Singapore Pt 5
Just a quick note before I get into the Singapore entry (god, that's been a while now) - On saturday the 6th march I adopted a new kitten, Noodles. He's most cute.
SINGAPORE
Saturday 16-1-2010
If I remember right, and it has been a bit of a while, but Saturday was the day I made the very careful decision to go spend up big. I had a list of places to go back to, a second list of people who needed stuff, and a final list of money I hadn't spent. I scoffed what remained of the breakfast foods I had acquired the weekend before, and wWe got a taxi into the city straight to Ion Orchard.
Ion Orchard remained extraordinarily over the top. We made our way to the concierge desk to get a special discount book. I have it somewhere, it's one of the funniest things I've ever seen. You too can save 6% on your watch from a store. If you spent >$2000 Singaporean. This is one of the saner discounts. We went to grab breakfast using our special discount book, only to discover the 8% discount was only on Dinner with Wine. Well, Josh wanted to go there.
Found our way to the top story, where I bought myself a wonderful Alessi Salt & Pepper shaker set (two monkeys in a banana canoe. Perfection. LINK http://www.alessi.com/en/2/4183/oil-cruets-condiment-sets/asg99-banana-bros-salt-and-pepper-set And with a whole 12.5% discount. Wow, double digit discount! Grabbed Josh one of their super funky alien juicers.
Then we wandered past some watch shops and the funky flavoured liquers store. We went and checked out an exhibit, which I recommend to you - http://www.americathegiftshop.com/default.aspx - a touch of Family Guy political satire in a Singaporean exhibition space.
We continued on around Singapore's many shopping centres. Alright, I'll be honest - there's a whole lot of shopping centres in Singapore, and only so many I can handle. Fortunately it was easy to keep track of places I most wanted to check, and a lot of the shops are duplicated down the road.
We wandered across the road to check out a few tailors - I thought it couldn't hurt to check them out. But they weren't cheap by any stretch of the imagination, and none of them offered me fabrics which I would want.
I also checked out some hobby shops in the same centre, but found nothing like I was looking to get. Also wandered into a video game store which had on display in the window Genesis's, Famicom's, and biggest surprise of all, a Virtual Boy. I didn't dare ask about price. What I did buy was a second PS3 controller - it was about half the price of one from back home, genuine article. Bargain!
Heading back towards the entrance, we saw a shop named simply "Mini Mart", a classic chinatown shops filled o overflowing, with the owner on a camping stool outside. What caught my eye was a collection of classic Kenner star wars figures, mid nineties ones, on display at the door. Deeper within I found my long searched for Masterpiece Starscream. Joel was set for a present at last. (Depressing coda, a week ago I was in Wangaratta Toyworld, and they had four of them. FOUR @#!& OF THEM)
Back down the street, we popped into Paragon City Mall (I think that was the name), and looked at trendy japanese department stores and a great funky furniture shop. Had a wonderful time exploring and trying to trick Josh into buying funky new stuff. He bought a shirt and some Jasmine Tea, so I got to him a bit.
We headed up to Takashimaya building. Takashimaya, the Japanese Department store chain, was PACKED. I had a good ferret in the giftware and funky stuff section, laughing and moving on. But I did end up buying myself one thing - a fantastic wallet. It's funny to Graphic Designers, Printers, and almost nobody else on the planet. Love it.
I didn't make it to the toy section in Takashimaya - I wish I had, but it was SCARY packed in there.
Upstairs in the Takashimaya building we returned to Kinokuniya. There's always an excuse to pop in there. I found several brilliant and well priced books for myself in there, and then a bunch of books for Josh as presents. At this point I think we were both shopped out for now, and on top of that we had a pile of books to carry, so we went to the building's taxi rank.
IT WAS ENORMOUS, with a ten minute queue. But like so much of Singapore, very very VERY efficient. And Josh could drool over passing supercars in ridiculous neon pastel colours.
Upon our return to Josh's flat, with bags of crap, I made the effort to check out how much room I had in my bags. Yep, still room for more shopping.
But we were both also a bit sore from too much exploring, so we rested in front of some Dollhouse eps and a bit of gaming.
