China 2019, Day 3 May 8th Singapore

Up early for brekky this morning after a good sleep following over 20,000 steps yesterday. Woke a couple of times due to the overnight storm but still a goooood sleep.
Not raining so off we head to the the Malay Quarter, stopping to look at the magnificent Art Deco inspired Parkview Square building based on New York's 1929 Chanin building but only built approx 17 years ago.
Then onto Malay and by now starting to rain. Looked at some lovely old traditional buildings and shops while looking for a brolly as I left mine behind at the hotel. Then the deluge started and it was torrential.
We finally settled in a coffee shop for best coffee we had so far in Singapore and then kept walking when the rain eased and we finally found a place to buy a brolly. Then on to the Malay Heritage Centre.  We ha the lovely knowlegable Rita as our personal guide (free as we were the only ones there) and had an excellent 1 hour history lesson and tour of the museum.
By now the rain had finally ceased and it was close to one so we went looking for lunch. Found a place near Bugis on the way back to the hotel and had some fried noodles, Chive steamed dumplings and a delicious 5 spices meat spring roll, with a Tiger of course.
Jane a bit tired so a little nanna nap for her at the hotel for an hour while I did a little blogging. As the weather had cleared up considerably we decided to head to the Gardens by the Bay and give it a go.
Took the MTR two stops to Bayfront station and alighted, then walked across to the gardens. Entry to the gardens is free but you have to pay for the 2 conservatories (Domes) $28 each plus hang the expense add another $3 for the all day shuttle bus.(electric of course, take note Australia).
We proceeded to the first dome  (Flower Dome) along with every school child in Singapore ;-) and what a delight, Tulips in bloom and such a diverse botanical selection from around the globe, just superb. Also the sculptures that are strategically placed are just fantastic and are worth the entry alone. Watching the kids look for the hidden ones was delightful. Couldn't stop taking photos but will only attach a few. However may God/Allah strike down the person that invented the "selfie" as that is all a hell of a lot of people seemed to be interested in, certainly not the exhibits?
Then outside for a rehydration ( no eating or drinking allowed inside) and then onto the Cloud Forest Dome, WOW, wow, wow. Just amazing from the moment you enter and see the 35m high man made mountain and waterfall with all the vegetation growing off it. You walk around then a 3 story lift to the top to walk around and then slowly descend. Masses of orchids, fuschias and other flowering plants along with a diverse range of ferns etc. Just amazing.
We had spent nearly 3 hours in these 2 domes and then caught the shuttle back to the Floral Fantasy garden and "experience" This was quite different and just a mass of flowers in a fake setup, but quite pleasant followed by a "4D" 15 minute theatre experience as a dragonfly flying over the gardens, good fun and nice to just sit for a moment.
It was now 7pm and the OCBC Skyway and Supertree Grove light show was at 7.45 so we grabbed a quick bite in the cafe before walking to a vantage point where I could use the bloody tripod I'd carried around all day to get some "nice" shots. We were not disappointed at all, a great display and guess what, all done in sync to 80's music, fantastic.
Well after nearly 6 hours at the Gardens it was a quick shuttle ride ( best $3 spent so far) to the exit and on to the MTR back to Bugis station. A little deviation walk back to the hotel and then settled in the bar with a G&T and beer before retiring for the night. An eventful and entirely pleasurable day.
Oh and another 20,000 steps. ;-)

China 2019 Day 2 May7th - Singapore

Well that was a very good sleep after a long day. First thing down to brekky at the Mecure Singapore Bugis where we are staying. Had a lovely freshly made omelette with a little bacon and them some gorgeous pineapple ( much sweeter than at home, how's that happen?). Tried to obtain a soy latte but that was an issue as they had dairy soy but no non dairy soy?? Oh well espresso then.
It was then over the road to the Bugis centre to grab a decent coffee ( regular was the size of a bucket, thought it was expensive at $6.90 $S and now know why) and some electrolyte tablets before we hit the MRT to Chinatown.
Had a great walk around for a couple of hours looking at the architecture and sights including the Hindu temple and the magnificent Buddha Tooth relic temple (photos below) which also included an excellent museum on the history of Buddha.
It was then time for a little lunch and we settled on a small place in Smith street, offering "Manchurian food". Excellent Peppered beef noodles for me and Seafood noodles for Jane with a beer for each of course. Was an excellent meal and then on to the Chinatown Heritage Museum which was well worth the visit and certainly got us out of the heat for a while. It was even better that they had set up a bit of ironing for Jane to do while she was there; so considerate. The Electrolyte tablets were a great idea in this humidity and  Iwould highly recommend travelling with them.
It was then back to the hotel via some shops to get me some swimming togs ( which seemed to take an eternity) and then into the endless pool on the 7th floor for a cool refreshing dip.
I then did a bit of relaxing (blogging) in the room while Jane went off to shop for an hour. She got back and showed me a top which had a hole in it, so back to exchange; lets just say she wasn't happy ;-)
By now late in the day so we set off to the Fullerton Hotel to watch the light show from the rooftop bar. We stopped at some Mexican place on the way for a light meal and a beer before the walk to the Fullerton. We were absolutely dripping by the time we got there, just after 8pm so it was drinks all round and just sitting admiring the fantastic view of the marina and the BaySands building. We stayed for the 9pm light show and then headed back to the hotel via the MRT for a well deserved sleep.  The MRT is so cheap and easy to use, really wonder why we are soooo behind in Australia with transportation. Day 2 over and many more to come.

China 2019 Day 1, May 6th Brisbane to Singapore

Well after 6.30am pick up by our driver ( Thanks Suzanne) it was an easy check-in and then a leisurely time spent in the Singapore Air lounge before boarding SQ256 to Singapore. We had two of the aisle seats and I got to sit next to what appeared to be a late aged female "monk" who spoke not a word of English. In fact,safe to say NOT a word of any language that the numerous air attendants tried. She just sat back and smiled at anything anyone said to her and tried vainly to operate the in flight entertainment ( with my helpful assistance I might add). Even going through all the languages available got nowhere, but I must say a delight to sit next to and would not complain if I was lucky enough to get her again, let me say had a LOT worse.
Arrived in Singapore late arvo and after using the extremely efficient MRT to get to Bugis station, only a 2 block walk to the Mecure Singapore Bugis; great choice Suzanne (again).Booked in and then as usual OFF WE GO, no time to sit around I say.
Walked past Chimj and the Gate of hope (where families left babies for care or adoption with the sisters of Mercy) before finding a restaurant/bar near the Marina to settle down for a beer and a couple of tapas before heading off again to do a full circle of the Marina.
Lovely spot and a great time to be there at sunset with the changing light. Observed the light show but decide to do the rooftop bar tomorrow night when a little fresher. Finally back to the hotel after 13,000 steps and about 8 km around 9.30 pm (11.30pm out time), grabbing a cold beer at the 7eleven across the road.
God that bed felt good and really looking forward to a great day at the gardens or Chinatown  tomorrow.