I have officially eaten too much. All our trips to gym and Bowen Rd runs and dragon boat practices became useless this past two days in Singapore - a place of 30C+ 'winter', spicy diverse foods and unreliable taxi services.
Once or twice a year I pay a visit to my Asia homeland - Singapore - to visit family, old colleagues from (yikes, 12 years ago!) and friends. This time around, I was a tourist again, as Stephen's parents also joined us. Besides Sentosa which is too artificial for me, it was an enjoyable time. Most importantly the food is incredible.
We went to the new Marina Bay Sands Casino, a gigantic 3 tower complex with a curved ship on top as a rooftop. WOW. Casino lame, need shoes not sandals (ahem, Stephen) and Macau/Vegas size puts it to shame. But hotel is amazing and roof top -- WOW -- their pool is an infinity pool overlooking the city and brand new Lotus Shaped Museum.
Then we went to Sentosa island with its small beach, motorized surf waves and shallow beach near the cargo ships - yawn. The best part was the food republic choices at VIVO City mall!! YUMMY prawn mee. Thereafter we headed to Chinatown, Clarke Quay and Central Market. It was ok and rained a bit. After a 30 mins break at the hotel, we went to East Coast Seafood Centre. Its changed so much since I was there 10 years ago (when only Jumbo Seafood was a standalone restaurant on the coast). Meeting my family with whom I used to live, we enjoyed a chili crab FEAST at Long Island (opting for the saucy option with bread, over the Black Pepper Crab). THE BEST CRAB I EVER ATE. Then off to Bedok hawker area for sugar cane juice, iced milo and coffee. Before Stephen & I met up with Andrea and Paul and their friends at Rabbit Hole in Dempsey Village.
And that was only Saturday!
On Sunday, we SKIPPED breakfast then headed to Grand Hyatt buffet with my Uncle Peter and Auntie Oi Lian. All you can drink champagne brunch, crab, lobster, sushi, handmade noodles (you watch them roll it), PLUS the Straits Kitchen peranakan satay, butter chicken, beef rendang and na'an.... Holy Crap I was sooo full. So we headed to Singapore Botanical Gardens' Orchid Garden walk thereafter. By the evening when I flew back to HK, my stomach still hurt.
https://picasaweb.google.com/irene.stephen.yang/SingaporeFeb2011#
On the negative side, Singapore's taxi system is horrible. Firstly its impossible to find a taxi. Secondly there are surcharges all over the place; booking fee, 50% at night, 35% at peak hours, tolls, etc. Too many competing companies. Soooo different from Hong Kong. Cars seem to make sense there, plus its really HOT to go between MTR stations depending where you need to go. I also missed my two old friends in person , and didn't make it to my grandma's sisters for a visit this time. Will have to come back semi-annually as usual...
All in all a great feasting weekend with family!! As usual, too short. Off to Germany for a conference then Shanghai this week.
Miss you all! Happy March, and don't forget to pay your RRSP's by today's deadline.
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