Once we got our energy back it was back into town. First ports of call - Iluma and Bugis Junction. Josh had told me he wasn't much on Bugis Junction, it was too crowded. On a weekday I found it a real pleasure. On a weekend though, utter insanity. We checked out the comic shop upstairs (grabbed the complete Rocketeer), and then went hunting for the way back over to Iluma.
After a good ten minutes up and downing, we went out and crossed at street level. Once half way across, I looked back and realised "Oh yeah, the flyover doesn't actually go into the shopping centre." But having now found ourselves at Iluma it was back up to Otaku House and Comic Connection. Thus was Josh silenced on his inability to find such stores.
We hopped another taxi (always taxis) down to Funan Mall, where I picked up The Movies for Mac, which I'd opted against buying a week before, and had a quick wander through the tech geekery. We grabbed a drink and Josh organised a table for dinner.
Hop back into another taxi, and off to change, and then into the CBD for dinner at Les Bouchons, the Steak and Bottomless Fries restaurant.
They do exactly what they say - steak (your choice of several), and chips. And when you finish your chips, they ask if you'd like more chips. I got onto a second basket - well you've got to when they have a policy like that, but after two baskets of chips, a steak and a bit of salad, and some wine, it was time to pop along to Josh's choice of Rooftop Singapore bar. A long walk later (at least twenty paces) we toddled up to admire the view, look at the scenery, and have a couple drinks. Then down the street for another drink. And having been all fed and watered, we wandered back to Josh's bit of town, had a quick drink and watched some more telly. Such wild boys.
-----
Sunday 17-1-2010
We began easily, with a wander up to Boomarang (the only place I ate multiple times in my whole trip. Apart from Josh's flat of course) for breakfast - there's always time for bacon and eggs.
I then made a concerted effort to get everything cleared up and packed away. This let me know that I should buy as LITTLE as possible that day. I also played Guitar Hero 2 for a little bit.
We then decided that I should go make the effort to have a drink on the beach under a palm tree.
Naturally, the first step was to go to a shopping centre. We found the nearest train station and out to Vivocity, one of the biggest and most crowded shopping centres in town. I looked through the National Geographic store, and wondered if I should buy another bag for more stuff. I decided against it.
We found our way to the monorail station and over to Sentosa Island, the resort haven of Singapore. A large chunk of it, especially along the monorail line, was currently building site, soon to become a large casino/resort/theme park complex. We opted against all the tourist traps and instead hopped a bus down the beach to the lagoon. We crossed the bridge across the lagoon to the little lookout towers view of the sea.
Visited the "Southernmost Point of Continental Asia". Considering you are on a tiny island off the edge of the tiny island of Sentosa, which is a tiny island off the south of Singapore, the tiny island at the southernmost tip of the asian contienent. Sure, they might plead that it's the southernmost land point on the Asian Continental Shelf. Except you look off to the right and left and there's more land bulging further out to sea over there.
We found our way back across the rickety suspension bridge, passing some brave lads making the effort to cross a wobbly bridge on Rollerblades. We settled in for a chili laced pizza and a foofy super sweet tropical drink at one of the many bars on the beach. Had to have our final food stop with lots of chili and sugar, it was just so right.
We wandered back out towards the bus stop, me stopping the photograph the TIKIS just outside the bar (so much joy!). We got back to the station, and jumped in (da-da-da-DAAAA), yes, a TAXI! WOW!
Driving back towards Josh's, we happened past the new Universal Studios theme park being tested. It was clearly so close to being opened. The frustration!
Got back to Josh's and did the final once over with packing, and played Guitar Hero 2 for a while until I got 100% on "Dead!" by My Chemical Romance.
Suddenly that was it. It was past five oclock, everything was packed, Josh was showered with gifts and I was out of time to do anything else. We gathered everything up, called a taxi (yes, actually called for a taxi) and gathered everything downstairs ready to go.
Twenty something minutes later the taxi finally arrived - least competent driver ever. Rush rush rush straight to Changi to fly away.
Josh followed me to the check in desk, advising me I should ask for yet another upgrade. But before I had a chance to ask, they upgraded me! Madness!
