardens by the bay, they are great images. To see them up close is fantastic.
cheers
ozi2
gillyb said
07:29 PM Jun 26, 2012
Thanks for the tips ozi2 I've added those places to my list of things to go to which also includes the zoo, racecourse and of course Raffles for a Singapore Sling...hicup
Nicholstones said
10:10 PM Jun 26, 2012
We spent 2 1/2 years living in Singapore in the early 90s, the temperature every day was either 31 or 32, with 95% humidity, and overnight it dropped to between 24 and 26. There were almost no variations on this in the entire time we were there. We arrived in August straight from a Melbourne winter and we nearly collapsed in the heat, but within a couple of months we had acclimatised and absolutely loved it. Mind you I had a cold almost the entire time we were there, all the shops, restaurants and offices always had the air con turned up to the max so you were constantly going from the extreme heat into the freezing cold, I used to have a shawl at work to wear at my desk.
Hi everyone, I have been able to make another trip to one of my favourite destinations. Singapore at present is hotter than usual (36c) but what a magical country it is. I have been coming here off and on for the past 40+ years and the development of the island state has been quite remarkable.
For a nation of around 5.5 million people they have created a vibrant city/state with a public transport system that shames what our short sighted pollies have failed to do. One can buy a single pass that works seamlessly with trains/buses; the system runs 24/7. Safe, clean, cheap; what a way to get around on holidays.
The land reclaimed from the sea is amazing, along with what is then built on it. google Gardens by the bay to see what they are close to completing.
Did I mention the food? The hawker stalls (air conditioned malls) are simply fantastic for a wide range of asian foods at amazing prices, eg, rice,meat&veg dinner for 2 $10.00.....Singaporean dollars that is; the exchange rate works in our favour, todays rate $1.26 to the aussie dollar.
Today we visited the Kranji war memorial to pay our respects and found it to be a very moving experience. It is a lovely final resting place on a hill overlooking the Singapore Straits. The cemetery staff of local Singaporeans do a wonderful job in stifling heat and everything is absolutely immaculate and pristine. We should have no fear of neglect.
Where ever you are I trust your travels are as satisfying as the one I currently enjoy.
Safe travels everyone,
cheers,
ozi2
Great place Singapore, and the gardens offically open this coming Friday 29th June, here are some pics of the area
http://www.google.com.au/search?q=gardens+by+the+bay&hl=en&biw=1275&bih=678&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=PN_oT8eBGIrImAWfhJT3DQ&sqi=2&ved=0CGIQsAQ
My son and his girlfriend are living and working over there and they just love it heat and all lol and have no intentions of heading back here in the near future. I'm really excited about visiting them in August, it will only be for a week but hopefully I'll get there for a second visit and be able to stay a bit longer
Hi gillyb, you will have the time of your life in singapore and if you do just 2 things then the Singapore flyer & Gardens by the bay will thrill you but there is just so much to see and do.
If possible, dont worry about money exchange until you get to the Changi airport. the rates in Australia are a ripoff. Todays rate here is $1.26 to the aussie dollar, we declined the Gold coast money exchange rate of$1.10.
Lots of fluids/sunscreen/hat required.
Have a wonderful time.
cheers,
ozi2
G'day Wombat, thanks for supplying the link for Gardens by the bay, they are great images. To see them up close is fantastic.
cheers
ozi2
Thanks for the tips ozi2 I've added those places to my list of things to go to which also includes the zoo, racecourse and of course Raffles for a Singapore Sling...hicup