Singapore!

I knew I wanted to take a big vacation this year but had no idea where I wanted to go.  I did know, however, that seeing Emma and Field was top of my list. After a fun 2 days in Bangkok with Emma (I flew in Thursday night, she arrived Friday night), we flew to Singapore late Sunday night.  Emma and Field for close to 3 years. I miss them dearly and was dying to see their home over here.

I almost didn't make it to Singapore. I used my Amex to buy my plane ticket in Thai Air and didn't bring my Amex with me on this trip (I wanted to leave one credit card at home).  I was forced to buy a new ticket in order to get on my flight Sunday night.  Note to self: always bring card you used to buy ticket or else you will end up with a new ticket like this:

We arrived in Singapore in one piece...and when I say "we" I also mean my "fruitcase" that I bought at the market in Bangkok.  It is hard to miss....

Monday I met Emma for lunch at Wells Fargo and then went to the top of the Marina Bay Sands for a drink.  I had a choice. Pay $20 for tour or pay $20 for drink which then got my access to view.  Of course, I chose the later.

View from the top:

 

After enjoying my drink (I mean, who doesn't like day drinking on vacation?), I went to the Raffles Hotel aka something you have to see in Singapore.

After the Raffles Hotel I spent some time at various malls. Singapore is a giant mall. You can buy anything here.  

Then...I started on my way home. I loved the MRT (subway) in Bangkok so got a pass on my first day here. I made it to the stop by Emma and Field's house only to proceed to get lost for over an hour and a half getting home (their house is less than half a mile from the MRT). At one point I ended up in the ER ambulance loading zone at a local hospital (I did have blisters on my feet from the heat but a trip to the ER was not necessary).  Finally...I somehow got home. Seeing this sign made me so happy.

Emma had a tennis lesson so Field and I hung out and entertained ourselves.  Never a shortage of laughing (or drinking).

Day 2:

I got up early and went to Emma's health club with her.  I left the club and walked around the Botanic Gardens for 2 hours, only getting lost twice.  Beautiful!  I have never sweated so much in my life, though. This humidity is something else. Good for detoxing....

After the botanic gardens I went to the local market where I found this.

After the market I smelled like the grossest person ever so I came home, showered and then went to the National Museum of Singapore. It was wonderful.

Then it was off to meet Emma at the Cricket Club for cocktails.

After the club we met Field for a drink at Boat Kuay and dinner at Demsey Hil.  Great meal at Chop Suey.

Day 3

I woke up sick...I mean, really? I have "Amanda Sawyer syndrome" aka "you go on vacation, you get sick."  Ug. However, I have some meds from a local pharmacy. Not going to lie...slightly afraid of them.

I took a cab to Mt Faber, a national park here in Singapore. Beautiful. I then took a tram to Sentosa Island. How do you describe Sentosa?  Like a giant hot and sweaty theme park with nice hotels and resorts scattered throughout.  I only got two pictures on Sentosa. I was too busy sweating.

KFCs are EVERYWHERE.  Same with 7-11.  Ewwww.

I managed to get home from Sentosa without getting lost which can only mean one thing...It's time for me to leave this wonderful country and head to the next.

Observations: It's hot here...I mean, like nothing I have ever felt. Very clean city which I expected but the wonderful landscaping I did not. I expected a big concrete jungle. I was wrong. I felt so safe here which was really nice as a woman traveling alone. I asked for directions like 100 times per day and everyone was pleasant.  Highlight: seeing Emma and Field. Love those two. Already miss them....