I farewelled my companion, and wandered into the airport. I wandered through some souvenir and booze stores, grabbing a stuffed Merlion for Mother and a t-shirt for Dad. I checked out some toy shops and things, but there wasn't really a lot worth getting. I finished up what Singapore cash I had on some magazines and rushed away to catch my flight. As I was on the way noticed there was supposed to be a special lounge for people with my level of ticket or higher. Oh well, next time I get generously upgraded I'll check it out.
Waited for about forty five minutes at the gate, as the plane had been delayed by the snow in England. But eventually onto the plane, and into my extravagant upgraded seat (oh yes, I'm rubbing it in). This time, all the food I wanted was ready to go. Not bad for an airline parmagiana. Watched The Hangover and some Simpsons while I enjoyed dinner, and then got a few hours kip.
Monday 18-1-2010
(This bit is a bit more by the numbers, gimme a break, I was very tired)
Awoke on plane about ten minutes before they lit everything back up. Watched some 30 Rock, enjoyed some fruit and a bacon roll for breakfast, and read my book until we touched down in Sydney.
Waltzed through Customs with a minimum of effort - no trouble.
Loaded up with all my bags, I bought a ridiculously overpriced ticket to go one stop over to the Domestic Terminal. I sat around outside and read some of my books until I would be allowed to check in. Loaded bags onto the plane, had another wander through some shops, grabbed a bit more breakfast and up to my gate.
Popped into the loo for a minute, and naturally they suddenly called my flight.
Got all loaded up on the plane, got a book ready to read after they brought the nuts and water around.
Awoke when they hit the "fasten seatbelts" sign for descent into Albury. Clearly I had relaxed enough once I got on the plane to get some of the sleep I needed.
All off the plane and inside, and there was the family, and here were all my bags, and I was off back home.
Talked through some of my adventures with the family, opened my bags up to show off my loot. And then zonk city.
Very zonk.
---
And that brings us to the end of my wonderful trip. I'm sorry I took so long to get to the end, but I got thrown when I went back to work.
Ok, I better finish up here, play with my little kitten, and get my foot to wake back up.
SINGAPORE
Saturday 16-1-2010
If I remember right, and it has been a bit of a while, but Saturday was the day I made the very careful decision to go spend up big. I had a list of places to go back to, a second list of people who needed stuff, and a final list of money I hadn't spent. I scoffed what remained of the breakfast foods I had acquired the weekend before, and wWe got a taxi into the city straight to Ion Orchard.
Ion Orchard remained extraordinarily over the top. We made our way to the concierge desk to get a special discount book. I have it somewhere, it's one of the funniest things I've ever seen. You too can save 6% on your watch from a store. If you spent >$2000 Singaporean. This is one of the saner discounts. We went to grab breakfast using our special discount book, only to discover the 8% discount was only on Dinner with Wine. Well, Josh wanted to go there.
Found our way to the top story, where I bought myself a wonderful Alessi Salt & Pepper shaker set (two monkeys in a banana canoe. Perfection. LINK http://www.alessi.com/en/2/4183/oil-cruets-condiment-sets/asg99-banana-bros-salt-and-pepper-set And with a whole 12.5% discount. Wow, double digit discount! Grabbed Josh one of their super funky alien juicers.
Then we wandered past some watch shops and the funky flavoured liquers store. We went and checked out an exhibit, which I recommend to you - http://www.americathegiftshop.com/default.aspx - a touch of Family Guy political satire in a Singaporean exhibition space.
We continued on around Singapore's many shopping centres. Alright, I'll be honest - there's a whole lot of shopping centres in Singapore, and only so many I can handle. Fortunately it was easy to keep track of places I most wanted to check, and a lot of the shops are duplicated down the road.
We wandered across the road to check out a few tailors - I thought it couldn't hurt to check them out. But they weren't cheap by any stretch of the imagination, and none of them offered me fabrics which I would want.
I also checked out some hobby shops in the same centre, but found nothing like I was looking to get. Also wandered into a video game store which had on display in the window Genesis's, Famicom's, and biggest surprise of all, a Virtual Boy. I didn't dare ask about price. What I did buy was a second PS3 controller - it was about half the price of one from back home, genuine article. Bargain!
