flashman181

Today we play Tourist on Tour as we Van up en masse to see some sights we haven’t seen and may be some we have glanced at with passing interest but vague commitment. Usual breakfast before 8 am kick off. Meanwhile I may have had too much to drink yesterday as appear to have woken up in the jungle

Being a morning person like to get up early and if not enthused for gym will go down to the Portmans Bar area and do iPad stuff until reasonable to engage with folk . Oddly , the level of service at Portmans is same even with no staff on, just quieter. Spooky. I did see a couple of staff getting ready to move

Last full day in Singapore although tomorrow is late flight . Am impressed with being able to fill in Passenger Declaration for arrival in Aussieland in Qantas app. Ain’t technology wonderful. Also our hotel gave us complimentary late checkout at 2 pm if we promised not to come back.

Our driver Justonce was ready and waiting and headed off in comfortable van under leaden skies. A fair bit of rumbling also but to be fair I did have a curry last night. First up then was an arrangement of colourful weeds strung up from trees aka Orchid Heaven at Botannnical Gardens. Excitement levels were reaching fever pitch folks

Always one to follow signs I duly sought shelter as skies darkened and was lucky to blend in with a grey statue

I asked our driver what happens if we are late coming back and he said I will wait first time but next time I am gone . Ah, I said that is how you got your name. He laughed and muttered “you Aussies”. I was lucky to find my favourite orchid as well, the Little Aussie Battler.

Then it was time for some kulcha and first up was Little India. Certainly different to the clean wide streets of Singapore. Very noisy too of course and the first of several impressive temples . I think there must be a cruise ship of Geriatrics landed as saw a group walking along street. The tour guide always has the umbrella so easy to pick.

Back in Van and onto the Muslim area near Arab Street just around corner from Camel Crescent. Today was a public holiday for Malay New Year and also end of Ramadan.

We were seeing more culture than a Penicillin factory by now and still had Chinatown to go. Also time for a drink and some food. But first I prayed to find a toilet and was truly blessed. The locals were a little ticked off when at first I sat on the wrong throne assuming it was modelled on Trumps toilet.

Graham decided to do some dental work so I decided to look around for a drink and was surprised to see all the Guinness signs so thought when in Rome. Think I got the translation wrong but it was cold at least . Then I thought Forget it Jake, it’s Chinatown.

Our last stop then was Merlion district . Having already visited a few days ago when not 5000 Asians around I said I would just find a place to rest. I fell asleep and the bastards left without me ! Luckily it was close to our hotel

Back in room by 2 pm so time for some pool stuff. It had turned into another warm dry day so very pleasant in the water. Only issue is pool is only 1.2m deep so doesn’t even cover the Dicksonia really. I’m here all week try the chilli crab

Speaking of which after a few hours of relaxing the Gang will meet up again around 6 pm for a stroll and dinner and seafood is looking good. Will sign off now then for our last full day but not last day of being full….

Actually had to add some photos from a simply fantastic last dinner together

Well there has been a new highlight each day so far but now we come to the crème de la crème. It’s time for the snouts in trough extravaganza 3 hr buffet lunch eatndrinkathon (Patent Pending) at The Fullerton. Did I mention all alcohol is included. Did I mention it was 3 hrs …

This will take some planning. Off to gym at 530 am for starters. That’s the first 10 mins of indulgence countered. Then down for usual superb breakfast but need to be done by 8 am ( not an issue trust me ) to allow 4 hrs digestion before the feast. Once again the weather is hot and steamy but yet to be impacted by storms or rain despite the daily forecasts of same. Not a complaint, an observation. Would like any rain to hold off until 4 pm if possible. Must be time for some pool time then

Only issue see with Buffet Bonanza is dress code – no shorts ! What asshat came up with a no shorts policy on Sweatalot 🤦🏻‍♂️ . Be fine inside but is a 15-20 min walk first and 45 min crawl home 😏. Some great sights along the way

For such a well known buffet the organisation seemed typical Singaporeeee as now come to expect. Can’t get in until midday but really no organisation or line up so at midday just approached and we walked in behind all the fucken clowns in shorts ! FMS . Breathe Breathe. Duly sitted at our table with 8 water glasses and 4 with water in them. No other glasses in sight. Then someone offered us tea or coffee. Piss off son , Bring the Champers. Eventually someone came out with glasses and Veuve Cliquot so I settled down . The spread was magnificent of course.

The one thing to know is last drinks order is at 230 pm so load up Chauncey at 2:29 pm. Also always order Rum and coke separately. And then order another Rum🤓

Now this will sound like a complaint on what was a wonderful occasion but is more of an observation. Service in Singapore is crap. Apart from Excise Man. At every meal we have had or drink at a bar we are constantly getting wrong drinks delivered. Now I understand English is not their first language and that is cool but man it has been hard at times to get a simple answer. I tried to organise a round of Port at end. No one had a clue what Port was even when explained.

Weather was a bit hit and miss now but made it home ok . I went to pool to cool down and while thunder around still no storm. May get together later tonight but will be a quiet one. Have a tour organised tomorrow so better get some beauty sleep.

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Wonderful night last night with family , or what I remember of it …..🕺🏻Some shenanigans ensued back in the party room.

Time to be a tourist again today with a relaxed approach as have seen so much already. I can see breakfast starts getting a bit later each day and no gym today! Plenty of walking though will help. The breakfast buffet truly is amazeballs.

