Monday 18th September
- Emirates flight from Manchester to Dubai leaving at 09:50, arriving 20:00, then flight from Dubai to Singapore leaving 21:15.
Tuesday 19th September
- Arrived Singapore at 08:50, collected bags and got a taxi to the Ibis Styles Hotel in Albert Street.
- We were able to check in and go to our room. After sorting out our bags etc. we got the MRT to the Suntec Centre to get the tickets for the Hop-on, Hop-off bus which we were taking the next two days. We didn’t need to do that as we could just show the driver on the bus the QR code on my phone.
- We then got the MRT to Little India and had a wander around the streets there. We walked back to the hotel via the Sin Lim Electronics centre where we had a drink. Hot, humid and sunny all day.
- We went back to the hotel and had a shower and a few hours’ sleep as we were now feeling very tired.
- In the evening we got the MRT to Gardens by the Bay and had a walk round. We watched the Super trees light display and had some food at the Satay by the Bay. Caught the MRT back to the hotel. Exhausted!
Wednesday 20th September
- Had substantial breakfast in the hotel restaurant and then walked to the bus stop to catch the Hop-on, Hop-off Bus on the red route.
- Stayed on the bus all the way round until it got back to the Suntec Centre where we got our actual ticket.
- Got back on the bus and went round again as far as China Town. Mel’s hat blew off whilst he was taking pictures at the front of the bus!
- Had a walk round China Town and Mel bought a new hat. Walked to the Boat Quay, then round to Marina Bay via the F1 track. Went in the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands shopping mall. Mel went into the Apple shop, and we had a coffee in a Starbucks.
- Got the MRT back to the hotel, raining heavily when we got back but not far to walk from the station fortunately.
- Went back to Boat Quay on the MRT (Clarke Quay) and had an Indian meal on the quay side. Very nice. Had a walk around the Colonial buildings on the other side of the quay before getting the MRT back to the hotel.
- Had a message from Ceri (Gaynor’s daughter) to say the tap on the garage wall was leaking and flooding our garden and theirs. Mel contacted Tim and he managed to switch the stop cock off on the pavement and stop the water. Mel also contacted Gareth to see if he could help. We had asked Tim to try and sort it out before we get back.
Thursday 21st September
- Heavy rain again first thing but stopped and sun came out by the time we left after breakfast. We got the MRT to Clarke Quay again and got on the Hop-on, Hop-off bus (Yellow route) there.
- Stayed on the bus until Gardens by the Bay and when we got off we took a guided tour on a little trolley bus around the gardens. The gardens are much bigger than we realised, and it was useful doing the tour on the bus as it saved us walking as much. We had a drink in the Satay by the Bay area and then caught the MRT back to the hotel.
- In the evening we walked to the Albert Centre and Bugis market area just a few minutes away. Lots of street traders and lots of people wandering around. Went to the Albert Centre Hawkers area for food. Had an Indonesian plate of food for 5.50 SGD each. Very busy and typical Singapore style of eating out.
- Had a wander round the area afterwards and went into the SIM LIM centre (loads of electronic/technology type of shops) and Mel bought a selfie/stick tripod
Friday 22nd September
- Had breakfast and repacked suitcases. Left suitcases at the hotel and went for a walk around locally to the hotel. Walked around the Arabic/Turkish area and had a drink in one of the bars. Very interesting.
- Went back to the hotel and reorganised hand luggage. Hotel booked a taxi for us which arrived in minutes and cost 20SGD as against 67SGD on the way to the hotel (apparently due to the size of taxi).
- Checked in for our flight and dropped our bags off. Very efficient and easy to do. Went through security – again really easy and quick (in contrast to Manchester). Had a coffee and cake and bought a toy for Joe.
- Went to the gate but the plane hadn’t arrived. Ended up leaving about one hour late. Cathay flight not quite as good as Emirates but still OK. Arrived about 9pm, Ashley & Caroline were there to meet us. Got a taxi to our hotel and checked in. Good size room and bed, good facilities.