Heading back towards the entrance, we saw a shop named simply "Mini Mart", a classic chinatown shops filled o overflowing, with the owner on a camping stool outside. What caught my eye was a collection of classic Kenner star wars figures, mid nineties ones, on display at the door. Deeper within I found my long searched for Masterpiece Starscream. Joel was set for a present at last. (Depressing coda, a week ago I was in Wangaratta Toyworld, and they had four of them. FOUR @#!& OF THEM)
Back down the street, we popped into Paragon City Mall (I think that was the name), and looked at trendy japanese department stores and a great funky furniture shop. Had a wonderful time exploring and trying to trick Josh into buying funky new stuff. He bought a shirt and some Jasmine Tea, so I got to him a bit.
We headed up to Takashimaya building. Takashimaya, the Japanese Department store chain, was PACKED. I had a good ferret in the giftware and funky stuff section, laughing and moving on. But I did end up buying myself one thing - a fantastic wallet. It's funny to Graphic Designers, Printers, and almost nobody else on the planet. Love it.
I didn't make it to the toy section in Takashimaya - I wish I had, but it was SCARY packed in there.
Upstairs in the Takashimaya building we returned to Kinokuniya. There's always an excuse to pop in there. I found several brilliant and well priced books for myself in there, and then a bunch of books for Josh as presents. At this point I think we were both shopped out for now, and on top of that we had a pile of books to carry, so we went to the building's taxi rank.
IT WAS ENORMOUS, with a ten minute queue. But like so much of Singapore, very very VERY efficient. And Josh could drool over passing supercars in ridiculous neon pastel colours.
Upon our return to Josh's flat, with bags of crap, I made the effort to check out how much room I had in my bags. Yep, still room for more shopping.
But we were both also a bit sore from too much exploring, so we rested in front of some Dollhouse eps and a bit of gaming.
Once we got our energy back it was back into town. First ports of call - Iluma and Bugis Junction. Josh had told me he wasn't much on Bugis Junction, it was too crowded. On a weekday I found it a real pleasure. On a weekend though, utter insanity. We checked out the comic shop upstairs (grabbed the complete Rocketeer), and then went hunting for the way back over to Iluma.
After a good ten minutes up and downing, we went out and crossed at street level. Once half way across, I looked back and realised "Oh yeah, the flyover doesn't actually go into the shopping centre." But having now found ourselves at Iluma it was back up to Otaku House and Comic Connection. Thus was Josh silenced on his inability to find such stores.
We hopped another taxi (always taxis) down to Funan Mall, where I picked up The Movies for Mac, which I'd opted against buying a week before, and had a quick wander through the tech geekery. We grabbed a drink and Josh organised a table for dinner.
Hop back into another taxi, and off to change, and then into the CBD for dinner at Les Bouchons, the Steak and Bottomless Fries restaurant.
They do exactly what they say - steak (your choice of several), and chips. And when you finish your chips, they ask if you'd like more chips. I got onto a second basket - well you've got to when they have a policy like that, but after two baskets of chips, a steak and a bit of salad, and some wine, it was time to pop along to Josh's choice of Rooftop Singapore bar. A long walk later (at least twenty paces) we toddled up to admire the view, look at the scenery, and have a couple drinks. Then down the street for another drink. And having been all fed and watered, we wandered back to Josh's bit of town, had a quick drink and watched some more telly. Such wild boys.
-----
Sunday 17-1-2010
We began easily, with a wander up to Boomarang (the only place I ate multiple times in my whole trip. Apart from Josh's flat of course) for breakfast - there's always time for bacon and eggs.
I then made a concerted effort to get everything cleared up and packed away. This let me know that I should buy as LITTLE as possible that day. I also played Guitar Hero 2 for a little bit.
We then decided that I should go make the effort to have a drink on the beach under a palm tree.
Naturally, the first step was to go to a shopping centre. We found the nearest train station and out to Vivocity, one of the biggest and most crowded shopping centres in town. I looked through the National Geographic store, and wondered if I should buy another bag for more stuff. I decided against it.