Lucky with weather so far really wrt storms and rainfall. In fact sounds like Maryhole is copping it for a change . Never get tired of this vista

After breakfast time then for gang to head over the Gardens by the Bay in hot and sweltering conditions. You know, Saturday😏

It’s a fair trek but finally snuck into Marina Sands looking for AC . Truly an architectural wonder

As body temp returned to 38 degrees we headed back out. You have heard of Gorillas in the Mist?

We headed down then and into expanse of the Gardens. If we can work it out may come back later in day for a light show up close but it is a long walk

We then decided to split up and go separate ways as we were keen to see Cloud Forest and Flower Dome in opposite direction. Both very impressive and quite crowded

It was still hot and steamy and a cool pool beckoned so we headed to MRT for home base . Really is a great system . Up to the pool then where JL already were . We swam around and then ordered some lunch as you do. A few spots of rain was enough to raise humidity another 10% . I’ll drink to that

A relaxing afternoon then as wait arrival of 4th couple to conclude the surprise. We have been using Signal Group chat so of course Pete Hegseth may turn up ! At least he drinks I hear

We all met up at Portmans Bar onsite which site which was convenient but not again. Woeful service and pricey . We had a round of drinks but then it was my turn to suggest a place for drinks and maybe dinner. I suggested the Excise Man Wine and Whiskey bar about a 10 min walk. Let’s just say I am now officially a legend. Stunning place with old world elegance and superb service

A truly wonderful night with a couple of extra highlights. An Aussie winemaker from Langmeil in Barossa was doing a tasting and came out for a chat. After dinner and drinks we were given a tour of the tasting rooms and the range of wines on show. I tell ya if Freddo wasn’t 70 he would have been barring up 🤓

We then went for a short walk along esplanade as a beautiful night and a slightly different aspect for us .

Short walk home then and time for rest as another big day tomorrow

Why a media blackout the fans scream? Well, we arrived in Singapore on Thursday as part of a covert operation undertaken by 3 couples ( but only 5 folk in “the know”) to celebrate 70th birthday of brother John aka Freddo. Let me tell you da ladies love men in uniform.

Luckily in Singapore they like boys in sailor outfits. Go figure

Anyway Operation Seventy the New Sixty was organised by Lorraine and had the three couples arriving at different times in Singapore hereafter called Sweatalot. It’s March, it’s Storm season yada yada yada. We took the 5 night package arriving on Thursday, the day before guest of honour. We “surprised” him at the bar on Friday night as all staying at same hotel The Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay . I did warn Lorraine that big surprises at 70 could be dangerous but she just had a wistful look on her face.

So we began in Brisvegas on Wednesday. Qantas only have one flight from Brisvegas to Singapore a day and leaves mid morning so safest bet was to be down there night before and stayed at our usual goto airport hotel – the Novotel Airport Hotel:) Its nothing special but makes for a stress free start next day hopefully although plenty of plane issues around the world of late. There is a large DFO next door which I naturally assumed was a David Ferguson Outlet but sadly mistaken. Rainy day as predicted so was glad to arrive early afternoon and then found out we had a room upgrade , 2 free drinks a breakfast thrown in. Ok, cool. “ Well you are a Platinum member Sir” . Really? Can I see your card again please. Sure. Ok let me get back to you . Anyway we kept the nice room and we have our drink vouchers and no interest in breakfast anyway.

Wandered down at 5 pm for a brew at the hotel bar. Always a solid performer

Then back into the DFO complex for dinner at the Transit Tavern. Very passable indeed

Next morning it was an early trip out to airport as have long term parking booked and can have breakfast at Qantas Club. Luckily its the International terminal as Domestic a bit of a mess at present

Quite crowded but all moved along and still in Qantas Club with plenty of time to spare and plenty to eat and drink. At present all still seems on time, a relative term with airlines of course

Excellent service all round by Qantas with great food and drink on plane although of course it is still 8 hrs in Economy. Arrived 20 mins early and immigration was ok and then found out my honeybuns had paid for limo service 😘 It’s a very impressive hotel and rooms are fine with good views but for the price a bit simple like no drawers for clothes or hooks in bathrooms etc. It is basically a nice hotel room in a beautiful hotel

Time then to head out for a walk but man the heat and humidity is a killer even at 630 pm. Walked around to the Singapore Flyer and decided to wait a little until it got darker and the light show started at the Hanging Gardens or whatever they are called. It’s a stunning vista by day or night

Not a bad nights sleep in the sauna. Why do hotels in the jungle only have a doona and no sheets. FMS. Sweatalot is 2 hrs behind so my body clock said 4am was the new 6 am so we got up and went to gym. I was sweating on the elevator

When we get to 9 am it will be 35 degrees with feel like 40 ! There is an exercise outdoors warning in place ! Nice time of day and great gym

Back to room for 7 showers before heading down to breakfast and a catch up with Couple 1 to plan arrival surprise for Couple 3 this afternoon. Couple 1 were a non starter but will meet later so decided to head out for a walk around marina on cloudy but dry day . Turned into a wonderful morning with plenty of great sites , a couple of subway rides on an excellent system and even a cable car home from Sentosa Island

We were keen to try original Singapore Slings at Raffles in the Long Bar . The line up was ridiculous but luckily found another bar on site that also served them. The price was ridiculous but we knew that going in $41 ea. The $16 tax on top was the shocker .

We achieved heaps in the last 24 hrs so now time to relax in the pool and wait for the birthday boy to arrive

Then the fun starts. Here is one I prepared earlier

Now back to more normal ,less crowded posts as media blackout lifted. There was dancing in the streets folks. Well at least crowds gathered