We found our way to the monorail station and over to Sentosa Island, the resort haven of Singapore. A large chunk of it, especially along the monorail line, was currently building site, soon to become a large casino/resort/theme park complex. We opted against all the tourist traps and instead hopped a bus down the beach to the lagoon. We crossed the bridge across the lagoon to the little lookout towers view of the sea.
Visited the "Southernmost Point of Continental Asia". Considering you are on a tiny island off the edge of the tiny island of Sentosa, which is a tiny island off the south of Singapore, the tiny island at the southernmost tip of the asian contienent. Sure, they might plead that it's the southernmost land point on the Asian Continental Shelf. Except you look off to the right and left and there's more land bulging further out to sea over there.
We found our way back across the rickety suspension bridge, passing some brave lads making the effort to cross a wobbly bridge on Rollerblades. We settled in for a chili laced pizza and a foofy super sweet tropical drink at one of the many bars on the beach. Had to have our final food stop with lots of chili and sugar, it was just so right.
We wandered back out towards the bus stop, me stopping the photograph the TIKIS just outside the bar (so much joy!). We got back to the station, and jumped in (da-da-da-DAAAA), yes, a TAXI! WOW!
Driving back towards Josh's, we happened past the new Universal Studios theme park being tested. It was clearly so close to being opened. The frustration!
Got back to Josh's and did the final once over with packing, and played Guitar Hero 2 for a while until I got 100% on "Dead!" by My Chemical Romance.
Suddenly that was it. It was past five oclock, everything was packed, Josh was showered with gifts and I was out of time to do anything else. We gathered everything up, called a taxi (yes, actually called for a taxi) and gathered everything downstairs ready to go.
Twenty something minutes later the taxi finally arrived - least competent driver ever. Rush rush rush straight to Changi to fly away.
Josh followed me to the check in desk, advising me I should ask for yet another upgrade. But before I had a chance to ask, they upgraded me! Madness!
I farewelled my companion, and wandered into the airport. I wandered through some souvenir and booze stores, grabbing a stuffed Merlion for Mother and a t-shirt for Dad. I checked out some toy shops and things, but there wasn't really a lot worth getting. I finished up what Singapore cash I had on some magazines and rushed away to catch my flight. As I was on the way noticed there was supposed to be a special lounge for people with my level of ticket or higher. Oh well, next time I get generously upgraded I'll check it out.
Waited for about forty five minutes at the gate, as the plane had been delayed by the snow in England. But eventually onto the plane, and into my extravagant upgraded seat (oh yes, I'm rubbing it in). This time, all the food I wanted was ready to go. Not bad for an airline parmagiana. Watched The Hangover and some Simpsons while I enjoyed dinner, and then got a few hours kip.
Monday 18-1-2010
(This bit is a bit more by the numbers, gimme a break, I was very tired)
Awoke on plane about ten minutes before they lit everything back up. Watched some 30 Rock, enjoyed some fruit and a bacon roll for breakfast, and read my book until we touched down in Sydney.
Waltzed through Customs with a minimum of effort - no trouble.
Loaded up with all my bags, I bought a ridiculously overpriced ticket to go one stop over to the Domestic Terminal. I sat around outside and read some of my books until I would be allowed to check in. Loaded bags onto the plane, had another wander through some shops, grabbed a bit more breakfast and up to my gate.
Popped into the loo for a minute, and naturally they suddenly called my flight.
Got all loaded up on the plane, got a book ready to read after they brought the nuts and water around.
Awoke when they hit the "fasten seatbelts" sign for descent into Albury. Clearly I had relaxed enough once I got on the plane to get some of the sleep I needed.
All off the plane and inside, and there was the family, and here were all my bags, and I was off back home.
Talked through some of my adventures with the family, opened my bags up to show off my loot. And then zonk city.
Very zonk.
---
And that brings us to the end of my wonderful trip. I'm sorry I took so long to get to the end, but I got thrown when I went back to work.
Ok, I better finish up here, play with my little kitten, and get my foot to wake back up.